Magicians have their secrets but they won't tell. It's a sworn oath for magicians not to tell the audience how a trick is done. There are 3 secrets though that they've shared all throughout the years. Here are their 3 secrets.
The first secret is that some tricks are done through sleight of hand. These are ways with which they skillfully hide an object and make it reappear on another hand. New magicians hide things up their sleeves. Those are old tricks and very few used them now.
Sleights of hand require a lot of practice to master. Beginners of magic use specially created gimmicks to create the illusion. Professional magicians make use of their impressive sleight of hand. It requires a lot of time, patience and hand coordination to fully understand and do.
Another secret is the art of misdirection. See this blank paper? And as audience looks at the blank paper, he is carefully getting another piece with his other hand. This is misdirection. Another type of misdirection is the kind that doesn't let the audience see what's really causing the tricks. You might have seen that a magician has a lot of assistants who also do incredible stuff, but what you didn't know is that they are helping the magician perform the magic just with their presence.
Another kind of misdirection is the appropriate use of words. For example, a magician will tell you to look at the 'empty' box. We tend to look at the box as empty just because he said it. This causes our mind to wonder when the magician gets a rabbit out of it.
Misdirection takes a lot of practice and lots of time in planning. It requires body coordination (one body doing something while the other is doing another thing) and quick thinking. Misdirection is an art and magicians are proud of it.
Another secret is their patter or a magician's constant talk. Misdirection is achieved mostly because of patter. The magician will ask you to look at his right hand and as you are looking, you won't notice what his left hand is doing. This is a really clever way to achieve the illusion that what happens next becomes so magical with the wink of an eye.
Patter usually takes the form of a story, where a magician will tell you of something that happened to him someday. Sometimes it's so funny that we actually forget to look at what their hands are doing or what their assistants are giving them.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
3 Easy Steps to Measuring and Proportions in Figure Drawing
Copyright 2006 Todd Harris
Proportion is a word often associated with another word for artists, stress. But I'm here to share with you that it doesn't have to be a stressful word. Can this really be true? A simple way to warp speed techniques when measuring proportion? Yes, I'm here to say that it is true.
Proportion…How big should the head be? How long should the legs? How long should I draw this line? These are questions, we as artists, face everyday. It doesn't matter what kind of artist you are...getting the most out of figure drawing with accurate proportions will explode your art to new levels. There are several tools and methods to help artists with proportions. Without correct proportions, your figure will be inaccurate and lacking at best.
There are certain proportion formulas, such as the figure being a certain many heads tall, or the head of the figure being so many eyes wide.
I like to know these formulas and use them as a guide. The human form being so individual you can never go strictly off of these formulas alone. As an artist, it's important to know these formulas to be able to recognize the deviations from the formulas in the model/subject you are drawing.
Measuring
Measuring is a little bit different for every artist. It is a tool for proportions not to overlook. Just as someone aiming a poolstick or firing a gun does it differently than the next person, so goes it for the artist. Some artists, while measuring, will shut the left eye and some the right, while others will keep both eyes open (just never keep both shut LOL). You'll need to see what's right for you. Then, hold your pencil between your thumb and fingers with your fingers wrapped around the pencil. Measure from the top of your thumb to the end of your pencil. You can hold your pencil vertical or horizontal for this technique, keeping it at shoulder high.
Your measurement from your thumb to the end of your pencil may only be ½ inch, but on your drawing it could be an inch or more. All of your measurements are comparative. For example, if an artist wants to know how long a leg is, he can compare it's length with the length of the subjects head. Using the measurement method we discussed with the pencil, it's easy to compare.
These simple methods, once applied, will soar your drawings, paintings or whatever you are working on. The advice practice, practice, practice, coupled with masterful technique will help you advance your art quickly and masterfully more than anything else.
This is a brief overview on proportions and measuring. For more information on proportions, measurements, drawing people or faces, and much more…Please email us at info@learning2draw.com.
