Art Center Information

The Artist’s Week in Review

BLOG POST MONDAY~ We gave you Tips to Captivate The Viewer’s Attention to Your Artwork, and we wrote: Directing your viewers to your center of interest–your focal point–requires an understanding to exactly what makes your viewers eyes move around the painting or drawing and always wind up at the (shall I say) bullseye.

R.D.Burton: segment of painting, "Red Truck"

If you would like to read more about this which goes into much more detail please click on the thumbnail photo to the right and it will take you to the blog posted >>>

BLOG POST TUESDAY~We took a brief art history lesson highlighting Thomas Hart Benton and some artists that influenced him in article titled: Learn to do Your Art by Studying Other Artist’s Works. We wrote: of course, all artists learn from other artists, great or small. Their influence and style usually will remain as they become their own artist. Below are just a few of the artists that inspired Thomas Hart Benton.

If you would like to read more about this which goes into much more detail please click on the thumbnail photo to the right and it will take you to the blog posted >>>

BLOG POSTED WEDNESDAY~ Painting and Drawing With a Rich and Vibrant Medium. We wrote: if you enjoy working with colors, there is a chance that you will love working with pastels. They are easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about drying times, odors, or toxicity, as you might with other mediums.

If you would like to read more about this which goes into much more detail please click on the thumbnail photo to the right and it will take you to the blog posted >>>

BLOG POSTED THURSDAY~ Tips For Sketching With Pencil and Watercolor. We wrote: sketches, whether with pencil (graphite or colored) or watercolor, are plans of attack for a painting. Many wannabe artists have told me they just don’t have the time to dedicate to sketching. Sadly when they do have the time they want to jump in and start painting. They usually feel disappointed with their artwork because it doesn’t turn out to be what they first imagined.

For more information please click on photo >>>>>>

BLOG POSTED FRIDAY~Painting and Drawing The Effects of Pespective.

We wrote: When considering effects of perspective on the human body, the horizon line usually represents the furthest visible distance and is at the viewers eye level. An artist decides arbitrarily where to place the line and it is usually decided according to their own personal taste.

For more information click on photo to the right>>>>

BLOG POSTED SATURDAY~ Art Is My Job~Progressing Art Through Awareness. I wrote: ever since I retired two years ago I’ve made art my job, but it has always been a constant pleasure. It’s just no longer a hobby. I spend a lot of time visiting galleries, surfing the web, visiting artists web sights and blogs and, of course, writing my own blog. My goal is to help the progression of art through awareness.

I discussed what I do to teach myself when I don’t know how to do something (as it pertains to art). Click on the photo to the right if you want to read more>>>>

If you would like to go directly to the Blog and scroll around to older posts, click on the picture at the right>>>

R.D.Burton"Old Man Time" (Graphite Drawing) Private Collector

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Art is my Job~Progressing Art Through Awareness

Ever since I retired two years ago I’ve made art my job, but it has always been a constant pleasure. It’s just no longer a hobby. I spend a lot of time visiting galleries, surfing the web, visiting artists web sights and blogs and, of course, writing my own blog. My goal is to help the progression of art through awareness.

I’ve experimented with and enjoy painting and drawing with all the mediums available. At the moment I am not set up to use some of the mediums but I’m sure I will be in time.

I enjoy working with pen and ink, graphite pencil, colored pencil, watercolor, and for the past year, acrylic paints. I find acrylics really easy to use and incredibly versatile. They can be used to produce so many effects from the style of watercolor to the authentic look of an oil painting. I especially like the way they allow you to add layers of paint and texture in a way that would be impossible with watercolors, yet dry at about the same amount of time.

As usual, when I decide to paint with a different medium than that which I am accustomed, I go to the local art store or check Amazon on the internet for a “how to” book. When I decided to attempt acrylic paints I bought a set called The Acrylic Painter’s Collection from Amazon. The painting I chose to do my first acrylic attempt was one called Street Scene by Tom Swimm. Below (left) is a photograph of the small 3X4 painting and the 12×16 (right) that I painted using Swimm’s instruction.

When the painting was finished, I felt I had a handle on the technique of acrylic paints and did not use any of the other works in the small set of books. I do still refer to them from time to time. I prefer painting my own compositions.

