Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Painting - A Beautiful Way of Art

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Divya_Agg]Divya Agg
Henry Ward once said, "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." A painting is the artistic expression of a painter. Since the existence of the nomads to the present times, painting has been the most prominent part of the evolution of the mankind.
Today the magnitude of paintings has amplified to a massive extent. Painters Famous M.F Husain, Pablo Picasso, Gemini R Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Leonardo Da Vinci works are famous world-wide and appreciated. Now the work of famous painters is displayed in art exhibitions and their work is sold in millions of dollars. It seems like the craze of painting is never going to end. Over the years we have seen a great variety in the form of painting.
Reverse Glass Paintings
Reverse glass painting is an art of applying paint on a piece of glass and viewing the image by turning the glass and looking through the glass at the image. It is very creative and great fun to ooze out the creative instincts.
Madhubani Painting
It is a traditional folk art form which has succeeded in creating a place for itself in the internationally. It is an expression of day-to-day experiences and beliefs and is created with the beautiful treatment of color. The themes of daily activities, nature, flora and fauna and Hindu Gods are the most prominent. Madhubani painting is characterized by the vibrant and bold use of colors and traditional geometric patterns that supports the main theme, double line border, ornate floral patterns, abstract-like figures of deities and bulging eyes and a jolting nose of the faces of the figures.

Miniature Paintings

Miniature painting is a wall sized work, painted on the smooth surface. It is a traditional style of art that is very detailed and also referred to as "in miniature". It depicts the beautiful images inspired and taken from the Hindu epics and mythologies, Hindu deities, God and Goddesses and royal court scenes. It is depicted on pieces of glass, paper, silk and leather, and is appreciated for the magnificent display of rich colors and dazzling effects.

Patchitra Folk Art Paintings
It is a hereditary art, practiced by the family of the painters customarily living in the surrounding areas of the Jagannath temple and belongs to the state of Orissa in India. The paintings of Patchitra are characterized with the application of gallant outline and gleaming presentation of colors.

Thangka Paintings
Thangka Paintings are popular Tibetan paintings also known as 'Tanka', 'Thanka' or 'Tangka'. It heavily draws its inspiration heavenly from Nepalese, Chinese and Kashmiri styles. Thangka Paintings are painted Buddhist banner that can be hung in a monastery or a family altar. The most common shape of a Thangka is the upright rectangular form. A Thangka is more than just a painting. It is an object of devotion, an aid to spiritual practice, and a bringer of blessings. Hanging a Thangka painting is considered auspicious and brings blessings on the household and serves as a constant reminder of the Buddha's teachings of compassion, kindness and wisdom.

Warli Paintings
The word "Warli" come from the word "warla" which means the piece of land. Warli is the name of the biggest tribe found on the Northern outskirts of Mumbai. Warli Paintings originated in Maharashtra. Its tradition goes back to 2500 or 3000 BC. It is a rudimentary wall painting that uses a very basic graphic vocabulary like a circle, a triangle and a square. The circle represents the sun and the moon; and the triangle derived from mountains and pointed trees. The central motif in the Warli ritual paintings usually have male gods and scenes portraying hunting, fishing and farming, festivals and dances, trees and animals.
Face Painting
It is an integral part of the Indian culture that began thousands of years ago by the Indian tribes who used different face painting designs and techniques to identify their status, culture and tribe. Colors used for are as red clays, blue dyes from berries, clay, charcoal, roots, berries, tree bark, colored clay and other natural pigments. Interestingly it has evolved as a fun activity that is used all over the world.
For more information on various types of paintings, we invite you to visit our website ethnicpaintngs.com. The article has been written by Divya, an expert author at ethnicpaintings.com
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Japanese Animation Art

