Opus Artz - space painting e-book

Opus Artz - space and environment specialist Dr. CM Wong's mammoth 161 page e-book is now available on release at the good folks at CGsociety store and 3DTotal.

Here is what they had to say:

3D Total: Space Painting - Tutorial eBook

This mammoth 161 page eBook is an extremely detailed exploration
of the techniques and design approaches behind creating epic and lavish digital artwork relating to the theme of Space and Science Fiction.The series is divided into three main categories; Planets & Starfields, Transport and Environments and spans across 12 in depth chapters in total. The tutorials on offer cover a multitude of techniques and useful tips and tricks to painting all aspects of space and deals with the tools in Photoshop used to create such effects.

The author covers a multitude of the aesthetic considerations behind producing the wide array of both digital and traditional artwork alike,
as well as much of the scientific theory relevant to the design process ensuring a measured and realistic approach to the subject matter.

We look at traditional sketching techniques common to many design studios and how these practices work hand in hand with digital methods and all along ensuring a practical approach to solving the artistic issues, producing both plausible and yet imaginative concepts.

Bioshock 2 illustrators Opus Artz join Tiga

Opus Artz Joins TIGA - press release



Bioshock2 Illustrators Join TIGA

Extract:

Versatile British art studio wants to raise the profile of 'games as art'

London-based art outsourcing group Opus Artz – which has recently produced concept art for Bioshock 2 – is the latest company to join games industry group Tiga.
The firm has international clients based in the film, game and publishing industries, with services ranging from key art to industrial design and concept art.
As well as providing its services for Bioshock 2, the group is also playing a part in Southpeak Interactive’s Edge of Twilight project.
The company’s founder, Dr Chee Ming Wong, said the group wanted to join Tiga to “raise the profile of video games as the 8th art”, and at the same time linked that concept to a speech made by Denis Dyack.

Choosing the Best Family Portrait

Parents often want to capture a moment where every member of the family is present. A family portrait has a potential to become an heirloom that can last through the next generations. While you may benefit from this, you also can have something for your children and their children after that. Whatever the occasion may be, you know that you have to get the right photographer. This is not just an everyday event. Usually, members of the family dress up for that one shot. When you accomplish getting the photo that you want, you can tell stories that happened during that day.

This is an investment that will be very much worth the effort. After all, you will create something that can become extremely valuable. People like to know about their roots, and while they may have stories to back them up, it is always nice to put a face on every character. That is why choosing the perfect professional is of utmost importance. A right photographer knows what to look for, what to shoot, and the atmosphere to create.

Because talents are unique, each photographer will have their own strengths to boast of. You can look through their styles and see which one matches your personality. In a way it is a marriage between the one taking the picture and the one smiling in front of the camera. Group shots are tricky, especially when little children are involved. Ask them what they can do to make everything possible and make sure that you have more than one shot to choose from.

Quality is what you need to look for, and while you need to invest more, you get pictures that stand the test of time. Ask for their session fees and see what you get for the price that you pay. Everyone should be happy with the results in the end.

Author: John Paul Grant

About the Author:

John Paul Grant is a web professional and a photography enthusiast. He believes that in taking great pictures, you are able to capture life’s beautiful moments.

Art & Entertainment

Choosing the Best Family Portrait

Parents often want to capture a moment where every member of the family is present. A family portrait has a potential to become an heirloom that can last through the next generations. ..... Author: John Paul Grant

The Importance of Good Photo Frame Design

For someone who collects photographic art, the photo frame design is often just as important as the selection and installation of the photos themselves. It is crucial that photography collectors choose frames that are pleasing to the eye so they can showcase their artwork as best as possible and enhance its aesthetic statement with a complimentary frame design. Fallbrook art collectors have many resources at their fingertips when they go to frame and install their photographs and other pieces of art. Author: groshan fabiola

5 Tips For Choosing The Right Motivational Posters For The Office

As with choosing any art piece whether it is a print, original painting, sculpture, photograph or collectable, you can make or break a room choosing incorrectly. You can make quite a statement with the correct art piece! It can communicate on many different levels. Author: wbdoyle

Famous Paintings an Immortal Glory of Art

For everyone the definition of painting differs. For some it is the art of expression for others it’s a source of breakthrough or entertainment. The art of painting sustained through several civilization and cultures. Paintings have been a source of liberalization, livelihood, exploration, expressionism and hobby. Though the ages we have seen the evolution in painting from cave painting, cubism to modern art. ..... Author: amberiandreuje

5 Tips For Choosing The Right Motivational Posters For The Office

As with choosing any art piece whether it is a print, original painting, sculpture, photograph or collectable, you can make or break a room choosing incorrectly.

