What is Etching?

Etching is an art form using the process of biting lines or areas onto a metal plate by means of an acid, with a view to being printed.  Lines may be etched onto a metal plate without its being printed, as an art form itself as a decorative purpose, but normally the metal plate is used as a printing device. 

Etching differs from line engraving by the process by which the lines are incised.  In engraving an instrument is used to scoop a shaving out of the metal.  Etching uses a chemical action.  A print from an etching is distinguished from an engraved print by the fact that in an etching the lines do not diminish or increase gradually in thickness, but do so in a more (or less) abrupt stage and the endings of the lines are square.  In an engraving the ends of the lines tend to tape gradually to an end.  Engraving and etching have been used in conjunction with one another throughout history. 

There is another facet of etching as well, called dry point.  This is the process of scratching a line directly on the metal plate surface using an etching needle.  In its passage the needles leaves an irregular ridge on either side of the line creating a 'burr' to which the ink adheres to create a blurred effect.  This effect is often used as another aspect of the etching technique.

Etching was probably invented (as with engraving) north of the Alps, and the greatest works of this process appeared in Germany, France and England, as well as the Netherlands.  Its beginnings appeared as early as the 15th century and at the end of 17th century it was used as means of decorating metal, particularly armor.  It seems probable that the earliest works came from goldsmiths and the idea of printing from the plates came from them as well.

Many artists throughout history have used the etching process in their artistic endeavors.  Francisco Goya (1746 - 1828) is one notable artist that used this technique in his art works.  In France, Theodore Rousseau (1812 - 1867), Charles Jacque (1813 - 1894), and C. F. Daubigny (1817 - 1878) are among many other famour artists, which also include Rembrant.

Today etching is still used as an art form by many artists.  Copper offers the most suitable surface for etching, but zinc is widely used as well.  Iron can also be used with nitric acid, but it is highly susceptible to atmospheric conditions.  The best thickness for etching plates is 16 to 18 gauge.  Thinner plates tend to buckle under the etching process.








Find some of my own works of art at:  Dee Phillips Galleries

Are you interested in becoming an artist?  Do you want to refine your art techniques? Get Real Art Lessons, ebooks and DVD's, by Artist Delmus Phelps to get instructive information On How To Make Photo-realistic Paintings. Create realistic paintings in oils of flowers, still life...and much more!  Click Here!

Who Was Alexandre Gustave Eiffel?

Eiffel Tower

Yes, you guessed it.  Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was the engineer and bridge builder of the Eiffel Tower.  The Eiffel Tower was built for the Paris exhibition of 1889.  Alexandre Effel was born in 1832 and attended the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris from 1852 to 1855. 

Although you may not strictly consider building bridges or towers an art form, there is a certain amount of grace, fluidity and movement to the structures that mimics sculpture. In fact, in many of today's modern art sculptures the same principles of structure can be seen.

Eiffel also was master of airy two-hinged arches, such as that over the Douro river in Portugal. 

Eiffel designed the inner structure for the Statue of Liberty

Eiffel also gained fame by being responsible for designing the inner structure for the Statue of Liberty in New York.









Are you interested in becoming an artist?  Do you want to refine your art techniques? Get Real Art Lessons, ebooks and DVD's, by Artist Delmus Phelps to get instructive information On How To Make Photo-realistic Paintings. Create realistic paintings in oils of flowers, still life...and much more!  Click Here!

Embroidery as an Art Form

Embroidery is the decoration of fabric by means of a needle and thread.  It is needlework, but not just your basic everyday needlework that constitutes the creation and mending of fabric into garments and useful items, like pillows or sheets.  Embroidery is an art form that decorates or enhances the visual appeal of fabric.  It often creates a picture or design and is intended to be decorative. 

Embroidery has its history from a very early age, with paintings and carvings from Egypt indicating garments were embroidered in very early times.  Also history indicates early embroidery workings from the Orient and every quillwork (another means of embroidery) was done by the North American Indians and African tribes.

Different styles of embroidery, depending on the materials at hand in local cultures, have evolved in different parts of the world. 

