By Brad A Hall

So you’ve been given the task of decorating a new home or remodeling your existing home and you wonder where to start when choosing colors.

Maybe you’ve had a chance to decide on the type of furniture as it pertains to the general function of each individual room but you need help on choosing a color scheme. Maybe this is something you’ve never done before and you find it to be a bit overwhelming. One thing I have learned is there is a fine line between an exciting room and a room full of warmth and color and a room that just doesn’t flow.

Getting yourself started on the right foot by picking the right color scheme is the place to start. First of all, there are some basics you need to understand. Are your colors going to be warm or cool? Are you going for the dramatic or the neutral? What about textures?

Understanding the Color Wheel

One resource you want to check out is a color palette that can be found on a color wheel. No some color wheels come in complex versions, some come in simple versions. Bottom line, if you understand the functionality of the wheel, a simple wheel will work perfectly. I have included a color wheel below but you may want to go down to your local art store to pick up one you can use in person.

Color pallets in a diagram form have been used since 1666 when Sir Isaac Newton first developed the basic color wheel.

First, you need to understand the three Primary Colors. You may remember this from art class in school. These are the three starting colors that all other colors or hues are formed from by mixing different amounts of each of the Primary Colors. These Primary Colors are Red, Yellow and Blue.

In Color Theory, by mixing equal amounts of each Primary Color, you form what is called Secondary Colors. This doubles the number of colors on this more complex wheel to six colors. You have now added Green, Orange and Purple. Are you starting to notice colors that seem to work well together on the wheel? The most common color schemes which work with just two colors typically pick a color from the wheel and then use the color directly across the wheel to compliment the first color. These are called bi-color or complimentary color schemes. An example of a bi-color scheme would be purple and yellow. Using a light and bright color gives the feeling of openness while the darker color adds weight and grounds your décor.

As you may have guessed, you can add even more complexity to your décor color scheme by mixing adjacent colors (one primary and one secondary) on the Secondary color wheel to form a Tertiary Color Wheel. You have now added Yellow-Orange, Red-Orange, Blue Purple, Blue Green and Yellow-Green. By using colors exactly across the wheel from one another, you will have the same bi-color concept as described above but now have an enlarged, more sophisticated pallet of colors to choose from when selecting your color scheme.

Would you like to see a Color Wheel? Check out my link to a page showing many different types of Color Wheels along with a copy of this article.

By K Bidwell Ferreira

Color is appreciated by everyone. Don’t most people have a favorite color? The colors we choose to surround ourselves with can reflect our various personalities and affect our moods. We make important choices when selecting colors for our living spaces and for personal adornment, such as what we wear. Color theory is used by artists and designers but it can also be applied to every day use for any kind of decorating that we choose to do. The variety of colors we choose can affect each other when combined and in their relationships to one another.

Lets start at the beginning. Every color in the universe is made up of three primary
colors; red, yellow and blue. Difficult to believe, isn’t it? This was learned long ago
in the seventeenth century by Sir Isaac Newton who analyzed a ray of sunlight
projected through a glass prism. The dispersed ray of light separates into a
spectrum of color looking very much like a rainbow. You might wonder about black
and white. Actually, they are not colors at all, white is the presence of all color and
black is the absence of all color. All colors displayed through the prism at once
displays as white, the absence of light is black. From these color theory
observations, we not only learn about the three primaries; but also that there are
three secondary colors; orange, green and violet. The secondary colors are made by
adding two equal parts of the primary colors, such as when mixed, red and yellow
make orange. You may have learned this as a child in art class in school. These six
colors, primaries and secondaries, make up the basic color wheel.

The next set of colors we call the tertiaries. The six tertiary colors are made up of
equal parts of one primary and one secondary color. For instance, blue (primary)
plus green (secondary) makes a blue-green. All twelve colors; the three
complimentary colors, three secondary colors and six tertiary colors create the
complete color wheel. Try making your own color wheel by starting with red at the
top and moving around a circle clockwise; red-orange, orange, yellow-orange,
yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue, blue-violet, violet, red-violet and
back to red.

