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Free Art Instruction - Lessons & Tips For Beginners

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Free Art Instruction & Other Great Resources For Artists....

You have found the best resource on Squidoo for art instruction and resources including art supplies, art lessons, art instruction books, art instruction videos, artist interviews and more. Be sure to bookmark this lens as I will be adding new information and resources on a regular basis. If you should have any suggestions or comments, please leave them in the feedback box further down the page. Thanks and please do enjoy this lens!

You may also want to visit my other websites for artists:

Creative Spotlite - Free Art & Crafts Lessons & Resources For Beginners - This is my first site created nearly 7 years ago. It is a growing collection of free arts and crafts demonstrations and lessons on a variety of different topics including painting, drawing, crafts and photography.


The Art Instruction Blog - Free Art Instruction and Resources for Beginners - This is my blog on art instruction. It has become quite popular and is filled with lots of great resources for artists including step by step demos, artist interviews, videos, projects and more!

This Lens on Free Art Lessons & Resources Includes:

  1. Artist Poll
  2. Free Ebook!
  3. How to Paint a Rose In Watercolor
  4. Watercolor Painting Tips
  5. Painting a Mural For a Church By Julie Lamons
  6. Plein Air Painting Demonstration By Jo Castillo
  7. Beginner Oil Painting Technique
  8. Oil Painting Technique - Painting Drips and Drops - Part #2
  9. Great Books For Learning Oil Painting Techniques
  10. Cedar Crossing- A Step-by-Step Oil Painting Demo By Aaron Holland
  11. Recommended Book On Landscape Painting
  12. Step By Step Oil Painting Tutorial By Dan Schultz
  13. Oil Painting Lesson
  14. Oil Painting Tips
  15. Oil Painting Lesson
  16. Oil Painting Demonstration - Painting Horses in Landscape with Figures
  17. Step By Step Oil Painting Lesson by Mike Callahan
  18. Top 10 Online Resources To Help You Learn How To Draw Cars
  19. Great Book on How To Draw Cars
  20. Learn Acrylic Painting with Lorraine Vatcher
  21. At The Dock - An Acrylic Painting Demonstration by Brian Rice
  22. Acrylic painting tutorial By Harmony Steel
  23. Recommended Acrylic Painting Books
  24. Acrylic Painting Techniques For Beginners
  25. DVD - Acrylic Landscapes, The Watercolor Way with Charles Harrington
  26. Recommended DVD - Create Mood & Atmosphere with Color & Value by Hugh Greer
  27. Artist Spotlite - Interview With Don Sahli
  28. Recommended Art Instruction Books From Amazon...
  29. Artist Spotlite - Interview With Pamela E. Miller
  30. Interview With Artist Julie Blight
  31. Artist Spotlite - Interview with Karin Wells
  32. An Introduction to Pastel Painting & Drawing
  33. More Art Instruction Lenses On Squidoo!
  34. How to Paint a Cat - Painting Demonstration by Richard Ancheta
  35. If you like this lens, be a sport and leave some feedback...
  36. Art Instruction Resources Online
  37. Spontaneous Painting - An Activity For The Whole Family
  38. Creating Equine Art By Donna Ridgway
  39. Drawing The Human Figure

Artist Poll

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Free Ebook!

Inside The Artist's Studio

Step inside the Artist's Studio and watch step by step how an artist creates a beautiful work of art. Whether you are an aspiring artist or simply a lover of fine art, you will find this book a wonderful addition to your library.

To download this book, please fill in your name and email below. Once your information is confirmed, you will receive a link to download your free book. Whenever an update is made to this book, you will be notified via email with a link to download the updated version.

You will also be automatically subscribed to the FREE Creative Spotlite Newsletter. The Creative Spotlite Newsletter offers free step by step art lessons, artist interviews, product recommendations and more. You can unsubscribe from this newsletter whenever you wish.

Free Ebook - Inside The Artist's Studio

How to Paint a Rose In Watercolor

By Doris Joa

Rose Watercolor DemoThe Star of this painting and Demonstration will be the Rose painting "Open Arms".

