Watercolor Paintings – Why You Should Try It

Paintings add up to the beauty of homes, offices, and business establishments. If you have the skill to paint, you should try to develop it. Learn more about painting by enrolling in painting classes or you can research about it online. Whether you're an adult, teenager, or a kid, learning how to paint is not that difficult especially if you put your heart into it. While you're trying to find a media to use, perhaps you might want to try watercolor paintings.

You can express your chosen subject matter through the use of watercolors. In fact, there are many advantages in using this media over other types of media. It is also a beautiful way to convey your feelings through your painting.

Here are some of the best reasons why you should try watercolor painting.


1. It is easy – as compared to other types of painting, watercolor painting is really easy and you can expect better results in a very short time.

2. Fast – there are certain techniques that you should learn in watercolor painting.  Once you learn such techniques, you can do quick washes and spontaneous strokes. This is the beauty of watercolor painting and you can finish your piece in less than an hour and the greatest thing is that you will get satisfying results.

3. Great for people who are always on the go – if you travel often, carrying watercolor kits is not a problem. The kits are lightweight and come with compact boxes that you can carry around with ease. The paper used in watercolor painting can be purchased in blocks so you don’t need a lot of space. Preparing the papers needed is also not required.

4. Does not smudge – as compared to charcoal and pastel, watercolor painting doesn’t smudge.

5. Dries quickly – in several minutes, your art piece is already dry. But if you use oil paints for your painting, it would take days or even weeks before the piece dries up completely.

6. Watercolor is also a fluid – because of its nature, with only a few strokes, you can already fill large areas.

7. 'Accidents' can contribute to your creativity – you don’t have to worry about accidents during watercolor painting because it can magically develop into something beautiful. You can even pour the watercolor on the paper as you start your painting and see what designs it can create.

8. Watercolor painting is versatile in look and style – you can do illustrational works as well as abstract arts. You can experiment in some designs that you haven't done before and it will all depend on your skill and creativity.

Experts say that using watercolor is hard because the artist or painter can't control it easily. For beginners, here’s a good advice – let the watercolor's magic work. Don’t interfere at first and see the designs it can create and start painting from there. Allow endless explorations and you can surely enjoy your creativity for the rest of your life.

As an art lover, you already know that sometimes beautiful paintings come as accidents. But this should not be the reason to stop practicing. If you frequently practice, in time, you will be able to control your strokes and create more artistic and unique watercolor paintings. Never stop learning because by doing so, you can develop more interesting and artistic ideas that you can use in your paintings.

Famous Paintings – An Inspiration to Other Painters

Ever since any man can remember, painting is both a vocation and a hobby. Since the inception of painting, it has evolved to an immense level. Various styles and techniques were incorporated into painting and so it became very lovable to the masses. Do you know some famous paintings? These are the works of world renowned artists.

Painters have experimented with a wide range of styles, techniques, themes, textures, and media. However, only a few of these experiments were recognized by art lovers. After some time, the experiments resulted to the establishment of different cults. The process was able to produce talented painters from different parts of the world.

In such a short time, some of the talented painters became painting masters. All the works of these famous and talented painters were exceptional in terms of technique, accuracy, and look however, not all their works were loved by the masses. Very few of their paintings made an indelible impact to the hearts of people especially the lovers of art. The works of these famous painters were loved and became immensely famous in different periods.

You can find thousands of great works but there are only very few considered as the greatest. Both the experts and masses revered these greatest works. A very good example is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. It is considered immortal in the world of art and millions of people were intrigued by Mona Lisa's captivating smile. Salvador Dali became famous of his painting Melting Watches. If you try to put the greatest paintings in history on a list, it is rather long.

Famous paintings differ in styles and techniques, as well as the media being used. Judgment though depends on the viewers and they will be the ones who'll decide which art painting is among the greatest.

Here are a few of the famous paintings and their artists – Ajanta Murals by the Vakaka Kings of India; Starry Night by Van Gogh; Mona Lisa and Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci; Last Judgment by Michelangelo; Sunrise Impression by Monet; Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso; Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali; and Madonna and Child.

These are some of the few famous paintings known all over the world. These painters had other works but somehow, the people didn’t like them much as much as their more famous works. Despite this fact, the names of these greatest painters are all over the pages of history books and art books. Even little children in art classes know their famous works.

The beauty of these famous paintings have withstood the test of time and even after many years of existence, the works of art were not forgotten. If you try to conduct a research on the net, you will find out more about the other famous paintings and how priceless they are. It is really an honor to be considered as a great painter. Aspiring painters should therefore work hard and who knows, one day their works will also become famous.

