1) Balance

Balance refers to the weight of objects and their placement in relation to each other.

It’s a sense of stability you might feel from elements in alignment. This can take three forms: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.

Symmetrical balance refers to the exact mirroring of objects across an axis (i.e. an invisible line on the page).

Asymmetrical balance is the opposite of this – when objects do not mirror each other perfectly, shifting the balance to one side or the other of the axis.

This is often done to highlight an object in relation to another. Radial balance is when objects are distributed all around a central point.

2) Proportion

Proportion is the size of objects in relation to each other, or within a larger whole.

This could be natural (e.g. a nose which fits onto a face the way you would expect it), exaggerated (e.g. a nose that is vastly over or undersized), and idealized, in which parts have the kind of perfect proportion that you just don’t see occurring naturally.

One of the key characteristics of Renaissance Art that changed the world forever is the invention of linear perspective, and proportion is one of the inherent behaviors towards achieving perspective

3) Emphasis

Emphasis is an extension of these first two principles: it is when contrast, placement, size, color, or other features are used to highlight one object, area, or other elements of the artwork.

This is used to draw attention – a focal point – or accentuate a feature.

4) Variety

Variety is a sense of the difference between elements of an artwork – the opposite of unity, or harmony.

Variety adds a sense of chaos to a work, and this is often used to highlight certain powerful emotions. Salvador Dali is one of the artists who have experimented with chaos and variety in his paintings, yet achieved a great sense of perfection.

Who is Salvador Dali? and Which are the top paintings of Salvador Dali?

When unity is used instead, it immediately calms – though this can also lead to being boring!

5) Harmony

In follow on from variety, harmony is the use of related elements.

This might be similar colors, shapes, sizes of objects, etc. It’s about repetition and a relationship between elements. This creates a sense of connection between the objects, creating a sense of flow.

One of the great examples is Titian, the iconic artist often remembered as the Venetian Master of Colour. Titian Paintings Are Truly Stunning, Brings Brightness, and Lustre To His Works Through Brilliant Colors. And, if you look at it, he used the color as a tool to bring harmony to the subject.

Harmony is one of the most important aspects when it comes to principles of art

6) Movement

This indicates the direction your eye takes as you view the work – in what order does your eye travel? If the emphasis is used, this often means you start with this element first and travel away from it.

The movement inherent in the image is important, as it tells you a story through the use of lines (whether they are literal or implied).

7) Rhythm

This can also be thought of as a kind of relationship between patterned objects.

Rhythm is often the use of regular, evenly distributed elements – they could occur in slow, fast, smooth or jerky intervals, and this tells you something about the feelings invoked.

Like listening to an upbeat pop song versus a slow ballad, the arrangement of notes creates a kind of pattern you naturally respond to. The important part is recognizing the relationship between the objects.

8) Scale

It might sound similar to proportion, but they differ slightly: scale is about the size of objects but in relation to what you’d expect them to be in reality.

If an object occurs in a natural scale, then the object is the size we would expect to find it.

Diminutive refers to an object being smaller than expected, and monumental is when the object is much larger.

9) Unity

Not to be confused with harmony, unity is the overall cohesion of the work.

You might achieve this through any kind of grouping of objects.

Any kind of similarity will help to strengthen the sense of unity you feel when looking at a series of objects.

10) Repetition

This is the pattern itself.

A combination of shapes, colors, or other elements recurring across the composition.

Objects might be repeated such that they slowly get smaller, or slowly change color – where the pattern starts and stops is important! Patterns usually evoke feelings of security and calm.

In all, these ten principles of art combine and contrast to create the effects we respond to visually. By breaking down the elements, we begin to understand more about the intention or meaning of art.

The post 10 Principles of Art appeared first on The Artist.

Mondrian was determined to become a painter, although his family insisted he pursues a degree in education first. In 1892 he had qualified to teach drawing in secondary schools. After graduation, instead of pursuing a career in teaching, he moved to Amsterdam and enrolled in the Rijksakademie. During this time he supported himself by producing scientific drawings and copies of museum paintings as well as hosting private drawing lessons in his studio. 

His first paintings were exhibited in 1893 in Utrecht at the art society known as Kuntsliefde which he was a member of. In 1897 he exhibited for the second time. He started off painting traditionally styled landscapes. It was when he has introduced to the French Post-Impressionists that his work changed dramatically. 

In 1905 he began integrating bold colors and brushwork, reminiscent of Van Gogh, as well as pointillism techniques. In these early works, it’s clear that he enjoyed working in series, creating a number of pieces based on a single subject. These elements all contributed significantly to the development of the abstract style that he’s so well known for in his mature works. 

