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smb

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Everything posted by smb

  1. smb

    smb's struggle!

    So now, after about 2 weeks of practice - and with the aid of the most excellent book: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain I have come from this... To this... This is reputed to be Faye, from Boston, Massachusetts. It was copied from a picture that appeared in the July, 2005 edition of "Newcummers," (one of my favorite magazines!!) ***** Ok, I know that the second one is not perfect (her left shoulder is a bit too pointed and I overdone her eyelashes a bit) but I am well pleased with my drawing!! Life doesn't have to be perfect and neither do my attempts at art... The main thing is that I am happy with what I produced. Not bad, eh?!! When I made the second drawing, I seemed to have gone into some kind of a "state of "flow." I completely lost all sense of time and the drawing just seemed to flow from my pencil. (Well, Faye is extremely pretty and, I suppose, it helps when you are drawing your favorite subject!!) I have tried to repeat this experience but, without that level of success. I guess that it depends on how you are feeling at the time and various other circumstances? Even my other drawings of Faye haven't come out quite so well. Anyway, this drawing has given me the encouragement that I need to keep trying... And I hope that one day, I will be able to produce great drawings at will! Time for another beer!!!
  2. We ALL have something 'wrong' with us! Just as there is no such thing as perfect physical health (even the fittest atheletes can get a cold from time to thime!) - there is no such thing as perfect mental health. It's all a matter of degrees and realtivity.
  3. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glints on the snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the sweet uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight I am the soft stars that shine at night Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there; I did not die So heed, hear when you awaken What I say I live with you I guard your way. A well known piece of verse, I know, but none the less moving for it. I'm not a poet and I don't even have the words to begin to desribe how powerfully emotional, this is... Melancholic, yes but with a tremendous sense of something larger than life itself? Anyone know who it was written by?
  4. smb

    smb's struggle!

    Ok... Now I have exposed myself to ridicule!!! The first batch of drawings can be seen at: http://www.artfreaks.com/forums/index.php?...um&album=11 It's about 33 years since I last attempted to make any of my own art so these are very much the "Before" drawings. Hopefully, the "After" (reading a few books and a lot of practise) ones will be a little better... Learning to draw is an exciting challenge for me. And although the standard of my work is a bit of a joke at the moment, I have to say that I am NOT in the least bit disappointed with it. Far from it! I just feel chuffed that I've finally managed to pluck up the courage and have a go at doing something that I have always admired in others - drawing life-like images. I am currently working my way through an excellent book called "Drawing on the Right side of the Brain." I'm well impressed with it so far and I'm planning to do a review of it, once I have finished it. What I can say already, though, is that far from being a big heap of technical instructions, it is an excellent tool in breaking the psychological barriers that can prevent people from drawing. Right...! Time for a beer to celebrate!!!!
  5. smb

    HOW I STARTED PAINTING

    Inspiration to us all!! Especially when you see the results that this late starter is achieving!! When you look at Pol Ledent's work, you would think that he had been painting all his life... Awesome!! Check out Pol Ledent's portfolio at http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/p/pledent/
  6. The following tip is from Belgian artist, Pol Ledant:
  7. smb

    smb's struggle!

