Three of The Most Iconic Oil Paintings of All Time

Oil painting is a medium preferred by a lot of artists. Among the fluid methods, it is the most flexible when it comes to the production of effects one might need to create a visual stunner. The range of possible textures and color mixtures or gradations can easily be achieved on different surfaces but most notably on canvas and wooden panel.

The art world, across centuries and traditions, was graced by a lot of aesthetically superior and provocative examples of oil painting. Here are three of the most memorable and arresting works in this medium:

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The Old Guitarist
This oil on panel painting by Pablo Picasso, arguably the most formidable Western artist during the first half of the twentieth century, is from the Blue Period. The temporal frame is a means of classifying works where he used a monochromatic palette, typically depicting oppressed figures and characters.
The Milkmaid
The Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer was quite famous as a genre painter of domestic interior scenes. Like a lot of his works, this painting has a photographically realistic finish that prominently features Vermeer’s keen understanding of the intricacies of chiaroscuro.
American Gothic
This iconic and quintessential American artwork by Grant Wood is representative of Regionalism, a movement that championed representational images of rural America. There is something completely anachronistic but deliciously appropriate (to the subject matter) about its style of realism, which owes a great deal to Northern Renaissance painters like Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

Vijaya Prakash Boggala loves oil and acrylic painting. Learn more about his other inclinations by clicking here.

The Pros of do(ing)-it-Yourself

Not a lot of people enjoy doing do-it-yourself or DIY projects. While such projects can be messy and time-consuming, they do bring a lot of benefits. Here’s why anyone should try building (or creating) instead of buying.

Save money. DIY projects help people save a lot of money. Many homeowners spend thousands of dollars to buy furniture or schedule repairs. But DIY allows them to save on repair service costs and other expenses.

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It boosts one’s brain power. DIY projects help people gain new knowledge and skills. Whether it’s just about learning new techniques or skills such as repairing broken appliances or designing and crafting projects, people hone their problem-solving and creative skills.

It keeps people active. Happy and healthy people have active minds and bodies. And doing DIY projects help people to be active mentally and physically. It also empowers people to create something out of nothing.

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It can help develop or restore relationships. DIY projects are a good excuse for people to bond with their family members or close friends. When people do something together, it nurtures friendship and support.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala is a medical abstract writer based in Greensboro, NC. When he is not working, he does a lot of DIYprojects and enjoys being a father to his four-year-old son. For similar reads, visit this blog.

The Best Surfaces For Acrylic Painting

Choosing which surface to paint on is as important as selecting the art medium. And for those who want to use acrylic as material, the painting surface should not be too greasy nor glossy. Here are some of the best ones to use:

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Canvas

The most common surface used by artists, canvas is also an ideal choice for acrylic painters because of the ease of working on it coupled with its affordability. Acrylic also does not degrade the fibers of canvas as time passes, which means that there is no more need to prime the canvas.

But because linen canvas has a smooth, stiff surface, it is not that recommendable for acrylic painting. It is better to opt for a raw cotton canvas.

Paper

Paper is another perfect painting surface for acrylic because of its texture. Take note, however, that acrylic contracts when it dries, rendering thin paper impractical. The paper’s edges can be secured by applying removable tape on the edges, preventing it from wrinkling or warping too much. A thicker type of paper can also be used.

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Board

Initially introduced to facilitate painting outdoors, artists have also started to prefer art boards even when indoors as it can be convenient for some. Examples of art boards that are ideal for acrylic painting are canvas boards, museum boards, fiber boards, and wooden boards.

Vijaya Boggala is a medical abstract writer who has an affinity for the arts. He enjoys oil and acrylic painting, and is currently developing his photography skills. Learn more about him by checking out this link.

Understanding The Different Surface Types In Tennis

Throughout the year, tennis tournaments are held on three different surfaces that test the players’ mettle in distinct ways and make seasons ever more exciting for fans. The three surface types are the following:

Image source:tennis.com.au

Hard court

The most common playing surface in both professional and recreational tennis, hard courts are usually made from concrete, asphalt, or synthetic layers such as rubberized carpets. Hard courts are described as a “democratic” surface because it gives players of varying playing styles equal opportunity to excel. The surface gives the ball a predictable bounce and promotes a fast game pace.

Grass

Grass was the original playing surface in tennis. But because it is difficult and expensive to maintain, grass courts are rare nowadays and the grass-court season lasts for just six weeks in a year.

The bounce and pace of the games on grass courts depend on the weather (cold days mean heavier balls and slower games while warm days result to lighter balls and faster games) and how well-maintained the grass is.

