Ideas For Making Sculptures Out Of Molding Clay

Users can sculpt bodies out of molding clay.

Molding clay comes in a variety of different colors and softness levels. Molding clay is ideal for making pottery and sculptures because of its ability to shape and design figures. However, making sculptures out of molding clay requires users to work quickly and inside a cool room to avoid hardening.

Sculpt a Famous Building

Use your molding clay to sculpt a famous architectural building or landmark. Ideals may include sculpting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Coliseum, the World Trade Centers, Empire State Building or Stone Hedge. These famous buildings or landmarks allow users to find various pictures for helping design a sculpture. In addition, these buildings allow users ample time to construct before the clay starts to harden.

Sculpt a Popular Electronic

Make a sculpture out of a popular electronic, like a Blu-Ray, an iPod or a cell phone. Because technology is constantly changing, these devices will likely become obsolete in a few years; however, the sculpture will capture the era in which the device was manufactured. Sculpting an electronic may one day bring people to remember how advanced the device was for its time, allowing users to compare the current technology from that of the past.

Sculpt a Home

Take a photo of your home. Use the photo to make a sculpture of your home, adding in steps, windows and even people to the sculpture. Sculpting your home allows you to capture the beauty of your home, providing you with a 3-D view that a photo cannot provide. Plus, sculpting your home allows you to add any improvements or renovation ideas, giving you a better understanding as to how your home may look in the future.

Sculpt a Body

Take a photo of a body. Use the clay to capture the curves, imperfections and beauty the human body provides. Be sure to add details to the body, such as muscles, toe nails, scars and hair styles. Sculpting a body may provide viewers insight into your thoughts and views as an artist. In addition, you may want to discuss beauty of curvy, slender or muscular bodies through your art.

Canvas Lithographs

A lithograph is a type of print made by drawing an image directly onto an aluminum plate with oil-based ink, and transferring it onto a piece of paper using a press. Printing a lithograph on canvas is a little more difficult. First, the image is printed onto a piece of paper, using the traditional lithography technique. The ink is then separated from the paper and pressed onto a canvas using an acrylic glaze.

Lithographs on Paper

The process of lithography is based on a very simple fact: oil and water don't mix. After drawing on the plate using an oil-based crayon, the next step is to apply water to the surrounding plate. This prevents the ink (oil-based) from smudging onto any other part of the plate when printing. Once the image is ready, the plate is placed in a press, which transfers the ink onto the paper. Multicolor prints require a different plate for each color.

Make a Canvas Lithograph

First, print the image onto a piece of paper using traditional lithography technique. Then apply an acrylic glaze to the inked side of the paper and soak it in water, until all of the paper separates from the ink. Don't worry about your drawing: oil-based ink doesn't dissolve in water. After you've done this, only the acrylic film and the ink should remain. Now press this film onto the canvas, roll it up, and wait for it to dry. The ink will stick to the canvas, making an exact copy of your original image. A canvas lithograph can be stretched on a frame just like a painting without being damaged, and is much less susceptible to wear and tear.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Unlike many printing techniques, lithography doesn't require any etching or carving on the part of the artist. instead, the artist simply draws on the plate using an oil based crayon or pencil, and presses this ink directly onto the paper. The downside of this process is that to be the plates will be less durable, so you can only make a limited number of prints from each plate. However, modern printing techniques have adapted lithography to commercial uses, with the invention of the offset printing press.

History

Lithography was invented by Alois Senefelder in Bohemia in 1796. At this time, a smooth piece of limestone was used as a plate. Hence the word "lithography" comes from the Greek word "lithos" (λιθος), which means stone. Lithography was used regularly in the 19th century for printing texts in Arabic, Turkish and similar scripts, as the relationship between characters in these languages made movable type a less suitable medium. In the 20th century it also became a popular medium for artists such as Degas, Manet and Delacroix.

Useful Tips

When printing a lithograph, quality paper can go a long way. You should ideally use something with a high cotton content, since this softer paper will absorb the ink better and prevent smudging. It will also dissolve better when you attempt to transfer the image onto a canvas. When printing, make sure you use the appropriate lithograph press. Using a letter press (with rollers) will apply too much pressure and will add ink to your plate as you print, which will destroy the image.

Cheek Art Ideas

This girl has a cheek art dragon.

Cheek art is a type of face painting or body art that focuses on the cheek as the focal point for the design. Cheek art is popular with small children because it isn't as intimidating as getting full face paint done, and can be easily wiped off. Generally cheek art designs are approximately 3 inches by 4 inches wide, depending on the subject's cheek.

Flowers, Hearts, Stars, Rainbows

Some of the most commonly asked for cheek art designs are simple shapes, such as flowers, hearts, stars, and rainbows. Hearts and stars are relatively easy to adapt to cheek art because of their single color and simple shape, but flowers and rainbows can pose a bit more of a challenge. Consider simplifying a rainbow down to three or four colors and making flowers two-toned. Alternatively, you can get more intricate with these shapes by including outlines and shading.

Seasonal Cheek Art

Many face painters find themselves working at holiday parties, where seasonal cheek art designs are in high demand. During Halloween, pumpkins, ghosts, witches and black cats are all good, simple designs that can be easily applied. For Christmas, stockings, Christmas trees, ornaments, presents and candy canes can all be made small enough to fit on the cheek. At Easter or spring-themed parties, plan to be doing flowers, bunnies, and Easter eggs.

Animals

Animals are an often requested cheek art design and can be difficult to fit in the space on someone's cheek. One way to get around this is to paint the animal's face, rather than the entire animal. When doing a whole animal, remember to simplify the animal down to its component shapes and clearly capture any defining features so it's easily recognizable. Popular cheek art animals include cats, dogs, birds, butterflies, unicorns and horses.

Complex Cheek Art

Although cheek art is usually thought of in terms of face painting small children, many makeup artists utilize cheek art to create elaborate fantasy makeup designs. Delicate flowers and vines are popular designs for these types of body art, as are stars, moons and suns. Makeup cheek art can also use more "heavy" symbols, such as lightning bolts and spider webs for an intense overall look. Remember to take into account the overall look of the subject when designing cheek art for adults.

Renaissance Art Projects

Sfumato, cangiante, chiaroscuro, and unione are four techniques used to create depth.

The Renaissance is the cultural and historical period that began in Italy during the mid-14th century and continued through the early 16th century. Literally translated as "rebirth," the Renaissance was a time of discovery and experimentation. Scientific inquiry took precedence over religious doctrine. Social and political theory were based in reason and holistic education. Art moved forward with two distinct goals: emulating the work of the Romans and achieving realistic depictions of subjects and setting.

Timeline

The "Renaissance" as a term is used to describe a period of socio-political change; this is useful when making broad statements about the artwork of the time. However, individual art historians each have their own opinions about the events that mark the beginning and end of the Renaissance. Make a timeline of the major artists and artworks of the Renaissance era. Include photographs or drawings of each. Set your own start and end date based on the features you use to define "Renaissance art." Attach an essay or summary explaining your decision.

Emulation

After studying the painting techniques and materials used by Renaissance artists, select a painting and make a copy of the piece. Use modern art supplies that are similar to those found in the painting or sculpture. For example, in lieu of animal fat gesso use acrylic "gesso" primer to treat wood paneling before painting. Be sure to pay attention to the way hue, value, shape and line were used to create perspective.

Architecture

Renaissance architecture revived the use of Roman and Greek art elements such as columns, pilasters, pediments and domes. These buildings featured symmetrical facades and proportionate interior space based on a common volume. Make your own renaissance style model out of toothpicks, clay, cardboard or oak tag. Or, carve a detailed facade out of a clay slab. Place facades side-by-side along a chair rail or back splash to create a complete Renaissance town.

Fresco

Fresco is a method of painting murals on walls or ceilings in which liquid pigment is applied directly to wet plaster. Although this technique is not specific to the Renaissance, this era had many famous frescoists including Michaelangelo, Raphael and Mantegna. There are three main types of fresco: buon-fresco, secco-fresco and mezzo-fresco. Buon-fresco is the most durable of the three, but also the hardest to accomplish. To create a buon-fresco dry pigment is mixed with water and painted onto a thin layer of fresh, wet plaster or lime mortar. After evaporation the pigment adheres directly to the plaster. Secco-fresco and mezzo-fresco are similar but performed on partially-cured plaster. Make your own fresco by pouring plaster into a foam tray. Mix an unadultered, dry pigment with water and paint as desired. You may refer to Renaissance frescoes such as the ceiling of the Sistine chapel for inspiration.

