Types Of Landscape Photography

Types of Landscape Photography

The most common type of landscape photography uses the land and natural scenery such as mountains, waterfalls and forests. However, urban and industrial landscape photographers uses buildings and man-made features in the same ways as nature photographers use mountains and trees.

Considerations

Light is the most important element in landscape photography. Light can turn an uninteresting scene into an interesting image and vice versa, according to The Ultimate Guide to Digital Nature Photography.

Misconceptions

Sunny days are not always the best days to do landscape photography. Diffused light is best for waterfall pictures, while sunny days are better for the grand vista shots.

Geography

Landscape photography can be done anywhere, from a backyard garden to the downtown of a nearby city, to an industrial complex halfway around the world.

Function

Landscape photographs can be used for fine art and to push environmental causes.

Identification

There are three styles of landscape photography. Representational landscape photography mimics what physically exists in the field. Abstract uses elements such as color and shapes but the actual subject is often indistinguishable. Impressionistic is in the middle; it is not a documentary photograph, but hints of the scene are seen in the image.

Become A Car Show Model

Modeling at a car show can be fun and profitable. Car show models are considered spokes models, and often make appearances at night clubs and sporting events. Spokes modeling can be a difficult job field as many clients have very specific requirements. Car show models must be typically beautiful and fulfill height and weight requirements as well as feel comfortable handling a crowd. Spokes models take photos with guests and demonstrate a product while delivering key marketing points in a friendly manner.

Instructions

1. Hire a photographer. Potential clients will ask to see at minimum a head shot and full body shot before considering hiring you. Some agencies will request a full portfolio of 10 or more photographs. Optimize your chances of being hired by including a head shot with natural hair and make up, a smiling full body shot in professional wardrobe and a flirty bikini image. Keep your portfolio updated and remove inferior images as your modeling photos improve.

2. Write a resume. The first section should include your full name, cell phone number, and the city or region you are available to work in. The following section should clearly state your measurements, including height, weight, bust, waist and hips. Many clients will provide a wardrobe, so be sure to specify your clothing sizes, including dress, shoes, pant and shirt.

Resumes should also include any modeling credits, sales or retail experience, and other skills. Foreign languages and skills such as dancing, singing or acting should be featured.

3. Sign with multiple promotional modeling agencies. Unlike fashion agencies, these businesses hire new talent primarily through the Internet. It can take several months before you start working, so you should maximize your potential to be hired by sending your resume and portfolio to as many agencies as you can find. These agencies will also help you find jobs as liquor spokes models, or find paying work promoting technology or health and beauty products.

National agencies include Encore Nationwide, Events and Promotions, National Event Staffing, Method Models and Beloved Staffing. Many agencies operate across a limited region. Find local agencies by conducting a search for promotional modeling agencies.

Post your portfolio and resume on sites such as Model Mayhem and One Model Place. Clients often search these sites for talent, and the forums can offer helpful information as well as allow you to network with other models and photographers.

4. Check your email every day and answer your phone. Once you have signed with an agency, they will email you with available jobs. When you are offered a job you are interested in, apply immediately. Market managers try to staff events as quickly as possible, and a quick response will greatly increase your chances of being hired.

Become A Cartoonist

Cartoonists are multitalented individuals who draw cartoons in addition to creating their story lines and captions. The top measure of a cartoonist's success is having cartoons syndicated in major newspapers throughout the country. However, not everyone can become a Charles M. Schulz.

Instructions

1. Begin by taking drawing classes and creating cartoons for your high school or college newspaper.

2. Understand that even though higher education is not mandatory, appropriate college courses will polish your writing and artistic skills. Consult your high school guidance counselor for advice related to furthering your education.

3. Peruse the National Cartoonist Society (NCS) Web site (reuben.org) for professional advice about becoming a cartoonist.

4. Assemble copies of only your best work in a professional-looking portfolio. Bring it to interviews you set up with advertising agencies and local newspapers. Many of those organizations frequently use freelance cartoonists.

5. Keep abreast of current events, since popular cartoon storylines often evolve from the daily news.

6. Browse books related to cartoons at a reputable online bookseller. They will give you valuable information and may help keep you motivated.

7. Consult the Writer's Digest and Writer's Market guidebooks to find out about cartoon syndicates and their submission requirements. Realize that you will be competing with professionals if you send in submissions.

Modern Painting Ideas

Modern Painting Ideas

Two hundred years ago, paintings in the Western world were generally restricted to religious iconography, landscapes and portraits, and the medium used was usually (though not always) oil paint. The world of art has changed so radically in the last two centuries that now paintings may be made from almost any combination of materials, and the subject of a painting may be literally anything. Here are a few ideas for your own modern paintings.

Abstraction

Abstraction is the simplification or distortion of an image to create interest or convey a message to the viewer. Abstraction in painting allows the viewer to look at the subject of the painting in a way that is out of the ordinary.

Abstraction is not a single method of portrayal-it may be handled in innumerable ways and by degrees. For example, an enlargement and closeup of an object may be called an abstraction because the perspective allows the viewer to see the object in a way that is new and different. (Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings of flowers are an excellent demonstration of this approach.) Meanwhile, abstraction may also involve substantial distortion of the subject-as is often the case in Picasso's cubist paintings.

Use abstraction in your own paintings by drawing several studies of your subject from different perspectives, concentrating on different characteristics of the subject in each drawing. After making a few studies, draw a few studies of the studies. In your second round of drawings, emphasize the strengths of the previous drawings. Finally, make paintings of your studies. This breakdown of perception from the original subject should lead to distortions and unique observations that lead to abstractions. Allow your paintings to be loose and free. Remember, you are not trying to paint the subject as it really is-you are trying to paint the subject in a new and different light.

Nonrepresentational Painting

Nonrepresentational painting is often confused with abstract painting. Whereas abstract painting is the abstraction of a specific subject, nonrepresentational painting is not a painting of a subject at all. Nonrepresentational paintings are often called "art for art's sake." With this type of painting the artist has no intention of representing a space or subject-realistic or imagined.

Examples of this type of painting includes Jackson Pollock's drip paintings, Piet Mondrian's geometric paintings and Mark Rothko's color field paintings. To create a nonrepresentational painting pick up your paintbrush, clear your mind and begin to paint. It may be more difficult than you imagine not to turn your painting into a depiction of something, someone or someplace you know. Be loose and free with your brushstrokes.

Multimedia Art

Multimedia art is any art that includes two or more media together in the same piece, or any art that includes one medium combined with unusual objects that normally would not be considered artistic materials at all. For example, a multimedia piece may be acrylic painting on a flat plaster sculpture, all of it wrapped in wire. A painting on canvas with cloth and paper glued to it would also be considered a multimedia piece.

In order to make a multimedia piece, plan your painting before beginning. Draw studies of your painting. Gather the materials you believe you will use. During the painting process, leave yourself open to changes in your plan.

Become An Art Appraiser

At heart, a good art appraiser is a research professional, capable of unearthing information about an item's worth from its condition, date, maker and other information. To become an art appraiser takes time and dedication. If you're interested in this field, obtain work in a gallery, auction house or museum to get experience working with and handling art objects. The salary for appraisers varies, but a good appraiser can average $44,000 to $65,000 per year, according to StateUniversity.com.

Instructions

1. Obtain a bachelor's degree in art history. While you can train to become an art appraiser without an art history background, most of art appraisal is understanding art history.

2. Learn at least one foreign language, especially if you intend to specialize in a certain type of art, such as Italian or Chinese. While you don't need to be fluent, you should be able to converse and to skim texts for key concepts. The University of Notre Dame recommends learning a language and suggests Spanish as a versatile, useful language for art appraisers.

3. Hone your research skills while working in an art-related field. This can be gallery experience, museum experience, nonprofit work, library work or anything art-related that requires research. If you cannot gain research skills in your work, approach art appraisers near you and ask if you can apprentice with them and assist in their research. You can find art appraisers near you by using the American Society of Appraisers directory. (See Resources.)

4. Apply to certificate programs in appraisal studies. Many fine art colleges have an appraisal studies program; some state universities also have programs. The certificate program will allow you to specialize in fields such as silver, American furniture or Asian art. Certificate programs can be completed in one to two years, depending on whether you go full or part time.

