There are many ways to make a living, but one of the most challenging and rewarding is running your own business. Creating and selling art taps into your creative energy and your business savvy. However, whatever else your business does for you, sales are still sales. To make a living you need to find ways to sell your digital art.
Instructions
1. Create a website or blog and network with family, friends and any fans you already have. Spread the word of your source online with anyone and everyone you meet, and ask them to pass it along. Print business cards with your name and your URL on them.
2. Promote your art. One basic principle of sales states that people will buy what they see: the more they see it, the more they want to buy it. Show your work and your name anywhere you can. Post your art on your website or blog. Find other virtual and digital venues to display and sell your art, like the Imagekind website (see Resources). Find venues in the real world where you can display your art. The more people that see your work, the more interest they'll have in buying it.
3. Publish your best work and nothing else. The higher the quality standard of your art that the public sees, the more apt they'll be to purchase your art. Don't post or display pieces that don't meet expectations technically or aesthetically.
4. Take yourself seriously. The people who want to buy your work also want assurances that you're a legitimate artist. Join artist organizations, and make sure your name shows up in the rosters. Publish an extensive catalog of your work, have your work reviewed by art critics, and make sureyour name shows up every time you exhibit--even if it's only at a small fair. Mention these accomplishments on your website. Post links, if possible.
Teach your child draw a snowman. It's a great snowy day craft that will help you teach about basic geometric shapes. You don't need many materials to do this--in fact, you probably have them at hand--a pencil and a sheet of white paper. Children will have fun doing this and won't realize they're learning.
Instructions
1. Start with three circles. Have your child draw three circles, preferably one larger than the other, with the smallest one stacked on the top and the largest circle on the bottom.
2. Add eyes for the snowman. Instruct your child to draw two eyes in the smallest top-most circle. Be sure that he draws the eyes high enough in the circle to leave sufficient space to fit a nose and mouth.
3. Draw a nose. Here's the perfect time to teach your child draw an elongated triangle. Have him place the triangle beneath the pair of eyes.
4. Make your snowman smile. Not all snowmen have mouths; however, this snowman will have a wonderful little smile. Have your child draw several small circles arranged in a semicircular fashion to form a smile just below the triangular nose.
5. Endow the snowman with arms. Have the child draw straight lines on each side of the snowman, extending from the middle circle for arms. Three short lines at the end of each arm will serve as fingers.
6. Give the snowman a hat. Instruct your child to draw a slim rectangle for the brim of the hat and a larger rectangle to place above it to form a top hat.
Art nouveau style embraces bold colors, modern materials and simple lines.
Art nouveau home interiors started during the late 1890s, but were most widely used between the 1920s and the 1940s. It encompasses clean, sharp lines with a combination of neutral and bold colors. The overall look is one that is slightly more lavish than in previous years, and took cues from jewelry and fashion design and included bits and pieces of exotic cultures. Lush materials, bold colors and cut glass were all included in wall decor and just about everywhere else.
Paint Color
Paint was among the most widely used wall coverings during these decades. The colors used during this time varied greatly, but were primarily kept within the neutral family. This includes shades of white, cream and beige and provides a soothing backdrop for bolder, more colorful accents. Neutral hues create a soothing feel for a space, ideal for most living and sleeping areas, and will work when combined with colors from any other family. These hues were then accented with brighter reds, yellows, greens and blues to add a modern, art nouveau touch. A modern twist is to combine these colors on the wall by painting three walls in a neutral shade and one accent wall in something bolder.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper was perhaps more widely used during the art nouveau era than any other wall treatment on the market. It was seldom a solid color, and was instead usually printed with a bold background and some kind of pattern. Abstract florals, boomerangs and home appliances were the most widely used during the time period, and though fairly rare now, authentic or reproduction pieces are available from some online sites. An alternative to actual wallpaper is to use paint and stencils to create the same effect without the worry of damage or tearing wallpaper. An additional bonus is the ease of covering paint versus removing wallpaper when it comes time to change styles.
Stained Glass
Stained glass was another design element frequently associated with art nouveau design. This is the time period when Tiffany lamps and similar pieces became available, and as such, the look was incorporated into wall hangings, windows and other decorative pieces. The designs were usually geometric patterns or abstract botanicals. The colors incorporated lots of deep jewel tones, which were consistent with the style. When framed, stained glass pieces were surrounded with polished wood, as natural finishes were also a hallmark of art nouveau.
Wall Decor
Light fixtures of the time were primarily wall hanging, meaning they were also selected for both functional and aesthetic appeal. Not all homes during those decades were equipped with electricity, those that were invested in lighting fixtures that were sleek and streamlined and made from a combination of glass and chrome. Clocks and other large wall decor also used chrome and glass, while smaller accent pieces were finished with bright colors.
Traditional and modern art differ in both the way they look and the reasons for their creation. Traditional art is what we now refer to as realist or figurative. It was largely concerned with representing the world in the way it is seen. Abstract art, which came into being in the art of the Western world in the first decade of the 20th century, was a major component of modern art and the result of a continual experimentation in painting, sculpture and other art forms in reaction to the accepted notions of the time.
History of Traditional Art
Traditional art focuses on the figure and realism. Portraits, still lifes and landscapes are the mainstays. In sculpture, figures are represented more or less realistically, although some liberties are taken, for example when mythical figures are represented. Often religious scenes dominate, and frequently artists were paid for their work by patrons who had some say in what was represented and how.
Advent of Modern Art
Abstraction is often the most recognizable version of modern art, but the modern period actually began in the 19th century, as artists like Delacroix and the other artists of the Romantic movement began using vigorous brushstrokes in their paintings that began to make the picture appear more fractured. This was followed by Impressionism and Post-Impressionist artists like Cezanne, who took these developments further. The first completely abstract painting was done by Kandinsky in the early 20th century, a harmony of colors and brushstrokes that depicted no object.
Traditional Genres
Religious scenes are often the subject of traditional painting, sculptures, prints and other works, often because art was frequently commissioned by the church. Landscapes were used to show nature's grandeur. Portraits were frequently commissioned by figures in power to commemorate their rule or accomplishments. A still life full of meat, fruit and other comestibles served as a tribute to abundance.
Forms of Modern Art
Modern art is characterized by a large number of different movements occurring at the same time. Cubism, invented by Picasso and Braque, fractured the picture frame and was based on the almost abstract landscapes of Cezanne. Fauvism, invented by Matisse and others, emphasized intense colors and flourished at the same time as Cubism. Abstract Expressionism followed up on Kandinsky's experiments in paintings composed without reference to objects. Pop art followed, puncturing the seriousness of Abstract Expressionists and using elements of everyday life not often thought of as material for fine art, such as soup cans and comic strips.
Art Today
Art today is found in many different forms. Some of it would fit into a traditional framework, characterized by realism, portraits of people or other time-honored themes. Other contemporary art comes from a philosophical mode of making art that is called conceptualism, based on the notion that the idea is more important than the final art object.
Newspaper and periodical publishers embraced the offset lithographic method.
Alois Senefelder, a Bavarian author who was seeking to create an affordable method of publishing, invented lithography in 1796. Lithography uses the tendency of oil and water to repel one another to create images and type on paper surfaces. Since its inception, the lithographic process has been incorporated into various artistic and commercial practices such as filmmaking and newspaper publishing. Traditionally, lithography is most closely associated with printing and publication.
Early Lithography
Lithography was originally devised as an inexpensive alternative to movable-type printing. The first attempts at lithographic printing used a single ink. As the process developed, printers in Europe and the United States began experimenting with multiple-color printing. Lithography was initially used to print simple images and text.
Chromolithography
As the lithographic process evolved, increasingly complex designs and color palettes could be transferred to paper stock. Godefroy Engelmann introduced the chromolithographic process in 1837. Through the use of individual printing stones or metal plates dedicated to the transfer of a single color, elaborate images could be produced. As this process was more expensive than the basic lithographic technique, it was used primarily for large-scale works and gifts.
Quantity Production
Arabic speaking countries were among the first to utilize lithography for bulk printing. Religious texts such as the Quran could not be properly printed with movable typesetting due to the linked nature of letters in the Arabic alphabet. The lithographic process solved this problem for printers in the East. In 1903, Ira Washington Rubel developed the offset lithographic technique that became the standard printing method for newspapers and periodicals.
