Reflections on the starving artist

Artists’ life has always been difficult and often frustrating, especially in the past centuries.

Many of them knew hunger, debts, misery, humiliations and exploitation not only at the beginning of their career (this occurs today too), but also for their whole life.

Many of us, maybe, know that W. A. MOZART (1756-91) knew misery and debts for the largest part of his life, also with a family to care and, when he died, he was thrown in a mass grave so that, today, the remains of this genius of music are lost and nobody can visit his grave.

Also ANTONIO VIVALDI, (1675-1740) died in misery in Paris and more recently, VINCENT VAN GOGH (1853-90) lived in poverty, nearly never selling some of his paintings, finding only occasional jobs and tormented by nervous stress and mind problems.

He remained nearly unknown during his life and only after his death (he committed suicide in 1890) his paintings were understood and appreciated for their great innovations in the use of colours and for the intensity of his pictures.

The same bitter destiny was shared also by most of Impressionist painters.

The problem was that, for many centuries, artists’ works were rarely well rewarded, except for the most famous of them, able or lucky in finding commitments from princes, kings, popes, high prelates and, later, rich merchants.

Most of other artists, instead, although appreciated already in their age and even considered genial today, had many problems to live normally for the largest part of their life.

They were treated like common manual workers and paid the same or little more.

Then, many of their buyers were really stingy and ignorant about art, used to buy a painting or whatever other artwork only for their personal prestige, to show them in their palaces.

Also the greatest artists had to experience it, like MICHELANGELO (1475-1564) in his relations with the “warrior” Pope GIULIO II.

Again, MOZART, when he worked for the Archbishop of Salzburg, Austria, had to eat his meals in the kitchen of the palace in which he worked, together with servants.

Their COPYRIGHTS weren’t recognized and their rewards were based only on the sensibility and generosity of their rich and powerful lords.

On the other hand, not all artists were good managers of their incomes.

REMBRANDT (1606-1669), among many examples possible, had become rich but his excessive expenses to buy and collect artworks, musical instruments and luxurious clothes led him to the financial ruin, adding

Landscape Painting Tips For Watercolor Artists

One of the biggest challenges beginners face with any type of art, is the ability to really connect with the creativity that is inside of them. It’s difficult in the beginning to just let go and paint from your heart and soul. Your mind is being filled with techniques and systems for approaching painting, which in my opinion, tends to drown out your inner creativity. Learning techniques is essential, but there should be a point where you begin to draw from your own creative imagination.

When painting a subject, whether it is a person or a landscape, it is important to first observe your subject. You have to get close and personal to what you are painting. If you want to learn how to paint great landscapes, then you should spend time near the area that inspires you to paint in the first place. Only then can you really understand how to transfer what it is you see to canvas.

Take a ride out to the area you wish to paint. Bring along some pencils and paper. The best way to become really intimate with the scene is to just spend time there doing some sketches. This will really force you to observe what you see and burn the image and the environment into your senses.

Painting with watercolor on location is quite challenging, especially if you are a beginner. The scene is constantly changing. There are certain techniques in watercolor that require the paper to be at certain angles, or the paper needs to be saturated to a certain degree, etc. To get everything right within such a short time span is quite difficult, which is why you should bring a camera in the event you are not able to capture the scene. Once you find a composition that you like, take a bunch of shots at different distances and angles. When you get back to your studio, you will now have a few reference sketches as well as a bunch of great photos to work with. In the beginning, while painting on location, try to choose compositions that are not overly detailed or complex.

One of the best ways to immerse your self in watercolor landscape painting is to find people with the same passion. Search online for any groups or websites for landscape painters in your area. Start chatting and get to know everyone. Many of the artists in these groups love to connect with other artists and plan painting trips. This is a really great way to gain experience.

You do not need to bring your entire studio with you when painting on location. Many beginners will bring far too many supplies, which becomes more of a nuisance than help. Only bring the colors and supplies that you really need to work on a particular scene.

Remember, things change very quickly outdoors. Lighting conditions and weather can change in a matter of minutes. You must be able to paint quickly without being too sloppy. Block in all of your large areas first then go back and start adding your details.

Many landscape artists usually block in the sky area first. The sky is generally paler than the rest of the painting, which enables you to work from light to dark. The sky area also influences the way you paint the rest of the objects in your painting.

