7 Keys to Achieve Aerial Perspective

Bac Son Valley, Vietnam

What is Aerial Perspective?
As far as an Artist is concerned, Aerial Perspective is the illusion of depth and atmosphere created by the Artist in their painting or drawing.

We look through our earth's atmosphere all the time. When we look straight up, we are looking through less atmosphere than when we look towards the horizon. The more dust and water in the air, the more 'atmosphere' we are looking through. The 'thicker' the atmosphere is, the more the following 7 Keys of Aerial Perspective apply (especially 3 through 7). 

7 Keys to Achieve Aerial Perspective
1 - Make sure that objects closer to the viewer overlap those that are farther away.

2 - As objects move farther back into space, they are placed higher on the paper/canvas.

3 - Keep your colors warmer and purer in objects that are closer to the viewer.

4 - Make sure that your colors are cooler and more neutral in objects that are farther away from the viewer - the farther back an object is, the more cool and neutral the color should become.

5 - Keep in mind that as things recede into the distance, they become grayer and smaller.

6 - The closer an object is, the more detail you (and your viewer) will see.

7 - The farther an object is, the less detail you will see. Place less and less detail into objects as they recede farther back into space.

The next time you take a walk, look into the distance and you will see that the above keys come from keen observation of our world.

Are you a Artist of Photorealism?
Does aerial perspective apply to or belong in photorealism? Please share your view.

How to Improve Your Drawing Skills in 5 Easy Steps

1. Keep it Light & Loose
When you begin a drawing, always keep your initial line work light and the lines relatively thin (so that it is easier to make adjustments later). This way you don't have to keep erasing. When you spend time erasing, you aren't spending time seeing and drawing.

2. Guidelines
By keeping your line work light and leaving the "incorrect" ones it in place, you give yourself guidelines for where your correct lines should be placed. (Later, you can darken the correct lines and the lighter lines will seem to disappear to the viewer - trust me on this!)

Study your subject and decide where each element will be placed. Begin by lightly laying down general contour lines.

3. DO NOT ERASE!
Adjust the lines lightly by adding other lines next to them. This will make the contours more pleasing to the eye.

4. Think in Layers
The first layer of your drawing should be light and loose. Cover "each area" of your subject but, (now this is important) LEAVE OUT THE DETAILS - for now.

With the second layer, begin to focus on those lines you wish to emphasize (still drawing lightly, go over the lines you like and ignore the ones you don't).

On the third layer, continue to adjust and "tighten-up" your drawing to more accurately reflect the image. You will find yourself naturally darkening the lines you wish to keep (this is why the lines you don't wish to emphasize seem to disappear).

5. To the Details
Yipee! Now you finally get to start adding those delicious details! Waiting to add details until you get all of the basic structure of your drawing down, allows you to add all this lusciousness in the correct places!

FEAR FACTOR
There isn't so much a fear factor here as there is the urgent desire to get right to the details. Oh how we LOVE those details! However.....

SOLUTION
As stated above, waiting until you have your structure in place will allow you a GREAT FEELING of FREEDOM when you do get to those details. It is really painful to have spent an hour creating wonderful details and then realize that all that work was placed in the wrong area or is crooked! (Who can relate to this? Raise your hands - hey! Mine is up!)

AIM FOR
Working the entire drawing within each layer before moving to the next layer. By keeping your lines light, you will eliminate the need to erase which will save you time and give the drawing a more 3-dimensional look.

You can do this, and when you do - it's FUN!

ENJOY!

Photos Lie - Yes They Do!

Globe In Pitcher © Tien Frogget

During my last Drawing Workshop, we were discussing how photos lie. Newbies to the art world often use photos as research believing that they show the truth.

Photographers know that if you expose a scene for a long period of time, people can walk in and out of the camera shot - yet the final photo won't show anyone - yet they were there.

