Art Center Information

Finding Your Artistic Voice

Does your artistic voice constantly nag at you? Do you struggle with your composition as you attempt to make a statement that seems to remain somewhere in front of you and elusive? It often happens to me as I constantly challenge myself to express my artistic voice. Fear not! This is what keeps us growing a artists.

Remember, finding your artistic “voice” is not about finding a certain style you prefer. In time, your style will take care of itself. To find your voice, you need to build your craft with a solid foundation of bricks and mortar, the “bricks” being sound structure, and the “mortar” being sound skills. And, of course, don’t forget about the importance of composition, which is the intimate interconnection that blends all of the parts into an energetic whole.

TIP: Try finding something that fascinates you. Study the colors and shapes that can work within various compositions that can be painted over and over. Work it and rework it using different styles and techniques; keep it simple; make it complicated; make it realistic; make it abstract. Experiment! You may discover the real you and be very pleased.

As time goes by, we grow. As we grow, our artistic “voice” will change. As it changes, it usually changes for the better. This is because we’re chasing the elusive statement we wish to make. This is something with which all serious artist wrestle. Regrettably, experience doesn’t make it easier.

In conclusion, most serious artists wish to be known for the work they do. They do not wish to be remembered as a copier of other works, styles, and techniques popular at the time. They wish to paint giving expression to their inspiration. They do not want their work to be remembered so much because it is so “this” or “that,” but that it has the true strength of their vision.

Be sure to join our newsletter. You may be the winner of our art book give away featuring SPLASH 14. (See upper right.)

Feel free to leave a comment (no spam please).

Posted in Artist, Artistic Voice | Tagged art, art information, artist, Artistic Voice, Richard D. Burton | Comments Off

Tips For Using Reflections In Your Paintings

R. D. Burton Painting: The Red Truck (2012) — R. D. Burton Painting: “The Red Truck”

In Richard Burton’s painting, The Red Truck, the slushy melting snow on the road and the reflections seen in the puddles are the “icing on the cake.”

To add a further dimension to your painting,include any reflections that should be seen in your composition. Tip: When doing this, remember that the angle of the reflected image to the reflected surface will be the same as the object itself. It is important when painting or drawing that you realize that the distance from any point on the image to the reflective surface is the same as the distance from the same point in the reflection to the reflective surface.

Keep in mind, when you are out sketching, there are many things that can create reflective surfaces; such as, water surfaces, windows in buildings, or any shiny surface (example: mirrors, hubcaps, or boat railings, etc.).

Although the segment of The Red Truck painting is a bit blurry because of the enlargement, you can clearly see the inclusion of the reflection of the street light in the window was important to the painting.

There are different types of reflections that must be considered (at least, for the realist artist). One that is very important is caustic reflections. The best way to describe this is to experiment with it. In a morning sun, lay a piece of white paper on a sundeck or patio table. With four clear different shaped glasses fill them a few inches with water. Place them in a row with the sun shining directly through them and study the reflections in the shadows.

*Caustics are the spots, arcs, or wavy bands of light projected onto a surface by means of refraction or reflection from a curved glass or from waves on water. TIP:When painting scenes with water, these caustic reflections of light become important especially when the light reflects off the side of a boat or other solid object.

*Specular reflection: Light rays bounce off of the surface of an object at the same angle as they approach it.

*Diffuse reflection: Light rays bounce in all directions.

Lynn Burton: Segment of "Swan Lake Reflections" Showing hard and soft edges — Lynn Burton: Segment of “Swan Lake Reflections”

In Lynn Burton’s painting Swan Lake Reflections, the realistic painting of the goose is surrounded by an abstract background of seemingly moving colors. The waves the floating fowl makes liven the movement and the reflection on the water.

Be sure to join us by signing up for our newsletter. Your name will be entered into our next give away drawing for a beautiful volume of Splash 14.

Also, check out our art galleries at the top of the page.

There are some great opportunities available for artist at the top of the page, as well. Check them out.

Feel free to make a comment at the bottom of the page (No spam please.).

*Research information from this particular segment of the post was taken from Color and Light: A guide for the Realist Painter by James Gurney. (We highly recommend this book for any professional artist as well as the wannabe artist.)

Posted in art, Artist, painting | Tagged art, artist, Lynn Burton, R. D. Burton, reflections, Richard D. Burton, Swan Lake Reflections, The Red Truck | Comments Off

Art Tip: Color Shapes and Qualities

When a viewer looks at a painting, mostly what they see are color shapes on a two dimensional surface. Fortunately, color comes with three qualities: hues, value, and intensity. Most artists artist desire to represent their subject as a by product, and to do this, they must learn to put each color shape onto the canvas one after the other.