When painting objects in the foreground that require great detail, do not try and paint every single leaf or blade of grass that you see. This will usually create too much detail that will draw focus away from the center of interest in your painting. It is also far too time consuming if you plan on painting on location. Besides, a painting is not meant to be an exact replica of what you see, rather your unique impression of the scene. If you want exact details, you are better off taking a photograph.

Don’t be afraid to use your imagination. If you are painting a scene and feel that you should add a few trees here, or a bush there, or a bird on a branch, then by all means go for it.

If you find one particular location appealing, and have already painted there once before, don’t hesitate to go back and paint it again, only this time go out on a cloudy day instead. You will be surprised how different a scene can look when the weather changes.

I hope these watercolor painting tips have helped. If you ever find yourself getting discouraged or frustrated by your progress, don’t give up. Instead, welcome and learn from your mistakes. It will make you a much better painter.

There Are Reasons Why A Dog Painting Is Becoming Popular Nowadays

Dogs are said to be mens best friends. These pets protect us more than we do protect them. Whether you have a pet store or you just want something new for your home, dog painting is an ideal masterpiece which will match your set-up. As a tribute to the dogs that accompany you each day by guarding you from danger, you should consider having a painting for this creature. Dog portraits painting are very popular that a lot of artists have included as one of their primary offerings. Why are dogs so famous subjects for paintings?

Different looks. A dog may have different angles the way you project a variety of images. This pet may be so angry at some points and may be very tame in other incidents. This fact gives the artist the option to pick the best one to work on. You may also present pictures to your service provider if you have one – and agree which will be ideal for a dog painting. You will be surprised how beautiful the dog portraits painting will be after the work had been instituted well by your painter.

Matches all color media. Whether you want just a mere black and white concept in your dog painting or you want it to be colored, dogs are indeed great subjects which will fulfill the promise of a good artwork. Even with a pencil or charcoal used to sketch a dog portraits painting, the masterpiece is full of life and will definitely project the angle presented by your dog. With a colored concept, the painting will come out as vibrant as you expect it to be.

Variety of purposes. A dog painting concept may be used in the house or in your office and yet still leave a mark to people who come across the sight. It is with deep appreciation that you will see how valuable dog portraits painting are. You will be surprised that the painting blends well with where it is posted. In fact, even painters use dogs as subjects for art exhibits thus attracting dog-lovers to visit the show.

A dog painting is a good treasure to keep. It is a known fact that people have an extreme and deep love for dogs when compared to cats or other pets. This being so, dog portraits painting are indeed considered an in-thing nowadays. Since you appreciate the animal in its so-called human form, you will surely applaud painters for considering dogs as their subjects. You will surely be attracted to own one for yourself.

These are just some of the sound ideas why a dog painting is undisputed as one of the greatest works an artist will spend time on. As you value your dogs existence in your premises, so do artists give high regard to this amiable pet. If you want to have one of the best paintings of this mammal, you must consider going to the best artists who will make a great deal out of your dog portraits painting. Make sure your requirements are matched and the dog will project a good and remarkable aura that your visitors will be happy about.

Paintings Wholesale Of Guarantee

Paint is an art expression with numerous followers in the globe. For this reason, there are museums in all important cities. Europe provides the most renowned museums in the planet and the main paintings. Germany is a country with a rich culture and this time we will explore an important museum of the capital. Paintings Wholesale for everybody.

The Gemaldegalerie is an art museum located in Berlin. This museum holds one of the world’s top collections of European art from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Here, you will find masterpieces from artists such as Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, Albrecht Durer, Lucas Cranach, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer. Paintings Wholesale provides works of these painters.

The rooms in Gemaldegalerie are distributed according to the style and certain period. This museum has specific rooms for artists such as Rembrandt and Raphael with recognized masterpieces. These are paintings from the Gemaldegalerie: Adoration of the Magi (1511, by Hans Suess von Kulmbach), Bacchus and Ariadne (1717, by Jean Francois de Troy), Child with a Bird (1624 – 1625, by Peter Paul Rubens), Head of Christ (1655, by Rembrandt), Moses Breaking the Tablets of the Law (1659, by Rembrandt), Perseus and Andromeda (1622, by Peter Paul Rubens), etc.

