Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Tattoos: For the Love of Art?

How far are you willing to go for your love of art? Do you have art, designs, emblems, or icons written on your body? If art is your passion, why damage your skin with images you may later regret? To love and embrace art does not mean you need to tattoo yourself.

The permanency of tattoos has a serious downside. As we age, our taste in art and design and personal aesthetics usually change. No doubt, tattoos are popular worldwide, but caution for this form of art needs to be addressed. Do you know of any style that has stood up over a long period of time? People everywhere periodically change the style and color of their hair, eye makeup, eye glasses, and facial hair (for men).

Speaking as an artist, I have to say that no art is error-free. Artists cannot produce perfect work no matter how great they are. Only perfect people produce perfect work. Not only this, but tattoo technology improves from one decade to the next. What then? Removing outdated tattoos is painful and expensive. Most people can’t assume they will have the physical endurance and money to be able to remove tattoos.

There are more considerations too: faded tattoos, body weight changes, and aged skin. With sun exposure and passage of time, tattoos fade. As we age, our body weight can easily change which could cause a tattoo to appear too large or too small. And most definitely, our skin wrinkles and crepes as we age.

Tattoos brand people. Tattoos advertise and communicate messages to everyone who sees them. When someone feels so strongly about something that they are willing to brand themselves with a permanent tattoo or two, others take them seriously and try to read and interpret them.

Is the love of art your motivation for tattoos? If so, you may want to use your favorite tattoo design for your jewelry, a T-shirt, a poster, or for a motorcycle instead. If you think your tattoo is NOT good enough or does NOT merit being put on other items such as these, then why do you want permanent tattoo(s) on your body?

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com

Friday, January 25, 2008

Graphic Artist

Graphic artists create art and layouts by arranging images and text to communicate a message in print and electronic media such as magazines, newspapers, books and websites, as well as for corporate branding, exhibitions and advertising purposes. Most graphic artists specialize in a number of fields including television, film and computer graphics, exhibition designing, corporate branding, book and magazine designing, advertising and illustration. A graphic designer can rise up in the creative world through his vivid imagination and hard work, and can acquire the post of design directors, art directors or creative directors in his career.

The profile of a graphic artist usually requires him to talk to clients to get a better understanding of their visual communication requirements and, on that basis, develop rough designs or sketches for approval. Once the client approves the idea, a designer prepares layouts of the sketches by using modern techniques like photography, illustration and computer-generated imagery. The layouts, once approved by the client, are printed and then set up for exhibitions or for advertising purposes. Although a graphic artist is only supposed to prepare designs for his clients, it is also imperative for an artist to interact with his client on a regular basis to understand his requirements, and supervise the design production stages to ensure a quality product for his client.

Graphic artists mostly work as a member of a team in design studios or advertising agencies, and after gaining considerable experience one can also undertake freelance work. Although a diploma in creative design is a plus for an artist, personal aptitudes like a creative and imaginative mind, good sense of color and form, good communication skills, good marketing abilities, the ability to work under pressure and ability to work in a team are some of attributes which are essential for a designer to succeed.

Graphic design is quite a rewarding career, and one can gain not only monetary wealth but can also amass fame through hard work and creativity.

Graphic Artist provides detailed information on Graphic Artist, What is a Graphic Artist, Graphic Artist Salaries, Find a Graphic Artist and more. Graphic Artist is affiliated with Graphic Design Jobs.

By: Jimmy Sturo

Monday, January 21, 2008

Top 10 Art Schools

The top 10 art schools focus on the visual arts, such as graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, and sculpture according to the author’s best research results.

1. The California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture is at the progressive end of Earth Art and Ceramic Architecture technologies today.

2. Creative people require creative careers. The Art Institute of Phoenix leads the way to these opportunities. Programs focus on design— advertising, graphic, interior, and Web design.

3. The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute offers an self-governing research and academic program designed to encourage new approaches to the understanding of issues and objects from an adaptable style of art.

4. The Cranbrook Academy of Art, located in the affluent Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills, MI, is a prominent graduate school of architecture, art and design. Founded in 1932 by philanthropists George Gough Booth and wife Ellen Scripps Booth, it is part of the larger Cranbrook Educational Community, also founded by the couple.

5. The New York Academy of Art or Graduate School of Figurative Art is the only accredited school of its kind in the world. Blending the traditions of the Italian and French Academies, the Academy focuses on the study of the human figure by rigorously studying anatomy, art history, sculpture, painting, and drawing.

