Now first decide what you want to paint: a landscape, still life or something else.Try using water color paints or acrylics if you’re more of a beginner. And let’s be honest if you’re reading this article you probably have no idea what you’re doing. You may experiment with oil paints once you are more experienced. Watercolors are great to use with the help of water. Go to your local Joanne’s or Michael’s stores or any other kind of craft store in your area to get the right kind of water color paper. Acrylic paints are also quite easy to use, they do not need to be watered down and can last weeks or months at a time.

Second, get a canvas panel. If you’re a beginner you are going to need to use this before using stretched canvas (much more expensive and advanced). Then select the brushed you are going to use. You might not think that brushes are a big deal but they can make or break a painting: literally. Ask your local art supplier for more information but size and material are very important. If you get a crappy brush it can leave bristles on the painting and no one wants that. Also wash your brushes after use: that is VERY IMPORTANT.

Also familiarize yourself with the color wheel as much as possible. Know the basics such as Red + Yellow=Orange, Yellow + Blue=Green, Red + Blue=Violet. These are the basics but you can go more in debt by looking over a book on this or going online and Googling color wheel. Also make sure that your type of paints match what you are painting. For example you wouldn’t want to use watercolors for painting a portrait since the colors would mix way too much for you to create an accurate piece of art. Begin painting with just black and white and see where you go from there. It’s an easy way to start and learn your blending abilities. Finally practice techniques and your works will soon become beautiful decorative abstract art.

Buy artwork online and invest in quality fine art.

When Picasso was born, the midwife thought that he was stillborn and left him on the pediatrician table! However, the "miracle" occurred when midwife went to Picasso’s mother to inform her of this sad news. Another amazing fact-Pablo’s uncle was an attending physician and delivered the baby. Actually, Dr Don Salvador is widely credited with saving the life of baby Picasso.

Baby Picasso’s First Spoke the Word ‘Pencil’!

The early years of Picasso were filled with wonder and education! He first spoke the word "piz", which means pencil in English. This was maybe the clue about the future career path and occupation of young Picasso, and was a big and clear label on his back as a future artist.

Picasso’s First Oil Painting.

Picassso created "Le Picador" in the year 1890 at the age of 9! This work depicted a man who was riding a horse in bull; fighting. This sport is still widely popular in spain.

Picasso’s First Academic Painting ‘First Communion’.

Though Picasso foray into artistic endeavors started with "Le Picador" at the age of nine in early 1890, his first academic painting came six years later. This work, "First Communion", is a portrait of his father, youngest sister and mother, all kneeling before the altar of a church. Picasso was just fifteen when he made this masterpiece. This is one of the most treasured works of Picasso.

Picasso’s First Job in Paris

Picasso’s first job was with Pere Mehach, his landlord/ art dealer. He agreed to work for 150 francs a month, and this amount in today’s terms is hundreds of dollars. This was not a bad sum back in those days and allowed young Pablo to develop his personal characteristics and creativity, which carried him through the rest of his highly successful life.

Picasso and His Glorious Academic Career

It is a fact that Picasso was a brilliant student, but his academic career record does not indicate this fact. Picasso readily entered entrance examines of all top artistic institutions of higher learning, right from Madrid to Paris, where he wanted to enroll himself. It was another fact that time and again, circumstances were such that Picasso had to leave school just after two or three semesters. He felt really bad about it but could do nothing. However, this did not make any difference when he became widely successful as an artist after his famous "First communion", yet it was a clear sign that brilliant artists in some cases had difficulty in structured classroom setting.

Exhibit at the age of 13

Picasso’s first exhibit was at the age of thirteen where he shows all his painting in back room of an umbrella store!

Burnt his paintings to keep himself warm!

In 1900 while living in Paris, Picasso faced severe financial problems and had to burn several of his paintings to stay warm. In his later years, he paid his bills with simple one word signature "Picasso".

Picasso had two wives and six mistresses. He had four children. He painted more than 18000 pictures. His famous last words were, Drink to me Drink to my Health but I can’t Drink anymore,

Unity Accompanied by Variety shows that an artwork looks as though it is one, yet has many aspects that unveil a diversity. The work is to be coherent and resolved. A piece is never finished until both the artist and the viewer are satisfied that one more change would do an injustice.

Balance is a dynamic process that proves opposing forces are in check. When a painting is too heavy with color on one side, it is said to be unbalanced. Although, balance can be carefully planned either in a symmetrical manner or in asymmetry form.

Emphasis Joined by Subordination is centered around making the focal point of a work pronounced. This is often achieved by using color, contrast, texture and position to carefully bring attention to an important element. Subordination occurs in the negative space of the plane which help further along the viewers eye by providing neutral, less interesting space.