Character Design Process

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an important aspect to character design and the first step to take if you are serious about designing your own character. To create an in-depth character design, it is integral to come up with a back story, a purpose and other story elements the character will be a part of. Some people go about designing a character by just thinking up race, costume elements and hairstyles. However, the introduction of a back story and placing thought into the journey the character has taken and where the character intends to go can greatly increase the chances of coming up with a solid idea that contains a purpose. Let us say, for example, that your character was a male who fought against a strange creature when he was younger. Perhaps there was a struggle, perhaps the character received a scar in a certain place. Not only will the addition of this blemish give your character a sense of visual appeal, but it will also give purpose to the character and will help you to better describe where he has been and what they have done. Keep this in mind when you brainstorm, crafting a story in your head can help you to gather your elements more effectively.

Concept Art

Concept art is the second step in creating your character for whatever application you have in mind. Concept art is the process of creating a concept or a template for all of your drawings and sketches to go off of. Consider this a master sketch that all of your other drawings will follow. Concept art is a critical element when you are character designing for a video game, movie or any other application where a team will be helping you craft a final product. The reason that conceptual art is important is because it gives your teammates a visual aid to work with and helps them to better understand your concept. Remember the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" because in this case it is 100 percent true. Seeing your character physically can increase your chances that a design team will include all the elements you described to them. A model sheet is a good way to collect all the different elements that are important to character design (see "Resources").

Practice

Practice is the last and arguably one of the most important steps in designing a character. Once you have a character designed and have a successful model sheet, don't stop focusing or drawing that character just yet. The final step you need to take is making sure that you continuously draw your character. Draw him in different poses, styles, with different objects and in different backdrops. You need to be able to sketch your character in a certain position for reference at any given moment. When you create a character you own it, and when people come to you with questions about that character, you need to be able reference to them your exact vision.

Characteristics Of The Early Renaissance Paintings

The Early Renaissance marked a period of rebirth in many areas.

The Early Renaissance began in Florence, Italy, and marked a period of rebirth in classical art. Artists embraced the new spirit of humanism. Reason and science began to take over from the theology and focus on supernatural revelation of the Middle Ages. This new philosophy was reflected in paintings, as artists emphasized realism in their work. Some influential painters from the Early Renaissance were Giotto di Bondone, Tommaso Guidi -- also called Massacio -- and Fra Angelico.

Three-Dimensional Imagery

Giotto was one of the first artists of the early Renaissance to feature three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane. They were drawn and arranged in order to tell a story. The three-dimensional effect created a sense of movement and time. This was in stark contrast to the stiff, supernatural type of art created during the Middle Ages.

Realism

Artists during this time period aimed to paint realistic clothing and facial expressions. They studied the effects of shadow, light and space in order to translate the real world onto canvas. They also closely observed natural phenomenon and situations, though they tended to attribute greater beauty and significance than what was actually found in nature . During the Middle Ages, only the church was rich enough to commission paintings, so most of the art featured religious scenes. Although they continued to depict religious scenery, Early Renaissance artists also featured real people in real situations.

Proportion

According to "Western Civilization: Ideas, Politics and Science" by Marvin Perry, Renaissance painters were very aware of proportion, balance and harmony. They began to use models and studied the proportions of the human body.

Mythology

The Early Renaissance brought a renewed interest in old mythology, particularly Greek and Roman. After the fall of Constantinople, many scholars migrated to Rome and brought their knowledge of the old religions with them. While Christianity still played an important role in art, it was joined by mythology and secular ideas.

Medium

During the Middle Ages, artists used egg tempera, paint made from pigment, egg yolk and water. This medium changed during the Early Renaissance as artists switched to using oil-based paints, which involved mixing pigment with linseed oil.

Characteristics Of Subversive Literature

Many pieces of literature can be classified as subversive.

Subversive literature has been a stye of writing that has attracted writers throughout history. This style of literature is appealing to many writers who are looking to make a difference in society. Subversive literature comes in a variety of formats, from poetry to novels to educational essays to public speeches.

Rebellion Against Someone or Something

The definition of subversion is given by Merriam-Webster as "a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within." This definition calls attention to the most prevalent characteristic of subversive literature. Subversive literature is characteristically used to rebel against someone or something, such as the government, persons in authority or parental figures in children's literature. Subversive literature can also be used to go against common moral theories, such as gay rights issues or opinions on underage alcohol consumption.

Often Controversial

Because subversive literature is often used to go against the opinions and rules of those people who are in position of authority, the literature is often controversial. An author of subversive literature strives to get people talking about the piece he has written by moving away from common and traditional ways of thinking. Subversive literature may cause anger and unrest, especially from people in authority or from those people who share the views and sentiments of the authority figures.

Devaluing Authority

Subversive literature does not only challenge the views of those in authority, it also often uses malicious language to attack the authority figures and devalue them. This means that the literature actually tries to make people think that the authority figures are not important and that their opinions are of little significance. The literature may devalue authority by making fun of it or belittling it, which often stirs up a lot of controversy and emotion.

Emotional

Subversive literature is often extremely emotional because the author usually has very strong feelings about the information he is presenting. Although subversive literature often tries to make fun of authority figures, the literature may also try to appeal to the emotional side of its readers. Subversive literature often tells emotional stories that are used to make people feel bad or help people relate to the cause it is trying to sell to the general public.

Facts About Pablo Picasso For Children

Picassos artwork is on display in museum and private collections around the world.

Pablo Picasso's artwork has become a symbol of innovation and creativity in 20th century visual art. Born in Spain, Picasso began creating paintings at an early age. After being sent to the Royal Academy of San Fernando, Picasso withdrew from formal education at the age of 16 and began pursuing a career as a professional artist. His collection of works spans a variety of medium and stylistic techniques that appeal to adults and children alike.

Picasso's Paintings

Throughout his career, Picasso continually explored new styles of painting. Picasso's cubist works helped popularize this innovative method of perspective painting. Following the First World War, Picasso and other visual artists begin utilizing a more withdrawn, formal style of painting. Picasso departed from this "neoclassical" style before the outbreak of the World War II and, after briefly exploring surrealism, began painting works void of any specific genre classification. Celebrated paintings by Picasso include "The Old Guitarist", "Guernica" and "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon". Younger audiences may enjoy the bold colors of "Still Life On Pedestal Table."

Picasso's Ceramics

Although Picasso's paintings are widely celebrated and collected, Picasso also worked extensively in ceramics and pottery. Picasso's fascination with this artistic medium began during a vacation to the south of France. Picasso worked in collaboration with Jacqueline Roque at Madoura Pottery and produced over 2,000 pieces. Picasso eventually married Roque and produced ceramic works until his death in 1973.

Picasso's Later Years

Picasso became increasingly active as an artist during his final years of life. It was not uncommon for Picasso to paint several paintings in one day. Picasso continued painting into the last day of his life, working intensely on several pieces that were to be displayed at the Pope's Palace in Avignon, France. Picasso's final paintings use much less complex imagery than his previous works, In reference to this simplified technique, Picasso stated, ""When I was as old as these children, I could draw like Raphael, but it took me a lifetime to learn to draw like them."

Sketch An Octopus

Some octopuses can change color or shape when necessary.

Octopuses are some of the smartest invertebrates. Their fascinating body shape and bright colors make them an interesting drawing subject. Because their bodies are soft, and their legs so flexible, an octopus can be drawn in any number of aquatic scenes. Learning the basic sketch of an octopus will allow you to draw both lifelike and more cartoon like octopuses. An octopus can be given a realistic face, or a cute smile can give an octopus more of a personality.

Instructions

1. Lightly draw a 1-inch diameter circle for the top of the octopus's head. Sketch a rounded 3/4-inch equilateral triangle from the bottom of the circle. The rounded point of the triangle should face down and at an angle, away from the circle. The circle and rounded triangle form the shape of the head.

2. Place your pencil 1/8-inch below the head and draw a 3/4--inch line. Draw eight branching arms that originate from the line. Octopus arms are very flexible, so feel free to be creative with the placement of the arms, but the length should be about 1 3/4-inches when fully extended. Some of the arms could be outstretched, while other are curled tightly at the tips. They could branch up or point downward from the body of the octopus.

