Tips on Pencil Portrait Drawing - The Ears

Drawing ears is not easy. There are many different parts to an ear. However, here is where working with a grid can help you enormously. If you work with a small grid, the problem is reduced to that of a puzzle with plenty of hints as to how the pieces fit together.

Here are some guidelines that should make the drawing of ears a cinch:

* Be Forewarned The ear has many nuanced parts to it. So be prepared to spend some time one drawing the ears of your subject. If you know this, you will not get frustrated. There are many curved surfaces and therefore there will also be many changes in values. There will be cast shadows, reflected light, highlights, halftones, and anything in between. Be patient and spend the time.

Fortunately, on many occasions, you will find that your photograph only shows a small part of the ear and with women the ears often do not show up at all.

* Shapes Look for interlocking shapes and take note of how they fit into the overall structure of the ear. Never deal with a local shape by itself. Always relate it to the neighborhood so it fits well in the total picture.

* Shine The ear is made of skin that is oilier than, say, cheek skin. Therefore it will be quite shiny. So, expect quite a few highlights and don't forget to put them in because they are exactly what will make the ears look natural. Also, because of the many creases and crevices, there will be many small dark cast shadows present.

* Edges There are many edges to the ear and they need to be studied very carefully. There are soft edges and hard edges. There is also quite a bit of reflected light. The ear is off-set from the skull, so it will often cast a shadow and therefore the edge of the ear will show some reflected light. It is important to include this reflected light because that is what gives the ear a rounded three-dimensional look.

* Placement There are a few pieces of information you must memorize in relation to the "average" ear. First, the ear does not sit straight up and down along the side of the skull. The ear is angled backwards.

The top of the ear lines up with the base of the eyebrow and the bottom of the ear lines up with the bottom of the nostrils.

The length of the ear is equal to the distance between the bottom of the nostrils and the bottom of the chin.

In a side view, the ear sits halfway between the back of the head and the front of the facial plane.

* Individuality We just discussed the "average" ear. Of course, each individual will slightly deviate from this average in one or more ways. It is important to notice these deviations. This is what makes the individual likeness.

However, when you have memorized the "average" measurements and locations and have them at the ready, it becomes easier to spot the unique features of each individual.

Some people have wrinkles on their ears. Others have lobes that merge into the jaw line while still others have long dangling lobes. So, look out for these peculiarities because they are present in every pencil portrait subject.

This should do it for the ear guidelines. The main thing with ears is to be patient. The ear is quite challenging and when completely visible takes quite a bit of time and effort to render adequately.

Author Info:

Remi Engels, Ph.D., is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter. Samples of Remi's pencil portraits and other articles can be found at Remi's Pencil Portraits.

An Eye on Graphic Design

We find it mandatory to say that graphic design, this late specialty, quick in its development, related to all walks and activities of life, this only comprehensive technical specialty due to its relation with a piece of information and technology, we know it by its many names besides graphic design, for it is a design of a piece of information and design of communication means. All of these names refer to the extent of its development as an independent science, the task of which in to find solution to problems in the field of promotion, presentation or communication. Therefore, it is the language of time, a language that is not stationery or static, but developing and keeping pace with the changes of time thus, we find that graphic design is in need for a qualified and developing cadre able to deal with modern life requirements in a language that has a brief, simple and direct message, we acknowledge also the relationship of graphic design with writing, printing and publishing since its origin and it is an innovative work that couples word with shape using art and technology as a means of communication which begins with a message innovated by a designer that develops to become a means of visual communication beyond words and excels them with control of color, letter, picture and ideas through the designer's imagination and production of media through which he can convey the desired message to the crowd.

Hence, its importance emerged to play an important role in modern life and to be a critical factor in promotion, media and other means in fast conveying a piece of information to community dominated by speed that excels the speed of light, therefore, it becomes fast in changing due to its relation with community. We find ourselves in front of the fact of graphic design origin and its development stages. Through reading its history, we have been able to know the stages it had gone through since its beginning at the early of 19th century and how Europe was its first home and the role played by some of the pioneer designers, each in his specialty, through developing its tools and techniques besides knowing its means which developed and multiplied after the first poster and book. Further, we know the factors that made it an independent science in addition to its influence by the late artistic trends.

I talked about the relationship of graphic design with special techniques confined with printing which developed to visual media and become conclusive of multi phenomena that get developed by the development of modern technology, therefore, graphic design changes into a knowledgeable science with a constant developing concept. This reflects the limits of the classical concept of graphic design and the development in what is called net vacuum which brings back to the mind the necessity of assessing the individual skills and characteristics of cadres in this field in addition to limiting the classical concept of the term graphic design as being fictitious and imaginary though organizing theoretical or imaginative factors to produce them by the use of different techniques that suit the production mechanism, so, production may be one of the media contained in graphic design.