We use wide angle lenses, filters, special effects and Photoshop. Portrait photographers employ so many light sources that a portrait will show no shadows, lines, creases - AND DEPTH! Yet we will still insist that what we 'see' is true.

This actually isn't the case. I often paint from photographs that don't capture the truth of a subject. In this way, it makes it much more important to understand to paint more than just what you see. This is especially true when painting people or animals -- understanding the bone and muscle systems in the body will help you to accurately reproduce it on paper and canvas. Working from photographs will always help improve your art -- but in the end, the knowledge needs to be there, too.

What is a Gesture Drawing?

 Use Gesture Drawing to Break out of a Rut

Are you in a rut? Want to loosen up and get your creative juices flowing? Practice gesture drawing with this fun, easy method. Use your television! You can capture gestures of figures, animals, scenery or still life settings whenever you need a creative boost.

Speeds You Up
You'll have to move fast and creating gestures from TV will push you to be quick. All drawing will come from the flash of a partial memory. Sketch while the program is running and move from one gesture to another. 

Hint
Draw small and draw fast. Spend no more than 30 seconds per each sketch. In fact, it's even better if you allow yourself to spend only 10-20 seconds on each gesture for the first 20 sketches.

Keep in mind that these are just practice and most of them will not look like anything in particular. This is totally okay!

The Whole Point of this Exercise
You are Training Your Eyes to See and Your Mind to Hold an Image long enough to capture it in just a few seconds. You are not (I repeat NOT) trying to create a pretty picture so let go of that illusion from the start.

Variation
Once you have warmed up by creating 30 or so small, quick gestures (all while all the images on the TV are in motion) then (and only then), try this variation: Use your DVD or VCR to freeze an image for a closer study. Stop an image and take 45 to 60 seconds to create a gesture, then move on.

Freezing the image from the start and trying to create perfection will be the first inclination for a beginner because of the fear of not getting things 'right'. The analytical (left) brain will try to remain in control and wants to be perfect - but remember - your left brain can't draw.

Creativity is Allowing Yourself to Make Mistakes.
Giving yourself permission to create mistakes relieves you of the burden to be perfect and opens all kinds of doors to Seeing, Growing and most of all, ENJOYING!!

How to Loosen a Stuck Paint Cap

Paint Cap Stuck on Tight?
There are several ways of loosening the cap from a tube of paint, whether it's oil, watercolor or acrylic.

I'm sure you've already had the experience of trying to twist the cap only to have the tube twist and split instead. What can you do?

Well, if you haven't broken the tube, try one of these techniques:

• First, try getting a better grip on the cap with a rubber gripper (like they sell in the kitchen ware department)
• Of course you can give it a go with pliers or a nutcracker (handy tools for your paint box)

• A gentler method might be to invert the tube in water (cool for watercolors - hot water for oils or acrylics), soak for a few minutes and then use the rubber gripper or pliers

• An old method is to heat the metal threading area using a flame (and I don't recommend this unless you are adult and know what you are doing). You also have to be very careful not to melt the cap...

By Far the Best Method
This is the easiest and less troublesome way to handle the situation. Squeeze all the paint up to the top of the tube and roll the tube up snuggly. You can use a Tube Wringer, or run a pencil or brush handle to squeeze the paint towards the lid. Grasp the whole tube with one hand and try unscrewing the cap with that rubber grip, pliers, paint rag, whatever. Having the paint tightly at the top helps to prevent the tube from twisting and breaking.

Once you have the cap off, clean the dried paint from the threads and from the cap. Rub the threads with petroleum jelly to keep the paint from adhering in the future.

Still Stuck?
If all else fails, make sure you've pushed all the paint to the top of the tube, then cut the bottom end off of the tube. Use what you need and then close the tube, cover with plastic wrap and secure the bottom with a bulldog clip.

And finally, save a few of your good caps from empty tubes - just in case you've split (or melted) a cap.

13 Ways to Find Creative Inspiration

Seeking Inspiration for Art?
Create your own library of research by collecting through these 12 Inexpensive and Fun avenues. When you have your own library, you have inspiration at your fingertips.

