23.10.2020
Tips for Moving When You’re Pregnant
Important Tips for Moving When You’re Pregnant
First, I would like to begin by mentioning that I’m nowhere near replacing the advice of your doctor. If you’re pregnant, planning a move and have questions about safety, care, etc., I’m sure it goes without saying that you should first talk with your physician.
Now, what we can help with is offering some tips that were designed to make moving when you’re pregnant less stressful on your psyche and your body (which is likely your goal whether you’re pregnant or not). I’ve experienced two pregnancies— and moved during the last one. Not my idea of fun, but still necessary. While it was just a local move, believe me when I say it was tough. Yes, I was tired. Yes, I was cranky and moody. But we (meaning my husband) survived it. And since it was just a “temporary” move until the house we were building was move-in ready, we moved again with a 3-year-old and a newborn— even less fun.
Here are some tips that should prove helpful if you’re moving when you’re pregnant:
Get organized early. I would even consider starting 6-8 weeks before moving day. The more “together” you are, the less stressed you’ll be. It’s a good time to start purging one room at a time, a little at a time— decide what you’re moving and what you’re leaving behind, then separate it into ’keep’, ’throw away’, ’sell’ and ’donate’ piles. Then create an inventory list for each room that includes the items you’ll be taking with you (this will come in handy both before and after your move). Starting the process early means you won’t have to do it all at once.
Make sure you have plenty of moving supplies. Boxes, Sharpies, labels, tape, newsprint, etc. are all necessary supplies. If you’ve decided to include packing and loading services with your MoveBuilder move (which I highly recommend if doing it yourself is out of the question), the packing/moving supplies will be included in your moving estimate.
Clearly label all boxes. Then you’ll know exactly where they go when you get to your new residence. With a baby on the way, getting unpacked quickly is probably a top priority.
Lift with care. The research I’ve found says that the primary reason you may want to avoid heavy lifting during pregnancy has less to do with injury to the baby and more to do with injury to your back and joints. After your first trimester your center of gravity changes, which can throw off your balance. Combine lack of balance with the fact that pregnancy hormones can cause ligaments to soften, and you’ve got an increased risk of injury.
If you do have to lift, consider using these techniques:
- Lift with your legs and bend with your knees (not at your waist).
- Stand as close as possible to the object you are lifting and bring it as close to your body as you can.
- Bend your knees to set it down.
- Avoid twisting at the spine as you lift.
- Consider using a maternity belt to provide extra support.
Listen to your body. If it feels too heavy or uncomfortable, don’t lift it.
Don’t hesitate to recruit help. Whether your recruiting efforts include scheduling pack/load/unload help, getting friends and family to do the work or having an expert moving company help moving your belongings, you’ll definitely need help with lifting and carrying heavy furniture and boxes. You can even make a party out of it— food and drinks are great motivators!
Take plenty of breaks. If you’re handling any of the packing and moving on your own, make certain to stop often to rest. If you notice light-headedness, swelling feet or any other symptom that just doesn’t feel right, stop what you’re doing immediately.
Drink plenty of fluids. This is a good tip whether you’re moving or not. Make sure to stay hydrated and avoid caffeine.
Moving is hard and stressful for everyone. When you’re pregnant it’s especially important to be as prepared as possible in order to make it as easy as possible. If doing the work on your own sounds like more than you want to take on, get a free moving estimate. Click here if you are in need for a professional moving company to help with moving your house equipment after packing them. Just select the services you need and pay for the space you use. It’s easy.
21.06.2020
Budget Decorating
I looked out the window today and saw a site I could hardly believe. I know it’s late March and that spring technically arrived a week ago. But in years past, I remember spring sort of edging its way into winter, with a warm day here, a warm day there. This year, however, it was cold one day then the next day (and every day after that) it was warm. My lawn went from its typical light brownish-green to vivid green overnight. Flowers are blooming everywhere, and a light film of yellow pollen is already forming on my car, my front stoop and my windows sills. So much for easing into spring.
