Web-Wise Wednesday 9/19/2007

Gawler Ranges, Australia, WIP
colored pencil on drafting film, 12 in x15 in
(see below for more information)
copyright J. Rose Welty

Web-Wise Wednesday - my weekly look at what I use around the web.

Site of the Week: Tutorial Man
This site is a massive collection of free photoshop tutorials. When I say massive, I mean massive. There are tutorials for several versions of Photoshop. Unfortunately, they all seem to be mixed up. But, even one tutorial that I looked at for a very old version of PS, was useful for me with the latest PS Elements.

Tutorial of the Week: Coloring Your Artwork
This tutorial was one of the ones that I found particularly useful in understanding how PS can be used in the art world. I haven't colored a sketch yet, but I do understand now how it could be done.

Gawler Ranges:
So I am continuing my series on the Gawler Ranges. My last piece was the same reference done in acrylics. This piece I will do in CPs. I started again with the grisaille technique. I've done about three hours work so far on this. I plan to do a little more on this, then flip it over and begin the coloring. I haven't done a CP piece this large before, but I just threw caution to the wind and went for it. Come to think of it, I haven't done any piece this large before!

Web-Wise Wednesday 8/29/2007

As I'm still adjusting to my new role as kindergarten teacher to my son, I haven't had much time to dig up nuggets for you. Here's a few quick tips on how I interface with the web.

Pick What Works For You
There is a ton of information out there - much of it repetitive. So to avoid being crushed by it all (i.e. using all your art time surfing the web), you need to decide how you best gather information and let the other options alone. For me, I know WetCanvas! is full of info, but every time I get into a forum, I spend hours reading and come away with very little that I remember sufficiently to use. WC is a good resource for many, and I'm not knocking it, but it just doesn't work for me.

To Read Bookmark
When I find an article on the web that looks interesting, I put it under my "to read" bookmark. That way I don't lose it and I don't spend the time immediately that was supposed to be used for art just because I found something. (I often scan through my Google Reader to get myself out of mommy mode and into art mode. But the danger is that I get sidetracked.) Later, when I've got a few minutes to surf the web, I've got a ready list of things that I know that I am at least a little interested in.

I've carried the lemons into a small CP work, above you see where I've gotten so far.

Web-Wise Wednesday 8/22/2007

Blogging Link of the Week: Good Blog Writing Style
This article is good for a quick scan - to see if you are aiming for the right things in blogging. Of course, each blog is a personal thing and is written in the author's own way, but there is something to be said for understanding your audience.

Art Link of the Week: Wendy Prior on Values
I've been struggling with seeing the values of a color for a while now. Everyone writes that it is obvious, but for lesser minds like mine, well, it just isn't. Wendy has written a great post about teaching yourself to see the value of a color. I've been really excited to try her method out since I first read the post.

Above you see part of my front garden, which I did using Wendy's method. You can see that Wendy helped me to get a good mix of correct and interesting colors. The actual application of the CPs leaves quite a bit to be desired, but getting the colors right is a step in the right direction. Now if I can just stop coloring my drawing and actually draw with color, then we'd be on the right track!

I'm really excited about trying to work this way...I've been focusing on colors for awhile, with little improvement. But, I think if I change my focus to values, I'll be able to to put more form into the things I'm drawing. There is a danger that I will go all wonky with the colors, but sometimes we just have to throw caution to the wind. :-)

As this is my front garden, it's part of the "Gardens in Art" series. Sadly, I'm not getting much research done this month, but today is my first day of working with my son at home, so time on the computer is taking a back seat.

Web-Wise Wednesday 8/15/2007

Sketch for 'Gardens in Art' series
approx 4inx6in in moleskine
More info on the location tomorrow!

Blog Site of the Week: CopyRight Explained
This is one of those "pointer" articles. It gives summaries and then links to places to find out more about copyright. Copyright isn't one of those topics that fascinates everyone, well in fact, it probably fascinates no one. But, it is an important thing to be aware of, so plan to digest this article in small chunks if you don't know what you need to about copyright. (That's what I'm doing, slowly but surely.)

Late Addition Blog Link: Making a Mark: How do I find things to blog about?
Katherine wrote a stellar post yesterday. I'm beginning to think that we share a brain (of course, she got the better half, but I like her, so I'll forgive her :-). Seriously, she has written some great stuff about finding inspiration, the mindset of a blogger, how to organize yourself, etc - in her usual clear as crystal manner. Check it out.

Art Site of the Week: National Museum of American Illustration
I ran into this site during my Parrish/Rockwell month in July. I'm interested in illustrators generally, but actually I think there is something for everyone. In one site it combines several artistic styles (granted they are all illustrators, but each one has distinctive work) and subject matters. Generally, the subjects involve people, but in various time periods, activities, etc. I think what I most like is the clear impression that talent and ability come in many forms and styles. Any one of these is good, and all for different reasons.

Web-Wise Wednesday #1

Today is the launch of a new feature here at Rose's Art Lines. I'm calling it Web-Wise Wednesdays. Essentially the idea is give you a link or two that I find useful on the Web. The links will center around art and blogging.

Blogging Link of the Week: ProBlogger

• What it is: a blog about how to blog well
• Typical Topics: improving your writing, making money from your blog, improving your rankings, increasing traffic, etc.
• My favorite Aspect:the "cheerleading" part. It's upbeat and not scared to encourage you to work hard on your blog.
• Evidence of Its Usefulness: Wed-wise Wednesdays was born out of reading his posts and encouraging trying new things.
• What's Going on There Now: He currently is doing a "31 Days to a Better Blog" project, here. Even as a lurker, it is encouraging and informative.

If you are finding blogging a chore or wish your blog had more zip, check ProBlogger out.

Art Link of the Week: EmptyEasel

• What it is: art resource site
  
• Typical Topics: tutorials, material reviews, spotlights on artists, business advice, website reviews
• My Favorite Aspect: advice and reviews - he saves me alot of time and effort, because he knows alot more than I do.
• Evidence of Its Usefulness: Imagekind - he made me put getting some artwork onto Imagekind a definite "to-do" instead of a "it-would-be-nice-to-do". I was also able to share his stuff with someone more in a position to use it now. Even the great Katherine Tyrrell was influenced by his reviews.)
• What's Going on There Now: He's updating the site and adding great new features. He's doing some artist reviews until he finishes the updates.

If you wish that you had someone to help show you the ropes around the online art business world, check EmptyEasel out.