Articles by Katie Dawson on ArticleSnatch.com

Traditions and Techniques of Still Life Artists

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:35:53 -0400

Still Life Artists and Two Art Forms Still life artists comprise of both painters and photographers. Although photography is a comparatively new phenomenon, painting definitely is not. Still life paintings, as an art form, find its antecedents in the ancient tombs of Egypt tombs and wall depictions and floor mosaics of Rome. It is neither evocative like landscape paintings, nor emotional like portraits, yet it was kept alive through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, continuing to the twentieth century by inspirational painters. Periodic Still Life Painters and their Art Still life artists expressed their creativity by capturing inanimate visuals. The expression, 'still life' implies visual depictions of inanimate objects like vessels, fruits, flowers, books, and a host of every day objects. These everyday objects inspired iconic painters like: - Leonardo da Vinci - Caravaggio - Georg Flegel - Vincent Van Gogh In the West, still life art had a Christian religious theme throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. **End Summary** Topics: still life artists]]> still life painters]]> still life photograph]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Still life artists comprise both painters and photographers. Although the techniques used to create still life paintings and still life photographs differ, the key concept pertains to capturing still life.

Seascape Paintings Created With Acrylic Paints

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:21:30 -0400

Seascape Paintings Created With Acrylic Paints Seascape paintings created in acrylic have inspired generations of artists and audiences alike. This is because painting seascapes with acrylics helps recreate the verve and vibrancy of the sea, given the versatility of the medium. No wonder then that the best seascape oil painting continue to be created using acrylic painting techniques. Acrylic Painting Techniques in Painting Seascapes Acrylics are the most preferred medium for painting seascapes, given their easy usability, water solubility, quick drying properties and availability in varying viscosities. There is an astonishing variety of effects that can be produced. Acrylics also help impart three-dimensional effects to paintings. The different types of acrylic painting techniques are washes, glazes and textural finishes. Different textures are created in paintings with additives, such as sand and plaster. Contemporary artists use acrylics singly or in combination with watercolor painting techniques to enhance the depth, mood and the atmosphere of paintings so created. Using acrylic paints helps impart the texture and consistency of oil paints to paintings without the long drying times. **End Summary** Topics: painting seascapes]]> seascape oil painting]]> seascape paintings]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Superior quality seascape paintings can be created with the popular acrylic painting technique called glazes. Painting seascapes in acrylic has inspired generations of artists and audiences alike.

Using Mixed Media Art Techniques to Create Abstract Mixed Media Installations

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:13:50 -0400

The mixed media art installations are a western contemporary art genre started in 1970s. These installations are produced using different media types (mixed media) and techniques in a single art work to create a unique, conceptual experience. Mixed media allows greater versatility and a rich viewer experience, owing to the multiple layers characteristic of the art. Popular mixed media artists of the Installation Art genre are Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, among others. Techniques of Mixed Media Installation Art Mixed media artists employ a variety of techniques to create unique styles of installation art. This includes the wide variety of materials and the media used. Material choices include the use of textiles, terracotta, cardboard, carpet, spray and oil paints, graphite, sculptures and found objects. Different media types, such as computers, sound and the internet are used effectively to convey the intended message. The subject, background and the texture of the mixed media art are also quite important. Mixed media artists use techniques such as creation of impressive embellishments, innovative dying and painting, and needle felting, distressing and embossing, to create unique mixed media installation art. **End Summary** Topics: mixed media art]]> mixed media]]> mixed media artists]]> ]]> mixed media]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Mixed media artists employ a variety of techniques to create unique styles of installation art. They utilize a variety of mixed media art techniques to create unique three-dimensional viewer experience. This includes the wide variety of materials and the media used. Material choices include the use of textiles, te