This led to Mondrian being a leader in the modern abstract art movement and the main player in the Dutch abstract movement known as De Stijl. This is most apparent in his later works, combining simple straight lines and right angles with primary colors, black, white, and gray.

The development of Mondrian’s style is an important representation of the art world’s progression towards abstraction, and for this reason, his legacy lives on today. 

Broadway Boogie Woogie

Broadway Boogie Woogie is a painting produced by Piet Mondrian in 1943. This painting depicts the city grid of Manhattan, and the Broadway boogie woogie and also canvas is divided into a much larger number of squares. This painting can be viewed at Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Gray Tree

Gray Tree is a painting produced by Piet Mondrian in 1911. In this painting, the tree is shown subtly oval in form and the paintings foreground and background elements seem to intermingle. This painting can be viewed at Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague.

Victory Boogie Woogie

Victory Boogie Woogie is a painting produced by Piet Mondrian between 1942 and 1944. The US President Barack Obama with other Dutch politicians was seen photographed with this painting in 2014. This painting can be viewed at Gemeentemuseum in The Hague.

Evening; Red Tree

Evening; Red Tree is a painting produced by Piet Mondrian between 1908 and 1910. This painting depicts the artist’s luminosity period and it was painted when the artist was in Zeeland coastal resort of Domburg. This painting can be viewed at Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague.

Self Portrait

Self Portrait is a painting produced by Piet Mondrian in 1918. The artist portrayed himself in many paintings but this one is different among others because it is the only painting that shows him clearly as a painter. This painting can be viewed at Gemeentemuseum den Haag, Hague, Netherlands.

Woods near Oele

Woods near Oele is a painting produced by Piet Mondrian in 1908. The painting shows horizon opened up and the artist began to look beyond the somewhat narrow boundaries of the Dutch school. This painting can be viewed at Gemeentemuseum den Haag, Hague, Netherlands.

Composition with Red Blue and Yellow

Composition with Red Blue and Yellow is a painting produced by Piet Mondrian in 1930. The painting is a product of the Dutch De Stijl movement which translates to “The Style”. The movement can be viewed as an overlapping of individual theoretical and artistic pursuits.

Girl Writing

‘Girl Writing’ was created in 1895 by Piet Mondrian in Impressionism style.

Village Church

Village Church is a Post-Impressionist Charcoal, Gouache, Pastel, Pencil and Watercolor Drawing created by Piet Mondrian in 1898.

Wood with Beech Trees

‘Wood with Beech Trees’ was created in 1899 by Piet Mondrian in Post-Impressionism style.

View Of Winterswijk

This delightful landscape painting by Piet Mondrian was completed in 1899 and today resides within a private collection.

Moored ships Sun

‘Moored ships Sun’ was created in 1899 by Piet Mondrian in Impressionism style.

Going Fishing

‘Going Fishing’ was created in 1900 by Piet Mondrian in Post-Impressionism style.

Self-Portrait

Mondrian portrayed himself many times. This one’s from 1900 made in Post-Impressionism style.

Among The Amstel

‘Along the Amstel’ was created in 1903 by Piet Mondrian in Impressionism style.

The post 15 Most Famous Artworks by Piet Mondrian appeared first on The Artist.

No. It is for everyone!

While the world becomes increasingly wired, hectic, and turbulent, drawing remains the purest form of self-expression. No filters, No Apps, No technology, No photoshop, Just you.

Sometimes, art makes us happy; sometimes, it makes us uncomfortable

For example, the illustration shown here.

It can be a little hard to stomach. The colors are soft and cozy; it feels quiet, and simple. The man with his sweet kitty are easy to understand. Only when you begin to look at the whole picture do you see the other animals; the whole meaning evolves. Pawel used his skills to depict war, corrupt politicians, life and death.

Pioneer illustrator, Robert Weaver, said, “we have to show the notion of left-handedness and depict crime on the street, not a couple on a date,”

..and that is what Polish Illustrator, Pawel Kuczynski does. He created something powerful.

Drawing is a bit of a forgotten art form. Most people don’t doodle everyday. Let’s try an experiment. Sit down, and take a pencil. Try drawing something simple—for example, a cow. It doesn’t have to be a happy cow, or an existential cow, just a simple cow.

Does it feel strange to try to piece it together? We all know what circles, triangles and squiggles look like, but how do those form a cow?

With some practice, this process not only gets easier, but it helps your mind grow. It helps you, up in that brainy gray matter, visualize forms. You learn how to put lines together and create a picture. Through practice, you can take these mental images, break them down, and put them on canvas.

Drawing is civilization’s most simple and natural forms of art

Did you know the history of art is almost as long as the history of our entire species?