It is a beautiful climbing rose, which I bought new this year for my garden and I was lucky to see a lot of blooms. I love the colors in this rose and I am looking forward to painting this rose. Since I need time for doing a rose painting, I cannot paint from life, no rose would live such a long time. Another reason is that I have two small kids, so I usually only have time to paint in the evening when they are sleeping - so I work from photos. Since this rose is in my own garden, I had enough time to really observe it and understand more about the colors.

I work only from my own reference photos.

I used a digital camera, Olympus C -750 Ultra Zoom to take the photos in this demo. It's a great camera. I am able to see the details on the wings of a bee. I can zoom up to 40 times.

Please follow this link to view the rest of the tutorial on how to paint a rose.

Watercolor Painting Tips

Tips For Painting Landscapes In Watercolor

One of the biggest challenges beginners face with any type of art, is the ability to really connect with the creativity that is inside of them. It's difficult in the beginning to just let go and paint from your heart and soul. Your mind is being filled with techniques and systems for approaching painting, that may inhibit your creativity. Don't get me wrong, painting techniques are essential to learning, but there should be a point where you begin to draw from your own creative imagination.

Click here to read the rest of this article on watercolor painting tips.

Painting a Mural For a Church By Julie Lamons

I was asked by the pastor of a local church if I would be interested in painting a mural. Despite some doubts (not least of which was the practicalities of working on scaffolding up to ceiling height), I said yes and before I knew it I was presenting a slide show of ideas at a church meeting.

My brief from this first meeting was to present three scenes in one: the cross, the tomb, and the ascension of Christ. I began evaluating the mural space - a 9×23 feet rectangle with a peak at the center - to find the appropriate style and approach to fulfill the church's needs.

I sketched out my composition onto two sheets of paper I'd stuck together. (Later I gridded it up into inch squares to help me transfer the design to the wall.) I wanted to put some landscape (trees or shrubs) between each scene to make it look more natural. I did some research on the Internet to see what the landscape in the area in Israel actually looks like, then mixed in a little artistic license.



Follow this link to view the rest of this mural painting demonstration...

Plein Air Painting Demonstration By Jo Castillo

Jo Knoblock Castillo has always had an interest in art and working with her hands. Whether it was cooking, sewing or making gifts, Jo was happy to be "doing". While living in Bolivia, she finally rediscovered her love of painting. Her interest is in landscapes and paintings that have connections to her life.

Jo works in most media, but has discovered she really enjoys the special luminosity of pastels. They are tactile, immediate and long lasting. Other than smudging if touched (they should be framed under glass), they are very durable. The colors are clear and vibrant. "I enjoy painting from life and use my own reference photos just as a reminder of shape or lighting," says the artist.

Winters find Jo and Gene, her husband, living in Bastrop, Texas. It is near family and offers a mild climate and plenty of golf courses and opportunities to paint. Jo looks forward to plein air painting in New Mexico each summer. "It is a challenge to set up an easel and paint a scene in just a couple of hours," Jo says, "The light is very fleeting and you have to get down large sections of light and dark very quickly to establish your painting. Weather doesn't always cooperate and uninvited visitors like mosquitos or snakes are not uncommon."

Follow this link to view the plein air pastel demonstration...

Beginner Oil Painting Technique

Painting Drips and Drops By Karin Wells

The following oil painting lesson will demonstrate Karin's oil painting technique for creating water drips on a vertical surface. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. The second part, "How to paint water drops on a horizontal surface in four easy steps", will be published next week.

Follow this link to learn oil painting techniques with Karin Wells...

Oil Painting Technique - Painting Drips and Drops - Part #2

How to paint water drops on a horizontal surface in four easy steps. By Karin Wells

The following oil painting lesson is part 2 of Karin's oil painting technique for creating water drips and drops.

This tutorial will focus on how to create water drops on a horizontal surface.

Click here to learn this oil painting technique...