Paintings that become famous come rarely in a lifetime for an artist and yet, their names will be recognized long after they are gone. Let this be an inspiration to would-be painters. The greatest painters didn’t give up in perfecting their skills until they were able to impress the people and experts. If you have this attitude, perhaps you may become a famous great painter as well. Paint, paint, paint… master your art and you should continue doing this as long as the people around you loves your work.

Oil Painting – To Collect or to Invest?

There are many styles and techniques used in painting. Painters also use a variety of media like pastel colors, water colors, natural colors, oil, and many others. You can paint in any surface such as rocks, walls, cardboard, canvas, paper, and lots more. However, there are only a few valuable paintings that exist and among them are oil paintings. At present, you can still find original classic paintings done by famous painters.

Precious oil paintings can be found in private collections and museums and these original classics are worth millions. Museums are the perfect place to see these art works and you can always visit them during their business hours. Private collectors on the other hand are sometimes hard to find. But with the use of the internet, you can get in touch with them online. There are different reasons why some people collect art works. It can be for investment purposes or for personal enjoyment. Whatever the reason, you too can start collecting or investing on oil paintings.

Original paintings are very expensive but now you can purchase oil paintings that are a replica of the original ones. Now, this is a more affordable way to collect some of your favorite paintings. At present, there are many big companies that sell reproductions of the original paintings. The company simply asks the customers of the painting that they want to purchase. The company then commissions a skilled oil painter to do the work for them. The customer can choose the material and size of the painting. Aside from the famous original classics, you can also have your favorite photograph or cherished painting translated into an oil painting. There are some companies that commission portraits and other art works. If you don’t know what to purchase, you can visit the galleries of the companies online. There you can browse the different pages by genres or themes. After that, you can now choose the painting that you like. Some companies allow price negotiations while others have already set their prizes. Find a suitable company who can cater to your oil painting needs and most especially, one that will suit your budget.

If you want to learn more about oil paintings, you can visit art museums and join the educational tours. You will learn many things like how to take good care of your oil paintings and how to give value to them. You see, oil paintings are easily damaged if you don’t provide enough care for them. Things like excessive humidity, extreme temperatures, and harsh sunlight can destroy your paintings.

if this is your first time to collect oil paintings,  you must read books about oil painting. Visit galleries and museums to learn more. If you want to invest and make money out of your collections, you can consult investment firms because you may be able to find an investment portfolio. The portfolio includes precious oil paintings, and you can either keep them or sell them.

Oil paintings are still in demand at present. With the increasing demand year after year, one can't really tell the value of oil paintings in the future. So if you want to invest and at the same collect your favorite oil paintings, you should start browsing the net now and learn more about oil paintings. With more knowledge about oil painting, it will be a lot easier to invest or even collect the paintings.

Pablo Picasso Paintings And Releasing Your Inner Picasso

Over the past century, a lot of painters have become quite famous with their works becoming really valuable. Some paintings from great artists can even go up to a million dollars or perhaps even more. If you want to become a famous painter or you simply want something to hang in your living room that looks great which will surely catch the attention of your visitors, then you will see that learning how to paint like the famous artists can surely be good.

One artist that stood out from the others is Pablo Picasso. His paintings are among some of the most expensive. Living a very controversial life, Pablo Picasso is one talented painter who is known to have invented abstract painting. Some people even say that he paved the way for modern art.

His style of painting is distinct and you can really tell by just taking one look at his paintings. Pablo Picasso's style of painting is known as cubism. This type of painting uses geometric figures to simplify or to exaggerate complex structures, such as the human form. By using geometric figures, you will see that you will be able to create a stunning or eye-catching painting.

Pablo Picasso established a trend of what became known to be the abstract art. Today, a lot of artists are now making this kind of art. You will see that in creating an abstract painting depicting complex structures, you will be able to paint like Picasso and decorate your home beautifully.

With many combinations of shapes, light and color, you can be sure that you will be able to create a great painting. All it takes is a bit of imagination and you can be sure that you will be able to make a great work of art.

First of all, you have to remember that this art is centralized on creating an image out of geometric figures. Also, it will need to use different colors to depict your subject. All in all, you will be creating a painting that depicts an image that cannot be seen in real life.

If you want to have an idea of what Pablo Picasso's work is all about, try searching for Guernica and The Guitar Player.

Here, you will have an idea on how to become an abstract painter or a cubist painter.

When painting, you will want to use a lot of shades of colors in your geometric figures in order for you to make it look flat and three dimensional at the same time. This effect is what you are really after.

As you can see, painting is not just about copying the exact form of your subject, but it is about your impression of the subject. With this kind of art, you will see that it will truly create an impact among the viewers.