Art Work
Beginning in the 1820s, artists attempted to incorporate the lithographic process into their works. Towards the end of the 19th century, the increasing affordability of chromolithography allowed many visual artists to produce colored prints. Celebrated artists who utilized these techniques include Pablo Picasso, M.C. Escher and Jasper Johns.
Porting and polishing your cylinder heads is the best way to get the most horsepower for your money.
Porting and polishing your cylinder heads will give your engine more horsepower and make it run more smoothly while increasing fuel efficiency. This process is done at many machine shops and can cost a good deal of money. If you are looking for a performance upgrade for your engine, porting and polishing your cylinder heads is the best way to get the most horsepower for your money, and you can do it yourself.
Instructions
1. Put the cylinder heads in a parts washer to soak for about 30 minutes to loosen any carbon buildup.
2. Scrub the cylinder heads with a scrub brush and solvent.
3. Blow the cylinder heads dry with compressed air and a blow gun.
4. Set your intake manifold on the cylinder heads, matching all bolt holes. Spray the spray ink lightly into the intake ports of the manifold.
5. Remove the manifold and locate the area that needs to be removed to make the ports match.
6. Cut away with a die grinder and carbide-cutting bit until the ink mark is gone on all ports. This takes away any sharp edge that might slow the flow of air and fuel into the cylinder head.
7. Put the exhaust manifold or header on each cylinder head with two bolts, one on each end, to hold it in place. Spray the ink up the hole of the exhaust manifold, adding compressed air at the same time to push the ink far enough up the manifold.
8. Remove the exhaust manifold from the cylinder heads by removing the two bolts. You will be able to see what you have to grind away to make the cylinder head match the exhaust manifold or header.
9. Grind the material away with the die grinder and carbide bit until the ink is gone.
10. Smooth all ports with the die grinder and a polishing bit. Start with the intake port and remove all rough areas until it shines and is smooth. Repeat this process on the exhaust ports.
11. Put your cylinder heads in the parts washer and scrub them vigorously. Let the solvent flow over them while scrubbing to wash away any metal filings.
12. Blow-dry the cylinder heads with compressed air and a blow gun.
Traditional Japanese design focuses on simple motifs and a deliberate placement of objects, which creates a calming, meditative atmosphere. You can add elements of Japanese traditional design to your living or outside space by following some general guidelines.
Identification
The Japanese aesthetic takes its effectiveness from simplicity in decorating; the use of open space is as important as the space taken up by objects. "Less is more" is the basic concept of traditional Japanese home and garden decor.
Significance
Nature is an important element in traditional Japanese design. Ikebana, the tradition of flower arrangement, is considered a classical art in Japan. Fountains, bonsai trees or chrysanthemums can bring some natural elements of Japan to your room. For a lower-maintenance take of natural elements, decorate with paintings of Japanese animals such as fish or deer.
Function
Many sculptures and motifs in traditional Japanese decor have practical functions beyond aesthetics. Images or statues of animals such as the tanuki or "raccoon dog," cat or frog bring good luck. These are usually placed in front of a home, temple or place of business.
With its rich Gothic architecture and the very influential Bauhaus, Germany is an excellent country in which to study architecture. The long line of rich and diverse architecture provides an ideal setting for the architecture student, and the experience of living abroad will add new dimensions to his education. Germany is home to several universities that offer architecture programs.
Technical University of Munich
This university offers advanced degree programs in architecture, such as the ClimaDesign, which trains professional architects and engineers design sustainable buildings by understanding energy concepts and building aerodynamics. The Technical University of Munich (Technische Universität München) also offers traditional bachelor's and master's degree programs in architecture. Students are trained holistically through the collaboration between the institutes at the university that are related to architecture, art and urbanism. Students are expected to be high achievers and hard workers. Successful completion of an aptitude test is required to be accepted into the university.
Technische Universität München
Arcisstrasse 21
80333 München
Germany
(+49) 89 289 22351
ar.tum.de
Bauhaus University
The Bauhaus University (Bauhaus Universität Weimar) offers both bachelor's and master's degree programs in architecture, along with programs focusing on European Urban Studies and Architectural Engineering. The university has an active student exchange program and partners with more than 30 international institutes. In order to be accepted into the university you will need to demonstrate your ability to speak the German language and will have to pass an aptitude test. The Bauhaus University offers a program called Bauhaus Summer Academy, which is an intensive 25-day summer course in architecture and other programs.
Bauhaus Universität Weimar
Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 8
99423 Weimar
Germany
(+49) 36 43/58 0
uni-weimar.de
Technical University of Berlin
The Technical University of Berlin (Technische Universität Berlin) is one of the largest technical universities in Germany and has the highest proportion of international students. Eight Nobel Prize winners have been students or professors at this university. The architecture program offers several different course types, from lectures and seminars to hands-on integrated projects to develop specialized skills. Each semester, 140 students are accepted based on the student's qualifications and wait time. The Technical University of Berlin also offers a master's degree program.
Technische Universität Berlin
Straße des 17. Juni 135
10623 Berlin
Germany
(+49) 30 314-0
studienberatung.tu-berlin.de
RWTH Aachen University
RWTH Aachen University is a well-recognized research university. It is an elite university and one of the nine German "Universities of Excellence." The university has a high rate of international students and has an ideal location due to its proximity to Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. RWTH Aachen University offers a both a bachelor and master of science degree in architecture. The five main priorities of this university include culture and history, design and visualization, construction, building planning and urban planning.
Traditional face paint designs are instantly familiar to many people.
Face painting is a staple of carnivals and parties, and is enjoyed by both adults and children alike. While some face painting designs are wild, wacky and obscure, others are classics, and have been seen all over the world in various forms throughout the years. Some of these traditional ideas originate in ancient cultures, while others are simply popular designs which appear again and again.
Halloween
Halloween designs are intended to look gruesome, scary, or both. The basic skull look is a highly suitable fallback. Starting with a white undercoat which covers the entire face, black can be added around the eyes and mouth to create shadow. Shapes such as scars can also be added in black. A vampire design is very similar to the skull look, beginning with white as before. This time, the artist adds red blood around the mouth. Spider web designs, drawn on either cheek, are another traditional Halloween favorite.
Animals
Animals are popular thanks to the sheer variety of creatures found in nature. A cat design features a black nose and whiskers, while white paint around the chin, eyes and mouth offsets the black. A dog design can come in many varieties; at a basic level, the artist simply chooses two suitable colors, brown and yellow for example, and paints wide vertical stripes down the face, adding a black nose, and a lolling tongue if desired.
Cultural
Many ancient cultures have used face paint in rituals, festivals and as symbols of hierarchy, and these designs can be a fertile ground for ideas. Native American designs, for example, are typically applied to areas such as the chin, forehead and around the eyes. Colors utilized are based on those found in nature, so browns and reds are commonly seen. Designs could include curving lines painted vertically from forehead to mouth along the eye, as well as branch-like designs located on the cheeks.
In Chinese culture, face paint designs are linked to dramatic performances, and are often very complex and ornate. Typically, multiple contrasting colors are used and between them cover the entirety of the face. For example, the face might be painted red, black and white. These colors have come to denote personality. For example, the color red symbolizes royalty. Designs include the butterfly face and the three-tile.
Clowns
Clown designs range from the simple and cartoony for kids, to the more strange and possibly frightening for adults. Ideas include the whiteface, in which white paint covers the face, and black or red colors are used for accents, often coupled with a dab of red on the nose. The Auguste clown has distorted features; the eyes are painted to stretch upward while the red mouth becomes exaggerated.
Screen printing inks can be used on a variety of subtracts.
Screen printing is an art medium that is accessible to anyone. Whether you are a novice crafter or a educated graphic designer, screen printing is an activity you can master with the right materials. Screen printing is very versatile; an image can be printed on almost anything using one of many types of screens or stencils. The one constant in the process is ink. There are various inks one can use when screen printing, and the need for one ink over another differs with each project.
Plastisol Ink
Plastisol ink is not water-soluble.