Directional Forces provides a visual structure which leads the viewer around and across the elements within an artwork. Both direct and implied lines within the composition tell the eye which forms to investigate next. Directional lines are often like a map to a painting.

Contrast is created when artists use strikingly different elements alongside each other to attain their aesthetic goals of their art. They use tools such as light verses dark and small forms verses large forms to contrast the visual experience and make it interesting to view.

Repetition and Rhythm is pleasing to a viewer and acquired by the artist repeating certain elements within their work. The repetitive occurrence of colors or shapes brings many of the other principles of design together in harmony.

Scale Paired with Proportion is born along conceptual lines and decided among the first plans of an art piece. Artists have to decide if the scale of a certain element is relative to the accepted reality or is it warped and warped on purpose? The proportion of the elements carry this thought further. The viewer has to be convinced that your decisions were correct within the desired space.

Canvas art has enormous potential and if it is taken seriously, it can virtually transform the look of the entire room and even make the visit of the guests to the house a memorable one. Wall art is very striking and this can be counted as its greatest advantage but for the same reason, it should be taken very seriously because if something unsuitable is selected, the whole wall and the room would end up in a terrific mess.
Choosing the canvas art material for the wall of the room would depend upon the following factors:

The use of the room: Children’s room, living room, guest room or bed room. Each will have its own set of particulars and the art product should be chosen accordingly.

The surroundings: This includes the furniture and the color of the paints on the other walls. It should match it in compliment or in contrast.

The feel of the room: It would be naïve to select something very energetic for the bedroom simply because it is meant for rest. Living rooms can have classics and something very attractive so that the visitors take a positive impression. Offices can look for something thoughtful and serious that portrays human qualities. No need to mention about the kids’ room. Readers might have themselves imagined!

Taste of the dwellers: Different families have different backgrounds. Some have old traditions tied to them, some are modern and some have a blend of both. The wall art should never fall apart from the culture, traditions and the personality of the dwellers otherwise it would be a complete misfit in the setting.

These days, various modern wall art options are available over the internet. Besides the classical paintings, one can look for some modern and contemporary art designs. These days, customization options are also available and with the growth of technology one can even conceive of a family photograph turned into wall art through an internet order.

A brilliant artist and excellent writer, Dorothy Gauvin, had read that piece and noted that whereas, a computer could create Abstract Art styles which might be decent enough to hang in one’s home, she noted that art was much more than that and explains to me that;

"Over the centuries, artisans have produced eye-pleasing arrangement of such elements as: geometric figures, calligraphic characters, stylised botannical shapes, purely abstract colour fields. These were used to embellish monumental structures such as: pharonic tombs, cathedrals and mosques, palaces and Parliament Houses. Many still exist as examples of highly skilled craftsmanship but they are not Art – they are decoration. Art is that which speaks to the common humanity, it must evoke an emotional response, therefore it rests on the mind of its creator. In other words, an artist has to be one who thinks and who wants to communicate with fellow human beings. Who else are we to talk to – the machines?"

Well, that’s such a beautiful explanation, I just had to relay her message, and I do agree with her, very much so, mostly because she is right and it’s simply an irrefutable reality. Now then, with regards to abstract art and the recent study where 3rd graders scored almost as high as the so-called greats in the category 90% of the time, I do concur, as well as with her objection, and yes, I was being provocative, and really trying to shock my reader – as any good artist or writer should right?

And, yet, this future I discuss, well, I must say that I don’t like the end game here either, however, I would submit to you that we are currently programming future AI systems via the "Like" button on Facebook and Google Plus, as well as other social networks as to "What it is that turns people on" or hits their emotional buttons, once trained the AI system hooked up to a painint robot, almost like a printer shooting textured painting strokes could be close enough, even if it’s algorithms are not exactly "thinking as you say" they would still fool a human, unless a really art type critic perhaps.

Now then, I am as concerned as Dorothy is here, and those darn AI systems are replacing writers, and also fictional novelists too, it won’t be long now, worse they are learning by sifting through everything that you humans have produced.

Just as humans or any primate loves to imitate, these machines will be able to do it at neck-breaking speed, so, I am predicting the end of the artist as a profession soon enough, with AI software generated knock-offs, and they’ll be cheap eventually, at first their masters will attempt to sell the pieces, but they will end up flooding the market due to the human greed factor I suppose, humans are predictable, and since they are programming these systems, I assume we can predict the forward challenges ahead for human societies, in this case the artists who brighten our day.