    At the tender young age of 47 years ( :yawinkle: ), I've finally decided to have another go at making some art... I was never any good at drawing but, at around age 14, I did once produce what I considered to be a pretty good oil painting of an A4 Pacific- (steam locomotive) hauled train, speeding down the tracks (supposedly! ) on its world record-breaking 126mph run. Having spoken to a few artist friends, I have come to the conclusion that I need to brush-up on my drawing and sketching skills before I can take my art any further. I was touched by Hermes Alegre's story of how, when he was a boy, his mother had to fork out on a blackboard and some chalks for him when he got into a fight with one of his friends. Apparently, his family didn't have enough money to buy paper and pencils so he used to draw by scratching his sketches into the earth. The fight started when his friend erased one of his drawings - as kids do!! :roll: I've bought a couple of books on drawing and I'll be giving you my reviews on these - together with some pretty awful "before" and, hopefully, slightly less awful "after" examples of my attempts at drawing and sketching - when I have finished reading these books and (tried!) to put some of what I have learned into practice. Watch this space! If any one else would like to share their story, tips, suggestions - or comments on mine or others attempts at making art, please feel free to post your comments here or, if you prefer, you can also start your own thread in this forum. I will be collating all the top tips that we get at: http://artfreaks.com/have_a_go/top_tips.html So let's be having them!!
  8. As of December 23, 2005, ArtWanted.com had 12,372 artist members, with a total of 179,745 images in their online galleries. The main galleries consist of the following categories: 3D Rendering Anime / Manga Art / Drawing Misc Cartoon / Comics Design / Interactive Digital Painting Fine Art Illustration Photography For artists ArtWanted.com offer a free membership but this only allows you to upload 3 images per month. If you want to subscribe to their premium membership, you can sell prints of your digital art.
  9. smb

    Poesias,

    Ok. This here is some more from Eduardo. (It was part of a personal letter to me, regarding the posting of his pictures in the Photographers' Gallery) I hope that I haven't infringed any copyrights, Eduardo but I just thought that it was too good to waste! So here it is... These pictures are a personal journey. In time, you will find the lives behind these scenes; it is part of a playwright sharing of his work, with the world...first and foremost with, bagoon kapit bahay, in the Pearl of the Orient. Thanks for posting those pictures for me, really appreciate it. Seaman for thirty years? Transform that feeling, my friend. In each dancing waves, see your little girls eyes, their smiles, in the sunrise and sunset, of each horizon, their hearts shine upon your thoughts, and a smile upon the memories shared beside them...They're precious and this journey, you will not be doing it over, again!. MAKE THE BEST OF IT; leave footprints on the sands of time!!! Eduardo Postscriptum: Take care of yourself, their silence awaits anxiously your return. Make sure to send them something, from every coastline you dock into... They will cherish it !!!
  10. This came in an e-mail... 30 Years Difference: 1973: Long hair 2003: Longing for hair 1973: KEG 2003: EKG 1973: Acid rock 2003: Acid reflux 1973: Moving to California because it's cool 2003: Moving to California because it's warm 1973: Trying to look like Liz Taylor 2003: Trying NOT to look like Liz Taylor 1973: Seeds and stems 2003: Roughage 1973: Hoping for a BMW 2003: Hoping for a BM 1973: The Grateful Dead 2003: Dr. Kevorkian 1973: Going to a new, hip joint 2003: Receiving a new hip joint 1973: Rolling Stones 2003: Kidney Stones 1973: Passing the drivers' test 2003: Passing the vision test Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things. The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1987. ~ They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up. ~ Their lifetime has always included AIDS . ~ Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic. ~ The CD was introduced the year they were born. ~ They have always had an answering machine ~ They have always had cable. ~ They cannot fathom not having a remote control. ~ Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show. ~ Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave. ~ They never took a swim and thought about Jaws. ~ They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are. ~ They don't know who Mork was or where he was from. ~ They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel", or "de plane Boss, de plane". ~ They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even is. ~ McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers. ~ They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter. ~ Do you feel old yet? (Sorry) Notice the larger type, that's for those of you who have trouble reading. Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.
  11. Boy Lugaw's in Arquiza Street, Ermita, Manila. Just a small "tindahan" (store) - between the Hotel La Corona and Cowboy Grill, Mabini. This place was featured in Ted Lerma's book, "Hey Joe!" A great place for some local flavor. I would recommend any tourist who is staying more than one night in Ermita to pay the place a visit - even if it is only to enjoy a few 25 peso beers, before hitting the town! A picture is coming... I'm just waiting 'till I can get a good shot of Boy with his Stomach hanging out!!
  12. Amazonia, 470 M.H. del Pilar St., (on the corner of Santa Monica,) Ermita, Manila. (Tel: 02 450 0126 0r 02 450 0127) The waitresses are friendly and very efficient. Not every night is a band night, though, so call first and see who is playing. The place is open 24 hours and they do a great breakfast too. (They also serve great coffee. I prefer theirs to Starbucks any day!) Update - April 25, 2006: I was in there a few days ago and they tried to charge me PHP 110 for a bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen (smb.) I don't mind paying a premium for a decent beer in nice surroundings but, to my mind, PHP 110 is taking the piss... Still, each to their own. Amazonia has its share of freelance girls but they are less insistent there than, say, L.A. Cafe (just across the road.) So if you just want a quiet beer and you are not too worried about the price, Amazonia might fit the bill. Updated details - Venue closed-down Update - 28/04/2019: This place has been closed for years...
  13. This is a really great site for browsing some wonderful photographs Well... it was!! (Link removed due to no longer leading to an active site...) Members and guests! Please feel free to post your links to quality photography sites here!
  14. From: http://www.artexpression.com/ Information on Giclees The contemporary gicl?e has become a valuable part of the limited edition fine art world. Gicl?e, a word derived from a French verb meaning, ?that which is sprayed by a nozzle?, is an archival fine art digital print. Gicl?es are created by a method of printing in which the image is scanned and digitally enhanced on a computer to match the original fine art. The image is then sent to a high-resolution inkjet printer, which sprays millions of microscopic droplets of ink onto various substrates to create an image with smooth tonal gradation. The superior quality of these gicl?e prints are many times combined with the human touch of hand-embellishments to give a more powerful appeal among consumers that want the look of an original fine art image at a more affordable price. They are available starting at $210.00 from artExpression's Giclee Section. Our Giclee Section has a selection of some of our top sellers.
  15. smb

