www.artistlincphiladelphia.org http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org Sun, 26 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 Printmaking Techniques of the Nineteenth Century http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2013/05/26/printmaking-techniques-of-the-nineteenth-century/ http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2013/05/26/printmaking-techniques-of-the-nineteenth-century/#comments Sun, 26 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/?p=11 The nineteenth century was an exciting period for printmakers. Artisans could use not only the traditional methods of printmaking, such as engravings, etchings and woodcuts, but as the century proceeded, new methods of making prints became both possible and popular.

Although many fine artists preferred to focus on etching and engraving techniques, the popular arts and mass media of the day embraced each new technique, including photography, as it emerged. Even fine artists, such as Degas and Manet, explored the capabilities of lithography, following its introduction in the late 1790s.Want more? Click here{{/tag} Lithography, similar to today’s offset printing, is still popular. In the nineteenth century, lithography helped newspapers, magazines and books become beautifully illustrated, remain inexpensive to produce, but enjoy large print runs.

Color lithography became possible in the mid-nineteenth century. Color prints from the era include work by Gauguin, Vuillard and James Whistler. In the United States, Currier & Ives lithographs illustrated an iconic, idealized America.

Towards the end of the century, printmaking technology improved until it was able to reproduce very large prints. Toulouse-Lautrec took full advantage of the technique to produce large posters with wide swaths of color. His work is often cited as the progenitor of much of today’s advertising industry.

]]> http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2013/05/26/printmaking-techniques-of-the-nineteenth-century/feed/ 0 Henri Toulouse-Lautrec: The Posters of the Moulin Rouge http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2013/03/28/henri-toulouse-lautrec-the-posters-of-the-moulin-rouge/ http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2013/03/28/henri-toulouse-lautrec-the-posters-of-the-moulin-rouge/#comments Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/?p=10 The Moulin Rouge was a real place–a Paris landmark that opened in 1889. It was a combination theatre, dance hall, and concert hall. Henri Toulouse Lautrec, who had already gained a reputation among the bohemians, was one of the invitation-only guests at its opening. He died young, a result of a life devoted to his two great loves, art and alcohol. He made one and consumed the other almost constantly. His joy of life is expressed in his artworks and picture posters.

In his posters of the Moulin Rouge, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec used the Japanese style that was just coming in to fashion at the time: large, flat areas of color and asymmetric composition. A contemporary of Cezanne and Van Gogh, he was classified as both an Impressionistic and Art Nouveau Painter. His art depicted scenes from the bohemian life that he enjoyed, and his subjects were often people he knew. His favorite subjects were “La Goulue” and her partner, a contortionist, and the paintings served as advertisements.

]]> http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2013/03/28/henri-toulouse-lautrec-the-posters-of-the-moulin-rouge/feed/ 0 Picasso and the Artists of the School of Paris http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/30/picasso-and-the-artists-of-the-school-of-paris/ http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/30/picasso-and-the-artists-of-the-school-of-paris/#comments Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/?p=9 The first time that Picasso from Spain visited Paris was in 1900. Over the course of the next four years, he visited Paris three more times before finally settling there in 1904. Picasso was fascinated by the city, especially its Bohemian street life found in the dance halls and cafes. In the people at Montmartre, the ladies of rue Breda, and those living out their senior years at Batignolles, Picasso found inspiration that led to his blue period.
Picasso also found inspiration from other artists living in Paris including Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degass and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. In Picasso’ s work during this period can also be found influences from his youth in Spain.
Shortly after Picasso moved to Spain in 1904, he entered his rose period. Picasso developed a real love for the circus. Picasso received inspiration from the circus which he attended several times a week. He also received inspiration from others who were moving to Paris from throughout the world. This group of artists later became known as the School of Paris. Among Picasso’s friends were poet Max Jacob and writer Guillaume Apollinaire. Picasso found favor with important art dealers Ambroise Vollard and Daniel Henry Kahnweiler which allowed him to live a lifestyle very few young artists ever enjoyed.

]]> http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/30/picasso-and-the-artists-of-the-school-of-paris/feed/ 0 Mary Cassatt: The Life of a Female Impressionist http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/28/mary-cassatt-the-life-of-a-female-impressionist/ http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/28/mary-cassatt-the-life-of-a-female-impressionist/#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/?p=8 Mary Cassatt was born in 1844 in the United States. Her family was able to send her to Europe to study music, language, and drawing. When Mary Cassatt returned to the United States she enrolled in art school. In 1866 Mary returned to Paris to study painting techniques with private tutors. After two years of study one of Mary’s paintings was chosen to be displayed at a special exhibit. Her father did not want Mary to be a professional painter and refused to support her art studies after 1870.

