Art and Photographic Portraits
Art and Photographic Portraits
What is art? Art is subjective, and not everyone agrees on what makes something art. Something like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. A client told me not long ago that while she had no problem hanging large art pieces on her walls, she just couldn’t see a large family photo on her didn’t want to look at herself “that big!”
Wow!
I know my ears turned red because I could feel the heat coming off them! I stood there in stunned silence for a minute, then said, “So, you don’t consider portraits as art?!” I felt like I had been slapped in the face!
You see, I have dedicated myself to creating the most beautiful family portraits possible for the last 16 years. To me, and to the vast majority of my clients, (I must say all my real clients), a fine family portrait truly is an art piece. A family art treasure! And I would venture to say that even the client I referenced at the beginning here would, in the case of a fire, grab her family portrait and run for I could be ‘s happened before.
Since I was a very young boy and to now, I have always taken my inspiration for my work from the Old Masters of painting. Their ability to show personalities and emotion in their images has always drawn me in. Most of their works were portraits of friends and patrons. Yes, portraits. Are they art? Absolutely! Very few would disagree.
Back when the “Old Masters” were contemporaries, film hadn’t been invented, so there was no photography as we know it. And as I said, the majority of their works were portraits commissioned by their patrons, or inspired by their friends. Certainly landscapes and city scenes, slices of life as it was then were also subjects for paintings. Very much as it is today with painters and photographers alike.
For the most part, the job of creating portraits has been turned over to photographers, and those who specialize in portraiture have received the baton from the portrait painters of old. The art of portraiture largely remains the same. Only the tools have changed. The ability to ‘see’ and to compose remain the cornerstone of the portraitist’s art, along with the ability to draw out the personality of the subject and transfer the vision to print media.
There are many parallels between the painting masters portraits of old and today’s photographic portrait artists. Not the least being that we are commissioned to create the portraits in the first place, and it is our passion and livelihood. Depicting personality, emotion and moment has always been about lighting and featuring certain aspects of the subject whether captured in oils or on film or by digital sensor. And today’s portraits will be the future’s historical record of our contemporary life.…
A Brief Introduction of HTML
A Brief Introduction of HTML
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the text markup language currently used on the World Wide Web. If you have ever written a school a report or business memo, you have encountered text markup. Your document probably came back to you covered in red ink, courtesy of your teacher or boss. The symbols and acronyms used in those editorial markup suggested changes for you to interpret or implement.
In that scenario,markup is separate from the actual content of your document. When you create, a document with a word processing program such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect, the program uses markup language to indicate the structure of formatting of that electronic document. What you see on your screen looks like a page of formatted text; the rest is done “behind the scene.” HTML is the not so behind the scenes markup languages that is used to tell Web browser how to structure and display Web pages.
HTML has a very well-defined syntax; all HTML document should follow a formal structure. The World Wide Web Consortium(W3C) is the primary organization that attempts to standardize HTML (as well as many other technologies used on the web). To provide a standard, the W3C must carefully specify all aspects of the technology. In the case of HTML, this means precisely defining the elements in the language.
The W3C has defined HTML as an application of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). In short,SGML is a language used to define other languages by specifying the allowed document structure in the form of document type definition (DTD), which indicates the syntax that can be used the various element of a language such as HTML…
Nothing Close to Legendary Machu Picchu
Nothing Close to Legendary Machu Picchu
Looking at the photographs exhibited to celebrate the centenary of the discovery of Machu Picchu one can’t help but conclude that a centennial celebration definitely deserves to be better. 100 Years of Machu Picchu organized by the Embassy of Peru along with the Instituto Cervantes of New Delhi falls grossly short of capturing the beauty and the spirit of the sacred Inca City which was elevated to the status of a wonder of the world.
Discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911 Machu Picchu is often citied as of the most extraordinary feats of architecture and engineering achievements ever. Bad prints marred by harsh direct lighting and woefully displayed in the lobby of the Instituto Cervantes suggest that little or no planning went into executing this exhibition. While the images cover all the bases in their bid to highlight the marvels of the ancient city such as temples, solar clocks, fountains, living quarters, urban sectors, curved agricultural terraces yet somewhere they don’t move you.