So this year, as in most years, many people get the itch to redecorate as spring arrives. But hold on just a minute, I have a favor to ask of you: don’t. Yes, the woman who lives to redecorate and encourage others to do the same is asking you to control that urge to decorate your home. But it’s for a very good reason: I want you to clean your home first.
Oh sure, cleaning your space probably isn’t the most fun you can have on a weekend. But if you’re going to redecorate you really need to do this first. If you’re shaking your head saying “nope, not me, my house is just as clean as a whistle, thanks very much for asking,” I urge you to answer the following questions:
- Is your refrigerator drip pan overflowing? (If your answer is “What’s a drip pan?” then it probably is.)
- Have you moved your stove, your washing machine and your dryer lately to see what growing villages of crumbs, spare socks and dust bunnies are thriving in those areas?
- Are your clothing closets neat and organized, with season-appropriate items ready to grab and off-season items stored elsewhere? Have you donated everything that doesn’t fit (or please you) to charity?
- How are your baseboards and window sills? How about the other woodwork door frames, door frames and crown molding? Is there a layer of dust on them where you could write your name? (Hint: You should not be able to do this.)
- Have your rugs been vacuumed, shaken out and maybe even shampooed lately? How’s your carpeting?
- Look up at your ceiling fans-can you see dust on them that will be flung across your room the next time you turn it on?
- And the one everyone hates to hear: Have you removed and washed your windows screen lately?
Spring cleaning is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it. So set aside a weekend and tackle as much as you can. Start by making a list of everything you want to accomplish and assigning duties to family members. If your family is less-than-enthusiastic about the whole idea, throw a Spring Cleaning Extravaganza. Play music all day long and bake goodies such as cookies the night before to help induce the sugar rush you’ll need to get you through the day. And if you think your kids won’t cooperate, get creative. How about a $5 prize to the kid whose room is cleanest at the end of the day, judged by a neutral party such as a neighbor?
Once you’ve completed your massive clean out, then you can think about redecorating for spring. Some easy ways to décorten up your décor for the warmer weather ahead include:
- Remove heavy curtains and leave windows bare in areas that don’t require privacy.
- Exchange your duvets comforters and duvets for lighter, airier quilts in spring colors.
- Inject bright or pastel colors wherever you can using throw pillows, silk flower arrangements and linens. (I just tossed a white chenille bedspread over a dark dreary chair and added a small floral pillow-a totally new spring look for no investment at all.)
- Pare down your knickknacks and get some air between your furnishings.
- Switch out your lampshades and bathroom towels to ones with lighter, brighter colors.
- Add candles and potpourri to every room so the smell of spring can live throughout your home.
- And of course, fills your vases with live flowers!
25.03.2020
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice
4oz (112ml) cider
2oz (56ml) Bourbon
3 teaspoons (45ml) Rosemary infused simple syrup
Dash of orange bitters
Rosemary sprig
In a shaker, pour the rosemary infused syrup, the bourbon, a dash of orange bitters, the McKeown Draft cider, and ice. Shake and strain over ice. Serve in highball glass.
Rub burnt orange peel around the rim. Garnish with rosemary sprig. Enjoy! If you want similar recipes like this one, and to check an amazing cedary near South Carolina, click here.
10.03.2020
Locating A Car Transport Company
- Family, friends, neighbors and colleagues who have recently used a reputable vehicle transport company can provide you with excellent references.
- Vehicle transport companies advertise in local newspapers, your phone book, and on the internet.
- Check renowned shipping companies, like Border Movers if you live near Phoenix, to ensure that you get a fair price and perfect service.
- Don’t choose a vehicle transport company based on price alone. A general rule to remember is that the cheaper the cost, the poorer the service.
- Ask your moving company. Often they have partnerships with vehicle transport companies who will be able to offer you a discount.
- The cost is usually higher if your moving company also transports your car. Although shipping your car in the same van with your household goods seems like a convenient option, make sure your moving company is insured to transport vehicles and find out the amount of the coverage.
- If there is no local shipper in your area, many vehicle transport companies have contract carriers, terminals and routes that go through your local area. Your car can be collected and dropped off here.
- If your car is to be stored before shipping, check out the storage facilities personally. The premises should be clean with good security.