Learning to accurately utilize the three qualities of color is the secret to creating a three dimensional effect. Everyone understands a pure pigment (example: red, yellow, blue, and etc), however, an experienced artists knows the pure pigments are seldom used without considering the complexities that nature creates with light. It changes the value (how light or dark the color is). It changes the intensity (how bright or dull compared to the pure color).

Remember, using different colors side by side may change the overall effect of the colors themselves. One color painted next to its complement will draw one out while pushing the other back. All of this must be taken into account when painting. Understanding this and its intentional use helps to create more of a three dimensional effect in the painting.

The greatest affect on the hue, value, and intensity of color is light. Every painter paints light, because without it, there is nothing to see. However, light is constantly changing. A good experiment for any artist is to go out on different times of the day and paint “light” swatches of different objects. For example, an early morning light on a red barn is different than a midday light or an evening light. In some situations, the red barn is hardly red at all, however the viewer will see a red barn when looking at the painting. This is all an artist could ask for…correct? Experiment, play, and have fun creating.

Be sure to sign up for our ART CENTER INFORMATION NEWSLETTER (upper right hand side of the page). You also have a chance to win a beautiful art book~Splash 14.

Check out the opportunities page and the different galleries listed at top of the page.

Posted in Art Tip, Artist, color, Light, painting, Shapes | Tagged art, art information, Art Tip, artist, color, Lynn Burton, shape | Comments Off

Art Tip: Compositional Choices Using the Flow of Shapes

A picture plane has activity. The compositional choices using the flow of shapes you select to paint is more than likely the most important feature you, as an artist, can create on your painting. It becomes the over riding theme of movement and structure in your work of art.

When looking for something to paint, it’s the natural existence of shapes that presents itself first. However, to create a painting will require arranging and adjusting the shapes to create a coherent flow.

Two artists discussing art and artists — Artist, Lynn Burton (left) discussing art composition with artist, Richard D. Burton

Remember, you are attempting to put the world you are seeing onto a small rectangle, square, or round painting substrate (no matter how large it is). You must learn to transform what you are “seeing” in the world to an engaging composition that works with abstract and realistic shapes interacting with the proportions you have chosen for your canvas. Seeing the shapes, selecting them for your composition, and arranging them in a manner that affects the viewer’s eye movements is a major challenge to any artist.

Lynn Burton: "Untitled" oil on canvass — Lynn Burton: “Untitled” oil on canvass

There are many compositional choices an artist can use to complete the flow throughout their creation. From the “masters” to contemporary artists of the the day, they have become standard and appear over and over again. Each of these are a blog post within themselves, and we will not attempt to discuss them here. However, we do recommend taking time to study the great masters and their creative genius using composition in their paintings. The creation of art composition has been very mathematical when it comes to it’s original creation. We artists of today simply take it as fact.

One of the compositional choices many artists use is the cruciform (cross). It’s one of my brother’s (Lynn Burton) favorite choice for his many compositions. It’s a method that utilizes both horizontals and verticals. It’s very good for landscapes because one can see the way it engages all sides of a picture frame.

Be sure to join our newsletter if you haven’t already. We are giving away a copy of SPLASH14 to one lucky someone that enrolls. (See upper-right of page.)

Posted in art, Art Tips, Artist, Compoitional Choices, Composition, painting, Shapes | Tagged art, art information, Art Tip, artist, composition, compositional choices, Flow, Lynn Burton, painting, shapes | Comments Off

Tips For The Wannabe Muralist

As an artist, you may desire to become a muralist. It’s very significant for a beginner to understand that they must have the ability to create a three-dimensional illusion onto a two-dimensional surface, and this depends on draftsmanship. This takes practice and experience. Many wannabe muralist may find painting easier than drawing or vice versa. With practice and experience comes improvement.

Tip: Make a black and white drawing on 8-1/2”X11-1/2” paper which can easily be transferred to a large wall by a projector or a grid method of free drawing.

Just because an artist has the talent to be a good muralist does not mean they have the business and sales experience or ability to become a successful muralist. First, they have to sell the job. They should never do a mural job without a written contract. A good rule to understand is that they probably are bidding a job against competition. There are many good muralists out there. A muralist does not want to find out after the fact that they underbid the job. Being a muralist is a business. The muralist should be paid properly for their talent and effort. There are many factors to consider.

Decide on an hourly rate.
Determine how long it will take to do the mural. (Only experience will answer this.)
The cost of materials.
Determine the square foot of the mural.

All above numbered items are important. You may wish to bid on a job based on an hourly rate or a square foot rate. Be sure to add the cost of material to either your total hourly rate, or your total square foot area.

Lynn Burton: Study for Mural (oil on board)

Materials needed:
Plastic sheeting
Masking film
Scaffolding and ladders
Drop cloth
Rags
Garbage bags
Tape
Paper
Spackle
Sanding block
Spackling knives
Paint roller
Paint
Level
Buckets
Palette trays
Light
Projector
Lights
Foam knee pads
Brushes
Pencils
Markers
Anything else needed to complete the individual job.