The art collection in this building is one of the largest in Germany. Visiting Galleries like that will give you a different vision of the art. Europe has contributed to the art world with the best exponents until the present. Gemaldegalerie is a clear example of fine art that deserves a visit.

If you are really interested in Art, you should study art as a profession. It is always important to have a reference of a famous painter. Paintings Wholesale is a clever way to buy artworks, don’t forget that.

Do Famous Spiritual Energy Healers Manifest Miracles?

Portrait painting tips – Part 4

Picture This: Portraiture

Portraiture is like an artistic homonym summarizing a person’s nature, almost like a realistic caricature. Portraits are about the relationship with the sitter. The artist captures the persona of the subject, and that psychological awareness emerges through the painting.

Portraits are not a new artistic genre. Ancient days colored with pharaohs of Egypt, plebs and patricians of Greek and Roman eras, and medieval characters, all harnessed the power of the portrait to immortalize people. The first portraits, from Egypt in 3100 B.C. and carved in granite, slate, or diorite, conveyed a sense of everlasting power, rather than the fluctuations of every day life around the Nile River. Not until 1335 B.C. did portraits soften to more natural poses and accurate appearances. Trickling down to fifth century B.C., portraiture channeled the pervading Hellenistic influence. Like its mythological, literary counterpart, Greek portraiture romanticized images, frequently depicting impossibly handsome youth in the form of sculpture and paintings. Roman portraiture, instigated in second century A.D., exudes astonishing skill in its poignant accuracy of encapsulating the individuality of people. The Middle Ages ushered mosaics into portraiture, often illustrating lords and ladies in their lavish nobility.

Like most other artistic mediums, portraiture reached an apex in the Renaissance period of classical Greece and Rome. Elegant busts, natural sculptures and rich paintings detailed the complexities of individuals, subjects whom exemplified the legendary rebirth of art. Opulent, secular leaders of the communities in the Baroque and Rococo periods of the following two centuries used stately portraits as an exhibition of power and wealth. The first caricatures were birthed out of the exaggerated facial expressions from these portraits. The word caricature, in fact, translates “loaded portrait” when using its Italian roots.

The onset of the nineteenth century launched very definitive artistic eras, like neoclassicism, romanticism and realism. Portraits from the likes of Jacques-Louis David and Antonio Canova during this time period channeled the strength of light to highlight texture, yet simplicity in the outlines of the figure. Romantic artists brushed upon philosophical thought and extreme emotion, emphasizing provocative imagery, moody lighting and dramatic strokes. Realist artists seemed to rid themselves of the intense emotion of romanticism,

Famous Painters: 3 Most Famous Painters of All Time

Our world has been blessed with the genius and talent of so many gifted artists that have created amazing master pieces that have motivated and inspired, not only just an era, but long after their brushes have laid their final strokes.
As it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it would be impossible to pick just a few and present them as the best without attracting fierce debate, of which there could not ever be a winner.

Here I have compiled a short reference to present top 3 most famous painters of all time.

1. Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)- Renaissance

I think the number 1 spot belongs to the great Leonardo Da Vinci. Often call him as the father of Renaissance, or a master of perspective, the influence of Leonardo Da Vinci today extends far beyond the realm of artistic endeavor.

Inspired and encouraged by growing up in an environment rich in scholarly flavor there are about 15 significant art works credited to Leonardo Da Vinci, comprising paintings on panels, a large mural and some drawings. Leonardo Da Vinci is renowned for his work in such fields as architecture, geometry, engineering, natural science mathematics.

Leonardo became the first painter, architect, and engineer work for King Francis 1st in France. It was the King himself at his side on the 2nd of May, 1519 when he died.

Enter http://www.famouspainters.org to read more about the life of this genius master pieces.

2. Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)- Impressionist

The master pieces of Vincent Van Gogh may be the easiest recognized and remembered of any artist, famous or not.
Although he usually made his paintings with everyday objects, such as sunflowers and an empty chair, his art is intensely emotional.

Vincent Van Gogh was born the son of a pastor and grew up in a cultured and religious environment. He first worked in a book store and as an art salesman before becoming a preacher for which he was latter fired for being overzealous. In 1880, he turned to the study of art with the determination to give joy by creating beauty.