- Sometimes the vehicle shipping companies use agents for their shipping. If this is the case, ask to see the agent’s certificate of insurance. The certificate should be up to date and the amount of coverage should be satisfactory.
- You may require supplemental insurance because some companies exclude items such as glass breakage, road damage and damage or loss to personal items left in the vehicle.
07.02.2020
How To Make Pizza?
Pizza – quick dinner recipe or comfort food? What would you term it as? For me it is both, a quick dinner idea and just the comfort food I would love to sit down with. Every part of the pizza – the crust, the toppings and the delicious sauce are all dear to me and I relish each of these. It is all done perfectly that makes a great pizza. Homemade pizza is a great idea to spending time with the entire family. Get everyone in the family involved and see how you add to the family fun. Even the youngest member of the house can contribute by arranging the toppings.
Tips to a delicious homemade pizza:
–Make your crust first and keep (thing to remember is that the crust should not be baked fully, remember you need to bake it again with the toppings). It would be best to bake the crust separately than doing the toppings and everything together.
-Mixing the pizza dough and kneading has an important role to play in deciding your crust quality. Kneading should be done only to the level needed that is till you have a pliable dough that does not anymore stick to the sides.
-Be patient, allow enough time for the pizza dough to rise before actually starting to work on it. The taste and texture of the pizza would all depend on the dough. Depending on the thickness of the crust desired, decide on the amount of dough to use for the crust. Pizza dough that is drier would result in a crispy crust. So you could make the choice between crispy and a soft fluffy crust. If you want to have a stuffed crust you can add the stuffing at this stage.
-It’s important to know that the oven is a key factor to have a perfect crust. Even if you follow the recipe and conquer a perfect dough, using the wrong oven might spoil all that work and ruin your crust. Ideally, you should use a proper pizza oven – you can know more about them on Californo.
-For the pizza sauce, there is always the easy store bought pizza sauce. However, if you decide to make it at home then onions, tomato puree or sauce, garlic and your choice of herbs all sauteed and simmered to form a thick consistency. Make it a little thick to avoid getting your crust soggy.
-Coming to the toppings, here is where you can unleash your creativity. There is really no laid down rule as to what you should use as topping for your topping and so you could just go by what your heart says or rightly by your tastebuds. From meat, sausages to fresh veggies, ham, bacon, mushrooms and the list goes on and on. Top with fresh mozzarella and the pizza is a nice colorful treat now. Don’t you agree?
Put it into the oven, get your favorite movie or book and time to just put up your feet and enjoy homemade pizza all done by you right from scratch. Feels great doesn’t it?
01.10.2019
Independent Filmmakers: YouTube or Vimeo
In today’s technological age, its important for aspiring filmmakers to have an internet presence. Its not really an option anymore, unless you have the extra cash to submit to lots of festivals. Even then, sites like WithoutABox still encourage users to submit to festivals via the internet. Almost everything is being converted to the digital age: portfolios, demo reels, etc. So, where is the best place for up and comers to call home?
The two main players in the user-generated, internet video world are Vimeo and YouTube. YouTube is the more popular of the two and somewhat of a pop-culture phenom in and of itself. Does its overwhelming popularity make it the obvious, go-to choice? Or will your films just get lost in the crowd?
Vimeo is definitely aimed at the more indie/artsy filmmaking crowd. Perhaps the more pretentious of the two groups (I don’t mean that in a derogatory way). The people on Vimeo are more likely to be aiming for Oscars, than the cat-video laden and G.I. Joe dubb-filled YouTube.
YouTube is famous for creating overnight pop-culture stars. Like the guy who cried about Britney Spears or the other guy who told everyone to “hide your kids, hide your wife.” Some have gone on to make real names for themselves like the insanely famous Justin Bieber. There’s also the famous vloggers like Shane Dawson and iJustine.
Vimeo is a much more tight knit community. A community made up of almost exclusively filmmakers. The airwaves aren’t flooded with tons of random people stating their opinion on the latest fad or cats playing the piano. The content creators on Vimeo are there to create content that is original and well done.