Art dates back to when humankind first made tools. It shares secrets about every shift and era in history. Its uses range from scientific notations, to happy ballerina paintings, to technical design. Don’t forget, even those lazy scribbles in your middle school math notebook were primitive art.

40,000 years ago, early humans were decorating their cave walls with illustrations. It’s possible these paintings were vast social commentaries, but, more likely than not, they were simple doodles. In fact, primitive art looks just like those scribbles in your mathbook—simple caricatures of simple objects. However, there was also a special style called “finger fluting.” Prehistoric artists drew shapes and patterns using their fingertips. It’s not terribly pretty, and you wouldn’t want it on your living room wall. Still, it’s a sign that early humans valued self-expression. They weren’t just killing giant mammals for fur; they were busy creating art.

Over the following 3,000 years, drawing evolved and became more stylized. The Greeks and Romans focused on realism. They wanted their art to actually look like the subject. Physical correctness was most important. Conversely, Islamic and meditative art was pattern-based. Rather than painting a person or place, the image was a bundle of beautiful sweeping shapes and intricate designs.

Art continued to develop until, finally, the 1800’s brought Impressionism and its whimsical swirls of color. Rather than drawing an object exactly how it looked, artists drew their impression of an object. Monet, Van Gogh, and other impressionists, used layers, lines and dots to create a mind-boggling effect. Their art wasn’t simply a caricature; it was an interpretation. It excited the imagination and inspired audiences to use their creativity. This style spiraled into a whole new world of art: the age of “-isms,” including the creatively named “post-impressionism,” “expressionism,” “dadaism,” and many others.

Artists everywhere were developing different styles to express their particular skills and ideas. Now, more than ever before, art was expected to push boundaries; rigid “rules” about proper style were slowly forgotten.

Finally, in the mid 19^th century, cartoons began to evolve. They took political commentary to a new level. Through cartoons, artists could criticize politics quickly, and with more bite. Suddenly, words and ideas were more important than an image. This snowballed the use of art for political and social reasons. However, the last century brought along even more amazing developments in art.

Art styles of the 20th century developed alongside technology. The 1990’s ushered in a massive shift. Everyone and their dog used cameras and made art.

100 years ago, an illustration would be a primary, active, medium. It would be the “main attraction,” whereas today that is not the case. We see thousands of images every day on the internet and television. Even kids can photoshop a simple image into art. A single photograph can no longer stand alone as a whole story. Still, the power of drawing and creation hasn’t changed. While the world becomes increasingly wired, hectic, and turbulent, drawing remains the purest form of self-expression. No filters. No photoshop, Just you.

But isn’t drawing only for artsy-types? 

No. It is for everyone!

Draw something.

The Big Draw,Doodle-ins, Dine and doodle – People gather together and draw, even when they have no training. You don’t have to search your soul, travel the world, or spill your deepest feelings, just draw something. Anywhere. Sit back and let something come to you. When you start to get lines, ideas, or a corner piece, you’ve already started.

All you have to do is put your pen to paper, and remember to be easy with yourself. Focus on expressing yourself, not an end product. Focus on creating.

Freedom and power grow the more you practice, and begin the moment you try.

The post Drawing Is So Powerful, And Why Everyone Must Draw appeared first on The Artist.

May it be the story of a single person, of a community, or of a nation, art has in many ways contributed to the beautiful way these stories are told.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls” – Pablo Picasso

The definition of art can be multi-disciplinary.

In the same way, art can also convey an experience that’s so common that many people can relate to it. Take Adolf Menzel’s The Balcony Room, for example.

This piece shows a space with strong light pouring into a typical room while a breeze blows into the white curtains.

Instead of making something revolutionary or innovative, Adolf Menzel took the very common scenario – a room in an ordinary house – and turned it into a masterpiece.

Through art, Adolf was able to enhance what otherwise was a common experience and turned it into a serene, emotionally charged story that everyone can appreciate.

Why do we make art?

The purposes, motivations, intentions, and inspirations behind the art are endless. Below are just some of the reasons why we make art:

1. To form part of a ritual, ceremony, or cultural tradition

Whether you refer to the finely crafted instruments of the different ethnic tribes in the Philippines or look at the creative mascots of different sports teams, we use art to creatively represent practices that have been part of our lives for years.

One of the most common reasons why we make art is to form part of a ritual or tradition.

Look at how beautiful modern-day weddings are – every item is planned to be a work of art!

One of the most comprehensive events depicted in history is The Last Supper by Da Vinci

2. To practice faith in a more tangible way

Believing in a higher being can be a unique experience, and art is used to make those beliefs much easier to grasp and feel.