There are a many other color properties to learn but here are a few of them. A color
by itself is a pure hue. The addition of white to a color changes that color to a “tint”.
Adding black changes the color to a “shade”. A “tone” is created if both black and
white are added, this makes a grayer version of the color. the relative warmth or
coolness of colors Another property of color is called temperature, colors can be
warm or cool. Warm colors have red, orange or yellow present and cool colors
contain green, blue and violet. However, it is also possible to have a warm blue or a
cool red. If a little of a warm color is mixed with a blue, it will become warmer. The
same principles apply if a bit of a cool color is added to red. Color temperatures are
formed by variations in the pigment. Color temperature can create a mood and also
depth. Warm colors come forward and cool colors recede.

Putting colors together and using them in different color schemes can be exciting
but sometimes difficult to know where to begin. There are different types of color
schemes that can be created using color, and here are a few to try. One type, the
easiest to begin with, would be a monochromatic color scheme. This means using
variations of one color only. This color can be modified by adding black and/or
white to create tints, shades and tones and vary the intensity of the color itself. This
type of color scheme is rather subtle with little color contrast.

Another type of color scheme would be the analogous color scheme in which you
would use three colors that are adjacent to one another on the color wheel, or
neighbors. An example would be, green, blue-green and blue. This type of color
scheme works well because the neighboring colors create a color harmony. When
used in a design, one color is dominant while the others are used to enhance the
color. Again, the intensity of each color can be varied with black and white.

The strongest of color schemes would be the complimentary color schemes.
Complimentary colors are directly across from each other on the color wheel. For
instance, red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and violet are all
complimentaries. When complimentary colors are placed next to each other, they
create energy and movement. Two complimentaries create a strong contrast,
intensify one another and attract attention. Often its best to use a warm color with a
cool complimentary but keep in mind that the warm color will come forward while
the cool color recedes. Use the two complimentary colors carefully, as too much of a
good thing can be overpowering!

Balance your designs and color schemes, whether you’re using paint, fabric, yarn or
decorating a room. By repeating color in a design, emphasis is given to the effect
produced by each color and will carry the viewer’s eye from one part to the next.
This movement or flow around the pattern is called the rhythm of color. Contrast is
important too; use lights (tints) and darks (shades) to add impact to your design.
Also balance by keeping colors somewhat uncomplicated. Too many colors and too
much detail will distract from the overall design.

Each person uses color differently to express themselves. Experiment with color and
let your own intuition lead you to your own unique color expression.

I spent 2008 reading art blogs, Web 2.0 marketing blogs, and thinking up guerrilla marketing tactics for artists. I saw social networking, social media, and the democratization of the art marketplace put more selling power into the hands of artists.

Therefore, I’d like to share 5 reasons why, despite (and because of) the economic crisis, I believe 2008 was a good year for artists:

1. Web 2.0: A New Frontier for Art

A number of artists have actually started to create art around the concept of Web 2.0: collaborative, multimedia, and interactive works. For example, an artist may make the artwork, coordinate different contributors, then relinquish control completely to the public. Culture-Buzz.com highlights a selection of interesting projects.

2. Social Networking Sites (Facebook)

A Facebook page is a fun, direct way to connect to your friends, supporters, and acquaintances: usually people who have bought your work in the past. You can easily post your website pages or blog posts to Facebook, which your friends will be more likely to see and visit. The Brooklyn Museum of Art developed a Facebook application called Art Share. It lets Facebook users share works art from Museums around the world on their profile. Artists can upload and share their own work using this application.From Facebook to Artspan to Deviant Art, artists are finding that there’s a lot to be gained from banding together. Online art communities share inspiration, tips, links, ideas, and encourage a spirit of healthy competition. 3. YouTube (Val’s Art Diary) Look out Damien Hirst. Without galleries, auctions, or dealers, this young artist turned herself into a art-selling powerhouse. Her art, under normal circumstances, would maybe make it into only a handful of galleries. Yet she’s managed to go from selling no paintings to selling EVERY PAINTING SHE MAKES by filming in time-lapse, editing economically, posting the video to youtube, then selling the piece on eBay. Almost all computers come with video editing software. Why not try your hand at a video of your own process?

