Flower Painting Ideas

Flowers are very attractive subject matter especially for those artists who really love any species of it. Despite the range of flowers that exist in nature, this project should not be off-putting. Flowers can be broken down into its important parts to help you with your drawing and painting.

Sketching the Flower

In sketching, you can either use a real flower or a photograph of it. Tulips work well as a simple flower subject. First, put the flower in a vase to keep it steady. Using your pencil, sketch the flower, following the gentle curve of the stem. Continue until you are satisfied with the sketch of the stem. Then start sketching the inner most flower petals, use dotted lines to reflect where the petals overlap one another. Start from the center and move outward. Once you feel satisfied with the arrangements of the petals, you can then erase the dotted lines. Don’t forget to sketch the pistils and stamen if they peek through the top of the petals.

Painting the Petals

Try to observe carefully the shadows and how they appear on the flower. This affects the color temperature of the flower, making the flower look more lifelike. The warmer the temperature, the lighter the shade of the color and the cooler its hues the darker the shade will be. Using pictures is helpful in this because the light can change the shadows on the flower before you have completed the painting.

To start with, use a heavy cartridge of paper. Then make an underwash for the flower. Underwash is a universal color that seems to lie beneath the whole flower and will be the flower’s lightest hue. This remove the white of the paper and gives a good contrast to the color temperatures you will apply to the petals. Use a watercolor underwash and an acrylic paint as the surface paint. Coat the colors on the flower in stages, depicting the various color temperatures. Build the colors on top of the underwash, keeping an eye out for the variation in color temperatures. When creating brush strokes, always remember that there are color lines in the center of the flower that pull outward toward the ends of the petals.

Painting the Leaves and the Stem

You can use the method above regarding the underwash and color temperature for the leaves and stem of the flower. Take note that the most distinguished aspect of the leaf is its vein structure and how the light and shadows reflects off of the leaf. When sketching the leaf, make a general outline of the leaf, applying the details later when you start to paint the leaf.

The key to achieve a successful floral painting is to paint in stages, building color around the light and shadows on the leaf and adding vein detail after you have accurately reflected the color temperatures on the leaf.

Truly, floral paintings are good for wall decorations either at home or in your work. Another genre of paintings that can also add and intensify your room’s personality is abstract art paintings. Abstract art are perfect for those people who love to exercise their mind and imagination. Buy abstract art now on a gallery or on line!



Abstract Canvas Painting Tips

I know every artist wants to create the best and unique artwork. This goal is of course difficult to obtain if you are a beginner. Here are some tips to help you with:

Colors

Every artist has its preference towards a particular color. He/she will then try to include this color in each of his/her artwork. You may love to use this color the most or even might not mind using only this favorite color over a canvas. Either way, what most important thing you should always remember to mix proper and appropriate colors. If you want your painting to become loud and energetic, I then suggest that you use colors with bright colors and you like the opposite of it, try using subtle colors!

 

Brushes

It doesn’t matter how many brushes you use to create your art piece. The truth is you can keep them aside and try using some other tools. Try painting knife or a pallet knife instead or if you also like, use your nails or needles.

 

Camera

You can use this to capture your favorite things. After capturing, you may want to transfer these photos into paintings.
Left over colors

Most of the time, a considerate amount of hues remain after the painting session. You can put them in small empty containers and seal them properly. Instead of sealing them with a lid, you can use some good cling wrap. You can also draw a small stroke from the same color over the container to serve as your mark of what color that container has.

 

Glass Palette

Place this over a clean white paper which acts like a neutral background, and use it as a palette. Make sure that the glass is as thick as your standard windowpane. By suing these you can clearly see colors as you go mixing them over the glass pane.

 

Using alternatives in your regular art is a great abstract painting ideas. With the tips above, you can produce a new and unique abstract art canvas. Wherever you go shopping, traveling, partying, or even during work, spend time to look around you and experiment things that you could easily transfer to your canvas. Try adding some fun to your abstract art painting by experimenting with the unusual things and you will have an amazing painting ready on your canvas!

