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ColorArt is all About Color!Color and design are the basis of all art. Regardless of the style, the subject matter or texture, color is what catches the eye of viewers and holds their attention. But what is color and how can artists use it to elicit emotion or to establish atmosphere? Color is the substance of light from one of the wavelengths reflected from the surface. The reflection or absorption of these wavelengths determines the colors we see. This sounds technical, yes, but it is actually simple. Different colors reflect different “vibrations” and it is these vibrations we perceive as color. Colors are not physical, but represent the eye’s perception of the wavelengths. Colors are divided into two main categories and appear upon the color wheel in special configurations to help you mix and use them easily. Primary colors—red, blue and yellow--are those from which all other colors are created. They cannot be created by mixing and they are the beginning of all other colors. Secondary colors are created by mixing equal parts of any two primary colors. Purple, orange and green are secondary colors. Analogous colors are those adjacent on the color wheel, while complementary colors are opposite on the color wheel. A variety of moods can be created with the use of color. Painting gives the artist a rare opportunity to devise a feeling or emotion. Light and airy colors often depict dreamlike, religious or metaphysical elements. Dark tones are often used to depict or indicate depressing, serious or ominous scenes. Bright colors are associated with happy, pleasant and uplifting images. Simple colors and combinations are easy to understand and the viewer is not challenged or threatened. But complex lighting or intricate patterns often confuse the eye and force the viewer to become more involved. A good example of color and subject matter interest are the works of Dali. His frequent use of common objects in unusual places and in dramatic colors makes his work extremely enticing. Ethereal scenes can be implied with the use of very high tones, those of an extremely light nature. Ghostly, wispy and misty images create a dreamlike or a supernatural atmosphere. Art is an expressive endeavor. This expression might contain important messages for the viewer, and one of the most direct ways to do this is through color. Artists must understand the moods they are conveying and the messages these moods might instill in the viewer. Color is the fastest way to do this for most artists.
Art used for educational purposes is one area where color is part of the overall learning experience. By using the right color or combination of colors, you can create an atmosphere or mood in which a student is more likely to respond. Certain colors have a tradition for creating certain moods. Over the centuries, the color red has been used to imply passion; yellow to give a cheerful feeling; blue to promote a peaceful feeling; and gray to indicate a sense of gloom and foreboding. Artists use combinations of colors for mood enhancement, too. Yellow, orange and red combine to create a warm mood, while green, dark blue and violet combine to create a cool mood. Neutral colors are often created by mixing two complementary colors with differing amounts of white. These tones will create somber overtones when used with dark pigments. Examine the works of famous artists. Picasso had his blue period, which was one of somber and cold images. These hues make the viewer sympathetic to the plight of a person in a painting. Blues and blacks dominate this period of Picasso’s works. Feelings of cold, indifference and deprivation ooze from the canvas. On the other hand, Winslow Homer’s use of blues in his seascapes and island scenes is far different; his use of blue makes the viewer want to join the scene. Van Gogh’s painting of the green pool table with bright red walls in “Night Café in Arles” is a classic work using red to warm and enhance the feeling of the scene. When complementary colors are used together in the volume used in this painting, they enliven the viewer and are inviting to them. Reds are often used to degrade or attempt to weaken the character of a painting’s subject and, in this case, is a deterring factor rather than an inviting one. So, you can see that the use of color has a huge influence on the way a work is viewed and the emotions it evokes. One exercise to prove the impact of color is to create a simple scene in a variety of tones. Make one warm, one cool and one ominous and dark. There will be many who relate and feel strongly about one or the other. Emotion is one way we see and react to things. Use it to impact the acceptance, or at least the conversation, about your work.
The Artist’s Marketplace
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Flags can represent a challenging item to frame or otherwise present in your décor, but they are not as difficult to frame as one might think. Of course, the larger the flag, the more careful one has to be with the glazing choices because many are unavailable in oversized configurations. But as for framing, it is quite possible to do a professional job with materials that are easy to find and work with.
First, think about the way you want to present the item. Flags and banners are colorful fabric, often with seams and sections that add a bit of bulk to the package. However, those seams are of little consequence in the planning of the framing. If the flag is less than 40 by 60 inches, it is possible to mount it onto a colored surface or mat around the border. If it is larger than 40 x 60, your choices are very limited. So, for the sake of this article, we will concentrate on those flags that are less than 40 x 60 inches.
