Elements of a Good Design

So you’re aspiring to create designs for companies advertising their crafts online? Hold on! Before chasing after your dream of being a ‘great’ and ‘well-known’ graphic designer…Let’s go over the many names and title that associates with graphic designer and resolve finally who a designer is and what are the elements of design you need to learn.
According to an article, Chuck’s views on design, writing and marketing at www.ideabook.com/viewa.htm the author narrates that he’s already into his twenty something years in the graphic design business. Considering his long experience, Chuck’s been called art director, commercial artist, graphic designer, desktop publisher and graphic artist.
Impressed with the wide selection of titles? Let’s get on with the definitions, though. Graphic designer is defined by the Graphic Artist’s Guild as “visual problem solver”, the graphic artist is a “visual artist working in a commercial area”, and the art director is someone responsible for supervising the “quality and character if visual work.” Don’t be led to believe that the definitions tell what the work is all about.
Among the various definitions, that of the creative director’s, “whose responsibilities may include overall supervision of all aspects of the character and quality of the (advertising) agency’s work for its client” came close to what Chuck thinks a designer should really be…
Now, if you are undaunted by the close-definition and is really keen on being a graphic designer, you should know that design is a communication art. There are basic elements for creating good designs in order to perfect this art.
The following are the elements of design that serve as standards in achieving high quality and successful designs:
1. “Design is more than meets the eye.” Always keep in mind that design is also communicating an idea as well as giving visual delight and entertainment. It is actually a blend of both so that it becomes a well-designed message. Anything less and you will not have a design.
2. “Design is about communicating benefits” – your design must incorporate marketing messages that focus on what benefits your prospective customers might get in responding to your handiwork.
3. “Design is not about designers” – Design will never be effective if it’s made to stir up the designer’s ego. You must create designs that your clients need and not design that’ll make you look good in your portfolio
4. “Design is not an ocean, it’s a fishbowl” – Be very particular and appropriate about your designs and that would depend on the client needing them. Be careful about the principles you apply on either designing techniques or marketing ideas. Be aware that these two may not always be interchangeable.
5. “Design is creating something you believe in” – Don’t let a poor product be killed immediately because of great advertisement designs. Stick to your values and principles in accepting projects from clients, in order to manipulate your ad design to the best of your client’s advantage, you, must first know and have faith on your client and their products. -30-

An Approach To French Art

France has been among the main pioneers in many artistic expression forms throughout the country’s history. France and art are both strongly attached to each other and it would not be possible to think of world art without thinking of France or think or Frances main characteristics without thinking of art. French art has had a very important influence not only in the French culture but also in the rest of the world.
The importance of art in France can be easily reflected through the great amount of museums and art exhibitions spread throughout the country. This great list would include, among the main ones, the Musee du Louvre, one of the greatest museums of the world. Also in this list we can find the Musee National du Moyen Age exhibiting a collection of medieval art works, and the Centre Pompidou, exhibiting art from the XX century.
Also among the most important museums and exhibition spots, there is the Musee d’Orsay, where visitors can observe a collection of French art from the XIX century, and the Musee Picasso, exhibiting amazing art works from this outstanding artist. The Musee Rodin is another great place to visit in order to enjoy French art and observe some amazing sculptures from this artist.
The Petit Palais and the Grand Palais are two places within France which change expositions and always show something interesting to observe. The Musee Carnavalet exhibits art works and provides information related to Paris in the XVII century. The list of French Museums and exhibition spots could go on for many paragraphs more, and is one of the most amazing lists of its kind which could be created.
The relation between France and art can be traced back to as long ago as the Paleolithic age. Many art works dating from such period of time were found within this country providing unique information and discoveries to the culture and art of the world. In France, each different age and period of time was strongly attached to art and had its typical art expression forms and characteristics which would have an important bond with each stage of the French history and culture.

Art Auctions: Early American Art

There are many very good examples of what you could call early American artwork that has survived to this day, and as time passes to create particular movements in style throughout the world, fundamental ideas change with a variation in locale and timeframe when it comes to the individual artists and their brilliant visions. Each artist certainly contributing something to the overall picture of the world as it shapes and changes around them, it takes an artistic will strong enough to transcend any particular era to convey the feeling of the period in such a condensed format, and the various forms that this artwork can take is numerous.

There are many styles and mediums from which to choose your vintage piece of artwork, and when you do the adequate amount of research on the subject, then you will be better prepared to find that ideal painting or work by an artist that you can relate easier to. With early American artwork, it can be a much shorter time to find and acquire a print of the piece that you would wish to own, and this can also be a more cost effective way of getting those works that can best be appreciated by your tastes in artwork and artist.