Great Books For Learning Oil Painting Techniques

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Cedar Crossing- A Step-by-Step Oil Painting Demo By Aaron Holland

About Aaron:

My formal training has been in the "Boston School" tradition, at the Studio of Peter Bougie and Brian Lewis (an Atelier), in the lineage of Richard Lack. While there, I was trained in portraiture, figurative, and still life painting methods, as well as a thorough study of academic drawing approaches. I studied with Mr Bougie and Mr. Lewis every day for five days a week, approximently 7-8 hours a day, for three and a half years. Ironically, it was while I was there that I came to love the landscape....

Click here to learn more about Aaron and to view his oil painting demonstration....

Recommended Book On Landscape Painting

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Landscape Painting Inside and Out: Capture the Vitality of Outdoor Painting in Your Studio With Oils by Kevin D. MacPherson

Landscape Painting Inside and Out: Capture the Vitality of Outdoor Painting in Your Studio With Oils by Kevin D. MacPherson

Offers down-to-earth advice on painting gorgeous o more...0 points

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The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook - Landscapes by Gordon Mackenzie

The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook - Landscapes by Gordon Mackenzie

This inspiring guide provides artists with the knowledge more...0 points

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Oil Painter's Solution Book Landscapes: XX Answers to Your Oil Painting Questions by Elizabeth Tolley

Oil Painter's Solution Book Landscapes: XX Answers to Your Oil Painting Questions by Elizabeth Tolley

The must-have reference for every oil painter! Spend more...0 points

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Creating Textured Landscapes With Pen, Ink & Watercolor by Claudia Nice

Creating Textured Landscapes With Pen, Ink & Watercolor by Claudia Nice

Texture makes the difference between run-of-the-mi more...0 points

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Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson

Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson

The whys and hows of the various aspects of landsc more...0 points

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Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide by Cathy Johnson

Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide by Cathy Johnson

Experience Nature with an Artist's Eye "There more...0 points

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Plein Air Painting in Oil (Artist's Library Series) by Frank Serrano

Plein Air Painting in Oil (Artist's Library Series) by Frank Serrano

Explore the simple techniques and practical tips for more...0 points

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Plein Air Painting in Watercolor & Oil by Frank Lalumia

Plein Air Painting in Watercolor & Oil by Frank Lalumia

Artists learn how to paint from life successfully more...0 points

Step By Step Oil Painting Tutorial By Dan Schultz

Dan Schultz was born in New Mexico in 1975 and soon began to take an interest in art. He enjoyed art classes through his primary and high school years, and studied commercial art at Pensacola Christian College in Florida. He received his degree with a focus on illustration and graphic design, but he never felt driven to pursue either as a career. After college, he continued to sharpen his drawing and painting skills by attending Cottonwood Artists' School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it was there that he realized for the first time his desire for a career in fine art....



Click here to view this oil painting tutorial by Dan Schultz...

Oil Painting Lesson

An Introduction To Oil Painting Supports

An oil painting support is any surface that oil paint can be applied to. There are a variety of different surfaces that artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and even metals can serve as supports for oil paint. This article will introduce you to those various supports and hopefully help you decide which support is best for your style of oil painting.

Click here to read the rest of oil painting lesson...

Oil Painting Tips

All About Oil Painting Brushes

Oil painting brushes come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes and this can sometimes overwhelm a beginner. This article will provide you with an overview of the various oil painting brushes available and help you decide what kind of brushes you should invest in.

Click here to read the rest of this article on oil painting brushes.

Oil Painting Lesson

Introduction To Oil Painting Fundamentals

To accurately convey your feelings about the subject you are painting, you should learn and understand the fundamentals of oil painting like drawing, color theory, value and composition. I hope to give you a better understanding of these fundamentals in this article. This article is meant to be an introduction. You should study these topics further on your own when you have time.

Click here to read the rest of: "Introduction To Oil Painting Fundamentals"

Oil Painting Demonstration - Painting Horses in Landscape with Figures

Here's an excellent new demo by artist Elin Pendleton. The title of this oil painting lesson is "Painting Horses in Landscape with Figures". This painting lesson will show how Elin moves from an original idea, through the entire process as she paints an equine subject in her studio.

Click here to view this oil painting demonstration...