Creativity is one of the demarcating landmarks that differentiates us from animals. It is what makes us human.

Faith is another factor that has been a key theme behind reasons for making the art.

Look at how the Sistine Chapel paintings by Michelangelo or the Christ the Redeemer statue or Indian Paintings from Rajput. Just looking at these world-renowned works can strengthen or renew a person’s faith. A theme that has the most answers to – Why we make art

3. To record history

Another reason people make art is to record a moment of the past.

More specifically called History Painting, we use art to capture the most significant historical scenes. Some notable examples include Benjamin West’s Death of Benjamin Wolfe and Jacques-Louis David’s Oath of the Horatii.

These paintings and other art forms have a special way of making history a point of interest to otherwise disinterested people.

They spark discussion, commemoration, and appreciation of important historical events.

4. To teach something as an alternative to verbal or written methods

The changing generations have made it much harder to attract the attention of our young learners.

The question – of why we make art – is becoming less relevant these days.

With the help of art, people who would otherwise ignore books can be taught concepts more effectively using visual arts.

These can be seen in the form of visual Public Service Announcements and awareness campaigns in the form of films. In some cases, artists make art with great imagery that can also complement written messages

5. To tell a story from literature, myths, religion, and poetry

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper is one of the most famous paintings inspired by Christian history.

There are also a lot of famous paintings that depict significant parts of famous literature. Sometimes visualizing a story is the best way to appreciate it.

That’s why we use art and why people make art – to elaborate on the myths and religious aspects of an event or a period

6. To create someone’s portrait.

It’s not just about someone getting their portrait painted.

It’s about how the artist sees that person. The most famous example, of course, is Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, whose smile has captivated the world throughout history. Van Gogh’s portrait of Dr. Gachet, who happens to be the artist’s close friend. Read Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?

The faces of these people, their expressions, and the painting itself have the power to show you what these people mean to the artists who made them.

7. To allow the artist to express oneself.

One of the most adopted reasons for people making art is to allow themselves to represent their thoughts and life.

When Edward Munch painted The Scream, he was thinking about the orange sky he had just recently seen which, to him, it looked like nature was screaming. This is how he used art to effectively convey his idea or opinion about something.

Similarly, Frida Kahlo documented her lust for life through her deep and surreal works, and those were a true depiction of Frida’s life and thoughts.

8. To reflect the beauty of nature, a landscape, or a city

When Vincent Van Gogh was spending time in the sanatorium, he created the view outside his window, now the famous Starry Night.

While beautiful scenes are sights to behold themselves, they become a new creation when turned into art.

Similarly, Edward Hopper has documented every flavor of nature in his numerous works. Most of people make art to document nature, a landscape, or a city.

Claude Monet’s famous paintings are a classic example of experimentation of using interchangeable nature of light and shadow by repeatedly producing the same visuals of nature multiple times to discover more than one angle of nature’s light to shine on one image.

9. To illustrate a narrative or a diagram.

Why we make art – To teach people. Art can be quite educational too, especially when it is used not only to provide aesthetics but also to serve as an aid to educational materials.

Often people make art or infographics about certain things that are much easier to understand and digest than their strictly written counterparts, making the artistic version more effective as it is appreciable.

10. To depict reality and ideals.

Often referred to as realism and idealism, art can either capture a perfectly undistorted image of reality (i.e. a natural landscape or the image of society) or portray the artist’s aspirations or ideals for those realities.

In other words, art is a way for an artist to say “this is how I see the world,” and then sometimes say “this is how I think it should be.”

11. To provoke thinking and discourse.

Whether it’s a painting that dramatizes the horrors of war or a dark depiction of domestic violence, art can shock one’s senses to force a person to think deeply about a real social issue. It can spark debates and even cause revolutions.

12. To illustrate their dreams.

Perhaps one of the richest sources of inspiration is a person’s dreams.

Many notable works of the likes of William Blake and Salvador Dali have been inspired by their own dreams.

Many artists gained inspiration from dreams and depicted a great level of detail.

13. To experiment with different elements.

Sure, you’ve got your ordinary colored paint and brushes, but did you know that painters have also tried to use sand, straw, or even wood to make their creations?

The variety in the elements also gives rise to a new artistic perspective on the same subject. For instance, a painting of a flower would look totally different, if not more intriguing when depicted in sand art.

14. To experiment qualities of a particular medium.

Even with the same elements, artists tend to get creative with their creativity. That’s how concepts such as pointillism and cubism came to be. As artists grow, they use their art to outdo their creativity, allowing their works to become more diverse.

Closing thoughts – Why do we make art? What motivates artists to create art?

In fact, art is the only way we can relay our experiences effectively to others.