Early American art runs the spectrum from Native American art to the modernist painters and artists we can see presently, and their artwork can all be summed up under the category of early American art, creating a totally unique perspective on the American landscape. When you wish to see a museum-quality piece in your own living room, there can be multiple ways to acquire the ideal artwork you find, and not all of them have to cost an arm or a leg. If you think that the buying experience has to be an expensive one, then you are sorely mistaken, but any museum piece can be considered priceless in some hands.

There are various ways to deal with finding the bargain that suits your needs, and it does not always affect you to find a print and put a frame around it, the worth of many prints can be a way to bypass the expense of trying to buy one of these improbably affordable pieces. If you happen to be cautious about buying a piece of questionable value, then perhaps purchasing an art print of such works can make it more worthwhile, and especially if you find yourself to be a novice in the art scene. There are many places where you would be able to find printed reproductions, and can have them bought right on the premises of the location.

There is still much American artwork being produced that is quite relevant a reflection on the state of affairs as they stand throughout time, and no matter the period, there is certainly a way to find an example of what you are looking for whether the artist happens to be involved in a particular movement or otherwise at the time. There are many various definitions that American art falls under depending upon when the work was made, though only after the nineteenth century did movements begin to be started in America, and it was then that artists like Jackson Pollack were given the freedom to express themselves.

This lead to the outgrowth of the Abstract Expressionist movement in art, came up out of the colliding of influences between Ashcan artwork and the modernists from Europe like the Cubists and abstract painters, and appeared in the years after World War II. Within the mindset of this movement, the abandoning of formal composition gave way to arrangements that concentrated on space and color to represent the physical act of painting on the canvas, and created works based around instinct instead of representation of real objects. These works would eventually affect the works of pop art that would come to prominence later in the century.

Advanced Airbrush Art DVDs

Once you have learned the basics with airbrush art, you can start to learn more advanced techniques. These advanced techniques will help you to render more imaginative art. Videos can help you learn this advanced airbrush art techniques. You can also get videos that will help you learn how to render a specific design that will fit with the airbrush art you are trying to create.

One such specific design video is Creating Killer Dragons, produced by AirBrush Action Magazine with master airbrush artist Crossed Eyed. Crossed Eyed will teach you how to create airbrushed dragons by showing you all the essential techniques involved in rendering all aspects of the dragon.

Killer Klown with Javier Soto will show you how to create airbrushed clowns. This video will go into how to create the popular psycho demented style of clowns. These style of clowns seem to very popular with custom paint jobs. so if you are wanting to get in on how to create these clowns, then this video is for you. Javier Soto will deal with the use of bright colors, textures, highlighting and the use of kandies in creating a brilliant looking psycho clown.

Kustom Pinstriping Techniques featuring airbrush artist Craig Fraser will show you all the aspects of pin striping. This video will show you everything you need to comprehend about pin striping so that you can reach professional level pin striping. With this video you can learn about the design and application process, the different types of airbrushes for pin stripping and which brush is right for which job. Learn about choosing paints and other material that you will need. Practice exercises will have you practicing what you see on the video so that you can master your skills.

Biker Skull featuring renowned airbrush artist Robert Benedict will show you step-by-step how to create a professional looking skull in a leather cap. This video is a very advanced detail orientated video that is a one of a kind as the methods and such have never been put on tape before. With this video you will learn what you need to have an edge over a lot of other airbrush artists.

Caricatures are seen in a lot of art and airbrush art makes for creating some really interesting caricatures. Kent Lind will show you how to create cool caricatures in this approximately 70 minute video titled, How to Airbrush Caricatures. This video will go into all the details that you will need to know to create your own airbrush art caricatures. These designs are great on t-shirts, canvas and if you really want you can put then on your car.

After all art is all about imagination and showing off your creative imagination. advancing your techniques and learning new design methods can help you to advance your airbrush art. Once you have learned the advance techniques and design styles offered in these advanced articles, you can then customize what you learned to create airbrush art that is truly your own.

Giving Dragon Artist Credit

Soon I will be loading pictures of dragons almost everyday to a website… for every ones personal enjoyment. All of these dragon pictures are NOT to be sold or used for commercial purposes without the artist permission on this site.

I used to go and see web pages that were just pictures of dragons with no Artist credited. I try to put the Artist name with all the posted pictures Also if is hard to say if half the dragon pictures on the internet are copyrighted. If the pictures are copyrighted, or the artist happens to not want their Art posted are able to let me know so I can remove it off the site. For the pictures that have an Unknown artist, it is possible for people to leave a comment with the artist name if they know it.

As an artist myself I feel cheated when my work is used by someone else without giving me credit. By Using work without posting the credited artist, the person that is posting is stealing. I am trying to fix that problem with my site, so that people can find pictures along with the artist.