Acrylic copy study (original by Tom Swimm)

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Painting and Drawing Effects of Perspective

When considering effects of perspective on the human body, the horizon line usually represents the furthest visible distance and is at the viewers eye level. An artist decides arbitrarily where to place the line and it is usually decided according to their own personal taste. In some cases the chosen composition will be the deciding factor as it was in my painting, Old Woodie.

It is obvious when studying the segment of the painting to the right that the view is from an eye level somewhere around the waist line of the main subject, yet the visible land disappears below this level which indicates the angle of the view. The reason for this was that the composition was taken from a photograph where the photographer was sitting down on a stool in front of the filling station and some several feet away.

I made several sketches from the photograph in attempt to change the angle of view. However, the original composition kept working itself back in as the first choice. I also drew different sketches that had trees, cacti, rocks and mountain behind the main figure. But I wanted a more desolate and lonely effect about the painting, which is what attracted me to the composition in the first place.

I decided after painting the picture that the perspective worked. We are looking up at the man’s chin and down at the feet.

Posted in painting, perspective | Tagged art, eye level, Old Woodie, painting, perspective | Comments Off

Tips for Sketching With Pencil and Watercolor

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Sketches, whether with pencil (graphite or colored) or watercolor, are plans of attack for a painting. Many wannabe artists have told me they just don’t have the time to dedicate to sketching. Sadly when they do have the time they want to jump in and start painting. They usually feel disappointed with their artwork because it doesn’t turn out to be what they first imagined.

Pencil sketching is great and I advise that an artist should always have a sketch pad and pencil within arms reach. However, some of my works come from watercolor sketches. I’ve taken to keeping a watercolor pad and simple kit in my car. Sometimes I’ll see something that inspires me and I will pull the car off the road and sketching I will go (very loose and quick).

I’ve learned the hard way that continuous practice and concentrated effort is the only way I can achieve any semblance of expertise in my artwork. Taking classes, listening to lectures and art discussions, or buying books are important, but nothing takes the place of drawing or watercolor sketching.

I try to sketch often, not occasionally. None of my sketches are tight or realistic. They are only meant to help me understand the elements, procedures and composition needed for a finished painting.

R.D.Burton: "Winter Farm" (watercolor on paper) — R.D.Burton: “Winter Farm” (watercolor on paper)

R.D.Burton: (watercolor sketch for finished painting)

Above is a watercolor sketch for the finished painting Winter Farm.

Posted in painting, Pencil sketch, watercolor sketch | Tagged art, art information, painting, pencil sketch, R. D. Burton, sketcing kit, watercolor sketch, Winter Farm | Comments Off

Painting and Drawing With a Rich and Vibrant Medium

If you enjoy working with colors, there is a chance that you will love working with pastels. They are easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about drying times, odors, or toxicity, as you might with other mediums.

Pastel recently experienced a renewed surge in popularity as a painting medium. There are several manufacturers now that make high quality materials.

For more than a century, the velvety strokes of pastel have enchanted artists, from airy strokes and bold swift marks to soft hues and vibrant shapes.

The versatility of pastel makes this medium suitable for a wide range of subjects such as portraits, rich landscapes, colorful floral scenes, and wonderful still life. (Pictured on this page are three James Frederick still life pastel paintings.)

With pastel there are no colors to mix or thinners to use. And because it is a dry medium it makes painting out doors a pure joy.

Pastel allows for a variety of blending and layering techniques that are near impossible with other mediums. They are a fascinating and versatile medium that is a pure pleasure to work with.

Pastel colors can be rich and full of energy and soft and subdued. It is attractive to many artists because of its adaptability–it can be used as both a painting and drawing medium. This becomes especially beneficial to the beginning artist that has mastered graphite and colored pencils.

If you haven’t attempted the use of pastel I encourage you to give it a try. I have gotten very excited about them. That is the reason for this blog. It is a new commitment, art challenge, and direction.

Posted in medium, painting, Pastel | Tagged art, art information, artist, James Frederick, medium, Paintings, Pastel | Comments Off

Learn to do Your Art by Studying Other Artist’s Works (an Example)

As a young person the Regionalist artist, Thomas Hart Benton, had seen the murals in the nations capital and understood the importance of the visual for inspiration and information. When his father was a congressman, the family lived in Washington D. C.