Well, with regards to talking to machines, it seems that these AI chat bots from Carnegie Mellon University are getting quite good and fooling a good many people online – so, I suppose that the "Turing Test" is now completed there too. So, if a human thinks he/she is talking to a real human but isn’t, in a way, it’s all in their mind anyhow, see that point. Indeed, Dorothy’s point is well taken as well here, we all ought to listen to what she’s saying – we need our human artists!

There are various advantages of music. Some of them are mentioned below:

1. Source of nourishment

Listening to soothing and relaxing music can be a great source of nourishment. While for some people, a different genre can have the same soothing effect. Know the sort of music you prefer, soft or hard, and feel nourished and rejuvenated.

2. No more stress and anxiety

Music is known to be a holistic healer for centuries. It helps to relax your nerves and reduce stress. Moreover, it can help to uplift your mood in melancholic times and counteract anger. The key here is to listen to the music that you like. Forcing yourself to listen to something you do not like will only make the situation worse.

3. Good for health

Music is very good for your health. It helps boost the immune system. It helps to lower blood pressure and stabilize heartbeat. It has a calming effect on both mind and body. Listening to music can help you focus better and clear out the clutter in your head. This is automatically great for your health. You feel light and fresh.

4. Source of Meditation

Music is a great source of meditation. Listening to soothing music can help you to get rid of excess thoughts in your mind. It revitalizes and rejuvenates your soul. It can help you gain focus of important things and cut out the unwanted noise in the environment.

The internet has brought everything at the tip of our fingers. So whenever you feel depressed or ‘blue’ you can open up any music directory and listen to your favorite music. You can also sort out your favorite numbers according to genre in a music directory.

Music has many more advantages and is a source of inspiration for many. You can join a music forum of your favorite genre and find people of similar interest. A music forum can help you access different kinds of music that you find soothing and relaxing. It will have a beneficial effect on you.

Blues has a cyclical form of music, which repeats the progression of chords and has interaction between the singer and others. This theme was common to African and African American music styles. Blues has the twelve-bar blues chord progression at its heart. Other variations such as 8, 9 and 16 bar chords also exist, but the twelve-bar chord is the most popular. Distinctive blue notes, for giving expression and feeling to the music was played flat or gradually bent, from the minor third to the major third, in relation to the pitch of the major scale. This lent soul and depth to the music.

The history of Blues music evolved from the country side in the early 1900′s, with the African American population. The very word Blues originates from the term ‘Blue Devils’, meaning sadness or reflecting the human spirit at the lowest ebb. The music was a reflection of their joys, sadness, problems of everyday life, giving thanks to the Lord etc. Its motivating force was the heartache, deprivation and depression of everyday life, finding expression in haunting Blues music. The early instruments used were the Banjo and Diddley Bow, the instruments of the deep South and gradually evolved to the blues guitar style. Some of the early Blues musicians of note were Robert Johnson, Charley Patton and Son House etc. As African Americans migrated in larger numbers to cities, Blues music started having an urban character though its rural roots were not abandoned.

In the 50′s, Blues played a significant influence on popular music. Many of the well know Blues numbers such as "Hoochie Coochie Man", "I Just Want to Make Love to You" were penned in this era. Some of the well known music labels promoting the Blues genre during this time include Vee-Jay Records, J.O.B. Records and Sun Records. The fifties saw different variations of Blues music such as West Side, electric blues etc. Electric blues got a leg up in England, due to the much acclaimed tour of Muddy Waters.

During the 60′s and 70′s, music inspired by Blues had become a part of mainstream popular music, however the popular tide had ebbed and blues artistes started performing in Europe with success. The 1971 album, the magical "Endless Boogie" by B.B. King earned him the nick name "King of the Blues". With blues jam session performers such as Taj Mahal earned a Grammy nomination for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture and the BAFTA a nomination.

After being on the wane for many years, Blues music has had a revival in America in the 80′s, especially in the Deep South. A new sub genre known as "Soul Blues" or "Southern Soul" has become popular. Bobby Rush, Bettye LaVette, Marvin Sease are some of the well known performers. Experimentation in Blues music continues and the music has kept evolving. In 2003, Martin Scorsese, the famous film director, made a concerted effort to popularize Blues music to a wider audience.

Blues music, born from the depths of desperation and deprivation, with the Blues guitar in the forefront, has come to stay and has a large fan following all over the world.

There are five different types of triads. They are: major, minor, diminished, augmented and suspended 4.