You can make quite a statement with the correct art piece! It can communicate on many different levels.

Have you ever walked into an office for the very first time and while waiting, find yourself looking around, examining everything in the room? You can get a real good feel for the people there and get a sense of what they are all about.

From your own experiences and observations you’ve probably seen people with very good taste and then again, people who do not seem to have a clue about design or even worse yet, people who don’t care a hoot about aesthetics at all!

But if you are reading this article, then I’m sure you are not one of those people in the last category! Thank Goodness! We need all the aesthetics we can get on this sometimes seemingly wacky place we live!

Tip # 1

And probably the most important, if you don’t absolutely love it, don’t buy it!

Tip # 2

If you are making the art piece the focal point of the room, build around it. All the office furniture and accessories should compliment the print.

Tip # 3

Don’t overpower the poster with too much color on the walls or furniture unless it is a very dramatic print that can carry it well! It will just disappear into the background.

Tip # 4

What is it that you want to convey to your employees, leadership, initiative, teamwork, success, confidence, determination? It’s important to get across the right message. A captivating print with an inspirational quote can be a powerful tool that can help motivate staff and impress clients who come to your place of business.

Tip # 5

Choosing the right frame can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of the motivational posters you choose. You want people to see the prints and get your message across so choose carefully.

If a motivational poster or print moves you and you feel it will motivate other who see it, then you have a winner!!!

Enjoy the research of finding what is right for your office!

Author: wbdoyle

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1103834_24.html

Retired US Navy. Married 20+ years. Home Inchon, Korea. Work Seoul, Korea.

http://www.wbdoyle.com/blog/

The Importance of Good Photo Frame Design

For someone who collects photographic art, the photo frame design is often just as important as the selection and installation of the photos themselves. It is crucial that photography collectors choose frames that are pleasing to the eye so they can showcase their artwork as best as possible and enhance its aesthetic statement with a complimentary frame design. Fallbrook art collectors have many resources at their fingertips when they go to frame and install their photographs and other pieces of art. Southern California art consultants offer a wide variety of design resources and framing options, whether you purchase art through them or bring in photographs from other sources to have them framed.

There are many factors to consider when you invest in frame services for a piece of photographic art. The appearance of the photo frame design is obviously important, but it is also crucial to choose a frame that will protect the photo print material and increase its lifespan for years to come. A beautiful piece of photographic art can sustain unsightly damage over time when left unprotected, and it will eventually become an eyesore in the home. So when looking at frame design, Fallbrook art collectors must also consider how well the frame protects the art from damage.

If you simply display a piece of photographic art without investing in frame services to protect and display it, the photo could start to show damage in as little as a few weeks as it tears along the corners or edges. Fading or discoloring can cause damage to an unprotected art print too, as it is exposed to direct sunlight and other elements. Dust and moisture in the air will also cause a great deal of damage to the print over time. Luckily, there are Southern California art consultants that can frame your print and protect it from all this wear and tear.

Make sure the frame shop provides acid free backings, mats and mounting materials that will not cause damage to your art piece, and look for a UV filtering glass to protect from ultraviolet light. When hanging the print make sure to use proper mounting materials and never put it where direct sunlight will hit it every day. This way you’ll have the piece of art for many years to come.

Author: groshan fabiola

For more resources regarding Camp Pendleton Frame Design or even about Temecula Frame Design and especially about Frame Design Murrieta please review these pages.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1119736_15.html

Finding the Target Clients for Your Art Gallery

Different Ways to Market Your Art

If you own an art gallery and your are just about to start with promotions, one way to directly get your art pieces out to the public is by using your products as your main marketing tools. Along with your promotional strategies, using the right printed materials that go along with art-related concepts add to the success of your start-up.

