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Drawing Pencils Explained

6/30/2015

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Graphite 12
 Staedtler Lumograph
thick handle pencils
sandpaper block
Dick Blick studio pencils
Anyone interested in sketching and drawing should be familiar with "the pencil". The principal ingredient in modern pencils is graphite, a variety of carbon. The finely ground graphite and clay, are mixed together. A larger amount of graphite in the mix will yield a softer and blacker pencil. The graphite forms the pigment and the clay the binder. 

Pencils range from the softest 9B to 9H, the hardest. These materials are ground, pressed and baked and then inserted into wood. If the pencil has an F designation it means it can be sharpened to a fine point and is harder than an HB. Normally the F designation is used in technical or mechanical pencils. Generally, an HB grade about the middle of the scale is considered to be equivalent to a #2 pencil using the U.S. numbering system.

snap off blade knife
For sharpening you can use a pencil sharpener or a utility knife. I prefer the style with the snap off blade, for an instant sharp that cuts like butter without using much pressure. If you think you may want the knife for other purposes consider a heavy duty knife, otherwise a standard one will do the trick. You can also achieve a longer "lead" which you can then take to a fine point finish with a sandpaper block. I've also used a rough drawing paper or a fine sandpaper that I purchased from a hardware store. 

vacuum mount sharpener
If you use a pencil sharpener it should have two blades, one specially for cutting the wood and a smaller one for pointing the lead. Avoid single-bladed sharpeners, they tend to break the lead. Or if you want to go all out there are vacuum mount sharpeners available. These are versatile, offering multiple size openings and easy use.

Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening, so keep sharpening tools close at hand.

A "H" pencil may be easily erased when used without much pressure and I often use this when initially constructing my drawing. If you need a dark line, use a soft-grade pencil rather than by rubbing over the same spot with a harder pencil. This will produce an ugly shine. Pencil can be layered to produce an almost photographic effect, or used to simply express a moment in time with one or two simple lines. One of my favourite mediums, it is a challenge to master.

There is no specific industry standard for the darkness of the mark to be left within the HB or any other hardness grade scale. Thus, a #2 or HB pencil from one brand will not necessarily leave the same mark as a #2 or HB pencil from another brand. Most pencil manufacturers set their own internal standards for graphite hardness grades and overall quality of the core, some differences are regional, and mixed for the consumer preferences. It is worth the money to purchase a good quality set of pencils for creating art. Cheaper brands will have impurities in the mix that can cause a real problem when drawing. The wood also can break easily and not hold the lead, which in turn will also break. The quality of the wood is important, which should be soft enough for easy sharpening, yet strong enough not to split.

Smudge Sticks
Pencil can be rubbed with a finger, smudge stick, or even cotton swabs. I prefer to use the pencil without smudging, but try both ways, and also a variety of papers to see what offers you the result you are looking for. Like with all art making it is a process and what works for one person may not for another. 

Finding what works best for your own artistic needs is generally a matter of personal preference and experimentation with different brands of pencils. What ever you settle on keep in mind that a pencil drawing must be fixed like a charcoal drawing to protect it against rubbing and smudging. 

Paper choice is important for the final result. I've already touch on the subject with an article titled
"What is the difference between cold pressed and hot pressed paper?" 

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Great Gifts for Artists

11/24/2014

 
Choosing a gift for an artist can be very challenging. Here are a few suggestions that may impress any artist on your list. I want to give you some essentials to help any artist master their craft. There are thousands of books available, and these ones are the top of the list.


The Artists Handbook of Materials
and Techniques

by Ralph Mayer
I cannot say enough about this book. If the artist only has one book in their library, this is the one it should be. If you ever had a question and couldn't find the answer, chances are good that it's in this book.
Drawing on the Right Side
of the Brain

by Betty Edwards
This book will open your eyes, and help you see things in a way you never could before. It will not only enlighten you, but also gives you lessons to develop your own skills as an artist.
Even people with little or no natural talent exceeded expectations.