• Major (1, 3, 5) (C E G)
• Minor (1, flat 3, 5) (C Eb G)
• Diminished (1, flat 3, flat 5) (C Eb Gb)
• Augmented (1, 3, sharp 5) (C E G#)
• Suspended 4 (1 4 5) (C F G)

The first note of the scale is called the root. In this case, C is the root note. When a chord is stacked with the Root note on the bottom, 3rd in the middle and 5th on top it is in root position. When the 3rd is on the bottom, 5th in the middle and the root note is on top it is 1st inversion. When the 5th note is on the bottom, the root note is in the middle and the 3rd note is on top it is in 2nd inversion.

All triads can be put into root position, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion. For example; D minor has the root note D, the 3rd note F and the 5th note A. Root position would be D F A. First inversion would be F A D. 2nd inversion would be A D F. Inversions become very useful when applied to chord progressions.

If we compare the C major triad (C E G) with the A minor triad (A C E), we see they have the two notes C and E in common. The G note from the C major triad is only a tone away from the A note in the A minor triad. If We played a progression which had C major going to A minor we could use an inversion to get between the two triads quickly. If C major was in root position an(C E G), then you would use A minor in 1st inversion (C E A). This limits finger movement for a guitarist which is of great use for getting quickly between chords.

Triads should be used as part of daily practice. They can be highly effective when used in performance situations. They can provide different options when composing songs.

Instrumental technology has consistently advanced and evolved over the years, when looking back at flutes made out of animal bones dating back 40,000 years, to the electric guitars of the 1960′s, instruments have developed in a unprecedented way.

Ancient Western Africans are the first known race to use beats, by playing the hand drum in rhythmic form. The tradition and teaching of how to play African rhythmic beats is known as a Groit. Which is the passing of different beats orally, i.e. There are 3 basic sounds from a hand drum, each can be played with either the left or right hand. The Groit call each of these by different sounds "Goon Doon Go Do Pa Ta". This simple system is now used world wide by Djembe players.

Modern Beats evolved rapidly due to the popularity of the nightclub scene of the early 1980′s. Disco, house, techno and hip hop music we’re born from this change in dance style. This era produced decks, Synthesisers, drum machines and sequencers, they are still the instrument of choice when producing music with modern beats, as they mimic and emphasize traditional acoustic instrumentation. When Computers developed and became more readily available in the 1990′s, the way in which music and especially beats could be changed was recognised. With these new systems in place the birth of electric dance music became mainstream.

Modern Beats have proven to be adaptable and an expected presence in current music, it’s no longer just used in dance and house genres. Modern Beats are now a frequent presence in all genres, and used by artists from Katy Perry to Michael Jackson.

How is heavy metal guitar different from ordinary guitar playing? It is usually characterized by fast rhythms and a handful of disparate harsh sounding chords. In this article, you will learn some common heavy metal chords. It will follow the usual fingering convention, that is, the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and the little finger would be labeled 1, 2,3, and 4, respectively. The six unfretted strings, which produce the pitches E, A, D, G, B, and higher E, will be identified as the first to the sixth string, respectively, with the first string being the bottommost, lowest sounding E string.

So as not to confuse beginners, we will avoid using too many technical terms. Let’s start off with power chords. These chords are the primary chords that we use in heavy metal. We will use fingers 1 and 3. Finger 1 will be positioned on the first string (the lowest string) on the first fret, and finger 3 will be on the second string on the third fret. What you will hear is the F Power Chord. It’s basically an F chord, with a dissonant sound coming from your positioned finger 3. You can move this finger setup across the fret board to produce different notes at different octaves. For variation and a more throaty sound, you can position finger 2 on the third string (D string) at the third fret. Include any of the three upper strings when you strum downwards with your pick. For practice, use the same finger formation and move one fret towards the body of the guitar, and then another fret in the same direction. Go back and forth along four successive frets, all the while maintaining the same finger formation.

Next, let’s study the inverted power chords. For this chord, we will also use finger 1 and 3, however, finger 1 will be pressing the second string on the first fret, while finger 3 will be on the first string, third fret. It’s basically the inverted position of the power chord, which is why we call it inverted power chord. This formation produces the G chord sound.

Although not as frequently used as the power chords, it breaks the monotony of the power chords. For practice, you can maintain the same finger formation and move one string up going one fret backward, that is, away from the body of the guitar. From this fret, use the same finger position and move back down one string. Follow this with a move to the next fret on the same strings, followed, again by a move to the next fret. Move up one string on the same fret. Go back and forth on these positions. These chords are used infrequently simply to give variety to your power chords.

Another type of chord that is used to break away from the power chord has a very throaty sound. It has a simple finger formation. Use finger 1 to press both the first and second strings on the third fret, and mute the other strings. You can also use finger 1 and 2 for pressing the strings, especially if you want to quickly create a similar sound by moving one fret either forward or backward.