Many people will simply say they can~t draw. They
never could and they never will. Drawing is talent
you are either born with or you aren~t. However,
more and more people are realizing that with a few
basic techniques anyone can be drawing amazing
pictures that they never thought possible. Whether
you~re in elementary school, middle-aged, or
retired, learning how to draw and sketch is a great
way to spend some free time.
The first thing you need before you learn how to
draw is some drawing and sketching supplies. For
your first few drawings you can use some old scrap
paper and any pencil you have lying around at
home. However, proper supplies are a must if you
are going to improve. You will need a number 2
pencil, several other quality grade pencils, an eraser,
and a drawing pad. A number 2 pencil is especially
important since it is the best choice for shading and
other pencils may not be dark enough. These
supplies can be found at any art supply store.
Drawing lessons are a great way to get started and
learn a few basic techniques. Most community
centers offer courses as short as one day, but the
longer you can take the better. These classes are
typically taught by a drawing and sketching artist
who is able to explain concepts clearly and help you
learn quickly. Your pictures will start to take shape
and you won~t believe the drawings you can
produce in a few short classes.
Finding subjects for your drawings may seem
difficult when you are first beginning to learn how
to draw. Don~t use live subjects since you~ll need
plenty of time to get your dimensions right and you
don~t want to feel rushed. Also stay away from
flash photography pictures. These pictures lack
depth and can seem very flat which makes it very
difficult to draw a realistic picture. If you can~t
seem to find any good pictures check at your local
library for a drawing and sketching book since most
will have some samples for you to use.
If you have questions about drawing or sketching,
or would like to speak with other beginners, try
joining a chat room or message board. There are
many groups on the Internet that are passionate
about learning how to draw and sketch. Many
boards also have resident experts who can answer
any questions that you may have. There are also
websites that offer free newsletters full of helpful
tips and tricks.
Anyone can learn how to draw and sketch, no
matter what your age is. It will take some time, so
be patient, but you~ll be surprised at how quickly
your skills will improve. Even those of us who
have sworn we could never draw more than a stick
man can be drawing realistic pictures that we are
pleased to show our friends and family.
Lawrence Edmonson is a destinguished artist and the owner
of Exact Drawing,
which is one of the premier drawing resources on the
Internet. To read more great drawing articles and tips,
visit us at: http://www.exactdrawing.com
Friday, August 12, 2005
Snowboard Safely and Still Have Fun!
Wow! It seems the slopes are crawling with more and more
snowboarders every winter. Riders come in all shapes,
sizes, and ages. More of us are trying snowboarding as
an addition, or alternative, to skiing.
Unfortunately, we also have a bad reputation for being
unsafe to ourselves and others. We get that reputation
by failing to watch out for people and objects that
share the slopes with us, or by breaking rules that
were put in place for everyone's safety. Be considerate
and be observant so that you can be a part of changing
that reputation we have.
If you're a newbie or you don't ride often, save the
fancy stuff for the guys in the Warren Miller flicks!
Don't attempt anything you aren't physically or
technically well-prepared for without appropriate
guidance.
Be wary of avalanches if there have been recent, drastic
changes in temperature. Look for evidence of loose snow
on steep slopes that receive extreme sunshine and shade
at different times of day. Never try to outrun an
avalanche. Ride to the side of the slope as quickly as
possible.
Hypothermia and frostbite aren't cool, and they're
completely avoidable. Don't wear your skating baggies
on the slopes. Invest in some good quality Gore-Tex,
Cool-Max, and old-fashioned wool clothing. They breathe,
wick away moisture, and can keep wind and melted snow
away from your skin. Put your hat on like your mama told
you, too!
Your feet are especially vulnerable to the cold because
they're so far away from your heart and so close to the
snow. Keep them warm by wearing socks and boots that
breathe and insulate. Some snow is going to get inside
your boots, so use socks of polypro or wool that will
keep your feet warm even if they're soaked. Blisters
or numbness are a signal to take a break and go inside
for some foot care.
Sunblock and sunglasses aren't just for the beach. At
high altitudes, the sun can do a wicked number on your
skin and eyes! Protect them.
Water is the only beverage you should consume while you're
on the slopes. Anything else will accelerate dehydration
and, in the case of "adult-beverages," impair your
coordination, reflexes, and judgment.
We take care to choose a great snowboard for great riding.
Take equal care to practice common-sense health and
safety precautions to assure a long riding life.
F A Snowboards founder, webmaster, and writer
Mike Spasserle
invites you to visit his one-stop snowboard-information resource.
He has also collected more articles like this one at
http://www.fasnowboards.com/.
snowboarders every winter. Riders come in all shapes,
sizes, and ages. More of us are trying snowboarding as
an addition, or alternative, to skiing.
Unfortunately, we also have a bad reputation for being
unsafe to ourselves and others. We get that reputation
by failing to watch out for people and objects that
share the slopes with us, or by breaking rules that
were put in place for everyone's safety. Be considerate
and be observant so that you can be a part of changing
that reputation we have.
If you're a newbie or you don't ride often, save the
fancy stuff for the guys in the Warren Miller flicks!
Don't attempt anything you aren't physically or
technically well-prepared for without appropriate
guidance.
Be wary of avalanches if there have been recent, drastic
changes in temperature. Look for evidence of loose snow
on steep slopes that receive extreme sunshine and shade
at different times of day. Never try to outrun an
avalanche. Ride to the side of the slope as quickly as
possible.
