Art and Photography Articles

Since the discovery of the camera obscura, perhaps as far back as the 6th century, artists such as Joshua Reynolds, Durer and Canaletto have copied images onto drawing paper or canvas, using mechanical means. Below are a few simple techniques to assist you in copying from a photograph or other source.

* TRACING 1.
Depending on the size of the photograph to be copied, various techniques can be employed. Simplest of these is to cover the back of the photo with soft pencil, then, placing it onto the surface to be painted, draw over the principal lines of the photograph, pressing hard enough to transfer these marks onto the paper or canvas beneath. These marks can then be refined.

* TRACING 2.
Using tracing paper, trace over the photographic image with a pencil or ballpoint pen and then follow the steps above to transfer the image from the tracing paper. Both of these techniques will obviously result in an image the same size as the original.

* GRID.
Draw a grid over the photograph, or on tracing paper laid over the photo, using equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines. Let’s say the photo is 15cm x 10cm and you want to enlarge the image to fit a canvas 45cm x 30cm, ie make the image three times bigger. You can number the grid squares horizontally 1 – 15 and vertically 1-10. Make the grid on the photo 1cm squares and that on the canvas, 3cm squares. Again, number the squares as above. Simply copy exactly what you see in each of the smaller squares into the larger ones. So, any shape or line in square number 3/7, for example, you transfer to 3/7 on the larger grid. The final result is an enlarged image of the original.

* PANTOGRAPH
A Pantograph is a very simple mechanical device which enables you to accurately copy and enlarge a drawing from a photograph or other image. Clamp the pantograph to a table or drawing board then trace over the image you wish to copy or enlarge with the stylus. The image is then copied directly onto another sheet of paper or canvas using the pencil on the extended arm of the pantograph.

* PROJECTOR
A normal transparency projector can be used to project a photographic image onto paper or canvas and the size is then governed by the distance between the projector and the paper or canvas. It is then a simple matter to draw or paint directly onto the projected image.

* EPIDIASCOPE
This is a type of projector through which a photograph or even a three dimensional object can be projected onto a surface, such as paper or canvas. The projected image can then be treated in the same way as with a normal slide projector.

* CAMERA LUCIDA
A camera lucida, unlike other types of device which use a light source to project an image onto a surface, simply uses the reflection of an image which is seen on the drawing or painting surface. It does this by using a mirror set at 45 degrees in a small box. The viewer looks through the viewfinder through to the surface of the paper or canvas and sees the reflected image. It is then simply a matter of drawing onto the reflected image.

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Fairly often, a news story will appear about the auctioning of sketches by some notable artist, a Lowry or a Da Vinci, for example. On the one hand, they’re frivolous small items, perhaps a donation to someone in a restaurant by way of a thank-you, or maybe a concept for a painting that ultimately went on to become very significant. They might even prove to the general public that an artist who was more skilled in abstract art could actually draw “realistic” picture, and that something they could scribble on a scrap of paper is indeed better than most budding artists could manage.

So that’s why it doesn’t do to put down the sketch in the world of art. A sketch might be the true idea behind an artwork or a creative representation of the moment if realisation, recorded on paper for posterity. As such it’s an important view into the artist’s mind and could indeed tell us as more information about the finished article as does the completed creation itself, rather like the modern scanning techniques that reveal previously hidden layers in great masterpieces.

Sketching is not always a means to an end. It can be a fulfilling and challenging activity in itself, with numerous opportunities for inspiration, drafting and just plain technique practice to develop. A great sketch that was completed in just a short space of time can hang on the wall alongside any more complicated and involved work. After all, a simple drawing can often be the most raw arrangement – and might happen almost by luck (or at the subconscious level, as some would say).

Art supplies retailers will have everything you need to get your drawing and sketching project underway. But to start, you’ll need just a pencil and some paper. Here’s a rough guide to the options.

A sketching project can become a frenzied festival of ideas, so a good sized paperpad is a sound idea to start with. A4 is the smallest, but an A3 plain pad will really let you express yourself more fully and give you space to grow your ideas. The quality of the paper itself is crucial too. Too cheap and you’ll see your other sketches through it and it will of course be more at risk of creasing, stretching and ripping. At the higher end of the quality continuum the main factor is the cost. Must you have top grade paper for your sketches? Like most other things, there’s a compromise position and only you will know which matches your work best. If your sketches are to be the completed article, go for quality paper from the start. If they are just draft ideas, keep it cheap and cheerful.