Just remember that the point of cubism or abstract painting is that you should not reproduce realistic forms. Instead, try producing images that cannot be seen in real life.

So, instead of just painting a fruit bowl as your subject, try to create something out of the fruit bowl using geometric figures and vibrant colors in different shades.

As you can see, Picasso paintings can be quite attractive. If you have a contemporary looking home, you can be sure that you will be able to enhance the appeal by hanging a Pablo Picasso painting or making one yourself that looks like a Picasso.

Top Four Tips On Collecting Art

Art collection can be a favorable hobby, past-time, or even investment. If you are new to this kind of activity, you can be overwhelmed with the vast number of approaches that you can choose from. So, to make things easier for you, here are some of the best tips you can get in regards to collecting art.

Buy Because Of What?

First off, you should understand that you should buy an artwork because you like it. Yes, it’s just that simple. Although it may be common sense, a lot of people still overlook this important idea. Some buy pieces because other people told them so, or because they saw others buying something similar. If you find a piece that moves you, and you think can enhance your life, then buy it! You do not have to wait for the approval of others to do so since the whole decision is yours.

What use is the beauty of an artwork that you bought, if personally, you don’t appreciate it or find it disgusting, even? Remember, in collecting art, there is nothing more self-gratifying than seeing a piece that communicates with you and moves your soul, most especially if it’s a piece that remains fresh and exciting for you even though you've seen it for hundreds of times. Goes Gallery Hopping!

Another good thing to do when you’re starting a collection is to go gallery hopping. Try to go to as many art galleries that you can visit. Galleries’ staff guides can be helpful to you and can add up to your art education. Going to galleries can also be one good way of being exposed to different kinds of art, whether it is a gallery on paintings, sculptures or prints.

Galleries provide you with the real thing. Thus, you can examine more of the details of different works of art. Most of the time, galleries showcase some prestigious collections too. Viewing such, can yet be another way of seeing the collections of other people and generating ideas for your own collection. Get Connected

Most galleries also have a mailing list that regularly update you on their latest happenings and events. Being connected and up to date with what’s happening is another way to help you start with your collection. Sometimes, if there are openings or special events that these galleries hold, they can invite you to go.

Once you are invited, try your best to attend such events so that you can be more exposed to the industry. Additionally, events like these can bring you opportunity to know more people within the industry, and find more good deals around.

Go Local

If there are not much of art galleries in your place, then you can still go local! Try visiting and joining local art museums or non-profit art centers. You may be surprised to see how local talents in your area create masterpieces that seem priceless, yet you can buy at a cheap price. Since probably most of them are still budding artists, then you’ll probably spot some good deals around in which the beauty of the piece remains unaltered.

Also, the curators of such places sometimes provide lectures for those who are interested in collecting art. Some lectures may have a very cheap fee, while some can come for free, especially if there are big companies sponsoring the event.

Art Collecting: A Beginners Guide

Art collection is a very stimulating and inspiring hobby for all. It isn’t just for the rich and famous, but even regular everyday people too. There are various forms of art that you can choose from, especially since art’s definition can greatly vary from one person to another. However, it doesn't really matter whatever its form is, you’re the one to make the call on which is attractive and how much are you willing to spend for such piece.

To Go For Prints Or Originals?

In the art world, some people may look down on others due to their different tastes in picking out art. For instance, there are those people who only buy original works and would never even consider buying prints. However, you should take note that if you’re just starting to collect art and is doing this for enjoyment then originals are not really necessary to buy, especially if they’re way out of your budget.

There is really nothing wrong with buying prints. In fact, these are one superb way to have framed art that would look lovely on your wall, just like how an original would look, but at a way lower price. Although here, you would not be having the same texture as to the original work; since originals usually show dimension and texture, while prints won't. However, well-printed artworks are not settling of course.
In fact, a lot of art collectors have art prints by different artists, which were fairly bought inexpensively from the Internet, galleries and art fairs. Amazingly, such pieces still look tasteful and classy, instead of cheap looking like what most people expect.

All Framed Up

Once you spot an original or print that you like, you have the option to frame it by yourself or get somebody else to do it for you. Generally, you can find frames in a vast price range, starting from cheaper metal frames to ornate and hand-carved wooden frames costing you a fortune.
With regard to using mats, which is another way of framing your picture inside its frame by the use of papers or illustration boards, you should take note that such could detract your print. If you don't know how to frame, then you should get your piece and get it framed first. While doing so, observe how they’d offer you different mats and frame styles.

You don’t have to hasten up when picking out the mat you want to use. In fact, you should take your time and deliberate on it carefully, since the mat and frame color combinations can have a great effect on how well or bad your artwork would look. You should also consider how the frame would fit-in in whatever place you’ll put it, like your home or your office.

