http://artistsshowcase.today.com About: Art, My Art, Artists (past and present,) What Artists Think Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:46:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en "Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing."[ii]   Often we might wonder: “How did the artist come up with that idea?”  This pondering is not limited to the “dark” arts, but also to some of the most famous paintings.  Camembert and its relative Brie are cheeses whose origin ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/14/%e2%80%9csay-cheese%e2%80%9d-i-is-not-always-for-smiles-%e2%80%93-sometimes-for-paintings/ Many times while visiting museums throughout the country and in Europe, I would see artists set up with easel, paints and brushes, copying works.  They did this tirelessly throughout many years, and yet it was not to copy, but to practice and get an understanding of how the great ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/13/museums-and-artists/ In my studio, I work with a background of music, videos of art instruction, or anything else that helps me switch to the right brain.  I usually work from photos (generally ones that I have taken) in my studio.  Today’s work in progress is one that has been ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/11/work-in-progress/   Young children are best sketched or painted using photos.  However, if the painting is a commissioned work, then there is a lot more involved.  Introductions are in order, and the child must develop a trust in the artist.  Knowing something about the parents is important, as is learning about ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/10/drawing-or-painting-children/ Variety in painting spices up the art work.  In composing a painting, the artist wants to tell you a story, (intentionally or otherwise) creating in your mind’s eye, the emotions and feelings that will make the painting a success.  To do this, the artist must provide you ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/08/variety-is-the-spice-of-life/ One of the problems artists encounter is how and where to photograph their works for publication on their websites, and how to present them to the viewers, keeping in mind that the objective is usually to sell said works.  Usually, this is not a problem with me, as ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/07/photographing-your-artwork/ What is value to an artist?  Think of the magical number 3: the symbolic meaning is well known to anyone who has read history or any bedtime stories for children.[1]  Value in art, however, is a measure of light and dark.  For the beginning artist, three values are ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/06/value-shopping-or-painting/ When I sketch, I look at the photo (or the plein-air situation) and try to compose the picture (divide the paper into interesting shapes that tie together to give the emotions and feelings.)  This photo (non-digital and quite old - the clothes tell us that) I found among ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/05/sketching-and-re-arranging-images/ The work shown below is an example of the truism in the title.  It has been in my studio for about a year as a value study in acrylics.  Because I am cleaning out my studio - really needed it - I came across some of these gems that have ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/04/works-in-progress-are-never-done/ Edgar A. Whitney[i] in his “Complete Guide To Watercolor Painting”[ii] demonstrated his humanness, in addition to the skills as a writer (albeit in the vernacular of the mid-20th century America) and watercolorist. In just two pages he gave instructions peppered with opinions, without excuse, and yet he also demonstrated his ability ... http://artistsshowcase.today.com/2009/04/02/humanness-in-artists/