Finally consider your pencils. Although you can sketch in charcoal, different types of paint, ink or chalk, pencils have the benefit of being correctable. This can assist the creative process as you develop your sketch. Pencils also provide a vast range of sharpness options, from a very-hard and light pencil to the softer, black lead ones. The options available in the UK range from 9H (max hardness) through 9B (ultra black and very soft) with HB or F (fine point) in the centre ground. Hard pencils are ideal for detailed work or very thin lines; soft pencils give a lot more scope for creativity of technique such as adding shadows to an image, and can be wiped or smudged with the fingers to create interesting effects.

So next time you set out to do a little drawing and sketching, the simple pencil and a plain sheet of paper are really all the art supplies you need. It’s low cost and definitely a fun method to record your creative impulses.

Author Bio: Tracey Morgan created this article for Voodoo E-Commerce on behalf of Pullingers, providers of sketching and drawing supplies.

Art Battle is live competitive painting. A thrilling performance of creativity, democracy and auction, the selected artists face-off against each other with a time & paint constraint, a voting audience of patrons, and the possibility of having their art destroyed

Art Battle was first conceived back in 2001, by a then 19 year old named Sean Bono. At his young age, Sean moved to New York City from New Jersey and set out to make it as an artist. Recognizing the difficulties artists have in garnering interest and patrons, Sean took it upon himself to start a live competitive art show/auction. The first ‘battle’ was held on a small run down lot in Manhattan, since then it’s growth has expanded to most major cities in Canada and the U.S., as well as Europe, Asia, Africa etc. Art Battle has broken down the preconceptions of art as elite and made making and appreciating art more socially tangible to everyone.

Art Battles are competitions between two or more artists, pitted against each other for a limited amount of time in front of a live audience. Canvases and materials are supplied, therefore evening out the competition; any subject matter can be used by the disgression of the artist.

For the artists, the challenge is in creating art with time restraints, as well as working in an unfamiliar atmosphere with an audience. This can difficult for any artist whether struggling or successful. Contestants are drawn from the crowd, artists throw their names into a hat and the drawees compete. The artists are then given a palette of acrylic paints, brushes and a canvas. Winners are judged on the quality of their art as well as their performance and personality in creating it. Talent, creativity and ingenuity can help to trump any opponent, as long as you have the crowd’s favor.

For the art patrons, (some of whom pay a higher entrance fee to not be included in the battle) they get to watch the creative process unfold, commenting, jeering, and eventually voting on their favorite piece of work. Ballots are collected and paintings are auctioned, any painting not reaching a previously chosen minimum bid is ceremoniously destroyed with a chainsaw. Losing can sometimes garner far more attention than the actual winners of the battle because of the excitement of a chainsaw cutting through someone’s art. You don’t forget that easily.

Once a canvas has been auctioned, up to 75% of the intake goes directly to the artist. Auction bids can raise hundreds of dollars for each piece making it a viable endeavor for the often ‘starving’ artist.

Art Battle takes the power from the gallery owners and art patrons who decide what is ‘good art’. It brings art back to the masses, it inspires people to think creatively, pick up a brush and paint. Good or bad, painting is subjective after all. Art Battle also lends to inspiration, to commission artists and their artwork, get to know the local artistic community and create in general.

Author Bio: Visit http://www.madisonsauction.com/ for collectible auctions, appraisals and liquidation.

In parties, fairs and even carnivals, face painting is a sure hit activity. A long line is very noticeable whenever there is a face painting booth in the area. One of the reasons why kids like having their faces painted is because they can look like their favorite super hero or animal or they could look cute and sophisticated with the design they choose. Kids love having so much attention and standing out because of the cool pictures on their faces. Face painting has succesfully become a popular activity and a lot of people would want to learn how to do it.