The close relationship of graphic design with printing can not be ignored; therefore, I would rather clarify a misunderstanding that confuses between graphic design and graphic art and the role of each of them. Relying on this definition, we were able to clarify the role played by the graphic designer who uses design factors in an idea and prepares a special design for each media depending on its end i.e., what printing style he will use, keeping in mind that the success of printing depend first on the designer.

All of this makes us ask, is graphic design philosophy able to, through imagination and fiction, face the challenges of the information time in an effective way? For sure, the answer is determined by the fact that a designer should have absorbed the product of his time concerning information in on effective way and he has to develop his fictitious impression of the piece of information in order to produce it in a form that suits his time and his requirements. I also talked about how graphic design deals with given material and information and how to manage each of them to realize the required message.

We can not talk about technology without talking about computer which since its beginning has an important influence on the development of performance of graphic design since 1970 outside the Arab World and at late 1980's in the Arab World. By nature, the availability of computer makes available many programs that serve graphic design at all levels besides the innovation of the internet. The computer has helped a lot in developing the abilities of designers as well as introducing the attribute of speed performance through a group of solutions special to picture, letter, shape and color.

We can not deny the importance of developing means and curricula of graphic design besides diversifying them in order to cope with the speed of its development and not to forget the requirements and the development of the market. The academic process should depend on time requirements determined by the constant developing technology and the requirements of time. Therefore, the goals of innovative work combined with designer's competency and qualification are the basis on which planning strategy depends to prepare study plans that motivate and activate creative thinking and relate it to information technology relying on the different levels of human knowledge and scientific programs supporting the principle of how to understand and apply comprehensively graphic design program in order to protect it from short term programming relying in this respect on the designer's material cognitive theory, the language, how to talk and his ability to know how to deal with time changes, technologies, training and qualification for what is in the future concerning the stages of human knowledge developments, developed curricula and programs that are subject to constant development.

Thus, the nature of graphic designer work is different from other professions not only because it is the most innovative field through the approach of dealing with a piece of information and visual communication means but also through the different standards constituting the work scene which follow a special innovation and an advanced approach to realize the goals of this innovative work as well as the competence and qualification of the designer. Graphic designer is not only an artist but also a technician who is able to make use of the available programs and their techniques in order to fulfill the task he is charged with. As a result, he is a designer who, through his imagination, reaches the crowd, promotes his imagination, reaches the crowd, promotes and presents through effective implementation with little technical exaggeration to realize successful work.

The fact is that graphic design is firm in its core, developing in its tools which needs close follow- up and cadre distinguished with a lot of knowledge in the field of arts, psychology, marketing, knowledge and information techniques. It is considered the assistant partner of technical development in terms of computer, the internet or programming and its systems. We find it developing in the ways of presenting its different media which come in the form of stationery, poster, brochure, flyer, catalogue, directed post, pamphlet, website and other large group of media.

The core of graphic design is the design foundation factors and their theories and philosophy which are constant any whereas the variable is the style of implementing the design, the form of the medium and the tools of implementation which have moved to the practical side of using computer and a large group of programs that deal with picture, hand writing and color. The development of the ways of promotion, presentation and communication besides the diversity of their developed forms, all depend on digital media.

We conclude, after studying these factors and phenomenon in which and with which graphic design plays an important role that graphic design is constantly developing.

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Tapestries Have a Rich History

Tapestries are fabric wall hangings that also serve as decorative artwork and have been used since before the Middle Ages. They were originally used to help keep drafts out of cold, damp castles and homes and larger tapestries could range up to 18 feet high and 80 feet long. Originally owned by royalty, tapestries were made using hand-woven needle techniques to produce various types of designs and pictures. These wall hangings were also commonly used in churches to illustrate biblical stories. Weavers could create pictures or messages that would be displayed on the church walls.

Tapestries were also meant to be easily transported. The large wall hanging could be rolled up when it needed to be used in another room or brought with a person when traveling. Some of the earliest surviving examples are hanging in art museums throughout the world. Yarns were dyed different colors using pigments from local plants; the colored threads were then woven together. Weaving was a family craft that was passed down from generation to generation.

Today's tapestries come in many varied styles and designs. Unlike the wall covers of old, new tapestries are made strictly for decoration. They come in a wide array of colors and styles so they can fit into any room's decor and look great in a living room, den, or bedroom. There are even tapestries that are made to replicate famous paintings. They come in a variety of styles from traditional to modern to abstract. To find a large selection online, visit TheFineTapestry.com.

