Active Fine Art Posts

How To: Turn a t-shirt into a tote bag

Renewable fashion is a part of living a green and eco-friendly lifestyle. Instead of getting rid of old clothes and going out to buy something new, recycle things you don't like anymore into something you can use. This fashion how-to video shows a way of revamping a t-shirt into a hand, carry-it-all tote bag. Follow along with the steps and get started on a fun wardrobe recycling project.

How To: Draw a cartoon Santa Claus

In this video lesson of LEARN TO DRAW with Tom Gammill, where the creator of The Doozies discusses cartooning and the spirit of Christmas. Learn how to draw a cartoon santa claus using mostly circles and half circles. Towards the end of the video Tom teaches you how to make a holiday yule log too. Follow along and learn how to draw an easy cartoon Santa Claus.

How To: Make a slap tag

Slap tags, or sticker tags, are faster, and less risky, than freestyle graffiti or stencil tags. You can design your slap tag, and put them up inconspicuously wherever you go. This how-to video shows an easy method for designing your slap tag, and even offers a tip on getting stickers on the cheap.

How To: Draw graffiti style people

This video drawing tutorial shows a technique for sketching out people in a style reminiscent of graffiti. This video lesson will provide inspiration from street art into your own artwork. Follow along with the demonstrator, experiment with the new ideas, and learn how to draw graffiti style people in a way you like.

How To: Make a simple dress for under $10.00

In this episode of "The Discount Trendsetter Show" the host will show you how to make a simple dress for under $10.00. For this simple slip dress you will need safety pin, elastic, needle, thread, and some cool fabric. No need to hassle with patterns, this easy style can be created with some draping. Check out this fashion how-to video and learn how to design yourself a simple and inexpensive dress.

How To: Recycle a handbag or a duffel bag

This week's episode of "The Discount Trendsetter Show" will show you how to recycle an old handbag for under $5.00. This revamp works just as well with an old duffel bag. This cheap project will show you how to renovate something old into a trendy, but simple mail carrier style bag. Watch this fashion how-to video and learn how to recycle a handbag or a duffel bag.

How To: Tie dye shirts

This tutorial is an awesome tie dye how to video by Cowboy Hippy from Happyhippie.com. Cowboy Hippy shows you step by step of the tie dye process, how to create cool designs, all while providing insightful commentary. Learn how to make your own dye, and how to process your shirts. You don't have to be a hippie, but it helps! Check out this video lesson and start tie-dying your clothes.

How To: Draw a cool optical illusion

Optical illusions don't require fancy techniques; this one relies entirely in the details. Gather up a pen/pencil, paper, and a pair of scissors. Draw a parallelogram to be used as the template for both tabletops in this sketch. By varied angling, leg lengths, and color, the table top takes on a different appearance. Watch this video drawing tutorial and learn how to recreate this cool, artistic optical illusion.

How To: Draw a hentai style Defective Reaper from Soul Chasers

This video drawing tutorial demonstrates an original fanart of Defective Reaper (meaning not "eyeballed", "copied" ,"pose-jacked", or "traced" from another existing source). For devotees of anime or hentai style, or those looking to get inspired by the Japanese manga type technique, this video will offer some inspiration. Check out this video drawing tutorial and learn how to sketch a hentai style Defective Reaper from Soul Chasers.

How To: Draw a hot Ecchi girl on Open Canvas

This video drawing tutorial demonstrates the quick sketching of a hot anime girl character in Open Canvas. Use the method as a basic guideline for your own sketches, modifying stance, pose, proportion, and other finer details to make the work of art your own. Check out this video art lesson and learn how to draw a hot Ecchi girl on Open Canvas.

How To: Draw a "Ready to Fight" pose

Comic artist Mark Crilley demonstrates how to sketch a classic fighting stance, really helpful in your own character or cartoon drawing. Instead of focusing on anatomy, this rendering technique focuses more on style. Follow along with Mark's great artistic advice and make your own action figure. Watch this how-to video and learn how to draw a "ready to fight" pose.