Many embroidered works are treasured in today's art markets, where these artworks have gained appreciation by the use of colorful silks and gold and silver threads made into beautiful designs. 

Embroidered items can be simple in nature, working in only one color to create the design, to the use of thousands of strands of fine needlework made into all manner of items, from tea towels, pillow cases, curtains, to clothing and wall hangings.  Elaborate scenes can be created from using various threads integrated into the picture to create depth, shading and definition. Embroidery can also be abstract in design.

The embroidered works can be done by hand or by machine. 

The use of thread and fabric is yet another type of art form.  Art takes its shape from many mediums, like paint or sculpture.  Embroidery is another example of how beauty in art can be expressed using a different medium.

Here are a few books on embroidery that may interest you, whether you are trying to create your own embroidered artworks or are simply wishing to view embroidery masterpieces:

Work at Home Making Crafts for Cash! Click Here!

Art Trivia - Who was Antoine Etex?

Antoine (Tony) Etes was a French sculptor, painter and architect.  His two sculptures "Peace" and "War" stand at each side of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.  He was born in Paris in 1808 and died in 1888.  He is also famous for a large allegory painting "The Glory of the United States", which he painted for City Hall in New York City.  His best-known architectural works are the tomb of Naopoleon I in the Invalides and a monument of the 1848 revolution.

My Type of Art

As an artist, I am always experimenting with different art forms, although there are some types that I always come back to.  I guess it has to do with expanding my creative side.

Generally, I like to paint with acryllics, and my favorite subjects tend to be children.  I find beauty in simple scenes and the saint-like quality of children's faces.  I like to portray children from different eras as well.  I enjoy the old-fashioned type dress that children used to wear back then and find them a joy to paint.  I love little girls with big bows in their hair, boys in overalls, babyies in rompers--that kind of thing.  Here are a couple of examples:

You can buy this picture at:

http://www.imagekind.com/Girl-with-Bunny_art?IMID=32356a36-1b94-436c-ad12-60a555a7055f

You can buy this picture at:

http://www.imagekind.com/Girl-with-Big-Bow_art?IMID=c8785909-b822-4946-a75c-58ab7a4040dc




 
 
 
 

 
 
You can buy this picture at:


http://www.imagekind.com/Reading-Together_art?IMID=c9ecc25a-25b4-455d-ad99-d45f05c775a6



The pictures above are only one type of art that I like to do.  As I said, as a creative person, I delve into various other art subjects, like landscapes and scenery, or even rock scupture and my own jewelry designs.

For this blog, I just wanted to share some of my art with you.

Hope you like it!

Who Was James Sydney Ensor?

Here is a little art history trivia.  Do you know who James Sydney Ensor was?  He was a Baron (1860-1949) and a Belgian artisit.  He was a member of the powerful Postimpressionist generation of artist-innovators.  In 1882 he gained fame with early landscape, portrait and still life paintings which were shown in the Paris Salon.  His use of vivid and luminous colour shocked his contemporaries.  This led him to create works for carnival celebrations and he sold his maks in his family's souvenir shop in Ostend.  He continued with his artistic endeavours and his phenomenal boldness and energy in his works created rich improved imagery and exuberant colorful pieces that was astonishing in the 20th century Expressionism and Surrealism period.  Early in the 1900's Ensor's collections in Germany influenced the development of the German Expressionistic movement, particularly Paul Klee.  He was made a baron by the Belgian kind in 1929 when his largest and most famous piece "Entrance of Christ into Brussels" (picture shown) was first publically displayed.  This piece was painted in 1888 and is a brilliant panorama of masked figures paying a carnival homage to the entering Savior.  James Sydney Ensor died in 1949.

Get Ready!  Its coming...  "Sell Artwork For Profit", a new ebook guide to help you sell your artwork for profit.  Watch for it coming soon!

Photography as Art

Art has many mediums and forms.  One type of art that is always popular is art photography.  This is where a photograph can stand alone as a piece of art, or where a photograph is manipulated into a new art form.  The subjects for photographic art is as wide as the world.  You can enjoy a colorful sunset, a beautiful landscape or nature scene, a unique picture of a cute animal, a still life, or even people composed in an artful setting.

