Hot Fine Art How-Tos
How To: Capture your holiday in 8 digital photos
In this video, we learn how to capture your holiday in eight digital photos. This is a challenge for most people, but it can help you remember your vacation without taking hundreds of photos. First, make sure you have different lenses to capture shorter and longer distances. Find photographs of the most beautiful places, using travel guides and locals as help on where they are. Capture a beautiful sunset or a memorable church with your camera, this will help you remember your surroundings. Al...
How To: Pack a kiln
In this video, we learn how to pack a kiln. First, you will place all the largest pots on the top and towards the back of the kiln. If you have a third row, place the most large ones on the bottom, packed next to each other. After this, pack the smallest ones to the front of the kiln until you have no more room or all the pieces are packed in. Give the kiln a warm up during the night, then you will be ready to fire it to create your pieces. Once finished, remove the pieces and you are done!
How To: Draw a simple scenery
In this video, we learn how to draw a simple scenery. Start by drawing a horizontal line across the page. From here, draw reference boxes along the middle of the line. Now you can start filling in more details, making buildings out of the boxes. After this, make people outside of the buildings, then make a street and trees in the background. Fill in shading and lines to make the picture more realistic. The key to this is to learn how to start with your reference point to make everything flow ...
How To: Refill ink in a pocket brush pen
In this video, we learn how to refill ink a pocket brush pen with Henry Lee. First, mix water with the ink, depending on the color of ink you want. After this, you will take the pen and soak it in water, then into the ink. Turn the knob on the handle as you do this so the ink starts to infuse into the pen. To get more ink in, point the brush to the sky and turn the knob slowly to drive the extra air out of the pen. Then, dip the pen into the ink and turn the knob in the other direction. Conti...
How To: Photograph wildlife
In this video, we learn how to photograph wildlife. When you go to take photos of wildlife, you have to be very careful and quiet so you can get up close to these animals. You don't want to disturb them or make them come charging at you. Use your camera to capture their true beauty in their own serene and peaceful environments. Don't yell out or chase the wildlife, or you will scare them away and you won't get any photos. There are hundreds of amazing photo opportunities out there, you just h...
How To: Draw and color a city with art markers
In this video, we learn how to draw and color a city with art markers. First, draw a horizontal line as your reference point to where the city buildings are going to go. Make a point in the middle as the background line. Now, start to draw in the buildings around the middle line, making diagonal straight lines, then drawing in the details of the buildings. Draw in taller buildings in the back, then start to draw the larger details in the front of the drawing. Add in shading and details as nee...
How To: Write the letter U in calligraphy copperplate
In this video, you will learn how to write the letter U in calligraphy copperplate. Capital U: Take the calligraphy pen with black ink and scaled calligraphy paper. Make a narrow, looped curve to start the "U". After the loop, make a broad brush stroke down. Narrow the brush on the up stroke and broaden again on the down stroke. Narrow the brush on the final upstroke.
How To: Draw dragonflies in Chinese painting
In this video, we learn how to draw dragonflies in Chinese painting. Start out with rice paper, then soak your medium sized combination hair brush in water. Next, squeeze the moisture and then push the ink out. Now, position the brush so it's comfortable and touches the paper lightly. Draw the wings on the insect first, then draw the tail on the bottom. After this, paint a small circle shape for the head and continue to draw the other dragonflies. You can vary how these look by making the win...
How To: Write the letter H in calligraphy copperplate
In this video, we learn how to write the letter H in calligraphy copperplate. To make the upper-case letter, start off drawing into a thick line, with a curve at the end of the letter. Make the curve end touching the line, then draw it out to the right side of the letter, bringing it back down to a line to make the "h" shape. Next, draw a line across the two lines with a curve at both ends. To make the lower-case letter, start by drawing a thin line to make a loop at the top, then bring it do...
How To: Draw a red and yellow bird with a pencil sketch and colored markers
Using your favorite pencil, you can sketch the picture of a bird (like a red-breasted robin) and then use markers to color it in. The tutorial shows you the steps, starting from a blank piece of paper, to draw a multicolored bird.