Measure the flag or banner. If you wish, you may mount it onto a colored surface that will complement the colors in the item. The preferred method of mounting is sewing. To help you with piercing through a mat, use a pushpin to create “pilot holes” through which to stitch. Be sure to tack all the way around the flag so that it will not wrinkle or pillow once it is placed under glass. If you do not want to use a mat, you can stretch the flag or banner over a piece of foam board. The board should be cut to a size that will make it possible to stretch the flag tightly. Use dressmaker’s straight pins pushed into the foam center of the board to hold the flag all around the perimeter.
Once you have mounted the item onto a mat or over a foam board, it is simply a matter of putting on your choice of glazing and adding a frame. The end result will be a family favorite or the talk of the office. Plexiglas is recommended for larger pieces because it is light and not easily broken.
It is also possible to cut a mat to go around your banner or flag. The best way to do this is to stretch the flag as just explained and then cut a mat to go around it. Fill in with foam board under the matting and around the mounted flag so that the “package” is the same thickness from edge to edge. This will help the package fit well in the frame.
Metal framing is a good choice because you can select from many colors and profiles. It is also easy to construct--all you need is a simple screwdriver.
Don’t shy away from framing flags and banners. With a little patience and time, you will end up with a great looking art piece.
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In 1943 Silly Putty was invented by James Wright in the lab at General Electric and things have never been the same. Beginning in 1950 it was marketed to the public and took off like a rocket. It is a simple material, a “real solid liquid” that has fascinated youngsters (and many adults) for over 50 years.
The material is a unique type of pink, non-sticky, polymer-based, stretchy material that can be bounced like a rubber ball, smacked with a hammer with no effects, yet can be shaped by gentle gradual pressure. This remarkable product is manufactured by Binney & Smith and is available where toys are sold.
Chalks are great creative tools and come in new bright colors that are good for temporary outdoor art or indoor rainy day activities, too. Sidewalks and driveways become giant canvases upon which young artists can experiment until their heart’s content. After a hard day of drawing, it is a simple matter to hose down the walk or driveway for a fresh start on Day 2. Different sizes of chalk make drawing a true pleasure. Large, dense sticks make great fill-in colors, while preliminary drawings can be done with almost any chalk from simple white to the rainbow of colors available. Some of the colors are “electric” and day-glow. Check out the assortments available and try one on for size. Chalk is great fun, inexpensive and very entertaining.
Crayons are wonderful, creative tools that are available at any art supply location. They can be used on paper, poster board, mat scraps and fabric. If you want to create a lasting wax crayon image, set the drawing with an iron. Be sure to pad the ironing surface with several layers of clean paper so no wax stains penetrate. Once the drawing is heat set, it can be cold water washed and last for months. Wax chips from old crayons are great to use for decorating specialty items, too. Once melted, the rich tones can be dripped onto the surface of water and then picked up with a soft surface paper to create a wax marbled look.
Simple and inexpensive, the old creative tools are still some of the best for variety and fun. Check out the old stuff next time you are at an art material dealer and go home with a bagful of fun.
“Flow” is a motion painting machine for children of all ages and the latest addition to the National Gallery of Art’s NGAkids Art Zone at www.nga.gov/kids/zone/flow.htm. The program offers an extensive set of motion controls, 32 preset brushstrokes and the option to design personalized motifs, allowing kids to draw interactively as the program creates a changing trail of randomized special effects.
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“The Art of Disney: Romance” postage stamps were issued recently at the kick-off of the 13th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. Beloved “pairs” on the four stamps include Cinderella and Prince Charming, Beauty and the Beast, Lady and Tramp and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. These are available in a pane of 20, a set of 20 24-cent postal cards and in a host of other collectibles.
The following activities are among those available at the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL: “Breakfast with Dali” includes a tour expressly designed for kids ages 5-12 that is followed by a delicious breakfast (pre-registration required); “Dali Family Fun Saturdays” includes a tour suitable for families with kids ages 6-12, after which families can Dilly Dally with Dali by exploring games, puzzles and art and craft activities; and “Junior Dali Docents-Children’s Summer Camp” is open to kids 9-13 years of age. They are given a private tour, learn about one painting in-depth and are able to tell the public about their painting; and they create surreal artworks while they make new friends (registration required). Call 727-823-3767, Ext. 3039; www.salvadordalimuseum.org/events.