Many photographers are having fun manipulating photographs into a new dimension.  There are many computer programs that help with this which can create stunning pieces of art.

Here a few examples of photographic art:

Photograph entitled "Good Mother Monkey"

"Flower Art"

"Colorful Leaves"

These Photo Art Images are available for purchase at:  http://dennyphil.imagekind.com/

If you are an artisit you may  wish to try out your own talents for photographic art.  All it takes is a digital camera, a simple computer program (if you wish to manipulate the pictures) and a bit of imagination.  You may discover a whole new talent, and a new way to make an income from your art!

Experimentation with Art - Anime

I am always experimenting with new art techniques and new ideas for my art.  I find this fascinating and fun.  Recently I tried the anime style of art (see picture).  Its like a comic-style that is greatly popular right now.  There are loads of possibilities for characters and even a lot of flexibility in technique.  It isn't just about flat comic style characters that appear in kid's comic books.  Some of the designs for anime that I have found are really exceptionally detailed, and some are sexy and x-rated.  (I'm not sure I have the 'balls' to do the x-rated versions myself, although I can appreciate all the wonderful detail that went into such works.)  Backgrounds for the artwork is just as detailed and fantastic as the work done for the characters themselves.

Experimenting with different styles of art and different techniques is always good.  It helps expands your mind and talent, and opens up a world of new opportunities.

Try it yourself.  Look at other's works and see how you can apply your talents and techniques to their styles.  You may find a new form of art that you really enjoy.  With anime, it opens up the possibility of a lot of fantasy characters and sci-fi works.  Wouldn't that be a lot of fun?

Learn how to sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Get Recognition and Make Money Selling Your Art

Do you love to draw? Do you love art? Do you love to paint? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you probably already dabble in painting, drawing or other artwork. You may love to create sculptures -- from clay, wire, metal or other materials. Whatever your art passion is, you may want to know how to sell your artwork. Selling your artwork not only makes you money, but also enables you to share your artwork with others -- and that is a VERY rewarding experience. If someone likes your art enough to pay money for it, then you can feel like you have succeeded as an artist.

Don't be a starving artist with no recognition for all your passionate hard work! Learn how to sell your artwork and get the praise and feeling of recognition that you deserve. After all, you have put hard work and creative effort into your artwork piece.

Sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Art Auctions - Drawings

Sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Art auctions for drawings are categorized into antique, modern and contemporary. Antique drawings are any drawings that were produced before 1900. Modern drawings have to have been created between 1900 and 1949. Contemporary drawings are drawings that were created from 1950 until the present.

There are a lot of contemporary drawings listed in art auctions that never get a bidder. There are many reasons for this. One of the main reasons is that the starting bid is set so high that it discourages interest. There was an art auction for a drawing that was created in 2000 that depicted James Dean welcoming Elvis Presley into heaven. The starting price for this art auction was twelve million dollars. I am not surprised that it did not get a bidder.

I found another pen and ink drawing in an art auction that was listed for a lot more than it was worth. The original listing started at $825,000.00 and when it didn’t sell, the artist lowered the price to $545,000.00. He offers the copywrite to the design, which he thinks would translate well for prints, posters or greeting cards.

There was an art auction for a drawing that was purchased in 1971 London that did very well. The seller of the drawing inherited it from his grandfather, who was the original owner. He started the bidding at a reasonable $599.00 and the drawing ultimate sold in the art auction for over twelve thousand dollars. He did a great job describing and picturing the drawing.

Antique drawings in art auctions can garner a lot of interest. I saw a drawing of two men in the nude that was drawn in the 1800’s go for more than eleven thousand dollars. This drawing was pen and ink and had a brown wash and traces of charcoal on lines of black pencil.

I was very taken with an antique drawing made by Sir Francis Grant in 1832. The drawing in the art auction was of a woman and her daughter in Scotland. The drawing was a signed original and sold for two thousand dollars. I hope that it ends up framed and hanging in a collection of similar pieces. It was really nice.

Another reason that art auctions for drawings don’t sell is that they are listed in the wrong categories. I found several contemporary pieces that were listed in the antique category. With so much competition in art auctions, it is important to make sure every detail is noticed.