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu]Peter Gitundu
Japanese animation has become the big thing in the cartoon industry. Many people are turning to animes as favorite cartoon series more and more each day. There are very little boundaries put on these kinds of cartoons. This is because the creators have broad minds and fantasy, fiction, facts, sci fi and much more is in their grasp.
Dated as far back as 1917, Japanese animation has grown to become a world wide sensation. It has gotten thousands of fans world wide and it is still growing. Known as anime now, form of animation brings to life creativity that had never been seen before. The anime selling point is that the cartoon series characters usually look like westerners but they speak in Japanese and the subtitles are in English, however you will find that there are some anime cartoons that are purely in spoken English.
The storyline of these Japanese animations are also another feature that has drawn thousands. Many of them are usually based in early Japan, when the country had villages and wars were fought. You will however find that the time might be during the olden times but you will find that modern things come in to play such as sunglasses, mobile phones and watches.
These animations are filled with vibrant colors and most of them you will find are a lot like fantasy. You will find that fantasy plays a big role in many of these cartoon animations because most of the characters will either have some sort of power or look like some sort of animal. They might have a human body but their heads will either look like for elves and maybe they will have teeth like for animals and a tail as well. Get these animations and enjoy the fantasy!
Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Anime. For More Information on Japanese Animation, Visit His Site at [http://www.merpetsales.com/anime/Japanese-Animation.php]JAPANESE ANIMATION. You Can Also Post Your Views About Japanese Animation On My Blog Here [http://merpetsales.com/2008/03/26/how-to-explain-the-sensitive-issues-happening-around-us-with-japanese-animation/]JAPANESE ANIMATION
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Origami As An Art of Paper Folding

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann]David Urmann

Origami started in the 17th century in Japan. It makes geometric folds on a piece of paper to make different objects. It basically uses small folding patterns.
In the earlier Japanese days, origami was given as gifts or good luck tokens in ceremonies. Origami has come a very long way since this then. It is now considered an international art. And a million different patterns have already been created throughout the world.
Origami is like practical geometry, with paper as the basic material. Any parallel material can be used for folding. A normal paper for simple folds can weigh 70-90 g/m² or 19 to 24 pounds. Heavy paper of 100g/m² can be wet-folded. The technique allows a rounded sculpting of its replica which becomes firm when dried.
There is a Japanese paper called kami which is lighter than a copy paper. It is sold in prepackaged sizes of squares that range from 2.5 centimeters to 25 cm. The two sides have white and colored versions that can be used for changing model colors.
A foil-backed paper is another option. It is a thin sheet foil glued to a thin sheet of paper just like a tissue foil in the market. It should be handmade to make it suitable for complex models.
Washi is another kind of paper in Japan used for origami. It is tougher than an ordinary paper. Washi is made from gampi tree wood pulp used in traditional arts.
Another strong paper used in insect models is the artisan paper such as lokta, kozo, unryu, hanji and saa. They have thin long fibers and often back-coated with methylcellulose (wheat paste) before folding.
Paper money is also a popular material in making origami. It is commonly called moneygami. Some prefer to use folding bone like nails to aid with creasing and sharpening the edges while folding.
The most well known form of origami is the paper crane. It begins with a square sheet of paper with different colors on the sides. You can also make a finger ring, shirt and a dime from a paper bill. Children like to create origami animals like a snake, rabbit, frog and a dog face.
Origami covers moving objects also. Action origami can be moved in smart ways. It requires inflation to fly and uses hand kinetic energy to move. Japanese flapping bird was the first action origami that appeared.
To get you started, start with a square sheet of paper. It varies from one project to another. You can make your own sheet of paper or buy sheets at the craft stores. Origami paper is much expensive but will produce better results. If you are using non-origami paper, make sure it is crisp to avoid tearing.
Get clear instruction, one easy for you to understand. Start with simple projects, then work your way up to more complex designs.
Know the basic kinds of folding. It is the basis of even the most complex designs you will encounter. You may not be able to get it in your first try, but be patient. With continued practice, you will become more familiar with the basic folds.
Origami is requires patience, creativity and imagination.
For more information on [http://www.craft-ideas.org/easter.html]Craft ideas for Easter and [http://www.craft-ideas.org/christmas.html]Christmas craft ideas please visit our website.
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Photography Lenses and the Art of Photography