The Art Book for Children (Gilda Williams Ruggi) is the offspring of the popular and best-selling The Art Book. It presents the choices and attitudes of 30 different artists to help stimulate children’s own creativity and imagination; explores the various ideas, meanings, roles and functions of art by looking at paintings, sculpture, photography and prints; and helps to develop an understanding of color, form, texture and pattern. 79 pages, Phaidon Press, ages 8 and up.
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Dada began as a cultural movement that is recorded as having peaked between 1916 and 1920. The movement was a form of artistic rebellion against turmoil and social unrest that took form in meetings, poetry, writings and politics. Strong protests against the traumas of World War I and the horrid rigidity caused in both art and everyday society were the thrust of the movement. Experimentation with abstraction fused with the violent events of WWI to create revolutionary forms of art. To this day, Dada influences style if only in the open freedom to express one’s artistic opinion.
Exactly what does the word Dada mean? The origin is unclear. While some believe it is a “non” word, others maintain it originated from the Romanian writers who frequently used the words da, da, meaning “yes,” “yes.” Dada is actually a simple word, meaning several different things. In French it means "hobby horse." In German it means "Good-bye," "Get off my back," "Be seeing you sometime." In Romanian: "Yes, indeed, you are right, that's it. But definitely, right." While the word may have been an international word meaning very simple things, the movement was anything but simple.
Dada was an emotional way to express the disillusionment felt by many people as their world was turned upside down during the oppression and horror of World War I. Artisans, poets and theatre were not looking for meaning, but rather they wanted to find a way to accept the massive disorder and the chaotic attitude of the entire world. They used this unrest as a reason to express their disgust.
One thing unique about the Dada movement is that it was started within a few years in a number of countries.
In 1916 in Zurich, several recognized artists of the day, including Hugo Ball, Hans Arp and Richard Huelsenbeck, discussed art and put on performances in Cabaret Voltaire. This cabaret would later be designated as the birthplace of the Dada movement in Germany. The culmination of their disgust and dislike with the war came on July 14, 19 16, when their first public soiree took place. Hugo Ball recited: “We have lost confidence in our culture. Everything has to be demolished.” Other writers followed suit and literary Dada was born.
In Berlin, February 1918, art was more political and social and reeked of abrasive propaganda and biting satire. Public political demonstrations were common. Artists published a series of political journals (that failed soon after) and held an International Dada Fair in 1920.
Paris, a center of art and writing of the time, had a surge of Dada work in 1920 when many of the movement’s originators were there. Dada artwork was first shown to the citizens of Paris in 1921.
New York became a refuge for writers and artists from WWI and was the center of American radical anti-art activities. Much of their gathering took place at Alfred Stieglitz’ famous gallery, 291. Artists participating in the American Dada movement were considered art anarchists.
While massive in scope, the life of Dada was relatively short, and it fused with surrealism around 1924. Artists and writers had moved on to new ideas and movements such as modernism. But the foundation of the Dada movement was an influence on all extraordinary movements that followed.
Randomness, anti-art, rebellion, and shock appeal are all terms that can be tied to the Dada movement. It is a fractured style in both writing and art and anyone can see how it blazed the way for modernism.
Dada, a major exhibition that premiered at the National Gallery of Art, opens June 18 at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City, through September 11. The exhibition surveys the many forms of Dada artistic production and features over 400 works in a dynamic multimedia installation that includes collages, films, paintings, photographs, printed matter, sound recordings and sculpture.
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Pastel Society of America
34th Annual Exhibition
Sept. 8 – Oct. 1
National Arts Club
New York, NY
This annual exhibition is open to all artists. All subjects and styles are eligible--from traditional to contemporary--and work must be predominantly pastel. Approximately 200 pastel paintings will be selected, and over $20,000 in prizes will be awarded. Deadline: July 10.
Shades of Pastel
National Open Exhibition 2006
Sept. 9 – Jan. 31
Charles Sumner School Museum
Washington, D.C.
The Maryland Pastel Society exhibition is open to any artist 18 years of age or older residing in the U.S. and Canada. Paintings must be at least 80% soft pastels. Over $6,000 in cash and merchandise awards will be given. See www.marylandpastelsociety.com; E-mail: inquiries@lisamitchellportraits.com. Deadline: July 15.
