The Easy Way to Draw Hair

Drawing Hair
is Easier than You Think
Drawing hair can be confusing because we believe that we have to draw each individual hair. At least, that is the way the analytical mind thinks.
 
Instead, if we use the Creative part of our mind, and look for patterns and
shapes, then drawing hair
becomes simple, easy and fun.

Simplify what you see by looking
for segments and drawing those
segments as shapes.


Look for highlights and draw the shape of the highlights.

Squint your eyes to see the shadows shapes and then draw them.

Taming Curly Hair
Simplify curly hair by combining several shadow shapes into one segment, several curls into one larger curl shape and of course, several highlight segments, into one larger highlight shape.

By the way..... This same technique applies when painting hair. In the beginning, simplify and paint just shapes. Only at the end of your painting or drawing should you add the detail of a few individual hairs. The viewer's mind will delight in filling in the details.

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

Artists Reference: Adding Depth with Rich Blacks

Swap Flat for Rich
Using black straight out of the tube will always leave your work looking flat.

Instead, mix your own rich blacks in oil painting by using variations of Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Burnt Umber and Windsor Green.

With these four colors you can experiment to create:

• warm blacks
• cool blacks
• reddish blacks
• bluish blacks
• greenish blacks
• brownish blacks
• gray blacks

Try glazing to create rich blacks to enhance your paintings by adding depth and glow to your work.

What is your favorite color combination for creating rich blacks?

How to See More Colors than Most People!

Want to really SEE what I’m talking about?

Grab a pencil and paper. Now go find a rose - a real one (you don't have to pick it). An artificial flower won't work - honest.

Choose a colorful blossom that is pink or peach or variegated, to make it easier this first time (dark reds or whites are more difficult).

Spend 10 minutes studying the color of this rose. Write down every color you see.

After about 5 seconds you'll have listed the basic colors and feel like you are done.

Keep looking!

You'll begin to see subtle color differences. Make up names for them. You might see: soft peach, rosy peach, orangey peach, golden peach, pinkish peach, pale pinkish peach, pale pinkish-yellowish peach, greenish peach (yup, I said greenish peach).... you get the idea.

Aim for a listing of 100 different colors.

The point isn't to uniquely "name" each color. The point is to "SEE" the differences in the colors. Make note of all those subtle, subtle changes.
 
When you can see it, you can paint it. When you can paint it, your paintings will glow.

Now obviously, these images that I have on my blog can't possibly show you the amazing variations of color. You can look at photos and images on the web - but you still won't see all the colors until you sit down with the actual object (rose, tree trunk, lemon, whatever....) and STUDY it with the eyes of an Artist.

How to Store Art Brushes So That They Last For Years

What's the BEST way to Store Your Art Brushes?
Protect your investment - take good care of your Art Brushes and they can last you for years. Store your brushes by either laying them on a flat surface, or standing them on the handle (bristle end up) in a storage container.

Before storing your brushes this way, make sure they are as clean and as dry as possible. (Read Caring for Art Brushes)

Never, never, EVER store your brushes, bristle down in a brush holding container.

In fact, don't leave your brushes sitting bristle down in your water or cleaning fluid - even while you are painting!

Types of Storage
My favorite method for keeping your brushes in great condition is a canvas brush holder that allows you to place each brush into it’s own pocket. The best ones allow you to stand your brushes up while you are using them and then allow you to fold, creating a protective case, or roll the canvas and tie it into a bundle. These are great for transporting your brushes to workshops, for plein aire painting and traveling with your supplies.

If you prefer something more durable, there are many styles of boxes and canisters that will keep your investment safe. Some double as water or solvent containers. Be sure that you purchase something that will keep your brushes suspended and secure, to avoid damage during transportation. Be careful of canvas brush holders that do not have separate pockets.

Here are some great canvas brush holders on Amazon:

Bamboo Mats as Brush Holders I also caution students about rolling brushes in bamboo mats. These can be rough on the hairs of fine brushes and cause them to break off.

There are new types of brush holders that allow you to hang your cleaned brushes with the bristle end pointing downward, while keeping the hair or bristle end free-hanging. These are great for storing your brushes while they are still wet and allow the moisture to drain away.

Water Basin
For keeping your brushes moist during the painting process (especially if you are using acrylics), you can use a brush basin that allows your brushes to lay suspended in the water or solvent. I don't recommend leaving your brushes in the solvent or water for long periods of time (overnight or for days), unless you are trying to remove dried medium from them. Clean your brushes thoroughly and them store them properly at the end of each painting session.

The easiest and least expensive is to use a nice jar, bottle, coffee can, potato chip can, or whatever strikes your fancy (this works best if you intend to keep your brushes in your studio and not transport them). Just be SURE to stand your clean & dry brushes with the handle down and the bristles UP!

Death of a Brush

Never, never, NEVER, tote your brushes loose in a case, box or bag. This will ruin your brushes just as fast as not thoroughly cleaning your brushes!

Oil Painting: How to Mix a Rich Black (And Why You Should)

Amanda Fried

Paying it Forward
I've recently had the pleasure of working with an art student who came to me 9 years ago while she was a freshman in high school. Amanda studied with me for 4 years and after graduation went on to pursue a career in the arts. This summer between semesters, Amanda asked if she might intern with me.

What a wonderful delight to have her back in my studio but this time working with her to create visions of mine while sharing the ins and outs of running an art business with her.

New Videos for New Students
Amanda and I have been spent the past two weeks joyfully creating my New Student Orientation Videos for Oil Painting.

I make these 15 videos available for each new oil painting student who signs up for my art classes — and I've also provided them for my current students for review purposes. (If I missed sending you the link, please let me know).

"I can't thank you enough for making these videos. 

I am so beneficial from the clip #12 to #15. 

Very appreciated your time and effort!!

And the clips are very clever, short, simple, and easy to absorb."

~ Cynthia (current intermediate art student)

Why would you want to mix black when you can easily squirt out a black that's already available in a tube?

This short clip shows you how to create your own rich blacks and just one of the many answers to the above question. More are available in my classes and there are soooo many reasons to choose a rich black over a tube black (just ask any of my students).

#12 How to Mix a Rich Black © www.FroshayFineArt.com  

Next week we're beginning work on a series of new art videos for watercolor students! Whoo-hoo!

Thanks Amanda for helping my dreams to come true!

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