Category: Art

Art Supplies

Stationery that permits you to express yourself: that is what art supplies are. Once you have chosen your medium of expression, be it painting, sculpture, pottery, or installations, you need to put together a few basic supplies so that you can get down to the joyful business of creativity.

Centuries ago, artists used materials that were all around them –charcoal pieces for making outlines, flowers and fruits to create color, mud and dung to create a canvas, and fingertips or a stick as a brush. Since then, materials have become much more sophisticated, and need to be sourced.

Art supply needs vary depending on the art form. For example, a painter in oils would need a canvas, knife, oil paints, and a palette. A crayonist would need a canvas or paper and crayons, while a lithographer would need etching plates, lithography ink, special tools, ball grounds, litho crayons and pencils. A potter would need clay, a wheel, and kiln. So, basic necessities change with choice of medium of expression.

The kind of art supplies you use would depend on personal preference, ease of use and maintenance, and cost. Art supplies are generally available in student or professional versions. Think about whether you want a few good-quality materials or many things that are affordable but will not last long. While buying acrylic paints you should opt for a few high-quality primary colors rather than a whole student range which will not last long.

Before you take your wallet or credit card to a store to purchase art supplies, you must do your homework thoroughly. Find out what you need, the best brands, what are the bare essentials, and what are just not required. Once you have your needs down to a “t,” do a market survey–should you buy wholesale or retail? Are the supplies available at any discount stores? What about buying art supplies online?

Do surf the web—visit online art supply directories and store web sites. Look out for attractive offers, reward programs, coupons, and other marketing promotions. Sometimes stores offer discounts to students of a particular art school or university, or to regular customers.

Do undertake comparison shopping and be sure to compare imported supplies against local makes. Find great deals on discount art supplies, especially for things you need on a regular basis. Exercise restraint and buy only what you need, and choose quality over price, as quality art supplies always produce superior and lasting results.

Art Supplies Online

If you are a person who spends a lot of time creating art, then you probably realize the importance of using the right art supplies for your projects. You should know the best places to visit to shop for the tools of your trade. The market, nowadays, provides you with everything you need when it comes to art supplies. But if you’re just too busy to go out and buy your supplies, there are many products available on the Internet.

Buying art supplies online can save you the trouble of having to go out shopping. Basically, art supplies online are online shops that offer different art materials, from paint brushes and technical pens to sketch pads and drafting chairs. You can browse online catalogues that feature a wide range of products. Today, everything that has to do with your craft is just a few clicks away.

The most notable advantage of buying arts supplies online is that your purchases can be delivered right to your doorstep.

Discount Art Supplies Online

Most artists would agree that discount offers are a bonus to buying art supplies on the Internet. Almost all online shops offer discounted supplies and affordable product packages. You can get a specific item at half the price or get premium items at a very low cost. Some shops even offer affordable delivery rates.

You’ll be amazed at the great deals you can get just by shopping for discounted art supplies online. However, a few customers may encounter minor difficulties. Among these is finding the best website among hundreds. This can be solved easily enough. You just have to be very patient in browsing. First, gather as much information about the specific art supplies you need. It is important that you know what you are looking for so you don’t go buying on impulse.

Next, look for online shops offering the art supplies you need. If possible, compare inventories and price ranges. The more shops you have on your list, the better your chances of landing the best deal. It is also vital that you find testimonials about the shops you are patronizing. You may also inquire about their transaction policies through their toll-free numbers for more secure purchases.

Art Prints

Art prints are reproductions of an original work of art like paintings made by a photomechanical process. Art prints capture the rich and vibrant colors of original artwork. Unlike posters, art prints are made using special heavier print stock that is mainly intended for prints.

Compared to posters, art prints are highly durable. A high-quality art print can last for several years. Even though they are longer lasting than posters, they should be treated with special care to prevent fading and discoloration. Certain art prints can be washed with glass cleaner.

Most people think of art prints when they have to decorate a room or a new space. Art prints play a vital role in decorating your rooms. Selecting art prints is very important as they can change the look and feel of a room. Using a carefully selected art print, one can achieve the illusion of lengthening, broadening or heightening the room.

