Active Fine Art Posts
How To: Draw a cartoon dog on the computer with Photoshop CS
We love doggies. They're cute, cuddly, loyal...and did we mention cute? If you love your fluffy canine, what better way to pay tribute to this love than by immortalizing your pup on paper?
How To: Draw Misty from Pokemon
In this tutorial, we learn how to draw Misty from PokŽmon. Start by drawing the basic shape of the head, a circle with lines inside of it to use as reference lines. After this, draw on ears to the side of the face and then draw in the cheeks. Now, draw a stick figure for the body and then draw in circles to create the other lines for the body. Then, draw the back of the neck and start to fill in details. Erase any background lines as you continue to draw. Make sure to add in details and facia...
How To: Make Chinese watercolor paintings with the four treasures of chinese paintin
If you're a beginner to Chinese watercolor painter then you do have to do a little research and practice before you actually let your paintbrush hit the canvas. From using the right paint to the right brush, every single thing you employ for your art matters in the ultimate creation.
How To: Draw Maplestory Bigfoot
In this video, we learn how to draw Maplestory Bigfoot. Start out by drawing the outline of the character, then start to draw on the details. Once you have finished the outline of the entire character, start to use a darker pencil or pen to make it darker. Add in shading on different parts to make it look 3D, then add in lines to make the character look more realistic. Add as many details as you would like, then when you are finished you can color in the picture as you would like. You can rep...
How To: Draw a dragon in profile
In this tutorial, we learn how to draw a dragon in profile. Start with a pencil on a white piece of paper and draw out the outline of the profile for the dragon. After this, start to add in the details for the side of the face, this includes the horns, teeth, nostrils, and scales for the dragon. Work your way into the middle of the dragon, drawing in different details, including the eyes and the mouth. Continue to shade and add different lines to the dragon, then finish it off with a horn or ...
How To: Draw a teenage manga boy
In this tutorial, we learn how to draw a teenage manga boy. Start off with the outline of the boy in a light blue pencil. Next, take a dark pencil and draw over the outline, adding in details and clothing to him. Draw in the features of the face and add in short spiky hair on his head. Then, draw in the details of the clothing, making sure to add in lines to make the folds in the clothes. Next, continue to draw in the rest of the boy, then finish with the feet and pants. When you are done, sh...
How To: Paint goldfish in freestyle Chinese painting
The interesting thing about painting in the Chinese watercolor style is that objects, animals, and plants that look pretty simple, such as goldfish and snakes, are actually made up of a complex array of different layers and colors.
How To: Use a DSLR camera to shoot wedding photography stills and videos
If you're about to shoot your first wedding, don't be unprepared. A wedding is a very important and special time for those soon-to-be mates, and you don't want to be responsible for ruining that precious memory. So, know you're stuff before jumping into wedding photography. This video gives a lot of advice for newbie wedding photographers who want to start shooting pictures and videos using a DSLR (digital SLR camera). This is a crash course with tons of information.
News: Takashi Murakami Invades Versailles (Much to Old Art Fogie Chagrin)
As some of you may know, contemporary king of kitsch Jeff Koons exhibited at the French palace of Versailles last year. While the exhibition was embraced by many as an exciting context for contemporary art, predictably old fogies and critics of the art market balked.
How To: Draw two characters kissing using Adobe Photoshop
Draw characters interacting with each other using Adobe Photoshop. This tutorial shows you how to draw two lovers kissing. Start with a basic line sketch to get your proportions correct, and then flesh out both characters as they embrace each other.
How To: Draw a pencil sketch of pop superstar Lady Gaga
Instructions for meat dress not included. This tutorial shows you how to start with a blank piece of paper and end up with a sketch of Lady GaGa. Draw along, and create your own image of the pop and costume sensation!
HowTo: Photograph an Atomic Bomb
George Yoshitake is one of the remaining living cameramen to have photographed the nuclear bomb. His documentation of the military detonation of hundreds of atom bombs from 1956 to 1962 reveals the truly chilling effect of the weapon. Below, images and explanatory captions via the New York Times. Don't miss the melting school bus. Creepy.