5. Begin your certificate program in appraisal studies. To gain experience, obtain an internship with an appraiser during your course of study. Professors in your appraisal studies program will be able to provide recommendations of where to intern.

6. Complete your studies and search for a job as an appraiser. You can go into business for yourself or hone skills working at an auction house, museum or gallery.

Measure Women'S & Girls Clothing Sizes

Measure Women's & Girls Clothing Sizes

Knowing your clothing size before you go shopping saves you the time it takes to try on clothes that would never fit you. It also keeps you from getting disappointed by trying on clothing that turns out to be far out of your size range. Women's and girls' clothing offers thousands of choices in each size. Find the right size by taking measurements and comparing them to a sizing chart.

Instructions

Women's Clothing Sizes

1. Use a tape measure to help a woman find her size. Begin a list for her measurements. Write the following words: bust, waist, hip, sleeve, inseam and height. Put a blank beside each word to fill in as you measure. Have the woman stand up wearing comfortable underwear. Use the tape measure loosely enough to put a finger between it and the body.

2. Measure the bust, waist and hips. Measure the bust at the fullest part, on a circle parallel to the floor.

3. Measure the waist at the natural waistline, the point where the body naturally curves in, or about where your slacks usually reach when you are wearing pants that are not low-riders.

4. Measure the hips at their fullest point at a circle parallel to the floor. SYMS: Educated Consumers Dress to Achieve suggests that you use the hip measurement for sizing if your hips fall two or more sizes higher on the sizing chart than your waist.

5. Have the woman stand with arm bent slightly. Measure the arm from center of neck to shoulder tip to elbow to wrist. This is the sleeve length.

6. Have the woman stand with her back against a wall and measure her height from the floor to the top of her head. Have her get out a pair of her best-fitting slacks and measure the inner leg seam to get the inseam measurement.

7. Use a sizing chart to match up the measurements on the list you made to the sizes of the clothing you are buying. Choose the measurement to use based on the type of clothing, if the measurements do not fit into one size. Tops and dresses go by bust size, pants go by waist and hip size. A good women's clothing size chart can be found at Wmsclothing.com/sizing.html.

Girls Clothing Sizes

8. Set up a chart to write down measurements. List the following words: chest, waist, hips,weight, back-waist length and height.

9. Have the girl dress in underwear and stand straight with arms to the sides. Use the tape measure to measure around the chest at shoulder blade level. Measure the waist at the point where the waist nips in, or at the point where pants would normally ride on the girl. Measure her around the fullest part of the hips.

10. Take the back-waist measurement from the bones where the neck meets the body to the center of the waist. Take the height measurement as you usually would, with the girl standing up against a wall. Measure her height from floor to the top of her head.

11. Weigh the girl and write her weight down on the list you have made, along with the measurements. Use a sizing chart to match up the measurements you have taken to the size you will buy. Target.com has a helpful chart with girls' sizes, on its website.

Basic Airbrush

Airbrushing is a popular technique for distributing paint very lightly and evenly over a variety of surfaces. Because the paint is sprayed in a fine mist, instead of applied with a brush, airbrushing can deliver very even coverage and can be applied to surfaces that you wouldn't normally be able to paint evenly with a brush due to their texture, such as cloth, extremely smooth surfaces like glass or glossy plastic (motorcycle helmets are a popular item to airbrush), and rough surfaces like rock. Airbrushes also have the advantage of not wearing out, unlike regular brushes. Airbrushing is an extremely popular craft technique, and anyone can learn to airbrush with the proper tools.

Instructions

1. Unpack the airbrush kit and make sure that it contains the airbrush itself, an air hose and a jar for the paint.

2. Fill the jar halfway with airbrush paint and screw the lid on.

3. Screw the nozzle on the lid of the jar onto the port on the underside of the airbrush.

4. Attach the air hose to the airbrush, then attach the other end to the air source, either a compressor or a compressed air can.

5. Turn on the air source, if necessary, and depress the button on the airbrush once quickly at a piece of scrap cardboard, or something else that you can throw away, to test all the connections and see whether the paint is coming out evenly. If pain leaks from somewhere other than the nozzle, turn off and unhook everything, clean out the connections with water, allow to dry and hook everything back up as in the steps above.

6. Hold the airbrush in your dominant hand, as you would hold a pencil, with your index finger on the sprayer button, and support the paint jar with your other hand. Move the brush nozzle to about five inches from your work surface, depress the button, and move the brush in smooth, sweeping strokes. You'll quickly get a feel for how the paint distributes itself. Using an airbrush is much like painting with a normal brush or drawing with a marker, but the results are much smoother.

Draw Cartoon Faces Of People

Imagination plays an important role in cartoon drawing.

Beginning artists can find success by drawing cartoon faces of people. Once you learn a few basic concepts of drawing, you will discover that drawing cartoon faces can be much easier to draw than real people. Imagination plays an important role in cartoon drawing; once you have learned the basic concepts, experimenting with different shapes and styles creates new characters, villains and heroes.

Instructions

1. Imagine what you want your character to look like. Sometimes you will not know this until you draw each feature. If you have a general idea, begin with that. Think about which feature you want to emphasize in the face, such as the eyes, nose, mouth or hair and head gear. Usually on a cartoon character, at least one or more features are exaggerated.

2. Think about the shape of the head that you want to draw. Begin by sketching the outline of that shape. Always draw lightly in case you need to erase lines. Cartoon face shapes can be circles, ovals, rectangles, triangles, or a combination of any of these shapes. The easiest shape to begin with is a circle.

3. Draw the nose on your shape in the center of the object. This provides a good reference point for the rest of the features on the character. The nose can either be "L"-shaped, a curved line or simply a horizontal line drawn across the shape with two small lines drawn upward on either side of the line.

4. Add the eyes to your face. Since this is a pretend character, the eyes can be oval shaped, circular or more defined as in a human being. Eyes can even be two small dots on the face. Detail the eyes as much as you want to. Drawing small horizontal lines underneath the eyes gives the appearance of creases. Shading in a portion of the eyes further defines the face. Sketch in eyebrows.

5. Conceptualize how you want the mouth to look. You can draw big mouths, open mouths with teeth showing, lips drawn together or simply a curved line up or down to reflect a happy or unhappy expression.

6. Sketch ears on your face. Again think about the effect that you want your character to portray. If the ears are just added for detail, draw two smaller ovals for the ears and call it good. Some cartoon characters don't even have ears, so they are not necessarily a component of the face that you must have.

7. Pencil in the hair. Draw any headgear such as hats, headbands, bows or even crowns for princesses. The hair can simply be an outline surrounding the face, straight lines drawn out to reflect a spiked hairstyle or small shapes if you are focusing more on the head gear.

Make A Copy Of A Painting

Replication of original paintings is best done at a photo lab.

It is common for a painting to be liked or wanted by several people. However, there can be only one original. The solution to this problem is to make a copy. Since artists seldom keep their original work, opting instead to sell the piece, you may wish to inform the artist sooner rather than later that you would like to make a copy. If you wait, the artist could sell the piece and your only chance of getting a copy would be to track down the buyer. Borrow the painting to create a copy.

Instructions

1. Take the painting to a photo lab of your choice.

2. Inform the technician of the exact dimensions and quality you would like the copy to be. If you want an exact replica, tell the technician you want the copy to be the same size as the original and at the highest possible resolution. Many photo labs can print copies onto the same type of canvases that artists use.

3. Check that the printed copy is adequate when you return to the lab to pick it up. Be sure to ask for a CD or DVD with the scanned image files of the painting. This will allow you to print future copies if you want more or if anything happens to the one you just had printed.

Use Of Computers In Arts Education

Use of Computers in Arts Education

Computers have long found a place in arts education through their use as a research tool. Exploring arts resources provides students with experiences they may not otherwise have. However, with advancements in digital media, students may now produce digital arts media where once they may have produced a painting, played an instrument or acted in a production. Though computers cannot replace a paintbrush in an art class, they certainly provide a tool to enhance arts education during research, instruction and production.

Significance

Educators have used technology as a research tool for many years. However, as students become more technologically advanced at younger ages, the importance of technology as a method of curriculum exposure, delivery and exploration in the arts becomes evident. Sites such as FREE (Federal Resources for Educational Excellence) offer extensive resources that allow students to explore music, visual arts, theatre and biographies of famous artists. Through their exposure to and exploration of these sites, students experience the arts in greater realism and with greater understanding than they would should the educator only use technology only for teacher research before a lesson.