YouTube: Land of The Absurd
The major turn off, I think, for most filmmakers looking at YouTube might be the fact that its most noted for its asinine, but sometimes highly entertaining short videos. Like people falling on their face after unsuccessfully attempting a backflip, things of that nature. This is unfortunate because YouTube can be an amazing resource for independent filmmakers. What you don’t hear about are the ambitious short films created on micro to no budgets, distributed for free, and available to millions.
Many different genres and styles of filmmaking have found success on YouTube. From the 35 minute, comedy short film “Agents of Secret Stuff” by YouTube user Nigahiga, about a high school spy who is assigned to protect a girl (over 9 million views), to the epic, post apocalyptic three-part feature film “The Freelands” by YouTube user Brettsk8, about a lone soldier surviving in a war torn and corrupt America.
One of the (if not THE) greatest aspects of YouTube is that if your channel garners enough consistent viewers, you can join the partner program. What that means is that YouTube will pay you for generating content. Some examples of people who have reached a significant amount of success to become YouTube partners are RosenChuck1, the aforementioned Brettsk8, and YouTube superstar FreddieW. Each of these players gets paid by YouTube to submit content on a regular basis.
I’m not saying that getting paid is the end all, but it provides a source of income to support making more films while also paying the bills. Some, like FreddieW, make YouTube their full-time job. This isn’t the norm, but definitely a possibility if you can create consistent, engaging content.
YouTube can also be a spring board. Machinima filmmaker Jon CJG started his short film series Arby and The Chief on YouTube, leading to a full-time job at Machinima.com. The web series, The Guild, founded on YouTube surviving purely on fan-funding, is now a series on the Xbox 360 sponsored by Microsoft and Sprint.
Vimeo: Valley of The Timelapse Videos
From the outside, Vimeo looks appealing because the community is intelligible and very aware of their craft. The critique left in the comments can be helpful and the level of spam is minute to none (I’ve never seen any). There is a rule for uploading videos stating that all content must be 100% original. This prevents anyone from uploading rehashed/remixed clips of trailers, ridiculous dubs of cartoon shows, etc. This is a great filter system for keeping only the content that the filmmakers want to see and create on the site.
The major downside to Vimeo isn’t in its own execution but really a fault of the community. There is a severe lack of narrative, ambitious content on Vimeo. The site is riddled with timelapses, videography, and other more abstract forms of filmmaking. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but there’s no balance.The videos are very well done, technically, but nothing you’d watch over and over again or feel obligated to share with your friends.
There are some exceptions, of course, but I’m talking about the Vimeo community as a whole. Some filmmakers have come to make a name for themselves within the community, but never to the level of YouTube’s highrollers. Also, there are some very big limitations to Vimeo that put it at a slightly lesser level of accessibility.
For one, there are two kinds of accounts: a free account you get just for signing up and Vimeo plus; a $60 a year subscription that allows certain upgrades. With the free account, on a weekly basis, you get to upload 500mb and 1 HD video. With the plus account, also on a weekly basis, you get to upload 5gb and unlimited HD videos. This, again, is a good deterrent for avoiding meaningless videos; people will want to spend their weekly space wisely and will only upload their best content. However, with YouTube you get unlimited HD videos with the ability to upload an unlimited amount of videos, as long as they don’t exceed 2gb. So, the limitations Vimeo puts into action are rendered fairly uncompetitive…
The Bottom Line: YouTube or Vimeo
I think the “better meter” falls on YouTube this time. I have found more ambitious, nearly ground-breaking independent filmmaking on YouTube rather than Vimeo (where really I haven’t much, if any). The Freelands is an original, feature length, three-part series created by young filmmakers on a zero budget. I would highly suggest you search it on YouTube and give it a watch (as of this posting, two of the three episodes have been released).
This community ambition, coupled with the partners program, helps to create a perpetual source of quality content. If these filmmakers get paid to create content, they have more money to create said content. Its a situation any young filmmaker would love to find themselves in.
Also, the non-generating YouTube community is huge, absolutely HUGE, in comparison to the non-generating Vimeo community. If a video gains some momentum on YouTube it can explode overnight. When it comes down to making your films accessible, YouTube is the king of them all; hands down.