Hypothermia and frostbite aren't cool, and they're
completely avoidable. Don't wear your skating baggies
on the slopes. Invest in some good quality Gore-Tex,
Cool-Max, and old-fashioned wool clothing. They breathe,
wick away moisture, and can keep wind and melted snow
away from your skin. Put your hat on like your mama told
you, too!
Your feet are especially vulnerable to the cold because
they're so far away from your heart and so close to the
snow. Keep them warm by wearing socks and boots that
breathe and insulate. Some snow is going to get inside
your boots, so use socks of polypro or wool that will
keep your feet warm even if they're soaked. Blisters
or numbness are a signal to take a break and go inside
for some foot care.
Sunblock and sunglasses aren't just for the beach. At
high altitudes, the sun can do a wicked number on your
skin and eyes! Protect them.
Water is the only beverage you should consume while you're
on the slopes. Anything else will accelerate dehydration
and, in the case of "adult-beverages," impair your
coordination, reflexes, and judgment.
We take care to choose a great snowboard for great riding.
Take equal care to practice common-sense health and
safety precautions to assure a long riding life.
F A Snowboards founder, webmaster, and writer
Mike Spasserle
invites you to visit his one-stop snowboard-information resource.
He has also collected more articles like this one at
http://www.fasnowboards.com/.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Music - Understanding The Music Industry
How To Turn A Profit In Music
==============================
The music industry is one of the most multi-cultural and
diverse industries in the world. Musicians flock to and
appreciate this quality.
It is the type of work where you don~t sit in an office
nine to five and punch a clock. You might be hard
at work in a club playing your heart out to a wild
crowd of excited fans.
Just as your lifestyle is different in the music industry
and it is one that suits your creative soul, the way that
money is handled and how you get paid is totally different
from a corporate job.
We all have needs. We all need money for food and shelter,
and other various essentials. Musicians must know how
their salaries work so that they can maximize profits.
To get started understanding the money trail in the music
industry, you have to become familiar with two terms,
recoupment and royalties
RECOUPMENT DEFINED
Recoupment is a loan from a record label or company. These
funds are to pay for expenses necessary in creating an
album or playing tour dates.
Make no mistake though, recoupment is a loan. You may feel
you just fell into a volcano of cash when that recoupment
money comes in but every bit of that money will be required
of you sometime in the future.
Keep track of what you spend and make fund management a
key. Don't blow this money, because you'll regret it when
it must all be paid back later.
ROYALTIES
Royalties are commissions - percentages of each sale.
There are four main types of royalties, and each one may be
a different rate or arrangement in your contract:
1. Mechanical royalties are percentages that you receive
when another artist plays a cover of your song.
2. If you song is used in a movie or on TV, you'll receive
synchronization royalties.
3.~The Print Royalty is the amount you get when the
printed version of your music is sold in a music
store.
4. When you play a concert or a song of yours is on the
radio, you'll receive a performance royalty.
So how do I get my paycheck?
Well, record companies have systems and analysts in place
to track all these figures and get you the money you
earned. You also have an agent who can offer direction in
the dispersion of these funds.
There are also agencies called Performing Rights
Organizations or PRO that monitor the industry to make sure
the money is being handled honestly and correctly.
It's always a good idea to do a little research yourself.
Some record labels provide better royalty programs than
others, so get to know your options. This industry
provides the creative freedom we all love, but you might
as well get paid for it, too!
Rick Talant is the owner of RTT Music,
a leading resource to help make your music dreams a reality.
For helpful music news, music links, music resources and our
music newsletter visit: http://www.rttmusic.com/
==============================
The music industry is one of the most multi-cultural and
diverse industries in the world. Musicians flock to and
appreciate this quality.
It is the type of work where you don~t sit in an office
nine to five and punch a clock. You might be hard
at work in a club playing your heart out to a wild
crowd of excited fans.
Just as your lifestyle is different in the music industry
and it is one that suits your creative soul, the way that
money is handled and how you get paid is totally different
from a corporate job.
We all have needs. We all need money for food and shelter,
and other various essentials. Musicians must know how
their salaries work so that they can maximize profits.
To get started understanding the money trail in the music
industry, you have to become familiar with two terms,
recoupment and royalties
RECOUPMENT DEFINED
Recoupment is a loan from a record label or company. These
funds are to pay for expenses necessary in creating an
album or playing tour dates.
Make no mistake though, recoupment is a loan. You may feel
you just fell into a volcano of cash when that recoupment
money comes in but every bit of that money will be required
of you sometime in the future.
Keep track of what you spend and make fund management a
key. Don't blow this money, because you'll regret it when
it must all be paid back later.
ROYALTIES
Royalties are commissions - percentages of each sale.
There are four main types of royalties, and each one may be
a different rate or arrangement in your contract:
1. Mechanical royalties are percentages that you receive
when another artist plays a cover of your song.
2. If you song is used in a movie or on TV, you'll receive
synchronization royalties.
3.~The Print Royalty is the amount you get when the
printed version of your music is sold in a music
store.
4. When you play a concert or a song of yours is on the
radio, you'll receive a performance royalty.
So how do I get my paycheck?
Well, record companies have systems and analysts in place
to track all these figures and get you the money you
earned. You also have an agent who can offer direction in
the dispersion of these funds.
There are also agencies called Performing Rights
Organizations or PRO that monitor the industry to make sure
the money is being handled honestly and correctly.
It's always a good idea to do a little research yourself.
Some record labels provide better royalty programs than
others, so get to know your options. This industry
provides the creative freedom we all love, but you might
as well get paid for it, too!
Rick Talant is the owner of RTT Music,
a leading resource to help make your music dreams a reality.
For helpful music news, music links, music resources and our
music newsletter visit: http://www.rttmusic.com/
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