The truth is that everyone can develop the ability to paint. Learning to paint, is much like learning any other skill. All activities require a certain level of talent, including writing, cooking and even talking. So what makes people with “god given” talent for painting different from anyone else?

Many individuals believe that the only way to become a painter, is if you have an inborn ability, but you should not allow this fictional requirement, to keep you from learning to paint. More than anything, it’s about the internal desire to paint and the dedication to learning how to paint.

After all, all these manuals and art books have not been written for the “god given” painters, explaining all the techniques for the usage of adequate papers, colors, brushes and stuff. This indicates that the people who wrote these books, feel that painting is something that can be done by anyone.

The painting method that you select, is a highly individualized choice. Acrylic paints are the classic painters choice, but you may also choose oil, which may be water soluble, or pastels, or water colors.

You can actually paint with anything and everything including chalk, charcoal or even coffee. However, learning to paint implies you will try more than one technique, prior to deciding which one suits you best. If something isn’t working for you, stop doing it.  You don’t want to continue struggling with something that is only making you feel bad.  Try another technique so you can find the best one for you.

You can liven up the learning process by experimenting with color mixing.  Although this may seem intimidating, you should not avoid giving it a try. You don’t have to read about the “color theory”; you can learn about it by playing around with mixing colors.

Whatever you manage to paint, whether it turns out a true naïve or abstract, be proud of yourself and never think someone else is better. You should never try to conform your painting to specific guideline, as art is a creative process without limitations. How art can remain art if we label it?

Tags: Art, how to paint, learning how to paint, learning to paint, paint, painting, teaching painting to kids

Animation Cels – A cel (short for celluloid) is a blank clear plastic sheet used by the studio artist to paint an animated character or object based on the animator’s original pencil drawing. The cels are then positioned over a background and photographed in sequence to produce an illusion of life in the completed film or cartoon short. Every cel is different but this does not mean that every cel is unique. Often multiple copies of a cel were created by the Inkers as color models in order to advance their technique and skills in Animation Art.

Limited Edition Animation Cels  –  Are a none  production hand painted cel created for sale to the collectors market. It is  produced in fixed limited quantities and are easily identified by a fraction (150/500) in the lower right hand corner. They are not used in films or cartoon shorts, and the original intent was to recreate the original production cels. More recently many studios release new images not based on production Animation Art.

Sericels – A non production cel not used in films or shorts  created using  a printing process similar to silk screening. No work is done by hand , therefore no painting or inking is involved. They are often produced in limited quantities of 5000 or less and occasionally more , and they are marketed as a low cost alternative to production and limited edition animation cels .

Animation Drawings –  These are the original drawings created by animators from which the production cels are traced or Xeroxed

Giclee – The French term “Giclée”, literally meaning “spray of ink,” is used to describe these prints. Four precision nozzles spray up to a million microscopic droplets per second on to fine art paper. Then, each piece of paper is one by one hand-mounted. Displaying a full color spectrum, the prints are lush and velvety, capturing the subtle nuances of the original artwork.

Tags: animation, animation art, animation art forms, Art, art forms, collecting different art forms

If you have not yet appreciated the significance of wood in our everyday lives, then you must study this article and you may be amazed by its beauty. I is going to be writing here the importance of wood, a brief discussion on wood carving, and what woods are suited for carving.  Search online for great articles on how to carve wood.

Second to earth, wood may be the most frequently used substance in the world. Wood has been a important part from the human race for hundreds of thousands of many years! We Require wood each single day to live our lives within the capacity we have grown accustomed to. It offers us heat, shelter, tools, benches, transportation, etc. Practically every thing we do, and everywhere we go, is affected in some Huge techniques by wood. If we were not to have this essential substance, we would SURELY perish!  There are numerous diverse ways in how to carve wood.

But we utilize wood in so several methods other than these most important methods. Helping us stay comfortable is a plus, and so are the crafts we can take advantage of. One form of showing such craftsmanship is carving wood.  This allows an individual to display both their creativeness and their abilities. It is to enhance the beauty that was currently made by wood itself.   Ultimately you’re able to know how to carve wood and produce something that you are proud off.

I hope you might be intrigued to learn a lot more. Well, you will find 4 types of wood utilized most generally in wood carving. One of them is white oak. Ideal for large and glorious displays, you see it regularly in churches. There’s a downfall to white oak, though.  Due to varying sections of wood density, it is tough to craft into greater detail, as carving instruments tend to jump around and clack against the wood. Second could be the white pine. This refers to lumber cut trees of about a hundred years old. White pine is used for a excellent number of points, and is really readily obtainable.

Now that you have currently been oriented about the efficiency of wood, and what woods can you use to produce the very best carvings if ever you have any plans, you are able to try it and maybe—just maybe, you will love it.