3. Smooth the two parts of the body, melding them into one shape. Thicken the arms of the octopus. Meld the bottom of the rounded triangle, which you drew for the head, the body part from which the arms originate. Erase any guidelines, such as the tip of the triangle, that you don't need any more.

4. Draw large, oval eyes at the base of the octopus's head, just above the area where the arms start. The eyes should be far to the left and right sides of the head. These ovals should be drawn so that the longest part of the oval is vertical. Draw a second small oval inside the larger eye ovals, for the pupils.

5. Draw small ovals along the undersides of the tips of the arms of the octopus. These ovals should lie with their long side against the undersides of the arms. These are the suckers of the arms. The amount of suckers you add is up to you.

6. Draw some small circles near the top of the head, or along the area between the body and where the arms start. These circles describe the typical patterning usually imagined when people think of an octopus. Again, the amount and placement of the circle patterning is up to you.

Characteristics Of Protestant & Catholic Baroque Art

The term Baroque is used to define the art produced in Europe after the Renaissance from between 1600 and 1750. It was in the Reformation of the church which split Europe into two separate religious sects, the Catholics and the Protestants. The art created during the Baroque period has similarities and differences differing from country to country in Europe.

Religious Themes

One of the most significant differences between the Catholic and Protestant art of the Baroque period is the use of religious themes. Catholic countries, which included Italy, Spain and France, produced works of art that had only religious themes. Protestants, countries such as England, Germany and the Netherlands, followed the ideas of John Calvin and the Calvinist doctrine did not allow for religious figures to be used within works of art. These countries works of art focused on everyday life, portraits and landscapes.

Naturalistic

The works of art created during the Baroque period were naturalistic, opposed to the idealized art of the Renaissance according to Saint Michael's College. For example, "David" the sculpture by Gianlorenzo Bernini, features real muscular definition and a serious looking face. Baroque painting was very detailed and in fact, the term Baroque was actually first a derogatory term focusing on too many details and the art work being too noisy according to Buffalo Architecture and History.

Space

Baroque art of both the Catholic and Protestant artists have more open space in the work that in previous periods. The works also commonly displayed movement and focused the eye using diagonal or circular arrangements in the art. An example of the diagonal is Gentileschi's "La Pittura" which is a self portrait of her painting. The arm is raised at an angle making the diagonal line very clear within the painting.

Messages

Catholic baroque artwork, which focused on religious images, was a counter reformation aimed at bringing individuals back into the church. An example is Caravaggio's "Entombment" which depicts John taking Jesus off the cross. The picture was created to stir sadness and sympathy, connecting the viewer back with the church. Protestant messages, which did not include religious images, were more moralistic. For example the Vermeer's "Kitchen Maid" displays a maid pouring water. On close examination, there is a mouse trap located on the floor in the painting. The painter was giving the message that if a person can afford a maid you were well off financially but questioned your spirituality.

Characteristics Of Late Gothic Paintings

Late Gothic art refers to the period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, around the 13th and 14th centuries. By the 16th century, late Gothic art had virtually vanished. Many of the paintings were depictions of scenes described in the Bible. The role of the Virgin Mary as a connection between God and humanity was frequently visited.

Coloring

Siena-born Neroccio dei Landi is a noted late Gothic artist who was credited for his delicate coloring. He advocated the Sienese style of Gothic art, which was an elegant style of painting that featured people who appeared to be deep in thought and had milky complexions. The milky theme continued in the objects in each piece of art. Another practitioner of the Sienese style was Duccio di Buoninsegna, who mainly created paintings with a religious theme.

Canvases

Gothic art was featured as massive paintings on walls and glass; altarpieces were often used as well. The art produced a manuscript illumination, which is the inclusion of text and pictures to create a united composition. These were produced for courts and lay schools. The "Pieta of Villeneuve-les-Avignon" is an oil painting that stands out as an original piece in this form, meant to convey human expression. The painting now hangs in the Louvre in Paris.

Elements

In order to mix pigments, late Gothic artists used egg or glue that was extracted from animal bones. Oil was also used to bring colors together; it was introduced in the 15th century, as late Gothic art continued to evolve. At that time, the art began to include analysis of the human figure and the relationship between light and color. The artists conveyed emotion through facial expressions and color.

Appearances

Italian Gothic art appeared in Italy during the 13th century before extending throughout Europe in the 14th century. A 13th-century Italian art school called Tuscan developed a style that led to the creation of a Christ theme, which sometimes featured a wavy Jesus nailed to the cross.

Characteristics Of Italian Renaissance Art

Florence is the cradle of Italian renaissance art.

The Italian Renaissance began in Florence in the beginning of the 15th century. The term Renaissance comes from the French word for rebirth. This period was a time of upheaval in a number of domains, including painting and sculpture, and represented a break from the artistic traditions of the Middle Ages. The artists and sculptors of the Italian Renaissance---Masaccio, Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci---looked to the classical art of ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. The Italian Renaissance was a time of great artistic productivity, and many of the works created during this period are the pride of world-class museum collections.

Perspective and Geometry

One of the main characteristics of the Italian Renaissance is the use of one-point perspective in painting to give the illusion of three-dimensional space. Objects and figures in the foreground appear bigger, and therefore closer to the viewer, than those in the background. Renaissance artists also used geometry in the composition of their paintings. Often figures or groups of figures are laid out in geometrical shapes, usually in the form of a triangle.

Naturalism

Artists of the Italian Renaissance aimed to represent figures and nature more realistically than medieval artists. They made close studies of nature and the human body, sometimes going so far as to perform autopsies to gain a better understanding of human and animal anatomy.

Chiaroscuro

The term chiaroscuro comes from a combination of the Italian words for light and dark. Italian Renaissance artists used contrast between gradations of light and dark, or shading, to create volume, particularly when painting the human body. By using this technique, Renaissance artists created a three-dimensional figure, in contrast to the flat figure of medieval art.

Classical Themes

A major difference between Italian Renaissance art and its predecessor is the choice of subject matter. Whereas medieval art was wholly devoted to religious themes, Italian Renaissance art drew inspiration from the classical themes of Greek and Roman mythology and depicted portraits and other secular subjects. Italian Renaissance artists painted the the first nudes since the classical period.

Use of the Contropposto

Copy of Michelangelo's David, in a contropposto pose

Contropposto is a standing position, where most of the figure's weight rests on only one foot. As a result, the body twists, and the hip and shoulder axes are no longer parallel. This pose gives the figure a dynamic and interesting appearance. One of the major achievements of the Italian Renaissance was the rediscovery of contropposto, which hadn't been used since the classical period.

Paint A Wall Step By Step

Painting the walls in your house can be an exciting process, whether you have just moved into your first house and want to decorate, or you are switching your old color to something fresh. It can be a lengthy process, but the paint job will last for years. Preparing properly will help make sure your paint job looks the best it can.

Instructions

1. Wearing the gloves, lay down plastic sheeting or canvas on the floor and on top of any furniture. Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid in a bucket with some water. Soak a sponge in it and then rub firmly over the walls. This will help remove dust, oils and dirt. Wipe dry with a clean towel.

2. Protect all the areas you do not want painted with blue painter's tape. This includes all of the trim along the walls, the molding, electrical outlets, the corners of the ceiling where it meets the wall, and window frames. Line the tape along these edges so when you are painting the walls, if the brush hits these areas, the paint will go on the tape. This step will take some time, but make sure to do it carefully because it will make the difference between a professional-looking paint job and a sloppy one.

3. Empty 1/3 of the primer can into the tray so it is deep enough to soak a roller, but will not overflow on the sides. Next, place the roller into the primer and roll it around to soak it. Make sure the roller is evenly coated, but not dripping wet.

4. Carefully and firmly run the paint roller full of primer up and down the wall, evenly coating the wall with primer. Roll the paint roller into the primer tray whenever needed.

5. Dip a medium sized paint brush into the primer, and now attend to the areas the roller was too big and wide to reach. The areas covered with blue tape need to be touched up with the primer paint brush to get into each angle and edge, such as around doorways and the ceiling and floor. Run the brush firmly across the paint (on the wall side) so once you do remove the blue tape, there will be no unpainted areas. Let the primer dry at least half a day.