Plastisol is one of the most common inks used for screen printing on textiles. It is an easy ink to work with because it is sold in a ready-to-use state and can print on both light and dark fabrics. It is also popular because of its ease in curing/drying (via home oven or flash dryer) and its ability to be re-used. It is the ink of choice when printing on substrates such as T-shirts (both light and dark), sweatshirts, canvas and nylon. It is best on these materials because of its dense pigment and opaque nature. The ink does not penetrate into the fibers, but instead, after it has been cured, remains raised above the surface with a plastic shine. Plastisol is moderate- to high-priced when compared to its competitors, but its ability to be re-used may cancel out the price difference. Plastisol contains virtually no solvent. In order for an ink to dry, a solvent must be evaporated. Because plastisol has no solvent, it does not dry. This is an advantage when printing because the ink will not dry on the screen or mesh. This allows the printer to take breaks between projects or leave the inks exposed to the elements without having to worry about it drying up. Therefore, the ink left over from a project can be resealed in its original container and re-used in the future, thus saving money in the long run. Cleanup with plastisol inks is fairly easy. After the excess ink has been saved and resealed, the equipment, such as the screens and rollers, must be washed. Because plastisol has no solvent, a solvent must be used to rid the tools of the ink. The solvent and any contaminated ink pose environmental threats, so be sure to follow your state's hazardous waste procedures.
Water-based Ink
Water-based inks have a light hand: the ink is not raised above the fabric after curing.
Water-based inks are inks that use water as their main solvent. This type of ink is typically used for textile screen printing. It is popular for its smooth and easy printing, its low to moderate price and its soft, non-raised effect. Unlike plastisol, water-based inks penetrate the textile, and the cured ink does not sit above the fabric but instead becomes a part of it. There is no raised effect that can be felt by the hand. Because the ink penetrates the textile, water-based inks are not ideal for dark colored T-shirts and fabrics. Oftentimes, water-based inks are used for yardage projects or for fabrics such as kitchen towels and textile place mats. Water-based inks have water and co-solvents as their solvents. The solvents' ability to evaporate is cause for concern, as the ink can dry on the screens quickly and ruin an entire screen by clogging the mesh. Printers must pay close attention to how long a screen sits between projects. When curing a project, all the water must evaporate before the project is cured. This means longer and more difficult curing procedures than with plastisol. Likewise, water-based inks easily wear at the emulsion that creates a pattern on a screen. For this reason, screens have a shorter production life and extra costs are added to production for replacement screen or specific water-resistant emulsions.
UV Curable Inks
UV ink's popularity has exploded during screen printing in recent years because of its quick drying rate, lack of volatile organic compounds and sharp image. It is not popular or recommended for textile printing, but instead is popular for different substrates, such as plastic printing. UV ink is not as versatile as plastisol or water-based inks because the ink's opacity ranges from transparent to translucent, narrowing what it can be printed on. For instance, it cannot be used on dark substrates or on substrates that are exposed to outdoor extremes, such as sunlight. Curable inks, like plastisols, lack a solvent. This is, again, an advantage because the ink does not dry on the screen although, unlike plastisols, the curing process is extremely fast and easy. With the simple application of UV light, the ink dries in less than three seconds. The ink can be used on extremely fine mesh, which produces highly sought-after, crisp, clean lines. In order to make the most of the ink, shops would benefit by buying new screens in addition to having to buy UV curing sets and inks. The inks are worth the extra cost, though, because they do not evaporate, so very little ink needs to be used.
Other Choices
There are numerous other inks to choose from when screen printing, including discharge inks, expanding inks, suede inks, to name a few. Each ink serves a different purpose, requires a different curing process, has different costs and are effective on different substrates. Be sure to research each project in order to use the most appropriate ink and achieve the best results.
Ceramic tile is a beautiful and versatile flooring option. There are many colors and styles to choose from, and several pattern layout options. Ceramic tile is less expensive than stone tile or hardwood, it's easy to clean and care for and it will give your home an open, airy look. Laying ceramic tile is a popular do-it-yourself home improvement project because, although it isn't for novices, it can be successfully done by a non-professional with the proper know-how and the right tools.
Preparation
If you have flooring and/or underlayment already in place, you will need wrecking bars, a hammer, and a scraper to remove it and expose the subfloor. You can also use these tools to remove baseboards and trim. If you are laying tiles around a door jamb, you may want to use a jamb saw to cut a space in the jamb for the tile, rather than cutting the tile to fit around the jamb.
Subflooring
Before laying ceramic tile, your subfloor must be in perfect condition. For wood subflooring, you will need specialized floor nails and floor screws to secure the floor tightly to the joists. For concrete subflooring, you may need a belt sander or underlayment like cement fiberboard to deal with uneven surfaces. No matter what your type of subfloor, you must use a level at every step to make sure it's completely flat throughout.
Laying Tile
To lay your tile, you must first apply an adhesive to the floor with an edged trowel. Lay the tile from the center of the room outward, using plastic spacers to keep them even. Use a specialized spacer-removing tool to take the spacers out, and be sure you remove them before the adhesive sets.
Cutting Tile
You will need to cut tiles that don't fit your space. To do this, you will need a wet saw, which uses a circular diamond blade to cut through dense surfaces; a tile snapper, which scores and snaps tile neatly in half; and a tile nipper, which breaks off small pieces of tile to fit awkward shapes. Use a tile sander to smooth any rough edges.
Grouting
You will need a mixer and a bucket to blend your grout. Once mixed, your grout should be the thickness of peanut butter. Use grout floaters to spread the grout over the tile. These specialized tools force the grout into every crevice, avoiding gaps. Once set, remove the excess with a wet grout sponge, being sure to rinse the sponge often. Once dried, mistakes can be fixed using a grout saw.
A wide range of tools take comics through the creation process.
Comic books artists create books, strips, mangas and graphic novels in a few different phases: A penciller sketches out the page, an inker traces the penciled art to add detail and shading, a letterer transcribes dialogue and a colorist fills the art in with color---the latter processes are often done digitally. As far as hand tools go, comic book creators employ tools similar to other visual artists as well as tools specialized to their trade.
Paper
Comic book artists employ a variety of specialized papers to create comic books. Comic book paper stock is generally heavy, often printed on 150-pound smooth paper board stock suited for ink, markers, felt-tip pens and pencils. This heavy stock ensures that ink doesn't bleed through. Concept sketch pages allow artists to plan out ideas before committing them to ink; these smooth pages come in pre-printed industry standard 11-by-17-inch sizes for comic books, strips and manga (Japanese comic books). Some strip board paper features non-reproducible blue guidelines for drawing panels and maintaining figure proportions. Cover sheets help keep pages from streaking or rubbing on one another.
Penciling Tools
Comic pencillers use pencils that run the gamut of tip sizes.
Comic book pencillers use both traditional wood and mechanical pencils. Wood, graphite and charcoal pencils used by comic artists come in HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 6B and other sizes. Varieties include soft-tipped pencils, medium-tipped pencils, compressed graphite, charcoal sticks, layout pencils, flat sketching pencils and blending pencils. Fine-tipped blue pencils create lines that most photographic processes don't reproduce; as such, pencillers often employ these non-smearing pencils for planning layouts or marking artwork. For fine detailing, mechanical pencils with refillable lead come in 0.5 to 4.0 millimeter sizes. Artists use soft kneaded erasers to erase mistakes and keep their pencils sharp with metal, plastic, electric and sandpaper sharpeners.
Inking Tools
Many inkers make use of liquid drawing ink.
Comic book inkers employ a variety of methods. Some use very fine brushes while others employ nib pens with fine tips. Firm felt-tip markers create solid lines while long, flexible and soft felt-tips replicate the look of an ink brush, creating fluid lines. Most artists who use traditional pens with nibs employ black liquid India ink. Technical, artist and fountain pens create fine lines on the page.
Other Tools
Rulers help create the panel lines found in comics.
While each comic book artist creates art in a different fashion, many employ common accessories. Artists' bridges provide a place for the non-drawing hand to rest, keeping the work from smearing and providing a straight tracing edge for increased control. Lettering tools provide guides and stencils for comic book letterers to transcribe the book's dialogue. Many comic book creation tools provide guides and straight edges, such as rolling parallel rulers, cutting rails and parallel straight-edged boards.
Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus school of art in 1919 in Weimar, Germany. This was just after the First World War and Germany lay in ruins. The artists responded to this desolate landscape with the approach of starting from zero. In this, influence was drawn from the Deconstructionists and Cubists, such as Pablo Picasso. The concept was to break down materials, and ideas, to their basic form. Here's identify Bauhaus artwork.