"Bicycle" Charcoal on paper © Wendy Froshay

Many artists use the internet for research (and so do I), but I'd like to share with you other ways I enjoy gathering photos, pictures, images of paintings and everyday treasures to draw and paint.

1 - Go through Old Photos. Especially those black and white images from the past! They are excellent for value studies.

2 - Browse Thrift Stores and seek out old magazines, books and prints. This is great for your wallet, great for the economy and super terrific for the environment!

3 - Junk Mail. Believe it or not - go through your junk mail! Lots of eye catching images are sent for just that reason - to catch your eye. So clip them out and save them.

"Worn Companions" Ink on Bristol © Wendy Froshay

4 - Visit Yard Sales. You'll find children's books, unique magazines, prints in frames and lots of interesting knick-knacks (by the way, yard sales are fantastic way to get a deal on frames!)

5 - Got bored kids? Send them on a Scavenger Hunt for magazines and save the pictures that interest you. It'll keep them busy for an hour or so and you'll have lots of fodder when they're through. Have them help you go through and cut out images and place them into categories.

What's a Scavenger Hunt?
Yikes! If you don't know what a scavenger hunt is, email me - I'll give you the guidelines (I think I just gave away my age.....)

6 - No kids? Ask for “toss-aways” from professionals who have waiting rooms (hair salons, physicians, dentists, optometrists, dermatologists - you get the idea). They often have tons of magazines they get for free, and are happy to have someone tote them away when they are done with them (another great way to recycle!)

"Range Hangs" Ink on Bristol © Wendy Froshay

TIP
It's rare that they'll call you when they are ready to throw a stack away, so you'll need to call every once in awhile and be willing to come right away for pick up.

7 - Wander your home and look for Lost Treasures. Old vases, candles, hats, bowls of fruit, dried flowers, shoes & socks, garden gloves, piles of dishes - you name it! There's loads of things around your home.

8 - Use your digital camera or smartphone for any excursion. If you are out early in the mornings or late in the evenings then make sure to take your camera with you and collect images of lighting and composition.

9 - Go for a Walk and gather interesting objects. On my walks I've collected seed pods, pine cones, feathers, dried leaves, and even broken toys.

"Bartholomew" Ink on Bristol © Wendy Froshay

10 - Go through your Kids Toys and borrow the fun things. When my kids were toddlers, I use to pull their toys out for my students to use for drawing practice. Toys for young children are simplified into big and chunky shapes and can be easier to work from.

11 - Pets. Practice doing quick sketches of your pets while they are snoozing. Do closer studies by working from photos of them. Keep using your pet as a subject and you'll greatly improve your observation skills. (By the way, meet Bartholomew - Barthy for short).

12 - Visit the Library Sales. Libraries often sell older, more tattered books when they gain new ones. You can get some fantastic buys for a fraction of the cost. I've collected shelves of wonderful children's books, many of which are no longer available in print (now that's what I call treasure!)

"Cloud Dragon Sketch" Graphite on paper © Wendy Froshay

13 - Lay on your back in the grass and let your mind Play in the Clouds. Drawing with your eyes or grab your sketch pad and take notes. Don't tell anyone, but I once created a dragon drawing from a cloud I saw through the sun roof of my car. I scribbled as fast as I could at a couple of stop lights before it transformed.

Catalog Your Images
Keep pictures, photos and clippings that you've collected in some kind of easy to find storage system. I started with file folders that had my images broken down into large categories. As my 'library' grew, I broke the bigger files into smaller, more specific genres.

I also have a tall stack of plastic storage drawers with good research for my students to use during classes. They are labeled generally as People, Landscapes, Florals, Animals, Black & White Studies, Portraiture, Still Life, Drawing Styles, etc.

Whatever you choose to draw or paint, the more interested you are in your subject matter, the better art you'll create. Take the time to really study your subject from all angles. The more often you do this, the better you'll become at the subjects you love.