Good stories have to be able to convey a thought, reflection, and meaning to a person who was never part of any of those experiences.

The challenge is to creatively bring together reality, imagination, medium, and technique to produce something that will make the audience feel like they are part of that story.

Art matters.

How to Sell Art Online? – Guide to Sell Your Art From Vision to Execution

The post Why We Make Art? appeared first on The Artist.

In the Past art was mainly entitled to empower politics and celebrate the dominance of certain reign through symbolic art.

In the current time, art acts as a form of protest and satire, and from this context, here are the 15 most revolutionary paintings which depict the common connection between art and politics.

The Battle of San Romano 

The battle of san romano is a Painting by Paolo Uccello in 1438 ca.

The painting depicts the battle between Florence and Siena.  In This battle, Florentines were about to get defeated but managed to win because of the heroic intervention of Micheletto da Cotignola. This painting was made to celebrate the victory of the winning house which in this case was the Di Bartolomeo Bartolini Salimbeni House. The is an example of how commissioned art worked at that time.

The Surrender of Breda

The famous Siege of Breda, a glorifying victory accomplished by Philip II

The Surrender of Breda is a painting done by Diego Velazquez The aim of the painting was to glorify the French Family. In Particularly one person the commissioner Philip IV of Spain also depicted his ancestors’  military achievement. At this time the freedom of artists was diminished to compositional matters. The Magnificent piece is a perfect example of the service an artist was required to do during the monocracy times and that is to depict the relation between politics and art.

Liberty Leading The People

A Painting Depicting People of Civil War

Liberty Leading the People is a painting done by Eugene Delacroix in the year 1830. It was during the french revolution that art became a way to enhance the spirit of people who set up against monarchic dominance and oppression.  Artists like Eugene Delacroix with great symbolic power to give voice to the people in civil war. In This particular painting, a person is holding a french flag leading the french republic against the monarchic dictatorship. It also describes the necessary violence that came with civil war.

 The Third of May 1808

The Third of May 1808 is a painting done By Francisco Goya in 1814. This Picture depicts the brutality and crudeness of war it depicts the execution by the Napolean army of Madrilenian patriots. This Picture depicts the highest form of what is known as revolutionary. Courageous and honest like the eyes of the people being executed. This is the most famous painting of the 1900s and served as a model for another political masterpiece.

The Execution of Emperor Maximilian

The Executive Of Emperor Maximilian

The Execution Of Emperor Maximilian is a painting made by Edouard Manet in the year 1868-69. Edouard Manet was a very active artist in terms of political art masterpieces.  Moreover, about magnet art, John Elderfield stated: “political art… does not reduce human affairs to slogans; it complicates rather than simplifies”. About The Particular painting. If we are looking at the painting it looks similar to the previous model of painting adopted by Goya. In This painting, as you can see of the general has his arms raised and another soldier is waiting to executed with his hands crossed. The Emperor, Maximilian looks astonished at his unavoidable destiny he is looking very surprised and unprepared for his terrible faith.

Massacre in KoreaMassacre in Korea is a painting done by Pablo in 1950.

The painting titled “Massacre in Korea” Picaso absorbed and translated made his own version. IT looks like communist political work. The focus of the painting is to put a comparison between Napoleonic troops and  Imperialistic forces that reined over North Korea

Guernica By Pablo Picasso

Guernica is a painting done by Pablo Picaso in 1973

One of the most influential political paintings in the world with a strong message against war although critiques interpret it as ambiguous.

Artistic response to the bombing of Basque village Guernica, the painting describes the agony of people, animals, and their environment. Military action was enforced by Italian and German forces but it was requested by Franco, essentially it was the act of supporting his regime. The horror of civil war in Spain is seen by the world, mural-sized paintings with gray, black, and white palettes revive tragedy in the eyes of the spectator. [html_block id=”12849″]

The post 7 Paintings Made on War-Time Execution Theme appeared first on The Artist.

The modern world has gone so wild in the civilization that this artistic skill is left almost forgotten.

Due to its primitive and simple nature, people are not focusing their attention on it anymore.

To escalate matters, the modern world is loaded with various computerized tools that can be used for creating artistic impressions.

These modern tools are not bad in themselves. However, no matter how colorful and radiantly beautiful as they may be, they cannot be compared with the pure work of art produced with the simplest of tools – a pencil and paper – to create a vivid representation of the world.

With a pencil and paper, anything can be drawn.

You can draw portraits, landscapes, forests, mountain ranges or anything that your imagination feeds you.

It is natural, simple and incredible.

This is why such an art form should not be left forgotten.

It should be embraced and used regardless of modernity’s sophistication.