Function

Technology functions as a door, allowing students to step into the past, present or future and visualize what they may be unable to experience in person. Students of this century live in a digital, technologically advanced world. Educators must function in a language they understand in order to achieve student engagement and learning. Computers offer the tools educators need to reach students of today and help them to obtain a greater level of understanding than they might be able to with books and lectures.

Types

Organizations and resources such as the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Technologies in the Humanities offer students many ways to gain experiences in the arts through technology . Virtual tours of various museums, online exploration of historically significant architecture, video of various arts performances and in-depth exploration of the arts of various cultures allow students to engage with the material in a way that is meaningful to them.

Considerations

Educators providing students with engaging lessons with technology must consistently strive to achieve a high level of proficiency with various programs and to stay informed regarding the latest developments in technology. Educators must also allow technology to be a tool for the creation of student assignments and projects, not just the delivery of information in order to integrate technology in arts education. Digital media products such as slide shows, videos and computerized music must remain acceptable products in a technologically advanced classroom.

Effects

The use of computers in arts education prepares today's students for tomorrow's colleges and job opportunities. Major colleges such as the University of California, Irvine, realizing that the career market of the future demands technologically savvy arts majors, now offer programs of study integrating the arts and technology. Live arts performances and tactile expressions through traditional art supplies should never be entirely replaced by technology. However, computers have proved a valuable tool in enhancing the arts education of many students.

Make Clay Objects With Modeling Clay

Make Clay Objects With Modeling Clay

Modeling clay is a great way to help children develop their imagination. Helping kids to create clay objects will spark their creativity. It also works to develop hand-eye coordination. While there are many electronic games that are designed to stimulate a child's mind, sometimes something simple such as modeling clay can be just as effective, if not more so. Learn make clay objects with modeling clay and teach children in order to help their creative mental processes.

Instructions

1. Plan the object you are going to create with your modeling clay by sketching out the design on sketch paper. Objects that are less intricate will be easier to make than more intricate designs. Side and back views should be sketched out if needed for the modeling process.

2. Lay out wax paper on a flat table and place your modeling clay on the paper. Wax paper will not absorb moisture, which could prematurely dry out your clay.

3. Prepare the clay by squeezing your lump from all sides, working it into a basic ball. This increases the clay's elasticity and will allow the clay to be more easily manipulated.

4. Using your hands, manipulate the clay into the basic form of the object you wish to create. You can squeeze the clay, roll the clay on the paper, or strike the clay with your fist to create the basic shape of your object.

5. Press details into your clay object by using your fingers and sculpting stick. Shave off excess clay with the sculpting stick's carving edge. The end of the stick can be used to press holes into your clay object.

6. Finish your object by adding any details to match the original sketch.

Paint A Textured Ceiling

If you've got a textured ceiling that's starting to show its age, the easiest way to make it look new again is to paint right over the existing texture.

Instructions

Prepare for Painting

1. Pick a color for the ceiling. Feel free to pick something other than white if it suits your taste.

2. Measure the area of the ceiling and buy paint from a paint store, home improvement center, lumberyard or hardware store. (See Tips.)

3. Pick up masking tape, plastic sheeting, and paint rollers or a paint sprayer while you're at the store.

4. Remove as much furniture as possible from the room you're working in.

5. Cover all floors and any objects left in the room completely with plastic sheeting.

6. Cover the upper 3 feet of the walls with plastic sheeting. (Tape or staple it in place - this is a lot easier with a second set of hands.)

7. Vacuum as much dust and cobwebs as possible from the ceiling. Avoid dragging the vacuum attachment directly over the texture.

Paint the Ceiling

8. Decide if you're going to use a roller or a spray machine. The roller method is tidier, so you won't need plastic sheeting on the walls, but it's also more strenuous, and it's more difficult to achieve full coverage. Using a machine is faster and provides better coverage, but it's messy and requires a little practice.

9. Cut in (edge with a brush) around the circumference of the ceiling if you plan to use a roller. You can cut in the edges with a bristle brush or a disposable foam-rubber brush.

10. Roll paint into the field of the ceiling with a long-nap roller. Apply one or two coats of paint.

11. Cover yourself well and use a mask if you're going to use a spray machine. Use even strokes and maintain an even distance from the surface as you paint. A couple of light passes with the sprayer is better than a single pass that is too heavy. (See "Use a Paint Spray Machine.")

Appreciate Salvador Dali

Appreciate Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali is one of the most famous painters known today. By understanding Dali's motivations behind his work, you can better appreciate his art.

Instructions

Dali's Art Before 1935

1. Look for elements of impressionism. When Dali was young, he was an impressionist painter, like Monet. He painted mostly landscapes. His portraits resembled people's characteristics, but they did not have the photographic, realistic qualities he developed later.

2. Look for his shift to surrealism. When Dali's mother died in 1922, he had an identity crisis. He began to think that the truth about life was hidden. He attended lectures on dream interpretation and read articles by Sigmund Freud. He began to seek truth in the dreamlike, unconscious state. This is when he moves into dreamlike painting, called surrealism.

3. Look for evidence of Dali's use of sexuality and Hitler. While Dali was very popular in the surrealist movement, just before 1935 he began to experiment with extreme images of sexuality and symbols of Hitler. At the time, these images were too controversial for the art world. The surrealist movement asked him to leave in 1935.

Dali's Art from 1935 to 1945

4. Look for references to materialism and consumption. Dali had a fascination with consumerism, and this is another reason why the surrealist movement, which was strongly socialist, no longer wanted Dali as a member.

5. Look for eroticism. Dali made more and more of an effort to move toward the use of human figures as things that are desired. He painted his figures in alluring, attractive ways. As Dali began his cinematography career, eroticism became a more common theme.

6. Look for a shift from round, cartoonish figures to more realistic looking people in Dali's art. At the end of this period of his career, Dali decided he wanted to learn to paint people in a classical way. He took time off to study how classical masters used proportions, tones and luminescence in their portraits.

Dali's Art from 1946 to 1989

7. Look for religion to appear in Dali's art during this period. Dali was greatly affected by the dropping of the atom bombs in World War II. He reflected his concerns in his art. During this time, his compositions still have dream-like qualities, but the people are often religious figures that are more classical-looking.

8. Look for symbols of atoms in Dali's work. Once the atomic bomb was dropped, Dali's art included atoms and molecules. These were important to his surrealist nature because he considered them fundamental parts of the unconscious.

9. Look for references to time. Again, inspired by the science behind the atomic bomb, Dali began to wonder about time as a fourth dimension. This theme began appearing in his work.

Appraise Fine Art And Oil Paintings

Framed fine art paintings on a wall.

There are hundreds of techniques for appraising fine art or oil paintings to find out if they are authentic and to determine their value. Hire professional appraisers to determine the value of fine art and oil paintings for attaining insurance, or for selling and auction purposes. To assess a piece that you own or are considering buying, you can follow a few general tips to estimate the value and ensure you get an accurate final appraisal for your art piece.

Instructions

1. Contact reliable sources to authenticate the fine art piece. Authentication will help to determine the correct age and originality. Using scientific methods and discovering the true origins of a piece are processes employed by professional appraisers to decide whether the piece is authentic.

2. Assess the condition of the piece. Examine the fine art piece for any tears, cracks or excessive wear before purchasing. Even the smallest of hairline cracks can affect the value of a piece of art or fine art painting.

3. Gain an understanding of current trends in the art world. Trends affect the value of a piece of art when collectors are seeking art that falls within a specific style, genre or time period. The value of art changes according to the latest trends, so a piece will be worth more to sell if it is currently in demand.

4. Get a second and third opinion from several professional appraisers. Collecting the information from more than one source will ensure an accurate appraisal for your piece.

5. Collect the paperwork for your piece. Examples of paperwork include certificates, letters of authenticity and appraisal letters. Complete this step before buying or selling a piece of fine art to make sure that you are not defrauded.

Appraise Art Over The Internet

You've found some art in the attic and you want to know what it's worth. Hire a professional appraiser for a bona-fide appraisal of your art. Accredited appraisers have a strong background in art history, they understand the current market and art auctions, and know use research tools for an effective evaluation of your art. Visit an online professional appraiser for a quick answer to the piece of art's value.

