Saturday, February 4th, 2012
Once you learn how to draw the eyes, nose, and lips, it’s time to put everything together and learn how to draw the whole face. In this article, I’m going to go over some common mistakes that artists make when drawing faces and hopefully save you some frustration. (Click here for more information on how to draw eyes.)
If you notice that you are making these mistakes, don’t worry. Everyone fall prey to them. Just try to fix it and move on. By following theses tips, you’ll help improve your how to draw portraits skills.
OK, let’s get started.
Mistake #1: Not Focusing On The Whole Picture When You Draw
I used to do this all the time. I would start off my drawing by focusing too much on one particular part and didn’t pay attention to the rest.
The problem with this is that soon the proportion of my drawing became out of wack. My nose would be too big or my lips would be too long.
What’s more, I would run out of space on my drawing pad before I can even finish the drawing.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. Give some thoughts to where everything is going to be before you start drawing.
You can do this by making some light marks on your drawing paper to mark out where everything is going to go.
Mistake #2: Never Starting Because You Are Afraid To Make Mistakes
It’s never fun to stare at a blank piece of canvas and don’t know what to do first or where to start. You don’t do anything because you don’t want to make a mistake.
We’ve all been there and it sucks. It’s a waste of time. It’s frustrating. And worse, it makes drawing not fun!
So here’s a tip to avoid that. Warm up your drawing hand and muscles by doodling before starting a drawing project. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Since you are not really drawing anything, you can’t really make a mistake!
This will get to you loosen up and free you of any anxiety and drawing will become fun again.
Mistake #3: Not Practicing Drawing From Real Life
I was guilty of this too. I just thought, “Why bother drawing from real life, it’s just the same as a photo anyway.”
But there is a difference. By drawing from real life you get to practice drawing shade, shadows, lighting, perspective, and much more.
When I started to give drawing from real life a shot, I saw my drawing skills drastically improve. If you are not doing it, then you are really missing out. Just pick something in your house right now and give it a shot.
I have been practicing dynamic figure drawing for many years and I would like to share what I learned with you. Just visit my blogand check out all the FREE lessons that I’ve made there. You’ll learn things like how to draw nose and much more.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Film schools have so much to offer if one wants to pursue this as a career. Writing courses as well as cinematography, editing, acting, and directing courses as well. Schools have different things to offer as far as curriculum and the time it takes to complete the degree. One must decide where they want to go and then start the process of qualifying for the school and finding out what they need to do to meet the requirements.
Cinema schools are all over the world. In every continent, one can find a school of this nature. There are so many to choose from. Some places of learning require a student to take courses that are not in their discipline such as a writing student taking an editing class or an editing student maybe having to take a cinematography course.
Having an overlap in majors and courses gives each student a different perspective which is good as the whole world of film has so many different aspects to it. It is so multi-dimensional and needs to have a well-rounded approach or something will be missing. What a rewarding experience it can be and it can really change one’s life. Going to school for this subject is recommended as it gives you many contacts you would not get otherwise. It also gives you a foot in the door as you will learn from others who have gone before you and will teach you what mistakes not to make.
Schools have various curriculum to choose from. It is a good idea for the prospective student to work with their admissions representative to get a thorough idea of what will be required of them before they apply. That way there are no unpleasant surprises.
It is also good for the cinematography major to take a screenwriting or acting course as well. It may not seem to be helpful, but after one is in the class and has experienced it first-hand, they will see the benefits. The world of film is so vast and creative that all the aspects of what it takes to make a full-length feature film need to be learned as much as possible.
Schools for cinema are quite different in the United States as they are in other parts of the world such as Europe. Europeans see the world of cinema totally different than Americans do. They usually see it in a less commercial light. They look at the characters of a script and what they want and make the magic happen between them. Hollywood in America will make sure all of that happens as well with the power of the dollar largely attached to the whole project.
The bottom line in American movies is money. If it does not look like it will bring in any money, it will not get made. Very few risks are made as people are often discouraged from taking gambles. In Europe, the quality of the project is taken more into account. Also, in Europe, less drama surrounding car chases or large explosions are seen which helps cut down the costs of the movie’s budget as these special effects can cost quite a bit of money.