How To: Avoid camera shake when taking pictures (unless you want the effect)
Camera shake is often an unwanted effect in photography, when a telephoto lens or long shutter speed has been used for a camera that hasn't been stabilized. The images subject to camera shake appear blurry and smeared, which is often considered an error - though some photographers find artistic value in camera shake and purposefully try to cause the effect in their art.
How To: Draw a sketch of a creepy alien or monster
Watch a sketch artist draw a creepy monster with a bulbous head and long, clawed arms. A shading technique to make everything look creepy is also demonstrated. This piece of fantasy art can be replicated whenever you need to know how to draw something scary to terrify your friends with!
How To: Make a Cheap DIY Silkscreen for Screen-Printing Logos & Designs on T-Shirts
This is silk screen production, the cheap and easy DIY way! In order to make this easy silkscreen for making cool T-shirt logos and designs, you'll need some acrylic paint, paintbrushes, cheap net curtain (patterned or plain), vinyl sign sheets, blackboard (or cork board), and some fabric paints to paint with. Also, you'll need a CraftROBO precision cutter. Soon, you'll have your very own screen-printed tee shirt, thanks to your very own homemade silkscreen.
How To: Draw a side shot of The Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk, the result of Bruce Banner being exposed to an intense amount of Gamma Rays. Gets stronger the more you hurt him, and can break tanks in half no sweat. Wouldn't you like to be able to draw the green giant? In this video you will learn how to draw The Incredible Hulk from a side view, watch him start from the outline all the way down to the coloring of the finished picture.
How To: Draw faces just like Steven Sanchez in Adobe Photoshop CS3
Comic book art is not only awesome, but it takes a really keen eye, and talent, to draw great comic book art. Steven Sanchez has a unique style and tone to his artwork, and in this great two-part video, you will learn how to draw the faces and heads that make Steven stand out from other artists.
How To: Draw an eye with amazing detail
One of the most emotional and striking things that you can draw is the human eye. It can say everything that you want to say without a single piece of text. But to draw like that requires skill and talent. In this amazing video you will watch as he shows you all the various steps and techniques that he uses to make a truly amazing eye, starting with pencil and eventually finishing with ink.
How To: Take beautiful photographs, day or night with a digital camera
Ambient lighting is one of the most important factors in taking a good picture. A picture of one location during a sunny day will look entirely different if you take it at night. You'll want to use the right shutter speed and camera flash to get the best picture possible, regardless of what time of the day it is.
How To: Set up your camera to take beautiful pictures at night
Taking pictures at night is very different than taking them during the day. This video tells you the right way to set up your camera to take beautiful night time shots. Set up your correct exposure and ajust the camera lens to make use of light and setting for your photographs.
How To: Make a surreal paper mache hand
If you're looking for ideas for creepy decorations to make for your next Halloween party, or just want to have a little fun, you can use papier mache, cardbord paper, a little foil and some paint to create a surreal cartoon hand.
How To: Dress up a boring pair of shoes with cute bows
You can use this tutorial to decorate any plain or boring pair of shoes in your closet. The easiest way is to make a pair of cute bows from ribbon matching the color of your shoes, and attach them to the toes.
How To: Draw manga shoes from a side angle
In these great videos you'll learn how to draw each shoe from a 3/4 view. This is a pretty tough style, and Koizu takes his time, showing you the exact steps you need to take to getting the right look, also his voice reminds me of that one "happy clouds" guy. You know the one!
How To: Craft a woven wallet from duct tape
Hold your moolah in style using this duct tape wallet. Leave your friends with their Dior clutches and fancy business wallets - this duct tape wallet is SO much cooler! Featuring a woven pattern, you can weave two duct tapes in whatever colors suit your fancy.
How To: Draw a large room with sectioned off spaces
When vanishing point perspective was first discovered in the early Renaissance, artists were astounded by how the draftsman tool was able to transform a flat, 2D space (that until then always looked like a flat, 2D space without perspective) into a believable 3D image. We've been using vanishing point perspective ever since, and architects would die without it.
How To: Draw an entryway space using complex space
If you need to refine your building draftsmanship for architecture school or simply because you enjoy the streamlined aesthetics of modern architecture, then this tutorial is a perfect way to practice and hone the art of architectural drawing.