News: Prosthesis From Hell
Artist Sascha Nordmeyer presents her concept Communication Prosthesis as the “ultimate communication tool,” or the solution to self-expression. Once inserted into the subject's mouth, the prosthesis forces strange (and horrific) expressions.
How To: Make a custom T-shirt, from designing patterns to sewing to wearing
Ever wondered how to make a tee shirt? With a little cloth, some thread, a sewing machine and some direction, it's as easy as baking a cake. If you want to start designing your own cool T-shirts with your favorite fabrics, watch and learn!
How To: Incorporate Magic Glos to your polymer clay projects
Magic Glos is a fun product that you can add to polymer clay or resin products to make your project glossy and shiny. You can even apply Magic Glos to paper projects, though you'll need to seal it to prevent bleeding.
How To: Take excellent photographs in low light situations without relying on a flash
You need a flash to add light to dark photography settings, but a flash might make your picture look blown out or overexposed. Here are some good tips, like adjusting your aperture or manual ISO to maximize your available light. A tripod will also help you by allowing a longer shutter speed. Or, use a diffuser made over an old, translucent film canister!
How To: Make picture frames out of cardboard boxes
Take a few old cardboard boxes or packing boxes and recycle them into snazzy and cool photograph frames. All you need, apart from the boxes is some tape, string, a little wrapping paper for decoration - and, of course, some scissors and the photograph you want to frame.
How To: Correctly expose your digital photographs and avoid burred images
There are four variables a digital photographer must keep in mind when shooting pictures to ensure correct exposure: ambient light, shutter speed, f-stop and ISO. Also, keep all your images crisp and sharp, even if you're shooting in a low-light setting.
How To: Sew a Greek goddess costume for Halloween
Turn yourself into an Aphrodite or Artemis this Halloween! You don't even need a pattern to make yourself a sexy Greek goddess costume! All you need are a few yards of your favorite fabric, some chantilly lace for a wrap, and a laurel leaf crown to top it all off!
How To: Draw a girl's face in the anime style
Start drawing anime girls! This tutorial is for artists who are new to drawing, or new to anime drawing, and shows you how to start with just a pencil and blank piece of paper to start drawing a girl's face in the anime or manga style.
How To: Draw clean and sharp pencil lines when you sketch
This tutorial goes over a few tips and techniques which will help you draw clean and sharp pencil lines. The most important thing is to hold your pencil correctly, and then you're taught a few drills to practice to improve your drawing.
How To: Construct a tote bag or beach bag out of duct tape
More duct tape fashion accessories! This tutorial shows you how to make a tote bag or a beach bag out of silver duct tape. You don't need a pattern or base, just grab a roll of duct tape and follow along!
How To: Make a bracelet or wrist band out of duct tape
Accessorize with duct tape! This tutorial shows you how to make a bracelet or wristband out of two eight inch strips of yellow duct tape. They end up a little less than half an inch wide and look like charity silicone wristbands.
How To: Draw a pencil sketch of King Leonidas of Sparta from the movie "300"
Replicate King Leonidas from the hit movie '300'. This tutorial shows you an easy to follow along with, step by step guide to drawing a pencil sketch from the film. Once you're done, you can shade it, or ink and add your own color!
How To: Use panning to capture great action shots with movement
When shooting action shots such as runners, bikers, cars, or sports shots, a cool effect that you will see in a lot of professional photography where the person is nice and clear, but the background is blurred to give the intention of being in motion and having a lot of speed. A slow shutter speed is a part of it to capture the image while still showing motion in the photo. In this video you will get tips on how to create the panning effect that will create the desired effect.
How To: Understand aperture values in photography
If you're just getting started in photography or if you're looking to learn a little bit more about your camera, then you may have run into the term "Aperture" or "Aperture Values", or those weird number numbers. Aperture is in the lens of your camera and determines how much light enters into the lens itself and helps to determine your focal length. In this video you will get a small lesson on what Aperture is, and how to calculate focal length and aperture values.
How To: Create a more powerful photo with depth of field
Creating extremely impactful pictures can all be up to Depth of Field. You can either put more or less focus on your subject with various techniques. In this video you will learn how to determine distance with aperture, focal length, and distance from subject techniques.
HowTo: Draw With a Bicycle
Joseph L. Griffiths, an Australian artist who resides in Paris, has created a DIY bicycle-powered drawing machine. I'd like to see a video of the piece in action.
