Alina Bradford's Blog

Posted by Alina Bradford

Our new article More Art in 2007, paintingdrawing.suite101.com/article.cfm/more_art_in_2007, has some easy ideas to jump start your art in 2007. Here is an idea from the article:

Study light.

Study the Christmas lights and New Year’s fireworks to observe how colored light works on objects. Don’t forget to write down your observations for later.

For more great ideas don't forget to click the link above!

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

Many of us know our art needs work, but have trouble figuring out exactly what to work on. Here is a list of things to check in your art. Once you find room for improvement, make a resolution to fix it!

*Perspective

Does your cubes look like cubes? Does your cups and bowls look lop-sided? Do your streets fade into the horizon?

*Color

Do you know what a cool or warm palette is? Do you know how to find complementary colors? Do you know what contrast means?

*Mixing Mediums

Do you know what mediums mix well with oils? What comes first when layering mediums, the faster drying, or the slower?

*Longevity

Do you know how to make your art archival quality?

During the new year we will cover all these subjects and more to help you with your resolutions. Stay tuned!

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

Well, 2007 is coming up quick. It's the perfect time to take a look at your artistic habits and set goals for the new year. In this spirit, during the next few days I will be posting blogs on how to evaluate your art and how to take steps to change it in 2007.

What are my goals for 2007? I have been doing a lot of computer art lately, and I've decided I need to do more canvas work. I have also resolved to enter more art shows.

Don't miss it!

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

Have you ever taken a really BAD photo and thought it was trash? Don't toss it, turn it into a muse and medium for your art. In Painting/Drawing's new article "Painting and Photo Collage", paintingdrawing.suite101.com/article.cfm/painting_and_picture_collage, you can learn how to do just that.

Have any ideas or comments on this article? Feel free to post in our discussion area, paintingdrawing.suite101.com/discussions.cfm.

Alina

Posted by Alina Bradford

If you're anything like me being in public and sketching is not your idea of fun. You know getting out and sketching a variety of things is good for your muse and skill, but it also makes you break out in a cold sweat. Been there and still do that! Here are some tips I've learned to keep the anxiety away and the muse on my shoulder:

Find a hiding spot.

Sketch from inside your car in a parking lot, from a back booth at a coffee shop, under a tree at the park, anywhere that keeps you from the main focus.

Find busy people.

Sketch while others are busy drinking, cooking, playing, and talking. They won't be paying attention to you.

Babies are great.

Sketching babies are great because they don't care about what you are doing. Take advantage of this age by sketching at the doctor's office or at the park.

For more tips on sketching see: paintingdrawing.suite101.com/article.cfm/drawing_human_sketches