Mary Cassatt returned to Europe in 1871. She painted commissioned artwork in Italy and Spain. Eventually Mary was able to live in France and met Edgar Degas. Edgar Degas helped her to meet other impressionistic artists. Impressionism painting developed during the 1800s in Paris. The painting technique used new forms of light and movement. Impressionistic artworks are often ordinary scenes seen in everyday life.

This group held their own art exhibits. Mary Cassatt was invited to show impressionistic paintings at these exhibits. Many of Mary’s paintings are scenes of mothers and children. Mary stopped painting in 1914 due to losing most of her eyesight. Mary Cassatt died in 1926.
Want to know more? Go ahead: Happy Birthday Mary Cassatt!

]]> http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/28/mary-cassatt-the-life-of-a-female-impressionist/feed/ 0 Chinese Brush Painting Materials and Techniques http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/24/chinese-brush-painting-materials-and-techniques/ http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/24/chinese-brush-painting-materials-and-techniques/#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/?p=7 Chinese brush painting has a long rich history of storytelling, landscape, and life drawing. Chinese artists have perfected the art of brush painting with ink from the fourteenth century to present day. This guide can help you get started brush painting with ink just like the Chinese masters.

Gather materials

First you will need ink, brushes, and paper. You can get traditional brush ink in brick or liquid form. Or you can get India ink for a cheaper alternative. Get bamboo brushes for traditional brush painting. Other less expensive ink brushes will also work just fine. Choosing the right paper is also very important. You will want a heavy weight paper so that the wet ink will not warp the paper structure.

Set up a still life

Using traditional Chinese items for your still life will make it all the more authentic of an experience, but this is not necessary. You may want to do a pencil sketch of the still life you have created before you test your hand in ink. Though it is not traditional to do a pencil sketch first, but the great masters of Chinese brush painting were highly skilled at getting it right the first time.

Premix ink gradations

It is smart to premix different strengths of ink with water to get a few gradations to start with. Using three small containers, mix one as a light wash. Make the next one a little darker, a medium tone. Lastly, mix a fairly dark one, not black, but dark. In ink brush painting, as in other mediums you will want to wait to define your extreme blacks and whites for last.

]]> http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/24/chinese-brush-painting-materials-and-techniques/feed/ 0 The Evolution of Painting Nudes Through History http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/20/the-evolution-of-painting-nudes-through-history/ http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/20/the-evolution-of-painting-nudes-through-history/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/?p=6 Nudity in art has been around for a very long time and has experienced much change. The changes in the paintings themselves represent one aspect, but there have also been changes in societal and cultural attitudes. While there are those who tend to reject most forms of nudity, other then what is seen in art, society definitely decides what is publicly acceptable and what is not regarding nude art.

Early Greek art depicted the nude male form in the likeness of gods and heroes to the people. Nude art paintings have largely been prevalent in the religious arena and have been generally accepted. During medieval times through the later 1800s, European nude paintings were not viewed as erotic or sexual and nineteenth century France regarded nude art as completely acceptable.

While in general, Western people of society tend to be more prudish, the amazing Renaissance paintings, done by the famous Michel Angelo, demonstrate a bit of societal attitude adjustment. Certain male and female parts were hidden from the eyes by well placed fig leaves! In modern times, nude paintings continue to enjoy popularity. However, in general the forms themselves tend to be painted much trimmer, more firm and less god-like.

If you like what you see, keep going: Thousands strip down for nude art

]]> http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/20/the-evolution-of-painting-nudes-through-history/feed/ 0 Friedl Dicker-Brandeis: Art Therapy at the Terezin Concentration Camp http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/19/friedl-dicker-brandeis-art-therapy-at-the-terezin-concentration-camp/ http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/19/friedl-dicker-brandeis-art-therapy-at-the-terezin-concentration-camp/#comments Sun, 19 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/?p=5 Friedl Dicker-Brandeis:Art Therapy at the Terezin Concentration Camp

Art therapy is the expressive form of creativity that improves a person’s emotional and mental well-being. The creative forces are in each one of us, waiting to surface. Professionals have the education and skills to help an individual deal with the daily stresses of life.

There are times in life when you can’t communicate what you are feeling. It is at this point therapy is a catalyst for expression through an art form. The art therapist is trained extensively in recognizing nonverbal symbols. They realize the things you are displaying are things that are difficult to express in words.

Through the use of different art materials, visual art expression can help you manage your behavior and innermost feelings. Art therapy is for everyone. It is a good assessment for mental health or working through a serious illness. This type of therapy is for all races and all ages and creates an emotional link.

Art can be expressed through a beautiful melody or a beautiful piece of sculptor. A child can express it through a colorful picture. It comes in many forms and is an representation of our emotional state of mind.

]]> http://www.artistlincphiladelphia.org/2012/08/19/friedl-dicker-brandeis-art-therapy-at-the-terezin-concentration-camp/feed/ 0