For most, art pieces are good purchases if your products appeal to their taste and need. Although, art pieces that are launched for the first time need an extra amount of effort to promote and to capture an audience.

1. Gallery Launch: One effective way to build your clientele is to bring your prospects to the gallery. Just before you launch your art pieces, you can

print posters for your promotions with concepts derived from the items you will be displaying.

2. Print Portfolio: Just like a photographer or graphic designer, a printed material such as a catalog or booklet is suitable to document your art products. By distributing such prints, you not only depend on gallery visitors but get to extend to specific targets also.

3. Host in Movie Launches: Another way to give your art pieces a better display is by having entertainment marketers use your materials in their events. You can offer your pieces to gatherings that fit well with your art concepts. With this, you gain exposure with new clients. To keep your original products safe, you can do poster printing to produce replicas of your art pieces for the display.

Author: Kristine Sanchez

More ways to promote gives new ways to reach out to a broader clientele. Also, by printing replicas of your art pieces, you double the chances of gaining new clients in cheaper and more convenient ways.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_995345_64.html

Famous Paintings an Immortal Glory of Art

For everyone the definition of painting differs. For some it is the art of expression for others it’s a source of breakthrough or entertainment. The art of painting sustained through several civilization and cultures. Paintings have been a source of liberalization, livelihood, exploration, expressionism and hobby. Though the ages we have seen the evolution in painting from cave painting, cubism to modern art. There have been some masterpieces that are regarded the finest and famous paintings. Painters glorified their name and became immortal with their creation.

Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci)

Mona Lisa is also known as La Gioconda. It is the most famous painting in the history of art. It is a 16th century portrait painted in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance. The painting hangs in the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France. The painting hangs with the title Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo. Mona Lisa painting has achieved the celebrity status around the globe.

The painting depicts the portrait of a woman.

The Last Supper (Leonardo da Vinci)

Leonardo da Vinci is a well known for his masterpiece The Last Supper. It is a 15th century fresco created by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Duke Ludovico Sforza and his duchess Beatrice d'Este. The Last Supper represents the scene from the final days of Jesus, when he announced that one of his Twelve Apostles would betray him.

He painted the Last Supper on the back wall of the dining hall at the Dominican convent of Sta Maria delle Grazie in Italy in order to "extend the room."

The Old Guitarist (Pablo Picasso)

The Old Guitarist is a painting by Pablo Picasso. He painted it in 1903 in Madrid, in a distorted style. The painting is popular for the skeptical presence of a mysterious image of the face of a woman painted underneath. In the image only the face and legs of the woman is visible. The old guitarist painting is currently placed at the Art Institute of Chicago in the Helen Birch Bartlett Memorial Collection.

The Persistence of Memory (Dali)

The Persistence of Memory (1931) is one of the most famous Salvador Dali paintings. The painting is collection of ideas and its contents are enigmatic. It is the interpretation of dreams, perception of reality, time, birth, death and sexual desire. The Persistence of Memory is places in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in the New York city.

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon:

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is a large painting depicting five prostitutes in a brothel. It is Picasso’s pivotal work in the development of modern art. It is placed in The Museum of Modern Art's in New York City. To make this painting, Picasso drew each figure differently. The woman pulling the curtain on the far right sows a heavy paint application throughout. Her head is the most cubists of all five, featuring sharp geometric shapes.

Amberi

is an experienced education and Art entertainments consultant who has been in the industry for quite a few years. Working as a consultant, he also has written a number of articles on entertainments

Author: amberiandreuje

For more Details about Famous Paintings please log on to

Famous Paintings

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_756507_34.html

What do the different DESIGN SIZES on TattooFinder.com mean? Can I change the size for the actual tattoo?

The smaller designs we sell on TattooFinder.com are generally 1 - 3 inches, and the larger tattoo designs are generally 7 - 10 inches. In general (and this is not a perfect science), designs on TattooFinder.com are "sized" at the smallest size they could be applied as a tattoo on skin.

Skin is a "living canvas" and has its own properties as a "medium" for art. There are general "rules" in tattooing (do's and don'ts) for how to apply a tattoo on the skin for it to look good and STAY looking good over time. One of these rules applies to how "tight" a tattoo can be and still "hold up over time".