    Poesias,

    Awesome! :roll: (Don't forget to post a link to your website! You can also add it to both your profile and to your signature. artfreaks.com has an open linking policy!) :grin:
  16. smb

    temples of khajurao

    I'd like to see those temples! Got any pictures you can post? (Just use the "Img" button and insert a URL...)
  17. I love Rock and Roll (Led Zep, Judas Priest Lynerd Skynherd - all that stuff!!). I also love a lot of classical music and I adore Italian opera. esp. Puccini and Donizetti! What can I do for music? Give it a bad name, probably!!
  18. One thing I really like about http://www.bobongbooks.com is that the site owner has kept to only two categories in his forums and the number of forums within those categories is also very limited. This makes it very easy on the eye for anyone visiting his forums for the first time. So, in view of this, I will I will introduce a new forum for games but, I would ask users if they could make do with the existsing forums for the following:- The classroom - Please start a new thread for this in "Arts in General" Family Discussions - Please post these in "General Chat" Classifieds - Please use the "Advertise" forum in "Announcements" By the way, do feel free to post company information - links to your own site, whatever. artfreaks.com is a member of http://www.honestlinks.net and we believe in an open linking policy and a WORLDWIDE WEB of quality links. All I would ask is that people state clearly, exactly where and to what the link will take them. (And click on one of my text ads - before moving on!!) :oops: Regarding the "muscle museum-art gallery for everybody," there is a forum for posting pictures but people are welcome to post pictures anywhere on these forums. (Just use the "Img" and insert a link to a picture on another website somewhwere.) For those that don't have their pictures stored on another website anywhere, there will also be a completely seperate "Photo Gallery" and "Art Gallery" (The links have already been installed on the home page but I have yet to install the actual galleries themselves. - More pennies needed! :sad: ) anyway, when those two galleries are up and running, people will be able to post their photos - or pictures of their art, directly from their hard drives. Have fun!! :grin:
  19. When I get a chance, I'm gonna down-load some more wacky emoticons! :ANAL:
  20. Yeah! That's me!!! Joke! No... I do talk to much - and I KNOW when I'm right. But let's be fair - we can't live on ideals alone. Somewhere along the line, there has to be a balance between idealism and realism.
  21. I smoke cigars. It makes me look like the stinking exhaust pipe of a badly maintained truck! But I don't smoke indoors and I don't smoke my cigars in front of other people...
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