How To: Make a statement piece necklace from old zippers
Back to school is the best time of the year to flaunt new clothing and accessories you scored during the summer. But since so many of us shop at the same places these days (come on, when was the last time you visited Target?), it's very likely you'll end up with a dress or necklace that someone else already has.
How To: Craft your own bokeh lens
A bokeh lens gives a soft and unique lighting style, and can be created at home. This photography lesson teaches you how to use paper and tape on an aperture camera lens to craft your own. Improve your art with this DIY construction tip!
How To: Upcycle old wine corks into a cork board
Do you find that there's no better way to unwind from a long, hectic day than to put on Joni Mitchell, kick off your heels, and pour yourself a glass of Chardonnay? If so, then you more likely than not have an assortment of wine corks from wine bottles you've inhaled.
HowTo: Capture Monster Waves on Camera
Waves are like clouds. Perpetually calming, they possess a serene beauty that never grows old. It's no wonder humans capture the planet's daily natural wonders over and over again. Armed with a camera, they just can't resist the classic postcard shot: Sunrise. Sunset. Clouds. Mountains. Beaches. Waves.
How To: Make cute and girly duct tape bows
We've seen lots of funky duct tape projects, from duct tape prom dresses to duct tape wallets. But this duct tape project is without a doubt the girliest and cutest we've laid our eyes on.
How To: Draw a city full of skyscrapers and tall buildings
Maybe it's just us, but this city reminds us a lot of the dreamscape Parisian city from Cristopher Nolan's mind heist movie "Inception," aside from the whole city folding back over itself thing and whatnot.
How To: Create realistic looking drawings and paintings
Merrill offers up some of this best tips for making your works of art more realistic. There's three very important strategies for improving your the lifelike quality of your drawings and paintings, and in this video, he demonstrates them for you.
How To: Fix mistakes while oil painting a colored portrait
Have you ever screwed up a painting before? Beyond repair? Well, it might be able to be saved after all, at least, thanks to these tips from Merrill Kazanjian.
How To: Trace a picture accurately of an apartment complex
Imitation is the best form of flattery, right? In the case of this picture of a roadside apartment complex, imitation will help you learn about perspective and vanishing points, and how architectural features align with these two drawing caveats to create a realistic picture.
How To: Draw a large truck under a bridge with shading
Sometimes the most common, everyday subjects are also the best for practicing basic drawing methods like drafting and shading and contouring. Just take the truck, people, bridge, and garden in this drawing tutorial, for instance.
How To: Make a pretty layered necklace using an old, unwanted t-shirt
Statement pieces are all the rage this fall, with big, chunky necklaces and vibrant floral neck wraps taking center stage as clothes take a backseat. If you want to get in on this trend without looking a bit too haute couture (AKA too like a clown) for school or work, check out this DIY tutorial for making a pretty layered necklace using an old t-shirt.
How To: Make a duct tape checkerboard/chessboard easily
Think you still need to purchase all your games at the store? If you have two differently colored duct tapes, then you can actually craft your own chessboard or checkerboard easily.
How To: Draw a buxom Frank Frazetta style vampirella
Illustrator Frank Frazetta knew women. At least, he knew what men desired in the "perfect" woman physically: Sumptuous curves that made men weak in the knees with a single shake, deep-set eyes, and bombshell assets.
How To: Draw illusionistic stairway steps with balls
Perhaps one of the most difficult technical challenges of drawing is creating illusionistic images, mazes, or steps. Like in the movie "Inception," illusionistic spaces involve a dream-like atmosphere and paradoxes in structure, like a neverending staircase. If you're interested in stretching the limits of your mind, go see "Inception." Just kidding. Do go see it, but also check out this drawing tutorial.
How To: Draw Captain America with correct anatomy and contouring
Now that the "Avengers" movie and the "Captain America" movie starring Chris Evans have been confirmed, fanboy hype about Marvel heroes has officially reached fever pitch. Though shooting for "Captain America" has just begun, pictures of Evans wearing his Captain American costume have surfaced, showing a very body contouring costume and a very fit Evans.
How To: Draw a realistic male manga face in profile
If you excel at drawing faces directly facing the front but can't seem to wrap your mind - and finger - around turning that face to the side and performing a profile sketch, then you're not alone. Adjusting a face to the side adds another dimension of facial contouring and structure.