Tips on Creating Pen Drawings

Tips on Creating Pen Drawings Pen Drawing Techniques ChaptersFelt Tip DrawingDrawing With Marker PensRolling It Out With Rollerball PensBiro SketchesA Final Note On Pen ArtUnlike charcoal, pastels and graphite pencils, pens often have a narrow, inflexible nib  and don’t always flow as easily as those other drawing mediums. This means that, if you are already accustomed to  softer mediums, you may need to adjust your drawing style to suit. New artists, however, might take to this art form easily.For instance, if you are using a marker pen or felt tip pen, you may quickly find that the amount of ink on your paper decreases with extended use, creating inconsistent lines or that applying strong pressure causes a build up of ink on the paper.As a child, you may remember making holes in paper due to holding your felt tip pen down for too long? If so, you’ll understand just how hard it is to create a masterpiece using ink as a medium. And, with no way of erasing such mistakes, this makes pen art all the more challenging.With pens, you are forced to be much more deliberate with your marks than if you were drawing in pencils or crayons. You can't just rub out the marks that you don't like, so you are naturally more careful and considerate of the lines that make it onto your surface. Learning how to draw using a pen or ink in general is not easy, precision is necessary. Using various pen types, for example, ballpoint and fountain pens can produce very different results. there are a huge variety of pen sets to test versatility  but also consider how pens feel in your hand; the grip is often the deciding factor.Find a drawing class London here.Drawing With Marker PensWhile drawing with marker pens is similar in a way to using a smaller felt tip pen, there is one big obvious difference - the size. As such, marker pens are better used in larger scale, perhaps looser or rougher sketches than those requiring delicate or precise lines.One positive to marker pens is that, depending on which brand you opt for, you can use it on far more surfaces. This means that, instead of being restricted to just paper or card, you could create pieces of art on wood, metal and many more materials.Grab whatever pen you can find in the pot, almost anything can be used to make art with! Photo credit: my little red suitcase on Visualhunt.Biro SketchesLast but not least, biro sketches are a fantastic way of learning to draw, but can also allow you to produce some very attractive drawings.A very talented artist as well as DJ, presenter, and novelist, Fearne Cotton illustrates her recent book release with various small biro sketches.The multitalented celebrity mum often posts similar sketches on her Instagram account which she confirms help her to get the ideas out of her head and onto paper quickly.A lot of artists would only use a biro if that was all they had at reach when an idea came to mind, but Cotton seems to take lots of enjoyment from the medium and clearly places value on the rawness it offers.This artist has used a biro to create a detailed and imaginative drawing. Photo credit: joncandy on Visualhunt.A Final Note On Pen ArtDon't be intimidated by pens; even though they leave more or less a permanent mark, it doesn't mean that you can't start over if you really want to. Despite being unworkable after application, at least it is a low-cost form of art enabling you to just reach for another sheet of paper in the pad when you have had enough of one drawing.If you were working with oil paints on a canvas, for example, you might not be so quick to start on a new, expensive canvas or board (remember that oil paints take a long time to dry so it wouldn't be as simple as painting over the top of your existing work!)Pens are generally associated with the world of writing and literature, and less so with the visual arts. Just think of it like this, by  using any type of pen in art, you are merely substituting the written word for a visual representation.Start drawing classes with a private tutor from S uperprof.

Opportunities for Volunteer Musicians

Opportunities for Volunteer Musicians Suzy S. You’ve been practicing and taking music lessons for a while. Are you looking for your next musical challenge? Playing with other musicians is one of the quickest ways to improve, and with National Volunteer Week coming up (April 21-27, 2013), why not make a impact in your community by volunteering your talents? Here are some ideas to get you started Volunteer at events and galas Non-profit or community events always need entertainment! Often these events are for great causes, and its also an awesome way to get your name out there, network, and find new fans! If youre already part of a group or band, try reaching out to specific organizations and expressing your interest in helping out. Better yet, why not organize your own benefit concert? Volunteer with specific organizations There are tons of organizations and non-profits that deal specifically with the music industry and music education. The San Diego Music Foundation, for example, coordinates several events throughout the year that require volunteer help. Their Guitars for Schools program provides Taylor guitars for San Diego-area elementary and middle schools for use in classroom and after-school music activities. Musicians on Call is another amazing program that sends volunteer musicians to hospitals and other healthcare facilities to share the power of music.  Its branches are located in New York, Nashville, Philadelphia, Miami, DC, and Los Angeles. Not in one of those major cities? Not to worry. VolunteerMatch.org is an awesome resource for finding organizations in your area that are looking for help! Volunteer directly at hospitals or nursing homes Music is used as a therapeutic tool in many hospitals and nursing homes across the country. Try contacting your local hospital to see if theyre accepting volunteer musicians. Opportunities at hospitals can range from performing to actually teaching music to patients. If youre considering music therapy as a career path, try looking into internship positions, also! Volunteer at festivals and concerts Even if you dont play an instrument, music fans can get involved with the community by volunteering at music festivals and concerts. If youre interested in music promotions or event planning, you can learn a lot about this important part of the music industry, as well as connect with other music lovers! Church groups Music is a huge part of many different religions, incorporated into worship services, religious ceremonies, and of course, weddings and funerals. Check with your congregation to see if there are opportunities to perform and help out. Piano and guitar are perhaps the most popular instruments found here, but solo opportunities exist for practically any musician, depending on your communitys style. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Mark Brannan