Modern Sculptures and Their Place in the Art World Today

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:05:56 -0400

Modern Sculptures and Their Place in the Art World Today Modern sculptures, as an art form, are witnessing significant divergence from the ancient theory of sculptures. During the primordial times, sculptures were either made of ivory or clay. A few centuries later, basalt, diorite, sandstone and alabaster were employed. Superior quality sculptures and inlays were created with precious stones, such as copper, gold and silver. Today, however, a variety of media is used for making the most innovative modern art sculptures. Types of Material Used in Modern Sculpture Had Michelangelo learnt the art of modern sculpture, he would not have had to struggle for years in the Sistine Chapel. This is because modern sculptures are technology friendly and therefore, less time consuming. These days, sculptures are mainly created by carving, welding, casting or molding a variety of materials. The most common materials used in modern art sculpture are: Scrap Metal - 'Scrap' of course being recyclable materials which are left-over from vehicles and buildings. The modern term for this art form is 'scraptures'. It is a difficult form of art which requires an in-depth knowledge of mechanics. **End Summary** Topics: modern sculptures]]> modern sculpture]]> modern art sculpture]]> art]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Despite differences in the concepts of ancient and modern sculptures, modern art sculpture is still considered an art form given its excellent creative potential. Modern sculptures , as an art form, are witnessing significant divergence from the ancient theory of sculptures.

How Landscape Impressionist Paintings Revolutionized Modern Art

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:02:02 -0400

Impressionist Paintings So much has been written about how Impressionist paintings revolutionized the world of art, bringing tremendous awareness and conviction of the originality of the works of these artists. What began as a movement by a bunch of young radical painters in the mid 1870s grew into something that changed the way art was understood and perceived by thousands. That sums up the story of how Impressionist paintings and Impressionist artists were born. These Impressionist painters contributed richly to the growth of this unconventional art form. For example, Renoir's interest was in depicting women and children amidst stunning landscapes during which he conceptualized a new form called divisionism. By this form, Renoir omitted black from his palette and used only bright colors, which is a distinct feature of Impressionist art. Monet would paint the same subject at different times of the day to give the effect of the changing qualities of light and capture the movement of that light. Meanwhile Edgar Degas pioneered the concept of accidental composition. His paintings were about the ballet, horse races and portraits of ordinary people. **End Summary** Topics: impressionist paintings]]> impressionist art]]> impressionist arti]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Impressionist paintings revolutionized the world of art, bringing tremendous awareness and conviction. Today's painters are inspired by the originality of the impressionist artists and their radical innovative thinking that created a stir amongst art critics and conventional painters.

Pastel Art Techniques used by Edgar Degas - Is this style dead?

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:53:03 -0400

Pastel art techniques became popular during the 19th century, and were used by the French painter Edgar Degas. This pastel artist redefined art pastels with his innovative drawings on differently colored bases, experiments with shapes and textures of pastel strokes and with the element of "unfinished" in his pastel art. Degas's paintings, a part of Impressionism (art movement), were mostly based on subjects, such as dancers, racecourse subjects, women at work and nudes. Edgar: Works, Pastel Art Techniques and Style Edgar's unique pastel art techniques helped in the creation of dynamic images that looked like they were caught in motion. The pastel work created had blurred edges and had lines representative of a moving figure or form. Degas also imparted new angles and viewpoints to his subjects, which were also cropped abruptly - this demonstrated the influence of photography on his work. Degas's pastel art is characterized by his non-adherence to the established Parisian art techniques and styles. He is known to have experimented with new Japanese techniques and subjects. This included his use of Japanese woodprint and new graphic techniques. Degas was particularly influenced by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). **End Summary** Topics: art pastels]]> pastel art techniques]]> art techniques]]> pastel art]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The best features of art pastels are the unlimited possibilities in terms of texture and color available to the user. Pastel artists can also be spontaneous with their art, given the flexibility of art pastel application. Be it abstract or detailed representative art, the only limitation in pastel art is the artists' imagination

