Painting/Drawing

Posted by Alina Bradford

I looove pastels. They are extremely portable, easy to clean up, and can give you a wide range of looks.

If you want to start painting in pastels, or if you have already started and want to learn more, I have the articles for you.

Our newest article, How to Blend Pastel, teaches you how to take your chalk pastel paintings to new level using blending techniques.

How to Choose an Art Pastel Brand shows you how to choose the right pastel for your type of painting.

How to Use Soft Pastel has all the basics on how to get started drawing and painting in soft pastel.

For those of you that love the look of oil, but hate the mess, we have the article How to Use Oil Pastels. Oil pastels give you the look and feel of oil paint and with the freedom of pastels. This article shows you the basics of working with this great medium.

So, no matter what your skill level, we have your pastel needs covered.

Enjoy!

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

I am so excited! Now you guys can comment on articles! So, feel free to leave your opinions, thoughts, ideas, and more to every article on the Painting/Drawing site.

This new feature really makes me happy because I love hearing from readers. Some of the most interesting ideas here come from emails I get from you guys. Now, you can bypass the email and leave your thoughts in seconds.

One request, though...Try to be nice and try not to use vulgarity.

Let's have fun and share ideas!

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

Nothing burns me up faster than someone taking facts and twisting them to get a whole nation of artists riled up over nothing. That is exactly what Mark Simon over at Animation World Magazine did when he posted this shockingly inaccurate and un-researched article, Mind Your Business: You Will Lose All The Rights to Your Own Art. It cries wolf over the hotly debated Orphan Works legislation, which will actually protect artist’s rights, not get rid of them.

Obviously, Simon didn’t bother to even read up on the Orphan Works legislation, because most of his ranting is vastly different from what the Orphan Works legislation is actually about.

His article started a nation-wide panic in the art community that was most felt in the forums of art forum communities such as deviantART.

I would like to set the record straight, though, for all of you out there that would like actual facts about the Orphan Works legislation. Here are some helpful links that take you to facts, not rants.

Six Misconceptions About Orphaned Works

This gem by Meredith L. Patterson is a researched article with lots of links to government websites about the Orphan Works legislation.

Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property

This website has the actual hearing on “Promoting the Use of Orphan Works: Balancing the Interests of Copyright Owners and Users” straight from the law makers, themselves.

Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States

This site contains all the information you need to know about current copyright laws.

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

Okay, I'd thought I had heard of every kind of gimmick proclaimed as "art."

I was wrong.

It seems that German artist Gregor Schneider has decided that his next exhibit at the Haus Lange museum in Krefeld, Germany will have a person literally dying for it. Yep, that's right; the exhibit will be of a real person dying in front of a live audience.

Many artists, including Schneider, say that death is beautiful and should be celebrated. While this may be true, let's be honest. This is just a controversy brewed to boost Schneider into the spotlight.

Many people, including myself have started crying "boo" to this selfish and exploitative way to promote your career as an artist.

What do you think? Tell us and your comments could be featured in my next blog.

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

The internet is amazing. I really don't know how civilization went without it for so long.

For me, as an artist, the Internet is a treasuretrove of knowledge. My new, favorite Internet goodie? Art videos!

My latest article, Free Videos for Artists, lists seven fantastic free videos for artists. The article includes tutorial videos, entertainment videos, and inspirational videos.

If you would like to find some videos of your own, try going to YouTube and typing in "art" or "painting." I love doing this because you come up with such a wide range of fasinating videos. Or, you can be more focused and type in "drawing tutorials" and come up with gems like this one by Toby Malek.

Here are a few more drawing tutorials that are free to view:

• How to Draw Eyes
• Sketching a Face- Basic Proportions
• Playing With Proportions
• Jim Lee Sketching Jenny Sketch

Enjoy!

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

I frequent a writer's forum called the Absolute Write Water Cooler. While this doesn't sound like an interesting place for artists, it really can be. You'd be amazed at how many questions come up about book illustrations! Many times authors want to know where they kind find talented illustrators to colaborate with. Other times you can find posts from people wanting to get into the illustration business.

My latest article "How to Paint Illustrations" gives some great tips on how to make your illustrations work for books. I think it is important to learn not only to draw illustrations, but paint them as well. This article helps budding illustrators know when to paint, how to find ideas for painted illustrations, and more.

Enjoy!

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

So, you’ve seen the video of his new line. Now read about what inspires this artist who turned his sketches into a business in fashion. This interview with Daniel Vosovic is a revealing look at his feelings about creativity in your artistic nitch, how every artist should carry a sketchbook and why, and more.

Posted by Alina Bradford

Hi all,

I had a fancinating conversation with Daniel Vosovic last night at the permire of his new line at the NYLO (pronounced ni-low) hotel in Plano, Texas.

You may remember Daniel V. from Season 2 of Project Runway. Well, now he's large and in charge with his new line, a book on the way, and more.

You can veiw his fantastic runway show here.

Keep an eye out for my inview with Daniel later this week. We talked about art, boosting creativity for sketches, and keeping your vision as an artist fresh. No artist will want to miss it!

Untill then,

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

Hi all!

Starting Thursday, March 6th I will be stating a video blog of the fantastic NYLO grand opening for the Artists Destinations Series. Check back here for off-set live videos of Daniel Vosovic's NYLO Fashion Show, after party, the red carpet event and more.

Then, make sure to keep an eye out for an interview with Daniel Vosovic about his artistic vison, the imoprtance of drawing, advice for aspiring creative types, and more!

This is an exciting time for Painting @ Suite 101 and I hope you will join us for the action.

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

Alina,

I read your article about copyrights and infringements at suite101.com. I wonder if you are able to answer a question for me, or lead me in the right direction. I have been in the multimedia field for a while now, straying from my fine art and illustration roots. I've slowly been moving back to them and taking photos at local reenactments as reference.

My question is this. To what extent can I use the photos of reenactors I've taken as reference for my paintings without seeking the reenactor's permission? There is some info on the web concerning obtaining subject release if their photo is to be reproduced or distributed but I'm finding it hard to find anything concerning the legality of interpreting the photos I've taken into works of art. This is of concern to me for many reasons. One, of course, is that it may be logistically impossible to obtain releases. Another reason is that because of size the faces in the painting/illustration and treatment of each often make the likeness to the subject negligible.

But since I would like to start reproducing prints, I want to make sure I'm legally covered. Any light you could shed on this subject is appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

http://www.centuryillustration.com

Hi Chris,

Good question. After some research, this is what I have come up with. The best way to protect yourself from legal ramifications is to make the people look as little like the people in the photo as possible. The clothes really don't matter, but people own the rights to their own faces, so you can't really use their faces on products of any kind without permission.

Otherwise, yes you will need a release form.

Hope that helps!

Alina