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_M_Paul]Rachel M Paul

Photography lenses are the key elements in photography. The quality of an image is mainly determined by the lens being used. If you are interested in photography, you should understand the various types of lenses used in photography. Once you have your basics right, you can begin your photography experiments.
The most common photography lenses used are the Wide Angle, Normal and Telephoto. These lenses are defined according to their focal length, which determines the amount of magnification and angle of view a lens can see.
Wide Angle Lenses
A Wide Angle lens has a small magnification and a wide angle view. Lenses with 20mm to 35mm are called Wide Angle lenses. These lenses are the preferred choice when it comes to photographing landscapes, sweeping panoramas and other outdoor scenes. They are also good for group shots. These lenses offer deep depth of field, thereby making constant refocusing less important. This is why they are usually used in photojournalism, in which a subject is frequently moving.
Normal Lenses
Traditional or Normal lenses consist of 50mm focal length. They offer an angle view close to the human eye. These are the standard lenses that are supplied with an SLR.
Telephoto Lenses
Telephoto lenses offer high magnification and narrow angle view. Anything with a focal length of above 135mm is referred to as a telephoto lens. These lenses are used in sports, nature, and documentary style photography.
There is another type of photography lens which is known as Medium Telephoto lens. These lenses have a focal length of 85-135mm. They are perfect for portraits and that is why they are usually used in portrait studio photography. These lenses are able to isolate the subject from the background. Studio photographers use the increased focal length to slightly flatten the image and give it a more natural and flattering perspective.
One thing that becomes clear here is that you simply cannot use a single type of lens for all sorts of photography. For instance, studio photography is very different from wildlife or outdoor photography. Telephoto photography lenses are best suited for wildlife photography, while Medium Telephoto lenses work great for family or kid portraits.
Practicing
Once we have the basic knowledge about various lenses, we can begin honing our photography skills. The best thing to do is start taking pictures of your family. Good family photographers are always ready and are able to anticipate a photographic opportunity. Do not let the subjects know that you are taking pictures because that way you will get natural images. Plus if you set the aperture setting pretty low to narrow the depth of the field you can get some really cool images.
Tips
Another great way to practice your photography skills is to create children's portraits. In fact, kid photography is a very rewarding experience. It is all about being quick and understanding the psychology of the kids. Here are few tips to help you get great pictures.
-Get the kids interested in the settings. Let them explore the surroundings. That way you will get natural pictures.-Choose the location very carefully. Beach, park, or a bridge over a creek offer a natural setting in which the kids can be kids. Moreover, you get an awesome background.-Be quick because you never know when you can get that magic moment.-You have to be patient because it might take some time to get the right pictures.-Choose your lenses and equipments wisely.
With the right photography lenses and knowledge you can get some amazing shots of whatever that you are trying to take pictures of.
For more expert tips and advice on photography lenses and taking fantastic photos, visit us at http://www.photographynotes.com
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Glass Mosaic Tile Art - How to Make a Permanent Signature on Glass