For beginners like you, here are some of the helpful tips you can use. The first tip is to study the art. You can choose from various sources. To get started try reading books about face painting so you’ll know the basic things you need to know. You can also check on some step-by-step instructional videos online. Internet could also provide you with various articles and guides on face painting.

Study and learn from the things you want to use. Those videos shows an extensive demo of how face painting is done. Next thing you need to do is to invest in the essential supplies needed for face painting. After you have studied the techniques and learned how to do the artwork you have to go out and shop for what you will be using in face painting. Buy a lot of paint in various colors. It is best to buy brushes of different sizes too. For beginners, it is also recommended that you get a face painting marker. This will let you outline he design on the face of the kid before coloring it in. Before you use the paint this will help you create the design first.

When you have all your supplies and armed with the lessons you’ve learned by studying, the next thing you have to do is start face painting. Practice and practice the craft so you can perfect it. You can ask your friends to act as your models and use their face as your canvas. Since children’s skin are sensitive, you can start first with adult or older people. You can ask their honest opinion of your work after you paint their faces. Acknowledge those criticisms and praises both as helpful tools to make you even better. When you think you’re confident enough with your skill, you can now volunteer to do face painting job in parties or even put up your own business.

Supplies Needed For Face Painting

Both kids and adults will surely enjoy the face painting activity. It is a top favorite in children’s parties, carnivals, and special events. Face painting is not a difficult thing to do; all you need is someone who likes to do face painting on the kids. Since this activity has slowly been gaining ground the past few years, may face painting supplies are now out there and can be purchases at book stores, party favor stores or crafts store. There are a lot of face paint brands available in the market and all you have to do is choose the best brand and you’re all set. It would be best to make a research on the face painting supplies first especially if it’s your first time to do it. It is best to search on the net for the best brands of face paint or you could also ask your friends who have done face painting before for their recommendation. You have to be very careful when painting kids’ faces since their faces are more sensitive than adults.

Paint is one of the basic supplies you will need. Before you go out to buy face paints, make sure you’ve already researched about the best brand. Doing this would make it easier for you in choosing the paints you will need. Water-based face paint is more advisable to use since it is easier to remove. There are different colors and types of paint available for face painting. You can also try playing around and purchasing face paint with glitters, metallic colored, or just the ordinary ones. Be sure you get as many colors as possible. Make sure that before you pay for the paints you purchased, you’d already checked if the label says face paint and not acrylic or oil based paint. Of all the face painting supplies needed, this is the most important of all.

Face painting supplies also include brushes. You will need different sized brushes to do the different designs. Choose among different sizes of brush and make sure that you will pick the ones with the finest quality. It’s better to invest in brushes if you plan to do face painting again. Don’t forget that you will only get what you pay for. There are some who like using sponges than brushes when putting different paint colors. If you’re going to do huge applications of paint, using a couple of sponges is the best way.

The basic supplies you will need for face painting are paint and brushes. Make sure that there are many face painting designs available for the kids to choose.

Author Bio: Find People For Free The 3 Steps To Succsess

Photography is often the art of the anonymous – rarely do we find out who was on the other side of the lens. We can all name a few famous photographs, like the famous Time Square picture or the one of iron workers sitting high above a city, but most of the time we don’t spend time looking at the history of the medium as art. However, by understanding influential artists, it can have a big impact on how we see photography and inspire new ideas.

Although there are dozens of photographers that we could have highlighted as making significant impacts on the art of photography, these three particular photographers helped to make photography the art form it is today. Just keep in mind that this list could have easily included legends like Ansel Adams, however we choose to focus on these 3 artists as their influence is recognized worldwide.

Photo Journalist Henri Cartier-Bresson

Though the name may not be as familiar, Cartier-Bresson was a giant in the development of modern photography. He is known as one of the forefathers of photo journalism and spent much of his adult life working on assignments for magazines like Life. Fearless and daring, Henri Cartier-Bresson captured images from some of the most volatile environments in history, including the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the liberation of Paris during WWII, and the Spanish Civil War.