4. Twitter

The world seems divided between people who think Twitter is the greatest gadget of 2008 and those who think it’s a big, weird waste of time. It took a little while, but I now belong whole-heartedly to the ‘greatest gadget’ crowd.

Like any tool, Twitter is what you make of it. If you develop a following and tweet regularly, you can keep your art and your brand on the minds of the people who are interested. If you don’t mind mixing the personal and the professional, Twitter and Facebook are the ways to go.

5. The Recession

That’s right! I said it. A downturn in the economy might be the stuff of nightmares for some, but artists can turn these into defining moments, challenging themselves to really take action, to sell more art, expand their resources, deepen their message, and connect to their comm unities. Why not doubly defy the bad economic news by deciding to:

• donate to an art fund
• sponsor an artist in a developing country
• join more museums
• invest in your art career

Japanese cartoon art has been one focal point to the introduction of Japan to the whole world. We have gotten to know more about Japanese culture and how the country has risen to become what it is now. Many of this art are shown in the many animated cartoon series and movies. Video games have also shown Japanese cartoon art and just like the movies and series they have been accepted internationally. The world of animated art has seen Japan create lots of animated movies and series that have been accepted wholly by the whole world.

Most of the Japanese cartoon art is usually three and two dimensional and you will find the use of bright colors is always in constant use and help create a montage of various color use. The cartoons are able to look life like because of the use of the colors which help in creating a more realistic look at human emotion. This way we are able to tell if the cartoon is angry or annoyed, by the red cheeks and also if they are sad or sick they usually turn different colors or more pale than usual.

However the colors are not the only thing that the Japanese artist uses to denote emotion. The use of the large western like eyes is also used quite frequently and many times I have always wondered why the use of western characters, have become a big theme in most of the Japanese animated movies and series.

I guess its because the whole world looks to the west as the main super power countries and it is easier to use them as characters in the animated movies.

What if you learned how to draw natural facial hair that gives your picture a natural appearance?

There are 5 simple steps that can get you started easily and instantly starting today.

Make sure you read the following steps and instantly act to improve your artistic experience…

1. Setup Layers.

Make sure that you setup facial hair in layers.

The surrounding skin needs to be taken into evaluation as the skin has its own color and texture.

Evaluate. How is the hair placed?

2. Position Of The Hair.

Consider how the facial hair is placed. Does the moustache lie over the upper lip or perfectly shaved with light hair around?

You need to consider these points. How broad or big is the moustache?

Does it connect with the beard? Take these points into consideration before you get started drawing.

You have to plan as to how to get the setup done for your drawing in advance.

Notice the movements of hair…

3. Movements of Hair.

Check out how the hair flows down. You will notice certain movements and shades.

You have to capture them into layers while you put them down on the paper to give it a natural look.

Make sure that you have just not pasted the hair on the face because beneath the hair lies the skin which is not having a smooth appearance as such.

Make sure to flow your hand freely…

4. Free Flow.

Hair can be easily drawn with a light and shady touch making your fingers flow over the paper.

It takes time to practice but make sure that you get it right by trying.

Do you know how to give a natural look?…

5. Give it a Natural Look.

Use a ‘Kneaded Eraser’ to give a lighter touch to fair hair. This will make it look natural.

Best forms of pencils you can use to include Hard Black or F pencils for excellent results.

