You'd lose your head if  - Aaron Holder, 2022 The art of figure drawing has been a cornerstone of artistic practice for centuries, with charcoal serving as one of the most popular mediums for capturing the human form. In recent years, artists have explored new and innovative ways to utilize charcoal in figure drawing, creating striking and dynamic images that push the boundaries of traditional techniques. In this article, we will examine modern figure drawing techniques with charcoal that you can incorporate into your artistic practice. 1. Gesture Drawing with Compressed Charcoal Gesture drawing is a foundational skill for figure artists, and compressed charcoal offers a unique opportunity to create bold, expressive marks in a short amount of time. Compressed charcoal, which is made by grinding charcoal and binding it with a gum or wax, offers greater intensity and a wider range of values compared to vine or willow charcoal. By working quickly and focusing on the movement and energ...

As a graphic designer, the choice of color plays a vital role in the success of any print media project. Color sets the tone and mood, enhances readability, and conveys the message effectively. Muted tones and vibrant tones are two distinct approaches in design that can have a significant impact on the final product. Understanding when to use each is crucial for designers to create visually appealing and compelling print media. This article will discuss the differences between muted and vibrant tones and provide guidelines on when to use each in print media design. Muted Tones: Subtle Sophistication Muted tones are colors that have been subdued or toned down by mixing them with gray, black, or white. These colors typically appear softer, more understated, and less saturated than their vibrant counterparts. Muted tones are ideal for conveying a sense of sophistication, calmness, and tranquility in a design. When to Use Muted Tones Target Audience: Muted tones work best when targeting a ...

As we venture into 2023, the world of graphic design is evolving, and Adobe InDesign continues to be the go-to tool for professionals in the print media industry. This powerful software allows designers to create visually stunning layouts while staying ahead of the latest design trends. In this article, we'll explore the top design trends in 2023 and how Adobe InDesign can help you bring these innovative ideas to life in your print media projects. Bold Typography 2023 is witnessing a revival of bold, oversized typography. Designers are using large fonts to create a striking visual impact and emphasize the most important elements of their designs. In Adobe InDesign, you can easily experiment with different typefaces and sizes using the Character and Paragraph panels. Additionally, InDesign offers OpenType font features, which give you even more control over the look of your typography. Organic Shapes and Lines Organic shapes and flowing lines are dominating the design landsc...

Paula Scher is a celebrated graphic designer who has made significant contributions to the field. Scher's work is characterized by her bold use of typography and color, as well as her ability to combine graphic design with fine art. She has designed countless logos, posters, and album covers, and her work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. In this article, we will explore Scher's contributions to graphic design and her impact on the industry. Scher's Early Career Scher was born in Virginia in 1948 and grew up in Washington D.C. She attended the Tyler School of Art at Temple University, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1970. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she began her career as a layout artist for Random House. In 1972, she joined the CBS Records art department, where she designed album covers for artists such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. It was during her time at CBS that Scher developed her signature style of b...

Marsden Hartley was an American artist born in Lewiston, Maine in 1877, who lived and worked during the first half of the 20th century. He was a prolific painter and a skilled writer, and his works are celebrated for their unique style and bold use of color. Hartley’s art is often described as a blend of various styles, including Expressionism, Cubism, and Abstraction. His life was marked by both personal and professional struggles, including the loss of several loved ones, financial difficulties, and a sense of isolation from the art world of his time. One of the defining aspects of Hartley’s work is his use of color. He often employed bold, vibrant hues, such as bright yellows, deep blues, and fiery oranges, which he used to create works that were full of energy and vitality. This is especially evident in his paintings of the landscape, which he created during his time in New Mexico and the Southwest. These works are characterized by their bright colors and intense, almost surrealist...

As an artist, pricing your artwork can be a challenging task. You want to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your time and effort, but at the same time, you don't want to price yourself out of the market. There are several factors to consider when pricing your artwork, and understanding these factors can help you arrive at a reasonable and fair price. Here are some key factors to consider when pricing your artwork: 1. Your level of experience Your level of experience as an artist can have a significant impact on the price you charge for your artwork. If you are just starting out, you may not be able to command the same prices as a more experienced artist. However, as you gain more experience and develop your skills, you can gradually increase your prices. 2. Your medium and materials The medium and materials you use can also have an impact on the price you charge for your artwork. For example, oil paintings tend to be more expensive than watercolors, and artwork created on ...

Piet Mondrian was a Dutch painter, who is considered one of the pioneers of abstract art. His body of work spans from the late 19th century until the early 20th century. Mondrian was part of the De Stijl movement, which aimed to create a universal language of form and color. Mondrian's art is characterized by its simplicity, use of primary colors, and emphasis on geometric shapes. Mondrian began his career as an artist as a landscape painter. His early paintings are characterized by their naturalistic style and their use of subdued colors. Mondrian's landscapes are marked by a sense of tranquility and harmony, which reflects his interest in theosophy, a mystical religious movement that he was a part of. However, Mondrian's art underwent a radical transformation in the early 20th century. He began to explore abstraction, rejecting the representational style of painting that he had previously employed. Mondrian was interested in the idea of a universal language of form, which...

Building branding assets involves creating a set of visual and non-visual elements that work together to represent your brand and communicate its values, personality, and promise to your target audience. Here are the steps to follow to create branding assets: Define your brand: Before creating any branding assets, you need to have a clear understanding of your brand, its purpose, values, and personality. You should have a solid understanding of your target audience and what they need from your brand. This will help you create branding assets that effectively communicate your brand's message. Develop a brand strategy: Once you have a clear understanding of your brand, you need to develop a brand strategy that outlines your brand's goals, positioning, and messaging. This strategy should guide the creation of your branding assets and ensure they are aligned with your brand's overall goals. Create a brand identity: Your brand identity is the visual representation of your bran...

A business card is often the first impression that potential clients, customers, or partners have of a business. It is a small piece of paper, but it can have a big impact on how a business is perceived. A well-designed business card can communicate professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to quality. Here are some reasons why a well-designed business card is important: First Impressions Matter The saying goes that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and this is especially true in the business world. When meeting a potential client or partner for the first time, a business card is often the first piece of collateral that is exchanged. A well-designed business card can make a strong first impression and set the tone for the rest of the interaction. Attention to Detail A well-designed business card can communicate attention to detail, which is an important quality in a business. A card that is thoughtfully designed and printed on high-quality paper can...

Graphic design is a field that requires a high level of creativity and artistic expression. A graphic designer's job is to convey a message visually and make it engaging for the audience. Without a creative perspective, graphic design can become mundane, lacking in originality, and fails to grab the audience's attention. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of having a creative perspective in graphic design. Firstly, creativity is essential for solving design problems. A creative designer can take a complex concept and turn it into an innovative and visually appealing design. This requires the ability to think outside the box, come up with new ideas, and use them to create something unique. Without creativity, graphic design can become repetitive and unoriginal, leading to a lack of interest from the audience. Secondly, a creative perspective can help a designer stand out from the competition. In today's digital age, anyone can create a design using free or pai...