If you want a clean and contemporary look, it’s recommended that you use the Nielsen brushed metal frames, which are not only cheap but are still elegant looking too. These usually come in different colors. Nevertheless, it’s safe to go for black or bronze.

If you’ll be placing them in a gallery, bronze would also do well, especially since it wouldn’t cost you too much. After all, most people that buy art from galleries would have the art they bought re-framed in able for it to match their home decor.

If more of a wood type of person, you can also get wooden frames that are naturally stained. Cherry and mahogany are the most preferred styles when it comes to wooden frames since their deep and reddish color bring an elegant look to any artwork.

Famous Paintings – An Inspiration to Other Painters

Ever since any man can remember, painting is both a vocation and a hobby. Since the inception of painting, it has evolved to an immense level. Various styles and techniques were incorporated into painting and so it became very lovable to the masses. Do you know some famous paintings? These are the works of world renowned artists.

Painters have experimented with a wide range of styles, techniques, themes, textures, and media. However, only a few of these experiments were recognized by art lovers. After some time, the experiments resulted to the establishment of different cults. The process was able to produce talented painters from different parts of the world.

In such a short time, some of the talented painters became painting masters. All the works of these famous and talented painters were exceptional in terms of technique, accuracy, and look however, not all their works were loved by the masses. Very few of their paintings made an indelible impact to the hearts of people especially the lovers of art. The works of these famous painters were loved and became immensely famous in different periods.

You can find thousands of great works but there are only very few considered as the greatest. Both the experts and masses revered these greatest works. A very good example is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. It is considered immortal in the world of art and millions of people were intrigued by Mona Lisa's captivating smile. Salvador Dali became famous of his painting Melting Watches. If you try to put the greatest paintings in history on a list, it is rather long.

Famous paintings differ in styles and techniques, as well as the media being used. Judgment though depends on the viewers and they will be the ones who'll decide which art painting is among the greatest.

Here are a few of the famous paintings and their artists – Ajanta Murals by the Vakaka Kings of India; Starry Night by Van Gogh; Mona Lisa and Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci; Last Judgment by Michelangelo; Sunrise Impression by Monet; Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso; Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali; and Madonna and Child.

These are some of the few famous paintings known all over the world. These painters had other works but somehow, the people didn’t like them much as much as their more famous works. Despite this fact, the names of these greatest painters are all over the pages of history books and art books. Even little children in art classes know their famous works.

The beauty of these famous paintings have withstood the test of time and even after many years of existence, the works of art were not forgotten. If you try to conduct a research on the net, you will find out more about the other famous paintings and how priceless they are. It is really an honor to be considered as a great painter. Aspiring painters should therefore work hard and who knows, one day their works will also become famous.

Paintings that become famous come rarely in a lifetime for an artist and yet, their names will be recognized long after they are gone. Let this be an inspiration to would-be painters. The greatest painters didn’t give up in perfecting their skills until they were able to impress the people and experts. If you have this attitude, perhaps you may become a famous great painter as well. Paint, paint, paint… master your art and you should continue doing this as long as the people around you loves your work.

Need Face Painting Examples for Your Kid’s Party?

It’s amazing how our creativity seems to have no boundaries. Artistry has gone a long way and different mediums have cropped up. But when it comes to art, most people would think about big pictures by talented artists who someday would have a name as big as the price tag attached to their work. But artistry is not just for the highly talented, mostly, artistry begins with children and this is where its purity lies unchanged.

Face painting is an art where people, with or without exceptional talent can have lots of fun. Parents and their children can have a fantastic bonding time together while their faces are being painted. For parties, both children and adults can go wacky over the many different designs that they can make use of.

It is not just at children’s birthday parties can you find face painting. Adult parties have them too and this happens most especially in Halloween. But that doesn’t have to stop there. There are still many events and venues that you can have face painting as an activity or a contest, aside from the usual costume competitions, or maybe just plainly wanting to go and look your best or you’re spookiest.

Forget about monsters, fairies and underworld creatures, there are so much more to face painting than scary ghouls. Your creativity would only be limited by your imagination. But if you’re stuck in a rut and can’t seem to get any ideas on which design you want, then you will need some face painting examples.

The great thing about face painting examples today is that you don’t have to go to the library or to a bookstore to borrow or purchase face painting books to get your creative juices flowing. All you simply have to do is to log on to the internet and do a search for the numerous face painting examples that are offered in the websites that do offer them.

