Understanding Linear Perspective

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We live in a 3D world. Everything around us has the breadth and depth of three-dimensional objects. Our artwork? Not so much. Drawings and paintings are done on a two-dimensional surface, but in order to make them realistic, we must make them appear as three-dimensional. Thankfully, there is one way we can accomplish this: linear perspective.

What is linear perspective?Understanding Linear Perspective

Linear perspective is a drawing technique that gives the illusion of depth. In other words, it tricks the eye into believing that the picture in front of it is actually 3D, not 2D. Objects that are farther away from us appear smaller, so we draw them smaller to create that illusion of space and distance. As those objects meet the horizon line, they disappear into one (or more) points called the vanishing point.

Types of linear perspective

There is more than one way to create depth with linear perspective. In fact, there are three ways: one-point perspective, two-point perspective, and three-point perspective.

One-point perspective

One-point perspective has only one vanishing point along the horizon line. Imagine a picture of a road stretching straight out into the distance. This is one-point perspective.

Two-point perspective

Also known as three-quarter perspective or angular perspective, two-point perspective has two vanishing points along the horizon line. The vanishing points are typically on either side of a canvas, and they’re used to convey such things as two corners of a building on a street.

Three-point perspective

Three-point perspective, or multi-point perspective, has three vanishing points along the horizon line. This type of perspective is good if you want it to appear like you’re staring up at an object. To accomplish this, you would place two vanishing points on each far end of the horizon line and then a third point above them.

Linear perspective is the building block of artwork, but it can be confusing for someone who has never been introduced to the concept before. At Creative Ventures Gallery, our beginner drawing classes can teach you the basics of linear perspective and more so that you can reach new creative heights. Give us a call today at 603-672-2500 to learn more.

Graphite vs. Charcoal Pencils: What’s Best for You?

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An artist has many tools, but you have to use the right ones in order to properly translate what’s in your head onto paper. Graphite and charcoal are the two most widely used materials for drawing, and while both are carbon-based, their functions fundamentally differ. Here we go through everything you need to know about graphite and charcoal so that you know which is best for your next project:

GraphiteGraphite vs. Charcoal Pencils: What's Best for You?

Despite being called “lead,” graphite is what the majority of modern writing pencils are made out of. It comes in a range of consistencies, starting from 9H all the way to 9B (with 9H being the hardest and the lightest, and 9B being the softest and the darkest). Graphite is great for sketching, but it works better on smooth paper (the type you would use for smaller drawings or quick sketches). It’s also easy to blend thanks to its softer nature.

Charcoal

Graphite is made for small, quick sketches, but if you have a large project, then you’ll want to use charcoal. Charcoal has a wide range of values and consistencies; this range allows you to capture every possible shade necessary for your project. However, it is messy, and if you’re not careful, you could smudge parts of your drawing. It’s also difficult to capture minute details, as charcoal is better for a “big-picture” (literally) type of scenario.

Once you have the right pencils for your project, all that’s left is to start drawing. However, if you’re new to drawing, this could be a big step to take. At Creative Ventures Gallery, our drawing classes can teach you everything you need to know about graphite, charcoal, and the drawing medium in general. Contact us today to learn more.

The Basics of Color Theory

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From painters to graphic designers, all sorts of creators use color theory for their work. It’s how we determine how colors match, blend, and complement one another. The entire field of color theory could fill several books, but it’s always best to start with the basics in order to truly understand the concept.

The Color WheelThe Basics of Color Theory

Chances are that you learned at least a bit about the color wheel while you were attending art classes in elementary and middle school. First created by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, the color wheel has gone through several variations but nevertheless accomplishes the same goal—informing us how colors relate to one another.

The Types of Color

The color wheel is a representation of the three main types of color—primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary colors

Red, yellow, and blue. These are the basis of which all other colors are derived. As such, they cannot be created by any combination of other colors.

Secondary colors

Green, orange, and purple. These colors are formed by mixing primary colors.

Tertiary colors

Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green. These are formed by mixing primary colors with secondary colors.

Color Harmony

The color wheel can also help is determine how colors harmonize with one another to create a color scheme. There are many color schemes that can be created, but these are the basic ones:

Analogous

Analogous colors are three colors that are side by side on a color wheel.