Van Gogh suffered severe bouts of depression and has been described as a “difficult companion”, an understated comment when thinking that while one of his “difficult” periods he tried to attack his closest friend and peer, Gauguin, with a razor. The attack was successfully avoided but Van Gogh then famously cut off a part of his own ear.
Van Gogh’s depression and tantrums magnified and he began to suffer fits of madness and was admitted to an asylum.
In 1890, 2 months after his release from the asylum Vincent Van Gogh kill himself, only ever having sold one painting. After 200 years after his death, or deeply tragic life, the works of Vincent Van Gogh are last forever.
http://www.famouspainters.org presents more on the troubled life of Vincent Van Gogh and the success of his life determination 200 years later

3. Salvador Dali- (1904-1989)- Surrealism

The art works of Salvador Dali depict strange imaginary characters of burning giraffes and seemingly melted wax watches. Dali called his own works as ‘hand-painted dream photographs’.
Dali is famous for his many talents apart from jewelry design, sculpture, book illustration, painting as well as theatre work, making a surrealistic film, “Un chien andalou” in 1929 and also writing a novel, “Hidden Faces” in 1944.

While Dali is best known as representing the surrealist era, he skillfully expanded his own version which he named ‘critical paranoia’. Dali’s theory supporting critical paranoia is that one should develop fantasy, although awareness and will suspended in thought.

If the sum of a man is his character, we would still be confused as to who Salvador Dali was. He cannot possibly be explained in few short sentences. Just when you think you know him in nature there emerges one more perspective.

Read about Salvador Dali stories in more detail on http://www.famouspainters.org

Develop Your Artistic Skills In Oil Painting Reproductions

Many artists have left a great legacy through the years. There are several artistic movements that marked the history until the present. The most important are the following: Abstract expressionism, Art deco, Art nouveau, Baroque, Classicism, Conceptual art, Constructivism, Cubism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Futurism, Gothic, Impressionism, Mannerism, Minimalism, Neoclassicism, Pop art, Postimpressionism, Realism, Renaissance, Rococo, Romanticism, Surrealism and Symbolism.

The best Oil Painting Reproductions represented these artistic movements. An important way for learning about paints and art in general is reading about famous painters. This time we will learn something in relation with a famous German Painter. First, don’t forget to buy Oil Painting Reproductions.

Lucas Cranach “the Elder” (born 4 October 1472 – died 16 October 1553) was a German painter, printmaker, engraver and illustrator. Cranach was one of principal old masters of the Northern Renaissance. He established the Danube school, and became renowned for his erotic nudes and portraits. His father was also an artist, so he like that his son follow his footsteps.

Besides his artistic abilities, Lucas was a smart businessman too; he had a chemist shop for many years. It was between 1500 and 1504 while he lived in Vienna where he painted portraits. Cranach painted dozens of portraits during his life. Among his main paintings we can mention the following: The Crucifixion (1502), Portrait of Dr. Johannes Cuspinian (1502), Rest on the Flight to Egypt (1504), Venus and Cupid (1509), Portrait of Henry the Devout of Saxony (1514), Portrait of Martin Luther (1553), The Fountain of Youth (1546), Judith with the head of Holofernes (1530), Cupid Complaining to Venus (1530) and The Melancholy (1553).

Find artworks of Lucas Cranach in Oil Painting Reproductions.

Caribbean Culture Shows Through In Paintings

As one of the most important aspects of Caribbean culture, visual arts are often surprisingly overlooked. And as more and more artists from the region attract international acclaim and attention, the unique style of Caribbean painters is becoming accessible to wider and more diverse audiences.

Music and literature typically represent Caribbean art forms, with big names such as musician Bob Marley and poet Derek Walcott leading the pack. But painting is growing as a recognized form of expression. Colorful depictions of island life are especially popular in Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica.

About the Islands

The Caribbean has always inspired through its unique sights and sounds. The bright colors of the region’s landscapes and vibrant personalities of its people are particularly strong artistic motivators. Fine works of art can be found on islands throughout the Caribbean, including Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.

Cuba’s Wilfredo Lam was one of the first Caribbean artists to gain worldwide recognition in the early 1900s. His association with both Picasso and Georges Braque added to his success. The popularity of Lam quickly turned the art world’s attention toward the entire region.