6. The New School of Classical Art (NSCA) offers the Atelier Method of art instruction and is based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA. It was founded in 2005 by the Master Painter and Classical Realism (arts)Artist Dana Levin.

7. The China Academy of Art has the most complete range of degree offerings and programs of study in fine arts in China. There are eight schools under its jurisdiction offering Ph.D., master’s and bachelor’s degrees in fine arts, design, architecture, multi-media and film.

8. Iceland Academy of the Arts (Icelandic: Listaháskóli Íslands) is an Icelandic arts school which offers education in arts at university level.

9. The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy was formed to rival the Society of Artists after an unseemly leadership dispute between two leading architects, Sir William Chambers and James Paine. in Piccadilly, London.

10. The Royal Swedish Academy of Arts or Kungl. Akademien för de fria konsterna, founded in 1773 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies in Sweden. The Academy is an independent organization, which acts to promote painting, sculpting, building and the other visual arts.

James Winston has developed many websites over the years in many different business areas. He is a professional web developer/designer/research specialist. He has a College University, Free Website Content Resource for Art School seekers with Five Steps To Choosing A College a place where anyone may read and prepare for The Basics of Starting college!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

3D Abstract Art

3D abstract art is a form of abstract art which uses the help of modern technology for the purpose of designing and drawing. This form of abstract art uses the help of software which comprises of multimedia and graphics. This type of art develops quick drawing and modeling of images that are complex in type. The software used for this type of art helps developers to save time and give more attractive designs of pieces.

3D animation software is categorized into two factors namely graphics and multimedia. These are the factors in which drawing designs can be developed very easily. The features of this software help you in developing highly complicated models very easily. It is, moreover, very user friendly and highly efficient. Newtek, Ulead, Eovia, and Allume Systems are few of the top software providers who offer you with a better 3D abstract art form. 3D abstract art software can cost anywhere from $30 to $200, depending on the features. 3D rendering and 3D drafting software are also used widely for this modern form of art.

3D Home Architect, which is very famous in the market, is of great use in developing 3D abstract art form. The software is used mainly for business and office purposes and also used for educational purposes. Encore and Mattel are the most popular brands that sell this form of software for commercial purposes. They cost around $30 to $60.

Floorplan 3D abstract art uses effective art designs that are categorized into computers along with electronics. IMSI is the only brand which offers this software for art development. It performs a complete home design solution with its features. The price range of abstract art software is from around $10 to $40. 3D abstract art software develops more efficient and effective art forms. The software offers you with high quality art technology at an affordable price range.

Abstract Art
provides detailed information on Abstract Art, Modern Abstract Art, Abstract Art Paintings, Abstract Art Galleries and more. Abstract Art is affiliated with African Wildlife Art.

By:Damian Sofsian

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Digital Fine Art

You may not realize it, but digital art is the kind of art you are most exposed to. Computers and digital media improve our lives and our creativity in manners that we would never have thought possible only a few years ago. Some modern art experts say that digital fine art is a natural evolutionary result of the progression of human technology, and that it should be recognized as a vital cultural phenomenon.

Just like any art form, digital fine art is created by three factors: artist inspiration, technique and presentation. All the traditional artistic techniques still apply to digital art – techniques such as perspective, light, shadow and expression.

The greatest achievements of digital fine art

Perhaps the most significant impact digital art has made so far is its ability to create three-dimensional (3D) images in a few clicks. This technology paved the way for advancements in the field of digital design and applied digital sciences (as in robotics).

And, because a there are many different software and hardware tools to aid both digital fine art designers and regular users, digital art is the most accessible art form. Everyone can learn how to manipulate form, shade, space, color, movement, texture, shadow, light, transparency, radiance, luminosity and reflection to create ingenious digital fine art.

Some misconceptions

Contrary to popular belief, digital art is ‘serious’ art in a sense that the artists are just as creative as artists who use more traditional methods. The computer does not compose and create art by itself – it is still the artist who uses virtual brushes and paints to produce one-of-a-kind artwork.

The future of digital fine art

You can expect to see more elaborate, digital fine art in the future as artist’s organizations take steps to gain more publicity and launch their artworks. The move to get art enthusiasts to take digital art more seriously is likely going to progress and succeed. It won’t be long before digital fine art is traded in high end auction houses. Although the image of digital art on a computer screen can be stunning, the digital fine art print is a collectible artifact that can be appreciated on a very personal level and treasured for a lifetime.

