| Email your quick tips for beginners to help inspire and motivate young Gulf Coast artists! Email your tip for any medium: Jewelry making Crafts Painting Sculpting Photography Mixed media Wood art and more... Optional: Include digital images of examples of your art tip/personal art work to be included in your art tip post. |
| Tips of the Trade! Tips and techniques for beginners and artists by artists. Add your tips, suggestions or inspirational thoughts to fellow artists to be Artist of the Month"! |
If you have an art tip to share
( sculpting, painting techniques,
crafts...) email it to me in the form of
words & pics. or a home made
instructional video of 5 min. or less, for
a chance to be "Artist of the month"
and have your art displayed here on
our front page, along with your contact
info (If you choose) and a mention in
our monthly newsletter.
( sculpting, painting techniques,
crafts...) email it to me in the form of
words & pics. or a home made
instructional video of 5 min. or less, for
a chance to be "Artist of the month"
and have your art displayed here on
our front page, along with your contact
info (If you choose) and a mention in
our monthly newsletter.
Don't throw away those mis-shaped paint
brushes. If you're an acrylic or water color artist
like me, you may sometimes leave your brushes in
the water for too long, or let them dry in the wrong
shape, causing the bristles/hair to be bent.
Don't worry, there's an easy fix! Place a few cups of
water in a sauce pan and bring almost to a boil, then
dip the brush hairs only in the water for just a few
seconds. Lay the brushes on a paper towel and
when cool use your fingers to shape the bristles in
the original shape, lay the brushes back on the paper
towel to dry. Like hair in a curling iron they will stay
that way which leaves you more money for new art
supplies! (Natural hair bristles work best with this
technique, when using synthetic brushes, dip brush
for less time.)
Submitted by: Jennifer Googins
GooginsArt@yahoo.com
brushes. If you're an acrylic or water color artist
like me, you may sometimes leave your brushes in
the water for too long, or let them dry in the wrong
shape, causing the bristles/hair to be bent.
Don't worry, there's an easy fix! Place a few cups of
water in a sauce pan and bring almost to a boil, then
dip the brush hairs only in the water for just a few
seconds. Lay the brushes on a paper towel and
when cool use your fingers to shape the bristles in
the original shape, lay the brushes back on the paper
towel to dry. Like hair in a curling iron they will stay
that way which leaves you more money for new art
supplies! (Natural hair bristles work best with this
technique, when using synthetic brushes, dip brush
for less time.)
Submitted by: Jennifer Googins
GooginsArt@yahoo.com
| I am now in the process of creating short videos teaching some of my favorite techniques to add here to our Tips of the Trade page! Bookmark us and check back soon! |
When cleaning brushes remember to:
* Use cool water (hot water can make the bristles fall out over time.)
* Squeeze bristles dry instead of pulling.
* Rinse the brush in turpentine or oil if you've been using oils or
lukewarm water if you've been using a water-based medium.
* Use a mild soap or brush cleaner instead of dish detergent. Rub
gently in your palm and rinse until all paint is removed.
* After rinsing brushes, wrap and squeeze with a paper towel to
remove excess water, reform the bristles and lay flat on a cloth or
paper towel so they will keep their shape.
* Immediately clean & store your brushes after using, never leave
in water.
For new brushes: always dip in water before beginning to
paint to prevent bristle staining. (use clean oil for painting w/oil
paint.)
Moisturize your hands well with hand lotion before beginning
to paint so the paint is easy to remove if you get it on your skin.
Acrylics Dry Fast:
* Keep a spray bottle with a fine mist handy to spray your pallet in
case you started with too much paint and it begins to dry.
* Use a gel medium to extend drying time on the canvas for
detailed painting or blending.
* When painting remember to place your brushes immediately in
water after each use. Acrylic paint dries water resistant.
Submitted by: Jennifer Googins
Googinsart@yahoo.com
* Use cool water (hot water can make the bristles fall out over time.)
* Squeeze bristles dry instead of pulling.
* Rinse the brush in turpentine or oil if you've been using oils or
lukewarm water if you've been using a water-based medium.