Do It Yourself Glass Panting

Surely, when paint is put into glass, it will create an amazing work of art. This art is now becoming so popular because aside from collecting them, they are a perfect choice for your home decoration. As a matter of fact anyone could actually do it. Since this is not that difficult to do, you can come out to a beautiful painting on a glass a day.

With glass painting you need to have with you some paints, clean piece of glass, glass liners, paint brushes, nail polish remover and a soft piece of cloth. You can buy these materials in a set, so no need to worry. You can purchase these kits in the market. Of course, you will also need your creativity and a little bit of patience. Before you start you will also need to choose regarding the colors you will use. If you are a beginner, I suggest you use a water-based color, which is also included in the beginner’s kit.

How to make your own glass painting?

1. So, you have all with you the materials needed for glass painting, next thing you should do is to clean the glass till the surface become smooth.
2. If you choose to not oven cure it, and then you need to have a somewhat rough surface. Firing it in an oven will let the oil paints dry and stick better or else paints will peel or become crack. You can also rough up the surface with wet or dry sandpaper. This way the paint will stick better and last longer.
3. I suggest that you choose a pattern that has clear outlines with less possible curves and pointed corners.
4. Trace the pattern on a piece of paper that has an exact size as the glass. Your pattern should be drawn exactly at the center with at least 1 or ½ inches margin on all sides.
5. Remain the glass on the patterned paper. Make sure it aligns correctly.
6. Using the glass liner, make some outlines of the pattern on the glass. To make it more visible, I recommend you use a black glass liner. The use of this border lines is to hole the wet colors in their place and avoid the paint from spilling.
7. Be careful not to mess up the pattern! In case you mess it up, clean the smudged part with cotton-wool that has an ample amount of nail polish remover then wipe it with a piece of cloth.
8. Let the pattern dry. Usually, it takes 2 to 5 hours to get it completely dry. You might also want to use a blow dryer to quicken the process.
9. After drying, you can now apply the colors to fill the patterns in a same manner of stoking. Get enough amount of paint and don’t let it spill. Any part that is not painted can be seen from the reverse side by lifting up the glass. Remember not to lift the glass in a vertical position or else it will drip off the colors.
10. You may encounter bubbles in applying your colors, if such thing happen, pierce it with a needle or a pin or gently brush them towards the outlines so they will be out of the boarders and then you can wipe them with the nail polish remover.
11. Do not double the coat of the paint in any portion of the patter.
12. Leave it for at least 24 hours, and let it dry completely.
13. After doing so, place it in an oven. Set the temperature to 160 degree C or 325F. When the temperature finally reach 160 deg C, time it for 40 minutes then switch off the oven and allow it to cool. Then remove the glass painting inside the oven.
14. If you do want to fire it in the oven, you can just let it dry in an open air.
15. You may also put you glass painting some beads, glitter, and sequins right after applying the paint, before it dries.

This technique can also be use to decorate and make a painted stain glass window or mirror.

You may also consider any modern art to decorate your home like abstract art. You can buy abstract paintings online or visit abstract gallery. Perhaps you can also see some glass paintings for our home.

Painting on Walls

Are you thinking of how you can make your room beautiful? If you do, you better start off with the painting on your wall as it is cheapest way to beautify your room. You can find different kinds of paint that can satisfy different decorating needs. The challenge only starts when it is time for you to choose which color you should use for your wall and what kind of material will you utilize for finishing.

The paint commonly chosen for painting of ceiling walls or for other intended applications is the Emulsion paint. This is so because such type of paint works very well on walls as well as ceiling as they can be applied easily as compared to other paints plus they get to last longer in terms of their color grip as well as their durability. They also have this super stretch performance that allows the paint to cover tiny cracks so that your wall will be protected and become more beautiful. Emulsion paint, with its high performance, can likewise work on metal as well as wooden surfaces. This is so because it is water-base in nature plus it is 100% acrylic based. More benefits of such paint include easy drying, easy to clean brush, easy to apply, washable, durable, plus it is not smelly. Thus, even if you have just painted the wall, you can already move in on that same day.