Many of these face painting examples are given for free. You will be able to browse through their pages and see the designs they have. Usually the examples of these designs are already categorized by their themes. So if you’re looking for an animal or say nature or clown designs, you will be able to find their examples in a jiffy.

It’s always advisable to know first the design that you are looking for. This way, you can directly go to the category that you are looking for and start choosing which one you think you will be able to copy or reproduce. If you just go in without any idea of what you want or need, you will be swamped by the thousands of face painting examples that are available and will have so much difficulty in choosing one.

Also, try to choose that you think you will be able to do. If you pick a design that is too elaborate for your artistic skills, you may just end up frustrated and botch the job. Also remember to get the opinion of your child and let him or her help you choose, this should be fun for both you and your child. Remember, face painting should be fun as they are done for fun filled activities, don’t be stressed out even when you are just beginning to look for a design or example. Go online and get your work over with in no time at all.

Children's Face Painting Designs

Face painting designs are becoming more and more popular these days. It is not only an activity for adults but also for young children. You can have a great time with your friends and other family members by doing face painting. If you want to learn face painting, you should practice often and while you're at it, you should practice on designs that everyone else likes, especially you and your child.

Quarreling and teasing is ordinary among children. If you teach your child to do face painting designs which are not that popular, other children may tease him or her. So to avoid this circumstance, you have to research on the most requested and most popular designs for children face painting.

It would take experience and extensive research to know the different designs that you can use for face painting among children. But that was years ago. Now, you will simply type the keywords that you want to research and you'll get instant results. For instance, you type 'children's face painting designs'. After several seconds, the results will be displayed and you will simply choose a link that will lead you to a certain website that dabbles with the designs you need. By researching online, you will be able to find out the popular designs amongst children and not only that; you can also find designs that suit adults and teens.

You're quite lucky because you don’t have to go through extensive research just to find out about the different designs that are available. For little girls, you can do designs like butterfly, princess, fantasy, fairy, bunny rabbit, lady bug, flowers, rainbow, witch, and cat. For little boys, you can do a spider design, monster, tribal, robot, skull, pirate, reptile, tiger, bat, and puppy dog.

Those are just some of the designs that you can use. It may be hard at first because children can't paint accurately. It would greatly help if you can get a copy of the design online. You see, trying to imagine what the design would look like is hard for children. But if they have a reference or basis, they will surely be able to get the detailed features of the design.

There are some websites that allow free downloads of the pictures of the designs and there are also those that charge a small fee. Oftentimes, you can get the best pictures and designs on paid websites rather than the free sites. But if you try to scour the free sites, you might be able to find a design that your child will like. It would also be best if you conduct your research together with your child so that he or she can join in the selection of the design. This will serve as your bonding time and who knows, you can create happy memories together that your child will remember for a lifetime.

The interests of children can change easily so be ready with other beautiful and eye catching designs. But if you're just starting out, you can concentrate first in the first ten most requested designs. If your child can't paint the design alone, you can help him or her. As parents, you should also practice face painting because you can't possibly teach your child something that you don’t know yet.

The key to making great face painting designs is practice. So keep practicing and one day, you and your child will be an expert in face painting.

Useful Ideas for Face Painting for Beginners

There are many styles and techniques used in painting. Some painters paint over canvas, stones, walls, paper, and many others. But did you know that face painting is gaining popularity over the years?

Face painting started many years ago. In fact, ancient people already practiced face paintings like the Egyptians and many other tribes. Today, people love face painting. It gives them pleasure and at the same time, they are also having fun. If you want to learn face painting, you should make use of these ideas for face painting.

If this is your first time to do face painting, you have to gather much information about the topic. You can read a face painting book or you can also watch videos that teach beginners how to do face painting. If you want, you can also search the net for useful information regarding this particular work of art. Study the information you've gathered.

After that, go to an art shop and purchase paints, paint brushes, sponges, and other materials that you will use. If you want to improve your skills in face painting, you will have to practice. As the saying goes – practice makes perfect. If you simply leave the paints, brushes, and all your other art materials lying around, you will not learn anything. During your vacant time or when you're just relaxing and doing nothing, pick up your brush and start painting.

You have to have someone who you can practice with but just make sure that you practice with an older child or an adult. Having small children around is not a good idea as they have shorter attention span. They will only be fidgety and you can't do a good job. By having an adult or a much older child, you can practice without any complaints. The person should also be interested in face painting so that you will not encounter any problems and difficulty.

When you're already face painting, apply only thin coats of paint. Don’t apply a think coating or layer otherwise, the design will tend to crack and cake.

If you need to apply two or more layers of paint, let the first layer dry first. Once the first layer is completely dry, you can now apply the second layer. To outline the shapes you're making, you can make use of makeup pencils. You can also purchase this in art shops.