Digital Art provides detailed information on Digital Art, Digital Fine Art, Digital Art Schools, 3D Digital Art and more. Digital Art is affiliated with Digital Prints.

By: Peter Emerson

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Arts and Design Training

Schools that provide arts and design training offer studies of crafts, arts, and design of all kinds. Arts and design training introduces a broad range of materials and hands-on instruction, including clay, wood, metal, and fiber.

Vocational arts and design training programs can be greatly diversified and may include courses in graphic design, jewelry production, illustration, interior design, fashion, film, animation, architecture, furniture, sculpture, and more. Arts and design training can also include painting, photography, sound design, and visual effects. Students in arts and design training programs will take courses in drawing, sketching, color, tools, techniques, creative vision, and art theory.

Art and design schools promote the development of critical skills to prepare students for professions in animation, studio arts, performing arts, production, advertising, educational instruction, video, film, and in graphic design, interior design, and architectural design.

Arts and design training may also include courses in the design of various mechanical devices and machines, such as kitchen appliances, windows, bathroom units, cars, airplanes, toys, and even interactive games, depending on the focus of the particular school and the interests of individual students. Artistic creativity and expression, intellectual understanding, and professional development are concerns of quality arts and design training in vocational, technical, and trade schools and community colleges.

If you would like to learn more about Arts and Design Training, or even Online Arts and Design Schools, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Arts and Design Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Expressionist Art - Is This What My Five Year Old Paints?

Expressionist Art first came formally into being within the professional fine art community around the turn of the 20th century. It derived itself from the European Impressionist movement and one of its first great artists may be considered to be the Dutchman Vincent Van Gogh.

The Impressionist were primarily concerned with expressing the nature of what their eye detected rather than the more realistic art forms that preceded that period. The Expressionist however was more inclined to add a more personal touch to their artwork and were even further from the academic standards that had prevailed in Europe during the preceding centuries. In many ways, just as technology transformed life in the 20th century, the expressionist artist transformed the way art developed. Perhaps it was this rapid change in the pace of life that inspired Norwegian expressionist artist Munch to create the famous artwork "The Scream".

In any case, it took expressionist art several decades to make greater headway and developed primarily in Europe through the German expressionist school. This school involved such talented artists as Schiele and Kandinsky. In many ways though the art of Kandinsky, though showing traits of expressionism rapidly developed towards a more abstract level based on his theories relating numbers and colors.

Indeed the whole concept behind expressionism was to capture an emotion through art and not necessarily expressing it via a figurative image. And this leads us on to the questions of whether art created by elephants can be considered to be expressionist artworks. For this to be true we would require that the elephant be aware of its feelings as it creates the artwork. Given that this would be difficult to directly fathom I believe that there is no fundamental reason to define elephant artwork as expressionist. However, is this also the case for our five year old children?

Young children are often not fully aware of their emotions, but we all know only too well, that they do know how to express themselves through their emotions. As such, if they were to do so while creating and painting a picture then it must be assumed that such a work also contains elements of expressionist art. So, yes! Perhaps your child is an expressionist artist and that should only be encouraged.

To find out more on expressionist art you can review:
http://www.garpsworld.com/art/expressionist/expressionist_art.htm

By: John McMenemy

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Book Cover Designing

Book covers contribute as a litmus test to the success of a book. A buyer should be able to get the feel of the subject by glancing at the cover of a book.

There are few tips to be taken care of while designing the cover of a book.

1. Distinctive title or name of the book on its cover. Name of the book should stand out on the book's cover. Color, style and size of the font should be chosen carefully. Simple common rules are most useful like choice of opposite color shades i.e. dark font on a light image or vice verca.

2. Image or artwork or collage used on the book cover should definitely relate very clearly to the subject of the book. This involves great creativity like the one which goes in designing the logo for a company. Because its the image which acts as a strut or a prop to the recognition of your book's performance in reader's mind.

3. Towards the bottom normally the cover design should carry the writer and publisher's name. The fon size for this is kept much lower than that of the book's title.

4. Most importantly the cover design should give a perfect balance of artwork and text which communicates the glance of the book's subject with clarity.

Normally a couple of variants or designs are prepared and evaluated on parameters of appeal, recognition and impact value before pin pointing on one design which finally goes to make the history for a book's performance.

The author is a veteran in this field of book cover designing since last 3 decades. He runs a company specializing in book cover designing and book composing. Several samples and profile are available at http://www.linksngrafix.com

By: Manuj Bajaj