Fafi was born and raised in Toulouse France – the home of another “graffiti girl”, Miss Van. She has been on the art scene since 1994 when she first witnessed the graffiti street art on her hometown walls. Inspired by the scenes depicted, she started her work and hasn’t looked back since.

Fafi’s style is quite unique. Fafi tends to depict women in various forms. She identifies a particular stereotype and will render it to create a “Fafi Girl”. She paints exaggerated stereotypes of women in a cute and “Fafi” way. Her style helped re-define the graffiti scene and open new doors with what the artwork could be.

After she drew the public eye upon her, she started to travel around the world. Europe, USA, Japan, Hong-Kong, all got “Fafi’ed”. Her work would appear around the world in galleries and advertisements. The world was truly her canvas!

Sony became infatuated with the cute and iconic figures Fafi would create and hired her to design a six-character toy set for their Time Capsule videogame set. This only furthered her career as she made the transition from two dimensional to three dimensional work. Other companies followed suit and she procured contracts from Collette, Coca-Cola, M.A.C cosmetics, Adidas and other companies for her figurines.

Fafi got a lot of press coverage as well during this time. She was featured in many prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Elle, XLR8R, and Yen. She then published a few books, Girls Rock (2003) and Love and Fafiness (2006). These prints are very successful and can be seen in libraries and museums to purchase.

Fafi entered a new stage in 2007 when she became a mother. She moved to Paris and a change in her work can be seen. Her Fafinettes not only are “Flygirls” but they can be seen in other life aspects. They can be a whole assortment of creations now Fafi calls it the “Carmine Vault” and invites everyone to enter her dreamy and peculiar world.

Oil painting is the most versatile specie of art. Different painting variables can be used and not limited only to the artists’ paintbrushes and paints. Aside from oil paints and a canvas, some artists use other media. Varnish is one thing.

The different media used by the artists can be fine-tune or fiddle with the luster or polish of the painting, or may cover up the strokes of the paintbrush, or make the painting appear mobile even if still.

Oil painting gets the hand of only the most adaptable and flexible talents. It has its own varieties.

May it be mixture or in glazes, its new and old result attracts the eyes of the many. Mixture is how the artist thickly applies the oil paint, whereas glaze is how thinly the paint is applied on the surfaces.

The attractiveness of oil painting stretched through Italy during the 15th century. From then one, it has touched many artists across the globe. Color selection becomes paramount most especially in oil painting because the properties of each oil paint may give adverse or good effect.

Conditionally, artists will mix the paints in advance before applying them on the canvas, paper, slate, pressed wood or wooden panel. As artists are trying to establish their own identity, developed in the art of oil painting is the technique of using oil paints in tubes.

It is more convenient, and less messy. First, one may initially paint the surface with a clear paint, or instantly apply charcoal, depending on the theme of the artist.

Artists vary in their style, strokes, and subject matter. In this painting, it matters not the theme or subject matter, but on how well the artist apply the techniques, or even make his own technique. For some, they let the initial coating or the under painting dry first.

However, the new school would already venture on wet-to-wet painting. This is more difficult because considering the component of oil paint that does not dry instantly, applying paint on a wet layer could modify the preliminary design, or my end up revising the entire piece. Artists like Jan van Eyck are too bold to undertake this method.

This is very complex, if not, the intricate piece of work. The oil paint could dry up for years. Some artists would wait for several years before they could apply the second layer, then several years again before it will dry. Oil paints do not dry by evaporation but by oxidization.

Patience is the number one material in this painting. Nonetheless, the masterwork will definitely be a stunning success.

However, oil paintings dry by oxidization, they often leave the painting a hardened surface. That is why it is necessary to scrape its surface to remove the coarse and jagged exterior to give a smooth and leveled facade. To preserve the painting, apply varnish.

However, this medium can alter the color, or the translucency of the painting, so you may just want to have it varnish-free to preserve the original color and tint.

Do you know that there are many forms of drawing and painting?

Some are easy where a newbie can get started almost instantly while others take years of efforts to master.

