Fine Art: Page 55

Did you ever think a question mark could turn into a cartoon? Well, grab your pen because Bruce Blitz is going to show you how you can create cartoons from symbols. This is an easy way to learn to draw cartoons. All you need is paper, pencil, markers, colored chalks or colored pencils, and an eraser. First, draw a question mark. Next, draw 2 C's (one backwards) for eyes at the top point. The curve in the question mark will become a nose. Add 2 pupils and eyebrows facing up. Draw hair and an ear...

Here is a quick video on how to make encased stringers for glass beads. This is a great way to add fancy stringer decoration to your glass beads. These lampworking instructions demonstrate how to add thin ropes of color and pattern embedded in the molten glass bead. Use this technique to make finely crafted glass jewelry such as beads for necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

This is a quick demonstration of one of the many ways to turn scrap Bullseye glass in to a ribbon cane. Watch this instructional lampworking video to recycle glass pieces and melt them into a cane. You can then use the glass cane to melt it into finely crafted glass jewelry such as beads, buttons and glass miniatures.

Here are some photography tricks used to create visually effective portraits and techniques used to get more natural looking portraits. Turn off the flash, survey the scene, adjust your camera to pick up the darkest skin tone, and most importantly, be patient with your subject. This instructional photography video demonstrates how to take free spirited and naturalistic children's photo portraits with a point and shoot camera.

This instructional photography video provides some helpful tips on how to build narrative ideas surrounding body of photography work that you'll want to create. You can use these techniques when building a book, a web site or a series of consistent images for your story. You will not only make your photography work more interesting, but working with narrative will train you to become a better story teller.

This instructional lampworking video demonstrates how to make a wick holder for an oil lamp. With a lampwork torch you can melt a small glass tube which you can use to hold a wick upright in a traditional oil lamp. This glass tube keeps the wick from slipping into the treacherous oil and preserves the flame.

Watch this instructional lampworking video to use a holey marver for making strings of glass beads using a lampwork torch and an electric mandel spinner. A marver is a tool used in glassblowing. It generally is made of a polished steel surface and is used to shape molten glass. A warm piece of glass is rolled on the marver, for two reasons: controlling temperature and adjusting shape. Because the glass comes in direct contact with the steel, it must be kept very clean. A holey is usually rubbed...

Here are a few handy tips to help you care for your Powder Vibe for Glass Enamel Powders and how to load it safely. The Powder Vibe tool is a motorized device for the dispensing of glass enamel powders. This tool helps with health and safety by reducing dust and the need for enamel powder sifting when lampworking glass jewelry. The powder vibe tool keeps your enamel powders clean and gives you great control. Use the tool to add smooth streams of glass powder and enamel powder onto your lampwork...

See how fast and precisely you can transfer glass onto the mandrel using our electric mandrel spinner. An electric mandrel spinner is a tool that grips materials to be spun or machined. Watch this instructional lampworking video to see how molten glass may be shaped with a mandrel spinner. Mandrels are commonly used to shape beads of glass into a desired size and shape for jewelry manufacturing. This video shows you how to build transfer glass from the cane using a lampwork torch and an...

An electric mandrel spinner is a tool that grips materials to be spun or machined. Watch this instructional lampworking video to see how molten glass may be shaped with a mandrel spinner. Mandrels are commonly used to shape beads of glass into a desired size and shape for jewelry manufacturing. This video shows you how to remove the mandrels from a completed glass button.

See how you can quickly, easily, and consistently you can make uniform lampwork spacers using the Electric Mandrel Spinner. An electric mandrel spinner is a tool that grips materials to be spun or machined. Watch this instructional lampworking video to see how molten glass may be shaped with a mandrel spinner. Mandrels are commonly used to shape beads of glass into a desired size and shape for jewelry manufacturing. This video shows you how to make glass spacer beads using a lampwork torch and...

An electric mandrel spinner is a tool that grips materials to be spun or machined. Watch this instructional lampworking video to see how molten glass may be shaped with a mandrel spinner. Mandrels are commonly used to shape beads of glass into a desired size and shape for jewelry manufacturing. This video shows you how to maintain an electric mandrel spinner.

An electric mandrel spinner is a tool that grips materials to be spun or machined. Watch this instructional lampworking video to see how molten glass may be shaped with a mandrel spinner. Mandrels are commonly used to shape beads of glass into a desired size and shape for jewelry manufacturing. The rheostat dial on your power box will control your "set" spinning rate.

Watch this demonstration of how to make a medieval quill pen by Jennifer Smith of Ferrers Household at an English Heritage Living History event at Kenilworth Castle. In the Medieval era you may have had to make your own ink to write with in addition to making your own pens. To make a quill pen, you will need a big feather. You will need to trim it down with a pen knife. It takes a few precise maneuvers to turn a feather into a working and reliable pen.