Complementary

Complementary colors are two colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green.

Triadic

A triadic color scheme is formed by three colors that are equidistant (of equal distance) from one another on the color wheel.

Tetradic

Tetradic is similar to triadic, except it includes four colors that are equidistant from one another rather than just three.

While this blog post covers the basics of color theory, there is certainly much more to learn. At Creative Ventures Gallery, we offer color theory workshops where you can learn everything there is to know about color theory. Give us a call today at 603-672-2500 to learn more.

Oil Painting vs. Acrylic Painting

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When people are first learning how to paint, they’re often given a single medium for them to practice with first. Both oil and acrylic are often recommended to beginners due to their ease of mastery. However, which one you choose will depend a lot on what you’re trying to achieve and your own personal preferences. To make your decision easier, read on to find out the major differences between oil painting and acrylic painting.

Oil PaintingOil Painting vs. Acrylic Painting

Oil paints are made up of pigments and oil. As a result, oil can stay wet for much longer than acrylic. This gives you a lot of flexibility in what you’re painting, allowing you to cover up mistakes or change a particular section with ease. This also leads to a beautiful blending of color on the canvas that can help you create more subtle transitions in your painting. Keep in mind, though, that while it may be easier to blend colors, it will be harder to create clear, crisp edges and delineations.

Acrylic Painting

Acrylic paints are made up of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion. As opposed to oil paints, acrylic dries quickly, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your preference. If you don’t want to wait around for your painting to dry, then a fast-drying paint is what you’re looking for. However, this also means that it’s more difficult to blend your colors and achieve soft edges. Nevertheless, if you’re opting for clear, crisp lines and edges, then a fast-drying paint can help you achieve this with colors that won’t fade over time.

No matter which medium you choose, when you’re first learning to paint, it’s best to learn from someone who knows what they’re doing. Here at Creative Ventures Gallery, we offer both oil and acrylic painting classes. Sign up today or give us a call for more information.

Can Adults Learn to Draw?

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YES. Adults can learn to draw. That’s the short answer, of course, but the longer answer is a bit more complicated. Yes, adults can learn to draw, but they have to deal with a lot of obstacles in order to do so—obstacles that are often of their own creation. The fact of the matter is that we have many beliefs that make us think that there’s an age limit on picking up a new skill, but this is simply not the case. You can learn to draw just like anyone else, but first you have to put aside these myths making you believe the opposite.

“Kids learn better than adults”Can Adults Learn to Draw?

There is some truth to this. In general, kids learn faster than adults, but just because they learn faster doesn’t mean they learn better. Adults, unlike kids, have discipline, patience, and resources in order to stay committed their goals. This gives them a very big advantage when learning a new skill. Yes, it may take you a bit longer than the kid next door, but you have the qualities to keep at it and become just as good as them in time.

Talent vs. Skill

You can learn a skill just as anyone, but many people get caught up in this idea of “talent” so much that they give up before they’ve even begun. Don’t. When people refer to “talent,” they mean certain people have an innate ability at a specific skill; it was something that they were born to do. While some people may pick up things quicker than others, how much “talent” you have is not a determinant in the quality of your work. No one is born drawing just like Leonardo da Vinci; they have to learn the basics of a skill just as you, and what will really determine the quality of your work is how much effort you put into it.

Put aside your insecurity

Another thing that sets adults apart from kids is that adults often care much more about what other people think than kids do. We’re constantly comparing our work to that of others, and we’re always afraid that someone is going to criticize our artwork. However, this will happen no matter what level of an artist you art. So, put aside your insecurities, ignore that negative voice in your head, and keep drawing. Your work will get better in time.

Anyone at any age can learn to draw, but even we admit that picking up a new skill can be a daunting task. Sometimes it’s comforting to have a helping hand throughout the process, so consider signing up for beginner’s drawing class to get you started. At Creative Ventures Gallery, our beginner’s drawing class is specifically geared towards adults to help them acquire a love of art. Sign up today or contact us for more information.

What is Plein Air Painting?