Interaction of Color:
by Josef Albers
A required book from my undergraduate days, this book is invaluable in helping artists understand how colors are influenced by the colors next to them and how the are perceived.

Color Harmony Compendium:
A Complete Color Reference for Designers of All Types

by Terry Marks, MINE, Origin
Every artist needs some help now and then with color and combinations of color. This book is jammed packed with information and examples.

Master Class in Figure Drawing
by Robert Beverly Hale
This book takes the reader through lessons and lectures of America's greatest teacher of figure drawing and artistic anatomy by using examples from 118 Masters.

Brushes

types of brushes
Watercolor Painting Brush Sets
Acrylic Painting
Brush Set

Plein Air Painting
Brush Set

Synthetic
Brush Sets

Kolinsky Round
Brush Sets

If you are not an artist, choosing the best products can be a real challenge. In the art making process there are some things you can skimp on, brushes are not among  them.

A good brush will last a life time, and if cleaned and treated well, it can be passed down to the next generation. Part of the artists tool box, a good brush will help the artist do good work. Don't bother with student brushes but go for the high quality brushes right from the start. The difference is quite amazing, not only for the longevity of the tool, but also for the finished painting.

Each artist should have some basic brushes to start out with. Some artists prefer sable, other like squirrel, or synthetic brushes. I think all have their place, depending on what the artist is trying to achieve. My primary tool box for watercolors has Kolinsky sable for the most part, but I also have a few synthetics. I've used camel and squirrel hair, and they too should be tried. The round synthetics tend to curl up at the point after a short time. Flats don't have that problem.
 
Watercolor brushes should be kept for water color and not used with oil or acrylic. Each discipline should have its own set of brushes.You have two ways to go, individual brushes, or very economical sets.

If the artist doesn't already have a good collection started for brushes or paints, I would recommend buying both in sets. There is usually quite a big savings and it will also allow the artist a chance to try something out.

The links here all go to Blicks Artists Materials and included to get you pointed in the right direction. I've used Blicks, and there has never been any problems. There product selection is amazing. They also cover both Canada and the USA and they have some nice discounts for Black Friday.

Another idea for gift giving to your favorite artist is our gift package. It's a chance for the artist to get online without annual membership fees. It's your opportunity to be a patron and show your confidence and pride, giving a leg up just when its needed most.

What is a Crow Quill?

11/8/2014

 
Crow Quill Nibs
A Crow Quill pen is the finest of steel drawing pens. The nib of the crow quill is extremely slender and firm, allowing very delicate and precise lines to be drawn. Prior to the production of steel nibs in the early 19th century, the crow quill pen was actually made from the wing feather of a crow.

There are many others nibs for drawing and lettering available to artists to try. These were once part of every artists tool kit and should still be included.

Inks
Ink that should be used in a work of art is called drawing ink and is especially made for use in permanent works of art and will not fade over time with exposure to light. A permanent or water resistant form is called India ink, but there are also water soluble forms that may be preferred for very fine lines and delicate manipulations. 

Chinese ink is similar to India in, with minor ingredients added to enhance brilliancy, working qualities and range of tone. After it's made it is dried into sticks or cakes, which the artist puts into solution by rubbing the ends on an ink stone with a little water. I've also purchased this in liquid form.

Japanese ink, also called sumi or black watercolor, is made in sticks resembling their Chinese counterpart. Distinguished by numerous subtleties of quality and grade, the sticks are made and used according to ancient traditions. Although it may seem tedious to use stick ink and grind it on an ink stone, I find it is very much a part of the creative process. 

Try different inks with a crow quill and brush, to find what works best for you. Also try different papers. 

What Are Co-Op Galleries?

5/4/2014

 
During the depression, many art galleries were forced to close, and artists had to finance exhibitions out of their own pocket. Following  established models of artists collectives in Mexico and the Soviet Union, artists' co-ops were formed to collectively share costs, make exhibition decision, and handle the function of running of the gallery. With the division of labor, artist members had to share responsibility, decision-making, expenses and operation of running the gallery. 