This is just my small effort to give credit to those who deserve it.
Visit www.Dragon-Pics.blogspot.com to see my work so far.

Great Tips for Buying Artwork Online

With plenty of artwork available online today, art lovers use this newfound market to secure masterpieces and home decor art at incredible prices. If you love to buy art, the Internet can be a valuable resource, saving you time and money. But first, learn to shop for art online wisely and be careful when choosing artwork. Use these tips to find quality artwork while keeping spending to a minimum.

Discover New Artists

The Internet offers a great opportunity to explore artwork and discover new artists. Use the power of search to find hundreds of artists. Then surf through their available paintings to find the styles that appeal to you. Ask questions about the artists by email or phone. Some artists or art retail companies use experienced art consultants to answer questions. Take advantage of this service when available.

Keep in mind that there are thousands of new artists who are very talented. Since they‚re just starting out, they might offer their paintings for far less than a famous artist. Some original paintings by new artists can increase in value tremendously over time, as the artist becomes better known in the art world.

Use search engines to find art by certain keywords such as: artist name, type of art (landscapes, people, antiques, flowers, children, animals), date or time period of artwork, and medium (watercolor, acrylic, oil).

Online Tools to See the Scale of the Painting

Use Web tools that enable you to see the actual size and scale of a painting and how it would look in a room on a wall. Some websites provide these tools to help art buyers see how the artwork would look on their wall. They can choose different wall colors, frames, matting, and a variety of sizes to get a feel for how the art would complement their own home.

Authentication – Is It Important?

Buying art online is similar to buying jewelry or any other high-ticket retail item. Whether authentication is important or not is really up to you as the buyer. A good rule of thumb is if you plan to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a piece of art for investment purposes, then you’ll want to be sure it’s authentic. Use an authenticity service that you feel comfortable with and make sure the painting is not a reproduction or digital reproduction.

Also, consider if having original pieces of art is important to you. Some art lovers admire the detail, love, and experience put into a sole piece of art. They are very willing to pay more for original paintings, even if only for pleasure.

If you want artwork simply for decorating your home and have a limited budget, digital reproductions are available online at very affordable prices. These reproductions look similar to the originals, but have been reproduced for mass distribution.

Visit Local Galleries

You can also find great new artists and ideas by visiting your local art galleries. Take pen and paper with you to write down artists or the names of paintings that catch your eye. Then go online to search for these artists to see their other paintings.

Always check out online art retailers through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Online to be sure the companies are trustworthy. Buying artwork online can be an enjoyable experience if you take time to explore all the beautiful paintings and find artwork that fits your style and budget.

Art Gallery

Art Galleries are generally known for art that highlights the natural beauty all around the world. Everyday there are people creating entirely new works of art, and placing them in art galleries all over the world.

The type of art included in a gallery can vary. Art can encompass a wide variety of medium, such as, drawings, paintings, photography, and sculpture, to name a few. The purpose of the art gallery is to show off the work of local and national artists in a way that people will want to purchase them. Many of the artist’s works can also be bought as prints. This allows the artist to sell more, while making the price more affordable to people.

Local Art Galleries

Most major cities have wonderful art galleries. If you have never visited an art gallery, you should make a point to do so. You may think that an art gallery is not where you would want to spend the afternoon, but you may be surprised at how interesting an art gallery can be. Check your local phone book for an art gallery near you.

Virtual Art Galleries

If you have Internet access, then you can find an online art gallery, my choice as well. If you can view and possibly order from the comfort of your own home why not. Virtual tours of art galleries are a lot of fun.

As with walk in art galleries, virtual art galleries are also worldwide. Listed below are a few galleries that you can visit online.

o Art Vitam, Miami, Florida
o Art of this Century, Paris, France
o Art Space/Virginia Miller Galleries, Coral Gables, Florida
o Artco Galleria de Arte, Lima, Peru
o Casa d’Arte San Lorenzo, Pisa, Italy
o Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts, Miami, Florida
o Espace D’Art Yvonamor Palix, Paris, France
o Galleria El Museo, Bogotá, Colombia
o Galleria Habana, Mexico D.F., Mexico
o Galleria de Arte Isabel Aninat, Santiago, Chile

Take the time to experience wonderful works of art at your local art gallery or on the internet. Even if you are not an art enthusiast, the works of fine artists all over the world will impress you.

It Takes An Artist To Search For Art Online

The excitement about internet, one of the biggest inventions of XX century, slowly becomes our addiction. When you ones start to use it you will continue doing it every day and no wonder, because on internet you can find practically everything. Just using the right key, you are able to get about all on the subject you are interested in. One of the biggest groups on internet is art.