6. Fill a new paint tray with paint. Using a new roller, dip the paint in the tray and make sure there is no paint dripping off of it. Roll the roller up and down the wall, doing your best to make sure the paint evenly coats over the primer. Get the edges of the roller as close to the blue tape as possible, adding more paint to the roller when needed. You may have to do two to three coats of paint, depending on the darkness of the shade (the darker the paint, the fewer coats you will need).

7. Carefully peel off the blue painter's tape immediately after you are done painting, while it is still wet (this will help make the tape removal easier). Let the walls dry, which can take up to a day or two.

Make Trading Cards Online

Trading card games are very popular because of their ease of play and availability. These games revolve around the cards that are created to allow play in a wide variety of gaming styles and formats. Players may choose which games they play based on the history, story, gameplay elements, or simply the popularity of the game. It is possible to even create your own trading card game using free online tools and a color printer.

Instructions

1. Visit the Go Deck Yourself website listed in the references and sign up for a free account. This account allows you to access public decks as well as create your own.

2. Log in with your new account and select "New Deck" from the upper right hand menu. You can also choose to view other decks from the main screen for an idea of what is possible.

3. Give your deck a title and a brief description. If you are allowing public display of your deck, these will be shown to other members of the website.

4. Choose the card format and check the disclaimer box. The terms are very important---you cannot create decks unless you attest to the fact that they are your own creation and do not infringe on others' rights.

5. Click the New Card option to begin creating the first card of your deck. Set your picture, stats, and flavor text from this menu. Save your card once it is complete to create others.

6. Use the "Download this deck" button to save a .pdf file of all your cards. This file places all the card images in a printable format.

7. Print the cards on either cardstock or regular paper. You can now play with your personalized deck.

Characteristics Of Dada Art

Dada questions the idea of art.

Dada was an early 20th century art movement that rejected the idea of art movements. It began in Zurich during the first World War as a collaborative effort among painters, writers and dramatists as well as other types of artists. It was motivated by the need to come to terms with the horrors of the war. Dada challenged the prevailing attitudes about art, culture and the legacy of Western rationalism. The Dadaists wanted to subvert the traditional concept of art. In doing so, they saw themselves as liberating human beings from the trappings of an oppressive bourgeois culture.

Social Critique

One of the leading themes and motifs in the Dada movement was social criticism. The Dadaists were inherently political in their motivations. They rejected the modernist conception of the autonomy of art or "art for the art's sake." Art in its various forms -- theater, the visual arts, literature and music -- should present critical perspectives through which to critique society. The Dadaists saw World War I as a logical consequence of bourgeois culture and civilization and its emphasize on rationalism and nationalism. The point of departure for Dada was the rejection of all "isms" as well as all cultural norms, standards and values.

Anti-Art

The rejection of cultural standards and values also implied the rejection of "art" as well. The Dadaists saw themselves an an anti-art movement. Two of the primary assumptions of the traditional concept of art are that art work is original and that the truth value of the art work is eternal. Dada undermined both of these assumptions. Dada utilized various types of prefabricated materials, such as photographs, paintings and mass-produced objects in their art works. The emphasis is on the idea as much as the materials that are used. An everyday object is turned into an art by object by placing it an an artistic context. Marcel Duchamp's "Urinal" is one of the most infamous examples of this approach. In regards to the second point, the Dadaists emphasized the fleeting and ephemeral character of the art object. Various types of "happenings" and performance pieces were staged to emphasize this idea.

Shock Value

One way to challenge the prevailing cultural standards and values of bourgeois culture is to intentionally shock and provoke the audience. The Dadaists used shock as a means of challenging the public's sensibility and complacency about the contemporary world. In addition to challenging the rules for art, Dada's intent was to use art to encourage the public to think critically about all rules.

Irrationalism

Dada equates rationalism with bourgeois culture, and consequently, as an element for art to reject and overcome. Dada embraced the irrational in a number of ways. It was heavily influenced by Freud's theories of the unconscious. It adopted the Freudian idea of free association as a method for freeing the unconscious from the censoring mechanisms of consciousness. Dada poets and writers use free association as a writing tool. Another approach to subvert conscious control of the the art work was to incorporate chance and randomness in the creation of the art work.

Chalk Pastel Application Ideas

Pastels include brilliant colors as well as pale.

Pastels are sticks of color made of ground pigment with a small amount of binder. The colors range from pale to vibrant and have been used for centuries by artists including Degas and Picasso. Pastels are available as hard, soft and in the form of pencils. The colors are opaque and are applied from dark to light. A rough paper is used that has tooth, or texture, that grips the pastels. This medium is well suited for all subjects. Amateurs and professional artists find the range of colors and the versatility of pastels to be exciting.

Under painting

An under painting gives your finished pastel painting more depth of color. Pastels are water soluble and broad stokes can be given a wash effect with a watercolor brush loaded with water. Brush over the pastel and experiment with the wash effects. Once your under painting is finished, build your layers of soft pastels on top of it. Allow some of the under painting to show through your layers of colors.

Applying Hard Pastels

Hard pastels are used to provide your first layer of color.

Hard pastels are ideal for blocking in large areas of color for your first layer. Because of their hardness, they do not fill much of the tooth, or texture, of your paper. This allows you to go over the hard pastels with layers of softer pastels to build up your colors. Typically the darkest shadows and tones in your composition are laid down with the hard pastels.

Soft Pastels

Soft pastels are available in a huge range of colors.

Use your soft pastels to build layers of color after your underpainting and hard pastels have been applied. With pastels, you apply your dakest colors first and then build lighter colors on top of them. Some artists like to blend their colors with their fingers. Be careful not to overblend or your colors will become muddy. Your color can be applied with short strokes going in one or several directions or you cover your paper with broad strokes using your sticks of pastels on their sides. Dots of color can achieve interesting texture. Try different strokes and discover what works for you.

Pastel pencils

Pastel pencils allow you to work in tighter detail. Some artists use them exclusively while other will use them to apply the final layer to add fine lines. They are excellent for working areas that need detailed line work. They can be sharpened to a fine point or the tip can be used on its side for blending.

Chalkboard Paint Tips

Paint a wall or area in your child's room with chalkboard paint so they can use it to do homework.

Chalkboard paint is a thicker paint that dries to form a chalkboard layer that you can write on over and over again with chalk. Using chalkboard paint takes a few more considerations than regular acrylic or latex home paint to ensure proper adhesion and drying. If you are interested in using chalkboard paint for a wall or item of furniture in your home, learning some helpful tips will make the end result a success.

Surface Prep

Paint chalkboard paint on a clean and primed surface. This will ensure the strongest bond to whatever surface you are painting. If you are applying the paint to a wood surface, such as a tabletop, make sure to sand off any existing finish from previous paint or stains and then prime the surface with a basic wall primer.

Magnetic Primer

Use a magnetic primer and you can hang magnets on the area as well. This is a helpful idea if you are using the chalkboard as a wall calendar or schedule organizer on which you also want to hang lists or reminders. Magnetic primer should be painted on a clean, unfinished surface with three coats and allowed to dry for 48 hours.

Painting

Paint on two coats of chalkboard paint to ensure that you get an even layer and allow the paint to dry for a week. Avoid using paintbrushes to apply paint; use a foam roller brush instead. This will give you a more even coat of paint. Use a paintbrush only if you are painting a small area that a roller brush is too large for or a surface that has intricate carvings or details.

Chalkboard Prep

Before using the chalkboard, take a piece of chalk and glide it over the dried chalkboard paint. If you notice any gaps of paint visible through the chalk, fill it in with chalk. This will help condition and prepare the new chalkboard for writing and erasing. Erase these chalk layers with a felt eraser and your board will now be prepared for regular use.

Van Gogh Art Lessons For Kids

Kids get excited about learning when art is incorporated into the lesson plan.

The complexities of famous artist Vincent Van Gogh's personality, health and lifestyle may be too difficult to absorb for young students, but viewers of any age can appreciate Van Gogh's talent and translation of real life to canvas. When you study his distinctive style and color depth you can teach kid's to apply texture to acrylic paintings and instill the importance of detail and emotion in art making.

Swirl and Thatch It

Acrylic paints can be applied thickly to mimic oil paint texture.