Many of the supplies may be used over and over but a cost factor should be figured in to each bid.

And after all of this, one must still bid the job to get the job. They must also be able to complete the job to the satisfaction of their customer. And most important, they must make a profit that is satisfactory.

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

Posted in art, Artist, Muralists, murals | Tagged art, art information, Lynn Burton, Mural, Muralist | Comments Off

What is Realism in Art?

"Old Woodie" — Richard D. Burton: “Old Woodie” Acrylic on board 24X36

This post does not attempt to define the term realism in art because the writer of this post does not seem to be able to come up with a real definition. One would have to search the period of paintings and determine the definition of realism used at the time. Then they would have to clarify the different styles and movements, and this would be an all consuming and challenging task.

During different periods of art movements artists have fallen victim to labeling by using such terms as contemporary realists, classical realists, new, figurative, and on and on to an infinite amount of words defining why a certain form of realism was anything other than any form of realism imagined. Take for example, the New Realists of the mid-twentieth century could only belong to their elite club if they used Abstract Expressionist elements to their form of realism. One might ask: What part of Abstract Expressionism is realistic? In other words, one might state that the work of the New Realists did not paint realistic.

Although, “Realism” means something different to various people, many viewers tend to know what they feel realism means no matter the labels art movements might place upon it. A realistic artist tends to paint the world as it exists and aims for a true representation of their subjects.

We welcome you to register to receive our Art Center Information Newsletter. You will be entered into a drawing for a beautiful art book when you do. Upper right corner of post.

Also check out some of the great opportunities for artist art books found at the top.

Please visit our galleries of art at top.

Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

Posted in art, Realism, Realist, realistic painting | Tagged art, art information, artist, Lynn Burton, painting, Realism, Realistic Art, Richard D. Burton | Comments Off

Art Tips: Creating the Focal Point

Lynn Burton: Bridge Over Autumn - oil on canvas — Lynn Burton: Bridge Over Autumn – oil on canvas

It is important for an artist to create a composition that influences the viewer to look at a certain area or image. This area is often called the focal point. When you think about it, properly viewing a good painting is almost like taking a walk into wonderland. It’s a journey, where the viewer finds themselves attracted to a certain area, and then glances all around until ultimately coming back to the focal point. A good artist will plan the journey for the viewer with artistic “weapons” within their arsenal.

I use the word “weapons” to emphasize a point. Admit it, sometimes to put together a really good composition can be described as war. No one will die because of your painting, and few will faint because it is so fabulous. However, the hard work and talent expended will feel stressful, even if it is exciting.

While planning this important area of emphasis, keep these thoughts in mind. (A) Value contrast will always draw the attention of your viewer. (B) Strong contrast with colors, and the proper uses with complements directs the viewer’s eye. (C) Unique uses of shapes and patterns can captivate a viewer. (D) Use smaller brushstrokes and have more of a touch of realism in the focal point of interest. It will always draw attention.

Don’t be afraid to be different. To create an interesting painting, it will take as much planning as it does to have all the art talent in the world. There is an untold amount of talent in the world. There is a much smaller percentage of those that have a plan; call it a plan of attack.

Posted in Art Tips, focal point, painting | Tagged art, art information, artist, focal point, Lynn Burton, painting | Comments Off

Art Tip of The Day: Create and Utilize Harmonious Grays

The viewer of a piece of art work needs a place to rest their eye’s, especially if their are too many overwhelming vibrant colors. Many master artists are aware of this and plan, create and utilize harmonious grays within their paintings. A good example of this is in the thumbnail painting to the left by Paul Cezanne, who was a master at working his neutral grays into his paintings. He also used his grays to make surrounding colors even more vibrant in comparison.

Tip: An artist can create their own grays utilizing colors in the painting by mixing two complementary colors together, as well as combining all three of the primary colors. It is possible to control temperature and values of the grays by adjusting the ratio of the colors selected. Rather than mixing the colors, unique grays (with some mediums) can be created by layering colors one over the other. Using the old cliche, practice makes perfect, works especially well in creating grays. An artist needs to experiment, experiment, experiment.

Remember, just as complements side by side in a painting will intensify each other, mixing complementing colors will make their complement disappear. In the disappearing stage of the mixing experiment, an artist can take the neutral grays produced and keep them for the painting by creating values and temperatures. Also, depending on the hues of the main colors and amount of the mix, many interesting colors can be produced; such as, in the painting to the right by artist, Lynn Burton.

My advise is do your palette mixing in advance when creating neutral and harmonious grays. Mix your warm and cool grays, and with varying values. It will become much simpler with the grays already mixed when needed to tone down hues and chroma. Once created, the grays then can mix with white or black to create a value scale. Add a warm color to it and the neutral gray will become warm. Add a cool color to it and it will become cool.