If you have a soft textured wall, it is ideal to make use of the coating on modern emulsion as it can produce metallic appearances effect. Even in your bathroom wall, this type of paint which is comprised of fungus resistant can be applied. You can mostly find the color selection of emulsion paint on vinyl silk and vinyl matte types. Aside from these vinyl types, there is also non vinyl selection of emulsion paint out there. If the houses to be painted are historical or ancient, these non vinyl types are the ones that are commonly used. Why so? This is so because it has a soft ancient looking effect with a bit chalky. Although making use of one layer emulsion paint usually creates a more extra coating power and it is more time saving, it still comes with poor color selection.

Thus, before you begin with your house painting, you must be aware of the amount of paint necessary to cover the intended area. Such amount would be based on the surface dimension as well as the number of layers necessary during paint process. The amount of paint necessary is pretty much affected by the wall texture and color.

Again, the number of layers that is necessary needed to cover the wall depends on the texture of the wall, color, as well as the paint quality. Bear in mind that more paint is necessary if you are to cover up a dark color wall. As for walls that are textural or that have just finished plaster, the amount of paint that you are to use would be twice the original. If you want to attain amazing result, it is necessary that you apply two to three thin layers. If you do otherwise and that is placing one thick layer, the result would not be perfect. Once you are starting to run out of paint, you should end the process of painting at the very wall corner so that you will avoid unbalance color and avoid starting over from the middle part of the ceiling or wall. Another thing to bear in mind is the application of white color based at first if you have the intention to change the color. Make use of cheaper paint in doing so.

Isn’t wall painting interesting? Once you are satisfied with your wall, then add some complements that abstract art paintings can provide. There are lots of contemporary paintings out there that can add to the beauty of your wall. If you want your efforts to be better emphasized as also by your wall painting, you can also come up with your original abstract art. Your wall will surely end up amazingly beautiful!

No buyers for nude Madonna painting

Didn’t I just say that a nude Madonna painting has been made available for sale in an auction? Well, guess what, the oil painting that depicts Madonna in the nude with her ex-husband Guy Ritchie wasn’t able to meet the reserve price of £15,000 when it went under the hammer at the Glasgow auction.

Although there were some bids for the portrait, it was not good enough to satisfy the seller.

According to the Director at McTears Auctioneers, Brian Clements, it was surprising that the controversial Madonna and Guy piece of Peter Howson did not sell on the day.

Clements further stated: “The painting is still for sale and we would be delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in this much talked about piece of Scottish art history.”

A private collector was selling the portrait to up to £22,000.

As previously posted, this contemporary painting created in 2005. This Madonna & Guy is among the several Howson paintings of the pop icon while undressed.

Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie may have separated last year but at least they were able to contribute to the gallery paintings of Howson together.

Regarding the artist, Howson is renowned for his portrayals of Glasgow down-and-outs. He was even appointed as the official war artist for the Bosnia conflict in the early 1990s.

Among the past customers of this artist include Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

Although the painting drew a lot of interest after the couple separated last November, it just can’t be denied that it wasn’t able to drew more interest to be purchased.

Assemblage Art – Collage Creativity Amalgamated With Imagination

Have you ever heard of ‘Assemblage Art’? Well, actually, this is an art form which is similar to ‘collage making.’ Some keys to this form of art are creativity and an effective portrayal of imagination. Several dissimilar ‘found objects,’ like wood, paper, fabric, plastic, or leaves, are organized in a three-dimensional plane, according to the respective thematic fashion of a work in Assemblage art. As Donald Barthelme, the famous literary author and art admirer, have quoted, “…the principle of collage is the central principle of all art in the 20th century.”