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bill_Enslen]Bill Enslen
Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how.
Ever wonder how to sign your indoor glass mosaics so the signature won't rub or wear off? Nothing seems to stick permanently to glass. Permanent marker isn't permanent. Acrylic and enamel paint rub, chip, or flake off. Nothing works!
Until recently, I signed my indoor glass mosaics with enamel paint. I covered the entire mosaic (except the signature) with old rags and towels, and then lightly sprayed on two light coats of clear acrylic sealer to protect the paint. That method works okay, but it doesn't seem to be as permanent as my new idea.
I had an epiphany a while ago and I've been signing all my indoor glass mosaics with this method ever since. Try it and see how it works for you. Use this method only for indoor mosaics. Do not use this method for outdoor mosaics or mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e.g., a sauna or shower area).
CAUTION: Try this method on a piece of scrap glass before trying it on your mosaic art. Trying it on scrap glass first will let you know if this is how you actually want to sign your mosaic art. It will also give you practice before doing it on your mosaic art.
Using a fine-tip permanent marker, sign your name on the glass. I usually put my signature on the bottom-right corner of my indoor mosaics. Put yours where you like it best. I find a piece of tessera big enough to hold my entire signature so I don't have to write on any grout lines. If I have to write small to fit it on a single piece of tessera so I don't cross any grout lines, then I write small.
Lay your indoor mosaic art on a flat surface. Do this so the wet glue won't run or drip. If your mosaic is flat, the glue is thick enough so it stays where you apply it (i.e., it won't run or drip). With your indoor mosaic lying flat, carefully apply plain white Elmer's Glue-All over your entire signature. Don't touch the tip of the glue bottle to the signature or the ink might smudge. Slowly squeeze out enough white Elmer's Glue-All to cover the entire signature. (White Elmer's Glue-All is the stuff we all went to school with. I can usually buy a big 7.625-oz bottle at Walmart for about $1.50.)
Allow the glue to thoroughly dry overnight. White Elmer's Glue-All dries clear. When wet, the glue doesn't absorb or blur the ink. Instead, the ink stays intact and the signature looks good after the glue is dry and clear. The glass color also shows through so the glue doesn't affect the mosaic's appearance. The ink is entombed in the glue and the glue provides strong, permanent protection for my signature on my indoor mosaics.
Don't try to get cute by using a cotton swab or other tool to spread out the glue evenly. While trying to spread out the wet glue, if you press just a hair too hard and touch the ink, it will smudge. If you leave the ink alone, it won't smudge or blur, but it will with the slightest touch. Therefore, I suggest that you don't try to even out the glue lines. Instead, hold the tip of the glue bottle close to the glass and carefully squeeze out the glue. The edges will look a bit ragged (i.e., not perfectly straight and square with each other). In my opinion, that's okay, they don't need to be perfectly smooth, straight, and at perfect angles with each other. When the glue is dry and clear, I don't notice the raggedness unless my nose is right up to the mosaic.
As noted, don't use this method for outdoor mosaics or for mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e.g., a sauna or shower area).
This process is explained on my website for free with lots of pictures, so if you don't quite understand it, go to my website and look at the pictures. Try this method on a piece of scrap glass and see if you like it. If you do, then you'll know a neat trick that allows you to sign your indoor mosaic art masterpieces and be comfortable that your signature won't rub or wear off over time.
Remember, making mosaic art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!
Bill Enslen has created lovely [http://www.glassmosaictileart.com/]mosaic art for 30 years. Please visit his website at [http://www.glassmosaictileart.com/]Glass Mosaic Tile Art. While browsing his mosaic gallery, you may think, "I wish I could do that." Well, you can! It's easy, fun, and you don't even have to be artsy. Have you ever read a mosaic book or website and thought, "Okay, so now what?" or "How in the world am I supposed to do that?" or "What does that mean?" You're not alone. To solve this dilemma, Bill wrote a new eBook, Mosaic Pieces: Essentials for Beginner and Professional Mosaic Artists. It gives you step-by-step details for creating your own mosaic masterpieces. It's jam-packed with color photographs and illustrations that make the process extremely easy to understand. Visit his website and read the free sample chapters. Let him show you just how easy it is. With Bill's help, you can do it. Yes, you can!
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Met Art Photography