The fact that both the computer and the internet have become a common, accessible technology has opened this formerly high tech art circuit up to a much broader field of artists and movements. Net.art or internet art uses the internet as its primary medium and groups various of artists are showing their work on the internet sites.

It does not matter if your are looking for paintings, draws, sculpture, photography or video’s you can find any kind of material you need. No matter what kind of movement you are interested in, there is all to find.

Nowadays you do not even need to visit an art gallery, a museum nor flight to Paris to see Louvre. The only think you need to do, is to click the right key word in one of the search engines and throug the wires of internet you can enjoy virtual excursion through Louvre. To get what you need you can search through variouse search engines like google, altavista, hotbot, lycos, etc. or check the catalogue yahoo. The only one important thing that you have to remember is to be specific.

Internet offers millions and millions of informations about art and artists, contains millions of pictures, so it is an art to find the one you need. There are some simple rules which will help you on an easy way to find quicker all what you need. Remember, the first word you write is the most important one. That is the word for which search engines will look in the first place and to which they will match the most.

Chronology is of the essence. When you want to find exact expression you need to use quatation marks ” “. Mostly you use it by quoting titles and names. You can also eliminate from the searching order words you do not need, by using “-” at the beging. The great thing about internet is that there is to find all kind of art. It does not matter how old it could be, as long as it exists in a real world you can for sure get in on internet. And with a little bit of luck you can also download most of it to have it for yourself. Do not worry, it is really easy and a fun to do. After few minutes of practice you are an artist yourself, the artist of online art search.

Painting books for beginners and professionals

We all like being creative. Our busy schedule hardly gives us any time to spent time with our self’s. Constant focus on work makes our life dull. One of the best ways to make your life colorful is by doing some painting in your spare time. A Painting Book consists of some beautiful and decorative paintings.

Today you can find many painting book outlets providing some wonderful painting books. If you would like to learn painting you can find a painting book that meets your cause. There are books for beginners that provide step by step guidance of different aspects of painting. These books also provide you with some useful information about color mixing. Painting books are also available for advanced artist. These painting books are highly advanced and drive the artist to new world of creativity.

Some of the painting books for beginners and professional are
1. Face Painting Book – will provide you all the tips and techniques that professional face painter artist use. The painting book provides you with all the fabulous face painting designs, simple and easy techniques and useful stepwise guidelines. The painting books consists books like creative painting books, facial art books, wild animal face books, scary face books, FX face books, etc. These books contain different tutorials on painting animal’s faces, scary faces, etc.
2. Tole painting – is an art of decorative painting of metallic objects like tins, coffeepots, and other similar household items. This folk art began in the 18th century in New England. The paintings are a wonderful artwork done on the surfaces of many metal objects. Initially one needed to have natural skills to learn the art of Tole painting. But today even a fresher can learn the skill of painting, considering the number of painting books in the market.
3. Oil Painting Book – If you wish to learn or polish the art of oil painting why not try an Oil Painting book. Today one can find different types of painting books in the market. Some of these painting books are more instructional while some are very informative. Any of these oil painting books is going to be a super score and will only help your cause to learn the art better.

Search Engine Marketing For The Starving Artist

The internet is a powerful tool artists can use to market themselves. It’s not complicated and only requires time and maybe a little money.

The following are four techniques an artist can use to successfully market themselves online.

1) Article marketing

If you have a specific genre of art that you primarily work with, you can write articles about it. Since you’re already intimately familiar with it, you shouldn’t have to conduct any research.

A lot of people avoid article marketing because they think it entails gobs of research.

If you’re writing about what you already know, then you shouldn’t have to do any research. Just because you don’t conduct research doesn’t mean it’s not good writing. It’s good writing because you know your subject and can communicate it well.

After you write an article, you need to submit it to an article directory. There are several very good article directories available. Do a search for “article directory” online.

2) Digitize your art

The only way others are going to get to know you and your art is for them to see your art.

All you need is a digital camera and a website to make it work. There are also photo sharing websites that will allow you to post pictures of your art for free.

Anyone who is serious about marketing online needs to have their own website. Having a website is about creating your own brand. You can’t create a brand on a photo sharing site alone.

3) Give something away

People like free stuff. In exchange for an email and name, give visitors access to a “private” collection of your art.

You may also want to put together a small ebook with your best art. Along with pictures, you can include captions and other interesting facts.

4) Give yourself away

One of the primary reasons I tell someone to get a website is because it opens up so many more marketing channels. If you have a website, you can pass out cards with your web address (URL).

Many times, people will visit your site out of curiosity. It may not get you a targeted visitor but that single visitor may know someone with art interests.

It doesn’t take much talent, computer knowledge, or a college degree to market yourself successfully online. As an artist, creativity is an enjoyable and important process. Now, all you have to do is apply that creativity to your online marketing efforts.