Instructions
1. Know who was teaching at the Bauhaus. Three recognizable names are Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee and Josef Albers. The philosophy of these painters, and of those studying at Bauhaus, was that geometric form was a pure form of expression. These painters produced canvases of bright, bold color and geometric shapes.
2. Wassily Kandinsky perhaps represented this idea in its most abstract. His works explore the relationship between point and line, and their relationship to the plane on which they are painted. This breaks the act of painting down to its most basic components.
3. Paul Klee’s approach is one of color and the relationships of colors to one another. While at the Bauhaus, Klee produced numerous works. His figures are stick figures, or grotesquely misshapen. The geometric forms are vehicles for his exploration of color.
4. Josef Albers, like Klee and Kandinsky, explored relationships. He brought to his paintings an almost mathematical approach; his works seem to calculate the relationship between color and form. Yet, Albers works express a kind of spiritual unity of materials to abstract concepts.
5. These three painters are representative of the Bauhaus philosophy. Their artwork, though, is not limited to canvases. Each explored the use of other materials, such as glass, paper and metals to create works of art. Their three-dimensional works express the same philosophy of starting from zero, and reflect the breaking down to the basics approach.
A basic understanding of human anatomy helps when you sketch or paint the nude figure. Whether working from memory, photographs, artistic figurines or a live model, the outline of the figure and key details are lightly sketched before adding more detail and paint. Painting techniques vary, as do the types of paint an artist can use, but the basic steps to painting the nude figure are the same. They also are the same for non-human figures.
Instructions
1. Find a picture or image to paint, or attend a painting class that incorporates live nude models. Look at the basic shapes that make up the image or model, such as rectangles, triangles, circles and squares. If using a live model, settle on the location for your canvas so the painting will produce the desired angle of the model.
2. Sketch, with the pencil, the basic shapes and a rough outline of the nude figure. You can sketch some or all of the background as well. When the outline is complete, sketch any key areas in the portrait, such as fingernails, facial features, cloth draped over part of the nude figure and key anatomy that becomes noticeable from the given perspective.
3. Fill in the background or surrounding area on the canvas, if that area will be darkened in the finished portrait. Consider painting any major background items now to avoid mistakes over the nude figure later.
4. Mix or choose the colors for the flesh tone. Apply most of the flesh paint to the nude figure on the canvas, taking care to reconstruct outlined areas if the background design overlaps anywhere. Allow the flesh paint to dry.
5. Examine the nude image or model for muscle tone or definition. Mix or select the flesh tone again and darken slightly with a color two or three shades darker. Use this darker version to begin building muscle and create the painted representation. Darken the flesh color further and repeat as needed for the darker areas of the nude's image. Allow the paint to dry.
6. Sketch, very lightly with a pencil, the facial features if the model or image faces you in the portrait. Lightly sketch any other key features visible in the portrait; at least provide a light pencil mark to signify where the given anatomical feature belongs.
7. Use variations of the flesh tone in different shades, as well as some gray, white and brown to capture the true image and all the natural highlights and lowlights. You can use pinks and reds, as well as some gold and olive, depending on skin tone (pigment), lighting and your design.
8. Paint the hair last. If it's long, it will be painted over the body; if it's short, the flesh colors should still be painted beneath it. Additionally, layering the paint and colors produces a depth to the finished painting.
Clay pots have been used for thousands of years to cook with. Once fired, the clay will stand up well to the heat of cooking as well as provide storage for the food once prepared. There are countless styles, designs and sizes of cooking pots to make, so don't limit your creativity. Having a seasoned potter help you is a good way to get started and learn technique.
Instructions
Making a Pot
1. Place clay on the throwing wheel. Wheels can be purchased for home use, or you can find a local potter who will let you use her wheel for a fee.
2. Turn on the wheel at a medium speed and begin to shape the clay. The clay used should be of a variety with no harmful ingredients that might transfer to the food later during cooking; terracotta works well.
3. Shape the clay by applying pressure to the mound of spinning clay until you have a crater shape. Pull the sides of the clay up between your hands so you are supporting the inside and outside edge of the crater. As you pull the rim upward, a pot will begin to form. This take practice to do well. Lessons are often available from a local potter or art schools.
4. Use the water to moisten the clay as you shape it. Water will make the clay more flexible and easier to mold. Too much water will make the clay collapse.
5. Finish by making a rim around the top of the pot. Then make a lid from clay in a similar manner. The size of the pot you make is entirely up to you. If you want to make larger meals, make a larger pot. Smaller pots can be made to cook desserts or individual soups.
6. Cut the finished pot from the wheel with the wire cutter. When cutting the lid off the wheel leave some excess clay to form a handle or knob for the lid. Allow the parts to dry on a shelf for several days, then fire in a kiln according to the kiln instructions. Use as desired for cooking.
Children and face painting go hand-in-hand. It's a fun activity for both adults and children. The children enjoy having their faces painted because designs can range from animals to cartoon characters, or just simple designs on the face. One popular style for little girls is having their face painted like a princess. Whether they like Cinderella or Snow White, or maybe Princess Jasmine, princess designs are usually popular among little girls.
Instructions
1. Begin by applying pink pain to the tops of the eyelids, much like you would apply eye shadow. Dip one of the brushes in the pink paint, remove excess paint from the brush by rubbing it on the sides of the paint pot and using short, even strokes, brush the paint over the eyelid while the child has her eyes closed. Make sure you paint up past the eyebrow and out toward the temple. Do the other side the same exact way.
2. Allow the pink paint to dry before moving on to the next step. When the paint is dry, dip the brush in water and blot with the towel to remove pink paint and dry the brush before dipping it into the next color. You may want to use a different brush for each color if you find that's easier.
3. Using the clean brush, dip it into the white paint and run the brush over the top of the eye, beginning at the corner closest to the nose, and out to the temple, making a kind of wavy line. Do the other eye the same way. Using the same brush and white paint, draw a couple of wavy horizontal lines above the eyebrows.
4. Draw two more lines above the ones you just drew, but make these vertical and almost heart-shaped, in the middle of the forehead. Paint a few filigree-type designs on each cheek. They don't have to be perfect, but a few white designs on the outer corners of the cheeks will add to the princess effect.
5. Finish the design by creating a jewel in the middle of the forehead, using the body glitter or glitter paint. This does not have to be difficult. Simply create an oval or a small circle with the body glitter, on the child's forehead. Or, if you are using glitter paint, all you have to do is use a paintbrush to create the jewel. Accent the glittery jewel with a small filigree-type design using the white paint, if you wish. In order to do this, all you need to do is paint three small dabs close to each other, above and below the jewel. You can also apply a small amount of pink paint to the lips for added color.
are usually fun, charming, witty, heroic and stylish. Anime is one of the most popular and fun animation styles out there these days--so why not join in on the fun and create your very own anime characters? Let your imagination run free. Read on to learn make anime characters.
Instructions
1. Learn draw in the anime style. Anime characters have very distinct and unusual characteristics such as the classic large saucer eyes, wild-colored and styled hair, and unusual fashion. apanese animators have been drawing anime characters this way for decades, so make sure you study lots of anime (Sailormoon, Gundam Wing, Dragonball Z) and understand draw them.
2. Think of unique characters and concepts. For example, who is going to be a hero? A villain? A girlfriend? A superhero? Think up names and defining characteristics for your characters. Be creative. What could make your characters stand out? Does one of them fly? Does one of them have flowing magenta hair and emerald green eyes? Be sure to reference well-known anime to jog your mind and get your imagination flowing.
3. Once you have thought up your characters, review them. Are they unusual enough? Unique enough? Likeable enough? Maybe seek advice from your friends or anyone else you know who is interested in anime. It's always good to get outside opinions and advice.
4. Now that you have come up with your characters, it's time to start writing an exciting and innovative plot to immortalize and define your brand new anime characters. Have fun, and do a good job.
Georgia O'Keeffe was born in 1887 and began taking art lessons in high school. When she graduated, she attended the Art Institute of Chicago (1905-06), followed by the Art Students League in New York (1907). The dessert landscape of New Mexico was the inspiration for most of her work, which is in the abstract form.