Don’t try difficult designs like symmetrical ones. You can do this if you're already experienced. For starters, you can do animals because it is not very detailed when it comes to the designs on both sides of the face. Painting a butterfly is difficult because it is a symmetrical design. You have to wait until you're ready for that.

Try to use your imagination. You can create small tattoos or stamps like spiders, snakes, lizards, and many others. You can use temporary tattoos as reference but make sure that you choose one that is appropriate for face painting.

The internet offers many possibilities. If you're really artistic and you came up with unique ideas for face painting, you can make your own collections and build your own site. This way, you can create your hobby into a business.

Face painting can remove stress and tension. Practice this excellent work of art. Once you've developed the skill, you can try the more difficult techniques or styles.

Contemporary Painting - What is it?

There are certain terms in painting that are not easily understood by the ordinary people. For instance, do you know what contemporary painting is? Well, these are the paintings produced after the Second World War up to the present times.

Contemporary painting is also called modern paintings. It is of exquisite style and represents modern art. The modern artists of today have been creating different types of paintings and you can find them in galleries. Oil paintings are one of the most expensive contemporary paintings because of its high quality. However, most of contemporary art is abstract painting. Aside from those two types of painting, paintings of still life are also greatly appreciated up to the present.

You can find a lot of museums around the globe that house modern paintings. Oftentimes, exhibits are held to feature the paintings of modern artists. Through the exhibits, contemporary paintings flourish. You can find museums in New York, Houston, Paris, and Fort. These are the most popular museums that feature contemporary paintings. If you want to see actual modern arts, you just have to visit these different museums.

There are many modern artists of contemporary paintings and most of them have created abstract paintings with various themes. The colors used in contemporary paintings are mixed in a very artistic way. You definitely have to see the twentieth and nineteenth century paintings because it's worth every penny. If you can't afford original paintings, you can purchase replicas of it online. At present, there are now companies that sell replicas of the popular original contemporary paintings. These replicas are more affordable and looks just like the original.

There are also centers exclusively for contemporary arts such as paintings and you can find them in Cincinnati and Virginia.

Art galleries sell modern paintings. They both have the original and replicas. You can visit the art galleries or you can simply log on to the internet and visit the websites of the galleries. Busy people who don’t have the time to visit the galleries can shop for their favorite paintings online. This is much easier and faster. Not only that, you have a variety of choices and you can browse on the entire collection of the galleries without leaving your homes or your office. Contemporary oil paintings are truly expensive especially the originals and so you can opt to purchase the replicas instead. As mentioned earlier, you can get them at a much cheaper price. If you love to collect paintings, try to visit the different art galleries and see what's in store for you.

If you have a long-time favorite painting, you can send its photo to one of the galleries and make a purchase request. You can easily find their sites by doing a search on the internet. Find a link that will connect you to your desired art gallery or a certain company that can cater to your needs.

All it takes is diligence in doing your search and you can find a good contemporary painting that you can display in your home or even in your office. You can either purchase the paintings for investment purposes or for your personal pleasure. Contemporary paintings are part of history and if you own one, it's something that you can be proud of. So what are you waiting for? Visit the modern art galleries today.

The Cave Paintings of Trois Freres

Helpless romantics dream of traveling to France for a number of reasons. The country is quite well-known for its romantic places and atmosphere. But did you know that there's more to see in France aside from the lovely romantic places? Yes, that's true and one is the cave paintings of Trois Freres.

Not all individuals appreciate paintings. Oftentimes, it depends on the person's taste and interests. If you're interested in cave paintings, you can also find some of them in France. Trois Freres shows fascinating images about the people of prehistoric times. Visiting the cave is like exploring the world many years ago. You can learn a lot from the paintings, but only if you appreciate them.

Though people lived primitively thousands of years ago, they seem to know quite a lot. They knew about the different patterns and seasons of life. The seasonal variations and their food supplies are the determining factors between living or dying. The cave paintings in France show this great knowledge about the ancestors of the French people.

Translated in English, Trois Freres means Three Brothers. The paintings on the cave show indistinct images of animals and certain figures which experts believe to be a shaman. Trois Freres attracted international attention because of the depictions in the cave. The paintings are found in the far corners of the cave and so you have to go deeper to be able to get a good glimpse of such a work of art.

The paintings have a graphical nature and was skillfully drawn. You can easily make out the figures to be beasts and cattle surrounding a high figure that reaches the cave roof. This central figure is about 70 cm or 2 1/2 ft tall and appears to be half human and half animal. The figure has deer antlers and wears a mask with an eye of an owl. Below the mask is a beard and the hands are hidden within bear paws or lion paws. The back of the figure can be compared to that of a certain animal and somehow it appears that the figure is wearing an animal skin of some sort.  The figure has an erect penis covered by a fox tail.