Instructions

1. Determine what kind of appraisal you need. Whether your purpose is insurance, estate, charitable donation, liquidation or equitable distribution, the value the appraiser gives you depends on the type of appraisal. An insurance appraisal states the current retail replacement value whereas one for a charitable donation gives the fair market value.

2. Contact one of the following organizations to locate a credentialed appraiser: Appraisers Association of America, International Fine Art Appraisers, American Society of Certified Appraisers or Art Dealers Association of America.

3. Submit good photographs or color transparencies and a description of the work including markings. Some appraisers can work from digital photos.

4. Expect to receive documentation of your work of art and estimated value. Look for a detailed description including size, condition, markings, medium, year work was created and provenance (history of ownership).

5. Anticipate a biography of the artist as well as auction records. A complete appraisal contains these items.

6. Take your work directly to an appraiser or have him visit you at your home for more accurate and reliable results than what you can get from an online estimate. Though you can get a good estimate via online appraisals, to get a better valuation, it's best if the appraiser can physically see the piece to check for flaws or damage, which greatly affects the final worth.

Make Creative Posters

Faced with a blank sheet of poster board, the job of coming up with a creative poster can be a daunting one. However, by following a few basic guidelines, the step-by-step creation of an attractive, effective poster is not as overwhelming a task as it may seem. Simply keep in mind that your objective is to get others to take a closer look at your poster and come away with some basic information. You'll use color, a great graphic and your imagination to achieve that objective.

Instructions

1. List the information that absolutely needs to be included on your poster. For example, if you are advertising the performance of a local theater group, you need such information as the date, times, and location where the play will be presented along with the title of the play and either ticket prices or a phone number to call for tickets. If you need to make a science project poster, you would want to include the name of the project, probably in the form of a hypothesis or a question.

2. Decide on one large graphic element for the poster. By having one large graphic, you'll attract the eye to a focal point on the poster. Possibilities for graphics include such ideas as a black and white drawing, a photograph, a diagram, a cutout from a magazine, or an abstract design.

3. Choose a color for the poster board that coordinates well with both your subject and your graphic. For example, the color of a poster that will feature a full-color photograph should pick up one of the colors of the photograph; a black and white photo would be more effectively displayed on a brightly colored poster board than on a white one. Hot pink would probably not be the best choice for a poster describing a serious issue.

4. Mount your graphic in a prominent yet interesting position on the poster board. Try tilting the graphic to the left, for example, about one-third down from the top of the poster. Consider using a black marker to outline the edge of your graphic to make it stand out more effectively.

5. Use the yardstick to draw a thick pencil line where you want the title for your poster to appear. For example, if you have tilted the graphic to the left, you might want the poster title to tilt at the same angle. Once your pencil line is drawn, lightly sketch in the letters or use stencils if you wish.

6. Choose a complementary color for completing the letters. The letters will have considerably more "pop" if you outline them in black. If the poster is an extremely dark color, you might consider cutting out letters of a lighter color and gluing them on.

7. Consult your list of items to be included on the poster and find a unique way of including them. For example, on a white poster you might list the items using different colors for each in rainbow-order. Or you might cut out appropriate shapes (such as balloons, hearts, hands or whatever suits your purpose) and print one piece of information on each and glue them randomly onto the poster.

Apply Grim Reaper Makeup

Grim Reaper from “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey”

From ancient times onward, many societies have personified Death as a sentient entity. In English lore, this entity is often known as the Grim Reaper, and is depicted as a ghastly, skeletal figure in a dark-hooded robe carrying a scythe with which he reaps life. In some legends, the Grim Reaper is actually a benign character whose job it is to lead the deceased into the afterlife. Theatrically, the Grim Reaper can be played for shock effect, or as in the case of a movie like “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey,” he can be played for laughs. Either way, here's impersonate him.

Instructions

1. Wash your face carefully with a good-quality cleanser. Pat your face dry with a clean towel. Put on a button-type smock to protect your clothing from the makeup. Brush your hair away from your face. Hold it back with bobby pins or a rubber band if necessary.

2. Apply clown white makeup with a sponge to your entire face. Begin at the forehead and work your way down. With the sponge, smooth the makeup into the hairline. Cover any part of your face and neck that will be seen, except for your lips and around your eyes.

3. Dip the powder puff into the colorless powder. Pat the powder gently onto your face to cover the makeup. Brush any excess powder from your face with the powder brush.

4. With a fresh sponge, apply black makeup to the area around your eyes and down the sides of your nose. Use the edge of the sponge tipped with black makeup to draw a line along the cheekbone from the middle of the ear toward the edge of the mouth. Feather the black makeup downward to hollow out the cheeks.

5. Apply black makeup to your lips using the fine-tipped brush. Outline in black the crease between the lips and chin. Draw a triangle on the lower chin and fill it in with black makeup.

6. Apply gray makeup sparingly to highlight and hollow out the forehead, the throat and under the eyes. Dip the powder puff into the colorless powder. Pat the powder gently onto your face to cover the makeup. Brush any excess powder off your face with the powder brush. Lightly spritz your face with water to set the powder.

Apply Critical Thinking To Concept Mapping

Apply Critical Thinking to Concept Mapping

Concept mapping is the visualization of a logical design. The purpose of this mapping is to make explicit what a certain concept or idea entails. In concept mapping, an idea is permitted to be "unpacked" of all its implicit or explicit content in a way that appeals to visual learners. Mapping can convey information that simple verbalization cannot.

Instructions

1. Choose a word, idea or symbol that the map should center around. This is the concept that is to be "unpacked" of all its content. If you are studying the causes of cancer, then cancer is then your central idea. Once the idea of cancer is laid out in visual form, each aspect of the disease can be further broken down into its proximate and indirect causes. Each of those causes can then be mapped out in terms of their causes. This can continue as long as necessary to exhaust the subject matter.

2. Approach the subject matter to be mapped in a top-down model. Going from the most general to the more specific is the easiest way to do concept mapping and apply critical thinking to the object. The general idea is cancer. One can break this down into causes, types, forms and treatments, for example. Each of these can further be broken down into more specific manifestations. This is a logical design, but it need not be a rigid design. Each category can be broken down almost infinitely, and therefore, there is lots of room for conjecture and creative thinking.

3. Keep in mind the distinction between unpacking concepts on the one hand, and what those concepts logically entail, on the other. Aristotle's four causes are essential here: efficient, formal, final and material causes. The efficient cause is what we could call a proximate cause, that which makes "x" happen. A formal cause is the form that a thing takes. A final cause is its purpose or end, and the efficient cause is what a thing is made out of. These four causes are essential in concept mapping, though it is not clear if each of these causes is logically entailed by the object under study (e.g. a statue need not be made of bronze, but bronze would be the statue's material cause. What the statue is meant to represent is its formal cause). Aristotle's four causes are important for the full "unpacking" of the content of an idea, object or logical design. These four causes are essential to thinking critically about the topic under study. Applying each cause to a central concept will bring up many critical questions and speculations.

Apply Behr Texture Paint

By itself, paint can add drama or peace to a room, lift spirits or provide a calming environment. Adding Behr texture paint to your home improvement tools allows you to add greater depth and character to your walls and ceilings.

Application is simple and requires no additional preparation than that required for regular paint.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Determine the type of Behr texture paint you need for your project. The paint comes in three textures: smooth, sanded and popcorn. Behr recommends using smooth and sanded finishes on walls and ceilings, and using the popcorn finish on ceilings.

2. Determine how much texture paint you'll need, adjusting the quantity for how thickly you plan to apply the paint. Behr notes that its 2-gallon container of texture paint covers 100 to 200 square feet (9 to 18 square meters), depending on application technique.

3. To determine square footage for a wall, measure the height and length, then multiply the numbers together. For example, a wall measuring 8 feet high by 10 feet long is 80 square feet. Behr texture paint is sold at Home Depot, and as of October 2009 cost $26.97 for 2 gallons (7.6 liters).

4. Prepare your surface by removing loose paint and dirt and cleaning off any mold. Gently scuff glossy surfaces with sandpaper. Countersink nails and screws, repair imperfections in the surface with filler, and sand them smooth. Wipe away any dust and allow the surface to dry completely.