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club
110th Annual Open Juried Exhibition
October 5-27
The National Arts Club
New York, NY
The exhibition is open to any woman artist, who may submit one original work executed within the last three years. Eligibility includes 2-D artwork in oil, acrylic watercolor, pastel, printmaking, graphics and mixed media only. 3-D sculpture must be light enough for one person to handle. More than 40 awards will total over $8,000. Download a prospectus at www.clwac.org or send a SASE #10 envelope to: Sheila Lavovitch, 33 East 35th St., Paterson, NJ 07514-1311. Deadline: July 3.
Northeast Watercolor Society
30th Annual International Juried Exhibition
Oct. 22 – Nov. 5
The Gallery at Kent Art Association
Kent, CT
Watercolors executed within the last three years and not previously exhibited at NEWS Internationals are eligible. All entries must be glazed with acrylic (no glass). Awards total approximately $6,000 in cash and merchandise. Download a prospectus at http://www.northeastws.com/interprosp.rtf. Deadline: July 27.
2006 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Sept. 25 – Oct. 7
Memphis College of Art
Memphis, TN.
This sole federally recognized art competition in the U.S. is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or resident aliens at least 18 years of age by June 1. Each year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service chooses five species, any one of which may be painted. This year’s are: American Wigeon, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck and Cinnamon Teal. Artists may choose their own medium and designs may be in black-and-white or full color and must measure 10” wide by 7” high. The public may view the entries at the Memphis College of Art. The contest will be held on Oct. 6 (6 p.m.) and 7 (9 a.m.). Print out a prospectus at http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/federal/pdf/2006Regs.pdf Deadline: August 15.
“Utopia”
Workmen’s Circle
Nov. 5 – Dec. 29
Los Angeles, CA
A Shenere Velt Gallery of The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, Southern California District, has issued a Call for Artists to participate in a juried exhibition. Artists are asked to submit slides of up to three wall-hung works in any media (except jewelry and ceramics) that speak to the theme of “Utopia.” Pieces selected for this show will reflect on the myriad imaginings of perfect worlds and the shapes they might take. Download a prospectus at www.circlesocal.org. or call 310-552-2007. Deadline: Sept. 1
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Backup Bubbles--All airbrushers have experienced the appearance of bubbles in the color cup or paint reservoir. This is likely due to dried paint on the tip and/or needle at the front of the airbrush and indicates that cleaning is required. Unscrew the air cap at the tip and gently remove the paint on the needle with your finger or wash it off with a stiff paintbrush and airbrush cleaner. Screw the air cap back tightly and the airbrush should spray like new.
Quick Disconnects—There are quick disconnects available that connect the airbrush to the airbrush hose and the airbrush hose to the compressor. They are available in different thread sizes to fit all models/makes. This accessory lets you remove either the airbrush or hose quickly and with little effort. There are male and female fittings in the disconnect, and they snap together to allow air to flow and snap apart to stop the flow. Remember, with quick disconnects or any other air fitting for your airbrush or compressor, use Thread Sealant Tape on the threads as a preventive measure to insure there are no air leaks.
Dual Action Triggering—The dual-action airbrush is the most popular model in use and the triggering method lends itself to this popularity. This style of airbrush allows you to change the amount of paint being applied without interruption of spraying. With dual-action triggering you simply press completely down on the trigger for air and (while holding it down) pull back to release paint. And the further back you pull, the more paint that's sprayed.
Use it First!--One of the biggest mistakes owners of new airbrushes make is that they disassemble the airbrush before using it, thus never having the slightest idea what it was supposed to do when it worked right. Read the instruction manual first! There’s a diagram of all the parts and you’ll see what the airbrush looks like internally without taking it apart. When brand new, the airbrush comes to you in the best possible spraying condition. Spray some ink through it to see how it works and then disassemble it, if you must.
Beeswax and Leaks--In the early years of the airbrush, beeswax was an essential material in the studio. This was used to seal air leaks in the tip or head assembly or anywhere else where air might escape. It wasn’t until the 1960s that “O” rings were used (first metal and then PTFE) as seals. In today’s airbrushes, solvent-proof PTFE “O” rings are used and self-seating tips are machined. However, in case you get an occasional leak or if you are using an older airbrush, you may find it wise to have beeswax on hand.
The new issue of AirbrushTalk is available free at www.airbrushtalk.com and celebrates the 7th Anniversary of this publication for airbrush enthusiasts. Included are Metal Sculpture Refurb by Janean S. Thompson, Up Against the Wall by Kirk Lybecker, and Creating Simple Effective Textures with the Airbrush by Kent Steine. Sign up NOW for your free subscription to this bi-monthly e-newsletter!