A well-chosen art print reflects the taste and style of the family that occupies the house. Art prints made in different art styles such as Asian, American masters, art deco, expressionism, folk art, gothic art, modern renaissance art, and vintage are perfect to complement one’s room decor. In addition to decorating rooms, art prints are a good gifting option. For instance, bird art prints are ideal gifts for nature lovers.

In the early days before the internet became a marketplace, art prints were available only through galleries or museum shops. Today, art prints can be shopped online at a reasonable price. Art prints available online are categorized by artists, subject, colors, and art styles. Gift certificates for art prints are also available.

Most of the websites offer a wide range of online catalog of art prints of famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Leroy Neiman, Rene Magritte, and Jack Vettriano. Art prints based on different subjects like American life, animals, architecture, fantasy, humor, landscape, spirituality and religion, music, and world culture are available as well.

Art Posters

A work of art is a timeless treasure and an eternal source of joy. While the functional utility of posters has been exploited for ages, the aesthetic appeal of posters has elevated their status and transformed them into a unique form of art. Poster production is done by lithographic printing on paper, which is a relatively inexpensive form of printing. However, poster art has found its own class of collectors and admirers. Moulin Rouge made history when it sold for a record-breaking $200,000 at a fine art poster exhibition. After the success and popularity of the 1970s vintage poster market in France, posters have caught on among the masses across various countries.

A piece of poster art is not just a visual treat; it speaks out and conveys a message. An individual piece is conceived by an artist through the creative execution of his/her insight, but these are not necessarily decoded by another. The message varies depending on individual perception. Art posters are used as unique pieces of decor. They create a particular mood, define the ambience of the room and reflect the possessor’s personality. Apart from personal purchases, it can be purchased as a special gift item. Both the online and offline market provides numerous options to a lover of poster art.

Many poster exhibitions, auctions and museums showcase art posters. Collectors can get information from various collector’s magazines like Jon Warren’s price guide, Movie Poster Price Almanac, and many more. Online guides give a good idea about the pricing of various posters and collectibles, and how to get a good deal. The collectible value of a piece can be determined to some extent by some standard parameters, like the demand for the poster, its condition (weather damaged, stained or not), and what issue the poster is. However, the decision about the collectible value of an art poster is subjective.

Art posters can be of various kinds, like vintage original posters, specialty prints, fine art, movie or music posters, posters of nature, abstract posters and many more. Alice in Chains, Fallout Boy and Avenged Sevenfold are few of the rare music posters. Limited edition posters are also popular. The magical charm and ambience created by the classic movie posters of the golden era can hardly be resisted by any one. Art posters have a charm and loyal following of their own that is hard to resist.

Art History Colleges

An art historian studies the relationship between cultures and the arts that reflect them. Art is like a mirror that reveals key ideas, values and institutions. By examining a culture’s art, the art historian can demonstrate the link between social institutions and philosophy, and between values and institutions. Art history colleges provide comprehensive training and career placement in art history and its related fields. So, what can you do with a degree in art history?

Art history graduates often find work in art restoration, libraries, architectural and historical restoration, art journalism and criticism, art administration and art publishing.

With a four-year degree, you could expect to find work as an assistant curator, museum inventory specialist, museum attendant, development officer, library assistant or registrar. The best art history colleges take an interdisciplinary approach so you’ll learn critical thinking, cultural analysis and aesthetic evaluation.

If you choose to continue with graduate school, you can expect to find a job as an archivist, conservator, education director, exhibit designer, art appraiser or museum curator. Although the job market is competitive, it is possible to find work in museums,

state/federal government, interior design firms, colleges/universities, restoration firms,

publishing firms, archives, federal/state parks and historical societies.

Your degree from an art history college can be a stepping stone into other fields of endeavor. For example, taking specialized chemistry courses along with art history can qualify you as an art restorer. Taking courses in education can qualify you as an art history teacher. If you’re an art or design major, taking courses in art history will round out your education and place what you’ve learned into a social and cultural context.

While art history colleges may seem, on the surface, to have a rather narrow scope, in reality their graduates have a wide variety of employment options open to them. With an MA, MFA or PhD the opportunities increase. If you choose your school and course of study carefully, you’re sure to be rewarded with a satisfying career.