Proportion is a word often associated with another word for artists, stress. But I'm here to share with you that it doesn't have to be a stressful word. Can this really be true? A simple way to warp speed techniques when measuring proportion? Yes, I'm here to say that it is true.
Proportion…How big should the head be? How long should the legs? How long should I draw this line? These are questions, we as artists, face everyday. It doesn't matter what kind of artist you are...getting the most out of figure drawing with accurate proportions will explode your art to new levels. There are several tools and methods to help artists with proportions. Without correct proportions, your figure will be inaccurate and lacking at best.
There are certain proportion formulas, such as the figure being a certain many heads tall, or the head of the figure being so many eyes wide.
I like to know these formulas and use them as a guide. The human form being so individual you can never go strictly off of these formulas alone. As an artist, it's important to know these formulas to be able to recognize the deviations from the formulas in the model/subject you are drawing.
Measuring
Measuring is a little bit different for every artist. It is a tool for proportions not to overlook. Just as someone aiming a poolstick or firing a gun does it differently than the next person, so goes it for the artist. Some artists, while measuring, will shut the left eye and some the right, while others will keep both eyes open (just never keep both shut LOL). You'll need to see what's right for you. Then, hold your pencil between your thumb and fingers with your fingers wrapped around the pencil. Measure from the top of your thumb to the end of your pencil. You can hold your pencil vertical or horizontal for this technique, keeping it at shoulder high.
Your measurement from your thumb to the end of your pencil may only be ½ inch, but on your drawing it could be an inch or more. All of your measurements are comparative. For example, if an artist wants to know how long a leg is, he can compare it's length with the length of the subjects head. Using the measurement method we discussed with the pencil, it's easy to compare.
These simple methods, once applied, will soar your drawings, paintings or whatever you are working on. The advice practice, practice, practice, coupled with masterful technique will help you advance your art quickly and masterfully more than anything else.
This is a brief overview on proportions and measuring. For more information on proportions, measurements, drawing people or faces, and much more…Please email us at info@learning2draw.com.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Oil Painting - Harmonizing With Oil Painting
By Murtaza Habib
Oil painting is the most versatile specie of art. Different painting variables can be used and not limited only to the artists' paintbrushes and paints. Aside from oil paints and a canvas, some artists use other media. Varnish is one thing.
The different media used by the artists can be fine-tune or fiddle with the luster or polish of the painting, or may cover up the strokes of the paintbrush, or make the painting appear mobile even if still.
Oil painting gets the hand of only the most adaptable and flexible talents. It has its own varieties.
May it be mixture or in glazes, its new and old result attracts the eyes of the many. Mixture is how the artist thickly applies the oil paint, whereas glaze is how thinly the paint is applied on the surfaces.
The attractiveness of oil painting stretched through Italy during the 15th century. From then one, it has touched many artists across the globe. Color selection becomes paramount most especially in oil painting because the properties of each oil paint may give adverse or good effect.
Conditionally, artists will mix the paints in advance before applying them on the canvas, paper, slate, pressed wood or wooden panel. As artists are trying to establish their own identity, developed in the art of oil painting is the technique of using oil paints in tubes.
It is more convenient, and less messy. First, one may initially paint the surface with a clear paint, or instantly apply charcoal, depending on the theme of the artist.
Artists vary in their style, strokes, and subject matter. In this painting, it matters not the theme or subject matter, but on how well the artist apply the techniques, or even make his own technique. For some, they let the initial coating or the under painting dry first.
However, the new school would already venture on wet-to-wet painting. This is more difficult because considering the component of oil paint that does not dry instantly, applying paint on a wet layer could modify the preliminary design, or my end up revising the entire piece. Artists like Jan van Eyck are too bold to undertake this method.
This is very complex, if not, the intricate piece of work. The oil paint could dry up for years. Some artists would wait for several years before they could apply the second layer, then several years again before it will dry. Oil paints do not dry by evaporation but by oxidization.