Step By Step Oil Painting Lesson by Mike Callahan

Rose Watercolor Demo

Nationally recognized, award winning artist Mike Callahan is a fourth generation Nevada native who counts himself privileged to grow up in what he believes to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains near Reno, Nevada where he still lives today. While he has been painting since childhood, he has only been painting in earnest for about the last 5 or 6 years.


Says Mike, "The topography of this area is simply phenomenal; one can go from the high desert to mountainous alpine settings in less than an hour. It is this beautiful and varied landscape that ends up being the subject for a vast majority of my paintings."


Please follow this link to view Mike's step by step oil painting lesson.

Top 10 Online Resources To Help You Learn How To Draw Cars

Learning how to draw cars is a very popular hobby as of late, so I decided to dedicate a post that lists some great resources online to help you learn how to draw cars fast. The following links include free step by step drawing tutorials of race cars, sports cars and other great tips for car drawing enthusiasts.

Click here to learn how to draw cars online for free...

Great Book on How To Draw Cars

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Learn Acrylic Painting with Lorraine Vatcher

Another amazing painting to share with you. Lorraine Vatcher was kind enough to share another demonstration with us. The title of this painting is "Reflections of Pink and Blue."
Click here learn acrylic painting with Lorraine...

At The Dock - An Acrylic Painting Demonstration by Brian Rice

Brian has no formal training in art. He is self taught and learns most from a careful observation of the order and design of the natural world . He believes that "nature is the artwork of a creator/master artist who displays a wisdom and a genius that we have only begun to understand". His focus is to create art that will cause the soul to search for a deeper meaning in an increasingly chaotic world.

He started striving for a photo realism style in the 1990's and achieved it to some degree, but, he found the style did not evoke much emotion and set out on a journey to find a style that was realistic but, with a much looser impressionistic approach.

Eighteen of his paintings were on display at his hometown Petrolia Library during the Summer of 2004.

The Painting "The Newfoundland Cabin" appeared in "Guest Gallery "which is a page in the downhomer magazine; www.Downhome.com is the biggest magazine on the Canadian eastcoast with 26,000 subscribers. This magazine also has a gallery and gift shop in St. John's, Newfoundland which now carries prints of the painting "seasons of life"

Click here to view the acrylic painting instructions...

Acrylic painting tutorial By Harmony Steel

There is a new acrylic painting tutorial posted on my main blog entitled "Alien Landscape" by the very talented Harmony Steel.

Here is the link to view the acrylic painting tutorial

Recommended Acrylic Painting Books

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Acrylic Painting Techniques For Beginners

The acrylic painting medium is a fairly new addition to the various painting mediums available to todays artists. It has been around since the 1950's and has been continually under development and refinement ever since.

Click here to read the rest of this article on acrylic painting techniques.

DVD - Acrylic Landscapes, The Watercolor Way with Charles Harrington

Charles Harrington AWS DF, ISAP draws on the best features of both acrylic and watercolor in his acrylic landscape painting workshop. He achieves the subtle color shifts and luminous transparency of watercolor while attaining the durability of acrylic. He also introduces tools and techniques perfected over years as an architect.

At home in the Ozarks, Charles introduces his portable plein air kit and paints a study that will serve as his reference in the studio. Back indoors, Charles works in the watercolorist's style. He uses light preliminary washes and thin layers of pigment, allowing him to vary colors at every stage. Charles modifies his larger painting from his original plein air reference to achieve stronger design and value balance.

Charles also harnesses acrylics' unique ability to layer opaque, translucent and transparent passages harmoniously. He mixes sparingly on his palette and heavily on the paper to create complicated blends and avoid flat, dull grays. He uses a spray bottle, splattering and active brushwork to break up large shapes and create lifelike texture.

To find an alternative to watercolor or capitalize on the unique advantages of acrylics, join Charles Harrington in Acrylic Landscapes the Watercolor Way.

Click here for more information on this acrylic painting DVD including pricing, customer reviews and a free preview!