Author Info:

The Fine Tapestry offers the best in quality and decorative tapestries To browse their wide selection, visit TheFineTapestry.com

Tip on Pencil Portrait Drawing - Backgrounds

Backgrounds are useful in enhancing your vision of how you want to represent your subjects. Backgrounds can soften the presentation or make it more energetic or dramatic.

However, whatever you do, make sure that the background works with the subject and not against it. Also, do not forget that the subject is the reason you started the drawing in the first place. So, do not get caught up in your background to the point where it starts outshining your subject and diverts the attention of the viewer from your subject.

Here are a few tips on how to proceed with backgrounds so that they become a plus for the finished product:

* Values Take a clue from the values of your subject when choosing the value scheme for your background treatment. If your subject is very light on one side, it is always a good idea to make the background in that area darker. This will introduce the necessary contrast.

It also solves the problem of white against white. For example, if your subject has white hair, it is always difficult to make it sufficiently show against the white background of your white paper. Introducing a darker background around the hair is the perfect solution. This, of course, also works in reverse. If your subject is dark, you may want to contrast this with a light background.

* Lost and Found The background treatment can also be used to produce so-called "lost and found edges". These are edges that initially show but then get lost in the surroundings to finally reappear somewhere down the line.

The disappearing act of the edge is accomplished by rendering the edge and the surroundings with the same value. For example, the edge of a sleeve could be partially lost in the background by giving the background the same value as that part of the sleeve. Lost and found effects are always interesting and involve the viewer in the process of completing the drawing.

* Location It is usually a good idea to keep the shading below the eye level of the subject you are drawing. Shading above the eye level tends to weigh down the subject and does not add to the crispness of the portrait.

* Extensive Background Sometimes your client may insist on a detailed pictorial background.

First, make sure you increase the fee, because you will often spend more time on your background drawing than on the subject itself.

Second, always be aware that the subject must remain the focal point of the finished product. So, develop the facility for judging what enhances the subject and what detracts from it. The background is invariably secondary to the subject.

Ideally, a pictorial background should talk about your subject and give the viewer more information about your subject. A background is also very useful to create or enhance a mood. If your subject is portrayed in a certain mood, you may want to enhance that mood by adding the appropriate background.

These tips should give you a good start in portraying backgrounds with confidence.

Author Info:

Remi Engels, Ph.D., is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter. Samples of Remi's pencil portraits and other articles can be found at Remi's Pencil Portraits

Different Watercolor Painting Techniques

If you've ever tried watercolor painting, you know it is unlike any other type of painting. You can't just glob it on and expect it to look like a real watercolor painting. Watercolor paint has unique qualities that allow it to be used in a much different way from acrylic or oil paint.

Watercolor paint comes in two different forms. You are probably most familiar with the cakes. You can buy watercolor paint in the form of cakes that is simply color paint pressed together and formed into a cake. You can get the cakes lined up side by side. In order to apply the color to your watercolor paint, you just need to get your brush wet and put several drops of water into the cake. Swish it around and you can put the color wherever you want.

In order to start, you need to begin with watercolor paint washing. Mix a little bit of paint with a lot of water and apply it to the paper in large areas. For example, if there is a large part with trees, get a little bit if green paint on your brush, add it to a large puddle of water, and spread it across that area with your brush.

The other form of watercolor paint is tubes, just like acrylic and oil paint. You use the watercolor paint just as you use the cakes, only you squeeze it out of the tube. You don't need to add water to get the color activated, but you do need it to thin out the paint and get it to the consistency of watercolor paint.

Remember, watercolor paint, tube or not, should not look like oil paint or acrylic paint when you apply it to the paper. It should look like water with the color in it, hence the name watercolor.

When you are finished with the wash layer, you can begin to use less and less water to get a darker color. Start with the color and work your way up. As you add more paint, you can become more intricate. Be careful when you add the paint, because if you put down a new color and it touches another color that is still wet, it will mix. You can't paint over or fix watercolor, so you have to get it right the first time.

Follow these watercolor painting techniques and you should be able to get the hang of watercolor. Start painting and practicing right away and you will get a hang of it.

Author Info:

Mastering the art of watercolor is not as hard as you may think. For more information about watercolor and watercolor techniques, go to BeginninginArt.com.

Rules of Color in Print Design

Color can make or break an advertisement, whether a newspaper ad, postcard, or other form of printed marketing tools. Too much color overwhelms your message, while too little will not capture enough attention. The wrong color scheme can hide or disrupt the flow of your message and style. Another item to remember is that color on a computer screen appears differently than printed on a commercial printer. Avoid these common color flaws by following the rules below.