Success
Georgia O'Keeffe sold her first Giant Flower painting in 1928,when she was 41 years old. The painting "Calla Lily" sold for $25,000. A year before she died, one of her paintings sold for $1,000,000.
Marriage
Georgia O'Keeffe was married to a world famous photographer, Alfred Stieglitz. Over their entire time together, he took over 300 photographic portraits of her.
Exhibitions
Georgia O'Keeffe was the first woman honored with a retrospective show at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.
Honors
In 1985, President Reagan presented Georgia O'Keeffe with the National Medal of Arts.
Death
Georgia O'Keeffe passed away March 6, 1986, aged 98 and had her ashes scattered to the wind over her beloved New Mexico desert.
As the name suggests, self-hardening clay, also known as air-drying clay, dries on its own when exposed to air. Self-hardening clay is convenient to use at home when you don't have access to a kiln. Different types of self-hardening clays include air-dry clay, air-dry polymer clay, epoxy clay and claystone. Each type has different properties and materials that vary in the drying time and hardness of the clay.
Store the Clay
Self-hardening clay will dry out with exposure to air, so it is crucial to keep the clay sealed at all times. Keep the clay in the plastic bag it comes in, and store the bag in an airtight container. Store the container in a cool, shady place such as a cellar or a basement. When using clay, take out only the amount you need for the project and put the rest away immediately. If you notice clay in the bag beginning to dry out, mist some water into the bag to add moisture back into the clay.
Choose a Project
While many ceramists like to be spontaneous with clay and take some time to try different ideas, when working with self-hardening clay, it is best to have a design in mind before beginning. Due to the properties of the clay, it will start drying as soon as it is out of the storage container. If you take too much time experimenting, the clay will begin to dry out, making the clay brittle and unable to be molded into the desired shape. Therefore, decide what you will make before working with the clay.
Mold the Clay
Mold your clay on a canvas-covered board. This will help keep the moisture in the clay and prevent your project from sticking to the table. While working, keep a bowl of water nearby. Dip your hands in the water often to keep the clay moist. If you notice cracks appearing in your project, try using a sponge to moisten the clay. Rub your finger over the damp clay to smooth out any cracks.
Air Dry the Clay
When you're finished with your clay project, set it on a board to dry. This may be the same board you used while modeling, but be sure to remove any excess clay chunks. If the base of your project is thick, you may want to set it on a wire rack to let the bottom dry evenly. Place the board in a dry place that has high ventilation and air flow. Clay should not be put in direct sunlight, as cracks can develop if the clay dries too fast. If the clay still dries too fast, try putting plastic over your project to help it dry slower.
Finish the Clay
Once the clay is completely dry, it is ready to be finished. Seal the clay with a spray lacquer or dip sealer to keep any toxins inside the clay and protect the piece against chips and breakage. Paint your project with acrylic paints for individual designs and colors. Pieces made from self-hardening clay should be for display only and not used for consumption or left outside.
Whether you're using an autograph book to celebrate the last day of school, a wedding celebration or a star-sighting trip to Hollywood, the book should reflect both your event and personal style. Using tools found in craft stores, you can customize autograph books to fit any occasion.
Choosing a Book
Before customizing your autograph book, decide what type of book you plan to use. You have two main choices. The first type of book is blank with decorative covers and blank pages that come lined or unlined. Choose this book if you wish to use the autograph book for a special occasion such as the last day of school or a trip to Disney World. The other type of book is more common to scrapbooking and features the ability to insert additional pages with paper of different colors and designs. You can choose a cover that suits your personal style and then fill the inside with different pages depending on the autographs. Use paper that features specific cities for celebrity sighting in New York or Los Angeles. You can even divide the book into multiple sections such as one section for musicians and one for actors. The second format gives you greater control over the design of your autograph book.
Customized Covers
After you have purchased a book, start by customizing the cover. If you've chosen a blank book cover, you can purchase craft paint to trace out a title for your book. You can also purchase different stickers from craft stores that feature three-dimensional shapes and pictures. Arrange the stickers around the title of your book and don't forget about the back cover. If the autograph book is being used for a special event, leave room on one side of the cover to attach a photograph. Stay away from leather-covered books if you plan to decorate the cover, as these are difficult to paint. Standard cloth-covered books work best. Use the inside cover to include the date and location in which the book was used. Use a calligraphy pen for an added professional touch. If you're using the book for celebrity autographs or multiple events, create a table of contents after the book has been filled for easy navigation.
The Inside
Decide before you use the autograph book if you want to have one signature per page or multiple signatures. Having one signature per page will allow you to go back and add photos and stickers that are based around the person who signed the page. Use photos of your friends and memories you have of them for an autograph book of friends and create a page dedicated to the celebrity whose signature you have obtained. For a trip to Disney World, dedicate each page to a character with pictures you've printed from your computer mixed with photos of yourself with the characters. If you're including multiple signatures on a page, use paint pens and stickers to create a border around the page that matches the theme of your book or page. Add pages if you're using the scrapbook format to include more memories of the event or people involved. The autograph book doesn't just need to have autographs in it.
Anime is a Japanese cartoon-art form that has become popular the world over. These characters, seen in comics, cartoons and toys, generally are distinguished by sharp lines and standard, recognizable features. Some anime characters are Asian in style; others feature huge eyes and child-like faces. Anime characters often are portrayed as powerful heroes in sharp contrast to their appearance. However, you don't have to be a professional artist to make an anime super character of your own.
Instructions
1. Determine what type of anime character you want to draw. Considerations include gender, clothing and whether to go with a child-like appearance or an Asian look. Also decide what weapons your anime should carry, such as a sword or knife.
2. Do a rough sketch, starting with the hair. If you want a spiked-hair look, for example, draw sharp points. Anime hair can be just about any color, but blue, black, white or yellow are popular choices. Now, sketch the shape of the face from the hairline down.
3. Draw the body. Many anime characters are draped in robes or flowing, traditional Asian garments. Sketch the clothing as you rough out the shape of the body. Create an emblem that will define your anime character as a hero or a fighter. You can add weapons or other battle adornments at this time.
4. Add details to your anime's face. Go back to your character's hair and add shading and texture with light pencil strokes. Color the rest of your super character.
5. Scan your drawing into a computer so you can use graphics software to enhance your anime character or even to create animation.
Aluminum heads must be treated differently than their cast iron counterparts.
Aluminum heads have their own quirks when it comes to servicing them. Since aluminum heads have been designed for their light weight and heat dissipating qualities, they have a tendency to expand and contract much more than cast iron heads. Removing valves from an aluminum head requires certain precautions since the material that seats the valve can become distorted or even ruined if not handled properly.
Carburetor Cleaner
Any time an aluminum head has been removed it will contain carbon buildup in the combustion chambers, including varying accumulations of carbon in the valve guides. Cleaning the head completely will remove all varnish and carbon deposits that can impede removal of the valve train parts. A stiff-bristled engine cleaning brush and carburetor cleaner works best to get in all the nooks and passages that need to be cleaned.
Penetrating Oil
Equally important to cleaning the head will be the liberal application of penetrating oil. Penetrating oil comes in spray or spout type applicators. Either version will work so long as liberal amounts are applied to all of the valve train parts, in particular, the valve stem area where it enters the head. The oil must be allowed to sit and penetrate through the minute cracks for at least 30 minutes.
Valve Spring Compressor
The valve spring compressor has a C-shaped clamp design with an adjustable handle so that the valve spring can be compressed. The spring clips that hold the valve in place can only safely be removed by shoving the spring down against its seat, relieving the pressure on the retaining clips. Once the clips have been removed, the spring comes off, exposing the valve stem shaft.
Valve Extraction
The head should be placed on a flat surface (combustion side down) with wooden blocks supporting each end. You need to allow clearance to remove the valves. A small hammer, ball peen or large tack hammer can be the best tool to shock the valve stem loose. By tapping downward on the top of the valve stem, it will move downward within the guide and exit the head from the valve seat hole. Several taps may be required, with the addition of more penetrating oil on the shaft, or even some motor oil or grease.
Heat Assist Technique
If for any reason the valve stem refuses to move after tapping and additional penetrating oil, you can try the heat assist removal method. First, the head must be cleaned again and wiped clean of any and all cleaner fluid. A propane torch held on the top of the head around the valve guide will expand the aluminum enough to loosen the valve stem. Steady and concentrated heat must be applied. Tapping with a hammer, while heating, should break the valve stem loose from its guide.