A hybrid form exists today, run by artists but surviving on a combination of fees and grants and artists membership fees. Co-op galleries are either nonprofit or for profit, allow artists to interact socially as well as artistically. Collaborations, contacts, networking and friends are produced from affiliation, and is often seen as a temporary forum or a stepping stone to other opportunities. Co-op galleries are most beneficial in smaller communities, where otherwise no opportunity to exhibit work would exist. With the surge of online sales in art, this too is changing. 

Becoming a member of an online gallery for a small membership fee is much less expense for the artist, and much smaller work load. The exposure is tremendous by comparison, with visitors coming from around the world. It also offer opportunities for artists who otherwise would never be exposed to the world market to show and sell work. This type of co-operative arrangement should be considered part of an artists over all marketing plan. 

What is the difference between cold pressed and hot pressed paper?

3/8/2014

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Cold press paper has texture, with small bumps and groves that hold the water and pigment. It also absorbs the water quite quickly. Cold press is a good choice when you want to convey texture in your subject, such as rocks or trees. Some manufacturers such as Arches also offer a rough paper.

Hot press is super smooth without any texture. The pigment or water will not be absorbed as quickly as cold pressed, but instead will tend float on top of the paper, allowing you to play around more, like re-wetting edges of pigment. If you plan to add pen and ink in your process this would be a good choice. 

The weight of a paper is also something you should also think about when choosing your surface. A light weight paper will buckle with water or pigment that is added. If you work very wet, you will want to use a heavier paper. 

The importance of acid free or archival paper cannot be stressed enough. Have you ever wondered why old newspaper clippings tend to yellow with age? As an artist, if you want your originals to look as clean and crisp as the day you created them for all time, choose acid free paper.

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What does a Graphic Designer Do?

2/6/2014

 
What’s the difference between a graphic designer, a web designer and a print designer?
• Graphic designers is the general term given to both web and print designers. Not all web designers do print, and not all print designers do web. Many do both. Print and Web is a completely different skill set.
• Not all web designers know all the programs. They may be great with Dreamweaver, and know nothing about Wordpress.
• Not all print designers know all the programs. They may be an expert with Photoshop, and stumble when it comes to a vector program.

The Job Has Changed
At one time in our history a graphic designer had to have drawing, lettering and in a vast amount of creative skills in addition to technical skills. This is no longer the case. Graphic Design has made the transition from right brain, to a left brain profession. It no longer requires the designer to be able to draw, or even understand the difference between tracking and kerning. However, some designers are very good at creative development, and can also do production design, (the technical stuff.)

Trust
Working with a graphic designer is a trust issue, so if you don’t trust them, then find someone else. There are lots to choose from. I would suggest working locally. That way you can meet face to face, and get a better read for what’s going on. That being said, when I freelanced as a graphic designer, I had clients across north America and handled work at a distance without any issue. I still do the same for illustration and have never run into any problems.

Ask Questions
Make sure the designer understands what you are asking for. Ask the designer for input. Can they offer any improvements? What do they suggest? They are working for you and they want to help. After all, why would you hire someone to do a job, and then not let them do it?
 
Tip: Make sure you ask to see samples or portfolios, web and print. Confirm the links work and take you to a real business, not to another site trying to get you to buy services. How do the sites look? Do they seem like they are a cut and paste job from others work? Ask how they created it, what programs they used. Ask how they came up with the idea. Ask question. Make sure you know what skills you are buying, before you buy. They love to talk about the work, so don't be shy.


Skills
Graphic design is a highly skilled profession, that took years of training, and a considerable investment. So please don’t insult them by expecting it for under minimum wage. If you want them to work for you, a fare wage must be on the table.

One last thing, a web developer in not a web designer.

What is lifting?