So, go out there, make some films, and send them into the YouTube. Communicate with your audience and build a name for yourself. Then take your new found notoriety and do what you love to do for a living: make films. If you want some help, you can also check VFX Los Angeles for great services.
06.06.2019
Painting With Acrylic Paint on Different Surfaces
Since their invention in the 50s, Acrylic paints have dramatically gained in popularity. What makes acrylics so attractive is the seemingly unending number of different ways in which you can use them.
Benefits of Acrylic Paint
Acrylics can be used to achieve a variety of effects, from the heavily textured canvass achieved by oil paint, to the light and airy translucency of watercolors. They are not as expensive as oil paints and dry quicker, allowing the artist to apply multiple layers of paint without long waiting times in between, dramatically reducing the time it takes to complete a piece.
On top of that, Acrylics can be applied to almost any surface: traditional canvas, paper, wood, fabric, metal, glass, plastic, stone, leather and more. Before you start painting, most surfaces need to be prepared so that your Acrylic colors go on smoothly and stay bright and looking like new for a long time. Here are some basics on choosing and preparing different types of surfaces for use with most Acrylic paints:
How to Prepare Surfaces for Acrylic Painting
1) Canvas
The most popular type of traditional canvas among artists is cotton. It is durable and provides a smooth texture for your paints. Synthetic canvas is best when you want the smoothest texture. It is exceptionally strong and in particular resistant to the slight corrosiveness of the acrylic medium. Jute can also be used, it is low-priced and provides a unique texture desired in certain works.
Canvas is now sold in most art-stores ready to used, primed and stretched over wooden frames, or glued securely onto a hard cardboard backing. When using raw canvas, however, you must prepare it before use.
Stretch the canvas over a wooden frame so that it is firm, but not too tight. Stretching it too tight may warp the frame and decrease the flexibility of the canvas when drying paint shrinks on it. Staple the canvas in place. Paint a few even coats of gesso to prime the canvas after stretching.
2) Paper
There are different kinds of paper that can be used for Acrylics. Most paper will be labeled specifically for the medium it was intended to be used with. Bristol Board, for example, is designed specifically for use with Acrylics and doesn’t need any preparation.
Generally, heavier weight paper is recommended as it will be less likely to warp while painting. Tape the edges of your paper to a flat surface with masking tape, as you would when working with watercolors, to prevent it from warping when wet.
3) Wood
Wood provides steady and long-lasting support for acrylic paints and most woods have excellent paint-absorbency properties. Use hardwoods in favor of pressboard or plywood, as these softer varieties have a tendency to lose their shape over time. Before you paint on wood, purchase some coarse and some fine sand-paper. Sand the surface of the wood, if necessary, with the coarser sand-paper until it is smooth.
Apply a coat of gesso using wide, even brush strokes all running in the same direction. Allow the gesso to dry before lightly sanding it to smoothness with the fine sand-paper. Apply another coat of gesso with the brushstrokes running perpendicular to the previous coat. Repeat the process, sanding in between each coat, until the surface is smooth and even.
4) Fabric
Acrylics can usually be applied directly to a great variety of fabrics such as cotton, felt, silk, velvet, and flannel, but cotton provides the most even and easiest to work with surface.
Wash the fabric before painting to remove lint and any oils or chemicals that may interfere with the paint. Lightly stretch the fabric out for more comfortable painting. Mix some Fabric Medium or Flow-Aid Medium with your paint prior to painting for best results.
Tip: Always test your acrylics on a small square of the fabric before you begin painting to ensure the fabric is compatible with the paint and the colors achieve the desired effect.
5) Metal
Acrylics do not naturally adhere well to very smooth shiny surfaces so if the metal is highly polished, use heavy-duty sandpaper to sand it until it is matte and slightly rough to the touch. If you have the means, you can also use sandblasting for a more uniform effect. A diluted lye solution will work on Aluminum to create a more workable surface.
Once you’ve achieved the right texture, clean and degrease the surface. Apply gesso or an industrial primer, allow it to completely dry and do a test to make sure paint adheres properly.
