However, if children are given structured lessons in realist drawing from the time they are very young, they will quickly graduate to sophisticated and skilled drawings right after giving up their symbolic drawing styles.

Everybody can enjoy drawing, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Many people make the mistake of drawing what they think something looks like, instead of really looking at it carefully first. Hervey Bay artist, JoAnn Clarke, said that a set of simple general principles are required. Just as a composer and musician can break things down into their basic components, so too by breaking down a subject into a series of simple elements a child can analyze what they ‘see’ and then put it into drawing.

By utilizing the basic components of shape a student is able to create any possible image with the fewest number of lines. This has been termed the “alphabet of shape” that consists of five basic elements; circle, dot, straight line, curved line and angle. Any object that a student wants to draw can simply be analysed in terms of how these elements of shape are combined. Thus children can be trained to see each general shape and then be free to interpret the detail in any way they wish. Thus, every child is able to achieve realistic representation of the subject drawn and still be creatively unique.

Besides the obvious benefit of learning to draw, students also develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities and improved concentration. Case studies have also shown how children, who have undertaken tuition in drawing, within a positive, non-judgmental, non-competitive environment, have made marked improvements in areas such as disorientation or misrepresentation of images, hyperactivity, communication ability and reading readiness, introverted behaviour, resistance to participation and inability to observe or remember instruction sequences.

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

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.

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.

1. If you are just starting out you should practice drawing simple shapes like circles, eggs and ovals with reasonable accuracy. These basic shapes can be used to draw more complex shapes.

2. As these basic shapes will be the construction lines on which the main drawing will be structured you should practice drawing these lines as light as possible.

3. If you face difficulty in drawing the basic shapes take help of circle templates, compass or rulers.

4. For improving your skill level in figure drawing be selective. Concentrate more on a specific area and practice a lot. For example you may want to practice drawing tricky areas like hands, draperies more than simpler areas like nose, lips etc.

5. Using a good-quality material will make your drawing look good and save you from lots of frustration. Your eraser should erase cleanly without smudging the drawing. And your pencil should be good enough to draw lines without requiring frequent sharpening. You may also try clutch pencils because they require less maintenance than timber cased pencils.

Online sites not only has the information but also they provide you with all the information step by step which is more helpful for the painting beginner and not the beginner but also the professional artist as they can improve their painting skill and helps them to give good painting. Today in glass painting has there own importance in the market. One can easily find these glasses painting book in the market. Online sites offer you not only with all the information but also the guidelines about using the quality of color and other equipment with are helpful while glass painting. Glass painting book is more helpful for the beginner to get start alone without taking anyone help. You can also buy this books online or one can take a printout of all the information which are given step by step

Watercolor is a type of paint made from pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, such as gum arabic. Watercolor paints can be bought in tubes or pans (small blocks). It is one of the most dynamic mediums available to the artist. Watercolors are great for outdoor painting because of their quick drying nature and ease of use and watercolor painting offers a wide range of varieties and consistencies.

Watercolor techniques have the reputation of being quite demanding, although they are actually no more demanding than those used with other media. In the 17th and 18th centuries, ink, pen and watercolor tints were common mapmaking tools, portable and convenient to use outdoors and in remote locations. At the beginning of the 18th century, the topographical watercolor was primarily used as an objective record of an actual place in an era before photography. It was also a popular choice for landscape painting. Watercolors have moved from mapmaking to the mainstream in the past 300 years. Now, watercolor painting can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Painting in watercolor is one of the most popular mediums for aspiring artists, yet there are many pitfalls that can snare the beginner. Painting in watercolor is fun when you can find new opportunities for personal discovery, expression, and invention. Painting or drawing while traveling always makes the experience more rewarding, satisfying, and unforgettable. Professional watercolor paper is the basis for getting beautiful watercolor paintings, so remember this when selecting your watercolor paper. The better the paper, the better the painting.

Watercolor is not just for mapmaking anymore. Watercolor painting is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. My first memory of painting is using dime store watercolor paints in a metal tin. Although not the best quality, it introduced me to the watery, transparent color of this type of paint. Later in life, I learned to use these transparent pigments to create works of art. If you are considering getting started in painting, you may want to consider watercolors as your medium of choice.

We live in a fast paced world that is highly stressful. Millions of dollars are spent annually to relieve the mind and body from tension. Webster’s New World College Dictionary Fourth Edition defines stress as; the mental or emotional tension or strain characterized by feelings of anxiety, fear, etc.

Acrylic painting is beneficial

It has often been recommended that one should cultivate outside interests and break routine habits. Acrylic painting provides such an interest as it offers many persons, young or old, an inexpensive way to manage stress. Painting provides a fine opportunity for wholesome relaxation, along with the joy of creativity.

Observation as an art teacher

As an Art Teacher for thirty three years, I have observed art students suffering from; broken hearts, the pain of having separated or divorced parents, or dealing with a debilitating illness. Acrylic painting provides a constructive avenue for students to release such destructive feelings of worthliness or guilt. It is interesting and alarming to see slashes of acrylic paint, usually dark morbid colors, streak across the canvas from one in a melancholic mood. Eventually, it is a joy to see a little brightness, then more brightness, then finally with bright colors dominating!

Enhanced powers of observation

Painting encourages one to increase their perceptive powers of observation. Now they can look deeply within themselves and release the strong hidden emotions and feeling from the dark, deep hidden waters in the soul. As they emerge and are placed on your canvas, the tension will be released, bringing relaxation.

Acrylic painting is relaxing

So view acrylic painting as a means of relaxation, as a mean of relieving stress and anxiety. Just remember that your goal is to release the tension that you have accumulated over a period of time. So do not be concerned about creating a pretty picture, as that will come later when you are relieved of such destructive feelings of hopelessness and anxiety. Also try painting outdoors, if you can find a quiet serene place. Such an environment will enhance your enjoyment!

Are you ready? Take a deep breath, pick up your brush and let the acrylics flow across the canvas!

Lee J. Nixon is an artist that teaches, He has taught grades 7 – 12 for 32 years as an art instructor. He would be happy for you to visit his website, www.leejnixon-art.com and comment on his blog at http://impressionix.blogspot.com