Recommended DVD - Create Mood & Atmosphere with Color & Value by Hugh Greer

Learn Acrylic Painting with Hugh Greer

This Hugh Greer art instruction DVD contains advanced acrylic painting lessons in which Hugh Greer demonstrates advanced techniques for painting with acrylics and demonstrates his techniques close up and in detail.

Create Mood & Atmosphere with Color & Value

Hugh Greer paints two scenes simultaneously, creating two distinctly different moods demonstrating the importance of subtle shifts in color, value and under paint colors in landscapes. Hugh uses the transparency of fluid acrylics to its fullest.

Along the way, you will see remarkable brushwork, color mixing, versatile use of the medium, and a variety of tools. You will gain insights on what to look for while painting and tips on how to direct the eye to the focal point. With his keen observations and tour de force skill, it becomes absolutely clear why Hugh Greer is a national gold medal winning landscape painter!

120 min.

Available on DVD

Click here for more information including customer reviews and a free preview!

Artist Spotlite - Interview With Don Sahli

Everybody looks for a label. I would like to be known as a painter one who painted what he saw while wandering around on his journey.

Don Sahli made the decision to become a professional artist at a very early age. By the time he was 17 years old, galleries in Texas and New Mexico were selling his paintings. Sahli has earned his living as a professional artist all his adult life. Presently, his work is represented by galleries in Colorado, North Carolina, New Mexico, Wyoming and Texas.

When I look at a painting, I want it to bring me back to when I was on the scene. I want it to convey the drama and emotion that first captured my attention, the atmosphere, and the soul of the place.

Click here to read this Interview...

Recommended Art Instruction Books From Amazon...

Here are some great art instruction books that can be purchased online through Amazon.
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Artist Spotlite - Interview With Pamela E. Miller

About Pamela E. Miller Contemporary Art

"By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity" -Robert Heinlein

These are just a few words that I like to live by. I feel that creating art is a way of sharing your soul with others. As you will see in my artwork: sometimes I am very flamboyant and always colorful, sometimes confidant and peaceful, other times angry or chaotic. I think all of my emotions; passions come out in my works. Sometimes I layer it on thick (paint and words) and other times I flirt with the canvas with light feathery strokes. My art reflects my beliefs in love, warmth, generosity, loyalty, and honesty. I'm inspired by science, fantasy, martial arts, architecture, and nature (especially water).

Click here to read more of this Artist Interview...

Interview With Artist Julie Blight

Artist Statement

Today we are bombarded with so much ugliness in the world; through my art I try to portray the calming beauty I feel from nature. My passion is painting Realistic Animal Portraits, especially Dogs, Cattle and our vibrant Northern Territory Landscapes, Flora and Fauna.

My favourite medium is Matisse Acrylic Paint and also work in Inks, Wax, Rice Paper and Graphite Pencil.
I attained my Visual Arts Diploma many years ago and have continued my art education with the school of life, through trial and error. After years of exhibiting, travel teaching nationally and internationally I now enjoy the layback life style of the Territory. I paint under the Nom de Plume "Siani Walsh".

The photo submitted is of my young Rottweiler Sharny and is called "Who Me". To her the world is her play ground she is either going into mischief or coming out of it and has the most expressive face of any dog I have been guardian to. She is an absolute joy to share my life with....

Follow this link to view the rest of this artist interview

Artist Spotlite - Interview with Karin Wells

I love the dignity and grand style of classical realism. My work reflects the deep influence of the Old Masters in both method, style and use of light.

I enjoy working with traditional oil paint on linen canvas. The Old Masters take my breath away and when I look at what they have done with this traditional medium, it gives me endless inspiration to learn more.

Read the Interview...

An Introduction to Pastel Painting & Drawing

Pastels are a wonderful medium to work with. If you are used to painting in wet mediums like oils and acrylics then you should give pastels a try. They are a very refreshing and enjoyable approach to creating art. This article will introduce you to the various pastel mediums that are available as well as touch on a few pastel panting and drawing techniques that you can incorporate into your next work of art.
Click here to read the rest of this article on pastel painting and drawing.

More free pastel painting & drawing techniques visit our main site: http://www.creativespotlite.com

More Art Instruction Lenses On Squidoo!