Some images like a view of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu in the background make you stop and look long enough to soak in the beauty of the hallowed Inca city but this is short-lived. What irks is the realization that a simple Internet search would throw up better images of Machu Picchu’s history and discovery! Additionally the images have no credits or extra information besides stating the obvious which in any case is visible. Besides the lobby a separate room displays a handful of reprints that try to trace Bingham’s journey. There are maps dating from early 19th century, photos of Bingham and his team a hundred years ago as they unearthed what was considered to be lost for centuries, which in a stark contrast to the ones in the lobby, manage to redeem the exhibition to some extent.
The room has soothing music from the Andes playing in tandem with an audio-visual that even features images from Robot / Enthiran with Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan prancing around in a song that was shot amidst the ruins of Machu Picchu!
The few photos in the enclosure surely stand out and the exhibition would have been better if the journey of discovery was traced rather than putting together postcard images. The displays include a few pages from travel magazines and encyclopedias that show Machu Picchu along with a book with Rajini ‘Robot / Enthiran’ kant on it minus the fabled landscape… Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words but maybe the people behind 100 Years of Machu Picchu believe that seeing is what else could explain the shoddy effort.
100 Years of Machu Picchu is on display at Instituto Cervantes, Hanuman Road, Connaught Place (CP), New Delhi – 110001…
How to Create Abstract Paintings by Seeing in the Dark! Part 1
How to Create Abstract Paintings by Seeing in the Dark! Part 1
Every night just before I go to sleep I am inundated with inspirational images that offer me help in visualising potential abstract or surreal paintings.
Having spoken to a few people I have been surprised to hear that a lot of them appear to be unaware of the phenomenon before their own eyes.
When I asked someone what they knew of the after images of the eye I was amazed to hear that they knew nothing about it… “Well, what do you see when you close your eyes?” – the reply came fast “Nothing!”
If any of you answered the same then read on…
Here are a couple of very simple experiments that will guarantee to amaze you.
Find yourself a piece of brightly colored paper and cut it out so that it is a rough circle of about two inches in diameter. The best colors (but you should try them all if you can) are bright blue, pink, orange, red or green. If you cannot find any brightly colored paper then find some watercolor or acrylic paint and produce the colored circle on a piece of white paper – then cut it out.
I suggest you get a piece of white paper about A3 size (or two pieces of photocopy paper side by side… they are A4 size – and two A4’s make A3!) Place it on a table before you.
Grab yourself a seat next to the table so that the white paper is set landscape ways in front of you (that longest measurement wide).
Take your color circle and place it in the center of the white paper… and stare at it for the count of 120 elephants (or seconds if you prefer!). Your eyes need to be about 6 to 8 inches from the circle.…
Interior Decoration With Abstract Art
Interior Decoration With Abstract Art
Abstract art is one of the best styles to decorate your home with. Abstract art offers many advantages aver representational are such as still life, portrait or landscape such as the ease with which it can be matched to many different styles of interior design. Modern art such as Abstract Expressionism and Action Painting can be matched based on colors and therefore is easier to work into a rooms design. The wide range of colors used in a single piece of abstract art makes it easier to change the color or feel of a room without having to replace the art on the walls.
Abstract and modern art is often non-representational, meaning it does not depict a particular identifiable image, but focuses more on color, shape and pattern. Using abstract art, a room can be created without the subject matter of the artwork used for decoration defining the theme of the design. It allows the interior designer to focus on creating a feel for a room rather than a specific motif.
Artwork created in the style of the Abstract Expressionists and other modern artists has the advantage of not taking too much attention from the other elements of the room, as well. Subjective imagery draws the eye and engages the analytical mind, where abstract art adds to the feel of a place without commanding the critical mind to evaluate the content of an image. This is most likely why abstract art is used almost exclusively in the design of sets for newer televisions shows. The next time you see a popular TV drama notice the style of artwork that decorates the offices and homes of the characters. It is usually abstract, most likely to keep the viewer focused on the action of the characters instead of trying to figure out what is in the paintings behind the actors.
Because many abstract artist work quickly on large canvases, it is possible to find large pieces of abstract art for a relatively reasonable price. A five-foot tall canvas depicting people, landscapes or still-life images will often take much longer to complete than certain styles of abstract painting. This does not make abstract art inferior or less valuable, but it does mean that abstract artists can price work lower than artists working in other styles. Interior decorators can take advantage of this fact and create a unified and cohesive feel for all the rooms in a house or all the pieces of artwork in a room without having to spend a fortune.