How To: Transfer printer toner to your ceramic work
Printer toner has enough iron oxide in it to allow ceramic artists to transfer the images onto unfired clay. Then, when you fire the clay, the image will be transfered onto the piece, without having to deal with extra painting or glazing.
How To: Make marbleized artwork paintings with shaving cream and food coloring
Put down the paintbrush and the easel, you don't need them anymore. At least, if you're wanting to create some cool marble-like art pieces. In lieu of the normal painting supplies, grab some shaving cream and some food coloring and you can create some awesome marbleized artworks. See how!
How To: Take good self-portraits with a digital camera
Self portraits once required a big mirror and hours of introspection. Now, with digital cameras, you can take a great one in only a few minutes! Watch this video for tips on taking a really appealing self portrait with only some simple equipment.
How To: Draw a simple giraffe (jirafa)
Capture the beauty of the largest land-living animals, the giraffe, in a simple drawing. You needn't be an experienced artist to sketch this giraffe, it's easy enough for anyone. If you want, try expanding upon this ungulate mammal drawing of the giraffe, make it more detailed, illustrate it with its well-known colors. "Jirafa" is the Spanish translation of giraffe.
How To: Draw a simple bull (toro)
If you're looking for an easy way to draw a bull, you've hit the bull's-eye in this drawing tutorial. So, if you've been having trouble drawing this mighty land beast, take the bull by the horns and start sketching! See the illustration process, which outlines an easy male cattle art piece. "Toro" is the Spanish translation of bull.
How To: Draw a simple cow (vaca)
Don't have a cow! Actually, do have a cow, or more specifically, draw a cow. This video illustrates the simple process of drawing a cow. Cattle are fairly easy to outline, so if you're not a great artist, don't worry, it's easy! "Vaca" is the Spanish translation of cow.
How To: Draw and color a simple rooster or cock (gallo)
Most would (unfortunately) picture Vincent Gallo when "gallo" is spoken aloud. But it's actually a Spanish word, which translates to rooster, and even cock, which just happens to bring up connotations of the swollen controversy over Gallo's film "The Brown Bunny".
How To: Draw a simple eagle (águila)
Learn to draw the mighty bird of prey, the eagle. Eagles tend to frequent national symbols like the "Coat of Arms", for countries like Egypt, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Russia and Armenia. It's more famous as The Great Seal of the United States. So, eagles seem to be one of the most influential birds in the world, so why wouldn't you want to learn how to draw it? This how-to illustrates the step-by-step details to drawing an eagle, "Águila" is the Spanish translation of eagle.
How To: Draw a simple swordfish (pez espada)
With a few quick swipes of your sword, er… pencil, you could easily replicate this simple drawing of a swordfish. This gamefish has a streamlined body and a long flattened swordlike snout, that's sure to capture anybody's attention. Watch this video to see the illustration process of the swordfish. "Pez espada" is the Spanish translation of swordfish.
News: Psychedelic Paper Bunny Hole
A mass accumulation of $5 donations allowed NYC artist collective SOFTlab to install the below piece, entitled CHROMAtex, at the Bridge Gallery. The piece is constructed with each donator's name printed as a photo paper tile, laser cut and then assembled with everyday binder clips. Elegantly constructed! Previously, Elegantly Crafted Paper Chandeliers.
How To: Draw a simple dove (paloma) bird
It doesn't matter whether you're a dove fan or a pigeon fan, this video tutorial will show you how to draw both! Well, that mostly is because "dove" and "pigeon" are used interchangeably, with most variations caused by size (pigeons = big; doves = small). This drawing guide illustrates the step-by-step details to drawing a pigeon/dove. "Paloma" is the Spanish translation of dove (or pigeon).
How To: Draw a simple brontosaurus (brontosaurio) dinosaur
Enter the Jurassic Period with this drawing tutorial on the dinosaur commonly referred to as the brontosaurus (or just brontosaur). It's actual genus is called apatosaurus, which is a sauropod dinosaur, one of the largest land animals ever! This how-to illustrates the step-by-step details to drawing the mighty brontosaurus. "Brontosaurio" is the Spanish translation of brontosaurus.