A lithograph is an authorized reproduction of a piece of artwork, map, or text that has been created using a distinctive printing process. They may be signed by the artist or author, and depending on their condition can be of worthwhile value. Unlike other reproduction techniques that rely on the negative image being etched or raised on the print, lithography uses a smooth surface to transfer the image.
History
The process of lithography was created by Alois Senefelder in 1796 as a means of printing text. By 1837, Senefelder's principle was perfected for paintings by Godefroy Engelmann and lithograph reproductions were created. They were made by drawing an exact mirror image outline of the work on a smooth piece of limestone with greasy crayons. Oil-based ink was then used to color in the sketch, and water was applied to the areas on the stone surface where no color was desired to keep the ink from smudging. A thick sheet of paper was then placed on top of the stone reproduction and light pressure was added to transfer the ink onto the paper. The paper was allowed to dry, marked with an issue number, signed by the artist, and sold.
Significance
Lithography was quickly utilized to print 19th-century versions of the Qu'ran and other texts that utilized non-Western instead of the movable type press. While the movable-type press had difficulty accommodating the intricate characters of the Arabic, Turkish and Russian alphabets, the lithograph was able to transfer mass volumes of non-Western text with ease and speed. Because it was able to keep the alphabet intact, lithography became the only choice for printing religious materials in Arabic.
Considerations
The science of lithography has developed over time, and modern lithography relies on chemical processes to transfer the image instead of the negative relationship between oil and water. Now, a hydrophobic chemical, or chemical that repels water, is applied to the positive areas of the image before specific printing ink is applied. This not only keeps lines crisper, but also allows a wide variety of printing ink to be used regardless of its relationship with water.
Types
Modern book and newspaper printing utilizes a type of lithography called offset lithography. The printing machines that use offset lithography are large, multi-step devices that use flexible plates made from synthetic material instead of stone, as it is more durable for high quantity printing. The plates carry a reverse of the original image, or line of text, which is coated in development chemicals and water, and the paper is pressed across it before being moved through rollers to squeeze out the extra moisture. It is then super-dried before being moved off the press for bounding and organization.
Effects
In the mid-1800s, several notable artists like Delacroix and Goya worked exclusively in lithographs and created the original images on the limestone itself. Toulouse-Lautrec also spent much of his later career experimenting with lithography as an art medium.
Blending is a much trickier task with acrylic paint than with oil paint, because acrylic dries quickly and oil dries slowly. When you are painting this subject, in order to blend the lake with the sky you will need to mix your paint with water to slow down the drying time. Mixing the paint with water also thins the paints, making it easier to blend one color another.
Instructions
1. Using a thick paintbrush, paint the base color for the lake and sky, using the same shade of blue.
2. Dip your paintbrush in white paint and a little water, then mix it with the shade of blue you just painted the lake and sky. Move your paintbrush across the sky in horizontal strokes, gradually lightening the color of the sky as it approaches the edge of the lake. Continue to add white to the paintbrush as you move down.
3. Dip your paintbrush in a dark brown or green paint, and add a little water. Blend this color with the color you used for the sky, darkening the color slightly. Do not mix in too much dark paint--this will be the color of the lake with the reflections of the sky on top. Thus, it will be a dark green or brown with a light blue mixed in.
4. Brush your paintbrush across the lake (starting from the bottom), covering the base color with the now darker hue you mixed on your palette. Apply the paint to the canvas in horizontal strokes. Notice that your previous layers of paint will by now be gummy, or even dry. Add white paint to the brush as you move to the top of the lake, slowly lightening the color of the water as it approaches the line of the sky.
5. With a medium-sized paint brush, mix more brown or green into the paint used on the lake.
6. Use the medium-sized paint brush to break up the surface of the lake with small wavy lines over the water. They should get smaller as they get farther away.
7. Dip a small paintbrush in white paint and accent the top of the waves you just created in step 6 by lining the waves with white paint.
Prep your paintbrush before you begin painting to make cleanup easier
Oil-based paints have definite advantages over latex paints. They are usually better stain sealers, and they are more effective at holding onto metal surfaces. A wall coated with oil-based paint will usually be easier to clean, which is why oil-based paints are often used in high-traffic areas. Cleaning oil-based paints off brushes and rollers can be easy as well, with some simple preparation before you start painting.
Preparing the Brush
Prep your brush before you start painting to make cleanup easier. Pour some paint thinner into a small dish and lightly dip your clean brush in it. Shake the brush over spread out newspapers to get rid of any excess liquid before dipping the brush into the paint. If you take a break during painting, keep the brush out of the sun so the paint does not harden. Soak a clean rag in paint thinner and wrap it around the bristles, then drop the brush in an old coffee can and put on the lid until you're ready to paint again.
Cleaning the Brush
To clean a paintbrush, wrap several sheets of newspaper around it. Use your hands to squeeze from the metal part of the brush all the way up to the top of the bristles. Throw away the newspapers. Dip the brush in a jar of paint thinner, running the bristles along the bottom of the jar to help clean off the paint. Take out the brush and wrap more sheets of newspaper around it. Squeeze again, this time to remove the paint and the thinner. Properly dispose of the newspaper.
Storing the Brush
Store a clean, still-damp brush by carefully wrapping it in a paper towel. As the brush dries, the wrapping will help the brush hold its shape.
Abstract paintings are created with a variety of tools.
Acrylic paint is a versatile medium that can be modified in many ways to produce different results, which makes it a good choice for creating an abstract work of art. It can be applied to canvas, wood and fabric, among other surfaces, and can be thinned with water or thickened with an acrylic medium depending on the effect that is desired.
Collage
Acrylic paint can be used as a glue when you are creating a collage. Use it to insert ready-made imagery and letter forms into your abstract painting. Cut out images and words from old newspapers, magazines, books and other publications and recombine them in ways that suit your project. Ticket stubs, fortune cookie inserts, office supplies, branches and household items can also be applied with paint or glue to give your painting added dimension and texture.
Effects Mediums
Mediums are used to change the consistency and attributes of acrylic paint and are often used by abstract artists to give their work a textured quality. String gel transforms the paint so that it can be applied in long, string-like portions that dry solid and transparent, retaining the paint's color in the process. Glass bead gel can be mixed with a paint color to give it a glossy, bubbled look when dry. Ceramic stucco is a heavy texture medium that can be mixed with paint to give it a rough, gritty appearance once it has dried.
Surfaces
An artist's working surface serves as the foundation for the rest of her materials, making it the most important part of the painting process. Acrylic paint can adhere to just about any surface, so experiment with materials that have unusual textures and qualities. Glass, ceramic, aluminum and foliage are relatively uncommon materials for creating an abstract acrylic painting. Combine them with more common materials like canvas, paper and wood to give your painting instant visual interest.
Utensils
Experiment with different utensils while painting. Combs, forks and other utensils can be repurposed to create a continuous ridge effect in acrylic paint. Use a cleaning sponge to add texture to your painting or apply it over a layer of dried paint for increased depth of color. A palette knife is an old standby used for mixing paints, but it can also be used on an actual painting to create a thick, uneven layer of color.
Drawing muscles well is critical to creating compelling comic book art. Heroes without muscles are boring and simply fail to leap of the page and into our imaginations. The world of comic books is infused with larger than life villains and superheroes and they commonly battle using their intense physical powers. A good working knowledge of draw comic book muscles can greatly assist you in creating images that will keep readers turning the page to find out what action-packed sequence is next.
Instructions
1. Draw the parts of the body in cylinders to create a basic frame for the muscles. Draw the torso with a large cylinder. Create the hips with a triangular shape. Add the upper arms and lower arms with smaller, shorter cylinders and make sure the bottom of these cylinders is slightly smaller than the top. Do the same for the leg cylinders as well but make these larger and longer than the arms.
2. Create the muscles with football-shaped ovals that taper to a slight point at each end. Place the shoulder muscle at the top of the upper arm cylinder. Make sure that this overlaps slightly to the upper corner of the torso. Add the bicep with a smaller oval that comes off the bottom of the shoulder muscle. Add 2 small ovals, side by side at the top of the forearm cylinder to create the forearm muscles.