Improve Your Art By Avoiding Screaming Colors

"When Everyone is Shouting, No ONE is Heard"

I learned this from one of my college art instructors and I pass it forward to all of my students. Truer words were never spoken!

If all of your colors are intense and bright (screaming), then no one AREA stands out. You have no focal point and your viewer doesn't know where to look. If all you have is chaos, your viewers eye will run away screaming.

Offer Resting Areas
Kind of like a roller coaster, if you don't have some slower, resting areas, there is no thrill for the BEST part. Bright color stands out best against grayed colors. Grayed colors are your resting areas.

So save the intensity for your focal point.

'Nuff said.

Art Tips: How to Keep Your Acrylic Paint Moist

Here is an inexpensive Tip for keeping your Acrylic Paints soft for days.
from JAQUI MILES 


You will need:

• A plastic box with a tightly closing lid
• Thick paper towels - use several layers
• Freezer Paper

Cut your thick, moisture holding paper (Paper Towels) and several sheets of freezer paper to a size that will fit in the base of your plastic box.

Lay the Paper Towel in the base of your plastic box. Thoroughly soak the paper towel with water and then drain off the excess.

Add 1 (one) sheet of Freezer Paper on top of the wet Paper Towel. Save the other sheets of Freezer Paper for when you are ready for a clean palette.

The layer of thick wet paper underneath adds enough moisture to keep the paints from drying quickly while you paint AND will keep your acrylics wet for days (sometimes even a week) if the box is closed well.

The Freezer Paper has a waxie finish and is heavier so it will hold up to under use.

Tip: Don't try this with wax paper - It's too flimsy and falls apart!

Thanks Jaqui!
    Jaqui is a Graphic Designer/Graphic Artist/Painter/Jewelry Designer

Having A Great Time - Wish You Were Here!

Sometimes it's just uber fun to show a typical day here at Froshay Fine Art Studio!

This is Shel.

He's lovingly referred to as our Studio Mascot!












Teresa is always trying something different — and always pulling it off!












Chanel curls up on the studio stools and gets as comfy as a cat.

How DOES she do that?!












Quiet and shy, Chi creates masterpiece after masterpiece - and always with a sweet smile!

Corrine tackles her glorious paintings with enthusiasm and style.

(She makes everything look sooooo easy!)








Roberto brings class to class every time.

Here he's just arrived but looks ready to hit the coast for a plein good time!

 

Ritu and Mary discuss the finer points of mixed media.

We share and share and share!











Mary giddy over creating a super fun 'bling' project.

Bet you can't guess how she did it!











Jamie helps Qiuqu find her missing palette.

There's a really funny story behind this photo...

There's one in every crowd . . .

 Shel our Mascot shows off once again!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!

How to Improve Your Drawing Skills in 60 Seconds

Get Better Drawing without Trying
Want to Improve your Drawing Skills - with EASE? Want to get better at drawing no matter where you are and spend less than 60 seconds?

This tip is a BIGGIE!
Now it doesn't sound like a BIGGIE, but trust me, it is!

Draw a little every day.

"What", you say. "That's it! Too simple."
Then I hear you add..... "When am I going to fit THIS into my crazy, busy schedule?!
 

Draw without a Pencil
While you are standing in line at the supermarket, the post office, or waiting for your coffee order; trace subjects and/or people with your eyes.

Once you have traced a subject, close your eyes and "draw" the subject in your mind. When done, open your eyes and retrace your subject to see how much more detail you can remember. If you still have time, close your eyes and draw your subject again in your mind. (NOT recommended while sitting in traffic - unless you are a passenger!)

In a dull business meeting? Trace the speaker while they talk. (They'll believe that you are really intent on what they are saying and love you for it..... shhh... it'll be our little secret). Funny thing about doing this though, you may find that whenever you see them again - you'll remember what they were talking about. Give it a try!