* Use a mild soap or brush cleaner instead of dish detergent. Rub
gently in your palm and rinse until all paint is removed.
* After rinsing brushes, wrap and squeeze with a paper towel to
remove excess water, reform the bristles and lay flat on a cloth or
paper towel so they will keep their shape.
* Immediately clean & store your brushes after using, never leave
in water.
For new brushes: always dip in water before beginning to
paint to prevent bristle staining. (use clean oil for painting w/oil
paint.)
Moisturize your hands well with hand lotion before beginning
to paint so the paint is easy to remove if you get it on your skin.
Acrylics Dry Fast:
* Keep a spray bottle with a fine mist handy to spray your pallet in
case you started with too much paint and it begins to dry.
* Use a gel medium to extend drying time on the canvas for
detailed painting or blending.
* When painting remember to place your brushes immediately in
water after each use. Acrylic paint dries water resistant.
Submitted by: Jennifer Googins
Googinsart@yahoo.com
| Acrylic painting & brush cleaning tips |
New!
| Googins Gallery- Online Gulf Coast Artists & Art Resources |
Acrylic Painting, double loading technique. Acrylic Painting, using water
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
See our other artists resources:
Gulf Coast Artist Index
Add your name/info fast, easy & free!
Post your art news!
Post your upcoming events, exhibits...
Sell, buy, display Places to sell your art:
festivals, events, contests...
My researched "best art supply deals"
Classes & local workshops.
Online art portfolio hosting
Let us advertise your art for 2$ a month!
Gulf Coast Artist Index
Add your name/info fast, easy & free!
Post your art news!
Post your upcoming events, exhibits...
Sell, buy, display Places to sell your art:
festivals, events, contests...
My researched "best art supply deals"
Classes & local workshops.
Online art portfolio hosting
Let us advertise your art for 2$ a month!
| Clay sculpting tips for beginners |
Choosing your clay: There are many
different types of sculpting clay. I suggest
Mexican clay (terra cotta colored). It's
consistency makes it easy to mold in to
shape, but also holds details very well.
This clay is versatile it can be left to
air-dry or fire in a kiln. (Firing creates a
more durable finish.
Check our art resource page for places to
find this clay.
Starting your sculpture: Gather all your
supplies needed to begin: bowl of water,
sponge, tin foil or densely balled paper,
sculpting tools and place mat, hand lotion
and a hand towel.
Sculpting tools: I use store bought tools
and also make my own using household
items: tooth picks, wire, knives, pretty
much anthing to create the detail I need.
different types of sculpting clay. I suggest
Mexican clay (terra cotta colored). It's
consistency makes it easy to mold in to
shape, but also holds details very well.
This clay is versatile it can be left to
air-dry or fire in a kiln. (Firing creates a
more durable finish.
Check our art resource page for places to
find this clay.
Starting your sculpture: Gather all your
supplies needed to begin: bowl of water,
sponge, tin foil or densely balled paper,
sculpting tools and place mat, hand lotion
and a hand towel.
Sculpting tools: I use store bought tools
and also make my own using household
items: tooth picks, wire, knives, pretty
much anthing to create the detail I need.
Hand Lotion: Moisturize your hands
with any type of moisturizer before
beginning to prevent staining of your
skin and to make clean up easier.
Tin foil/Paper: Any clay will crack as it
dries & shrinks whether it's air dried or
kiln fired with out a hollow inner space.
Create an appropriate shape for your
sculpture from the tin foil (about 1/3 the
size of the total size of your sculpture.)
Form the clay around your foil form, so
the foil is completely covered,
(Good way to recycled old foil or scrap
paper)
Water/ sponge: Depending on the
length of your project, use water to dip
hour hands in often to keep the clay
from drying too fast or use a wet sponge
on your sculpture, which is also a perfect
tool to smooth,shape and add texture to
the clay.
with any type of moisturizer before
beginning to prevent staining of your
skin and to make clean up easier.