Art Gallery Dealers

As professions go, an art dealer is similar to any other human management or market management geek, overstocked with tact, patience, guile, and, most important, a keen eye for colors and art. Selling a painting is no longer sitting under a tree or on the pavement waiting for a collector or buyer. It needs hard sell of both the art and the artist.

So if you have a BA or MA or PhD in any art-related field, have good business or marketing skills, know languages, are people oriented with communication and writing skills, flooded with motivational abilities and sensitivity to artists’ needs, and possess some experience at curatorial or gallery work, then think about this profession. Generally, art dealers begin as apprentices to an established dealer, where they learn how to strike a deal and how to keep the artist and the rich (and often cranky) customer happy. Besides these skills, one needs to be aware of different genres, the market value of old and upcoming artists, and current affairs and have contacts with other dealers and nose for new acquisitions and sales. Remuneration should not be an obstacle as it takes time to establish oneself, even with a PhD.

Once satisfied with the selection of profession, concentrate on a specific genre such as expressionist, contemporary, or pop art. Move around and be seen at parties, auctions, and gallery openings to gain the trust and confidence of the artist and customer. Many art dealers stepping out independently have safeguards in the form of savings or loans to sustain them until they build a clientele. The reason being, it is a volatile profession in an unstable market with long working hours.

There are downsides, like any other profession. A deal can go awry, or your persuasive skills may be unable to convince a potential customer to invest in a particular painting or artist. Here, instinct and perception help, and if you are unable to accept challenges, then change your profession. But if you are confident and have the ability to handle the situation then, it is all worth it.

Art Galleries

Art galleries are institutions or forums to promote art appreciation in art buyers and a platform for artists to display their work. The term art gallery initially denoted a particular area or gallery in a museum to display paintings, sculptures, and illustrations. The popularity and success of this concept encouraged reserving rooms and later, private and public independent buildings exclusively for exhibitions, seminars, art teaching, and research programs.

Fame or notoriety of a gallery is dependent upon the artists showcased and, to a large extent, the connection with an art dealer. The partnership encourages benchmarks of excellence, as sincere dealers ensure maximum exposure for the gallery and artist.

It was in 1793, after the French Revolution, that the first gallery or museum to display royal treasures was established at Louvre in Paris. It set a precedent for showcasing art collections for general viewing. With the increasing popularity of fine arts and artists, galleries catering to different tastes and denominations sprouted up in most major cities of the world. The U.S. has its share of both national and private galleries in towns and cities, holiday resorts, or artist’s camps. Majority galleries have favorite artists on their roster, while some purchase and promote works of unknown and new artists or host artistic activities such as musical soirees, book launches, or photo exhibitions to coincide with the subject or theme of particular artwork.

A wider demand for art and artists encouraged the establishment of online galleries to help source and purchase paintings or sculptures from galleries and art dealers in different cities or countries. Art collectors or novices find this a convenient way to browse through paintings of different artists, depending on taste and setting. But there is nothing to compete with the artistic ambience of an uptown gallery showcasing traditional and exclusive artists or a downtown one selling contemporary or kitschy works of new and emerging artists.

Art Colleges

If you’re thinking of going to an art college, you have many choices. Besides location and curriculum, it’s likely you’ll need to choose the type of degree or certificate you’ll receive at the end of your studies. Here’s some basic information of the types of programs you can expect from art or art-oriented colleges. There are four-year colleges, two-year colleges, two-year community colleges and vocational/technical colleges.

A four-year college or university usually offers the Bachelor Of Arts (BA) or bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree to undergraduates. Larger institutions also offer Masters and Doctorate degrees as well. The BA degree is for generalists – you’ll have to take courses in all areas of the liberal arts, such as English, foreign language, history, philosophy etc. Although you can declare an art major, the BA you’ll receive is structured to give you broad knowledge of many academic areas. You will also be required to take courses outside your major, such as science or math. The BFA is a specialized degree that focuses on the arts, where about 2/3 of your course work will be within art or design studies. There are also entire schools dedicated to art. At these schools, all the degrees offered are art-related. At an art-focused college, you can immerse yourself in the arts pretty much exclusively (that is, with very little coursework offered outside the arts).