Show students examples of Van Gogh's swirl style of painting around objects evident in pieces like "Starry Night" and the short stroke style evident in paintings like "Houses at Auvers" and "The Red Vineyard at Arles." Illustrate for kids use a brush to create these strokes and set up a simple still life drawing to practice this skill. Use acrylic paints with a heavy application to mimic oil paint texture to show the stroke application.

Starry Nights Reviewed

Although much of Van Gogh's style of painting in swirls and haloed objects can be attributed to his health issues including lead poisoning, epilepsy and Thujone poisoning, his swirling echoes of objects in his paintings make his work instantly recognizable. The "Starry Night" painting is perhaps the best-known example for this style but wasn't his only starry night-inspired painting. Review all of Van Gogh's Starry Night paintings including "Starry Night over the Rhone" and "Caf Terrace at Night" and ask children to paint a starry night of their own mimicking Van Gogh's style. You should encourage the kids to paint stars as haloed and in yellow tones while other aspects or focal points in the paintings can be done in the student's own style.

Sunflower Study

Sunflowers offer both simplicity of form and complex details to challenge young artists.

Van Gogh mastered translating the beauty and freshness of the sunflower through painting studies of the bloom in vases, laying on tables, from close inspection and a far away glance. Show students a few of his sunflower studies such as "Two Cut Sunflowers" and "Vase with Twelve Sunflowers" and point out how small brushstrokes compose the bloom and surroundings and give the painting a sense of movement and texture. Place a similar vase with two sunflowers in it for students to paint. Encourage them to compose the image in simple terms, pointing out the table line, vase structure and composition of the flower. Study's can be lightly sketched in pencil first on a canvas board before applying acrylic paints.

Computer Enhanced Van Gogh Style

Kids love to play on the computer; specially formatted programs allow for experimentation.

Ideal for an early education computer class, kid's can learn about photo manipulation as well as classic art history all at the same time. When you use a computer program like Photoshop or Sketch Effect you can lead kids through a step-by-step process to turn a photograph into a Van Gogh styled image. Students can use photos they took themselves or teachers may choose to use pre-selected images whose elements can be more easily isolated and manipulated. Either way kids can see how computer enhancement can add texture and depth of color in the Van Gogh style to ordinary images.

Ceramic Art Schools

There are many ceramic schools in the U.S. and abroad.

Many ceramic art schools around the U.S. and the rest of the world teach the art of creating from clay. From pottery classes for youngsters to colleges that offer degrees in ceramics, there are a variety of schools and courses for those wanting to learn more about the art. Many of these schools don't require any previous knowledge or skills in ceramics.

New York State College of Ceramics

The New York State College of Ceramics, in Alfred, New York, is operated through Alfred University. It originally opened in 1900 as The New York State School of Clay-working and Ceramics. Today, the statutory college has many majors to offer in addition to ceramics, including engineering, science, art and design. According to its website, this combination of backgrounds and schools creates "unique synergies related to materials and their applications as media of artistic expression and engineering function for the broader benefit of society."

Clay Art Center

The Clay Art Center, located in Port Chester, New York, was established in 1957 as a nationally recognized nonprofit center for the advancement of ceramic arts. The school provides studio space for artists, and also offers a variety of classes for adults and children, with areas of focus including wheel throwing, pottery, hand building and sculpture. Most classes are 14 weeks long. The school also features a gallery designed to showcase ceramics.

Lakeside Pottery Ceramic School and Studio

Lakeside Pottery, located in Stamford, Connecticut, is a school and studio focused on clay art. According to its website, the school seeks to "inspire creativity, foster self-discovery, and nurture an appreciation to learn about art." This is accomplished through pottery workshops, classes, events and access to its studio. Classes at the school are open to adults and children, and are held in groups or on an individual basis.

Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre

The Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre, located in Ballinacurra, Ireland, offers arts and crafts for adults, including those specializing in pottery, held weekly, over weekends, and during the summer. It also offers tailor-made workshops for private parties or corporate groups for up to 50. All courses are suited for beginners but can also accommodate professionals through an array of facilities, tools and techniques. Pottery students have access to raku and electric kilns, and stoneware and earthware clays. For those visiting from out-of-town, the school offers packages that pair them with local hotels or bed and breakfasts.

Definition Of Abstract Art & Painting Styles

Abstract art does not depict objects as they appear in reality.

Abstract art, also known as non-figurative art, is not representational of reality. While representational art depicts recognizable objects, abstract art is more evocative of the feeling such objects invoke. Despite the fact that abstract art has existed in one form or another for centuries, many people still do not appreciate it.

Beginnings of Abstract Art

Until the end of the 19th century, nearly all artistic painting was representational. In the early 1870s, a movement called Impressionism, in which abstract art was taken seriously, emerged in France. The Impressionists attempted to portray nature as it changed in terms of color, light and form from one hour to another and from one season to the next. Claude Monet was among these Impressionists. Wassily Kandisky began producing abstract art in the 20th century. He created the first pure abstract work of art, a watercolor, in 1910.

Abstract Expressionism

Abstract art bloomed in the United States during World War II. The Nazi condemnation of modern art, coupled with Adolf Hitler's attacks on the Jews, resulted in the mass immigration of European artists to New York. The subsequent art movement, known as Abstract Expressionism, or the New York School, pervaded the American art scene. Famous artists representing that movement included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko.

From Abstract Art to Pop Art

By the 1960s, Abstract Expressionism was overshadowed by Pop Art, which began in the 1950s in Great Britain and the United States. Many credit British art critic Lawrence Alloway for coining the term "Pop Art" in an essay in which he used the words "popular mass culture." Unlike Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art draws its themes from popular culture, such as television, film and advertising. Those who study art view Pop Art as either a reaction to Abstract Expressionism or its natural extension.

Two Types of Abstract Art

There are two main types of abstract paintings --- those which depict natural objects in an abstract form, such as work done by Monet, and pure abstract art, which is composed of shapes, colors, lines and patterns, and bears no similarity to anything in the real world.

Caveman Diet & Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease many people suffer from, especially as they age. Strangely enough, however, there are a few subsets of the population that seem relatively immune to this debilitating condition--those remaining hunter-gatherer tribes who hold to their traditions, flouting modern convention. Some individuals believe they have a handle on what makes these tribesmen less susceptible to disease than the rest of the world's population: the key is in their diet.

About the Caveman Diet

The Caveman Diet was invented by Dr. Ben Balzer. It is also referred to as the Paleolithic Diet. After noting the low incidence of arthritis, heart disease, stroke, cancer and depression among traditional hunter/gatherer tribes, Dr. Balzer developed this diet to emulate their dietary practices in the hope of also reducing the prevalence of disease.

Caveman Diet Principles

Followers of the Caveman Diet base their entire food intake on consumption of meat, fish, eggs, chicken, fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries. They completely avoid grains, beans, potatoes, dairy, sugar and added salt. The theory behind this method of eating is that arthritis (and other diseases) are developed due to the body's natural intolerance of grains. By eliminating grains (and related products), you eliminate the catalyst that triggers these aliments.

Medical Opinions

A paper supporting Dr. Balzer's assertions was published in the April 2000 edition of the British Journal of Nutrition. There, doctors noted that consumption of cereal grains led to gastrointestinal disturbance in certain patients, which triggered the onset of arthritis. Patients who have eliminated cereal intake from their diets have noticed improvements in their condition.

Possible Dangers

So long as you maintain a proper intake of fruits and vegetables to supply your body with the required nutrients, there is nothing inherently dangerous about using the Caveman Diet to combat the development of arthritis. If you're adopting the Caveman Diet, a good recommendation for health is to vary your fruit and vegetable intake, and attempt to have both fruits and vegetables with every meal.

Considerations

Although the theory appears valid, more research is needed to draw a conclusive link between grain intake and arthritis. Thus, do not expect miracles from using the Caveman Diet to combat this condition. Regardless, if you suffer from arthritis and feel as if you're out of options for regaining control over your life, attempting the Caveman Diet certainly seems to be benign way to seek a cure.

Caveman Diets

Cavemen ate raw mollusks, perfect examples of unaltered protein in the wild.

Anthropologist Katherine Milton of University of California-Berkeley believes all ancient societies ate three main diets: wild animals, wild plants or one cultivated starch accompanied by wild animals or wild plants. The earliest humans were vegetarian foragers. Eventually, they became nomadic hunters and gatherers who followed available food supplies. A recent trend is the resurgence of the caveman diet from 2.5 million years ago. The so-called Paleo Diet consists of low-fat proteins, healthy fats and few carbohydrates, using natural foods with no processing, genetic altering or chemicals.