On skin, ink fades and ink spreads. How well the tattooist applies the ink can definitely effect these things, but following the "rules" also greatly effects the results. If a design is applied to the skin that is too "tight" (too much "ink information" in too small a place, the end result will be an abstract "ink blob" on the skin.

For example in the "medium" sized tattoo design to the right (the rose with the cross), if this tattoo design is applied on the skin at a much smaller size than it is here, then the black lines in the leaves will run together and the leaves will look like black ink blobs (black dominates all other colors and shades). So the general rule here is that if you try to put too much detail into a design that is too small to support the detail, the tattoo will not hold up well over time.

In general, tattoo designs can be "scaled up" (made larger) with no problem. However, to make the tattoo design smaller on the skin than it is as we sell them, most likely the tattooist will need to alter the design (stencils) to leave out some of the detail. So yes, larger designs CAN be made smaller, but this takes some extra work by the tattooist (and of course depends on the skill level of the tattooist to do this job well).

Also, some of the larger designs sold on TattooFinder.com actually SHOULD be made larger than the size they print at. The largest actual size of designs we sell is 10 inches by 7 inches. This is to accommodate standard printers that only print this large (so you can print your own tattoo design from home). For example, the "large" tattoo design to the right (of the dragon with the transparent tribal over it) really has too much detail in it to be done at this actual size. But we sized this design to be able to print on your printer. Any tattooist should be able to "scale" the design by changing the size of the stencils using a copy machine.

By Tattoo Finder

What are STENCILS (line drawings) and why are they important?

Stencils, also known as "line drawings" or "liners" are what a tattooist REALLY needs to apply the tattoo design to the skin. The line drawings are run through a thermofax (or similar device) with the result being the line drawings set to carbon paper. The tattooist then applies a liquid solution (type may vary) on the skin, and presses the carbon line drawings to the skin. This provides a "blueprint" on the skin . . . a guide to create the actual tattoo.

Stencils are a way that the tattoo flash artist (artist who creates the design on paper) communicates the intended artistic nuances of the design to the tattoo artist (who actually applies the tattoo on the skin). Like any type of communication, it is a "two-way conversation." Not all line drawings are created equal. Some tattoo flash artists put more "information" into their design stencils and some put less. Likewise, tattoo artists use stencils differently. Some will follow the stencils provided exactly as they were created, while others may alter the stencils before using them to create tattoos on the skin.

Regardless of how they are created and used, almost ALL tattooists use line drawings. There are a very few select number of tattooists who "freehand" tattoos, but even they will oftentimes use a pen directly on the skin before they start to apply any ink. In other words, they may not be using any "reference material" (designs and/or stencils on paper), but to create on skin what they have in their mind, they still create the "stencils" on skin with a pen of what they imagine the final design to look like.

The bottom line is that most tattooists NEED stencils to create tattoos on skin.

By Tattoo Finder

Tiny tattoos could help diabetics ditch needles

New sensor acts like a mood ring for glucose levels in mouse experiments

Eight-year-old Julia Balobeck needs to prick her fingers so many times each day that the tips of her digits have started to turn numb and black. Even at her age, she understands that the needle sticks are crucial to keep track of her blood sugar levels and manage her Type 1 diabetes, but she’d really like someone to find a better way.

Help may be on its way for Balobeck and other diabetics who must jab themselves as many as 10 times each day to get that critical drop of blood that will reveal glucose levels and indicate whether a shot of insulin is needed.

Scientists are starting to test a kind of sensor that changes color with rising blood sugar levels. The high-tech tattoo, which is about the size of the clicker on the end of a ballpoint pen, is made up of tiny spheres that are injected into the outermost layer of skin. These nanospheres contain a special kind of ink that reacts with glucose, explains the tattoo’s inventor, Heather Clark, a biomedical engineer at Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, Mass.

Although the tattoo hasn’t yet been tested in humans, the early results in mice have been very promising, Clark says.

The new sensor may be more like a mood ring than a tattoo since it reflects changes in a person’s skin. As it turns out, when blood sugar levels rise, glucose levels increase everywhere else in the body, from the eyes, to the kidneys — even to the outermost layer of the skin.