3. Draw the pectoral muscles on the chest with 2 large square-shaped ovals at the top of the chest. Add the abdominal muscles with 3 rows of 2 small side-by-side circular shapes just below the pecs. Add the quadriceps to the upper legs with 2 ovals, side by side that are larger and rounder at the base and thinner at the top. These should look like elongated teardrops.
4. Add muscles striations to enhance the drama further in the illustration with several short vertical lines near the base of each muscle. When you ink your illustration, add a thick dark line to the bottom edge of each muscle to create depth.
Save your discarded tin cans of all sizes to use in art projects.
Americans generate millions of tons of trash each year. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 220 million tons of garbage are thrown away every year in the U.S. alone. Reduce some of that volume by repurposing your tin or aluminum cans into art projects. Creating with tin cans affords you the opportunity to practice new techniques inexpensively while using a wide variety of colors and styles.
Tin Can Collage
Create a collage using colorful metal pieces from tin cans in the style of David Wasserman, a New York artist. Start by drawing a picture on a piece of plywood. Determine the different colors needed to fill in the drawing. Using tin snips, cut pieces of cans and then nail the pieces to the wood, "painting" the drawing with sections of cans. Wasserman has recreated baseball cards and posters and made life-sized portraits using portions of cans.
Tin Can Place Setting
Make place settings for a party with tin cans. After washing and drying a can for each guest, spray-paint the cans with two coats. Glue three large wood beads on the bottom of the container. Cut down the top of the can and then firmly bend it in with needle-nose pliers to remove any sharp edges. Paint the containers black to look like a witch's cauldron and add a handle to complete the look. After painting the cans pink, write the guests' names on them with a white paint-pen for a tea party, or use blue and white for a winter-themed party.
Tin Can Jewelry
Jewelry formed from tin cans is a wearable form of pop art. Choose your favorite canned beverage. Cut the top and bottom off the can and then cut up the side; flatten the remaining piece of can to make a sheet of tin. Trace a simple shape on the logo of the can to create a charm. Consider drawing a circle, a key shape or a bird. Cut out the shape and then carefully bend in the edges with needle-nose pliers. Pierce the top of the charm with a hammer and nail to make a small hole. Slip a ball chain with a necklace clasp through the charm. You can add several tin can charms to finish the necklace.
Maracas
Use tin cans to make colorful maracas. Insert beans, small jingle bells or rice in the opening in the top of the can. Stick a thick dowel in the opening of the can and then tape it in place. To keep the items inside the can from sticking to the tape, first poke the dowel through a piece of plastic wrap; cover it with several strips of masking or duct tape. Finish the maraca with layers of papier mache. When the maraca is dry, apply paint, let it dry again and then shake it.
Robots
Build robots from many different sizes and shapes of tin cans. You can hang these sculptures in your garden to use them as a wind chime that doubles as a scarecrow. Start with a large coffee can for the "body" and a smaller coffee can for the "head." Attach four or more small tin cans with thin wire to use as legs and arms, and for the hands and feet, use small potted meat or square sardine cans. Continue to add recycled materials to make the robot's facial features, buttons and accessories. For example, you can use bottle tops for eyes, and bend pieces of wire into a mouth shape or use them as fingers.
Making a work of art by using your thumbprint is unique and exclusive. No one else will ever be able to duplicate or copy your work of art. It's fun for any age and connects you with the creative process of making art. Since the main tool for making thumbprint art is right on your hand, the supplies and cost are minimal, making it an easy and enjoyable activity.
Coasters
Making coasters using your thumbprints can add charm and personalization for parties or cocktail hour. Purchase corkboard material and craft paints or ink pads found at a craft store. Dip your thumb into the paint or ink and make a design on the corkboard. Once the paint is dry, spray the corkboard with a waterproof clear sealant, found at a craft or hardware store, to seal the paint. Square pottery tiles can also be used as a coaster. These are sold at do-it-yourself pottery shops where you can decorate the coaster with your thumbprints, using the pottery paints, and the the pottery shop will fire and glaze them for you.
Handmade Card
When writing a thank you, birthday, or special occasion card, add a special touch by making the card yourself. Using card stock, cut out and fold to the desired size card. To design your own thumbprint garden art on the card, dip your thumb into craft paint or an ink pad, then stamp the paper with your thumb to make a design. Thumbprints can be used to make the petals on a flower or the body of a bee buzzing around. Once the thumbprint is on the paper and dry, use a marker or pen to add details or outline the garden shapes. Add other fingerprints to vary the size and texture.
Alphabet Letters
Children love getting their hands messy and finger paints are a perfect, easy-to-clean medium for preschool thumbprint art. When teaching letters to young children it's beneficial to add a hands-on element to the project. Write an alphabet letter on a piece of paper with a pencil. Have students thumbprint the lines by dipping their thumb in the paint and stamping the outline of the letter until all the pencil lines are covered in thumbprints. Once you have created all the letters of the alphabet, display them in the classroom for students to view.
Insect and Animal Art
Creating pictures of insects or animals is an educational classroom project. Instead of students using the traditional method of drawing or coloring animals, have them create a piece of art with their thumbprint. With the use of paper and washable paint, have the students stamp their thumbprints on the paper until they have made the basic shape of the insect or animal. When the paint is dry, use a pen or pencil to add details to the body such as the eyes or mouth. As part of the lesson plan, explain how each person's thumb is different and can be identified by different physical markers.
Wedding Art
As guests arrive at a wedding it is custom for them to sign a guest book. Add a creative twist and have guests use thumbprints to make a work of art for the bride and groom. Do this by drawing or printing the branches of a tree either on canvas or heavyweight paper. Have a few different shades of green ink pads for guest to apply thumbprint leaves to the tree. All the different sizes, shapes and textures of thumbprints will add character to the thumbprint tree art.
Thomas Kinkade grew up in a small town in California where he learned many of the values and inspirations that are reflected in his work. A devout Christian, Kinkade uses his art to spread and communicate these life-affirming values, according to the Thomas Kinkade website. These traits have made the items created by Thomas Kinkade highly sought-after collectible Christmas gifts.
Christmas Theme Gifts
Kinkade gifts range from pre-lit and tabletop Christmas trees, garlands, nativity sets and snow globes, to figurines and ornaments, according to the Bradford Exchange Online website. A crystal snowman with a Thomas Kinkade village enclosed in his tummy and a working train around the base makes an excellent choice for snowman collectors. Choose the Thomas Kinkade heirloom Santa Christmas ornament collection for the Santa Claus collector in the family. Family train lovers will like the Kinkade crystal tabletop Christmas tree, which sports a miniature train that runs around the base and a 3-D village inside.
Art Gallery Gifts
Kinkade is most famous for his wall paintings. Specific collections include such themes as the American Images collection and Scenes of Christmas, according to the Thomas Kinkade website. The Wizard of Oz and Disney Dreams have inspired some of the other art collections. The Disney enthusiast in your family will love any of the paintings in this collection. For the sports fan, there is the Sports Images collection and nature lovers will enjoy the Mountain Scenes collection. Plus, for a splash of color, choose the Fall Festival collection of paintings.
Christmas Village Gifts
If your family has a Christmas village fancier, a number of different village collections will hold special appeal. For the farmer in your family, select the "Thomas Kinkade & John Deere Illuminated Christmas Village." The Thomas Kinkade Village Christmas Miniatures are perfect for the tabletop, measuring only 7 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches. There is also the Thomas Kinkade's Town Square Village Gift Set. It features buildings such as a post office, library, barber shop and school, along with a lighted Christmas tree and villager figurines.
Squish two colors of clay together to make a marbled effect.
Polymer clay doesn't need a kiln for because it cures at a lower temperature than earth clays. All you need for successful crafting with polymer clay is a little inspiration and a home oven. You can mold the clay over and over without it deteriorating. It's non-toxic, but shouldn't be eaten, so always supervise if using polymer clay with young children.
Scrapbook Embellishments
Leaves, flowers, buttons or small cartouches are simple to make with polymer clay. To make leaves, roll out green polymer clay into a thin sheet, then press a metal leaf charm into the clay to make an imprint. Cut around the imprint with a craft knife, then set the clay aside to bake according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you don't have a leaf charm, use a tooth pick to score a rough leaf shape in the polymer clay before cutting it out. Don't worry about perfection. The charm of homemade items is in the slight imperfections.