Cartoon drawing is an easy form of art, and you can easily master it in a very short period with little practice.

Here are some simple tips that you can use to get started with cartoon drawing starting today…

1. Ways To Draw Your Cartoon.

There are 2 ways to create cartoons…

a. By computer.

b. By hand.

A use pen and pencil to start drawing your cartoons. Once you have enough experience you can shift your focus on drawing cartoons using the power of computer.

You can give your own look and feel to the cartoon by drawing it by hand. Use the textured paper to draw your cartoon as they give the best effect.

2. Practice Is The Key.

It is important that you start drawing simpler cartoons before you get started drawing complicated ones…

- Reason being, it takes practice to master this art of drawing.

You can improve your drawing to a lot extent once you figure out how to convert a 3 dimensional figure into a 2 dimensional one.

Furthermore, start drawing cartoons published in newspapers and magazines, this will give you a whole lot of ideas.

3. Simplicity and Humour.

It is important that you be simple while drawing cartoons as simplicity always wins. Moreover, make sure to add humour to your picture as the whole motive of a cartoon is to show the actual life in a funny way.

4. Start With The Light Shade.

Make sure that you use the pencils very lightly. This will avoid the use of eraser.

Once you have finished drawing the cartoon you can then easily give the final strokes with a darker shading to get your picture done.

Graffiti has gone from vandalism to high art – and Miss Van’s graffiti art is at the top of the charts! Featured in museums around the world, this Graffiti Girl’s pictures sell for thousands of dollars!

Miss Van is a graffiti artist that has been around the graffiti scene since 1991. Born in 1973, Miss Van has been working on her craft since 1991, when she turned 18. Vanessa Alice Bensimon was born in Toulouse, France and has been in love with the art form since she was a child. Currently, she tours the world. Miss Van showcases her artwork in many countries and promotes her craft to as many people as she can.

In 1993, she finally discovered her unique techniques and her preferred medium. She is well renowned in the graffiti world and is an iconic figure for women across the world. When Miss Van hit the scene, she paved the way for women artists in France. Her medium is acrylics. Her style is very cartoonish and charming. Soft features of well rounded women are frequent themes. As is common in Europe, a lot of her paintings of women are in the nude form. This is because censorship and nudity are not as taboo for art forms as they are in other nations..

Most of these figures are of women in various moods or stages in life. There are many websites that offer Miss Van prints for reasonable prices. They will ship to various parts of the world and are a great way for someone to familiarize themselves with the wrok of such a great artist. Wall paintings of Miss Van’s work can be found in many places in Toulouse, but she has been hired to paint other areas as well. Currently she showcases her art in a gallery. Her website will show times and places for the viewings, so if you wish to meet the artist and view her work up close and personal, there might be a viewing near you!

You have probably seen them on the internet or on your everyday cartoon shows. Yes, anime cartoons are taking the world by storm and now you can get to learn how to draw your favorite anime cartoon character. If you are a budding cartoonist or animator then you probably want to learn how to draw anime.

Learning how to draw anime is not as easy as you might think it is and it takes hard work and determination to get the art just right. You can always come up with your own characters and make a cartoon series for yourself. There is one such anime cartoon that I found quite entertaining. It is called little Ninjai and can only be watched on the website online. The little Ninjai series shows a young ninja boy going through his own adventure as he meets various dangers that almost get him killed. Usually you can write to the creators of the Ninjai online cartoon series on ideas of different episodes which they will take and review before putting it on.

For you to learn how to draw anime of your own, it would be best if you first start with a pencil and paper. First try creating characters that you already know before creating your own character. Once you have mastered the art of drawing anime cartoons you can now create the same using your computer.

You will have to think of various ideas of what kind of characters you want your anime cartoon to depict. Such as do you want your cartoon to be about fantasy and fiction or to depict today’s growing times. Your story can be about epic adventure and can show stories on olden times.