Abstract and modern art works best with furniture and accessories that have a more modern design and feel. Clean lines, muted colors and sparseness of placement allow the exciting and busy nature of abstract art to come forth and complement a room without creating a feeling of chaos within the elements.…
Selling Your Art – The Top Tips
Selling Your Art – The Top Tips
Art could be in the form of a painting, music, dance or drama that can be shared with others for recreational purposes or even professionally. Many people take a form of art as a career to earn their living. But if you are using art to earn your livelihood, then it is very important for you to know how to sell your art.
There could be several ways by which you can sell your art. But keep in mind it should not be just any method. It should be the one that can fetch you the maximum profits. Let’s have a look at few ways which could help you in selling your work.
– Build your reputation as a professional artist so that everyone will take you seriously and will show more interest in your work.
– Try to price your work for maximum profits not by increasing the cost price of it but by reducing your expenses and increasing your profit.
– Look for a right place to display your work. If your art is displayed well then surely your chances to sell your art increases. It could be an art gallery, coffee houses, or hotels.
– Organising exhibitions can also help you sell your art. Although this may be an expensive affair and you may not sell anything at the exhibit, at least you can exchange contacts and keep them for future. Here you will get a good opportunity to meet the potential buyers personally.
– Media can play a major role in helping you generate sales. You can advertise in newspapers, Art related shows on television and radio or even get your interview published with few pictures of your art in magazines. This might involve money but it would reach a large number of prospective buyers.
All you have to keep in mind is be truthful to yourself and do justice with your art. Never try to copy work of famous artists, as they may put you in problems. Also try to add variety to your and surely you will succeed and sell your art well.…
Color Washing Your Walls
Color Washing Your Walls
Color washing is a nice technique to use over walls that are already painted. It is an easy way to change the look of any room without having to base paint. It is just the right touch to add life to any room.
This technique can be washed over any sheen of paint, however it seems to work best over flat paint. You will be using diluted paint to wash the walls with. It is important that you use a lint free rag to apply the paint.
This faux technique can be a little messy. Make sure you lay down a drop cloth while you are painting. It is very likely you will have drips while you are washing the walls.
You will begin this process by pouring a small portion of your paint into a small container that will be easy for you to work with. You will add a little water at a time. Each time you add water make sure you stir the paint well. Keep adding a little at a time until your paint is an inky consistency. As you paint you will find that consistency will start to thicken. You can add more paint or water as needed. It is important to keep the inky consistency so that paint will not be too thick when applied to your walls.
After diluting your paint you will be ready to begin. Use a rag that is easy for you to work with. I recommend a size that fits within the palm of your hand. This will make it easy to work with and help keep the dripping down.
Place the rag into the inky paint, getting the entire rag wet. Squeeze your rag to remove excess water and paint. Your rag will still be wet but not drenched. Start at one corner of the room and move around the room from one wall to the next. Begin at the top corner and work your way down to the bottom. You will wash the paint on the walls just as you would wash your walls with water. Do it in a random pattern so that you are not creating a definite pattern. You will have a varied amount of paint from once section to the next. This is the look your are trying to achieve.
If you need to touch up the paint in the future, just repeat this process. You will do it in smaller amounts a needed to complete the touch up. This is a nice technique to cover up imperfect walls.
Get your rag ready and begin to paint!!!
Amy…
How to Paint With Acrylics
How to Paint With Acrylics
Well first of all you are going to have to pick the right kinds of materials such as brushes, paints, stretched canvas etc. You need to buy the right kind of materials and also the best kind of materials. Then you have to buy brushes. Choose brushes that are suitable for acrylic paint, they should be either flat or round. Try buying brushes with natural hair, they will do much better in the long run and they will not leave bristles on the canvas. Look around and see if you can find good bargains in your local art supplier store. Again if you don’t know what your art supplier store is, just Google Michael’s or Joanne and check out their nearest location to your zip code. If you need inspiration or want to look at some sort of example of acrylic or oil art, check out paintings of flowers, abstract art, landscape and fantasy fineart, etc.
