Techniques - AnArt4Life

Painting starts with ideas

Observation is an essential part of being a better painter. As you move around in your world try to record some of what is around you. Encourage your children to discover new shapes, patterns, colours in their world. Today I encourage you to copy one of my paintings.

Installation Art

Studio Drift: Advancing AI by mimicking nature……

Today we revisit Studio Drift, who create experiential sculptures, installations and performances. They use technology to explore the link between man-made and natural structures.

How to Draw and Paint

Copying

Copying is as important to a painter as practising scales is to a pianist. I have talked about the importance of copying before. But today I'm going to try something a little different and get you to pick up a pencil and do a little sketching using my favourite aids.

Cubism

Australian Cubism - Grace Crowley

Grace Crowley (1890 – 1979), like Dorrit Black, was a key Australian modernist, who had a remarkable art journey over her long life. Image: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

Collector

Hugh Schulz Paintings: Tending with Loving Care and Commitment

We begin the story of a Hugh Schulz's painting, gifted by Hugh to a couple a long time ago and then through the AnArt4Life blog found its way into the hands of Andrew a member of the AnArt4Life blog team and collector of Hugh Schulz paintings.

Installation Art

A gallery of "seismique" proportions!

Today we travel to Houston, Texas to experience the lastest in immersive, interactive lightshows. Image: Seismique.com

Techniques

Do you know how to enrich your knowledge of art with our "TagCloud"

Today is a TagCloud day where you get to choose your own AnArt4Life post to read.

Techniques

Introducing the AnArt4Life Tag: Techniques

The AnArt4Life tag "techniques" contains posts on "how artists do it". Choose what you would like to read about and gain a little insight into from the artist's viewpoint.

Colour

The power of orange

Orange is one of the most important colours in the palette. It has a power that no other colour possesses and engages the viewer like no other colour. The impressionists used orange as did the outback painters of Australia. Image credit: Red Desert Miners by John Wylie

Ceramics

Imp Hung the Ceramicist at Work

Taiwanese artist Imp Hung has many talents - she teaches art, she engages in tea making ceremonies but above all she makes the most amazing ceramic tiles based on paintings by famous artists. Today we see her at work. Image credit: Imp Hung

Techniques

Hugh Schulz: a Lesson in Technique

Over the past few weeks we have showcased the enchanting works of Australian naive artist Hugh Schulz (1920-2005). Today a closer look at how he painted - all about colour, pattern, texture. Image credit: S. Lindeman

How to Draw and Paint

How to paint rocks

Rocks are beautiful but very difficult to recreate in a painting. See how John Pickup and Kevin McKay represent "rocks" in their paintings and let Lu Smith teach you how to paint some of the "rocks you see around you". Image credit: The ever Moving Sea by John Pickup.

Post Impressionism

Georges Seurat - an important legacy cut short

Georges Seurat is one of the most important post-Impressionist artists, as he studied the "science" of colour and largely initiated the Pointilist style, using the technique of small brightly coloured dots to create light and shade. Image courtesy of georgesseurat.org

Colour

Chiara Magni: Specialist in Finger Painting Up Close and Inspiring

I have just discovered the inspirational Italian artist "Chiara Magni" and today I am showcasing some of her paintings of views of the world, women, flauna and flora. Chiara Magni's command of colour, line and shape is awe inspiring. Image: Africa by Chiara Magni

Naive and Folk Art

Catching up with the Macedonian Shepherd

The painting I'm working on at the moment is coming along nicely. I share the steps involved in creating this commissioned work so that you can see into my mind and learn about the kind of thinking that occurs.

Abstract

Frank Bowling: Part Three

Up close you can see & feel the acrylic paint which has been mixed with gel and applied using a spatula. The intricate texture and patterns combined with the colours are amazing. I just love Frank Bowling's creative genius.

Techniques

Tulips and Much More

Showcasing some art featuring tulips such as depicted in Islamic Art, Ebru, and Anna Pavord's book Tulip Mania.

Sculpture

Leaf Art

Omid Asadi currently lives in Manchester, United Kingdom. He explains how he made the pieces: "I created this work with carving and cutting techniques on actual fallen leaves using a craft knife and a needle. I always try to create pieces with a message, not just beautiful art."

Drawings

Scribble or Doodle your way into Creativity

Scribble or Doodle your way into Creativity by following the links provided.

How to Draw and Paint

Struggling with a new view of the world

Protest art advent quilling finger painting

Perspective

More on Multiple Perspectives

Today a selection of paintings to help you expand your perspective when viewing a work of art. Learn a little more from Vermeer, Deigo Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Jeffrey Smart. Image: Portrait of Clive James by Jeffrey Smart (artgallery.nsw.gov.au)

Perspective

Viewpoints and the Hidden Perspective

Consider what you see from your perspective as the viewer. A work of art can be viewed from many angles - each giving a different perspective on the subject and making you think in a different way. Image: Windows on a Time: Two by Anne Newman

Australian Artist

Ben Quilty's Rorschach Works

Australian artist Ben Quilty has turned Ink Blots into an art form through his Rorschach series. Image: Self Portrait Smashed Rorschach by Ben Quilty (theconversation.com)

Colour

The Colour Wheel: Warm versus Cool

Colour is in our lives. We are surrounded by colour and we think and talk about colours and their effects all the time. We can’t even serve a meal without making sure we have the right mix of colours on our plates. Images of paintings by Anne Newman

Urban Landscape

Suburban Night Life Continued

Suburban Night Life

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