Active Fine Art Posts

How To: Make a quill pen

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. Make a quill pen.

How To: Draw portrait in chalk pastels

Watch this instructional drawing video to draw a portrait from a photograph 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 portraits are accurate and convincing.

How To: Paint "Eternity" in Chinese calligraphy

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.

How To: Create a bikini cover-up with Gianny L

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.

How To: Use a Holga camera

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.

How To: Paint neighing deer by the river

Watch this instructional painting video to paint, "Neighing Deer, By The River". Can deer neigh? Use India ink and Chinese rice paper to try this fluid method of painting. Every brush stroke counts so there is not much room for mistakes. So get out some news print to practice inking these beautiful animals by the river.

How To: Paint a blue heron in front of water

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.

How To: Load a 35mm 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.

How To: Take flash photos with a Diana+ camera

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.

How To: Make a 35mm plastic camera rewind helper

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.

How To: Make a velcro Holga camera modification

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.

How To: Repair a Lomography Diana camera shutter

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.

How To: Use a Diana camera shutter release lock

This photography tutorial shows you how to make a better shutter release lock for Diana Plus and vintage Diana cameras. This is helpful for low light situations and long exposures. You can make a replacement shutter release lock with a clothes pin and a file. Have fun taking night photographs with this handy tool.

How To: Load a Lomography Diana Plus camera

Watch this instructional photography video to to load a Lomography Diana Plus Camera. You can shoot photos with three main types of film on this camera. This film loading process can be confusing at first, but once mastered this versatile camera can shoot detailed 120 film photographs with ease.

How To: How to throw a medieval pot

Watch this Medieval pottery demonstration by Jim Newboult of Trinity Court Potteries at an English Heritage Living History event at Kenilworth Castle. This pottery wheel is not a kick wheel. It's an incredibly silent hand powered pottery wheel. This ceramics demonstration will show you how to throw a lovely clay pot on any wheel. Learn how it's done traditionally at a historical Medieval fair. How to throw a medieval pot.

How To: Test out different photography tripods

There are many types of photography tripods for using in different shooting situations. Watch this instructional photography video to test out different tripods from mini to mighty. Make sure to label your tripod with your name and address, because at a large photo shoots, tripods often get lost, stolen, or confused with other tripods. Most of these tripods work well with digital SLR cameras and 35mm film cameras.

How To: Take outdoor photo portraits

Here's how to take a well lit outdoor portrait. It's best to shoot outdoor photographs in the morning or late afternoon to catch the best light. Use light reflectors to deflect light coming from below. This instructional photography video will show you how to make subtle lighting adjustments to take a stunning photo portrait.

How To: Output your positive film using Adobe Photoshop

Check out this instructional printmaking video that demonstrates how to output your positive film using Adobe Photoshop. This video goes over how to do a one color image and then a two color image. Create a black image on a clear, white background. Learn a few tips when using a toner enhancer on your film. Output your positive film using Photoshop with this printmaking tutorial video.

How To: Clean up the screen after printing

Check out this instructional printmaking video that demonstrates how to clean up the screen after making a print. Now the ink used stays good forever (until heated), so go ahead and put it back in the ink container. Just scoop it up and squeegee it. It is a good idea to wear latex gloves. Follow the simple instructions outlined in this printmaking tutorial video to learn how to clean up after making a print screen.

How To: Make a Zipper Shirt

In this instructional fashion video, learn how to turn your school uniform shirt into a zipper shirt! This great DIY lesson was sent in for the Threadbanger Janome contest, so we thought we'd share this one to please everyone asking what to do with their old school uniforms. So make a cool zipper shirt out of your school uniforms with this amazing tutorial. Enjoy!

How To: Take top fashion photos with a point and shoot camera

You don't need a 30,000 or even 3,000 dollar camera to shoot high-quality fashion photographs. A regular point and shoot and a lighting umbrella are all it takes to take quality images. Watch this video photography tutorial and learn how to take magazine quality beauty headshots with a point and shoot camera. Take top fashion photos with a point and shoot camera.

How To: Use white balance on a camera & Photoshop in filter

In this lesson, learn what white balance is and how to effectively use this function on your digital camera. Also learn how to use the photo filter function in Photoshop to eliminate and correct color casts created by various light sources. Watch this video photography tutorial and learn how to use white balance on a digital camera and how to correct colors with after-effects lens filters in Photoshop.

How To: Paint by numbers

Painting doesn't get any easier than this. Paint by numbers kits come with a drawing ready to be filled in with paint. Each section of the drawing is matched to a number on a paint pot. Use the right number for the right section, and voila, a foolproof masterpiece. Watch this video painting tutorial and learn how to paint. By numbers.

How To: Put a handle on a ceramic mug

When you're putting a handle on a mug, you need to think about the state of the clay of both the mug and the handle. The ceramic clay needs to be a bit harder and drier than right after coming off the pottery wheel or being sculpted, but not so dry that the clay won't stick. Check out this video pottery-making tutorial and learn how to attach a handle onto a ceramic mug.