Art Ceramics an Ancient Medium Through to Contemporary Ceramic Art

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:58:56 -0400

Art Ceramics an Ancient Medium Through to Contemporary Ceramic Art The first known art ceramics date back 10,000 years; to the Japanese Paleolithic Jomon period. Ceramic art refers to objects made from clay, such as figures, figurines and tableware that also had artistic value. These ceramic arts were utilized for decorative or utilitarian purposes, or both. Evolution of Art Ceramics: Processes, Influences and Design Trends Almost all cultures boast a history of art ceramics, be it the Nok culture in Africa, the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Mayan, Greek or Dominican cultures. Ceramic arts in the early periods were largely in the form of decorative and functional objects and sculptures. For instance, European Paleolithic ceramic art comprised female figurines and animal figures. In fact, different cultures appreciated different aspects of ceramic art objects, which include their shape, carving, painting and glazing. Early ceramic arts were created using the coiling method, in which long clay strings were wound together into desired shapes. Then, the potter’s wheel was invented in the fourth millennium BC in Mesopotamia. The potter’s wheel also spread to Eurasia and Africa. **End Summary** Topics: art ceramics]]> ceramic]]> cerami art]]> ceramic arts]]> contemporary]]> ce]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The most popular form of art ceramics today is studio pottery. It refers to individual or small groups of artists producing unique ceramic items.This splendid, ornate and detailed art form is combined with other cultural elements to give rise to unique, spectacular ceramic art forms.

Abstract Watercolor Paintings - A Rise in Popularity

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:05:22 -0400

Abstract art, especially abstract watercolor paintings, have become a mainstream genre of art and particularly well known through the Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky is accredited with discovering the abstract art accidentally in his studio, when he suddenly noticed that colors and shapes were descriptive on their own and did not need to be defined. Based on this finding, Kandinsky combined different artistic elements with the abstract form to create interesting, organic shapes in bold colors. During the 1920s, the artist's work underwent dramatic change, when it started depicting more geometric than organic shapes. Most of Kandinsky's abstract watercolor paintings were inspired by music, as is apparent from the titles of his paintings, Improvisations and Compositions. Watercolor Painting as an Art Form Abstract watercolor paintings use the color and form of the painting as the subject matter, rather than a recognizable or traditional subject. Abstract watercolor painting ranges from the geometric to the more fluid, although both require great planning and execution. Abstract watercolor paintings also depict figurative abstractions, such as a spiritual experience, emotion or sound - Although eliminating the details, the basic spirit and essence is retained. **End Summary** Topics: watercolor paintings]]> abstract watercolor]]> watercolor painting]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The latest trend in abstract watercolor paintings is the emergence of the do-it-yourself option. Thanks to popular TV programs like 'Changing Rooms' which actively encourage people to create their own art to hang on the walls, anyone can create an abstract watercolor painting .

How to Use Oils in Painting Landscapes

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:11:33 -0400

Painting landscapes involves depicting an expanse of natural scenery such as rivers, valleys, forests, mountains, and trees. The medium that a painter chooses for landscape painting determines the technique that can be used to ensure comfort, fluidity and varying degrees of pressure on the canvas. Painting landscapes is done using different kinds of paints such as oils, water colors and acrylics. For simple and interesting landscape paintings, oil paints are a perfect medium. Note that one of the most important aspects of landscape paintings is the way you arrange the shapes during the composition stage. Getting the shapes arranged correctly at the start is vital. You can make it look as natural as possible by using shadow and contrast effects. Don't feel you have to squeeze in every little detail because that can over complicate your composition. Tips to Start Painting Landscapes Here are some tips to start painting a traditional landscape painting using oil paints: Start with a simple landscape with minimal objects as getting the details right using oils can be quite difficult. Decide where the horizon line is and draw it very lightly on your canvas. **End Summary** Topics: landscape painting]]> painting landscapes]]> landscape paintings]]> l]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The best thing about painting landscapes is that natural forms of beauty can be portrayed in various ways with the different use of texture and color. Landscape artists creating a landscape painting landscape painting can draw inspiration from all natural beauty they see around them and interpret it in their own.