1/9/2014

 
Lifting is a technique used to create a special textural effect resembling that of the dragging stroke. It is used in painting, by placing a sheet of cloth or paper on top of the paint while still wet, then lifted away, taking splotches of paint with it, altering the surface. 

Benefits of Canvas Printing

11/7/2013

 
Clouds by Dan MerrittClouds by Dan Merritt
By Paul J Easton
Are you familiar with canvas printing? Do you know that a simple photograph or image can be turned into a beautiful work of art? Canvas printing is a great way to transform an image into a beautiful centrepiece or wall mural. It is a process of putting images into large canvas for display and decoration purposes. Many may consider this process difficult but it is far from the truth. Canvas printing is very easy and has plenty of benefits.

The following are the advantages of canvas printing:
 1. DIY canvas prints is a simple process that saves time and money. You don't have to spend time looking for a trustworthy service provider. You just need to follow simple instructions then you can finally change that old photo framed hanging on your living room. Aside from that, it will save you from spending a huge amount of money over original work of art that costs thousands of bucks.
2. Putting photo on canvas preserves the quality of image. It also adds vibrancy, vividness and life. Even a simple image can be customized and turn into a very beautiful piece of art. Some of your favourite pictures can be made into a collage, wall murals or a classic black and white image.
3. Canvas printing makes it possible to reproduce an original painting into almost any dimension and different sizes. Your favourite memories captured in a photo can be reproduced and displayed anywhere in the house.
4. It helps preserve memories. If you want to keep that special photo of your whole family during a holiday, a wedding, a birthday party or first picture of the newborn baby in the family, then putting them on canvas can preserve it for a long time. After 10 or 15 years, those photos you keep will fade and become indiscernible. Those special moments captured can be lost forever. Good thing that a good quality canvas print can keep your photos and can even add decades of life into that image.
5. Photos on canvas are one of the best gifts you can give to families and friends. Printing someone's picture into a canvas then giving it to them as gift is a really nice gesture. The gift will be highly appreciated and you will be remembered. Knowing that you spend too much thought and effort in giving the gift will bring so much happiness.
In conclusion, putting your favourite photo on canvas is one of the best things you can do in order to preserve that image for a lifetime.
Try Photo4Canvas for Canvas Printing. This is one of the most famous service providers in New Zealand. They have been helping Kiwis to put digital Prints on to large quality canvases for many years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_J_Easton

A few rules for handling oil paints

9/11/2013

 
First Published
Aug 7, 2013 9:09 AM

Whenever I get an opportunity to visit a used book store I always take it. I'm currently in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island taking in the wonderful art galleries and crafts shops. The work here is exceptional and second to none. I highly recommend a visit to the island. While walking down Queen Street I found a wonderful used book store called The Book Emporium. My focus is on old out of print books, especially ones on techniques that offer lost insights. One such bit of information is as true today as it was when the old masters created their exceptional art. This method was taught to me while I was in art school and I felt it was worth repeating.  We often forget our earliest lessons.

1. Always use the simplest ingredients possible. Use the best quality and make sure the purity is beyond doubt.
2. Use as little dryer as possible.
3. Begin a picture 'lean' and finish 'fat'. Less oil in the first layer, the less danger of cracking.
4. Two thin coats are usually better than one thick.
5. Be sure your paint is completely dry before painting over it. The under coat will contract as the drying process occurs and crack the top coat.
6. If the paint does not take or stick well, rub the surface with a fine sandpaper or other substance to roughen it to create a tooth.
7. Never use more medium or liquid than is necessary. The colors will stay fresh and luminous when left alone. When fully dry, protect the colors with a quality varnish.

Dry Brush Painting

9/11/2013

 
First Published
May 22, 2013 4:58 PM

A technique artists use for creating a broken or mottled effect with water paint or ink, often revealing traces of the paper or underpainting. The technique is accomplished by holding the brush at such an angle that its side lies almost flat against the paper, or by drawing it rapidly across the surface, as one might a pen stroke. In oil painting, a similar broken effect is called a dragging stroke or scuffing.
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