This form of art was first seen in the works of revolutionary artists, like Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and Georges Braque (1882-1963). Picasso introduced collages through his painting, “Still Life with Chair-Caning (1911-12)” while Braque would mix sand and sawdust in order to create a new texture to paint with. ‘Assemblage Art’ officially started way back in 1950. At that time, artist Jean Dubuffet created a series of collages, “assemblages’ d’empreintes,” where he portrayed butterfly wings. Another landmark name in this field is Joseph Cornell (1903-72) His contemporary painting became known with its boxes oriented works, such as choosing a glass painted front and then placing Victorian pictures. An undertone of ‘Surrealism’ is always carried by the boxes as it never failed to convey a political or revolutionary message. It was his interactive assemblages like “Medici Slot Machine” boxes that became the exemplary of the highest order.

It was in the New York Museum of Modern Art when first ever exhibition on ‘Assemblage Art’ occurred and that was in the year 1961. Such exhibition was an instant hit. Braque, Marcel Duchamp, Dubuffet, Kurt Schwitters, Picasso, Man Ray, Robert Rauschenberg, Joseph Cornell were among the prominent artists whose works were included in the gallery paintings. Some of the main objects that were used in the exhibited works were welded materials, natural, as well as recycled products.

Another master sculptor who made use of welded and automobile wreck pieces in his works was the American artist named John Chamberlain who was born in 1927. Minoru Ohira (b. 1950), Robert H. Hudson (b. 1938), Fred H. Roster (b. 1930), Edward Kienholz [(1927-94) who is the creator of the tableaux, “the Beanery”, and Daniel Spoerri (b. 1930) who is the creator of “snare pictures” from the used food objects & utensils are among the other renowned assemblage artists. There are also female artists in this field and those who have shown high competence in ‘Assemblage Art’ are Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) and Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven. Louise American was an ‘Abstract Expressionist’ artist who was mainly admired for her exceptional employment of the used pieces of wood in her artistic composition. A 3-stories high assemblage was one of her famous works.

Owing to its usefulness, ‘Assemblage Art’ are created with manufactured, natural, waste, sand, junk beds, beaches, waste ground, including basically any tangible and usable object. It is the manifestation of the artist’s imagination that has the real essence in this art form more than the use of object. Because of the mystery and innovation of ‘Assemblage Art,’ numerous young art students were attracted. As a consequence, evolution and excellence of this art field continuously occurred just like the field of abstract art.

His Most Famous Painting – Nude Descending a Staircase, Number 2 – Marcel Duchamp

One of the most influential figure of the “Contemporary Art” is Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968). He became known for his sturdily expressed contempt for the area of conventional ‘Fine Arts.’ Also, he has, in a way, a relation to the ‘Surrealist Movement’ which is the descendant of ‘Cubism.’ What’s controversial in this artist is the fact that his methodology and themes were not well received by ‘Cubists.’ As a consequence, the ‘Dada Movement’ emerged. The most famous painting of Marcel as well as his most scandalous ‘Dadaist’ work is the “Nu descendant un escalier n° 2 (Nude Descending a Staircase, No.2)”. Such creation became a turning point of his life.

When Duchamp created the “Nude Descending a Staircase, No.2″ in 1912, he did it with great enthusiasm. This is indeed a path-breaking piece that has a measurement of 57.88″ X 35.12” oil work on canvas. If you want to see it, you will find this among the gallery paintings shown in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This is one monochromic work that mainly contains yellow and its shades. It can be said that this is a quiet ‘Cubist’ painting as shown by its geometric representation rather than figurative. It is the spirit of ‘Futuristic Art’ infused in it that makes it unique. This is an original painting that hardly contains some background. Instead, the background shows the allusion to the dark ‘staircase.’ Marcel didn’t embody sensuality but embodied around twenty or so images of a mechanically structured figure. These images or figures were arranged in a sequence over the ‘staircase.’

As regards the ‘Cubist’ style, you can easily distinguish structurally the bright figure, silhouetted against a dark background if it is either a male or female. The sequence of images conveys the how the figure changes postures while it descends the staircase. This is a concept which is almost similar to the composition of a stroboscopic motion picture where there is a sequence of stills. The “Nude Descending a Staircase, No.2” is indeed the outcome of intense observation and diligence. An element of raw force of energy and futuristic vision are both carried.