Drawing is the basis of all visual art forms. It will help you to have a good grasp of other artistic skills such as painting.

It is a useful skill that should be learned.

Tools for learning how to draw

Your decision to learning drawing doesn’t need to be a world-changing one.  Start simple.

You need some tools to learn how to draw. They are common tools that you see around you every day. They are:

• A sharp HB pencil.
• Sketch paper of your choice.
• Good eraser.

The above are the necessary and physical tools you must have.

The final tool is however internal.

You may not learn anything without this internal tool being in form. This is an internal tool is your mind. It has to be ready and interested in learning how to draw.

Besides, you will need it immensely when you practice, because your mind is your realm of creativity.

Guiding principles for learning drawing

1. Holding Your Pen Firmly

How you hold your pencil will determine largely how your drawing will look like.

The best way of holding the pencil is to hold it firmly like you’re holding the charcoal, then using sides of the pencil’s lead to a draw.

Don’t use the point of the pencil for drawing.

Though, it can be used in certain situations to get some effects, grip the pencil firmly and draw with sides of the pencil’s lead.

2. Use of Stump for Soft Blending

How you blend your drawing is another factor that will determine your result.

Trying a blending stump will give you a soft blended effect.

Take good care not to blend too softly. Doing that will result in having another color which you have already layered on your paper.

3. Mixing Shading Techniques

There are several types of shading techniques.

Sticking with one only can make your drawing not quite appealing.

To give it a good look, mix up different shading techniques in your drawing.

Some examples of shading techniques are cross-hatching, hatching with parallel lines, contour lines, stripping and many more.

Mix them up in your drawing.

4. Trying Different Approaches to Outlines

Approaches to lines in the drawing are subjective. You can find an approach that is suitable for you.

Lines are very important.

How they are drawn can create diverse effects. For instance, it affects shadows.

5. Blending Mastery

Blending is a useful drawing skill that is used to achieve a certain artistic effect in the process of drawing.

The essence of it is to soften lines by carefully mixing several colors (two or more).

It gives your drawing a polished impression, giving it a finishing look.

You need to master it to give your drawing touch of elegance.

6. Suitable Paper Texture for Drawing

The kind of paper you’re using to draw must be of good quality in terms of surface texture.

A beautiful drawing can be turned to an eyesore if the paper’s surface texture is not good or suitable enough.

The surface texture of your drawing paper is also referred to as the tooth or grain.

Depending on the effect that you want, the surface or tooth can be smooth or rough.

7. Staring with an Underdrawing

Underdrawing is a preparatory sketch that you prepare before you start to draw.

It can be used as a draft, serving as a guide to finish your drawing.

Underdrawing is more like the foundation of your drawing.

It necessary may not be what you’re aiming to finally draw. It is just a guide.

What is important is that you allow your intuition to direct you.

Drawing is a creative activity. Learning drawing is the first step towards it

Be guided by your intuition as well, not just by the Underdrawing alone.

8. Making Use of Suitable Eraser

Drawing can be accompanied with many mistakes, especially as a beginner.

Mistakes are inevitable.

You will come across them. This is why you must always have an eraser with you.

The essence of an eraser is to erase any error that may emerge in your drawing.

However, you must ensure to have a good eraser that cleans mistakes neatly, without blemishing the drawing with leftover lines that are not completely erased.

There are different kinds of eraser. Get the one that is suitable for you.

9. Colour Unification

How your colors are layered and presented matters greatly.

What gives coherence and cohesion to your drawing is how unified your colors are.

Colors have a way of portraying mood. Color psychology has an underlying and subtle towards our perceptions of a reaction.

Have it unified.

10. Take a Look at Your Drawing

In the course of drawing, you might have been marooned to a single spot, for a long time.

However, don’t forget to have a glance at your work every now and then. Learning drawing involves a lot of reflection, and it doesn’t hurt to step back and look at your masterpiece.

Doing this can serve as a guide against mistakes and imperfections which may be unnoticed until you probably finish.

Special inspection should be made especially when you are moving from simple lines to complex lines in your drawing.

This is to ensure that you have the correct format for your drawing.

11. Keeping Your Paper Safe

Your paper is a key tool that will determine the beauty and elegance of your drawing.

You have to ensure that your paper is kept intact and free from stains and defects.

Such stains can reduce the quality of your drawing. One of the ways your paper can be stained is through the sweats oozing from your hands.

It can muffle up your paper. To avoid this, you can keep a paper under your hand, so your hand won’t be having direct contact with your drawing paper.

This makes your drawing neat. You can also stamp your drawing paper on aboard.

This is relatively a good position as it will give you a chance to draw more conveniently.

12. Draw From Your Experience

Why we make art? – We make art to tell stories.