Famous Photography by Henri Cartier Bresson – The Decisive Moment

Photographer Alfred Stieglitz

If you’ve ever studied photography or taken a photo class then you would likely recognize his name. Stieglitz was married to Georgia O’Keeffe, a legend in her own right, and many of his most iconic images center around her. He was responsible for forcing photography into the public view as a valid art form, which he accomplished through innovative exhibits organized around the country. Stieglitz was known as the father of pictorialism. Pictorialism is where the significance of the picture is more about the way in which the photographer manipulated the image than about the importance of the subject.

Famous Photography by Alfred Stieglitz- The Terminal

Photo Journalist Larry Burrows

Larry Burrows is a legend among photo journalists. Often referred to as the man who went off to war “with film in his socks,” Burrows is most widely known for his work covering the Vietnam war for Life magazine. His images marked some of the most iconic and heart-wrenching reporting to come out of the region and also provided the public with a window into the conflict. Sadly, Burrows was killed in the conflict when his helicopter was shot down but his images have lived on as well as his tales of heroic actions like carrying soliders to safety and rescuing civilians.

Famous Photography by Larry Burrows – One Ride with Yankee Papa 13

Whenever we work in any art medium, it’s important to remember the artists who came before us and the contributions they made. These 3 photographers have had an enormous impact on the validity and importance of photography as an art form. You should check out biographies or photo collections by each of these artists as viewing amazing and famous photography can often lead to great new paths.

Author Bio: Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames. Shop online and see our colorful selection of picture frames like our bright red picture frames and our painted white picture frames. To see our entire selection of frames shop online or call 1-800-780-0699.

Your own capability to sketch things as well as – a lot more important – living beings in motion is a significant aspect for the purpose of drawing vibrant and natural drawings.

The roots for painting persons in motion is the line of action. This is an imagined center line from the figure and maps out the overall path of motion for this body. Choosing it proper is likely to make the figure much more authentic. If the persona is standing up it is a straight line from top down, but when the persona is moving forward it’s often a curve, occasionally an s-shape. Ensure that it stays simple, when the line of action gets into too many directions it will not merely seem unrealistic yet may possibly also be extremely confusing for your viewer as it’ll be tricky to find out what exactly is truly happening in the drawing.

Another important element once painting people in motion is that you must sketch the personas a little out of balance. The center of gravity of a human can be found somewhere within the lower abdominal area. When somebody is standing up, without moving, a single foot is positioned on both sides of it keeping him from falling. When this same person begins to go the center of gravity equally moves, drawing an unbalanced position. The faster the motion, the further the center of gravity moves.

A great resource for learning this is considering the images employed for cartoons like in Walt disney cartoons. They’ve already really mastered the skill of bringing life to personas utilizing these particular couple of elements; the line of action and the center of gravity.

Some more ideas:

- First you need some fundamental skills in painting the human figure as well as its shapes and sizes.

- Obtain a art mannequin, it helps to get the posing and movements proper.

- When painting motions you need a quick and trained eye simply because you have to catch the position within a motion instantly.

- Applying a movie or a series of still photos may be helpful resources to capture and learn the movement with no need of relying on skills and a speedy eye.

When it comes to painting pets in motion you need to stick to basically the same guidelines you do when painting people in motion. Some critical points to modify are: the line of motion normally goes thru the whole animal from head to tail. It is advisable to incorporate the tail within the same line that’ll provide an even a lot more convincing movement of the animal. The center of gravity is usually of much less interest to pets than it is with humans. This is due to four legs normally stop the animal from getting unbalanced.

Chasing animals could be extremely difficult. If you examine running horses in ancient pictures they often appear extremely unnatural. Frequently the horse seems to be floating in some odd fashion. This all improved when the art of photography had been invented and painters actually could discover what was going on. The running movement is complicated but the the majority of authentic poses are often one of the extremes; either when the legs are extended fully or when the legs are together below the body. Take a look at a number of photos your self or take a glance just how other painters get it done.

When it comes to pets it is advisable to maintain it uncomplicated. Leonardo da Vinci stated “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.

Author Bio: Pick up more tutorials to understand draw movement and motion! Visit our site and secure a gratis e-book to learn how to draw

Putting together family photo books is a fun and rewarding project that you can do at home with your own thermal binding machine. Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

1. Birthdays. What’s not to love about a birthday? All those presents, cake, and candles – it’s a great time for all concerned and a great reason to put together a photo book. If just one of your family member’s birthdays don’t give you enough material, put all of those birthdays together in one book that you and yours can enjoy all the year through. Compare and contrast who may have gotten the best presents, the best looking cake, and, well, who had the most candles. Give everyone one of these books and let the fun begin.