Modern drawings are by far my favorite art auctions. I wanted the stamped Degas I saw up for auction, but it was way out of my budget. I’m sure that the person that ended up with the highest bid at the art auction will love and treasure it.

Well known artist’s drawings can fetch a lot of money in online art auctions. If the title of the art auction contains the words original Picasso, for example, it is sure to go over two thousand dollars. If the item is signed, it can go for much more.

I really liked a drawing I found in an art auction from an artist that I was unfamiliar with. The artist was Patrick Caulfield and he titled his drawing Grapes. He used colored pencils on black paper in the late 1980’s. This drawing sold for the opening bid, $4,250.00.

Portraits for Christmas

There is no time more special than Christmas for families. Christmas brings together loved ones to share in that special holiday. What better gift to give than a truly unique wonderful representation of someone you love.

How about giving Grandma an extraordinary portrait of her very dear new baby grand-daughter? Wouldn't your fiancee love a portait of herself to be hung lovingly in your new home? Wouldn't you like a picture of your son or daughter hung as artwork on your walls (instead of an unknown landscape)?

This Christmas give a special gift that truly states the love you feel for your family members --> give a personal portrait!

Portraits are painted in acryllic paints and detailed with pencil crayon (in full color), are approximately 8 X 10" and ready for matting and framing.

All you need to do is send a picture of the person you want portrayed by email, pay by email and the portrait will be mailed to you for Christmas gift-giving.

Price is $55.00 for a single subject.

If you would like to order a special portrait of a loved one for Christmas gift giving, contact me at my website :Content Website Writer Use the Contact form and I will get back in touch with you.

Give an Art Portrait for Christmas

If you want to give a truly unique and heart-felt gift to someone special this Christmas, now is the time to order an art portrait.

Done in a combination of acryllic and pencil crayon, this art portrait would make a beautiful Christmas gift. All you have to do is submit a color photo of your loved one, and I will take it from there.

The likeness of your loved one in the art portrait will be done on 8 X 11" paper and will be in full color.

Cost for the art portrait is only $55.00 (single subject) plus shipping.

If you would like an art portrait done for someone you love this Christmas, email me at phillipsdee@ymail.com.

Artists - Ways to Become Inspired

If you an artist you know it happens -- you get artist's block. You get to a point where you don't know what to do next. Sometimes this is as a result of too many projects going through you head, or sometimes you just feel tired and can't think of anything you want to paint. (I speak of painting, but this can also relate to sculptors or other types of artists). It feels as though you have hit a brick wall and there is nothing left in the world that is interesting or unique.

So, what do you do to break this block?

One way is to turn to nature. Go for a walk along a woodland path. Take a stroll through a park. Heck, even turn on one of the nature channels on T.V. Everytime I turn to the nature route, I find something interesting to set off my creative juices. I am not strictly a nature painter -- I paint a lot of people -- but nature still thrills me and inspires me in all my painting. I can see a young girl sitting underneath that canopy of leaves in the woods. I can see a fairy sitting on that mushroom beside the rotting log. I can see an angel in flight through the blue, blue of the summer sky. You get the idea!

Another way to become inspired is to read the history of another artist. Even if you don't paint like that particular artist, some of the details in their work can inspire you to try different things in your own work. Perhaps their use of color, or the way they have incorporated an object as a symbol in their painting. Maybe its how they painted what was the normal everyday life of their time. Or possibly something in their style of painting that you always wanted to try--now may be the time.

You can also try a different medium. If you are a painter, try sculpting a little. If you make jewelry, try sketching clothing designs in pastels. This could not only lead you to new ideas in your own work, but may turn you on to a new phase of art.

There are many ways to combat artist's block. Look around at the world you live in and try new things. I guarantee there is a world out there that only needs a new way to look at to help you become inspired.

Sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Artist Resources - About Your Art Website

As an artist, your website is your home base . . .your "hub." . . . where you and your visitors connect. As such, you need to make sure that it includes certain information and features that art collectors have come to expect. To get the resources to help you maximize your online art marketing efforts, here is a great program that I recommend.