There is no limit to the number of things you can draw.

Anything you see in the world can be drawn.

The entire universe can be reduced to the four corners of your drawing paper.

Not only that, even things that have not existed before can be drawn by you.

That’s why it’s art! Draw from your experience.

The key thing you must master is perception.

As an artist that’s drawing, you must be someone that perceives the world around you.

Be inspired by those things you see or feel. Don’t be boxed in a corner.

Explore.

Draw from your experience.

Learning Drawing – Conclusion

Drawing is the most natural form of art.

It presents art to you in its purest form. Drawing trains you to see the world more clearly

Even photography, despite its precision and exactness in capturing images exactly as they are, cannot contend with the pure elegance of drawing.

Imagine a portrait of yourself drawn with a pencil. You can’t help but marvel at its beauty.

It is highly probable that you’ll cherish the portrait even more than a photograph.

Drawing is a gift you should nurture. It is rewarding and fun.

With the modern world slowly forgetting about it, you will have an edge over others for knowing this ancient skill.

Do you want to know the art of drawing?

It involves a lot of practice. Learning drawing isn’t a simple decision. You may be making some mistakes, but don’t walk away and give up. Just keep practicing.

With time, your hands will strike a deal with your pencil and paper.

To enhance your skill, you can practice the guides given in this article and color your paper with life!

• What Is Beauty in Art?
• Why We Make Art? What Motivates Artists to Make Art?
• Frida Kahlo Paintings – Her Lust for Life
• The Subject of Pregnant Women in Art – Hope II by Gustav Klimt
• 10 Awesome Acts That Can Radically Bring Out Your Creative Side.
• What Makes Art Sell

The post 12 Guiding Principles for Learning Drawing appeared first on The Artist.

Mainstream comics are still going strong and are gaining more and more popular because people are getting interested thanks to the wide plethora of movies, video games, and TV series we see. A few historical events have forever changed the course of the medium, which is always interesting to behold.

What would’ve comics looked like today if people hadn’t embraced the superhero concept? What kind of comics would we be reading? Would there still be comics at all?

Based on the fact that the industry has been so resilient over the years and is still here, we would say that it’s entirely possible. We can’t wait to see what will happen next.

A Brief History and Introduction to Comics

The history of comics can be traced all the way back to the 17^th century after the invention of the printing press.

However, what we today recognize as a comic strip would not appear until the 19^th century with the publication of The Glasgow Looking Glass, which is considered the first comic strip.

Indeed, there is an argument to be had, but one cannot deny the fact that it contains all elements we know, love, and recognize from modern comics – it incorporates satire, uses caricature, employs the use of thought bubbles, and is a continuous narrative represented through a series of pictures with captions.

A bit later satirical drawings that became more and more popular, appearing in newspapers and magazines, got the name “cartoons” during the 1840s.

Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday was the first serialized comics that featured a recurring character. It appeared in Judy, a British humor magazine, in 1867, and was created by C.H. Ross and illustrated by his wife, Emilie de Tessier.

Comics started to slowly grow in popularity and the industry started to thrive in the 1920s and 1930s. The Adventures of Tintin was born in Belgium, coming straight out of the mind of Georges Prosper Remi, more widely known as Herge.

In the meantime, in Britain, The Dandy and The Beano also opened the market to children through childish humor and storylines.

In 1938, Adventure Comics #1 launched with the superhero known as Superman on its cover. That was the year that completely changed the course and direction of comic books forever.

This is the direction we’re still following to this day.

Everything you see on the big screen right now stems from the popularity of the character at that time.

He served to define the genre of American comic books. It’s true that the genre saw a dip in sales and popularity in the 50s, but it quickly reclaimed its positions in the 60s.

In May 1939, Detective Comics #27 brought another genre-defining character to life – Batman.

Soon after, many other comic book characters would be created, which would give birth to the entire multiversity. Thus the Golden Age of comic books had begun.

During the Golden Age, comic books thrived. Comic books provided cost-effective entertainment and were popular among many different age groups. However, after World War II, there was a great dip in the popularity of superheroes.

While the most popular characters like Batman and Superman continued to sell, many others that hadn’t been established yet (like Green Lantern and the Flash) at the time were canceled.

The industry still expanded through different science fiction titles, such as Mystery in Space.

The industry saw some problems in the 50s. The numbers started to take a dip because of several factors.

Many believed that comic books actually caused juvenile delinquency, which caused problems and controversy.

Sales suffered from all the scandals, and Comics Code Authority, which was established with the aim of reducing juvenile delinquency and other problems caused by comic books, didn’t help.

