Paintings and drawings that are perfect looking copies can appear mechanical and lifeless. In the search for perfection be careful that you aren’t missing the key ingredient all artists should search for

“A picture that gives you a real sense of life”

When creating an oil painting, an artist will add layer upon layer of paint. The canvas surface is no longer flat and dull. The finished painting will have a dynamic surface that builds interest and personality

“There is depth and texture from the applied paint”

To create great Art involves far more. Each painting has a hidden history

You don’t see the plans and preparations. There are the artist’s thoughts and ideas

* There are early ideas drawn on lost preparatory drawings

* There are color sketches hidden in a forgotten art folder

* Old ideas covered by later repainting

Even if you can copy exactly what you see in front of you, you need to give your painting more

* Before your painting can become Art it needs feeling and understanding

* Your painting’s character comes from your flair and expression

* Your time and dedication is needed for painting success

If you use photographs, make your painting an impression of what you see. Combine details from one photograph with the background of another. Play with components to create a new reality

* Add your memories to your drawings

* Tell a story with your picture

* Give your painting color

When working from real life, if your drawing shows activity you can get away with a few mistakes. Confident line-work will disguise your drawing faults if your perspectives are out of true

* With the sweep of your ink pen you can mask the slightly distorted vase of flowers in your still life drawing

* In pencil figure drawing, lively shading can hide body forms that are wrong

* For landscape drawing you can make trees move with the wind with a quick swish of charcoal

* The power of the sea can be captured by a swirling dash of crayon

Leave your sketch outlines showing to add drawing interest. Easily improve your drawings Let your pencil marks show movement and growth.

It is the process of painting that distinguishes an original art creation from a machine produced print copy. Don’t hide your talents

* With oils and acrylics you can show your painting skills when you allow visible brush marks in finished paintings

* You can lift your paintings with a splash of color

* Allow water to make your watercolors paintings flow

As an art beginner or intermediate painter take the lead from professional artists. Add soul to your painting and drawing. Don’t allow your art to suffer

“Let your personality and character shine through”

There are hundreds of art books that will show you the basics of perspectives…

Essentially, they will talk about horizon lines, vanishing points and view points. They are an important guide for an artist to master drawing and painting realistic looking art.

Better still, an artist gains the knowledge of recreating 3-dimensional physical form in 2 dimensions. With full knowledge of perspective drawing a good artist can create a painting that will look lifelike…

* Your picture appears to have depth and substance even though it has been created on a flat surface

* Mood and atmosphere is captured by your pencil drawing

* Your portrait painting looks as if the subject could leap from the canvas to shake your hand

However, for an art beginner, perspective drawing can be a mystery.

Even top professional artists are guilty of relying upon perspective rules too much. The best of illustrators can find that the paintings they produce look artificial…

* Objects seem to be distorted

* You get an increased sense of flatness

Recognizing your own unique artistic viewpoint is the key to getting the best from perspectives.

There are many reasons why you see a different world…

* You could be taller or shorter

* Each person has different eyesight… You could be long-sighted while the person standing beside you could be short-sighted

* You will see colors differently… You could have perfect color vision while others are color impaired

When you have a passion for the art subject your interest levels will be high. Your emotional response will result in you producing better quality drawings and paintings. Your artwork will be inspired.

Whatever art critics say about your artwork you know your drawings and paintings show your view of reality. Knowing that your view of the world is unique justifies your artistic vision…

Enjoy your painting and drawing… “Your Art is your own perspective on life!”

Contemplated getting an online degree? Looking for fine arts? You may have noticed that most of the online education institutions feature degrees in nursing, paralegal studies, technology or education. Interested in a degree in the fine arts? Think that there is no way to earn such a degree online? Think again? One online educational institution now offers degrees in the fine arts and gives you a choice of degrees you can earn. Earn an online degree in the field of fine arts at the Arts Institute Online, which has more than 40 locations in the United States and Canada.

The Arts Institute Online has built a strong positive reputation in the online education world. Learning can be done in the privacy of your own home without impacting your work schedule and enabling you to earn a fine arts degree. The Arts Institute Online offers a comprehensive listing of scheduled classes and guidance from professional faculty dedicated to your success. Programs are available in the areas of design, fashion, media, and culinary arts.

When you visit the website for the Arts Institute Online, you can fill out an application form. This will tell the school a little bit about yourself and will enable them to place you in the appropriate classes. The Arts Institute Online is not like many of the other online educational institutions as they are a bit stricter. You must log in to your account at least five times every week, just as if you were going to school.

Forums are online to post messages and reflect your involvement in the classes and other coursework. Similar to the traditional educational setting, there are lectures, and assignments to be completed according to established guidelines and deadlines.

There is a minimum requirement of 12 hours each week per course. This allows faculty at the Arts Institute Online to help you in meeting degree requirements. In addition, the opportunity to interact with other online students makes it seem almost like a traditional classroom setting.

There are two year or four year degree programs at the Arts Institute Online and there is a variety of different options as to the types of degrees you can earn. These degrees include the fine arts, fashion, interior design, graphic design and even animation.

Do not delude yourself into thinking that because this is an online program that it will be easy as it is anything but. Because the Arts Institute Online is striving for greatness, the classes are formidable. You will have to work hard to achieve success, but it will be well worth the effort at this accredited and much renowned school.

Thinking about earning an online degree? Consider attending the Arts Institute Online in fine arts. Learn in the privacy of your own home and earn a degree from an accredited institution and is recognized in the world of fine arts. Whether interested in a degree in fashion, graphic design or other art programs, consider taking a look at the Arts Institute Online. You could find just what you were looking for and more.