Most of the time you will find that you spend 60 seconds or less each time you do a tracing.
x
Improve Your Drawing Skills Dramatically
Even if you go for months and ONLY draw with your eyes – taking 10 minutes a day (you can rack that time up waiting on the phone, standing in line, sitting in a dentist's office…)…. Let me repeat this…. EVEN if you go for months and ONLY draw with your eyes YOUR DRAWINGS WILL IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY!

How do I know? I actually had gone for a few years (yeah, I said years *ouch*), without lifting a pencil (while corporating in the corporate world). I thought for sure my skills were wasting away. Then, one day, after I'd begun drawing with a pencil again, I looked back at older work and realized that I was better! ... and not just a little better, but WAY BETTER! Yeah!

How simple is that? Can you fit this into your schedule? Do it for a week (on purpose) and after awhile, you will do it automatically.

Training the Mind to See 
Learning to draw is not just a matter of training the hand to draw. The hand cannot draw what the mind cannot see. (Make that a mantra).

How to Discover Your Inner Creative Genius

Written by Guest Author: Tien Frogget

Edward de Bono said it beautifully... "There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all." And the truth is, you are more creative than you realize. 

How do I know this? 

Because you are a human being. Human beings are creators at heart. The only thing that holds you back from harnessing your true creative power is (you guessed it) - you. Just about everyone has felt disheartened at some point by their own creative abilities. And it is this feeling of not being good enough that holds us back. 

"In order to perceive, you must first believe." 

You are never going to experience your own greatness if you aren't first willing to believe that you are great! Remind yourself of this next time you are doing something creative, and give yourself permission to be great - even if it's just for ten minutes. Say to yourself, "for the next ten minutes, I am a master at what I do." 

Pretend. Imagine. Dream about it in your mind, until you begin to believe. You are an actor and you get to step into the skin of the genius expert who takes the most beautiful photographs, or paints the most beautiful paintings, or creates the most incredible designs in the world. 

Creativity is the very force that propels us forward in every single aspect of life. It is creativity that gives us new possibilities, that innovates and streamlines the way we do things. It is creativity that inspires new technologies, that has transformed the human race from a life of pure survival to a society that is increasingly more entertainment and joy-based than ever before. 

The shortest path to discovering your greatness as a creative individual is the one of FUN - and not caring how anything turns out. All great creations come from a place of total acceptance and letting go of the end result. Trying to be something, trying to be great, pushing circumstances to come together to create an end result is the slow path to good creations. Letting go and creating purely for the joy of creating with rocket you forward into great creations.

Pure creativity is not usually logical. It doesn't follow the rules that anyone who has gone before us has laid down for us. It breaks them all, against all odds, and reinvents the way we look at things. It comes from a whole new way of thinking and being. That's why I'm such a huge advocate of just playing - going out and taking photos for the fun of it, or painting pictures just for the fun of it, and not worrying about the classes and the rules. Not so much because you don't learn from classes - (you do, in fact) - but the classroom mindset gets in the way. 

All beginners are fresh and new, and ready to create. Then when you sit in class you are told that it is difficult, and hard, and there are certain things that work, and other things that don't... and the general mindset is that you are in a class full of people who are also somewhat talented and there's a pressure to stand out, to do better, and everyone is constantly comparing your work to everyone else's and then the beginner gets stuck in their head - the pressure to be better gets in the way of actually getting better. Instead of just enjoying the learning process they are trying to prove themselves, and then when they can't create genius right away, they begin to doubt their abilities as well as the possibilities. 

Become one of those people that constantly inspire us by stepping outside of the box and doing new things, experimenting, and most of all -- being willing to make endless mistakes. Create for the joy of it, not because you are trying to be successful at it. Find love in the journey, and you will amaze yourself. 

You are a valuable resource of powerful creativity. And you are great. 

Don't forget it.

  Enjoy more of Tien Frogget's writings at Paradigm Drift