Community colleges generally offer two-year degrees (associate’s degree) or some type of certification (like that required for jobs like emergency medical technician). These institutions are generally more affordable than four-year colleges, and the credits you earn in a two-year program can be transferred to a four-year school. A community college is a great place to test your wings – you might even find a certificate program that will get you into the art-oriented job market in just a few semesters.

If you like the idea of a highly focused art college or program, then you should consider a vocational/technical college. At one of these schools, you get exactly what you need to know to work in a specific field. You won’t be required to take courses outside your major, and likely will be more employable in a shorter period of time. If, for example, you know you want to be a graphic artist, you may be able to find a vocational/technical college where you can study just that, no more, no less.

Think carefully about your goals and ambitions before choosing an art college or program of study, and be sure to choose one that meets or exceeds your expectation.

Architecture

Architecture is the designing of buildings within cultural, social and historical constraints prevalent at the time of construction. American architecture experienced an influence of different styles and as a result today is a complex summation of multiple traditions and techniques.

When the first European immigrants entered the new continent, the Native Americans already had their architectural traditions in the forms of tipi, longhouses and pueblos. The immigrants followed with their own building standards of the countries they had come from but by the 18th century the rule of reason and practical planning took over. The mid-19th century saw stylistic Romantic period revivals of Grecian and Gothic forms. This was also the period for rapid urbanization and construction of row houses, multifamily tenements, lodgings, and the architectural innovation of the period: the skyscrapers. The first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1884 and the first modern architect and designer of these early towers was Louis Sullivan. His most talented student was Frank Lloyd Wright, spawning a generation of followers.

By the 1930s, with the emigration of European architects to America before World War II, architecture underwent an oblivious shift to an austere and functional approach referred to as International design. The post war era saw a sudden shift in the reversal of architectural designs, with skyscrapers touching unprecedented heights, buildings displaying new colors and ornamental motifs, and motivating an innovative breed of architects willing to experiment with designs and elements. The architectural design and style of the 21st century has no boundaries, ranging from Mediterranean, French country chateaux, Modern glass and wood designs, Victorian or English Tudor, Florida and Villa estates, castles, Georgian mansions, and skyscrapers. The love of open greens made architecture turn outwards, with landscape architecture concerning itself with the design of outdoor public and private spaces.

Practical experience coupled with architecture courses offered by colleges and schools is helping to open up avenues for the fascinating career of architecture.

Architects

Any beautiful, well-designed, and well-planned structure owes its existence to an excellent architect. Today in a world of ever-increasing and fast-growing cities, careful planning is a basic necessity. And to make our cities more beautiful and well-organized, besides preserving other ancient monuments in them, architects exist.

Architects specialize in the field of architecture, which involves visualizing and creating well-planned structures and other features from scratch. It has several branches too, in which different types of architects specialize.

For example, landscape architecture is concerned with designing places and structures that are functional and also compatible with the natural environment. Architects specializing in landscape architecture are landscape architects. They are involved in the detailed planning of a landscape project taking into account the land terrain and use, and other factors.

Architects enroll in architecture programs and courses, which are certified by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, which is the sole authorized agency for accrediting programs according to some, stated objectives and standards. Some universities like State University of New York, University of Virginia, and many more generally provide certified graduate and undergraduate programs.

Professionally competent once graduating from the accredited courses, architects can join and start their practice. However, certain states require an additional licensure to allow architects to work independently. Many states even require their architects to have an ongoing continuing education to help them be informed and educated about advancements in the field.

To represent architects and lay down rules and codes of conduct for them, certain institutes exist in the country. Among such institutes, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the chief representing body of all architects in our country. Founded in 1857, it is an amalgamation of architects, partners, other emerging professionals, and many organizations and groups.

Besides being the voice of member architects, it also acts as a governing body, monitoring and awarding individuals and organizations for ‘outstanding achievements in support of the profession of architecture and the AIA’. Just like the AIA, the American Society of Landscape Architects and International Federation of Landscape Architects Central Region have been set up for landscape architects.

To honor architects for their outstanding work and contribution to society, several awards exist. The most prestigious award is known as the Nobel Prize of Architecture or the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Created in 1979, it is awarded each year to architects for their outstanding work.