Tin foil/Paper: Any clay will crack as it
dries & shrinks whether it's air dried or
kiln fired with out a hollow inner space.
Create an appropriate shape for your
sculpture from the tin foil (about 1/3 the
size of the total size of your sculpture.)
Form the clay around your foil form, so
the foil is completely covered,
(Good way to recycled old foil or scrap
paper)
Water/ sponge: Depending on the
length of your project, use water to dip
hour hands in often to keep the clay
from drying too fast or use a wet sponge
on your sculpture, which is also a perfect
tool to smooth,shape and add texture to
the clay.
Placemat: Cover your work area
completely. Plastic or smooth surfaces are
not a good idea to set your sculpture on to
work. They will stick to the surface. I have
a scrap paper recycle bin in my art class
that we use to set under our sculptures as
we work. And it's a great way to recycle
your scraps.
Storage: When storing your clay or
sculpture to work on later, make sure it is
in an air tight container or plastic bag tied
tight. I usually drop in a wet napkin also to
keep the air moist in the container.
Have fun!
Submitted by Jennifer Googins
For Questions: Googinsart@yahoo.com
completely. Plastic or smooth surfaces are
not a good idea to set your sculpture on to
work. They will stick to the surface. I have
a scrap paper recycle bin in my art class
that we use to set under our sculptures as
we work. And it's a great way to recycle
your scraps.
Storage: When storing your clay or
sculpture to work on later, make sure it is
in an air tight container or plastic bag tied
tight. I usually drop in a wet napkin also to
keep the air moist in the container.
Have fun!
Submitted by Jennifer Googins
For Questions: Googinsart@yahoo.com
| More Coming Soon! |
| Easy Art For Kids! (Cheap too!) |
| Photography tips for beginners |
One of the most important things in
photography is to "Know your equipment".
Read your manual, over and over, with the
camera there by you so you can see where
all the buttons and switches are. The more
you know about your equipment the more
you will know what you can do with it and what
you can not do with it. Talk to other
photographers who use the same type of
equipment you use. They just might tell you something that you don't know and wish you had the
last time you were out shooting. Don't be afraid to experiment with a new idea or technique. Now
go SHOOT!! Submitted by Rich Kopp Gpt. MS richkoppphotography.com
photography is to "Know your equipment".
Read your manual, over and over, with the
camera there by you so you can see where
all the buttons and switches are. The more
you know about your equipment the more
you will know what you can do with it and what
you can not do with it. Talk to other
photographers who use the same type of
equipment you use. They just might tell you something that you don't know and wish you had the
last time you were out shooting. Don't be afraid to experiment with a new idea or technique. Now
go SHOOT!! Submitted by Rich Kopp Gpt. MS richkoppphotography.com
| Oil Painting tips for beginners |
I consider myself a beginner in oil painting, but it has been a wonderful experience and the more I have
learned, the more I realize I need to learn.
The most wonderful thing about oils is that they stay the same color after they dry. Where water color
lightens and acrylics darken, oils stay the same beautiful color.
I was so confused when I first started oils because I was used to just painting whatever in mixed media, I
wasn't sure what to dip my brush in first. You need to use mediums with oils in order to give them
different textures and other oil medium liquids, help the oils dry faster. That is very important because
the hardest part of oil painting is that it takes a while for them to dry and it is easy to become impatient
and stay enthusiastic about your subject. I found it best for me to have two or three going at the same
time. The depth and glazing of oils is what makes it so rich, so it is well worth trying. I know it was for me.
Submitted by Jeri Hardy Pascagoula MS
learned, the more I realize I need to learn.
The most wonderful thing about oils is that they stay the same color after they dry. Where water color
lightens and acrylics darken, oils stay the same beautiful color.
I was so confused when I first started oils because I was used to just painting whatever in mixed media, I
wasn't sure what to dip my brush in first. You need to use mediums with oils in order to give them
different textures and other oil medium liquids, help the oils dry faster. That is very important because
the hardest part of oil painting is that it takes a while for them to dry and it is easy to become impatient
and stay enthusiastic about your subject. I found it best for me to have two or three going at the same
time. The depth and glazing of oils is what makes it so rich, so it is well worth trying. I know it was for me.