Eating History

Human ancestors the Ramapithecines foraged on wild grains and grasses that grew on the ground's surface. Australopithecus had massive teeth and jaw muscles to chew coarse, fibrous plants, hard nuts and abrasive seeds. Homo habilis, Homo erectus and Neanderthals ate plants and scavenged for lean meats and bone marrow from dead, partially eaten animals. As cavemen evolved into hunters and gatherers, they began to hunt, fish and forage. Their diet consisted mostly of plants and small animals, with occasional large prey.

Eating Habits

Cavemen ate out of need, which maintained a lean muscle mass and healthy weight. Since the caveman had to ration food, he limited his intake to smaller portions. When food became scarce, he was forced to fast until food sources became available again. For liquid nourishment and to prevent dehydration, he drank lots of water from fresh springs and streams. He brewed teas from needles, bark, flowers and leaves. He snacked on insects, wild fruits and plants. He hunted and harvested only what he needed to survive and consumed almost the entire carcass with very little waste.

Animal Protein

The land and sea animals cavemen ate had higher protein and less fat than today's domesticated animals. Their diet resembled the aborigine diet -- 81 percent vegetable and 19 percent animal. Generally, they ate anything they could catch. If they lived near the sea, they ate fish, turtles, crocodiles and shell animals like mollusks and gastropods. They ate insects, waterfowl, seals and antelope. They consumed considerable fat from animal organs, bone marrow, eggs, tongue, eyeballs and gut.

Plants and Other Edibles

Cavemen consumed little salt. They ate sugar in the form of honey or tree sap. They often ate raw fruits and vegetables. Their diverse plant diet consisted of wild fruits, berries, flowers, leaves, roots, legumes, nuts, seed and fungi. Most caveman carbohydrates came from fiber-rich, underground plant parts such as yams, carrots, turnips, parsnips and rutabagas, but they also ate bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers, grasses and sedges. They ate wild fruits that had lots of fibrous pulp and multiple seeds.

Catholic Art Gifts

Finding a suitable religious art gift for a Catholic friend or family member can be an overwhelming experience. There are many wonderful items from which to choose, ranging from prints and paintings to sculptures, statues and religious icons.

Suggestions

Before beginning your search, consider the art styles that the recipient prefers. Does she like modern or Dutch Baroque? Does she prefer paintings or sculptures? What are her favorite subjects--the saints, Mary, Jesus or the apostles? What colors would match with her home's décor? Does she have wall space to hang a large painting or would a table-sized statue be more appropriate?

Another idea is to find a piece of artwork from her favorite chapel, church, basilica or pilgrimage location. Do an Internet search to see if it the location has a gift shop that sells reproductions of its artwork.

You might also consider an art piece that depicts her patron saint.

Paintings

There are some beautiful religious paintings and prints that would be appreciated by any art lover. William Bouguereau, a 19th-century French artist, has created several popular religious pieces. His "Innocence" is a beautiful painting that depicts the Blessed Virgin holding the infant Jesus in one arm and a lamb in the other. "Song of the Angels" has a similar luminescent quality; it depicts the angels serenading baby Jesus. Both gifts would be especially perfect for a new mother.

If the recipient enjoys Picasso, she might also like the broad brush strokes of Eugene Delacroix's "Christ Walking on the Water" or "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee." If she likes studying Christ's parables, she might enjoy Rembrandt's "The Good Samaritan" or Bartolome Esteban Murillo's "The Prodigal Son."

Statues

Some art lovers collect religious sculptures and statues for indoor or outdoor use. These items range in size from a tiny two-inch sculpture that fits on a window sill to a life-sized 72-inch garden statue. Michelangelo's "The Pieta" is one of the best selling statues, but many angels and the Holy Family are also popular. Statues depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd are also well-loved, classic pieces. Some stores also carry beautiful reproductions of Bavarian-carved wood statues. One famous example is the Bavarian Madonna, which depicts Mary lovingly holding the child Jesus in her right arm.

Many Catholic gardens include statues of Mary, Jesus and St. Francis. But you don't need to limit yourself to just these three figures. Some stores also sell statues of the St. Joseph, the Archangels, Padre Pio, St. Anne and other saints. A St. Anne statue surrounded by children would be especially appropriate for a new grandmother. Garden stepping stones with religious quotes are another good option for the gardener who also loves art.

Religious Icons

Although icons are more prevalent in Eastern Orthodox churches, many Catholics also enjoy this symbolic and meaningful artwork. Often written directly on wood or engraved into silver, icons depict angels, saints, religious items like the cross, parables or events in Jesus' life. Small wooden 3-by-4-inch icons that sell for about $5 are perfect for a desk or small shelf. Larger 23-by-14-inch icons may sell for several hundred dollars.

Career Objectives For Graphic Artists

Graphic artists have a number of career opportunities available to them, depending upon their talent and their educational background in the arts. Some of these opportunities are available to the self-trained graphic artist, while others require an educational background in the arts. The objectives you choose for your needs will help determine the opportunities you take advantage of on you career into graphic arts.

Career Evaluation

An evaluation of your personal career goals is essential in determining your objectives. The goals you set for yourself will be determined by the objectives you have in your career. If you want to work as a graphic artist for Disney or any other big film company, one of your goals will be to attend a graphics art school. Disney and other companies actively recruit from top graphic arts schools.

Building a Portfolio

Building a portfolio is one of the priority objectives for a graphic artist. This requires taking on clients and doing a job for them that you can use as a reference. Building a portfolio should be ongoing. An updated portfolio is a graphic artist's lifeline to the graphic arts community. Take as many jobs as you can and document samples of the work you do.

Visual Commercial Presence

Developing a visual commercial presence is an objective that will help establish your name to the graphic arts community. A web presence, print advertising you've done and social networking are ways to promote yourself and your portfolio. A visual presence for a graphic artist is one of the most effective ways to market your skills.

Graphic Artist's Guild

Consider making one of your objectives to become a member of the Graphic Artist's Guild. To qualify, you must earn more than half of your income from graphic design or graphic arts. The Graphic Artist's Guild will allow you a place to market yourself, show your portfolio and can put you in touch with opportunities in graphic arts. The Guild will also help with legal issue regarding copyright and runs an advocacy program for graphic artists, acting much like the Writer's Guild for writers. Many companies look favorably upon Guild membership.

Copyright Artwork

Copyright is proof of authorship and legal protection for the creators of artistic works, including visual artwork. According to the 1976 Copyright Act and the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990, artists control decisions about the reproduction and public display of their work. Copyright your artwork with these steps.

Instructions

1. Understand that your artwork are automatically protected by copyright immediately after creation. However, artists should consider formally registering artwork with the U.S. Copyright Office, particularly if the work is to be duplicated commercially.

2. Ascertain that your work fits the definition of visual art for copyright purposes. The term "visual arts" applies, legally, to any two- or three-dimensional work of applied, graphic or fine art. The rather extensive list begins with advertisements and ends with weaving designs.

3. Fill out application Form VA, and if needed, the Form CON (continuation form). Download these forms from the copyright site. Verify the amount of the current copyright fee with the Copyright office and make payment to "Register of Copyrights."

4. Send a copy of your artwork along with the application form. Copies will not be returned. Send one copy of an unpublished work or two copies of a published work. For three-dimensional objects, like sculptures, send a copy of the sculpture along with identifying material such as photos and/or text related to the sculpture. A gallery or art show catalog is an example of identifying material.

5. Mail your copyright application, fee and deposit to:

Library of Congress

Copyright Office

101 Independence Avenue, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20559-6000

6. Expect to receive a registration certificate within four months, although registration is effective as soon as the Copyright Office receives your submission.

7. Add copyright notices to your works as extra protection. Use any of the following: copyright, copr. or ©. Add your name as the artist and the year of the copyright. For example: copr. Mary Smith, 2007.

Make Polymer Clay Animal Sculptures

You can blend polymer clay like paint to form new colors.

Polymer clay is a versatile form of craft clay. It is highly pliable, comes in many colors and does not dry out when left in open air. However, it is possible to fire it at relatively low temperatures to harden it -- creating durable animal sculptures that you can use as room decorations or Christmas ornaments.