If you enjoyed this lens on art instruction, then be sure to visit my other lenses on oil painting, watercolor painting, drawing and more. See below for more information.
Learn How to Draw Cars
Various tips, videos and other resources for beginner car drawing enthusiasts.
Watercolor Painting Lessons & Tips
Great resource on watercolor painting. Lots of great tips and resources.
Art Instruction Video Showcase
Great collection of free art instruction videos on a variety of different mediums. There are also featured videos there that you can purchase that are extremely popular amongst new artists.
Oil Painting Instruction & Tips
Another great resource for beginner oil painting. Lots of great tips and resources here.
Beginner Acrylic Painting
Free acrylic painting lessons, tips and resources for the beginner.
Drawing Lessons & Tips
Great lens on drawing for the beginner. Lots of great tips and resources.
Portrait Painting & Drawing
Welcome to my lens on portrait painting and drawing. This lens will feature tips and lessons on portrait painting and drawing as well as cover some of the more famous portrait artists in history.
Figure Drawing & Painting
Welcome to my squidoo lens on figure drawing and painting. I plan on making this lens a comprehensive resource on figure drawing & painting and will be adding new lessons, tutorials & other helpful information as time goes on.
All About Oil Painting Supplies
Welcome to my squidoo lens on oil painting supplies. Buying art supplies can be a confusing process for a beginner so I thought I would devote an entire lens to help you learn more about your oil painting supplies.
Learn How To Paint Flowers
Welcome to my lens on painting flowers. Painting flowers is a very popular subject amongst new artists. In this lens, I will provide you with tips and resources to help you along the way. Enjoy and be sure to bookmark this page and return often.
Pastel Painting and Drawing
Pastels are a wonderful medium to work with. If you are used to painting in wet mediums like oils and acrylics then you should give pastels a try. They are a very refreshing and enjoyable approach to creating art.

How to Paint a Cat - Painting Demonstration by Richard Ancheta

Richard Ancheta first began to paint at the age of 12 years old and took painting lessons with well known Filipino artist and illustrators. His devotion and vision as an artist are promising. He studied Multimedia Design at Montreal International Academy of Design. Richard works in various mediums: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel and charcoal. His works have been featured in newspapers, magazines and books. He boast 20 years of experience in painting, illustration, advertising and graphic work.

Click here to view the oil painting instruction...

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Art Instruction Resources Online

Here are some great resources online for beginner artists. You will find everything you need to get started at the following links.
Art Instruction Videos & DVDs
We have over 70 titles with some of the nations finest artists and teachers.
Art Instruction Books
Great selection of affordable art instruction books covering every topic from oil painting to jewelry making..
Discount Art Supplies
Great selection of quality art supplies at competitive prices. We have all your favorite brands.

Spontaneous Painting - An Activity For The Whole Family

Art does not always have to be created for the purpose of impressing others, or for making money, or for a competition in an art show. Art can be personal and therapeutic or simply a fun and enjoyable way to share your time with your friends and family. Sometimes I do not feel like thinking about a painting, or drawing any preliminary sketches or studies. Sometimes I just want to paint and get right into those deep rich colors and textures and just let my imagination run wild. I think as artists we need to do this sometimes and not spend so much time on the technical aspects of things.

Click here to read the rest.....

Creating Equine Art By Donna Ridgway

The first things you need to know about becoming an equine artist are some basic rules about image use. As an artist you must learn to work using live subjects, capturing your scenes, or using a camera to take your own photos. Your unique way of seeing the world of the horse shines through when you use your own reference materials. Another way to create an image, is to call upon your imagination. Let it flow and see what appears on the canvas or paper.

Click here to read the rest of this article on equine art.

Drawing The Human Figure

Tips & Techniques For Beginners

Figure drawing is challenging. The act of rendering the human form accurately on paper can be intimidating and frustrating if you try to tackle everything all at once. It is for this reason that you should take things one-step at a time and most importantly, practice! The following article will provide you with some of the basics for understanding how to approach your next figure drawing project.

Click here to read the rest of this article on figure drawing.

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