Fine Art Tips and Techniques
For decades, interior decorators, graphic designers, advertisers and artists have been using color to enhance our environments. The use of color can be used to create a certain mood or to create a message or sharp response in the viewer. As artists we learn how to use the positive or negative attributes of color in our works to subliminally send a message. Last year, I posted a very informative article which explains how to Use the Hidden … [Read more...]
Color can be used to evoke a certain mood, to create a message or sharp response in the viewer. As artists, photographers, designers and crafters, we learn how to use the positive or negative attributes of color in our works to subliminally send a message. Most successful artists know how to use color to their advantage, but many aspiring and novice artists are not aware of the power of color. Last year, I wrote an in-depth article to help … [Read more...]
A carpenter must understand how to use his or her own tools in order to build a house, so must an artist know how to use his or her tools to paint a successful painting. At first, knowing how to choose the right art paint brush is a daunting task. When I first began painting, I underestimated the importantance of choosing the right paint brush. This article will focus on the tuft 'shape' of the paint brush and how it corresponds to each … [Read more...]
"The most important ally in the study of painting is the art of thinking," stated Edgar Payne, famed artist and author. One of my favorite books in my library is by Edgar Payne, "Composition of Outdoor Painting." This little book is packed with a lifetime of knowledge from this famous American landscape painter. It is a must for every serious landscape painter. I have learned that interpreting the landscape is a matter of allowing the influences … [Read more...]
Recently, a Fine Art Tips reader asked me to share some tips for painting the sun reflections on water at sunset. Like many, this new painter has been a bit intimidated by depicting reflected light on water. Painting water is a fairly complex subject. Water, is affected by its surroundings, reflections, depth and clarity. The painting of oceans, rivers, lakes and ponds can be beautiful, but managing to get the water and reflections … [Read more...]
Marc Hanson is a talented artist friend of mine on Facebook. Marc recently won the Oil Painters of America, 'John Marion Pardy Landscape Award of Excellence' for the painting 'Sunday Morning Frost,' a 16x20 oil. Not only is Marc a world class artist, but also a giving individual. He often shares clever art tips on Facebook with his following of admiring art fans. Marc shared a popular article with Fine Art Tips, "Save Studio Space! … [Read more...]
A few weeks ago I began a series of paintings using a limited palette. The interesting thing about this project is that I limited my palette to only complimentary colors using the ancient 5000 year old Chinese philosophy, the 'balance of opposites' or yin/yang. After reading a favorite book - The Yin Yang of Painting I was so inspired by the artist, Hongnian Zhang, I decided to give this approach a try. I was pleased with my first attempt … [Read more...]
I am always on the lookout for money saving ideas for the artist. A couple of websites (links below) shared this little creative project which turns an ordinary Altoid mint box into a pocket-sized watercolor travel set... watercolor travel box by Nita Leland Materials: Use an empty Altoid mint metal container Empty plastic 'half-pan' wells for the watercolor paint Hot glue gun Paint brushes (cut the handles to fit in box) Mini squeeze cosmetic … [Read more...]
guest artist/author: Ken Newman As I continue my artistic journey, I am often asked how I do you choose a subject. It is something that continues to evolve as I am a self-taught sculptor. Below is an overview of the steps I follow in creating a sculpture, but the most important part is the concept, which is a reflection of my journey, interpreting the simple and subtle rhythms and textures in nature. The following is an example of my artistic … [Read more...]
Little did I know that my drawing background would give me a good foundation in tone, otherwise known as value. Value is how light or dark that color is. For example: If you took a black and white photograph of your painting, the shades of grey would be the different values or tones within the painting. ("Approaching Shadows" by Lori McNee ©2006) Simply put, value is the lightness or darkness a color or hue. In painting, … [Read more...]
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