Instructions

1. Roll a ball of polymer clay to create the body of an animal. For some animals, you may need to press the ball into a different shape than a sphere. For example, a dachshund sculpture would need a longer body.

2. Roll another ball to create the animal's head, and press it onto the body. Roll a piece of clay into a long, thin cylinder with rounded ends. Break pieces off the cylinder, and press them onto the body to form limbs.

3. Smooth the transitions between different pieces with your fingers.

Roll additional small balls or cylinders, and press them into different shapes to form the animal's features -- such as a nose, beak, mane or tail. To create spots, roll small balls, press them flat and smooth them onto the surface of the body. Use a knife to form lines or grooves, such as a mouth. Poke the clay gently with a toothpick to create nostrils or textured surfaces.

4. Bake your sculpture in an oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit to harden it. Baking time will vary based on the size of the sculpture. Small sculptures up to 1/2 inch thick will harden completely in 30 to 45 minutes, while larger sculptures may take hours to harden fully. For most sculptures, it is sufficient to allow a hard outer shell to form, since polymer clay will remain stable even if it is not fired all the way through.

Canvas Texture Painting Techniques

Painters can purchase raw or prepared canvases.

Canvas texture is an essential part of painting techniques. Whatever the medium -- acrylic or watercolor, for example -- the type of canvas you choose determines how your paint is applied and how it adheres. Employing various painting techniques is a critical step in completing a successful piece of visual art.

Raw

Raw canvases lack the surface preparation of prepared canvases. Manufacturers who prepare canvases often add a glossy varnish or matte gel to prime the surface prior to putting them on the market. A raw, cotton or linen canvas, for example, provides a thin and even "portrait quality" surface, while jute canvas is often uneven and textural in its surface quality.

Prepared

Preparing with various additives boosts the surface tooth quality of a raw canvas. Adding a liquid ceramic stucco or resin, for example, enhances the hardness of the surface. Absorption rates also diminish with the aforementioned methods of preparation, allowing an artist to successfully apply multiple layers of paint. Hard surface boards are also ideal for holding a thick picture surface.

Paints

Different types of paints are useful for alternate painting thicknesses. Acrylic gesso paint, for example, is ideal for painting thin surfaces. Adding a paint thinner to gesso reduces the thickness of the paint even more. Flat and smooth airbrush painting is well suited for an eggshell canvas surface. Applying multiple layers of oil paint to a durable cotton duck canvas, on the other hand, adds to the thickness of the picture.

Impasto

Impasto is a specific style of painting aimed at making the surface texture ultra-thick. A single wet layer of oil or acrylic paint is added to a canvas, followed by countless layers on top of each subsequent dry layer of paint. The height field is thus increased and the density of the picture itself is enhanced. Vincent Van Gogh is well known for his embrace of the impasto technique.

Canvas Print Vs Lithograph

A canvas print.

Canvas print and lithographs offer one similar benefit on a simple level: they produce a copy of art. Choosing the quality and durability of that print is where the more unique and sophisticated characteristics of canvas and lithograph prints come into play.

Lithograph

Lithography is a four-color printing process on paper. Lithographs are recommended to be accompanied with matting and glass to protect the art. This is not a method used for fine art and is considered an old approach to printing.

Canvas Print

Canvas prints are a type of giclee printing. Giclees are printed on canvas rather than printing paper and are covered with a coating which protects them from the air.

Colors

The lithograph, whether in direct or indirect sunlight will have fading or changing of colors. The light doesn't effect art on canvas like it does with lithographs. There is no glare and the intensity of color stays crisp, with a picture lasting well over 100 years.

Costs

Up front, canvas prints seem to be more pricey, ranging from around $200 to $250 (as of January 2010). Lithograph costs start at about $100 for a print but that's not including the glass which typically costs another $100.

Other Uses

Lithographs have become a popular method for creating business cards and invitations. Photographers use giclee printing for photographs because of the quality and life of the product.

Canvas Print Ideas

A printing studio impresses regular photos and digital art onto high-quality canvas.

Canvas prints offer a stunning approach to showcasing favorite photos or digital art. Studios impress a provided digital image onto high-quality canvas using the best inks and printing techniques. The variety of sizes and shapes available for printing further the possibilities. Incorporate canvas prints into home décor for a one-of-a-kind design or use the concept to showcase a business. Canvas prints also make great gifts and serve as wonderful reminders of vacations and special occasions.

Business Purposes

Canvas prints depict business practices in a distinct way.

Canvas prints provide a simple way to display business products or services. Examples of the business come to life when a professional depiction is printed on canvas and hung where clients easily see them. Close-ups of special products or creations have an especially significant impact and offer clear instances of what the business represents.

Creative Decor

Magnified images on canvas provide a colorful addition to any room.

With a little creativity, canvas prints develop any room in the house into an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. Choose images shaded to coordinate the colors of the room to complement the décor or select bright hues to add a punch of color. Super close-up pictures of common objects add flair to ordinary surroundings.

Digital Art

Digital art comes alive when printed on canvas.

Digital artists transform works of art into glorious canvas prints. Previously restricted by the size of the printer, images now may be printed any size desired. Create an oversized piece of art to cover an entire wall, or make a bunch of miniature canvas prints to group together in a collection. The canvas also adds depth and texture to the surface of the picture, making the image more realistic.

Family Photos

When hung in a central location, canvas prints of family shots breathe life into a home.

Canvas prints liven regular family photos. Enlarge a family portrait or create individual prints of each family member to decorate a wall in the main room of the house. Family photo canvas prints make great gifts and offer something different from the usual framed photo gift.

Oil Painting Effect

The oil painting effect turns any standard canvas print into a work of art.

Most canvas print studios offer an oil painting technique to transform regular images into masterpieces. Any photo or digital representation easily transforms into an image of an oil painting using a computer program. Once the image is transformed, the studio prints it onto canvas, adding to the realness of the artwork.

Special Occasions

Photos of special occasions such as weddings look great on canvas.

Special occasions become immortalized when imprinted onto canvas. Use canvas prints to blow up pictures of weddings, birthdays and other celebrations. Hang the prints in places where the family gathers so everyone can have a reminder of the special event.

Vacation Scenes

Be reminded of favorite vacations every day with a canvas print.

Increase the effect of gorgeous vacation scenes depicting sunsets, dense forests, open deserts or high mountains by printing them onto canvas. Include special location shots that contain family members for distinct views of the trip. Remember the moment forever by turning it into a beautiful canvas print.

Styles Of Cubism

Artist Pablo Picasso spearheaded the Cubist movement in the early part of the 20th century.

Cubism is an avant-garde style of modern art attributed to both Pablo Picasso and Georges Bracque at around the same period in the early 1900s. Cubism is characterized by an almost grotesque abandonment of proportion and realism in respect to color and form. The intent was to reject and redefine the Classical concept of beauty. As the century progressed, Cubism evolved into different styles.

Cubism

The name Cubism is somewhat descriptive, as paintings done in this style appear made up of small cubes and sharp, geometric shapes. Picasso's first Cubist work was "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," completed in 1907. This painting depicts a human figure from several viewpoints, which became a core characteristic of Cubism. This Cubist painting is also representative of Picasso's epoque Negre period, which was inspired by African folk art.

Analytical Cubism

The first evolutionary phase in Cubism is referred to as Analytical Cubism, which lasted from approximately 1910 until 1912. In Analytical Cubism, the artist deconstructs his subject, taking the image apart and reassembling the pieces with geometric shapes. Analytical Cubism is characterized by mundane subject matter painted in a dull, monochromatic color palette, typically greys and browns. This places the focus on the artist's deconstruction of the form in an effort to depict the subject's essence, as opposed to a strict representation of its physical appearance.

Synthetic Cubism

Sometime around 1911 to 1912, Cubism evolved into what was subsequently termed Synthetic Cubism. The difference between earlier forms of Cubism and Synthetic Cubism is the use of smaller geometric shapes, thus making the object more easily identifiable. In a similar manner to Analytical Cubism, however, this new form also involved deconstruction of the subject matter and reassembly with intersecting and overlapping planes.

Orphic Cubism

Orphic Cubism --- also called Orphism --- was a short-lived offshoot art movement that began around 1912, introduced by a group of artists led by Robert Delaunay. Orphic Cubism was an attempt to push Cubism further into the abstract by abandoning any pretext of recognizable subject matter, instead focusing strictly on form and color to convey the artist's intent.