Benton’s quest as an adult artist was to paint the story of the American people, not famous politicians or political events. He once said that he would rather see his paintings hang in saloons where normal people could see them rather than in museums.

On a summer sketching trip in 1926, Benton landed in Borger, Texas, in the panhandle area. Earlier that year oil wildcatters discovered oil. The town was a virtual chaotic boom town which became the inspiration for Benton’s first Regionalist (American Scene) masterpiece, appropriately named: Boomtown.

Benton’s study of the Cubist movement while studying art in Paris influenced his eventual portrayal of Borger. Although the artist took a great many photographs of scenes around the town, the finished painting is not a photographic depiction. The viewpoint from an angle as if seen from a high perch and the angle of the buildings as well as the flatness of composition only work to confirm the cubist influence.

Benton always liked to tell a story in his painting. Although the painting was done with oil on canvas, many of the artist’s later Regionalist depictions told their story with his famous murals. In the painting above a viewer gets a sense of rapid growth. There were looming signs of the oil industry in the background evoking a spirit of excitement and prosperity.

Of course, all artists learn from other artists, great or small. Their influence and style usually will remain as they become their own artist. Below are just a few of the artists that inspired Thomas Hart Benton.

"Viaduct at L'Estique" — Georges Braque: “Viaduct at L’Estique” (1909)

Georges Braque, co-founder of cubism, was an influence not only on Benton, but many other artists no matter what style, movement, or “art ism” they eventually settled upon. However, Benton rejected the modernist’s view of art for art’s sake, and was determined to paint his pictures for a human purpose.

Thomas Hart Benton’s palette was greatly influence by mid-sixteenth century artist, Tintoretto, whom he admired. He felt the colors helped him depict energy and vitality.

Benton molded his human figures in clay and studied their poses, musculature, and shadows to achieve the three-dimensional impact similar to another great artist that influenced him, Michelangelo.

When Regionalism began to wane in popularity by the 1940s, Benton began his wall murals of epic scenes from American scenes. His murals and other artwork were a great inspiration for my brother when he began doing murals. Below is one of Lynn Burton’s murals.

"Mural of Artist Painting a Mural" — Lynn Burton: “Mural of Artist Painting a Mural”

As hard as we try as artists to be original, we still are influenced by artists and movements from the past and present.

As much as we study under other artists and art classes, we still continually study the great artist within us striving for that which we see inside our minds. We must continue in our quest and pass it on to those that are being influenced by ourselves.

Posted in art information, Artist, Thomas Hart Benton | Tagged art, art information, Lynn Burton, Muralists, Regionalst, Thomas Hart Benton | Comments Off

Tips to Captivate the Viewer’s Attention to Your Artwork

Directing your viewers to your center of interest–your focal point–requires an understanding to exactly what makes your viewers eyes move around the painting or drawing and always wind up at the (shall I say) bullseye.

R.D.Burton: segment of painting, "The Red Truck"

This can be done in many ways. For example, in the picture I painted, The Red Truck, I used directional use such as the small limb on the upper left at an angle askew at approximately 45 degrees and leading the eye to the lower right branch continuing downward at the same angle but aiming at the red truck. Also the natural curve of the turn of the road with the icy sheen also directs the eye up the street to the truck. Even the angle of the canopy over the window of the building aims at the truck.

It also can be done using colors and values. In this instance, the greater chroma is in the buildings because they are nearest to the viewer and obviously were not as affected by the weather. However the use of red for the truck will naturally take a viewers eyes off the higher chroma left of the painting and to the only chroma to the right. The actual truck was gray and hardly showed in the cold winter day.

The article I wrote on my blog How to Draw Attention to Your Focal Point on 12/20/2011 goes into much greater detail on how master artist Grant Wood captivated the viewer and made it impossible for them to take their focus away from the focal point. The painting I discussed was American Gothic. I discussed color, value, and directional lines. Besides master artist, Jan Van Eyck, I personally feel Grant’s work was one of the best for capturing the viewer’s attention. It’s a great read, if you haven’t seen it, go to: http://tinyurl.com/bpw6xt7 or simply click on the picture.