FineArtViews-Artist Resources

Art Trivia - Who was Albert Besnard?

Albert Paul Besnard was a French painter and etcher, born in Paris on June 2, 1849. His work revealed adherence to French academic tradition mingled with contemporary influences, especially English. Some of his early works, such as "Procession des Seigneurs de Vauhallan" displayed a romanticized classicism derived from Ingres, of whom he was a pupil.

Besnard seems to have originated the technique in his works of suggesting form by coarse cross-hatching while omitting the closed line.

Albert Besnard also made many impressive portraits in oils, etching and pastels. He also did frescoes in the Ecole de Pahrmacie and the Nouvelle Sorbonne.

Besnard was director of the French Academy from 1913-1921 in Rome and of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris after 1922. Besnard died in Paris in 1934.

The picture at right is a portrait done by Albert Benard entitled: "Madame Roger Jourdain"

Sell your own artwork with this great ebook: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

My Own Artwork

Since this is my art blog and I am an artist, I thought you may like to see some of my own artwork. You can view it at: Yessy-Denny Phillips Art Gallery

The picture shown is called "Maria". It is a pencil crayon drawing of my sister at a young age.

If you want to know how to sell your own artwork and which method best suits you, I would recommended this product to help you out: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Art Trivia - Art Sales in 1969

Did you know that a Rembrandt self-portrait was purchased from the private collection of Col Heywood-Lonsdale and went to the Norton Simon Museum in Los Angeles in 1969? The museum purchased the piece for 483,000 pounds from Christie's in London.

Artists: If you ever wanted to know how to sell your artwork, here is a recommended program that gives you everything you ever wanted to know to be a sucessful artist: Go to: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Put Your Art Talent to Work

If you love to paint or draw (or sculpt or whatever), you can also use your talent to earn money. You can make a living doing what you love to do.

Many artists find a personal satisfaction in their art creation. But artists also like their work to be appreciated. There is no greater satisfaction than when someone is willing to pay for what you have created. You can feel a sense of pride of accomplishment that your work is good in someone else's eyes as well as your own.

It isn't enough just to WANT to sell your artwork. Selling your artwork is a business that you have to work at, just as anything else is. You have to get your artwork in front of people so that they can see it before then can buy it. And that takes a bit of work.

You need to know how to sell your artwork and which method best suits you. I recommended this product to help you out: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

You can be an appreciated artist and you can make money as an artist. Put your art talent to work for you!

Art Trivia - Learn About John Steuart Curry

Today's art trivia focuses on John Steuart Curry, a U.S. painter whose art reflected the social and aesthetic values of the depression years of the 1930's. He was born on Nov. 14, 1897 and died in 1946.

After returning from a jaunt in Europe, he won recognition for his works "Hogs Killing a Rattlesnake", "Baptism in Kansas" and "The Tornado" (along with other works). As you can see his subject matter was definitely American oriented, and his style reflected a new expression of the energy of American life. Favorite subjects of his were the circus, the landscape and traditions of where he lived and the spectacle of American sports.

Curry taught at Cooper Union in New York at the Art Student's league and was the artist in residence at the University of Wisconsin from 1936 until his death.

The picture above of his work is titled: "Study for Oklahoma Land Rush".

Artists: Do you want to learn how to sell your artwork? Here is a great resource that I recommend: How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out

Becoming an Appreciated Artist

Many artists paint strictly for the joy of painting or creating. Just the act of applying that paint to canvas or paper is what fulfills them. But let's face it...this is the real world. People have to live and have to make a living--artists included. It would be nice (and so rewarding) to be able to make a living at what you love to do. It would also be nice to get some recognition for your artistic talents. That is what becoming an appreciated artist means.

So, you have to know a little about salesmanship in order to sell your art, make a living and continue to practice the art of painting that you enjoy so much. Becoming an appreciated artist is becoming an artist who sells his artwork.

Here is a program that I recommend for anyone trying to sell their artwork. It offers a lot of tips and suggestions on how to go about becoming a income-earning artist. Take a look and see what you think.... How to Sell Your Art Without Selling Out