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu]Peter Gitundu

As diverse as cultures and people of the world are, so are types of photography. Different from aerial, glamour kirlian and classical photography, Met art photography is a special category of photography that entails taking photographs of nude teens. This category provides the world with the most comprehensive collection of pictures.
Kindly note that this photography is purely artistic and has nothing to do with pornography.In any case the description of these pictures by many people who view them is 'beautiful, natural and dazzling'. The intensity of the description will however depend on the extent to which the models will give a brave pose for the photo shot.
To become a member in this domain as a model you are required to pay an annual membership fee of $100 but this can be payable in installments. After registration you then become a full member on the met art photography web page. the web site is updated daily to keep you posted on the offers available which could be from professional photographers of some free lancers.
Before signing up as a member to this met art photography web site, it is only wise that you get all the necessary information of the dos and don'ts as far as the models are concerned. On the web site you will be able to download photos that appeal for you either for advertisements or so that you can be able to gather information on how you can take part in live shows with the models.
Peter Gitundu researches and reports on Photography. For More Information on Met Art Photography, Visit His Site at [http://www.merpetsales.com/photography/Met-Art-Photography.php]MET ART PHOTOGRAPHY You Can Also Post Your Views About Met Art Photography On My Blog Here [http://merpetsales.com/2008/10/11/depth-of-field-in-photography/]MET ART PHOTOGRAPHY.
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What Art Therapy is and How it Can Be Used
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_Ream]Anne Ream
Art therapy is a clinical mental/emotional health expressive therapy. It is a highly evocative method of communicating feelings, thoughts, and needs. Because our primary communications (kinesthetic, aural and visual) occur or a preverbal level, expressive therapies can be more powerful than verbal therapy alone. This is especially true concerning feelings that render an individual more vulnerable. Therefore an art therapist must have a high degree of sensitivity and empathic ability.
Art therapy is NOT about being able to draw. It is about using art supplies to enhance verbal therapy. During an art therapy session individuals use a variety of art supplies (including collage, clay, mask making, sculpture) to illustrate their thoughts and feelings regarding an issue, as they talk about it.
Art therapy is NOT about the therapist reading or interpreting a person's artwork. The person who created the artwork does any interpretation.
Art therapy helps individuals work through their experiences on many levels. Creating a piece of art about an experience requires people to think and feel, deeply, about the experience. As they do this they transform raw experience into symbolic forms.
Symbols help people define themselves. They belong to us only when we define them. It is vital that individuals have the freedom to define themselves by defining their own symbols and perception of reality. Self-definition is part of recovery from many problems.
By making a symbolic map of an event individuals recognize different aspects and perspectives of it. Symbolizing the event allows individuals to look at it from a distance, making it easier to gain a degree of resolution. The persons concerns are talked about, as they are present in the artwork, not the self, providing a safe distance for the individual. Thoughts and feelings about the event become more manageable. The making of art that deals with difficult life experiences gives people an opportunity to gain mastery over that experience.
Metaphors also increase self-definition. When individuals illustrate their, "Current Mood as a Landscape", with guidance from the therapist, they create their own metaphor and increase self-awareness, which promotes healthy maturation.
As individuals illustrate an event or memory, they use imagination and the creative process to do so. While doing this people recognize the creative process they have as a strength. Using creative and imaginative powers in therapy helps people re-energize them and learn how to use them as coping skills. Being creative is closely aligned with good health.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) requires its art therapists to have a master's degree from an approved university. During the clinical education students learn how to use a variety of different therapeutic (cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, etc.) approaches with art therapy.
"I am an artist at living, my life is my work of art" Suzuki
Anne is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. Anne has been studying human development and relationships for over 45 years. She has been successfully working with families, in various capacities, for over 20 years. Her private practice is in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia PA. She specializes in helping people recover from various types of trauma, difficult changes and loss. Anne has an unusual ability to connect with children and adolescents, along with their parents. Parenting is the most important job we ever do, yet no one shows us how to do it or gives us the support we need. Anne has successfully coached many parents through a variety of critical stages in their children's lives. Anne's greatest joy is helping people understand themselves and each other. http://www.annescreativetherapy.com
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