Submitted by Jeri Hardy Pascagoula MS
I sculpted this piece, "The
End of the Season", with air
dry clay and used recycled
paper for the inner air
pocket. I formed the base
from melted and crushed
recyclables.
I chose to layer my sculpture
with a mixed media layering
process that included
attaching the base, rather
than having it fired.-
Jennifer Googins
End of the Season", with air
dry clay and used recycled
paper for the inner air
pocket. I formed the base
from melted and crushed
recyclables.
I chose to layer my sculpture
with a mixed media layering
process that included
attaching the base, rather
than having it fired.-
Jennifer Googins
I painted "The Dragonfly
dance" with acrylics, I find the
best way to create detail with
acrylics is through a layering
process. I sealed it with
multi-sheen layering also.
-Jennifer Googins
dance" with acrylics, I find the
best way to create detail with
acrylics is through a layering
process. I sealed it with
multi-sheen layering also.
-Jennifer Googins
"On the way to
Pompeii" ,
bought by
Jefferson
Davis College
for permanent
collection.
Oil by Jeri
Hardy.
Pompeii" ,
bought by
Jefferson
Davis College
for permanent
collection.
Oil by Jeri
Hardy.
"Jefferson Davis"
By: Rich Kopp
By: Rich Kopp
| Thank you so much for visiting Googins Gallery. This web site is designed & maintained by J. Googins All images copyright Googins Gallery -online 2009, Please ask for permission before duplicating/using any image on this site. |
| Encouraging your kids to create art, inspires positive expression, confidence and so much more! I have started a new section for kids including simple art projects that are favorites of my students, fun, & educational. I will be adding more monthly. Check it out here. |
Framing tips
There are a lot of routes you can take when it comes to
framing your paintings.
Professional framing: I do believe that the frame is definitely
a large part of the art itself. It's the finishing touch that can
change the outcome of the feel of your art work.
Professional framers will take the time to help find the perfect
frame for your art and generally have a large selection to
choose from. Depending on your budget and time restraints,
(custom framing sometimes takes 1 -5 weeks) getting a pro
to help especially for beginners is a good pick.
Store bought frames: Frame your own art easily, although,
the selection is smaller,it's quicker and less expensive.
Stretched Canvas: Stores like Micheal's crafts & Hobby
Lobby have the best selection of frames for stretched canvas
already made. You can bring your painting in when you
purchase the frame and have the framing department mount it
in the frame for you. I believe it's a free service if you buy the
frame there.
Canvas boards: Painting with canvas boards is perfect for
beginners and established artists. They are about 1/3 the
price of stretched canvas and you can easily frame them your
self. Buy any photo frame, remove the glass (with gloves) and
replace with your canvas board painting. Submitted by:
Jennifer Googins
Googinsart@yahoo.com
There are a lot of routes you can take when it comes to
framing your paintings.
Professional framing: I do believe that the frame is definitely
a large part of the art itself. It's the finishing touch that can
change the outcome of the feel of your art work.
Professional framers will take the time to help find the perfect
frame for your art and generally have a large selection to
choose from. Depending on your budget and time restraints,
(custom framing sometimes takes 1 -5 weeks) getting a pro
to help especially for beginners is a good pick.
Store bought frames: Frame your own art easily, although,
the selection is smaller,it's quicker and less expensive.
Stretched Canvas: Stores like Micheal's crafts & Hobby
Lobby have the best selection of frames for stretched canvas
already made. You can bring your painting in when you
purchase the frame and have the framing department mount it
in the frame for you. I believe it's a free service if you buy the
frame there.
Canvas boards: Painting with canvas boards is perfect for
beginners and established artists. They are about 1/3 the
price of stretched canvas and you can easily frame them your
self. Buy any photo frame, remove the glass (with gloves) and
replace with your canvas board painting. Submitted by:
Jennifer Googins
Googinsart@yahoo.com