Posted in art information, center of interest, focal point | Tagged art, art information, center of interest, focal point, R. D. Burton, The Red Truck | Comments Off

Drawing With Pen and Ink

I’ve always been fascinated by the fresh, crisp, look of a well executed pen and ink drawing. Artist who have the ability to do this type of art have my greatest admiration. The masterful use of crosshatching strokes, dots, vertical or horizontal hatching, continuous line, curved strokes, or a combination of any of these are to be complimented. An artist can feel a great sense of accomplishment when they have mastered this technique.

With a simple kit of supplies–a piece of paper, some ink, and a pen–artists have entertained us by producing enormous amounts of works over the centuries. This was especially true during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries with illustrations in books, magazines and newspapers.

Posted in drawing, Pen and Ink | Tagged art, art information, drawing, ink, pen | Comments Off

5-Painting Techniques That Acrylics Can Mimic

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You may have already discovered, acrylics are different from any other type of paint. This becomes more apparent as we explore the various ways in which acrylics can mimic the many other painting mediums. You can use techniques that are only compatible with acrylics or use them in many other styles. Here are examples of other techniques you can use with acrylics.

(1) Transparent watercolor techniques with acrylic on paper.

(2) Opaque watercolor techniques~wet-in-wet; wet-on-dry; combination.

(3) Gouache

(3) Egg tempera techniques.

(4) Collage

(5) Oil painting techniques~from textural and almost structural to thin and luminously transparent.

Painting: Serinity in the Keys — R. D. Burton: “Serenity in the Keys” (acrylic on canvas) 30X40

I painted “Serenity in the Keys” using acrylics mostly in a smooth blended style creating clean, hard edges and graduated values. As I recall, I painted the sky three different ties before I was satisfied with it.

Posted in acrylic, Paint Medium, painting techniques | Tagged art information, Egg Tempera, gouache, oil, painting medium, painting techniques, water color | Comments Off

Weekly Art Review

Here at Art Center Information, we intend to pass on tips to help artists that are interested, and of course promote my families artwork. We also want to invite other artists to share their work through interviews on our blog.

Once every so often we like to refer you back to a few blog posts that we feel are important. On the blog posted on Tuesday, May 5, we gave you three helpful tips to create illusion and depth in your artwork. We also posted James Frederick’s painting, “The Squirrel Hunter”.

James Frederick: "The Squirrel Hunter" — James Frederick: “The Squirrel Hunter”

We recommended this tip: To create the illusion of depth, intentionally alter what you are seeing to have the viewer focus on the point of interest.

The blog posted is well worth reading in its complete form. Again, you can check this out by clicking on the top or bottom of this page and continue until you get to the blog, or go to:

http://www.artcenterinformation.com/2012/05/tips-to-create-illusion-and-depth-in-your-artwork/

Another blog post we would like to refer you to is the tips for foreshortening. It continues to present an illusion of depth. This was posted on Sunday, May 27th. I discussed how I thought my father, artist, Arlen Burton, insulted a painting I’d done as a teenager. After studying it for a while, he said, “You need to study foreshortening.” I was devastated at the time but thankful later. It’s a read worth looking into with four helpful tips for understanding foreshortening.

R.D.Burton: "Woman In The Field" (watercolor) — R.D.Burton: “Woman In The Field” (watercolor)

I used my watercolor, “Woman in The Field”, to demonstrate that her hat should be tipped more, showing higher. This would make the upper left arm more visible and should show more foreshortening.

If you click on the picture at the right, it will take you to an earlier post clarifying foreshortening.

CLICK HERE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Posted in art information, Illusion and depth | Tagged art, art information, Illusion and depth, James Frederick, R. D. Burton | Comments Off

Art Center Information

Your Online Source For Art Information

The Artist’s Week in Review

Art is my Job~Progressing Art Through Awareness

Painting and Drawing Effects of Perspective

Tips for Sketching With Pencil and Watercolor

Painting and Drawing With a Rich and Vibrant Medium

Learn to do Your Art by Studying Other Artist’s Works (an Example)

Tips to Captivate the Viewer’s Attention to Your Artwork

Drawing With Pen and Ink

5-Painting Techniques That Acrylics Can Mimic

Weekly Art Review

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