Patience is the number one material in this painting. Nonetheless, the masterwork will definitely be a stunning success.
However, oil paintings dry by oxidization, they often leave the painting a hardened surface. That is why it is necessary to scrape its surface to remove the coarse and jagged exterior to give a smooth and leveled facade. To preserve the painting, apply varnish.
However, this medium can alter the color, or the translucency of the painting, so you may just want to have it varnish-free to preserve the original color and tint.
What if I teach you how to get started with drawing and painting with great ease following simple steps?
Follow these steps for your perfect creativity flow.
Grab my free ebook on Drawing And Painting
'Murtaza Habib' has helped hundreds of newbies to start their painting courses, now you can do it too... Keep visiting Paint on my canvas for unique articles on drawing and painting.
Oil painting is the most versatile specie of art. Different painting variables can be used and not limited only to the artists' paintbrushes and paints. Aside from oil paints and a canvas, some artists use other media. Varnish is one thing.The different media used by the artists can be fine-tune or fiddle with the luster or polish of the painting, or may cover up the strokes of the paintbrush, or make the painting appear mobile even if still.
Oil painting gets the hand of only the most adaptable and flexible talents. It has its own varieties.
May it be mixture or in glazes, its new and old result attracts the eyes of the many. Mixture is how the artist thickly applies the oil paint, whereas glaze is how thinly the paint is applied on the surfaces.
The attractiveness of oil painting stretched through Italy during the 15th century. From then one, it has touched many artists across the globe. Color selection becomes paramount most especially in oil painting because the properties of each oil paint may give adverse or good effect.
Conditionally, artists will mix the paints in advance before applying them on the canvas, paper, slate, pressed wood or wooden panel. As artists are trying to establish their own identity, developed in the art of oil painting is the technique of using oil paints in tubes.
It is more convenient, and less messy. First, one may initially paint the surface with a clear paint, or instantly apply charcoal, depending on the theme of the artist.
Artists vary in their style, strokes, and subject matter. In this painting, it matters not the theme or subject matter, but on how well the artist apply the techniques, or even make his own technique. For some, they let the initial coating or the under painting dry first.
However, the new school would already venture on wet-to-wet painting. This is more difficult because considering the component of oil paint that does not dry instantly, applying paint on a wet layer could modify the preliminary design, or my end up revising the entire piece. Artists like Jan van Eyck are too bold to undertake this method.
This is very complex, if not, the intricate piece of work. The oil paint could dry up for years. Some artists would wait for several years before they could apply the second layer, then several years again before it will dry. Oil paints do not dry by evaporation but by oxidization.
Patience is the number one material in this painting. Nonetheless, the masterwork will definitely be a stunning success.
However, oil paintings dry by oxidization, they often leave the painting a hardened surface. That is why it is necessary to scrape its surface to remove the coarse and jagged exterior to give a smooth and leveled facade. To preserve the painting, apply varnish.
However, this medium can alter the color, or the translucency of the painting, so you may just want to have it varnish-free to preserve the original color and tint.
What if I teach you how to get started with drawing and painting with great ease following simple steps?
Follow these steps for your perfect creativity flow.
Grab my free ebook on Drawing And Painting
'Murtaza Habib' has helped hundreds of newbies to start their painting courses, now you can do it too... Keep visiting Paint on my canvas for unique articles on drawing and painting.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Rise of Science Fiction
By Tanya RobsonThere have been many fantastic science fiction books and films over the years covering a huge range of stories and ideas. Pioneers of the sci-fi genre include Jules Vern and H.G Wells who were coming up with imaginative and unique books covering a range of sci-fi subjects back in the nineteenth century. Once television and film had become well established as an entertainment avenue, sci-fi films began to emerge and in 1953 George Pal produced The War Of Worlds, which was based on the classic H.G Wells novel from 1898, although it was brought up to date to the current period. This film was one of many that inspired whole generations and sci-fi fans and the growing popularity of sci-fi resulted in many TV shows and films being produced.