2. Graduations. From nursery school middle school to college, your kids are going to see a lot of promotions and graduations in their day. Why not collect all the photos you can and create a graduation themed photo book? It would make a great graduation present, and your child will love having all these memories together in one place. For that little extra touch, you can scan and insert all the diplomas that have been received by the grad in question over the years as well. Overall, a graduation photo book is a nice way to make the passage of time and achievement for your child.

3. Sports. Is your family the sports-crazed, athletic type? Put all their touchdowns, spikes, and home runs in one great book that they can enjoy forever. Make sure to include both actions shots and photos of the whole team, so you can give them something to remember their teammates by as well. If you and yours are more the outdoorsy types, you can put together photo books of favorite hikes, climbs, and bike trips.

4. Holidays. Photo books are a great way of permanently documenting holidays from Christmas to Halloween and everything in between. Each holiday has its own special fun and significance, and every year is a little bit different. Want to remember when you all dressed up as your favorite superhero and stormed the neighborhood rescuing candy from houses? Want to have a permanent hardcover place to display the looks on your kids faces when you got them the best present ever? Photo books can help you do all of this, and keep those memories safe forever.

5. Vacations. Photo books are a great way to display your family vacation photos as well. You can include photos from many vacations over the years, or just the last and best trip your and your family went on. With your own thermal binding machine on hand, you can create as many books as you want and give them out as presents to each member of your family.

6. Family History. Got a bunch of old photos from previous generations that you’d like to display but you don’t know how? Scan and put them in a family history photo book and you won’t have to worry about them receiving more damage from being handled. Get someone from the older generation to help you with the captions, and you will have a family history book that will bring joy to future generations as well.

Author Bio: If you are interested in more information about how the right Thermal Binding Systems can help you create a great family photo book you might want to visit v. They offer a great price and Free Shipping on orders over$75. Plus, they carry a full line of Thermal Binding Supplies.

For literally eons, Tapestry Art has been created within many cultures around the globe. Tapestries have been used to adorn some of the most important buildings in history, the castles of Kings and Queens, Cathedrals, and the homes of affluent Noblemen and women. Created by highly skilled Artisans and Craftsmen, Tapestries were considered a luxury. Tapestry is one of the most successful and expressive forms of ‘literature’ in the world, some of the most historical and important stories of old have been woven into these stunningly beautiful wall hangings. The incredible skills involved in creating a Tapestry are unquestionable. Today, thanks to ancient Tapestries, we can marvel at stories portrayed hundreds, even thousands of years ago, regardless of where, or by whom they were ‘written’. There’s no doubt, Tapestry speaks a universal language which can be admired and understood by everyone.

During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries the romanticism and mystery of Gothic art became highly influential upon woven Tapestry Art. More often, these Tapestries would focus on religious themes, portraying the relationship between man and his maker. It would be the artist’s prerogative, as to how this was portrayed. Although during the Middle Ages, their license would not be as liberal as now. Through Tapestry, an artist would be expected to create their own visions, those which would be conjured up from their own understanding of the story to be told. In true Gothic style, they would be romantic, spiritual and most of all perceptive. Medieval Tapestries captured the intellectual grandeur of the time, as much, if not more, than it recorded actual events.

During these times, Tapestry became a status symbol for the aristocracy. However, Tapestries were also put to great practical use, insulating the huge walls of the Nobility’s castles, covering doorways and providing privacy in the bedroom. Many Tapestries might be joined together, making them hundreds of feet long. Today, we use Tapestries in our homes for decoration, and yet they do still have these same practical qualities. In times past, Royals and the Aristocracy would take Tapestries with them, when travelling or in battle. Again, not only using Tapestries to display their wealth and to impress upon people their prestige and status, but to provide comfort. During battle, Tapestries would become the property of the victor. Unfortunately, many Tapestries were unceremoniously cut, in such a way as to make the crest and the stories of those defeated unrecognisable. Many Tapestries were also burned, in order to recover the precious metals often woven into the design.