Tags: best way to carve wood, carving wood for art, how to carve wood, make art from wood, wood carving, wood carving art

Before you can get started you need to settle on a size for your aquarium. Beginners to this hobby are better off starting with a big tank as the maintenance is easier. For example, pH levels are less stable in a 10 gallon freshwater aquarium than in larger 55 gallon tank.

Step 1. Use a grease or wax pencil to mark out the dimensions of each side.

Step 2. Carefully score the glass with a glass cutter. Be sure to mark out neat and straight lines. Wearing gloves, and holding the glass sheet on either side of a scored mark, carefully snap the glass.

Step 3. Use fish tank silicone sealant to join the sides together. Start assembling the tank by placing the piece of glass that will be its base on a flat surface. Apply sealant on the top of the glass, along just one of the edges. Then fit the corresponding side to the edge of the base, pressing it gently into place. While waiting for the silicone to dry, use a sturdy object to steady the glass.

Step 4. Now apply silicone along one edge of the standing glass, and along the edge of the base where the next side will be placed. Then place the next sheet of glass into place on the base. Again, wait for the sealant to dry using something to hold the glass firm.

Step 5. Add the third and fourth sides of the tank following the same procedure as outlined above for the first two sides.

Step 6. Neatly and carefully remove the excess silicone on both the inside and the outside of all the joints using a sharp blade. Then apply the final seal to the joints, to the outside and the inside of the tank. Start by applying a continuous line of sealant along the joint. There should be no gaps in the silicone. Remove any bubbles by smoothing the sealant with your finger into each joint.

Remember water is heavy; a 10 gallon freshwater aquarium weighs about 80 pounds, and a 20 gallon weighs 160 pounds. So make sure that the weight of the fish tank is well supported.

Tags: aquarium, aquarium how to, home aquariums, how to make an aquarium, how to set up your home aquarium, steps to make a home aquarium

The truth is that everyone can develop the ability to paint. Learning to paint is as hard as anything else. All activities require a certain level of talent, including writing, cooking and even talking. So, if you would like to develop the fundamentals necessary to paint, what makes that different from the other activities where the skill to do it is considered a “God given” talent?

Absolutely anyone can be learning to paint and there is no need for god given talent to do so. As is the case with acquiring most skills, the secret to success, lies in the passion and determination of the individual.

After all, all these manuals and art books have not been written for the “god given” painters, explaining all the techniques for the usage of adequate papers, colors, brushes and stuff. In other words, the authors who are creating those materials believe that anyone can learn how to paint.

The painting method that you select, is a highly individualized choice. You can choose with oils, acrylics, water colors and pastels.  These are the basics, and you can always move into other ones at a later time.

Of course people painted with everything they had, being it chalk, charcoal, coffee or anything else. It is also recommended that you try out several different techniques so that you can choose the one you are the most comfortable with when it comes to learning to paint. Stop using something if it does not work for you, it will only make you feel bad – there will certainly be the technique you will find your satisfaction.

Do not be scared to improvise with colors, mix them because it will make your learning more interesting. There are no guidelines or hard and fast rules that must be followed in order to experiment with color.

When you have finished a painting project, be satisfied and pleased with your accomplishment, because whether it is an abstract or true naïve, it should not be compared to anyone else’s work. You should never try to conform your painting to specific guideline, as art is a creative process without limitations. How art can remain art if we label it?

Tags: Art, kids, learn how to paint, learn to paint, learning how to paint, paint, painting, school tips, teaching, teaching art, teaching painting to kids

How useful is the location where you tend to do your study program? Would it be possible to make it better? Complete this quiz to rate your study environment. Add up the score for each answer that applies to your study environment (there may be more than one answer for each question!)

1. Is your study environment distraction free?

     I leave my study to take telephone calls (5 points)
     I study next to a TV and have it switched on (5 points)
     I have music (not classical music) playing (4 points)
     I am with others when I study (3 points)
     I live in a very noisy neighbourhood (3 points)
     I study in complete quiet (1 point)
     I have classical music playing in the background (0 points)

2. Is my study environment restful?

     I often feel cozy and sleepy when I study (5 points)
     I often feel cold when I study (5 points)
     I study in bed (5 points)
     I study on an arm chair or sofa (4 points)
     My study area is stuffy with no ventilation (4 points)
     My seat is too hard or uncomfortable (3 points)
     My study area is well ventilated with fresh air (0 points)
     I study at a table. My chair supports my back (0 points)

3. Is my study location well set up?

     I often waste time searching for the things I need for study (5 points)
     My study environment is filled with clutter and untidy (5 points)
     I do not have a filing system or shelves (4 points)
     I do not have a pin-up board (2 points)
     I have to pack away the projects I am working on at the conclusion of each
          study session (2 points)
     I can leave a project out to continue working on it during my next study session (0 points)
     I have a filing system and tidy shelves (0 points)
     I can find whatever I need instantly (0 points)
     I have all books and equipment at hand (0 points)
     I have timetables, deadlines, goals, and motivational
          quotes displayed on a pin-up board (0 points)

0 – 10 points: Your study place is set up to maximize your
                       results! Can you improve it even more in
                        any of the areas listed above?