Since culture has a large impact on film school and the multiple ways of teaching this subject, one must decide where they want to live before they decide where they want to be a student. This is so important when deciding where to apply. Also, timing may be an issue. One may look favorable now, but may look different later.
Ready to channel your inner creativity? Enroll in a photography school or film schools in Canada. There are many fine video production courses to choose from. The career you dreamed of may be just around the corner.
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Saturday, August 20th, 2011
There has always been something about a scary story that has excited its audience, no matter the medium. No matter if its horror movies, ghost stories, or chilling novels by the likes of Stephen King or Dean Koontz, or the Grimm brothers for that matter, there is something about being scared that people really seem to enjoy a lot.
When it comes to horrors, there are so many types of stories to scare you. Monster stories, gory films, the silly and wacky horrors, psychological thrillers and ghost stories have kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
It is almost impossible to compare horror movies, especially those on different sides of the scary spectrum. A movie like Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds is so different to something like A Nightmare on Elm Street, except for the fact that they will both give you goosebumps. The five movies below though are a good broad selection of classic horror that everyone who loves the genre should see.
In 1960 the one and only Alfred Hitchcock introduced us to Norman Bates and the Bates Motel in Psycho. This masterpiece, with Anthony Perkins in the role of Norman, continues to stand the test of time. It many not be the scandalous movie it was in 1960, but it is still one of the most tense and nerve-wracking experiences you will have while watching a movie. The famous shower scene with Janet Leigh is perhaps the most iconic on-screen kill of all time.
Another oldie is William Friedkin’s The Exorcist, made in 1973, but beware, this oldie is going to make you have sleepless nights. Dealing with the possession of a young girl, and the attempts by priests to rid her of this demon, it is the kind of scary movie that will leave a lasting impression. With stellar performances from Ellyn Burstyn, Max Von Sydow and Linda Blair as the possessed girl, Regan, do not watch this alone.
Steven Spielberg made his mark on cinema with the unforgettable horror about a Shark terrorizing a small town beach town in Jaws. This sparked a different kind of fear, and many people claim to be scared of the sea, and sharks, based strictly on having seen this film. The John Williams composed theme remains as haunting today, and with a great cast like Roy Schneider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss, one can forgive how fake the shark looks these days.
When it comes to slasher horror movies, there are many to consider for the top spot, with Friday theThirteenth’s Jason and Elm Street’s Freddie Kruger close contenders. But it is Michael Myers in the 1978 original Halloween that tops the list. Perhaps it was Jamie Lee Curtis’ scream, or Donald Pleasance’s creepy psychiatrist, or the fact that it was directed by a true master of suspense, the one and only John Carpenter. Carpenter’s The Thing and The Fog are two other great scary choices.
Another Steven Spielberg film finishes the list, though this time he was only credited as the producer, though he did cast the movie, direct the actors and do all the storyboards. Toby Hooper was the director though of the classic ghost story, Poltergeist. Starring Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams, this 1982 classic story of a family home haunting remains one of the best ghost horror movies ever made.
Need to catch up on horror movies starring your favourite actors? Fright Flicks has a variety of free movies to choose from with new arrivals coming in daily. From zombie movies to thrillers, you will find films perfect for you.
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Saturday, July 9th, 2011
Action movies throughout the years have employed a variety of strategies to make the experience more exciting and realistic. However, martial arts and kung fu movies have often innovated in ways that affect cinema as a whole. These films have undergone several major changes. Audiences have rolled with these changes and come back wanting more.
One of the earliest martial arts and kung fu movies was the Burning of the Red Lotus Monastery, a silent film. This 27-hour-long saga was inspired by a serial that appeared in a newspaper. A series of motion pictures was released. In spite of its length, it was popular in its day.
Large fight scenes that incorporate many actors, martial artists and extras have become somewhat synonymous with the genre. Of course, filming scenes like this is not easy and directors make use of multiple cameras and dozens of skilled fighters. Now, directors can also use sophisticated computer programs to include more virtual fighters later on, which has made it somewhat easier to create the illusion of a large fight scene.
