Establishing Color Harmony

Do you always work in black and white because you can't seem to get your colors to "look right"?  Then it's time to break out the colors!  There are many strategies used by artists to help them establish color harmony in their work.  Here's a simple one: No matter how many different hues you use in your design, make sure that one of them is used much more than any other single hue, or that it is brighter than the other hues.  In this way, you will establish a "dominant" hue, and all other hues will appear as "accents" rather than competing with the dominant hue for attention.  How easy is that?  Do you have a color strategy to share?  Let's hear it!

Favorite subject matter

Do you enjoy drawing people more than you do landscapes?  Or is it fantasy art that most interests you?  What subject matter is your favorite?  When I was younger, I always liked drawing animals.  Then I went through a period of years when I enjoyed making portraits more than anything else.  Now I am interested in landscapes, but have found little time to pursue that interest.  How about you?

Drawing Tips

Do you have any tips you can share that might help others improve their drawing skills?  Is there something you have learned that allowed you to improve your own drawings dramatically?  Here's one piece of advice that might help beginners: Always start your drawing by sketching in the largest, most basic shapes first.  Only after checking the proportions and basic placement should you begin to break down objects into their  smaller shapes and details.  And draw lightly at first!  You will make mistakes! If the first lines are drawn lightly, it will be much easier to make changes when necessary.

favorite art websites

Hey guys: Do you have a favorite art website? A place where you go to look at art in a virtual gallery, or to learn about art from online tutorials?  Let's here about them!  Here's a favorite of mine: http://www.wetcanvas.com/ . You'll find a number of resources there, some of which are only available if you "sign up" to be a member,, and others that are available to anyone.  Professionals and amateurs alike share their latest artwork for others to comment on and learn from!