In the mid-50s many people blamed comics for different youth-related problems. Parent groups help public comic book burnings to do away with comics. There were even bans in some cities. The industry took a huge hit.

Around the same time, TV was also an emerging form of entertainment, which competed with comic books for the time viewers. TV was innovative, fresh, and interesting, not because the programs were so good (the story-arcs in comic books at the time were far more interesting), but simply because it was a relatively new technology coming to the public.

The industry managed to persevere, though. The mid-fifties (1956, to be more precise), saw the beginning of the Silver Age. Many scholars believe that the rebirth of the Flash in Showcase #4 also gave the birth of the new age.

The Silver Age would be characterized by a new type of superheroes.

In 1961, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the Fantastic Four, which, despite the atrocious movies we’re now forced to watch, is one of the most influential comics of that time. For the first time, superheroes were humanized and given inner demons to fight and conquer, aside from the villains.

This was considered a revolution at the time because it hadn’t been done before. This made superheroes like Spider-man, Fantastic Four, and the X-Men a lot more relatable, especially among college students who could relate to the heroes and the problems they were facing.

The 1970s would (figuratively speaking) give birth to the Bronze Age of comics.

The transition wasn’t as sharp as the one between Gold and Silver Age and not all characters entered it at the same time. The timing is also quite speculative, though it’s widely accepted among fans and scholars.

The Bronze Age brought a lot more substance to the comics.

They began to provide social commentary and tried to tackle popular issues at the time, such as drug abuse. During the Bronze Age, we also so the revamping of some characters with some more serious and darker undertones.

The industry was thriving again and even saw the birth of the first specialized comic book stores.

The darker undertones that started with the Bronze Age transitioned in the Modern Age.

The creation of Alan Moore’s Watchmen and Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns served to cement this. Both comics were critically acclaimed and saw huge sales.

In fact, they are among the most influential comics to this day. The darker tone of DC’s cinematic universe can be traced to the success of those comics, and the director of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (which is loosely based on Miller’s masterpiece) is the same director who brought Watchmen to life on the big screen – Zach Snyder.

The popularity of antiheroes like Wolverine and the Punisher began to grow because of this.

Mainstream comics are still going strong and are gaining more and more popular because people are getting interested thanks to the wide plethora of movies, video games, and TV series we see.

A few historical events have forever changed the course of the medium, which is always interesting to behold.

What would’ve comics looked like today if people hadn’t embraced the superhero concept?

What kind of comics would we be reading?

Would there still be comics at all?

Based on the fact that the industry has been so resilient over the years and is still here, we would say that it’s entirely possible. We can’t wait to see what will happen next.

The post Infographics : A Brief History and Introduction to Comics appeared first on The Artist.

The Old Guitarist

The Old Guitarist is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso between 1903 and 1904. Expressionism influenced the Spanish artist style which turned out to be the art movement around then. In this painting, there is an old, blind man with threadbare cloths who is playing guitar on the streets.

Dora Maar au Chat

Dora Maar au Chat is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1941. This painting was famous for its cubism style which made it one of the most expensive paintings. In this painter, Dora Maar who is painter’s love is seating on a chair.

Girl before a Mirror

Girl before a Mirror is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1932. This painting is known for its masterclass and varied interpretations of the lover and the beloved. In this painting, a woman is looking at the mirror while the image in the mirror is different.

Guernica

Guernica is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1937. It is regarded as one of the most political based painting with a strong message against war. The Spanish painter tried to show the agony of people, animals and the environment around it.

Seated Woman

Seated Woman is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1937. In this year, Picasso produced many powerful creations including this and Guernica. The influence of love in the Spanish painter’s life had recharged him to become a legend in this lifetime.

Family of Saltimbanques

Family of Saltimbanques is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1905. This painting is considered as masterpiece of Picasso circus period. The work in this painting depicts six saltimbanques, a kind of itinerant circus performer, in a desolate landscape.

The Weeping Woman

The Weeping Woman is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1937. This painting was one of the series of paintings that Picasso produced depicting this subject. Dora Maar was the weeping woman depicted in this painting.

Les Noces de Pierrette

Les Noces de Pierrette is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1905. This painting belong to the Picasso’s circus period or Rose period but artistically it gives a characterstics of the blue period. At this period, the artist faced poverty and depression.

La Vie

La Vie is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso in 1903. This painting is widely known for Picasso’s blue period. In this painting, a naked couple is being confronted by the woman carring a child. In the background of this painting, there are two more paintings.

Boy Leading a Horse

Boy Leading a Horse is a painting produced by Pablo Picasso between 1905 and 1906. This painting is considered to be of Picasso’s Rose period. In this painting, there is a nude boy who is leading his horse.

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