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Clay

In clay courts, the playing surface is sprinkled with crushed mineral aggregates, such as shale, brick, stone, or basalt. It creates a slow game, high bounce of the ball, and longer rallies that favor players who boast strong groundstrokes and great stamina. Clay courts are also considered the most physically demanding among the surface types.

Greensboro, NC resident Vijaya Prakash Boggala enjoys watching live sports, such as tennis and cricket. For more articles about these sports, subscribe to this blog.

Talk Like a True Shutterbug With These Common Photography Terms

Joining a group of photographers can easily make a newbie feel out of place. Aside from getting used to operating the camera, understanding the jargon can be a bit overwhelming. That said, newbies should keep on learning the tricks and the terms related to the art. Here are some common photography terms worth knowing:

Depth of field (DOF)

This refers to the distance in front and behind the subject in focus. On the one hand, when shooting landscapes, a larger DOF can bring the little details of a scenery in perspective. On the other hand, most choose a shallow DOF when it comes to shooting portraits so that the background won’t affect the subject. Setting the aperture is key to getting the right level.

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Exposure

Photographers throw this word around casually, but they could be referring to different things. Basically, exposure pertains to the amount of light involved in processing the image. However, it could also mean aperture, ISO, and even shutter speed—the so-called “exposure triangle.”

Noise

What does it mean when a photo is “noisy”? It means that the picture quality is a bit grainy or with unnecessary contrast. This could also cause little flecks in the image. While this could go unnoticed, photographers will easily spot this. Noise usually happens with images that are taken with high ISO.

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When an unfamiliar term is being thrown around in photography circles, beginners should not hesitate to ask. It’s always good to ask for help and even for a tutorial. Skilled photographers are generous with their techniques, and it would be a privilege to learn from these talented people.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala works as a medical abstractor. He spends his free time expressing himself through art and photography. For more art-related updates, follow this Twitter page.

Capturing The Rising And Setting Sun: A Guide For Photographers

The rising and setting sun always makes for a good image. Witnessing these natural occurrences in person make for a memorable moment. However, translating the wonder onto a photo can be quite challenging. How can photographers effectively capture sunrise and sunsets?

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1. Plan.

The best sunrise and sunset photos are planned. When a photographer is ready for the moment, he will have lots of elements to work with such as the landscape and even the weather. When the moment finally comes, a photographer can enjoy the moment and capture the sun in its glorious form.

2. Underexpose.

Photographers must learn to underexpose to bring out the different colors in a sunrise or a sunset. This little step will contribute to a richer, more dramatic effect that will make for a rich image.

3. Incorporate a point of interest.

Silhouettes of other objects such as mountains, trees, and even people can make the image of the sunrise or sunset stand out more. When there’s another point of interest in the photo, the blending colors of the changing sun will be more in focus. Using other objects and their silhouettes will also add more character to the scene.

4. Take photos from different angles and focal points.

A photographer might be looking at one direction when better moments are going on behind them.They should consider their surroundings when capturing sunrise and sunset. There could be other images that will stand out aside from the intended landscape.

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Capturing the sun when it rises and sets is a good exercise in getting creative with photos.The activity yields different results every time and provides new experiences for a photographer.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala is a photography hobbyist who is most interested in landscape and speed photography. He is also passionate about DIY and art projects. Visit this Facebook page for updates.

The Wide World Of Lomography

Analog photography may seem like a dinosaur these days –extinct, thanks to the ubiquity of digital cameras but for a number of people,

photography via Lomographic cameras still has a place in the digital world. 

So what is Lomography exactly? Anyone who's ever used photography apps with filters such as Instagram will probably be familiar with the looks produced by Lomographic cameras: flawed, distressed, and vintage.  But the Lomography movement uses analog cameras (or toy cameras) and film to capture the world and its imperfections creatively.

Image source: wikipedia.org

 One of the best things about the Lomography movement is how, unlike most digital photos these days, photographers can come up with tangible prints. One might even say that Lomography is a nostalgic art. 

Regarding cameras, there are tons of choices available simply because each camera is specialized to fit a particular filter or look (but even then the prints may surprise the user depending on the film used, and the time the photo was taken, among others). The story goes that the first one ever used was a Lomo Kompakt Automat, a Russian toy camera, in Vienna. But other popular cameras now include the Lubitel TLR, the Frogeye camera, cameras with multiple lenses or colored flashes, and more.  

Image source: dailymail.co.uk

In addition to having a variety of features, Lomographic cameras themselves also come indifferent colors and looks, allowing photographers to not only express themselves through their photos but also through the cameras they're actually carrying. Lomographic cameras may not produce the sharper images of conventional analog or digital cameras, but they're definitely great for those who want to experiment and be creative.

Vijaya Prakash Boggala enjoys developing his skills in photography. Subscribe to this Facebook account to learn more about photography as well as his other pursuits.