One of the most popular hit TV series was Star Trek which was first televised on 8th September 1966, and is still gracing our screens over forty years later. Star trek has also been made into several feature-length movies over the decades and has helped establish itself as a household name along with other sci-fi greats such as Stars Wars which is considered by many to be one of the greatest science fiction films ever. Other popular science fiction greats include marvel comics and Dr Who both of which have also had films made in the past due to their success.
Science fiction is big business and these days it has gone way beyond just books and films. Many of the classics such as Stars Wars and Star Trek have a whole line of merchandise which is high on every avid collectors list. There are a huge variety of goods including model figures, clothing, costumes and electrical goods, to name but a few and you can even attend conventions which attract huge crowds. Our fascination with science fiction seems to be endless and for many it is the perfect way to forget the hum-drum boredom of everyday life and embrace something truly out of this world.
Tanya is a part-time journalist who writes occasional articles on science fiction films and merchandise, whilst working for Forbidden Planet.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Vancouver's Art Scene
By Ryan Clark
Forget Paris, London and New York. Vancouver artists aren't trying to compete with these international art hubs. They're not even playing the same game. Vancouver's art scene is innovative because - right now - it answers to no one. Vancouver's art scene is doing what it wants, and not out of fear of coercion, not because of external influences and not even to appease financiers in order to achieve financial inducements. The best art is, arguably, created by channeling one's inner vision in order to produce something that is unique, unadulterated and wholly representative of the artist and his/her intention and state of being. Vancouver is pure art.
If you'd like to see a collection of impressionist paintings, go to Paris (although we have been known to exhibit this type of art in Vancouver on occasion). In contrast, works by local artists such as Jeff Wall and Marianne Nicolson are elegant privileges awarded only to deserving and appreciative Vancouverites - and our beloved tourists.
With such a thriving art scene along with exhibitions being mounted simultaneously in dozens of galleries around the lower mainland, the one true pleasure is the degree of modesty with which many of Vancouver's artists, curators and gallery owners present their work. It seems plausible, if not facile that many of our local talent could develop Manhattan-sized egos to accompany their big, bold pieces. Fortunately, this have not been, and hopefully will not become, the case.
So it remains, in this writer's opinion, that the humble and unassuming nature of our local art scene is its blessing, second only to the quantity and quality of exhibits shown in our fair city and I for one, am proud to have access to such a vibrant array of world class art in my own backyard.
Forget Paris, London and New York. Vancouver artists aren't trying to compete with these international art hubs. They're not even playing the same game. Vancouver's art scene is innovative because - right now - it answers to no one. Vancouver's art scene is doing what it wants, and not out of fear of coercion, not because of external influences and not even to appease financiers in order to achieve financial inducements. The best art is, arguably, created by channeling one's inner vision in order to produce something that is unique, unadulterated and wholly representative of the artist and his/her intention and state of being. Vancouver is pure art.
If you'd like to see a collection of impressionist paintings, go to Paris (although we have been known to exhibit this type of art in Vancouver on occasion). In contrast, works by local artists such as Jeff Wall and Marianne Nicolson are elegant privileges awarded only to deserving and appreciative Vancouverites - and our beloved tourists.
With such a thriving art scene along with exhibitions being mounted simultaneously in dozens of galleries around the lower mainland, the one true pleasure is the degree of modesty with which many of Vancouver's artists, curators and gallery owners present their work. It seems plausible, if not facile that many of our local talent could develop Manhattan-sized egos to accompany their big, bold pieces. Fortunately, this have not been, and hopefully will not become, the case.
So it remains, in this writer's opinion, that the humble and unassuming nature of our local art scene is its blessing, second only to the quantity and quality of exhibits shown in our fair city and I for one, am proud to have access to such a vibrant array of world class art in my own backyard.
For more information on Vancouver art events and upcoming art exhibitions go to UQ Events and search for art.
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