Each tattoo sensor is made up of millions of tiny rubbery beads that can be injected into the skin like the dye that makes up a regular tattoo. The beads are so small that 600 of them placed end to end could fit across the diameter of a hair.

The tiny beads are infused with two substances. One is a molecule that can pull glucose into the sphere and bind to it. The other is a special fluorescent dye. With no sugar present, the two molecules bind to each other and turn the sphere yellow. When sugar levels rise in the skin, molecules with glucose attached jettison the dye and the sphere turns purple. 

Exactly what color you see in the tattoo will depend on how much glucose is available to be grabbed out of the skin, Clark explains. A healthy level leaves the tattoo with a kind of orangey color.

In mouse experiments, the tattoo color has tracked well with blood samples, Clark says.

The next step is to try the tattoo out on diabetic mice and if that works out, the researchers will be ready to test the tattoo in people. Clark isn’t sure when that will happen, but she’s hoping it will be within the next five years.

If the research pans out, it would be a welcome change for both patients and the doctors who treat them. Even if the tattoo turned out to be a little less accurate than the blood sugar test, it would be a big help, says Dr. Rexford Ahima, an associate professor of medicine at the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism at the University of Pennsylvania.

“If there was a painless way to allow us to monitor blood sugar, that might encourage more people to stick with their treatment,” he said.

Julia Balobeck has her fingers crossed. “I just had my birthday and at my party I had to test my blood sugar five times,” she says. “It would make my life a ton better if I didn’t have to prick my fingers anymore.”

By Linda Carroll

Why Finding Good, Quality Pictures of Tattoo Designs is Hard

I am sure you have spent a fair amount of time looking for pictures of tattoo designs. I will bet quite a pretty penny that you haven't found much good, quality draw artwork, too. Why do I make such a bold prediction? Well, I do it because only about 10% of people truly find the sites that have great artwork. The rest see the same generic, cookie cutter pictures of tattoo designs and here's how you can keep that from happening to you.

It's actually a lot simpler than you might think to pin point fantastic tattoos and picture galleries. Most folks just get caught in a horrid loop of sites that have absolutely nothing of value. It's like every websites you head over to has pages stacked with generic junk and decade old cookie cutter pictures of tattoo designs.

That's no way to go about looking for ideas and drawings for your next tattoo. Do you ever wonder why some people get such generic tattoo designs inked on their body? Well, now you know why a lot of them do it. They just can't find the good stuff! One of the huge reason behind this is that they are too reliant on search engines to find pictures of tattoo designs. Long story short, it's just not going to work if you want to see fresh, crisp, quality drawn artwork.

All that pops up are horrid sites that are clutter with tons of generic junk and that's it. You get bypass much of those unworthy sites, though. You do it by switching over to forums when looking for pictures of tattoo designs. Now, you aren't going to find the actually artwork in these forums, but the forums can easily be used to find the absolute best galleries throughout the web. The bigger the forum you use, the more past and present topics they are going to have on tattoos and various related subjects. This is here people just like you and me share their findings of truly amazing artwork. It is the hidden galleries you find in here that usually take tons of pride in having the best stuff.

This should only be used if you dread looking through generic pictures of tattoo designs and finally want to see what good artwork looks like.

Here are the 3 largest, most original websites to find all the great Pictures of Tattoo Designs.

by: adamkasi

Tattoos the Original Marking

Tattoos have been in existence for centuries, they were our first orginal markings. Tattoo were the way many cultures identified themselves.Though each culture has used them for different purposes and in varied styles.

Ancient Greek spies used tattoos to secretly communicate, while Hawaiian and Native American cultures used tattoos in initiation or religious rites. In the 1800's tattoos were particularly popular in England where sailors would get them as permanent souvenirs of their travels.

Tattoos have also been considered a sign of initiation into the mafia. Tattoos used to be for ruffians, but now many men, women and celebrities sport tattoos to complement their piercing's. You might just be surprised who has a tattoo. Today tattoos have their origins in giving people a unique identity. If you are the kind of person who likes to use your body to express your feelings, you should consider getting tattoos done.