5. Behr recommends allowing new stucco, plaster and masonry to cure for 30 days before painting.

Application

6. Behr recommends using its texture paint when the surface and air temperatures are between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Stir the texture paint well. Wooden paint stirring sticks tend to be too fragile for Behr texture paint and can break off in the paint. Use a clean length of metal rod, a flat-bladed paint scraper or a mixer attachment for your drill.

8. Pour the paint into a painting tray, being careful not to overfill.

9. Place a drop cloth beneath the work surface to catch drips and spatters.

10. Use a looped roller to apply the paint in sections roughly 4 by 4 feet square, leaving uneven edges. This allows for better blending when you begin working on an adjacent section.

11. Looped roller application will create a pebbled effect on your walls, and applying a second coat of texture paint can heighten the effect.

12. To create patterns, allow the second coat of texture paint to dry for five minutes. Use a flat-bladed paint scraper or trowel to create an adobe effect, or skim it lightly over the paint's surface to create a traditional knockdown look. Use a sea sponge to create circles or swirls in your texture paint. Lightly dragging a whisk broom vertically through the paint will create a grass cloth look.

Cleanup

13. Use soap and water for tool cleanup.

14. Use a wet cloth to wipe spatters and drips from baseboards and other surfaces.

15. Store remaining texture paint in a location where it will not freeze.

Draw Manga Couples

Draw Manga Couples

Manga is a distinctly Japanese form of comic book art, an amalgam of native Feudal-era art and imported American comic books. The medium shares several of the same genres as American comic books, such as action, superheroes and science fiction. Romance, too, had its time of prominence in American comics, but it's developed a permanent place in manga. So it's a common thing to see drawings of couples in comics. Because romance is such a convention in manga, it's important to draw them just right.

Instructions

1. Draw the stick figures for both characters, with lines for the spine and each segment of limbs, circles for the joints, an oval for the head, curved triangles for the feet and upside-down triangles for the torsos. Pay close attention to the way the stick figures interact with each other, how their hands touch, how their bodies embrace-physical contact is important for depicting romantic couples, even more so than in action.

2. Build the stick figures up with "pipes," exterior lines that more closely emulate the body types of the characters but still omit detail.

3. Draw on the details of the characters, including clothing, hair, ears and facial features. Adhere to the conventions of manga art style with details such as enlarged eyes and hair, or pointed noses and chins. Capture the facial features of love and affection, using a baseline of emotional calmness and adding details such as a twinkle in the eye or a smile.

4. Trace the finalized pencil lines in ink. Start with the most essential lines and carefully move on to finer details. Do not over-ink, at the risk of making the details look crowded or jumbled on the page. Let the ink dry and gently erase the the pencil lines from the drawing.

Antique Ivory Polymer Grips

Use a paintbrush to apply burnt umber paint to the surface of the ivory polymer grip.

There is nothing like the beauty of real antique ivory. You can use acrylic burnt umber paint to antique ivory polymer grips on pistols or other objects for a realistic look that will fool all but the experts. The ivory polymer used in pistol grips is very similar to ivory polymer clay used for crafts.

Instructions

1. Use a small V-gouge and carve lines in the ivory polymer grips to mimic the natural striations in ivory or bone. Keep in mind that the deeper the gouge, the darker the antiquing. Vary the depth and width of the gouges. Note: It is possible to carve designs in the same fashion. Be careful so the V-gouge does not slip and make unwanted marks.

2. Use a soft cloth to wipe off the grips to remove any loose particles from the carvings.

3. Use a paintbrush and cover the entire grip with a thin coat of acrylic burnt umber paint.

4. Using a soft cloth, immediately wipe off the paint from the surface. The paint will wipe off the surface easily and remain in the gouges.

5. Look at the surface of the grip. Add gouges if the antiquing is not sufficient. Reapply the burnt umber paint and wipe off.

6. Let the piece dry for one hour. Apply three coats of acrylic spray sealer, letting each coat dry 10 minutes before applying the next.

Antique A Canvas Painting

Antique a Canvas Painting

Antiquing a canvas painting can be a fun, rewarding way to add character to a painting you have created or purchased. By using a few different tools and techniques, you will have a beautiful creation in a few hours' time.

Instructions

Antiquing as You Paint

1. Prime your blank canvas, using gesso if you are working with acrylic paints and primer if you are working with oil or tempera paints. Priming is simply preparing the canvas for paint with one or more coats of one of these substances. This helps seal the canvas and prevent paint from seeping through.

2. Paint with darker colors. You can mix ink or dry pigments (usually made from stones) into your paints to give them a naturally dark, aged look.

3. Palette knife

Apply texture to your painting with gesso or another textured medium, such as black lava. There are several textured media available to create bumpy or cracked looks.

There are several ways textured media can be applied: two of the most effective ways are using a flat brush that will spread evenly, and using a palette knife (usually used to add paint to your palette or a canvas). Using a palette knife allows a thicker, splotchier application.

4. Apply a workable fixative spray (Krylon manufactures an excellent one) in order to prevent the pigment from rubbing off, if you used a dry pigment to add discoloration.

Antiquing an Already Completed Painting

5. Finish the painting. If your painting is oil or tempera paint, use a varnish; for acrylic, gesso is sufficient. If the painting uses multiple media (such as paint and ink) or you are not sure, apply a spray fixative.

Apply either varnish or gesso using a thin, flat brush to ensure a light, even coating. Remember when purchasing to pay attention to finishes (matte and glossy). Varnishes tend to be glossy but are available in matte formulas, as are gessos.

6. Mix a light stain and apply with a dry flat brush. You can create more depth or darkness in some areas by applying more stain, such as in the corners where an old painting would have been handled.

7. Scratch or cut the canvas with an X-Acto knife. If you want to create a large cut with fraying, turn the blade facedown at a 45-degree angle and carefully shave the edge where the canvas was cut.

8. Flat brushes

Apply textured media or dry pigments as desired with either a flat or fan brush and a palette knife. A fan brush can create a unique curved form that other brushes cannot.

Remember to use a fixative to prevent smudging when applying dry pigments. Use a matte, workable fixative, as this will allow you to further distress your painting.

9. Frame your painting using an antique or antique-look frame. Make sure any mats are acid-free and the glass is glare-resistant to help protect the painting from fading and deterioration.

Choose Paper For Pencil Sketching And Line Drawing

Choose Paper for Pencil Sketching and Line Drawing

Although an artist can draw on any paper, she achieves the best results with paper specially designed for sketching or line drawing. The right paper will allow the artist to create shading, draw clean, uniform lines and blend more effectively to create better results.

Instructions

1. Determine what tools you will be using for your artwork. Charcoal vines, soft graphite pencils, watercolor pencils, pastels, colored pencils and artist's pens all have their own paper requirements.

2. Buy cold press paper for charcoal, pastel or pencil drawing. This paper has "tooth," a rough surface that will catch and hold the charcoal, chalk or graphite from the pencil. It allows you to create a variety of shading effects.

3. Buy hot press paper for ink drawing. This paper is very smooth, which will allow you to create a smooth, uniform line. There is no rough surface to catch on the pen nib.

4. Consider colored paper for pastels. This will give a colored background to your drawing and show through the chalk, giving a unity to the colors.

5. Buy heavy paper for watercolor pencils or ink drawing that will include washes.

6. Buy sketch paper for practice or for preliminary sketches. It's less expensive than drawing paper. If you want an even less costly option, buy newsprint or see if your local newspaper has remnant rolls of newsprint they will give you or sell at a greatly reduced rate.

About Renaissance Fairs

A Renaissance Fair is a festival typically celebrating the period of time during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, though some other Renaissance fairs may celebrate different historical time periods. These fairs typically take place outside on a fair ground over the course of one or several weekends. The performers in a Renaissance Fair typically travel with the tour of the fair. These fairs are a place for musical acts, theatrical acts, jousting, games, food and the sale of arts and crafts.

The Facts

Renaissance fairs usually have a traveling troupe of costumed entertainers who perform historically-relevant tasks for event-goers. There is a wide assortment of characters, but usually there is a king and queen of the Renaissance fair, several knights, several peasants, wenches, jesters, and more. Many of these performers act out dangerous and skillful stunts like juggling, knife throwing and fire breathing. The fairs are known for their medieval qualities which feature games that involve throwing weaponry like axes or bows and arrows, scantily clad women and performers and medieval legends in the form of acts and games.