More recently, the Internet has also helped catch the eye of art aficionados by allowing people to view artists’ works online. Art appreciators no longer must catch a plane or physically travel to a gallery or museum that features Caribbean artists.

Still, fine works of art from many countries throughout the Caribbean make popular souvenirs for those who do visit the islands. Travelers enjoy picking up these fine pieces and, luckily for U.S. travelers, fine arts are not included in the customs allowance for travelers returning to the United States from the Caribbean.

Artistic Influences

Caribbean art history does contain a few surprises for some. Two famous artists, Camille Pissarro and John Audubon, were born in the Caribbean. Although their styles are not typical of the region, they have been influential in the development of Caribbean art.

Pissarro was born on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, then at the age of 12 he moved to France. After he completed school, Pissarro returned to St. Thomas. Upon his later return to Paris, Pissarro became very influential among Impressionist painters. Similarly, John Audubon was born in Haiti and moved to France at a young age. His study of birds, however, began after his later move to America.

Europe may only lay claim to some of the influences behind Caribbean artwork. African and Latin American styles are also strongly represented. Both use of color and stylization show the influences of the region’s particular people.

While fine Caribbean art can be found on many islands, Cuban arts have been flourishing since the beginning of the 20th century with the help of Wilfredo Lam, and the political strife on Haiti and Cuba in particular have provided artists the opportunity to express complex emotions and political beliefs through their paintings.

For anyone who craves visual art that is unique and refreshing, the beautiful works of Caribbean painters are a breath of fresh air. Artists who use the Caribbean’s one-of-a-kind scenery and lifestyle as the basis for their art provide a new and creative way to view paradise.

Edward Hopper: Capturing Private, Solitary Moments

I have a fascination with the paintings of the American artist, Edward Hopper. Somehow—whether by technique, imagination or subject matter—he is able to create the most compelling and evocative scenes, which stir my imagination.

One of my favourites is Automat an oil painted by him in 1927.

A young woman with a yellow felt hat sits absolutely alone in a barren restaurant drinking a cup of coffee. I look at this and immediately feel her isolation and loneliness as if it were my own. Is she running away? What thoughts are in her mind as she stares into the cup?

Right away, Hopper has got us speculating, as he does with all his paintings. Where did she come from? Where is she going? You’re caught right in the middle of a story which you can “read” backwards or forwards in time. I was so taken with this painting that the woman in it became the inspiration for a character in a short story, The Thief, and now a novel which I am writing. Struck by her isolation and self containment, I called her Celia.

I search the painting to see what emotions Hopper creates and how he does it. Behind the solitary woman is a large window, blackened by an impenetrably gloomy night. The lights or reflections of lights recede into the background giving a murky, tunnel-like effect, leading to nowhere. The radiator, crouching at the left of the painting, seems just as isolated as the girl in the composition, but almost looks more communicative than her. The lonely, solitary moment is caught in time—permanently engraved on my mind.

Just think how many stories could grow from this one painting! Will someone, a boyfriend or family member enter that door, hoping to bring her back? If no one comes, where will she go as soon as she drinks her coffee? To a dingy hotel room? Onto a train to New York? That would be just like so many other Hopper paintings, which so often depict hotel lobbies, motels and railway cars. Or maybe she will change her mind and go back home.

Perhaps this painting speaks to me of the apprehension of the unknown as we proceed moment to moment through life. So often, we are unsure and tentative, fearing to venture out into the unfamiliar. Then again, maybe the girl is incapable of reaching out to others. After all, for me, Celia — the character in my story who was inspired by this painting — grew into a character that was desperate to get free of her self-imposed isolation from the world. And so, for me — art, painting, sculpture, and photography are so often an inspiration for writing. Of course, all art [whether it is painting or writing or music] speaks of its own time — that is, the time and place in which the artist lived.

Hopper painted much of his work in the twenties, thirties and forties of the last century, when rapid industrialization and urbanization were forcing people from their old dwellings and old ways of living. Consequently, so many people felt lost and displaced. And yet, the emotions evoked by his work are universal, whatever the time and place. Great art transcends time and place and touches a nerve in us all, which communicates those universal emotions and ideas to us. Just like a photograph, Automat is a permanent moment in time existing in a world which, at the same time, seems so transient.

And that is why such a painting as the Automat inspires me even today.

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