Okay now buy some acrylic paints, you also need to know your color wheel generally well before you start. Just know your basics such as yellow and blue make green etc. and you can figure out the rest by doing. Experimenting with colors will take a while but your results will be great in the end. Use good quality paints so the colors on your artwork will be vibrant. Also choose a good canvas. If you want a good piece or art you should probably try and find a stretched canvas that will maintain its look. You can also learn to stretch your own canvas, but that’s a huge hassle so just buy one from the store (they’re not that expensive especially if you find a good sale).
Decide what to paint. This is the most important part of the process. Again check out the type of original fine art that you like. For inspiration you can also look at some Contemporary Abstract Art Prints. Find a bright place with natural light. It should be somewhere in the basement or outside, a place that you are willing to get messy in. If not put newspapers on the ground but again my suggestion is using a place that you don’t mind getting dirty because accidents always happen. Also get a palette or a paper plate (the cheaper way) to mix all your colors as you paint. It’s much better to mix them on the plate before you put them on the canvas. Sketch basic main parts of the art work you are thinking of creating. Also start with your background first, paint your sky, wood, fields first before you concentrate on the details (back to front technique). Wait a while for those to dry a bit and then begin on the details (acrylic paints dry much faster than oil). In the end make sure you clean your brushes right away! If not the paint will dry and destroy those brushes.
These are first steps in the journey of painting Abstract …
The Fascination of Art Galleries
The Fascination of Art Galleries
Remember those days walking down the city streets just pleading for something to catch your attention? Some places catch your eye like a hook would a fish. For example: art galleries. There is something about art galleries that has a certain fascination on people.
Art galleries have been around for countless of years and they always enthrall people’s attention. You may stand there now asking yourself why art is such an awe-inspiring and astonishing subject to people around the world. A large amount of people like art because it is a formation within the artist that comes from their heart. The artist uses his heart and spirit when creating such masterpieces. Some artists are so outstanding their names are known around the world. Exhibitions provide all types of paintings and sculptors for people to see and it is a spectacular place to get inspiration.
Some people take art very seriously and travel the world to visit galleries because their passion is to buy art. Buying art can really be a gratifying thing to do and if you find the right painting by the right artist, one day you’ll have a true treasure in your hands. Contemporary art galleries usually provide the ‘up-to-date’ art, such as abstract art. Especially in these days, people long for such works of art.
Traditional art galleries, however, provide the old style such as landscapes or impressionism paintings. To put it all in a nutshell it can be said that creative works of art will be alive within the world and still there are many artists yet to be born. Now with all this said, next time you walk out on the city streets, stop by an art exhibition and be bewildered by such exquisiteness regular people can make. You will be astounded by the stimulation you will experience by every painting you see!…
Color to Make a Cool Impression
Color to Make a Cool Impression
In decorating a room, we need to think about the paint that will make our room looks prettier and cooler. This paint will be very helpful in summer. As we know that summer is very hot that will make us sweating all day. This condition is not comfortable for anyone.
We all know that paint will create certain atmosphere in a room. You will be able to have a very good atmosphere if you paint your room in correct paint. You must know that paint represents certain view such as green. Green represents nature which is used by all company as their symbol to ensure the customer that they use natural ingredient for their product.
Some experts also say that wall paint will also influence your mood. You can try to paint your room with yellow paint. Yellow will make people feel more exciting. This color will boost your spirit up. It will be a good paint if you combine it with other color, do not make yellow become the main color in the room.
You can paint your room with blue paint. This color will make you feel more relax and calm. This color will also lead you to sadness and melancholy so you need to be careful in using this paint. It will be better if you do not use this color for your workplace.
Red is a color that will make you feel more passionate. You can combine this color with other paint to be used in your workplace. This paint will enhance your spirit so you will be able to do more jobs in advance. This paint will also be good to be used in food or canteen. It is said that red will increase people’s appetite.
This is a short guide to choose a certain color in your room. You should be able to get the right paint in order to make the right mood for your needs. It will be better if you do not too rush in selecting the right color since you also need to get the right combination for your room. You can make a very good color combination for your room. You should find the proper paint that will fit your architectural building.
You can make cool environment when you install air conditioning system in the room. You can combine the color with the effect of the air conditioning system. You will be able to have a very comfortable environment to make you work conveniently.…