Features

Renaissance fairs are known for their specific entertainment, games, food, and style of dress. A usual Renaissance fair features food like smoked turkey legs and other festival foods, often given medieval-themed titles. A big draw for many adults at these fairs is specialty beers and meads which are inspired by medieval times. Jousting events usually take place between rival fair organizations. Both the paid performers and fair-goers are encouraged to be outfitted in medieval-style dress.

Geography

Renaissance fairs are a distinctly American phenomenon. While it is not uncommon for other cultures around the world to perform reenactments rooted in other historical time periods, the actual features of the modern-day Renaissance fair are strictly an American presence. The uniting of the features of an amusement park and department store combined within the parameters of a historical time period is unlike the more traditional historical reenactments of other cultures.

History of

The practice of Renaissance fairs were borne out of a newfound American interest in Renaissance culture after World War II. Folk musician John Langstaff hosted an event called "A Christmas Masque of Traditional Revels" in New York City in 1957. This spawned similar events on very small scales like within classrooms by teachers who were using the format to teach their students. Eventually, the idea caught on and organizations formed to present these fairs in locations around the country.

Significance

Renaissance fairs are significant because they offer a different type of entertainment for fair-goers. Instead of a regular amusement park which simply features rides, games and food, these fairs offer all of these things as well as some historical relevance. They are also a great place for interested consumers to purchase handmade wares by traditional and traditional-inspired local and traveling artisans. These fairs are frequented by so many because they typically feature entertainment for the whole family.

Airbrush A Grim Reaper & A White Horse

Soft shading with an airbrush can create striking depth.

An airbrush is a powerful painting tool ideal for creating the illusion of three-dimensional surfaces on two-dimensional planes. The Grim Reaper on horseback can look fearsome if painted correctly. A good painting should evoke the sights and sounds of a galloping horse, the flapping black cape, and the creepy skull partially visible under the hood. It may take some searching to get the right reference images, but it is also possible to combine separate image elements into one composition.

Instructions

1. Base your painting on an image that shows any rider (ideally in a hooded cape), on a horse about the right size. Examine images of the grim reaper until you find one the right size. Use separate images of skulls if necessary and make sure they are proportional to the size of the grim reaper.

2. Trace the outline of the horse from head to tail, including the underside on one stencil sheet. Cut out the exact outline of the horse with a scalpel.

3. Trace and cut out the outline of the cape and hood on another stencil sheet. Draw it hanging from the sides of the horse and show how it is flapping. Use fluid line in the wind direction to stretch the cape and give the outline a feeling of motion. Detail within the cape will be done afterward, so focus only on the outline.

4. Trace and cut the outline of a skull that will fit in the opening of the hood. Cut the top section of the skull if desired to show it being obscured by the overhanging hood. On another section, trace and cut all dark areas on the skull including eye sockets, nose cavity and opening between the teeth. Use another portion of the same stencil sheet to cut out the teeth. Cut out each little tooth so that it will match the dimensions of the skull.

5. Paint the background for the painting using different shades of gray or blue. Leave the area around the horse and Grim Reaper white.

6. Place the stencil for the horse in position and use tape hold it there. Use black to slightly shade in the outline spraying paint in from the outer edges. Blacken the hooves and carefully paint the eyes, inner ears and nostrils.

7. Shade the muscles of the horse moving back and forth along the same lines to show contours. Use a light spray of paint with lots of air to create fine shading. Shade the inner ear and the bones in the legs. Shade the muscles on the horses chest. Remove the stencil and let the paint dry.

8. Position the second stencil for the cape and hood and secure it with tape. Airbrush the cape in a dark tone, especially around the edges until it looks complete. Paint dark lines in folded areas of the cape to give it depth. Closely examine the reference image to guide you placement of highlights and shadows on the cape using different tones. Remove the stencil and let the paint dry.

9. Place the the final skull stencil in the right spot and secure it with tape. Spay the white area of the skull. Reposition the stencil to the cutouts of the dark areas of the skull and paint them black. Place the last section (two rows of cut teeth), accurately on the skull and paint the small teeth white.

10. Remove the stencil and examine the results. Check to see that there is no disproportionate off-set of any elements on a stencil. Reposition any stencil and paint to make any necessary corrections. Add more detail as desired using the airbrush to complete the painting.

Pablo Picasso'S Later Work Styles

Pablo Picasso's art encompasses a variety of artistic medium and styles. Like many artists of his generation, Picasso's works reflected changing philosophical trends as well as global events. During the later years of his career, Picasso produced ceramic artwork, sculptures and several celebrated paintings. By the end of his life, Picasso had become a celebrity figure.

Ceramics

In 1946, Picasso traveled to the Madoura Pottery workshop in Vallauris, France. In exchange for the right to sell his creations, Picasso was given an unlimited supply of materials and studio time by the owners of Madoura Pottery.

Picasso's ceramic creations required the help of a knowledgeable assistant. As Picasso did not form his own vessels, he shaped and modified clay templates produced by Jules Agard. Picasso regularly visited Madoura Pottery for the rest of his life and produced thousands of ceramic pieces that are frequently auctioned today.

Painting

In the final years of his life, Picasso's output of paintings increased significantly. Although many of these pieces were heavily criticized, some have become notable highlights of his career. Noteworthy paintings include "Rape of the Sabines" and "Buste" Many of his final paintings merge different stylistic techniques. Although these works were the product of a lifetime's experiences, they displayed a level of simplicity not previously seen in Picasso's paintings. In 1956, 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."

Printmaking

In the final decades of his life, Picasso experimented with several different printmaking processes. Etching, a popular printmaking method that involves carving an image into a metal plate in order to create a printing plate, was one of many techniques that Picasso studied and mastered. In 1968, Picasso created over 347 etchings. Picasso also produced lithographs and linocuts.

What Occupations Obtain With A Fine Arts Degree

A degree in fine arts can catapult you into a lucrative career.

There was a time when fine arts graduates faced a lack of quality opportunities in the professional world. However, your love for artistic expression can now lead to a lucrative and fulfilling career. Leading degree programs in the fine arts prepare you for a competitive professional atmosphere where creative ideas meet economic viability. In today's economy, your fine arts skills are leading the way in advertising, marketing and media.

Design

Design is perhaps the fastest growing industry for fine arts majors. With expertise in fine arts, you can work in fashion, interior design or media. To be a designer, you must integrate your artistic abilities with the exact specifications of the job's requirements. Designers must work well with people, maintaining a network of clients and satisfying their changing demands. Graphic designers, for example, create content solutions for advertisers that target specific groups of consumers. The fine art in their occupation comes from weaving color, print and illustration to catch the consumers' eye or convey a specific message. Graphic designers create the provocative pages of magazines, websites and even title screens for major motion pictures.

Computer Animation

Computer animation uses software to make stunning moving images. FindYourArtSchool.com reports that creating computer-generated images, or CGIs, has become a major part of the fine arts curriculum. Working in this field requires creativity and technical expertise with specific computer programs. Computer animators work mostly in the entertainment industry, creating the stunning visual effects of movies and television programs.

Education

One of the most fulfilling occupations for a fine arts major is the opportunity to teach his craft to others. According to the U.S. Arts Center in Southern California, fine arts educators have a unique charge: to encourage youth to express their artistic creativity. A fine arts educator also uses her training to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Teaching in the public school system requires additional certification to build the skills necessary to educate America's youth. Conveying your knowledge of the fine arts to students may require subsequent training and degrees in an educational field.

Address A Large Crowd Of People

Whether or not you have chosen to be a performer by profession, there will most likely come a time in your life where you will be called upon to address a large group of people for one reason or another. This can be a daunting and intimidating task for the uninitiated. If you keep a couple of things in mind, however, it may be something that you not only get through, but also enjoy.

Instructions

1. Have your thoughts organized. Whether you are eulogizing, or presenting a sales pitch to a group of work colleagues, your best course of action is preparation. As soon as you find out that you will be addressing the group that you have been designated to address, begin organizing your thoughts. The best way to do this is to make an outline. Don't constrict yourself to a script that you must follow verbatim. Instead use index cards to chart out the points that you feel must be addressed in the speech, and string them together from there.

2. Improvise around your main points. Once you have the "tent poles" of your speech in place, feel free to play around a little with how you get from point to point. Make it loose and keep it personal. Something that sounds like you came up with it off the top of your head will strike a deeper chord than something that sounds like it was written and recited.