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Have you ever painted outdoors? Then you’ve practiced plein air painting. It’s full name, en plein air, means “in the open air,” and it’s essentially the act of painting while outside (or, in the open air). Read on to find out more:

The history of en plein airWhat is Plein Air Painting

People have been painting outside for generations. In fact, some of the very first paintings were painted outside. However, the term en plein air wasn’t coined until the 1800s when painting outdoors became truly popular. This is due to a lot of reasons, the main ones being an expanding middle class, and the increasing relevance of particular art movements such as the Barbizon school, the Hudson River School, and the Impressionists. Additionally, with the invention of metal paint tubes in the mid-19th century, painting materials were cheaper and easier to acquire than they were in years past, making painting a much more accessible hobby to more and more people.

Notable plein air painters

Many famous painters throughout history are considered plein air painters. Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pierre-August Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and more all practiced en plein air. The Impressionists, the Barbizon school, and the Hudson River School were also highly involved in plein air painting because they believed in emphasizing natural light in their paintings.

Plein air painting in the modern day

Plein air painting is experiencing a bit of a renaissance in the modern day. Increasingly, artists of all levels are getting together for excursions and/or workshops dedicated to the craft. From cities to farms, buildings to landscapes, modern plein air painters are realizing how enjoyable it is to sit and capture the outside world.

If you’re interested in experiencing the joys of painting outdoors, then be sure to check out the plein air workshops available at Creative Ventures Gallery. Have further questions about plein air painting? Then give us a call at 603-672-2500.

Watercolor Painting Tips for Beginners

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Watercolor painting can seem like daunting work, especially for beginners. While playful, watercolors can also be hard to control and unforgivable with mistakes, two things that don’t mix well with beginners. However, there are ways to master this tricky medium.

In the past, we’ve taught you some acrylic painting tips. So now, here are some watercolor painting tips to get you started on improving your artwork.

Use the right materialsWatercolor Painting Tips for Beginners

Using the right materials will go a long way in improving your watercolor artwork. For instance, you should be using only watercolor paper, as this paper is made specifically for watercolors so that it absorbs moisture in the right ways. You should also focus on your brushes. You don’t need a huge assortment, but you should have some of the basics—a small, medium, and large round brush, a mop brush, and a flat brush.

Paint light colors first, then dark

Because watercolors are unforgiving to mistakes, you’ll want to work backwards. That is, you should paint your light colors first, and then your dark. This is because dark colors are harder to correct than light. Another reason is because due to the transparency of watercolors, light colors won’t show when painted over dark colors.

Don’t add too much water, or too little

Yes, these are watercolors, but that doesn’t mean your paint should be overloaded with water. You also don’t want to deprive your paints of color. What you want is a happy medium of water and paint. There’s no clear-cut way to doing this, as you’ll want different ratios of water and paint for each color, so the best way is through experimentation. Keep some scrap paper around and then, after mixing the water and paint, test out the color before adding it to your canvas.

Use the side of your brush

Due to the abrasiveness of watercolor paper, constantly using the tip of your brush could ruin your brush over time. So, in order to better preserve your brushes, paint with the side of your brush instead of the tip.

Mastering watercolors can be difficult, especially if you’re working on your own. If you find you’re practicing these tips, but still not finding results, then it may be time to sign up for a watercolor painting class. At Creative Ventures Gallery, we offer several watercolor painting classes. Sign up today or give us a call at 603-672-2500 for more information.

How to Find Artistic Inspiration

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Writers have to overcome writer’s block; artists, on the other hand, have to deal with artist’s block. It’s essentially the same thing, but instead of struggling to put words on a page, artists struggle to put paint onto the canvas. It happens to everybody, even the most seasoned artists, but thankfully there are ways to find some inspiration once again:

Go for a walkHow to Find Artistic Inspiration

Staring at a blank canvas isn’t going to help you create anything. In fact, it’s better just to get up and get away from the canvas for a little while. Getting some fresh air outside is a great way to take a break and find some inspiration. Listen to some music, a podcast, or simply let your mind wander as you take in the scenery.

Start doodling

When you’re all out of artistic inspiration, one of the best ways to get back into the swing of things is to pull out a pencil and some paper and start doodling. It doesn’t have to be anything particular, it can even be just some stick figures if that’s all you can muster, but as you doodle, your mind will wander and explore new opportunities for your creative projects.