6) Glass
A glass surface can be made rougher with sandblasting, or it can be acid-etched in order to achieve the necessary roughness for the paint to grip. Clean and degrease the surface and apply an industrial primer or gesso. Let it dry and test for adhesion the same way as with metal. For best results, use a few thin coats of varnish to seal the paint and prevent scratches.
7) Plastic
Plastic should be lightly sanded with fine-grade sandpaper until it feels slightly rough under the fingers to allow the paint to grip. When painting on clear plastic, use clear gesso or varnish to prime the surface. Seal the painting with varnish once complete to prevent from an accidental scraping of the paint.
8) Stone
Thoroughly clean the surface; ensure it is free of any grease, wax, oil, dirt or loses particles. Ensure that the surface is completely dry, and in the case of using a concrete block, that there are no silicones in its mixture.
Evenly rub a gel medium into the surface and allow it to dry if desiring less texture for your painting. Use transparent gel when the desired effect is for the stone surface to lightly show through the paints. Apply a few coats of gesso for a matte look.
9) Leather
Painting on suede is the same as on any other fabric; use a flow-aid medium to help the pain go on evenly. Other types of leather must be first decreased to prevent Acrylics from peeling. Rub the surface thoroughly with alcohol to remove oils and dirt from the surface. Once finished, use a spray-on varnish to protect the paint.
How to Test Adhesion in Acrylic Paint
When working with new and unusual surfaces, it is always a good idea to perform an adhesion test before continuing with the majority of your work. To perform the test, choose a small area of the new surface you are testing, prepare it in an appropriate manner and apply the paint to the surface. Let the paint dry thoroughly.
Wait 72 hours, or longer if the humidity in the atmosphere is high, for the paint to fully set. Score the surface in a cross-hatch pattern with a sharp object and firmly apply some masking tape over the scored surface. Slowly remove the masking tape. If any paint comes off, then you may wish to try a different priming method, or a different surface altogether.
18.05.2019
The Art of Impressionism
How Impressionism Changed the Art World
|In 1857 Camille Pissarro ended the period of dreary, lackluster art and ushered in a time of paintings with freshly lit landscapes and bright dashes of color. Joined by such noted artists as Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, they created what was dubbed by critic Louis Leroy as Impressionism, inspired by the title of Monet’s work, Impression, Sunrise.
Definition
Impressionism is defined by its creators as poetic forms in landscape and life. And this is exactly what they achieved. With chopping strokes and the suppression of defined line with dull, unfocused edges, the Impressionists attempted to mimic the spontaneity of a sketch. They wanted their viewer’s mind to finish the painting.
Subjects
Though they had different specialities, the Impressionists strove to capture small moments in time. The subjects of Impressionism were passing scenes such as ladies fanning themselves, dancers on stage, picnics, and horse races. Another subject loved by the Impressionists was glimpses of nature such as the wind rustling leaves, the reflection of light on water, or waves crashing against a rock.
Outdoors
The Impressionists rocked the boat further by moving out of the studio, something that was previously not done. En plein air, or outdoor painting, became these artists’ favorite way to paint. They believed that by painting outside they would be better able to observe their subjects in natural light.
As you can see by Renoir’s Dancing at the Moulin de la Galette, light is almost a character in the painting. On the happy people are dapples of light filtered through tree branches. It is the first thing you notice, and the last.
Angles
One of the interesting techniques that the Impressionists used was varying the angles of their subject. As you can see in Monet’s La Promenade the viewer is looking up at the subject from the ground.
Because of bad eyesight, Pissarro was not able to work out in the open air after 1897. He solved this problem by renting rooms throughout Paris and painting what he saw from the windows. This provided him with a God-like view over the city, which he portrayed in paintings such as Boulevard Montmartre, morning, cloudy weather. Like Monet’s La Promenade, the angle was contrary to the straight-on views of other painter of the time.
As you can imagine, the Impressionists stirred the art world into a fevered pitch. Many “traditionalists” hated the new movement, calling it a disgrace. Even so, beauty has triumphed, and from then on the painter’s art has influenced everything from music to poetry, changing the art world forever.