11 – 20 points: There are some definite things you can do
                           to improve your studylocation. Look
                           overTake a look at the zero point answers to get some
                           ideas.

> 20 points:  Your study place is in urgent need
                       of improvement! You are unable to study efficiently
                       in an area that is uncomfortable (or
                       too comfortable!), disorganised or filled with
                       distraction. What changes can you make to
                       make your study space better?

The place where you choose to study is an important element of a successful study plan. Get it right, and you could be on the way to significantly improving your grades.

Tags: better ways to study, get better grades, how to get better grades in school, how to make a good study space, making a good study space, score better grades

School today teaches a feel-good, politically correct teachings which have created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up
for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair – get used to it!

Rule 2 : The world won’t care about your self-esteem. The world
will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about
yourself.

Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school.
You won’t be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a
boss.

Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your
Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called
it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault, so don’t
whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as
they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning
your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought
you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of
your parent’s generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but
life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades
and they’ll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right
answer. This doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in
real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get summers
off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND
YOURSELF. Do that on your own time..

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually
have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.

If you can read this – Thank a teacher! If thats your Mom or dad, give them a hug!

Some fun art and a little learning for your Thanksgiving holiday

One thing that goes well with kids and school is arts and crafts. Kids love arts and crafts no matter how creative they are. As long as the craft is simple, kids want to do it.

I have always liked combining my arts and crafts with school and giving purpose to what we are doing. One way of doing this is with a bulletin board. Bulletin boards have always been a friend of mine. I love how they not only can brighten up your schoolroom walls, but they constantly reinforce what it is you are teaching. Until your students have the skill pretty mastered, a bulletin board should be around.

Thanksgiving bulletin boards are a great way to teach several things. First, they could actually teach students about geography. Plan out a course that the pilgrims took and have the students make a map charting the course. The younger students could have a very basic map and the older the children are the more details they could add. If you wanted to study mapping skills this would be optimum.

Perhaps the students could make a giant cardboard ship with the different levels of the ship. They could add supplies made from construction paper or raw materials that could depict what would be needed to make the journey. Different mediums could add a 3D effect to the project. This could be adapted to each grade level by offering pre made things to add to the ship and help from the teacher to the students making the project all themselves.

Another thing you could do is study the pilgrims themselves. What did they do that first year and how were they helped, making a big collage to depict that. Again, this could be very rudimentary or detailed depending on the grade and ability of your student.

You could teach art by going on line and looking at various artists and how they portrayed thanksgiving. Study about how Thanksgiving was portrayed in the 1600’s as compared to now. Look at greeting cards and see if students can notice how art has changed from then to now. Then, the students could design their own art pieces depicting what thanksgiving is to them.

It would be fun to study clothing of the period and find out when the black and white came in and when it went out or did they really wear black and white at all.

The possibilities are endless! So, while you are teaching your kids about this important holiday why not add in some fun by offering an art and craft to go with all that learning. It is like getting fries with your hamburger.

Tags: Art, Art and Crafts, home school, homeschool, kids, parents looking for help, resources, school help, school projects, school tips, teaching, teaching art, teaching methods, Teaching tip, Thanksgiving

We have always loved camping but sometimes it is just not convenient so we decided that if the kids wanted to play camp out in our back yard we would accomodate. In order for it to really feel like something special, and to avoid a lot of work, we started making sheet tents. Now, these are super easy and fun and you can make them just about any size and anywhere!

The first thing you will need are obvious, sheets! The amount of sheets to use will depend on the sizes tent you want. I do not like to use my house sheets so I go to the local Thrift store and purchase from them. We have about 7 king sized sheets that we use and a twin or two for doors.

You will need something to connect your sheets. I find that clothes pins work the best because the kids can manipulate them easily and they are inexpensive. Binder clips from an office supply store works as well.

You will need some sort of support. Chairs, trees and fences make good basic support. I have rigged a frame made out of old poles for our tents so the kids can put them up anytime. I use the frame as a drying rack for our pool towels which is very convienent. A rope or clothes line works great for added support.

Get creative, use your imagination and remember that kids dont care about perfection they just want to have fun.