The Right Amount
Many designs have two or four color schemes. Smaller layouts such as for business card or postcard printing need to use only two colors while larger designs such as brochures can allow for four colors. Make sure to use white space so as not to over do your colour scheme. Also, organize the shades. For instance, use a white background, black fonts, a red header box background, and a blue tips box background.

The Right Shade
Choosing which two or four colors to use can be challenging. The perfect combination of colors should guide readers to the most important aspects of your layout first. While black and red capture attention easiest and blue and yellow are more subtle, each may produce different results when combined with other colors. Play around with the palette of your project until the most important information stands out the most. Also keep in mind your message and style. Use the right colors: orange for fun, green for growth, yellow for happiness.

The Right Appearance
The default color scheme on a computer is RGB because these colors (red, green, and blue) are the primary colours of light. Since a computer screen operates with light, colors appear more vivid on the monitor with RGB. The problem occurs in the transfer to paper, which is why color printing companies use CMYK. Cyan, magenta, and yellow (with black thrown in for a darker black) are the primary colors of ink; therefore, printed images appear more vivid and smooth. Your design program should have the option to choose colors from the CMYK scheme. Just remember that your proof printed on paper will appear differently than on the screen.

So with these tips in mind, get to work creating that perfect mail out and use color to make your print design stand out from the rest.

Author Info:

Kaye Z. Marks is an avid writer and follower of the developments in color printing, postcard printing industries.

Oil Painting is Not For Firm Since You Imagine - If Explained Properly

When I was a child I started my cartoon, along with was able to become skilled at graphite, charcoal as well as color pencil at once. I took into kindness that dampen colors are relatively straightforward mediums to perform as well as, for equivalent to others. Matching with Pastels. But I was plenty concerned to act with Oil Painting.

Given for some reason, although, the thought of oil painting intimidated me, in spite of my former success along with esoteric mediums. I well-versed dipped my toes into the collection a couple of times, along with it simply verified my uncertainties. It wasn't in anticipation of I finally dove in that I realized no matter what a versatile as well as forgiving average oil paints in truth are. Hence, whilst you're geared up to dive in, imagine these hints:

1.) Don't Skimp on Delicacy:
It positively doesn't pay to pay money for low-priced, or low-quality, art supplies. Appreciate they state, you get what you pay for. As an instance, low-grade oil paints regularly upset to as it should be adhere to the work of art and usually change color over time. A similar goes with cheap paint brushes, which don't contain the paint anyhow, and frequently paint unevenly.

2.) Too Much of an Okay Mania:
Surf the internet search engine for the art supply store by typing "oil paints". Then formulate to troth awed, as well as slightly intimidated, by the whole lot the colors that are on hand. The excellent news broadcast you only select few of these colors, which you can at that time principle to make what color you require. A necessary collection of colors may well incorporate Titanium Colourless, Cadmium Yellow Reasonable, Alizarin Scarlet, Prussian Blue, Cobalt Blue, Viridian Green, Yellow Ochre, and Cadmium Cherry, in addition to Ivory Black. Not only will it save your money, other than through a limited palette will furthermore award further conformity to your oil paintings.

3.) Don't Attempt to Paint the Sistine Chapel:
Larger may be better, then again not while it comes to picking up how to paint. Small canvases are plenty cheaper also won't set you back a destiny when your planned "masterpiece" turns into a "learning experience".

4.) Plumpness More than Lean (No matter what That Indicate):
If you don't crave your painting to glance am passionate about it was painted during the Renaissance, as well as minute petty goes off crisscrossing the turn up of it, then make sure you follow this trouble-free, also salient, rule of thumb inside oil painting: use paint plus a higher oil to pigment ratio (fat) far more than paint with a minor oil to pigment ratio (lean) to avoid dividing. On the whole, this indicate you want your under layer to dry swift than your peak layer, so start with a thinner alike turpentine, followed by, as an instance, linseed oil.

5.) Mysterious to Light up, Dark to Light, Shadowy to...:
Are you detecting a pattern here? Constantly work from dim to light up inside your oil paintings. Maybe, while defining your masses and blocks, inside your darkest tones first. Then, start building up your midpoint, or mid-, tones, with eventually your lights. Once you're ended, you may perhaps lighten your lights plus darken your darks, creating effortlessly the accurate contrast.

6.) Hold It Easy Beginning-out:
I in all probability could not hyphenate "Initiating-out", although I demanded something supplementary desirable, furthermore respectful, than "Foolish". If you are painting a portrait then do not start painting the pores and the peach-fuzz on your sitters face before you reach to the level of shape of the head properly. Always make your large masses worked out first, before fussing over the details.