Try a new art technique

You may be lacking inspiration because you’ve been doing the same thing for too long. Try to spice it up a little bit by working with new techniques or ideas. For example, if you’ve only worked in acrylic, take a swing at pastels and see where that takes you.

Just do it

When all else fails, just create. It doesn’t have to be good but putting something down onto the canvas will help get you out of the rut. Plus, in many cases, a lack of inspiration stems from a lack of self-confidence, so by putting your self-criticism away and allowing yourself to paint anything, even if it’s terrible, you will be free to create whatever you can.

Take an art class

If you’re still feeling uninspired, a great way to spark your creativity is to take an art class. This will not only teach you new techniques to try, but it will also provide you with a group of like-minded individuals who can help you get out of this rut. So if you’re in the Milford, New Hampshire area, contact Creative Ventures Gallery or look through our available classes and workshops to see how we can help you find your artistic inspiration.

Acrylic Painting Tips for Beginners

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If you’re just stepping into the world of painting, acrylic painting is a great place to start. Thanks to its versatility, you can paint on practically any surface (as long as it doesn’t contain wax or oil), and thanks to its forgiving nature, it’s easy to cover up any mistakes. However, like with all forms of art, there are some tricks to mastering the craft.

Use synthetic brushesAcrylic Painting Tips for Beginners

There are, of course, plenty of other options to choose from when it comes to acrylic, but synthetic materials such as nylon are really the best choice. There are also different sizes, textures, and flexibilities, but these choices will all depend on what and how you’re painting. For example, grab a stiff synthetic brush if you’re working with thick paint, and a soft brush if you’re working with thinner paint.

Keep the paint wet

As a beginner, you’ll likely work slower than a more experienced painter. If you’re not careful, then, you could be working on a specific area only to realize that the paint you’re using has dried out. There are two ways to avoid this. The first is to work on larger areas/shapes first, and to work on them quickly with a large brush. The second is to have a plant mister on hand to spray the paint on your palette (yes, you should be using a palette) to keep them wet.

Take care of your brushes

If you’re not using a specific brush, place it in water so the paint doesn’t dry in them. Once you’re done painting for the day, you should clean your brushes right away. You can use regular soap and water, just be sure to get to the base of the bristles and then rinse and dry them well. Then lie them flat to dry, checking to make sure that you’ve cleaned out every bit of paint you can find.

If you’re still a bit lost on how to paint with acrylics, then the best way to get started is to take an acrylic painting class. At Creative Venture Gallery, we offer several acrylic painting classes for all levels. We even have one that’s dedicated to beginner acrylic painters, so sign up today to get started!

Why Your Child Should Attend Summer Art Camp

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When summer rolls around, you want to make sure that your child doesn’t spend it just sitting on the coach playing video games. Instead, enroll them in a summer art camp where they can learn all sorts of skills and meet all sorts of people. Here are a few reasons why they should sign up:

It’s great for beginnersWhy Your Child Should Attend Summer Art Camp

If your child has been interested in art, summer art camp is a great place to start. They’ll be learning from some of the best teachers around, with all of the tools and materials they need at their fingertips.

Art inspires creativity

Putting a pencil or paint brush in your child’s hand can lead to all sorts of benefits. Art inspires creativity, and that creativity will not only lead to beautiful works of art, but greater empathy, social skills, and problem-solving skills. It can even help our mental health, no matter your age.

There’s something for everyone

Summer art camp is not a one-size-fits-all camp; there are plenty of different forms of art for your child to practice. Maybe they love painting nature scenes, or maybe they enjoy scribbling with colored markers; either way, there are certainly lots of options for them to choose from.

Meet new friends

One of the best things about any kind of summer camp is the ability for your child to meet new people and make new friends. With like-minded, art-loving people all around, your child is bound to form long-lasting friendships.

If you’re in the Milford, New Hampshire area and looking for a summer art camp for your child, then take a look at Creative Ventures Gallery’s Summer Art Camps. We offer two camps—Art Inspirations and Painting and Drawing from Nature—which we’re sure will spur on your child’s creative streak.