Medieval Tapestries were created from a limited palette, with no more than twenty colours available to weavers. Despite these limitations, the highly skilled and knowledgeable weavers were able to create amazingly colourful Tapestries. Later on, many contemporary painters of the early nineteenth century would experiment with that knowledge, creating a new art form, known as pointillism8, whereby these pure colours would be painted as single dots. Like the Tapestry weavers before them, these artists knew that from a distance, the eye and the brain would blend those coloured dots together to create shape and tone. As with Tapestries, look closely, and the ‘picture’ is actually a series of dots. France was known as the most influential European country for Tapestries, and the French painter Seurat was one of the most influential with regards to Pointillism.

Medieval Tapestries used dyes from plants and insects and many are still used today. Of course, now we have a virtually limitless range of colours, and this is reflected in the vivacity of modern Tapestry Art. With so many options available, artists are not limited by colours or by subject. Modern Tapestry has many faces, and can portray many things. Top artists are licensing their works to be reproduced as Tapestries, because they understand its capacities. Many people are choosing to hang Tapestries in their home, because they realise their beauty. Tapestry offers a tactile medium which cannot be compared, nor rivalled by canvas and paint. In our homes, a modern Tapestry can add the same warmth to a room as ancient Tapestries once did for the courts of Kings. But thankfully, nowadays, we don’t have to take our Tapestries travelling, to ensure we get some privacy!

Author Bio: Angela Dawson-Field writes extensively on the subject of tapestries and textiles. She works part time at The Tapestry House

Since ancient times Tapestries have been used to adorn homes and important buildings. Many historians believe Tapestries even covered the walls of the famous Parthenon in Greece. Tapestries have been a favored by the Church, Kings and Queens, noblemen and women throughout the ages. Gracing the walls of cathedrals, castles and the fine homes of the Aristocracy with their elegance. Once reserved for the rich and noble, today we have the opportunity to buy these wonderful, highly decorative, accessories for our own homes. Modern techniques have made Fine Art Tapestries affordable. Therefore, accessible to many people. Fine Art Tapestries add a certain, unique, ambience to a room, creating a mood which is not so easily achieved with paint and canvas.

In times past, Tapestries provided insulation and would be transported from one residence to another, even taken into battle. Being practical, as well as beautiful, has ensured these wonderful artistic creations have stood the test of time. Textile art has moved beyond functionality over the centuries, and today, Fine Art Tapestries are decorative, often used to provide a stunning focal point to a room. Tapestry has become an inspiration for many designers and artists, without doubt, developing as a recognized art form, in its own right. Since the beginning of the twenty first century, there has been a marked, renewed, interest in Fine Art Tapestries.

New computer techniques have made recreating the artists original work faster and more accurate. It’s accuracy and flexibility making the production of Fine Art Tapestries appealing to many contemporary artists. In fact, many leading contemporary artists have given permission for their work to be reproduced, as Fine Art Tapestries. This includes the wonderful landscapes of Max Hayslette, and the quirky works of Will Rafuse. Contemporary Fine Art Tapestries offer homeowners a wonderful combination of the past and present. Indeed, contemporary designs are highly popular and there are a vast selection of these Tapestries available.

However, for many people, the historical aspect of Fine Art Tapestries adds to their appeal. Many lovers of art history, will opt for Tapestry reproductions of the most famous artworks ever created. Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’, ‘The Mona Lisa’, or Van Gogh’s famous ‘Sunflowers’, being perfect examples. Medieval Tapestries also capture the imagination of historical art lovers everywhere. These Tapestries were created at a time when Kingdoms, Kings, Knights, great battles and mythology ruled the hearts of the people, throughout the western world. The incredible detailing of these Tapestries, and complexity of their narratives, capturing the imagination of those drawn to these timeless legends.