Photo or Name Place Holders
Sculpt small animal shapes, or even simple box or pyramid shapes, out of polymer clay and turn them into photo holders or name place holders for the dining table by curling a length of wire into a spiral at one end and poking the other end into the top of the shape to create a hole before baking. Even simple shapes such as boxes or oval egg shapes look stylish or funky when they're painted or decorated with more polymer clay on their surfaces. Try adding a little glitter, or burnishing the piece with a bronze crafting powder for an antique look.
Beads
One way to make one-of-a-kind jewelry is to make your own beads. Being small, beads are an ideal project to use up any tiny pieces of clay left over from other, larger projects. Make marbled beads by rolling a couple of colors together between your palms, stopping before the colors completely merge. Make round beads or long beads, or roll polymer clay flat before stamping out disk beads with the end of a drinking straw. Use a needle or toothpick to make a hole through the bead so you can thread it after it's baked.
Magnets, Pendants or Mosaic Tiles
Use deeply etched rubber stamps that have a simple, bold design to stamp texture or patterns into thinly rolled out polymer clay. Cut around the stamped design with a craft knife, or cut out the design with a cookie cutter if you have one that the design fits inside. After curing the cut out shapes, use them as mosaic tiles to decorate mirror or picture frames, or they can become refrigerator magnets if you glue a small, flat magnet onto the back. If you want to make a pendant, remember to pierce a hole before baking the clay.
Polymer clay molds can be crafted from typical household objects. Round bowls are used as a form for polymer clay mold making purposes. Molds can also be made free-from by hand. Any hard object, which can be wrapped with clay, will make a sufficient polymer clay mold. Clay is peeled away from the hard object, creating a concave mold for project creation. Polymer clay molds can be used to create jewelry or fashionable hair accessories.
Instructions
Make Polymer Clay Molds
1. Select a hard object for mold making. Oven safe items work best.
2. Knead the polymer clay between the hands. The polymer clay must be pliable before wrapping it around the mold.
3. Spread cooking oil or water throughout the mold to prevent the polymer clay from sticking. The hard object can be covered with aluminum foil before the clay is added to prevent sticking while baking.
4. Coat the exterior of the hard object selected with polymer clay.
5. Cut away any excess clay with a knife. Press the clay firmly onto the hard object.
6. Place the covered mold into the oven and bake. Follow polymer clay baking instructions provided on the package.
7. Allow the mold to cool, and carefully remove the polymer clay from the hard object.
8. Allow project to dry for two days at room temperature before use.
What's soccer without a ball? For home play, or if you're a parent and the league or team requires a child to bring one to practice, it's important to buy the right ball.
Instructions
1. Buy the correct size. Age 8 and under use size 3; ages 8 through 12 use size 4; ages 13 and up use size 5 (the official international-size soccer ball).
2. Get a softer ball for a younger player, particularly to practice heading. One type is a PVC plastic ball, geared specifically for youth soccer and made in all sizes.
3. Go for a harder ball for advanced players, who often prefer it for striking.
4. Pick up the ball and press into it with your thumb, testing for softness. Do this even if it is in a display box.
5. Judge balls on reputation. You can ask a coach or an experienced player.
6. Look for the words "FIFA Approved" or "FIFA Inspected" for higher-end balls.
7. Go for the reasonably priced. A 20-dollar stitched ball is sufficient, and is less of a loss if misplaced.
Named for King Alfred of England, Alfred, New York, is a small village in Allegany County with a population of 4,530 residents as of July 2003. The crime rate in Alfred is significantly less than the rate in New York and the national average.
National Average Comparison
According to the website CLR Search, Alfred's overall crime risk index in 2008 was 32 compared to the national risk of 100 and New York's risk of 67. This means that Alfred citizens are 68 percent less likely to be the victim of a crime when compared to the national average.
Murder Rate
Murder in Alfred was non-existent from the years 2001 to 2008, according to the website City Data. There were also zero incidences of arson and homicide.
Sex Offender Population
As of May 2009, there were no registered sex offenders living in the village of Alfred.
Violent Crime Rate
According to the website CLR Search, the number of violent crimes reported in Alfred in 2003 was four, and violent crime occurred nine times per 1,000 residents. The website City Data reported five incidences of rape and 28 assaults between the years 2001 and 2008.
Theft
Between the years 2001 and 2008, there were two robberies, 89 burglaries and five auto thefts in the village of Alfred.
Fragrant pine needles have uses that range from decorative to medicinal.
Pine trees are abundant throughout forested and residential areas in the United States. Homeowners with pine trees in their yards may wonder what to do with all of the needles that fall to the ground. Surprisingly, pine needles have many uses that range from providing decorative accents to your home, to improving your health. Among the piles of raked pine needles in your yard lie opportunities for year-round fun and creativity.
Make Pine-Scented Sachets
Fresh pine needles placed in an organza bag or in cheesecloth make instant sachet bags. Tie the bags with a ribbon or yarn for an attractive closure. Place your pine sachets in drawers, closets, cars or any other place that requires freshening. These inexpensive sachets make great holiday gifts, too.
Use Pine Needles as Mulch
Pine needles make good mulch for many trees and shrubs. Place a 2-inch layer of pine needles in your landscape beds for plants that like acidic soils. Pine needles tend to stay in place well in the beds while allowing water, air and fertilizers to penetrate the soil beneath. As with most mulches, pests--including roaches and snakes--enjoy living among the needles, so use caution when stepping into the beds.
Brew Pine Needle Tea
Holistic medicine enthusiasts brew pine needle tea, which may provide vitamins and other health benefits. Commercial tea companies sell pine needle tea bags; however, you can make the tea at home by steeping clean pine needles in warm water.
Decorate Your Home for the Holidays
The smell of pine is popular around the winter holidays and natural pine needles make an attractive addition to your holiday decor. Place fresh pine needles in baskets with gourds, berries, or pinecones. Arrange the pine needles so that they show between the other items in the basket for a splash of color and fragrance. Pine needles also make a festive natural accent for table centerpieces. Position candles, berries, or flower vases then place pine needles so that they peek from beneath the decorations. Sprinkle the pine needles with fake snow for a wintery appearance.
One of the greatest parting gifts for students when the school-year comes to an end is the yearbook.
One of the greatest parting gifts for students when the school-year comes to an end is the yearbook. It is a year's worth of memories printed and bound, filled with great photographs, familiar faces, fun activities, spectacular sporting events, classmate autographs and a time in your life that you will look back on for years to come. It is a time-capsule of sorts, and it is important that the yearbook staff capture those parts of the school-year that meant the most.
Student Photographs
Encouraging students to take photographs throughout the year might inspire them to get creative.
Since the yearbook photographers can't be everywhere on campus at the same time, it would be an interesting concept to encourage students to take photographs throughout the year and then submit their best ones for consideration for the yearbook. This might inspire students to get creative, have fun and take part in the yearbook process.
Student Premonitions
Adding student premonitions for the future could be a fun and positive way to encourage forward-thinking.
A fun thing to do would be adding student premonitions, positively fun, yet possible visions for their own future and for the future of their friends and classmates. For instance, a student might state that she plans to cure cancer. Another student might have a premonition that her boyfriend will be elected President of the United States in the 2028 elections, while another student envisions his best friend receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for having finally washed his practice jersey after four years of high school football. Student premonitions could be the part of the yearbook that is all in good fun, while expressing real possibilities for their future at the same time.
Student Transportation
A student's first mode of transportation is a pretty big deal.
A student's first mode of transportation, particularly in high school, is a pretty big deal. It is a time in a student's life when they are given the keys to their freedom and the opportunity to pull into the school parking lot without the added embarrassment of having Mom and Dad tote them around. Capturing photographs of students' cars is like capturing photographs of the first time they rode their bike without training wheels-priceless. A student's car is as much a part of school life as is his math homework.
Messages from Senior Parents
Adding messages and special photographs from parents and family members can help make the yearbook more memorable.
A neat way to add meaning to a yearbook would be to add special photographs and personalized messages from parents and family members to graduating seniors. Since parents put forth a great deal of effort in getting their children through the first 12 years of school, it is an extraordinary way for them to demonstrate just how proud they really are of their child. It is also a great opportunity for parents to dig out those embarrassing baby photos and put them to good use, sharing them with their child's classmates for years to come.