15.05.2019
How to Draw Realistic Faces for Portrait Painting
Some portrait artists find that they know the basics of drawing faces, but the just don’t look that real. Why? It’s all in the details. These face drawing tips, below, will help give the artist the tools needed to create realistic face drawings for portrait paintings that dazzle.
Drawing Eyes
The eyes are the most important part of the face. If the portrait artist doesn’t put enough detail into the eyes then the whole portrait will look stiff.
The best way to get good at drawing eyes is for the artist to study his own in the mirror. Here is what to look for:
- Notice how your tear ducts are like little pink seeds in the corners of the eyes.
- Notice that the iris is not just a circle of color in a circle of white, but several circles of different colors, with specks of color within those.
- Take a look at how the eyelashes aren’t all the same length and are longer in the middle than on the edges.
The artist should sketch these details while observing them and then can then apply what she observes in future eye drawing or painting.
Drawing Noses
The nose is infamous for being the hardest facial feature to draw. Once again, the artist can study his own in the mirror and practice sketching it. Remember these facts for every sketch or nose drawing:
- The contours of the nose usually flow into the beginning of the eyebrow bone.
- The width of the nose, from nostril to nostril is usually as wide as the width of space between the eyes.
- The nostrils are not simply holes in the base of the nose, but curves of flesh that are connected to the upper part of the lip.
Drawing Mouths
There are a few basic things to remember when drawing or painting a realistic mouth.
- The line in the inner edge of the lips is always the darkest in color.
- The outer edge of the lip shouldn’t be a hard edge; it should be shaded area to define the shape.
- Lips are not perfectly smooth; they have lines and wrinkles just like the rest of the face.
Once you combine all of these tips together, you will have a much more realistic drawing of the face.
13.05.2019
5 Ways to Sell Artwork
There’s more to selling artwork than selling a painting on a canvas. An artist’s work can be transformed into many different products that can easily be created and sold through a website or at art shows or galleries. Adding extra products can mean more money for the artist and more uses for fantastic paintings and drawings. Plus, if the artist adds a web address or phone number to the product, it also can act as a publicity tool for the artist.
Making Art Postcards to Sell
Art postcards can be made by hand or printed. Some artists buy blank postcards made from watercolor paper and then paint one-of-a-kind art on them. This can take a lot of time, so many artists will have postcards mass-printed with a digital image of an already created piece of art. To learn more about creating art postcards read: How to Make Postcards for Your Art.
Creating Customized T-Shirts that Feature Artwork
T-shirts printed with a digital copy of artwork is a good way to allow fans to share a piece without shelling out a large amount of money. For most artists, printing handmade customized t-shirts isn’t an option. Luckily, there are sites, such as Zazzle and Cafe Press, which allow artists to upload art images to the site and apply the images to products such as t-shirts. On many of these sites, the customized t-shirt isn’t made until a customer orders it and there is no cost to the artist. The artist gets royalties from each sale, much like selling artwork at a gallery.
Illustrating Magazine Covers
Many artists think that magazines only use in-house illustrators for their magazine covers. While this may be true about some of the larger magazines, many small magazines use submitted art for covers. To find magazines that allow submissions, search the web using terms such as “illustration submissions,” “cover submissions,” and “artist guidelines.”
Create Greeting Cards
Greeting card companies, like magazine publishers, are looking for good art, too. When pitching to greeting card companies, artists should avoid selling all rights to their artwork. This would mean that the artist wouldn’t be able to use or sell that painting or drawing anywhere else.
To avoid these type of problems, the artist can have their own greeting cards printed using their original art. Some online places to get custom greeting cards printed are Print Place, CardStore or CardsDirect.
Selling Digital Images
If adding artwork images to products doesn’t sound too exciting, an artist also has the option of selling usage rights to the digital image of the original artwork. There are sites, such as Constant Content and Associated Content, which helps artists sell usage rights for images. The artist has the option to sell full usage rights for the image (not suggested) or allowing others to use the artwork (on websites, in magazines, etc.) for a fee.
If an artist adds just a couple of these art selling tips to their publicity strategy, they can increase their visibility and add to their income.
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