3. Practice by yourself. You needn’t practice in front of a mirror, but if you take the time to go over your speech in your living room, once or twice, and let yourself flounder and fail, you'll know what works and what doesn't.

4. Relate to the large group as though it were one or two friends. Remember, just because it's a large group of people, doesn't mean that they aren't still people. The point will get across better if you address them as though they are all close acquaintances.

5. When in doubt, picture them in their underwear. This really does work! As soon as you start feeling a little unsure of yourself, just paint that mental picture for yourself, and you'll automatically feel much less embarrassed.

Kids' Face Paint Ideas

Kids' Face Paint Ideas

Face painting can turn a ho-hum fundraiser into a kid's dream. A face-painting booth is an easy activity for a youth or auxiliary group, and painted faces make kids' birthday parties memorable. You don't have to be a pro makeup artist to turn out professional and fun face paint-designs. There are some very easy kids' face-paint ideas that anyone can manage.

Face Paint Animals

Face painting brings out the wild in kids, so practice up on your animal painting skills. Cats--including tigers and leopards--are surprisingly easy to create. The most important elements in the design are the triangle nose, the mouth outline and the whiskers. Once you've got the basic shapes down, it's easy to customize the feline face--orange, black and white stripes for a tiger, pale gold base and brown details for a lion, for instance.

Eye Designs and Cheek Tattoos

You don't have to do full face mask to make kids happy. Painting designs on a part of the face is one way to cut down the time spent painting faces and refine a few designs that can be customized for each kid. Cheek "tattoos" are among the easiest types of face-paint designs. Perfect a few simple techniques and designs--flower shapes, suns and stars, a rocket ship and sparkly lines are a good basic repertoire to start with..

Eye designs are a bit more complex, but their versatility makes them worth learning. A few swirly lines framing the side of one eye accented with sparkly color and a flower motif can be enough to make a little girl feel like a princess. Repeat the design on both eyes, and you have a complete eye mask.

Off the Face Painting

Why confine yourself to the face? Other exposed skin parts also make a wonderful canvas for face paints. Paint motifs on the back of the hand, or trace a tribal band around a wrist or upper arm. Be creative--paint a wavy rainbow down the front of the arm and end it in a shimmering pot of gold on the back of the hand, or paint a twining vine of violets around a wrist. Don't forget ankles, calves and even the tops of feet in flip-flops as spots to use for face-paint designs.

Face Paint Butterflies

The face is the perfect canvas on which to paint a butterfly with its symmetrical lines and designs. Use the nose as a center dividing line to help keep the butterfly wings proportionate. Paint curly lines from the bridge of the nose up onto the forehead, creating antennae that curve out over the brows. Paint wing shapes around the eyes, bringing the color above the eyes and down onto the cheeks. Blend stripes into the wing color, then outline the wing shape with a darker color. Finish up by adding details to the wings. The simple, basic design can be varied by color and design to create an almost unlimited variety of butterflies.

Achieve Success With Your Music

Create a demo and press kit to show off your abilities.

Raw talent and motivation can go a long way in helping you achieve success with your music, but if you really want to rise to the top, you will need a bit more. You have a lot of talented competition in the clubs, on the radio and on the Billboard charts, so if you want to set yourself apart, you must have the right game plan. The record industry is evolving as music continues to move in an increasingly digital direction, but certain tenets of success remain the same whether you want to sign with a traditional label or reach a wide audience independently.

Instructions

1. Write memorable songs. In order to succeed, you will first need to write the types of songs that radio stations, listeners and (in some cases) record labels will find desirable. Practice writing music and share your compositions with your friends and family to learn which songs garner the most positive response. Jamming with other local artists can also help you to hone your skills.

2. Record a demo and design a press kit. Your demo consists of an audio recording showcasing three to four of your best songs. You can rent time in your local recording studio or record at home using software like Pro Tools, Cubase or Logic. A press kit contains information and photos contained in a presentation folder and/or on a web page or other digital medium. It should contain your name, contact information, the names and roles of any other members in your band, a one page biography, a list of songs and lyrics, press clippings and the names of venues where you've performed.

3. Start building a local buzz. Set up a band/artist website, as well as a profile on social networks that permit music streaming (MySpace, PureVolume and ReverbNation, for example). Send your press kit to local music promoters and club promoters, and try to score as many gigs as you can, in order to bring your music to new people. If you truly want to make it big, consider booking shows in major music towns like Nashville and Hollywood (specifically the Sunset Strip). Playing the right cities can help you to gain the attention of influential radio stations, producers, promoters and label executives.

4. Find a music mentor. Organizations like the Los Angeles Music Network, Women in Music, Tom Hess Music Corporation and others offer mentoring services for rising and aspiring artists. By learning from an experienced industry insider, you can improve your connections, learn valuable success lessons and stay motivated to achieve your goals. You can also gain valuable mentors by enrolling in an accredited music school, where artists, producers, engineers and other professionals instruct students.

A Description Of The Pablo Picasso Painting "Selfportrait In The Blue Period"

Pablo Picasso became the 20th century's most famous artist.

Pablo Picasso was the 20th century's most famous artist. Although Picasso may be renowned for creating the ground-breaking style of Cubism, he painted notable works all throughout his life, including his "Self Portrait in Blue Period." This portrait marks a coming out of sorts for Picasso and shows him emerging as an artist with his own voice.

Biography

Pablo Picasso was born on Oct. 25, 1881, in Milaga, Spain. The century's most famous artist came by his artistic leanings naturally. His father, Don Jos Ruiz y Blasco, was both a painter and art school professor. Picasso's artistic ability showed up early in life, and his father had hoped that his son would become an academic painter. The young artist did indeed study art, but never completed university education. Instead he left Spain and moved to Paris where he lived and forged a career in painting.

Blue Period Definition

Picasso's Blue Period represents the artist's first real foray into developing his voice and vision as an artist. The paintings from the period feature extreme melancholy in the subject matter and a predominantly blue color palette. The period was brought on by the death of his friend Carlos Casagemas, who committed suicide. Later works in the period feature emaciated street people, prostitutes and others who represented those who lived on the lower rungs of society.

Self-Portrait Tradition

"Self-Portrait in the Blue Period" isn't Picasso's only self-portrait. However, because of the time frame in which the artist painted the picture it does hold a certain amount of significance. Picasso belonged to a larger group of artists living at the time. These artists sparked a cultural phenomenon, which portrayed the young artist as someone who was socially or politically motivated and one of society's intellectuals. Although Picasso joined the Communist Party at this time, his real activism in politics showed up in his paintings. This portrait represented him as the social conscious artist he thought himself to be.

The Painting

Picasso's Blue Period self-portrait featured a young Picasso against a blue background. Painted in 1901, the portrait depicts a young Picasso sporting a beard, appearing to be washed out and older than his years, However, despite being surrounded by a predominantly melancholic environment and sadness in his personal life, the portrait also shows a sense of self assurance.

Paint Landscapes With Acrylics

Lake Scene by Linda St. Cyr

Landscape paintings done in acrylic paint get better with practice unless you are born with a natural talent to apply the paint brush to the canvas. Breaking up the steps of painting in acrylics makes learning to paint landscapes easier and more manageable.

Instructions

1. Find a photo of a landscape by looking through magazines, books or newspapers. Look for one that is simple and free of animals or people. Study the photo's colors, and look for details that bring the picture to life. These details will become more apparent as the painting progresses.

2. Sketch out the landscape on the canvas board. Paint will be applied over this sketch, but it gives a good idea of placement, perspective and depth. It also sections off the canvas board, which makes painting easier in a step-by-step manner. Detailing is not necessary with the sketch on the canvas board; a general outline works fine.

3. Look at the canvas and determine where the sky is. Place a small amount of white, light blue and ultramarine blue acrylic paints on a piece of palette paper. Use the palette knife to get the correct color to match the sky in the photo landscape. If the sky has hints of red, purples or grays, use different acrylic paints to get the color desired. If the area of sky is big, use a large brush to apply the color. Go over this section one or two times, adding clouds if necessary. Dry this section with a hair dryer. Acrylic paints dry quickly.

