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Visual arts articles & Resources

Visual arts resources, articles and tips for beginner and beyond

Photo Gear Essentials: What You Need to Get Started as a Photographer

Tais Policanti / Moment / Getty Images Are you ready to take your hobby of photography and turn it into a career? If so, you’re going to need some essential camera gear. But what do you really need?  Let’s review the must-haves that every budding photographer needs in their arsenal. What Gear Do You Need to Be a Photographer? To be a photographer, you need the proper gear: A long-lasting digital camera is essential and should have a long battery life, functions such as man

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5 Inspiring San Diego Artists You Should Know

San Diego is full of talented and creative artists! Whether you are looking for a tattoo artist to create a piece of art on your skin, a balloon artist to entertain your kids, or a caricature artist to capture a funny moment, there is no shortage of talented artists in the area. Here is a roundup of the best San Diego artists you need to know about. Is San Diego Good for Artists? San Diego is a great city for creative people looking to showcase their art. With its desirable climate an

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Elements of Graphic Design | TakeLessons Blog

If you are one of our regular readers, you know we cover a broad range of topics, including active learning strategies, learning to play new instruments, and much more. In this blog post, we are going to cover several basic graphic design concepts. This article will answer common questions like “What are the elements of design?” and “What is the elements of design definition?” It also breaks down each of the individual graphic design basics. After reading this article, you shoul

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What is the Best Lighting for Photography?

The best photography lighting is based on several factors, and depends on what type of look you want when it comes to your photos. Natural lighting versus studio lighting brings about two different looks in your photography. We'll be discussing natural lighting, which does not need any equipment. And we'll also discuss the benefits of two styles of studio lighting. The natural lighting of a photo will be much softer and a warmer look while using studio lighting gives your photos a more ov

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Photoshop vs. Lightroom for Editing Time-Lapse Photography

Once you've done your time-lapse photography, how should you edit it all together? Here, Pasadena, CA teacher Nathan H. shares his recommendations, plus the pros and cons of using Photoshop and Lightroom...   So you just finished your amazing time-lapse of the sky. You’ve composed your shot. You’ve made sure nothing went wrong. You’ve waited an hour for your camera to take 600 images. It was a long, painful process. But it’s over, and now it’s time to head to some post-p

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5 Dallas Art Museums to Introduce Your Kids to the Arts

Sometimes it’s difficult to engage kids in the arts, especially when museums often focus on a more adult audience. However, that kind of attitude is quickly changing, with many Dallas museums featuring creative programs to get kids interested in the art world. Museums in Dallas do this by offering a range of programs that inject playfulness and fun into art through performances, art-making, storytelling, and many other exciting activities. Here are five Dallas art museums that will leave both

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5 DC Art Museums to Introduce Your Kids to the Arts

When your kids love video games, candy, and cartoons, how can you get them interested in art? Art museums are an excellent way to introduce your children to the arts, because they show that being an artist means creating things that other people can appreciate for hundreds or even thousands of years. Living in the nation's capital, you have a great opportunity to show your kids the beautiful heights that art can reach. Here are five of the best DC art museums to visit with your children: 1. S

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How to Draw Caricatures: Pointers from a Professional Artist

As a student of art, you can explore everything from watercolors to sculpting to photography and more! If you’re interested in learning how to draw caricatures (and how to improve your overall creative skills), take a look at these pointers and FAQs from full-time artist Mike V., who teaches in Bridgeport, CT:   1) What are the steps for drawing caricatures? How does it differ from other types of drawing? The first thing to do is to familiarize yourself with human anatomy, especially faci

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Art in the Windy City: 5 Chicago Artists to Know

Chicago has long been the major cultural hub in the Midwest and home to many great musicians, performers, and visual artists.  Let's explore some amazing Chicago artists, and dive into the impact they’ve had on the Windy City. Derric Clemmons Contemporary stars on Chicago's art scene come from all walks of life and very diverse backgrounds. Derric Clemmons' work, for example, is inspired by the grittiness of the urban scene and focuses on objects and sometimes people that others have ca

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