Author Info:

What if I teach you learn how to draw and paint with simple steps? Follow these steps for your perfect creativity flow.

Grab my free tutorials.
http://www.paintonmycanvas.com

'Murtaza Habib' has helped hundreds of newbies to start their painting courses, now you can do it too...

Plastic Card Printing Design Tutorial

1. Bar code:

Make sure it is on a light background, if it is a black plastic card, draw a white rectangle before you put the bar code, otherwise the scanner will not be able to read it. For bar code type, C39 is the most popular. Also for the location of bar code, you have to check with client as to what types of scanners they are using, some types of scanners can only take the bar code close to the edge. If you have to resize the bar code, please do make it in proportion.

2. Magnetic strip:

There are 2 types of magnetic strips. High-CO is for bank card, credit card use, high anti magnetic. Low CO is the most popular and cheaper than High-co. If the plastic magnetic card is not for bank use, use Low CO.

3. Hole/Strip punch:

Most popular size for a hole is 5mm. Do not go too close to the edge of the plastic card. For strip punch for lanyard, make sure the size suits the lanyard, as some lanyards are very thick.

4. Signature strip:

There are 2 types, transparent and plan white. No big difference. Pay attention to the height, if too shot, people will not be able to write on it.

5. Flat numbering, sequential numbering:

It is usually used for membership card number. There are 2 types, spray printed and thermal printed. Spray printed is digits formed by tiny dots. Thermal printing is the normal one. Pay attention the background for flat numbering should not be too dark, as these numbers can only be black. Black numbers will be unreadable on dark background. Flat numbering can also be words, which are for ID card use.

6. Embossing:

This can be done with a embossing machine easily. And the color can be gold, silver and black. It depends on the design of the card. Embossing can be capitalized characters and numbers. Do not exceed 21 digits in 1 line. And too many embossed characters, the card will bend. Also embossing will affect the printed text on the back. It will make them unreadable.

That's all I have recently, I will keep updating this guide hope it is helpful with the new guys. Any body who want to give me suggestions or need help, please email me: artwork[at]plastic card online.com.

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Plasticcardonline

Finalartwork Design Studio

Create Free Look-Alike Cartoon Avatar Pictures - Website Review

Creating an avatar can be fun. Many people find that making a cartoon form of yourself, or one that looks like one of your friends is fun and amusing but avatars are becoming so popular these days that you are unlikely to surf the internet without seeing one.

A free avatar maker called Create My Picture can offer many different options available to creating your desired look. Here is a look at the various options you have when creating an avatar with this kind of website

Skin

Choose from 20 different skin types. Pick your desired skin color from the huge range, starting from the more traditional colors to the more outrageous - green and purple! It's fun!

Chin

With a range of different 5chins, you can choose a square chin or a round chin, the choice is yours!

Eye Shape

With a massive 59 different eye shapes to choose from you can create whatever look you want your avatar to have!

Eye Color

24 different eye colors choose from. Combine this with almost 60 eye shapes to choose from and you can see that you have a great deal of possibilities with this free avatar marker

Hair Styles

There are over 80 lovely hair styles to choose from. Ranging from the simple "bob" look, to the more out there styles there is everything you could be need when you come to create avatars.

Also an additional 14 extra styles to choose from you can have the extra long hair if you desire!

Hair colors

Choose from a massive range of 24 colors.

Mouth shape

70 different mouth shapes to choose from. Whether you want bright, puckered up lips or a big wide open mouth there is the style you would want!

Facial Hair

Choose from a mixture of 10 moustaches or 6 different beards to add the facial hair shape that you want to your free avatar.

You can also add some extras to your cartoon picture with this free avatar maker.

Ear-Rings

Choose from a massive range of ear-rings, headsets and ear cuffs. There are over 50 to choose from which all add their own style and look to your avatar

Glasses

There are also over 4 pages of glasses to choose from. Ranging from either the more stylish, fashion orientated sun glasses to the more prescription looking glasses.

Skin Accessories

With 2 pages to choose from, you can add an extra touch to your avatar with facial tattoos etc.

Hair Accessories

Last choice on this list is your choice of hair accessories - Ranging from clips and bobbles you can add some extra when creating your avatar.

Avatars are a fun way to express yourself online. Many people use them for fun or to replace an existing picture. An avatar is an expression of a person but in fantasy, children and adults alike use these symbols and they will be around for a long while to come. I think the internet has brought these designs along and has made avatars what they are today.

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Creating a free avatar can be fun at Create My Picture avatar maker