Be sure to sign up for the Art Center Information newsletter at the upper right of the post. Enter the drawing for the fabulous Splash book.

Comments are welcome at the bottom of the post.

Posted in art center information, complementary colors, harmonios Greys, neutral grays, Uncategorized | Tagged art center information, art information, artist, harmonious grays, Lynn Burton, Neutral grays, painting | Comments Off

An Artist’s Tale: A Little Love, A Painting, And An Art Thief

Part 1: A Little Love~ It was in July of 1982, and my new bride and I were moving her and her two children to my apartment in St. Louis. We’d been married the week before. We were traveling from Ohio, and the drive was a seven hour trip from having spent the day cramming all of our belongings in a U-Haul truck and a car we were hauling behind it. My new stepson was driving the U-Haul with my two stepdaughters as passengers. I drove my new bride in my car following the U-Haul. We were one big tired family before we took off for our journey around seven 0’ckock in the evening.

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

Part 2: A Painting~ At the time, I’d been making several art sketches and painting some watercolors of an old farm in Ohio. Of all the paintings that my new bride really liked the best was a close up porch scene of the painting displayed at the right. If you have been following my blogs, you probably have seen several different scenes painted at the farm. However, the best composition of the farm was the one my new bride fell in love with. It was packed on the back seat in the chase car I was driving on our way to our new nest.

We could never in our wildest imagination believe that an art thief would steal the painting before we could ever hang it on the wall of our home.

Part 3: An Art Thief~That’s right! The painting never made it to the apartment. Was it a professional art thief that took the painting? or just a thief? or just a thief with good taste? We’ll never know, but the painting was stolen. Somewhere out there in the big world hangs my masterpiece.

An hour before we arrived at our destination a slight whirring sound began coming from the right back side of my car. It sounded as if a bearing going bad, and I knew there was a possibility the wheel could fall off, so I signaled for my stepson to pull off of the road. It was near midnight at the time. We were nowhere near a garage to drop the damaged car off, so I decided to exchange it for the car being hauled.

Because the car was a front wheel drive, we had to attach it with the front end up and the back wheels rolling. We still feared it might lose a wheel, but we decided to take the chance. As things often do, however, luck didn’t go our way. Sure enough, an hour later, as we were arriving at the East St. Louis Bridge crossing over the Mississippi River, the wheel flew off, barely missing us by bouncing and flying over our car. Fire sparks splattered on the highway pavement like a giant Fourth of July sparkler.

By now, it was almost 1:00 in the morning. We were all tired and miserable. The car had to be released from the hauler, since it could no longer be hauled. When we exchanged the cars earlier, we packed the damaged car with the belongings packed in the car we now drove. It was mostly nonsense things with little value. We decided it would not matter if someone broke in and stole everything in the car, forgetting that my bride’s favorite painting was laying face down beneath a pile of old clothes in the back seat. We decided to leave the car and take the girls to the apartment.

It was only a couple of hours before we arrived back where we had left the damaged automobile. However, just as suspected, the car had been broken into. The only things missing was the car’s battery and my painting. Nothing else was touched. I have a feeling the thief took a step up in thiefdom that day, becoming a genuine, bona fide, art thief.

Posted in art thief, artist's tale, painting, Uncategorized | Tagged art, art thief, artist, artist's tale, painting | Comments Off

Who is The Greatest Art Critic of All?

Grand-daughter, Olivia: Olivia's Lion — Grand-daughter, Olivia: Olivia’s Lion

It’s normal for an artist to like their own art work. However, this makes you an art critic. So, who is the greatest art critic of all? It is you, the artist.

Knowing how to properly judge your work is as important as knowing how to draw or paint. It is up to you to find all the errors in your art work and fix them (if possible). Do not allow flattery make you smug, but forever challenge yourself to be the next you. Constantly be positive and confident, never allowing anyone’s comments destroy your passion to be a good artist.

Here is a suggestion for artists: compare your latest painting alongside previous ones and rate them together. Are you improving by directing the viewer to the focal point of interest? How do the tone and color compare? Is the balance and composition working? Be fair, but be critical. If your latest painting competed well against the previous paintings, then congratulations. You are improving, and you are doing so by being as good an art critic as you are an artist. Remember, you are an active artist in a perpetual state of growth.

Be sure to enter at the upper right for the informative Art Center Information newsletter and take a chance to win a beautiful art coffee table book.

Check out great opportunities at the top, and visit the different art galleries.

Ever thought about copyrighting your artwork? The sight to the right is a good informative e-book.

Posted in art, ART COFFEE TABLE BOOK, Art critic, Artist | Tagged art, art coffee table book, Art critic, art information, artist | Comments Off