Watch this instructional drawing video to draw a portrait of Lena Horne in chalk pastels. First draw the outline and fill in a basic skin tone. Build up color and tone by adding layers of pastel, working from light to dark. don't worry too much about blending until you have put down most of the color. Always pay close attention while drawing the eyes to make sure your portrait of Lena Horne is accurate and convincing.

Datong Xu currently teaches Chinese calligraphy and painting in Tucson, AZ. Watch this instructional painting video to paint the symbol of eternity in Chinese calligraphy. The eternity character also means, "flowing water". In Chinese art aesthetics, calligraphy and painting are of common origin.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint bamboo using sumi-e ink and Chinese rice paper. This fluid method of painting does not allow much room for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. You should go look at some real bamboo to absorb a real sense of the plant. Spirit and technique are required to paint bamboo in the traditional style.

Do you have a preference for using an umbrella or a softbox with studio strobes? This instructional photography video demonstrates the strengths of each. The umbrella can spread light over a wider area and creates a softer light. The soft box creates a soft light with a defined edge to it.

Chinese tradition has always honored lotus flowers. Essentially, the lotus flower represents peace, creativity and purity amid adverse surroundings. This is a perfect subject matter for sumi ink painting. Watch this instructional painting video to practice painting lotus flowers with ink and watercolors.

Just because you're going to the beach doesn't mean you can't go in style. This video fashion design tutorial shows how to make a quick and easy bikini cover-up out of an old t-shirt with the help of Gianny L. The sexy GiannyL demonstrates this DIY closet hack that's simple and cheap. This bikini cover-up is an easy to put together, affordable summer fashion statement.

Here are some tips about the Holga camera. The Holga is a plastic camera that takes unique, distorted pictures. This instructional photography video is good for people who just got their Holga camera and want to learn some photographer's tricks.

This two part video shows you the materials needed to mount a Chinese painting. Chinese brush work leaves finished paintings a bit wrinkled and wavy. You will need a specific mounting brush and all purpose flour to make a mounting paste.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint a roses and butterflies with watercolor on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these graceful roses and butterflies.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint an orchid with India ink on hemp paper. This fluid style of Chinese painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these beautiful orchid flowers.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint a Boston terrier with India ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these cute terrier dogs.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint a dragon with India ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these majestic dragons.

draw a rooster India ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these majestic roosters.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint a rose using the wet-in-wet method of watercolor painting on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these beautiful rose petals.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint an orchid with India ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these beautiful orchid flowers.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint a hummingbird with India ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint to practice painting these beautiful birds.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint roses and wisteria flowers with bees using watercolors on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some newsprint paper to practice painting these beautiful flowers and bees.

Watch this two part instructional painting video to paint wisteria flowers from life with watercolor on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some news print to practice painting the beautiful flowers in your backyard.

Watch this instructional painting video to paint blue herons in front of water with India ink on Chinese rice paper. This fluid style of painting takes lot of practice and does not allow for mistakes. Every brush stroke counts. Get out some news print to practice painting these beautiful birds.

Take a lesson in architecture from renowned architect Doug Patt by watching this video tutorial. If you want to learn about drawing and designing, without going to school, Doug's just the teacher. Watch to see how to design and draw with lead like an architect.

Watch this photography tutorial for an out of the box look at the Lomography 35mm film back for the Diana+ and Diana F+. It's great to have a vintage film camera, but these days most of the individual camera parts are mysteries to the amateur photographer. Have fun learning to use your Diana camera.

Don't risk exposing your first rolls of film. Watch this instructional photography video to load a 35mm manual camera. This camera is a Nikon FM2. This is a simple process, but it takes some practice to load film into a camera fluidly.

Want to take flash photos with your Diana+, but don't want to drop $100 on a DianaF+? Here's how you take flash photos with your standard Diana+. You can use a simple two battery flash unit and flash bracket to hold the flash to the camera. Note well: There's a trick to making this camera modification work, so pay attention to this instructional photography video.

This photography video shows how to make a rewind helper out of an 35mm film canister. If you use a simple film camera with a small rewind crank, you can use this tool to make a more comfortable grip. Use a 5/32 inch drill bit to make a small hole in a film canister. This can easily slip over the small film crank for quicker film winding.

Use this camera modification to secure the Holga back to the camera and to provide a light blocker for the counter window. You will need a small package of velcro with industrial strength adhesive. This photography tutorial provides tips for making your vintage Holga camera easy to use in hectic shooting situations.

If your film camera shutter has stopped working, chances are that the shutter spring has become detached. This photography tutorial shows you how to disassemble the Lomography Diana Plus shutter assembly and re-attach the spring. You will need a small screwdriver to make this camera repair.