4. Paint the land sections of the canvas board with a very dark paint as a base. Mix raw umber acrylic paint and a small amount of ultramarine blue with a palette knife on the palette paper to get this dark base color. Acrylic paintings work with colors from dark to light. Overlapping colors is necessary to get the desired effect on an acrylic landscape painting.

5. Use different techniques to get the effect of grass, bushes or flowers. Use horizontal strokes with a fan brush over the dark base color to create blowing grass. A piece of sea sponge can create leaves and bushes. Go over these sections several times, starting with the dark base, then a dark color, then moving to lighter and brighter colors. After one color is done, dry with the hair dryer, then apply the next color. The dark colors as a base will give the lighter colors a brighter appearance.

Ideas For Children'S Face Paint

Many children enjoy having their face painted.

Painting a child's face can be a fun activity for the both child and adult. When considering what types of painting, consider creative ideas that the children will enjoy. Ask a few children for their opinions. Practice drawing ideas on paper first, to prepare for painting on the child.

Safety

First things first, be safe when painting a child's face. Some children might have skin allergies, so only use paint and cosmetics that are FDA-approved. This information can be found on the product label. Parental permission also may be necessary.

Setup

Have the setup area well prepared before beginning. Place the paints in a row, and lay out the brushes. Have extra towels and baby wipes available for easy cleanup, and water nearby.

Colors

Have a variety of colors for the child to choose. Encourage creativity by giving the child the option of selecting which colors to use. To save money, mix certain colors together to make new colors. Mix white with a color to make the shade lighter; black to make it darker.

Easy Designs

Some children are satisfied with very quick and easy designs, such as a star on a cheek, a red nose, a rainbow, fake freckles, hearts, an alien head, a black nose with cat whiskers, flowers, animals, bugs or a balloon. Paint these designs on a large poster board for the child to choose from before beginning.

Challenging Designs

Challenging designs can be done at the child's request. Some challenging designs might include: spiderwebs, a butterfly face, a tiger face, checkers diagonally across the face or a large flag over the eyes. Start out with the basic background color, then add to it with needed details.

How Much Does A Comic Book Illustrator Make

Comic book illustrators' wages vary greatly depending upon their skill.

The average annual wage of salaried illustrators was $42,650 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Bureau does not specifically track the comic book illustrator field, and the wages of this field can vary wildly based on the caliber of the artists and the comic book they illustrate for, but the generalized illustration field is relatively close in duties and average wages for comic book illustrators. Comic illustrators may also earn additional money, or have access to more jobs, if they are willing to assist other comic artists with their work by inking rough sketches coloring or lettering.

What Working as a Comic Book Illustrator Entails

A general illustrator creates images that may be used in everything from greeting cards to cereal boxes; in contrast, a comic book illustrator works within the tight confines of comic books, sometimes called graphic novels. Comic book illustrators draw comic characters within a storyline, which is usually set up in panels upon the page. A comic book illustrator must be able to work quickly and within the style and quality required by the publisher of the comic book.

Educational Background Required to be a Comic Book Illustrator

There is no hard and fast requirement set by comic publishers to become a comic book illustrator. However, there is some educational background that any aspiring comic artist would be wise to complete before applying. A bachelor's or master's in a fine arts program at a general university or art school is an advantage for any future comic book illustrator; some schools also offer specific illustrator programs, including graphic design and even sequential art courses, which relate to comic books and graphic novels. Lastly, in addition to educational training, an aspiring comic book illustrator must have a firm grasp on anatomy and an aesthetically pleasing comic book style in order to be hired in the competitive market of comics and graphic novels.

Entry-level and Best-in-Field Earnings as a Comic Book Illustrator

An illustrator new to the field should not expect to make more than around $40,000 a year, though an experienced and in demand illustrator can earn up to $250,000 according to the salary cap reported by Albert Kim in his 2008 article for portfolio.com "Comic Genius". A more realistic expectation would be the highest 10 percent of average earnings reported in the illustration field by the Bureau of Labor statistics at a more modest $83,410 annually.

Other Factors Affecting Salaries for Comic Book Illustrator

Generally, a comic book illustrator is paid a flat, per-page rate but may enjoy periodic royalties checks as well, depending upon his contract's terms. A comic book illustrator employed by DC, Marvel or Darkhorse, the three giants of the industry, is more likely to make a higher wage than if he were to work for independent publishers or if he self-published his own comic. An experienced and popular comic illustrator beloved by the fans can also demand a higher wage to match his star power than those just entering the workforce.

How Much Does A Comic Book Artist Make Per Project

Comic book artists' pay per project varies widely based on publisher, experience and reputation. Mainstream comic book companies hire artists to create comics on an assembly line model with characters owned by the company. Independent comic publishers pay artists royalties based on sales. Some of the best paying projects come from magazines and advertising agencies. Comic book artists negotiate their pay per project with their employer or publisher.

Mainstream Comics

Mainstream comic book companies such as Marvel, DC and Darkhorse pay per project at an agreed upon page rate. Page rates for pencil art run from $100 to $250. Painted art rates run from $300 to $400. Ink art pays $75 to $200 per page. A pencil artist would earn from $2,400 to $6,250 for a 24-page issue of a comic book. Cover art generally pays 20 percent more. Some mainstream comics companies pay a royalty over a designated sales threshold.

Independent Comics

Independent comics publishers such as Fantagraphics and Top Shelf Productions operate like book publishers, paying the artist a percentage of the cover price of the book. Many contracts pay 8 percent of the cover price up to 5,000 units sold, with 10 percent of the cover price paid for sales above 5,000. Typically, an advance against royalties is paid upon the artist signing a contract, with the balance of payment coming after publication. For a 24-page comic book retailing for $3 with sales of 10,000, the artist would earn $3,000.

Freelance Comics Illustration

Comic artists doing advertising and editorial comic illustration earn top project rates. Comic book artists such as Robert Crumb and Bill Griffith earn from $1,000 to $1,700 to create a page of comics for the New Yorker magazine. Top comic strip artist Lloyd Dangle earned $4,000 for a two-page project advertising a shaving product. Dangle negotiated a contract where the client could elect to pay an additional fee for the right to use the page for a second year, which it did.

Self-Publishers

Self-publishers shoulder the risks of publishing, but may do well if their book sells. A book retailing for $10 may cost $2 per book to print. The distributor pays $4 per book, 40 percent of the cover prince. With sales of 1,000 books, the artist would make $2,000. Many self-publishers use the Kickstarter funding platform to help finance their projects. "The Rice Boy Book," a comic by Evan Dahm, raised $8,696 to finance the project.

How Long Does It Take To Hatch Duck Eggs

How Long Does it Take to Hatch Duck Eggs?

Whether you are buying duck eggs to incubate at home or whether your duck is nesting, you may want to know how long it will be before you can see some fluffy, little ducklings. How long it takes for duck eggs to hatch varies by duck breed, but is generally a short wait. If you are incubating them yourself, there are a couple other settings, as in temperatures, humidity and time, to keep in mind.

Time Frame

You can incubate and hatch duck eggs yourself or you can allow a broody duck (or even a broody hen) to lay on them to incubate and hatch the eggs. Mallard duck eggs hatch after about 27 days of incubation. Muscovy duck eggs take 35 days to hatch. Pekin duck eggs and most other duck eggs hatch after 28 days of incubation.

Considerations

If the eggs are old or if the incubator is not warm enough, incubation may take longer. If the incubator is too warm, incubation happens more quickly. However, several hours of too high or too low of a temperature can be dangerous for the egg. Too high of a temperature is more dangerous and requires that the incubator be allowed to cool off.

Holding

After an egg is laid, it can be held for up to a week before being incubated. Three days or less of holding is ideal for an egg and 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for eggs to be held before being incubated.

Incubation

Assuming a 28-day incubation before hatchlings appear, you need to have the eggs at 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit with 86 percent humidity for the first 25 days. Eggs should be turned frequently during this period of time. Whether you turn them three times a day or seven times a day, make sure it is an odd number of turns to ensure the duckling "sleeps" on a different side each night as advised by experts.

Hatching

The final three days of a 28-day incubation is the hatching period. At this time, the eggs should be kept at 98.5 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity should be 94 percent. You no longer need to turn the eggs during the hatching period. Your ducklings should start to appear on the 28th day. Unless a duckling has not made progress for 12 hours after making a hole, do not worry about helping it out of the eggshell. Let it emerge on its own.