Creating
great paintings like the paintings of Rembrandt, Rubens, or Da Vinci will always begin with drawing the human figure
existing in space. Don't avoid drawing or painting the human figure in action. Practice drawing figures posed
in every conceivable position. Studying the human form, it's every possible movement or pose, will eventually enable
you to draw figures "in action" from memory. Study perspective & practice drawing every segment of movement
the entire human body can make. This will make drawing hands and feet easier than ever.
When you can make a drawing seem to jump off the page, just think
what you could accomplish with an oil painting. Learn to use highlights and shading to create the illusion of roundness
and depth. At some point in your study of figure drawing, you will want to be able to draw without needing
a model to pose for you. Learn to imagine and then draw the figure in a foreshortened view. Foreshortening means
seeing objects at different angles and drawing the overlapping forms to create the illusion of depth.
The human body is a three dimensional mass existing in space and depth, and so are all the different parts of the body.
We need to train our minds to visualize everything and everyone in this way.
Learn by creating multiple drawings of the entire body or one part of the body
(the hand for example). Imagine taking multiple photographs of your subject in motion, and draw each picture straight
from you mind. Studying the human skeletal structure and muscles will also help you visualize your
figure in motion.
Use this method
for figure drawing and you will avoid common mistakes such as making one leg or arm shorter than the other, making the head
too small for the body, or hiding the hands and feet. This sounds like a lot of work doesn't it? You'll
find out that it's worth all that studying. Once you get the hang of it, your artwork will jump to a new level.
And then you'll want to hand your own personal artwork in the best frame you can fine.
Pictureframes
is the premier site for high quality picture frames, custom framing and fine-art printing. From professional artists and photographers
to grandmothers and schools, they have proudly served the creative community since 1965. Pictureframes' parent
company, Graphik Dimensions Ltd., is dedicated to providing the best product, service, and selection. The site has over 1,000
frame mouldings in stock. They truly have a premium framing solution for every budget.
In addition to purchasing custom and standard sized frames, you
can have your uploaded images printed on canvas, order custom mirrors, and purchase a wide array of mats and frame accessories.
I like Dutch Paintings; paintings of common everyday people going
about their business in life. They tell us their stories, and that's what I enjoy viewing and enjoy painting
too. Painting in this style was part of Dutch culture in the seventeenth century. Looking at them always
gives me a sense of peace. And peace is what everyone is longing for today, just as they did in the seventeenth
century.
Most of the population was
urban and Protestant; they were students of the Bible. It seems there was a demand for paintings that stressed
morals, because emblem books were common in most households. Illustrations from emblem books would be used in
Dutch artwork. An emblem combines a caption and a picture; the caption was usually from the Bible.
That's what I add to my portraits too; scripture verses to live by. I guess you could say I put "emblems" in
my commissioned portraits.
Back then, anyone with the funds to decorate their homes bought artwork. Even farmer's
houses were full of paintings. Isn't that the way things are now? God put a love for beauty in all of
us, not just the rich and famous. We all want our homes to look nice. The high demand for paintings didn't necessaraly mean artists could make a
good living selling their work. Those were paintings at low prices because they needed to be small enough to hang
in everyday/ordinary homes. Most Dutch houses didn't have cathedral ceilings. I'm
finding out, again, the art world hasn't changed much since the seventeenth century. When I tell people
what the prices are for larger paintings, they usually go for the smaller size.
Artists
were producing commercial art with enough detail to document history. There were all kinds of buyers and all kinds
of subject matter and styles, and enough competition to make accomplished painters earn their living through other means.
Today, most artists must make their living blogging, advertising, hunched over typing away in a cubicle, or teaching.
I definitely prefer blogging and teaching.
So, do you have a painting or other art project you need help finishing? Maybe you
just want a place to come and meet other artists while doing what you love. Join in on Painting and Drawing Lessons (for adults).
I have a studio with a kitchen and enough room for 20 students to work, eat, and get to know each other. Classes will
be held in the West Palm Beach, Florida area.
I
would like to begin classes March 2012. So please call me at 561-965-4230 and register as soon as possible. The price is right,
at only $50 per month per student. We will meet two days a week and possibly have a few extra social gatherings. I look
forward to hearing from you soon.
Passover is coming up soon. Did you know it has nothing
to do with Easter? Jesus was the sacrificed lamb.
10% of all commissions generated through this website will be donated
to fund the movement to re-abolish slavery. It will fuel Not For Sale’s global work to investigate human trafficking
and create new futures for survivors. Read and watch videos about Not For Sale at: http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/about/