Experts called the figure 'Animal Master' and if you want to see the picture of the cave painting, you can go to France or you can search the net and simply type the words 'Trois Freres'. Find a link that will show you the painting itself. You can use any of the popular search engines in order to get a glimpse of the cave painting.

If you try to conduct a research on the net, you can read many speculations and comments about the cave painting. The painting is like the sketchpad of the prehistoric people. Animals or beasts were drawn on top of one another. Experts believed that the paintings are more than 14,000 years old or even longer.

Today, painters and other artists treat art as a process. It is the expression, recording, and reflection of the divine or inner nature of the artist. But did the primitive artists view art in the same way? Perhaps there's more to their drawings that what modern experts and artists can understand.

You can find other cave paintings in Asia and in Europe. To better understand the paintings, just allow your imagination to take over.

Body Painting with Women Subjects

Artists find the body of women as an intriguing and unique subject matter, well, this genereally gets the approval of a lot of men, artist or not. Because of this, body painting with women subjects has become popular especially in today's times. There is even a festival for body painting and painters from all over the world are looking forward to join these events.

Body painting is considered a delicate art form. In fact, this kind of painting was developed many years ago. Tribes of our yesteryears performed body painting during special ceremonies. Some tribes do body painting merely for aesthetic purposes. However, our ancestors did not use paints like the ones sold in markets today.  They used natural pigments and clay to do body painting.

Today, body painting is still being practiced, particularly with Mehndi. This body painting form makes use of henna dyes and this is very popular in the western countries. An example is a semi-permanent henna tattoo.

During the 1960's, body painting was very popular as an art form. Back then, the social acceptability of this art form was always in question and in fact, experts conduct endless discussions about it. More often, body painting involves nudity and because of this, the art form is questioned by the norms of the society.

In body painting, you don’t just use any kind of paint. The use of body paints is restricted to some guidelines – the paint should be non-allergenic and non-toxic. Artists should only use paints that can be easily washed with water and ordinary soaps.

As mentioned earlier, there are semi-permanent body paints like those used in Mehndi. It uses natural and synthetic henna. The natural shade is available in brown color while the synthetic is black. For safe body painting, one should use the natural henna or the brown dye. If you use the black synthetic dye, allergic reactions can occur. However, if you want to use the black dye, a patch test should first be conducted to make sure that it is safe to be used by the subject.

So now you know a bit of body painting's background. If you want to practice body painting, you can enroll in certain classes. Presently, nudity in works of art is but natural. It is more acceptable now unlike many years ago. Women are no longer ashamed to be used as subjects in body painting. Besides, most women are paid with huge sums of money with a single session.

For starters, you should practice body painting with someone that you're comfortable with. A friend or even a loved one can do but it will be a lot easier if you practice in a class so that you don’t have to worry about the woman subject you need.

Body painting is a special kind of art that requires years of practice before you can become an expert in the field. While you're still in the learning process, you have to continue your research. The internet can provide you with all the resources you need. You simply have to spend enough time to research and study so that you will know all the valuable information you need.

You should be open to the possibility of nude body painting with women subjects. Your mind should be free from inhibitions so that you too can create a beautiful work of art. In time, you will be ready to join the festival for body painting where your skills can be recognized all over the world.

Andy Warhol Paintings: The Pinnacle of Pop

In 1928, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania hosted the birth of a man that would soon change the face of modern art. Named Andrew Warhola, this was a man that was destined to rule Pop art and define its parameters, or most aptly, blur its lines. Andy Warhol paintings today are considered as priceless collectors item’s and even replica’s of his art work are considered as great additions to any home.

What fueled Warhol’s success was his paintings of pop culture and icons and this series began in the 1960’s. His first series of paintings were silkscreen images of cans of Campbells soup. This representation of everyday items was what spurred the pop art movement then. Warhol was seemingly showing the people how obsessed they were with consumerism and gave those everyday objects an iconic feel. Aside from the Campbells Soup Cans, Warhol also used other brands and images like boxes of Brillo, Coke bottles and even the American dollar bill.

The technique Warhol used, silkscreening, allowed him to do multiple images and use different colors and variances in the effect. This is what catapulted Warhol to stardom in the pop art world.

Already gaining recognition for his work, Andy Warhol then moved on from painting consumer images to concentrating on subjects which depicted the images of the popular figures in America in that era. This is when the famous paintings of Marilyn Monore, Jackie Onassis and Elvis Presley came to be. By that time, Andy Warhol’s paintings skyrocketed to popularity and he was producing paintings at a fast pace.