Fine Art Tapestries are true works of art, and have a tactile quality which cannot be found within any other art form. Contemporary Fine Art Tapestries can use a broad range of colors, artists no longer being restricted by the comparatively limited color palettes of times past. Miles of yarn are used to create just one, single, Fine Art Tapestry. It is incredible to imagine, all those years ago, this would have been carried out by hand. Undoubtedly, a true labour of love. Despite the fact, that today we can afford such luxuries, thanks to modern machines and techniques, modern, Fine Art Tapestries do continue to be regarded as works of art. Regardless of whether they be the reproduction of ancient masterpieces, or modern works by contemporary artists. Undoubtedly, the bold colors and modern design of contemporary Fine Art Tapestries successfully deliver this ancient art form into the modern home.

Cityscapes, landscapes, still life and floral compositions are highly desirable themes, especially with regards to contemporary, Fine Art Tapestries. Of course, the classic works, from some of the greatest artists in history, are also available and have always been a popular choice. All art is a matter of personal preference, but today there has never been such a huge and varied selection of contemporary Fine Art Tapestries available. Once you have made your choice, how the Tapestry is hung will be of significant importance, in order to preserve it’s beauty. Fine Art Tapestries should be kept away from direct sunlight, as should any work of art. If your home has modern, plaster walls, it is acceptable to hang them against those walls. Regardless, many people prefer to hang them an inch or two away from the surface. If your walls are of any other material, for instance, stone, especially lime based materials, this is certainly advisable. Looking after your Fine Art Tapestry means it will be enjoyed by you, and your family, for many years to come.

Author Bio: Angela Dawson-Field is an expert in Tapestries and Textiles. In her spare time she works for The Tapestry House and has gained a reputation as an expert author.

The predecessor to the Noritake porcelain line, Morimura-kumi, was established in 1876, in Ginza, a suburb of Tokyo, Japan. Thus, a long and illustrious history began for the famed maker of some of the world’s most remarkable china. With the founding of a trading house, Morimura Brothers in New York City two years later, trade between Japan and the United States was born. This imported goods store was the first of its kind to bring the United States fine imported porcelain from Japan.

After a visit to the Paris Expo in the late 1800s, the Morimura brothers became captivated by Western tableware which featured white porcelain with a design. By 1904, the brothers opened a factory called Nippon Toki Gomei Kaisha in a tiny village near Nagoya called Noritake. From this location, a vast array of Noritake china would emerge, with each era of the Noritake porcelain branded in its own unique way.

In its early years, Noritake porcelain had a decidedly Art Nouveau flair complete with flowing curves, colorful trees, and blossoming flowers. The European patterns popular at that period of time were also made at the Noritake china factory. Catering to the upper classes, Noritake porcelain was made into chocolate pots, candy holders, sugar bowls, and coffee and tea pots, and other fancy pieces of Noritake china that were used by hotels, restaurants, the Imperial Household Ministry as well as the naval department.

World War I signaled the close of the Art Nouveau era of high class ornaments for Noritake porcelain. The company sought to embrace the advantages of industrialization and mass production while closing the chapter on the hand painted pieces of the Fancy Line of Noritake china. They applied techniques in assembly line production to the Noritake porcelain factory in order to supply enough Noritake china to satisfy the exporters’ demands. By 1914, the company was able to export its first Noritake tableware. Within just thirteen years, Noritake dinnerware sets comprised more than 50% of their exports, outselling the Fancy Line of Noritake porcelain.

Just because the Noritake Fancy Line was not hand painted does not mean that the company did not make porcelain in that style any longer. On the contrary, Noritake used its assembly line production system to make a type of upper class decorative ornaments, complete with the vibrant and bright colors of the Art Deco style that first caught the eye of designers at the 1925 Industrial Decoration Expo in Paris. All but forgotten by many, this style of Noritake porcelain has recently enjoyed renewed attention and interest by collectors worldwide because of its bold and vibrant colors.

There have been many stamps used by Noritake porcelain to mark its china. Perhaps one of the more famous marks is the word, “Nippon,” as it is often mistakenly associated only with Noritake china. It is, in fact, a word that denotes Japan as the country of manufacture, and nothing more. Coupled with the distinguished Noritake porcelain wreath, however, the capital letter “M” or “N,” signal a Noritake porcelain piece.

Author Bio: Lawrence Bell, Editor of The Antiques Bible, offers an illustrated glossary of antiques terminology with links to other helpful resources.