March 10, 2014

12 Perfect Tools for Developing Color Palettes For Your Next Project –

Filed under: Art,Colors,Design Tips — Janelle Sullivan @ 8:09 pm



By Janelle Sullivan
 

color-paletteThere is a wide variety of Web tools available for use when you are planning the color palette for your next project. You may have a color scheme in your mind before you start, or you may not have a clue what direction you want to head in. Either way, I have found these web tools to be invaluable when I am trying out new color schemes or I am doing a job for someone with an unusual plan for a color scheme. I hope you find them to be helpful, too.
 
 

Color Blender

 
color-blenderColor Blender is an easy-to-manipulate tool that can help you choose color schemes for almost any purpose. You might be creating a typography project, planting a flower garden, or painting your bedroom. Whatever you are planning, this tool allows you to select a color and automatically get a color palette of complementary and contrasting colors. (more…)

March 5, 2014

Read This Before Your First Typography Project –

Filed under: Art,Design Tips,Typography — Janelle Sullivan @ 6:41 pm



By Janelle Sullivan
 

typographyBefore you start saying, “Oh no, the crazy lady is talking about typography again,” let me remind you how important this subject can be. I can agree that not everyone gets as excited as I do about typography, but in some cases, it can make or break your project. With that in mind, let’s talk about a few things to keep in mind before you start your first typography project.

What is Typography?

 
Very simply, typography is the act of setting type in your project and the techniques you use to do so. It is not only the words that are used that are important to any project. It’s also the way those words look in the finished work. Are they readable? Are they well-placed? Is the point of the work clear to everyone who looks at it? Well-done typography will allow you to answer “yes” to all of these questions. (more…)

February 27, 2014

Designing Posters That Command Attention –

Filed under: Art,Design Tips — Janelle Sullivan @ 3:53 pm



By Janelle Sullivan
 

Are you a graphic designer searching for ways to create a poster that will capture the attention of your audience? Poster design has been plaguing artists since the invention of the printing press. Finding just the right mix of images, colors and words to deliver the message you are hoping to impart can be difficult. I guess that is one of the tricks of graphic design. There are a lot of tips out there regarding how to make the perfect poster. I am going to try to sort through them and see if I can find the ones that work the best. I will throw in a couple tips of my own that have helped me with poster design.

What Do You Want Them to See?

 
In order to make an attention getting poster, you have to know what you want your audience to see. Make sure that the most important piece of information is what pops out from your poster. Whether that means making it the biggest or the brightest part of your graphic design, just make sure it pops. (more…)

February 17, 2014

Choosing the Paper that will Turn Your Poster Work into Awe-Inspiring Printed Works of Art –

Filed under: Art,Printing Tips — Janelle Sullivan @ 3:44 pm



By Janelle Sullivan
 

poster-printingWhen you spend time working on your art, or your passion, as I prefer to call it, you want the end result to be perfect. Whether you are a typography nut like I am or maybe you are into posters (oh wait, that’s me, too), there is a certain amount of bliss involved in seeing your project finished. It can be confusing, though, to know which paper will be the exact right choice for what you are trying to achieve. I find myself doing a little research every time I am ready for either typography printing or poster printing, just to be sure I am heading in the right direction. Maybe when I’m done here, we will all have a better understanding of paper types and how to use them. (more…)

January 31, 2014

Why Painting More is the Secret Ingredient to Getting Attention –

Filed under: Art — Janelle Sullivan @ 7:06 pm



By Janelle Sullivan
 

painting-supplies
If you are an aspiring artist, you have probably learned how difficult it is to achieve fame. To me, my art is very personal. When I started painting, it was painful to me if everyone wasn’t as excited about my work as I was. I realized, eventually, that if I was happy with what I produced, it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. I will never be Georgia O’Keefe and I am OK with that. That being said, many artists never acquire the fame they hope for in their lifetime – not even Van Gogh – but, let’s see if we can come up with a method to get some extra attention.

How can I get noticed?

 
In order to have your work seen by the “right people” you have to get out there and make connections. Go to art studios and talk to the owners, and the customers, if the owners will allow it. Go to every art show you can find. Look at the work that is being sold at these shows. I will never suggest you change your style of painting just to make people buy your work. Your art should be an extension of you, and you should always stay true to who you are; but, being aware of what is being created and what sells in a certain area can help you find the right spot for your artwork. (more…)

January 15, 2014

The Artist Whose Story Will Break Your Heart –

Filed under: Art — Janelle Sullivan @ 4:15 pm



By Janelle Sullivan
 
 

van-gogh

Vincent van Gogh was born 1853 and left this world in 1890 at the very young age of 37. I can’t imagine that there are very many people who have never heard of van Gogh. This is not a name that would only be recognized by art aficionados, but rather by most everyone. That means Vincent van Gogh would be classified as a famous man. And we all know that famous people are rich and live fabulous lives, right? Not so at all. Van Gogh’s story is a monumentally sad story that could definitely leave you in tears. You may know his paintings but I would like to share some of his story with you.

Who Was Vincent van Gogh?

 
Van Gogh was born in the Netherlands and was the son of a Dutch Protestant minister. He was raised believing that he would follow his father’s footsteps and serve humanity with a religious calling. Vincent put his entire being into becoming the theologian that his father was, but was unable to achieve this goal. He had a tendency to be very single minded with everything he attempted and was prone to burn out followed by failure. Vincent van Gogh was a truly tormented man who saw himself as a failure in all that was important to him, both in his career and his personal life. (more…)

November 26, 2013

Why Visiting The Louvre Belongs on Your Bucket List –

Filed under: Art — Janelle Sullivan @ 1:59 pm



By Janelle Sullivan

 

 

LouvreDo you have a bucket list? There was a time when I thought the idea of a bucket list was foolish. Why waste time making a list of things you want to do, when you can just do all of those exciting things? As I got a little older I realized that we all have things we want to do before we die and a bucket list just gives us a venue to keep track of them. There is, actually, great joy in accomplishing an event and marking it off the list. Anyone who knows me would know that the Louvre would be at the top of my list. I crossed this major accomplishment off my list a couple of years ago. I encourage everyone to make this trip at least once in their life.

The Amazing Louvre

 

Trust me when I tell you that the Louvre is not just an art museum, but an incredible piece of the history of France. The Louvre sits on the bank of the Seine in beautiful, historical Paris. When it was built, the Louvre was a fortress. From the mid-16th century until 1793 the building was used as a royal palace. When Louis XIV moved to Versailles, an art museum was born. Just looking at this building from the outside is like being in the presence of the greats. The feeling of history permeates the air.
(more…)


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