Purism

Purism was both a form of Cubism and a repudiation of its later forms. In a 1918 manifesto, French artists Am d e Ozenfant and Edouard Jeanneret (better known as Le Corbusier) decried the abstract direction Cubism had moved toward, arguing that abstract Cubism was more decorative than meaningful. The work of these artists was more methodical, better representing the true image of the subject matter and its essential form. Le Corbusier eventually brought this approach to architecture, a field in which he became one of the 20th century's leading figures.

Canvas Painting Technique

Learning to paint on a canvas is not as complicated as it may seem, and it is not entirely different from painting on any other surface. In order to begin painting a canvas, some preparation is involved.

Canvas Preparation

Purchase a canvas of the appropriate size, or make one on your own. If you are going to make your own canvas, you may purchase the stretcher bars at any art or craft store. Tear a piece of canvas large enough to fit over the edges of the stretchers with room to spare on all sides. Lay the canvas on the ground and then lay the assembled stretcher bars in the center of the canvas. Pull the canvas over each side and staple the canvas to the stretcher bars, beginning from the middle and radiating outward. Staple down the corner of the canvas. Flip the canvas over and brush off any dust it may have picked up from the floor.

Now is the time to prime the canvas. This stretches the canvas tight across the bars and prepares a fresh white surface for painting on. This is a necessity if you are painting with oil paints because oil paints applied directly to canvas will eventually cause the canvas to deteriorate. However, if you are planning to paint with acrylic paint, priming the canvas is not a necessity. Be aware that if you do not plan to prime the canvas, the canvas will absorb more of your paint than it would otherwise. You will also need to take care to stretch the canvas more tightly across bars when you staple them.

In order to prime the canvas, mix two parts gesso with one part water and paint it on the front and sides of the canvas. As the gesso dries, the canvas will shrink (much like the way that clothes will shrink in the dryer) and pull tight against the stretcher bars.

Painting

Set up your canvas on an easel in a quiet place with adequate light. Adjust the easel to the appropriate height and angle it to your tastes. Good ventilation is important if you are working with oil paints. Begin the painting by applying the paint in a thin wash on the canvas. Build up in thicker strokes as you progress. Applying the paint in a thin wash will allow the canvas to soak up some of the paint and make a favorable surface on which to build your image.

You will probably wish to paint in sessions. If you are using oil paints, you will likely reach a point in which the canvas is too wet to continue and you will have to step away before you can make further changes to the image. Acrylic dries very quickly, but it is still a good idea to spend time away from the canvas to get a fresh perspective on your image.

If you find yourself stuck and not sure proceed, or if you feel that something is wrong with the image but you're not sure what, one technique to try is to turn the canvas upside down and then step away from the canvas and view it from a distance. What do you see? Check your color balance and look for elements on the canvas that are out of proportion.

Finishing

Your canvas may be framed by a professional if you take it to an art supply store or a craft supply store. A nice thing about painting on canvases is that a canvas does not need to be framed in order to be hung on a wall. You will probably notice, however, that the sides of the canvas look sloppy and unfinished. Try painting the sides of the canvas to match the image to give it a more finished appearance. Be careful when hanging the canvas on the wall that the nail does not poke the canvas. Even if it does not poke a hole through the canvas, a nail can stretch the material with time if it juts out against the painting from the wall.

Canvas Painting Ideas For Toddlers

Canvas painting can introduce children to the fine arts.

Painting on canvas gives children the pleasure of painting like an artist and can help them take the art of painting seriously. Crafts help develop creativity, innovation and resourcefulness, all of which can be exercised in an activity such as painting. Painting is an engaging activity that children of any age will enjoy as they make something beautiful and useful.

Canvas Lunch Bags

Encourage children to eat their packed snacks or lunches with canvas lunch bags that they have personalized and decorated themselves. Along with standard painting materials, you will need premade canvas bags, drawstring or tote style. Protect the painting area with newspaper or recycled plastic bags. Allow the child to exercise their creativity by letting them paint whatever they want onto the front side of the bag. Give suggestions, such as adding a handprint or drawing their favorite cartoon character. When finished, help the children paint their names onto the canvas bag.

Shoes

A snazzy new pair of shoes could be something that children might appreciate, especially if they designed and painted those shoes themselves. For this activity, you will need a pair of canvas shoes in the right size, along with standard painting materials. Suggest patterns and designs that the children would like to see on their shoes. The shoe designs do not have to match in appearance, so the children can be creative with both shoes.

Paint by Numbers

Painting by numbers can be an easier way to ease a child into painting. Sets usually come packaged with paint and paintbrushes. These sets have outlines with numbers to indicate what color a child should paint in areas of the canvas. Protect the work area with newspaper or plastic bags before beginning the activity. Help the child identify numbers and colors as they fill in the canvas painting. This activity teaches them about numbers and colors at the same time.

Canvas Notebook Covers

Give the children blank canvas notebook covers, which can be purchased in craft stores. Prepare your work area by surrounding it with newspapers and let your toddler apply designs on the notebook cover. Introduce other types of painting styles to the child, such as using a water spray to add design or letting the paint drip on its own down the canvas.

Canvas Painting Ideas For Kids

Get kids involved in art early to unleash their creativity.

A blank canvas is an endless source of possibility to kids, who are willing to make the process as enjoyable as the finished product. Making a mess, being creative; what more could a kid ask for in an afternoon activity? Art on canvas looks its best when it's in a multitude of layers, with little to no canvas showing from underneath. Consider making this an ongoing project until your child has covered the entire piece.

Squirt Gun Art

Your little Jackson Pollock can fill up a squirt gun with liquid tempera paints and 3/4 of a cup of water to help dilute it. Adjust the nozzle if possible, so he has different widths of paint streams, or use a variety of squirt and spray guns to get different effects. Lines, dots and squiggles will give the painting depth and personality.

Nature Collage

Take your kid on a scavenger hunt to find environmental treasures, such as leaves and sticks. Once she has a pile, let her paint a canvas, then use the wet paint to hold items like glue. Your child can paint over the objects so that only an outline remains. Larger items, like pine cones, will have to be stripped and put on in pieces so they will stick better. Kids can even throw handfuls of sand over the wet paint to add texture.

Body Art

Let your child use his entire body to cover a piece of canvas. Place the canvas on the ground, and empty tubes of paint in random piles on it. Let your child roll or slide on the canvas until he has spread the paint over the entire surface area. After it dries, and while the canvas is still on the ground, have your kid step on a paper plate filled with more wet paint and walk over the canvas, so that you have a path of footsteps of one or more children. He can further embellish the top layer with handprints. You'll have an art piece to keep for years to come.

Draw Disney Cuties

Choose an art eraser to prevent dark smudges from pencil lead.

Disney Cuties are baby-like images of the traditional characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald Duck, Daisy, Goofy and Winnie the Pooh. These simple images have soft rounded curves and very little detailing. Each character is a bold line drawing similar to a coloring book page image. The characters have big eyes and are colored in with basic solid coloring without shading. Draw Disney Cuties using an art pencil and simple shapes colored in with pencils.

Instructions

1. Look at the picture of the Disney Cuties character to be drawn. Notice the simple shapes. For example, Minnie Mouse is a series of circles and a triangle. Her head is a large circle with two ear circles. The body which is wearing a skirt is a triangle shape.

2. Draw a circle for the head area on the paper.

3. Draw the guideline in with a light pencil line which will be erased later. According to Dragoart's website it helps to draw a guideline on the face to align the eyes, nose and mouth properly. The guideline is a pie-shaped ring that is divided into four pieces. The point where the four pieces join is the center point between the eyes.

4. Adjust the shape of the face by elongating the chin or shaping the cheeks. Use the eraser to rub out the portions of the face circle that are no longer needed. Draw ears and hair on the head.

5. Lightly sketch in the shape of the body or legs. This may be an oval, rectangle or triangle for example.

6. Draw the legs or body of the Disney Cutie. Add the feet or shoes.

7. Draw the clothing and hats.

8. Draw the two eyes at an equal distance from one another using the guideline. Add a snout, eyebrows, nostrils and mouth. Gently erase the guideline marks with the art eraser.

9. Add in any finishing touches. Color in the drawing with colored pencils.