In 1912, when it this revolutionary ‘Futurism’ and unorthodox methodology had its debut show at the Paris Salon des Indépendants, a lot of opposition and negative reviews came out. One more reason why this creation had a poor response and why it was eventually rejected was the backdrop of the covert, contemptuous emotions behind this work. Despite being annoyed, Duchamp chose to re-present the painting at the International Exhibition of Modern Art in 1913. Just like its debut show, it again received criticism due to the common belief that it was only a mere caricature of the much-revered subject of nudity that lacked artistic aesthetics.

Even if the painting was either loved or hated, the “Nude Descending a Staircase, No.2” never lost its public attention. In fact, it turned out to be a topic of lots of American parodies, including books, musicals, and paintings. “When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.” Such statement of William Hazlitt is indeed remarkably justified by the history.

Techniques of a Canadian Artist-Abstract Painter

When an artist works on an abstract art, it gives him more freedom in conveying his thoughts. In addition, he is also given the choice to remain exploratory and energetic at all times. He can work hard, with a consistent sense for color and design as he continues in trying out new techniques. When you create an art, you begin by looking for an apparently unlimited variety of supplies, from pastels, oil and acrylics to a huge selection of paper types and dimensions. One important source of inspiration is the medium. When one is looking for an art material, he carries it out with anticipation and excitement plus he carries it over into the initial stage of painting. In the creation of abstract art paintings, the subject is not premeditated.

There is a need for the artist to entirely concentrate and focus without anything or anyone distracting him. If he wants to return, he can’t as such option does not exist. If something has already been created, it is already irreversible. Courage is necessary in this method of working as there is nowhere to hide. Once done, everything is instant and final. Whatever color, line, composition and intuition that have been created at that moment in time, it will control the next move until the artwork has been completed. What forces the artist to remain honest is speed as he has no time to contemplate. As a consequence, a true “instant” and an almost imperceptible space of time are captured by the contemporary painting.

Art is primarily considered as technique comes second. Nonetheless, technique is the artist’s most powerful tool. If you observe an abstract artist’s studio, you would notice that it looks more like a laboratory or research facility. Also, the paintbrush is another most important tool. The problem in some of the work sometimes lies in the artist’s difficulty in finding a single brush stroke. Compelling adjoining paints to flow into each other resulting to a stunning painting while reminding of geological formations is one method of abstract art painting.

What is vital in the art is the research for new techniques, the curiosity to discover as well as to evoke new sensations. Huge attention is provided to the applying, moving including the mixing of paints. Once a new method becomes a particular interest, it will surely be followed up and continued to be explored. In fact, such search even extends far beyond the usual oil paints, water-based paints or acrylics.

There are times when the artist makes use of such materials in modelling compound or polymers including a selection of tools, as scrapers, sloped surfaces and wooden boards. The paint quantity can be possibly generous while the process is fast and energetic at all times. Also, there is a possibility that chemical compatibility and viscosity, or the lack of it including the manner to move the paint will appear within the same artwork.

Artifact

This is the large abstract art painting “Artifact” by Michael Leen. The abstract painting was created with oils and mixed media on stretched canvas and ships framed and ready to hang.

This painting is an ORIGINAL art painting by Michael Leen and not a print of any kind. The artwork comes with a NFAR certificate of authenticity upon request.

FREE SHIPPING!

Dimensions:	36″ x 24″ x 1 3/8″
Support:	Stretched on wood stretcher bars
Material:	Oil on Canvas
Framing:	Choice of black or blonde wood frame
Stock ID:	749

Passages

This is the large abstract art painting “Passages” by Jason York. The abstract painting was created with oils and mixed media on stretched canvas and ships framed and ready to hang.

This painting is an ORIGINAL art painting by Jason York and not a print of any kind. The artwork comes with a NFAR certificate of authenticity upon request.

FREE SHIPPING!

Dimensions:	24″ x 36″ x 1 3/8″
Support:	Stretched on wood stretcher bars
Material:	Oil on Canvas
Framing:	Choice of black or blonde wood frame
Stock ID:	888