Exhibits of his works were being done everywhere and even overseas. Every image that he portrayed in his works became instant icons and he’s paintings was very much in demand. Warhol would soon use this new fund fame to cross the lines between commercialism and fine art, for which some people would wholeheartedly accept.

Warhol’s innovation in his works of art was by no means stagnant. Although he continued to make portraits of famous figures, moving on to Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger and others, he let go of his repetitive style that helped start his career. He still produced very colorful art works and moved on to different subjects that would shock yet delight the Art world.

Warhol’s paintings though were not entirely focused on the life of the rich and famous, he also dubbed with other themes and had some series of paintings as well that dealt with the social aspect of life. His series the death and disaster used heavily edited photographs and painted racism, electric chair executions, car accidents and such. Although these were not as popular nor as well accepted as his other paintings, the series still is a part of his genuine artistry.

Andy Warhol’s love for his pets also inspired a series of paintings dubbed as cats and dogs. An animal lover himself, Warhol painted cats that were photographed by a renowned cat photographer. And being a dog owner, he had two dogs at the least, he also produced images of his dogs.

Today, many Andy Warhol paintings are in great demand and command prices amounting to millions of dollars. His birthplace in Pennsylvania houses the Andy Warhol Museum and many collectors from all over the world hang their prized Andy Warhol paintings on their walls.

What Abstract Painting is all About

Perhaps you've seen a lot of paintings already and out of the paintings you've seen, you appreciate only a few of them. You see, there are different painting styles and techniques used by painters. One of these styles is abstract painting. When you say abstract painting, not many appreciate it probably because of its different style and not so ordinary appearance. But despite the oddness of such painting style, you should not judge it at first sight. Instead, you should try to understand why it was painted.

Abstract painting started hundreds of years ago. There are famous abstract paintings housed in museums. Private collectors who love abstract painting also have some of them. Abstract paintings are good investments as well as collection items. You'll never know how much a certain painting would cost in the future and with the great awareness and appreciation of people nowadays for abstract painting, even you can't tell a paintings value. Some of the famous abstract painters were Picasso, Van Gogh, and Modigliani. Because of these artist's beautiful works, abstract painting became even more famous.

Do you know what abstract painting is? This type of painting can be defined in various ways. Unlike traditional paintings, abstract painting doesn’t portray reality. Before, painting was all about depicting a realistic or photographic expression of something or someone. However, abstract paintings are a lot different. The painting itself does not illustrate real objects. The shapes and colors shown in abstract paintings are non-objective and non-representing. The painting may refer to a person or to any other individual, anything, or even nothing. If you can't understand the meaning of a particular painting, you can ask the experts or even the painter about its meaning. Natural art lovers on the other hand, don’t need explanations because if they love abstract paintings, they will understand clearly the significance of the painting.

Try to look at an abstract painting. You will see bright, vivid, and bold colors. Aside from the colors, you will also note that the painting has biometric shapes. For art lovers, this is a beautiful and strange piece.

Way back in 1940, Abstract Expressionism is a movement pushed through by the artists. The artists and painters supported abstract painting and they wanted the freedom of expression through the paintings they made. This made abstract painting more popular. The movement began in a particular school in New York and the movement was also called Action Painting. Among the American schools that joined the movement declared their independence from the artworks of European style. After this, abstract painting was pushed forward.

In order to understand and appreciate abstract painting, you must know its humble beginnings. Even if abstract painting is quite odd, you should still learn to love it because its part of history and it is still a painting which expresses the thoughts and feelings of painters. You can get paintings like this in art galleries online and local art shops.  Some are quite expensive but there are also cheap ones. You can get replicas of the original classic abstract paintings made by the famous painters by purchasing them in certain companies that commission this kind of painting style.

Try to conduct a research about abstract painting. You can find many resources online so that you will understand more about this painting style. A painting is not always a representation of a specific object or person and that is exactly what abstract painting is all about.

Get Paid to Draw - People Are Making Thousands Of Money

Hi !
Did you know that companies spend more than 100 MILLION dollars buying images online?

Every company that has a website, needs to use images and pictures on their website... and they must pay people to create them!

Do you know what they need?  They need YOUR help.  That's right... and they are willing to pay money for it.

Discover now how you can make money with your pictures 

By selling your pictures, drawings or other images, you could build up a great business for yourself.

The best part is, you don't even need to be that talented!  The demand is so high, they will buy nearly ANYTHING.

This guy has put together a ton of information to help you get started making money doing this, and it is definitely worth checking out.

Discover now how you can make money with your pictures