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Artist Rep Announced—The U.S. Department of State has announced the results of an open competition to select the U.S. representative to the 2007 Venice Biennale. An exhibition of the work of Cuban-born artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres (1957-1996) has been chosen; and Nancy Spector, of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, will be the U.S. Commissioner and will organize the exhibition. This is the first time in more than 20 years that the work of a deceased artist will be presented.
Art Destinations Voted—Readers of AmericanStyle magazine have voted for the 2006 Top 25 Arts Destinations. New York, NY, came in 1st in the Big Cities category; Buffalo, NY, for Mid-Sized Cities; and Santa Fe, NM, for Small Cities and Towns. See the entire readers’ poll results in the June issue and visit www.americanstyle.com.
Winner Announced—Matthew Coolidge, director of the Center for Land Use Interpretation (Culver City, CA), is the sixth winner of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Annual Lucelia Artist Award. The award recognizes an American artist under the age of 50 who demonstrates exceptional creativity and has produced a significant body of artwork that is considered emblematic of this period in contemporary art.
Auction Results In—At Sotheby’s, Picasso’s Dora Maar au chat sold for an exceptional $95.2 million, making it the second most expensive painting ever sold at auction. Henri Matisse’s Nu couche vu de dos set a record for the artist at auction. Auction records were also set for Dame Barbara Hepworth and Andre Derain. Although a record for a watercolor by the artist at auction was set, the sale of 19 watercolors by William Blake was below expectation. At Christie’s, sales of Impressionist, Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art have realized a total of $438.7 million in NY for the spring season. Van Gogh’s Portrait of Madame Ginoux sold for $40.3 million, the fourth highest price ever obtained at auction by the artist. Warhol’s Small Torn Campbell Soup Can (Pepper Pot) set a new world auction record for a painting of the Campbell Soup Can series.
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Exhibitions:
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles County Museum of Art – Gustav Klimt: Five Paintings from the Collection of Ferdinand and Adele Bloch-Bauer features five masterpieces that epitomize the height of Viennese Jugendstil (an art style popular in German-speaking European areas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries). The two portraits and three landscapes have never before been shown together in the U.S. They were recently returned by the Austrian government to the family of Maria Altmann, of L.A., following a lengthy legal dispute over the rightful ownership of these works stolen by the Nazi regime. Through June 30.
Miami, FL – Miami Art Museum – James Rosenquist is the artist’s first U.S. museum exhibition since his 40-year retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in 2003. Included are eight major paintings from 1987 to 2004 that reflect his ongoing interest in current issues and events. Two paintings are being shown for the first time in the U.S. and are stunning examples of Rosenquist’s signature style of massive scale paintings. Through July 2.
New York, NY – New York Public Library – French Book Art/Livres d’Artistes: Artists and Poets in Dialogue consists of 126 books created between 1874 and 1999 as joint ventures between artists and poets. Although better known for their works on canvas, artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Magritte collaborated with poets such as Mallarme, Apollinaire, Gide and others to pioneer the concept of the artist’s book, in which words and pictures come together in a unique fashion. Also featured are photos and sculpture depicting many of the artists and authors represented in the exhibition. Through August 19.
Sacramento, CA – Crocker Art Museum – M. C. Escher: Rhythm of Illusion probes the world of this popular and intriguing 20th century artist and examines 70 works of art through themes such as forms in space, experiments in perspective, landscape and fantasy scenes. Opens June 10 through September 3.
Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Art Museum – Gericault to Cezanne: Nineteenth-Century French Prints surveys a thriving period of art history, beginning with the Romantic work of Gericault and Delacroix through Barbizon artists such as Corot and Millet, to the pre-modern innovations of Degas and Cezanne. Through Sept. 3.
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ARTtalk congratulates Ampersand Art Supply for receiving the Best Small Exhibitor Award at the recent National Art Materials Trade Association Convention in Boston. |
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The Art Institute Online is looking for graphic designers interested in learning additional skills, or in getting their bachelor's or associate's degree in graphic design. Make yourself more marketable in the graphic design industry. Click here to find out more. (http://quinst.com/clk/kittedatoukumushiigyo) |
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| • ARTtalk's Manufacturer Art Materials/Product Info. Center • |
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Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 16 No. 8 -- June 2006
Painting on Watercolor Canvas DVD