Some images frequently used in Asian arts include cranes, dragons, fish, tigers, samurai warriors and Buddhist deities. Karma tattoo designs represent Asian and new wave images that are also very popular these days. In Western and the Japanese culture, dragon tattoo designs are popular and have powerful images.

Tattoos can be placed anywhere on the body. They can be placed in plane sight or hidden where only the owner can see them. Most people who get a tattoo will place it where it can be seen.Tattoo wearers are proud of them and want to show them off. A great space, to do both simple tattoos or complex designs are the arms ,which has the distinction of being a great place for a 1st-time tattoo.

While the body art industry is highly visual, tattoos are not always images. They can be bold words to statements they live by. Some people will even use quotes they like. Word tattoos are also increasingly popular, they can be done with or without images. The choose is yours which to use, just words or images with words. There are a lot of tattoos to choose from, so picking a tattoo can be difficult. You can choose a design from a tattoo shop wall or be more original and use one of your own design, either way getting a tattoo is a great experience and more and more people are doing it.

Tattoos have been around since man has walked the earth and they are not going out of style anytime soon. Weather you like tattoos or not, we as humans want to mark ourselves to be different and tattoos seem to be the way people do it.

There is just one thing to remember if you are thinking about getting a tattoo, they are not for everyone. Tattoos are for life! Some tattoos can become faded with time, unreadable or even become a messy blob.

Tattoos are meant to be permanent, so their complete removal is difficult. Tattoos are great for people who enjoy body adornment and like showing off their personalities. Tattoos are body art at its finest. So if you are thinking about getting a tattoo, make sure you get some tips and decide very carefully where you would like to place your tattoo. Remember they are difficult to have removed.

by: ATrujillo

The Benefits of Wearing Ropa Negro Mate

Most people are asking why motorcycle riders normally wear black matte clothing. For non-bikers, the traditional black clothing of bikers is a form of fashion statement. It is a way of self expression and subculture of a motorcycle club or group. However, if you are a serious biker, then you will know that wearing black matte clothing has some practical purposes. Serious bikers also know that wearing black offers numerous advantages especially when on the road. If you need quality ropa negro mate, the Ropa West Coast Choppers can provide everything that you need. But before you buy one, take some time to know the advantages of wearing black matte clothing.

Road visibility is one of the biggest advantages that you can enjoy from ropa negro mate or black matte clothing. When you are traveling on the freeway or on open roads and highways, your black riding apparel will be visible for miles ahead. So other motorists will easily spot and see you thus avoiding road collisions or accidents. Black is not earth color so you will definitely stand out if you wear black jacket, black t-shirt, and black pants. Wearing black apparel of Ropa West Coast Choppers therefore can offer protection for you as a rider. It can also protect other motorists on the road. So the next time someone asked why you are wearing black, then the simple answer is that black enhances the safety of motorcycle riders.

For serious motorcycle riders, wearing leather crash jackets is a must. That is because leather can provide superior protection against abrasions, bump, bruises, and other injuries if you figure in a road accident. Because most leather crash jackets are black, then it has become a tradition for riders to wear black clothing. The use of leather as body armor has been practiced since the middle ages. Aside from metal armors, knights and warriors fortify their body with leather plates and clothing. Old western cowboys also used leather during horseback riding. That is because leather can offer superior protection. So it follows that the black leather jackets and pants of modern motorcyclists serve as body armor also. And it is for this reason that the ropa negro mate of Ropa West Coast Choppers also have added padding for elbow and shoulder protection.

Ropa negro mate or black matte clothing is also resistant to dirt. As a motorcycle rider, you are exposed to road dust, mud, and other elements. If you are wearing black clothing, road dirt will not be visible on your apparel. It does not mean that you will not wash your black jacket or shirt. You should wash them for sanitary purposes. But when on the road, you will not look shabby if you are wearing black clothing. Another big benefit that you can enjoy is that black clothing is weather resistant. It can keep you warm during cold weather. Ropa West Coast Choppers offers an excellent line of black apparel and clothing for motorcycle riders. You can choose black club t-shirts, black leather pants, gloves, crash helmets and other important motorcycle apparel.

by: Louis Carter