How To: Draw girls and women

This a simple drawing video targeted for and taught by a young girl. The instructor demonstrates how she sketches out female figures, either little girls or women, on her drawing board. She makes additional remarks about hoe to modify and personalize these renderings. So gather up some pens or pencils and paper, and check out this cute little video. You'll learn how to sketch people in no time!

How To: Draw a Hacker style kid with a bazooka

The "Hacker" style was created for hackwars.net for their avatar system. You can basically take the simple shapes as seen at first in the video and draw pretty much any kind of character. Just go wild! Don't forget to add the thick black line around the outside. It really makes this style. Check out this video drawing tutorial and learn how to sketch a Hacker style kid with a bazooka.

News: Fake UFO photographs

In Photoshop-speak, we call them faux-tographs. Michael Shermer presents this lesson in falsehoods as a children's craft project. Just tie up some kitchenware to an old fishing pole, flash the photo and ta-da! There's your err... evidence!

News: Turn a juice box into a camera

Look left. Can your garbage take photos like that? With a few tweaks it will! The pinhole camera is photography in its most basic form. Using a light-proof container, the 35mm will capture the image when the pinhole is opened. The resulting photographs have a distinctly démodé look, like this shot from Kodak's archive.

How To: Begin drawing with doodling exercises

Practice drawing in perspective with simple doodling exercises. Add texture to flat looking forms by drawing patterns on the surface of objects. If you can doodle in perspective, then every line you put down can be a line drawing in perspective. Watch this instructional drawing video to doodle simple shapes with multi-dimensional form.

How To: Begin drawing with line control techniques

Learn how to avoid sketchy and redundant lines as you are learning to draw. This instructional drawing video demonstrates how to draw using a point-to-point technique. If you decide ahead of time on the lines you will need, you can achieve a loose and efficient drawing style. Use this technique to try drawing squares, circles and replicating complex patterns. You will begin to convey yourself as a skilled artist when you draw with efficient lines.

How To: Airbrush a woodgrain finish

In this video series, an expert in airbrushing will demonstrate how to airbrush a wood grain effect for a car. He will go through the step-by-step instructions on how to paint a base coat, mix the airbrush paint, apply the color, and add details in a variety of ways. If you have some knowledge of how to airbrush and would like to take on a larger project, or simply want to learn some airbrushing tips and techniques, our expert will walk you through the steps for creating a beautiful effect fo...

How To: Make mugs and handles

Watch this ceramics tutorial video to learn how to make mugs with handles using your pottery wheel. There are three types of mugs shown: a generic mug shape, a round mug, and a soup mug. The detailed instructions featured in this helpful how-to video are good for intermediate potters who have some experience but have never made mugs with handles.

How To: Make contemporary installation art

Each & Every One of You (EEOOY) is a mock TV show pilot that teaches ordinary people how to make contemporary installation art. If these words strike fear into your heart or make you cringe with memories of seeing contemporary art and wondering what the hell it was all about, this show is for you!

How To: Cut a t-shirt into a halter top

Revamp an old t-shirt into a stylish halter top shape. This is an easy project, and with these tough economic times, you should probably be saving that money instead of going shopping. Check out this video fashion tutorial and learn how to reconstruct a t-shirt without any sewing.

How To: Set up a kiln

Before starting out on any pottery projects, you need to set up that kiln. This video how-to series demonstrates the safe and proper set-up procedure for your new kiln. Learn where to set up the kiln, unpack, and assemble. Follow along with the video and have fun with ceramics. Set up a kiln.

How To: Make a cyanotype

This lesson is the second of a series exploring alternative process photography. In this lesson, learn how to create a Cyanotype using a digital negative. Step by step instructions are included with samples and illustrations. Follow along with this photo lesson and learn how to recreate this old-fashioned print technique. You'll need a cyanotype kit, a fine bristled paint brush, a watercolor rag, a contact printer, a pair of clamps, a large tray, a UV light source, and a digital negative.