In the 1970s, films of this genre really came to the forefront, in part because of the career of Bruce Lee. He developed his own fighting style and applied that dynamic style to the silver screen. He worked in Hong Kong, where many actors working under him would get their initial inspiration. But it wasn’t long before the films gained traction in other parts of the world.
North American and European audiences came to love the fast-paced action. Also, Lee’s films occasionally included other martial artists, introducing the world to many new stars. The success of these films also drew other actors to try their hand at them as well.
Names like Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and Jean Claude Van Damme came to prominence during this time. They used their skills to put on a show in Hollywood films that reached massive audiences. This breathed new life into the genre and gave it a different flavor. Hollywood used some of the typical elements of the genre and mixed them with new plots in a variety of locations.
One exciting recent development, though, is that much of the momentum is swinging back to Asia. Actors like Jackie Chan remain extremely popular in Asia and the rest of the world. Mainland China is also producing high quality movies now and several actors have risen to the industry’s top there. Even places like Thailand have an industry with a global reach. Tony Jaa is considered by many to be one of the next big stars.
Fashion and aesthetics change over time, which has a lot to do with how popular martial arts and kung fu movies at any given time. But behind the fluctuations in popularity, these films have something inherent in them that always strikes a chord with viewers from many different backgrounds. Whatever this something is, it ensures that fans will not have to worry about finding new motion pictures to watch, year in and year out.
For the best selection of karate movies be sure to look on line to watch and enjoy a massive selection of martial arts movies, kung fu movies and many other movies.
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Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Horror movies have a long and interesting history dating back to the 1890s. These films are designed to provoke fear from the viewers. Many scenes are intended to startle the audience through a combination of macabre and supernatural forces. These shows are intended to provide a safe outlet for hidden fears.
Plots often center around the occurrence of an evil force, event or person. Usually the central theme is based upon supernatural beings and happenings. Werewolves, ghosts, vampires, curses, haunted houses, disease outbreaks, zombies outbreaks and serial killers are common components in these films.
Georges Melies is regarded as the earliest pioneer of thrillers. His first silent film was The House of the Devil. This 1896 release is considered the world’s first thriller. His subsequent release was The Cave of the Unholy One, in 1898.
Gothic literature provided the themes for the early thrillers. The Phantom of the Opera, Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, Frankenstein and Dracula were among the earliest releases. A spine-tingling version of Frankenstein was released in 1910.
Producers in Hollywood started to release spine-tingling films early in the 20th Century. The 1923 release of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the 1925 release of The Monster featured Lon Chaney, Senior. He was America’s first movie star from thrillers. Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff also created successful careers from their roles in thrillers.
The genre became more popular during the 1930s. There were several notable releases during this time-frame. A famous set-designer and make-up artist was Jack Pierce. He became an icon for his creation of masks and costumes for the monster characters.
The 1931 releases of Dracula and Frankenstein were hugely successful. A 1933 release, The Invisible Man, blended science fiction with Gothic fright. Many films from this time-period were inspired by the German expressionist films from the 1920s. These plots were designed to thrill audiences, but also incorporated more serious elements.
Along with the technological advances in the 1950s, the film themes also shifted. Two sub-genres evolved, those based on Armageddon and those based on demonic themes. Film-makers believed these themes were more relevant to contemporary audiences.
Japanese studios began releasing a stream of low-budget thrillers in the 1950s. Many experts believe they were influenced by the terrible after-affects from the nuclear bombing of World War II. These films centered on over-coming threats from alien invasions and deadly mutations of people, plants, animals and insects.
During the 1960s, film-makers continued incorporating monsters and ghosts, but they began to expand the science fiction components. The Haunting (1963) and Rosemary’s Baby (1968) were early examples of this shifting trend.
The notorious and prolific British producer, Alfred Hitchcock, began incorporating modern back-drops to films. Some of his early notable productions include Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958), and Psycho (1960). His 1963 production of The Birds is considered to be the earliest example of nature-gone-mad themes.
Contemporary horror movies have evolved from a rich and diverse history. While they tend to incorporate more modern themes with more advanced special-effects, they remain focused on providing thrills and chills to audiences.
Do you like scary movies? Choose between the most glorious vampires movies in film history to the most popular zombie movies made in existence. Watch these exciting, acclaimed and ultimately terrifying horror movies online!
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