Evaluate Children'S Literature

Like any other form of literature, children's literature can be extremely subjective. One person's masterpiece is another person's compost, and books found delightful one generation can appear static and boring the next. Yet because children perceive things differently during different stages of their development--and because parents are always concerned about the content their kids are exposed to--it pays to evaluate the appropriateness of various forms of children's literature.

Instructions

1. Determine the age appropriateness of the content. For younger children, the plot should be appealing, easy to grasp and upbeat. Problems should involve relatively mild consequences (such as getting muddy in the rain on the way home). Older children, on the other hand, probably want something with a little more weight behind it. The complexity of the prose should match your child's development level and the size of the book should be enticing to the child rather than intimidating.

2. Look for basic standards conducive to any type of literature. Even the simplest preschool books need a sense of plot and mood. Characters should behave in a manner consistent with their personality, and the book as a whole should avoid undue clichés or derivative content. Watch for ethnic and racial stereotyping as well, particularly in older children's books written when societal standards were different than they are now. The best children's literature--the ones honored by awards--are well constructed in terms of story and pacing, display rich characterization, take original and complex approaches to their subject matter, and provide the reader with food for thought above and beyond the simple pleasure of a good read. A children's book which doesn't meet such criteria may be enjoyable, or even good. However, it shouldn't be considered real literature.

3. Check the pictures of the book, if any are included, and evaluate them for their appropriateness. Books for younger readers should have a large number of illustrations, while books for older children may be limited to just a few. The illustrations should match the prose they are accompanying, and enhance the text rather than detracting from it. They should measure up to artistic standards in their own right--displaying a unified style and tone, attracting the eye and conveying the same theme and mood as the rest of the book--and should act to inspire the child's imagination rather than discouraging it.

4. Evaluate the overall message of the book. Many children's books concern themselves with tolerance, friendship, working together and overcoming difficulties without help. Books for older children might embrace more complex themes, such as the difficulty of knowing do the right thing. Ask yourself if the book conveys values that you agree with and want your child to adopt? It's not necessarily a bad book if it doesn't, but it probably isn't right for your child.

Etch Glass Having A Dremel Tool

Finished Glass

Glass is so delicate but when used with care can be etched with something beautiful and unique. This is a way to make a custom gift that the receiver will treasure for years to come because they will know you crafted it.

Instructions

1. Start by using each attachment on the test piece of glass. This will help you figure out what methods would best suit your design. If you practice holding the tool and using different attachments you can start to add depth to your etchings.

2. Wash your container with mild soap to remove any dust or debris before starting. Add your design to the bottle with a permeate marker or tape the stencil inside or outside the bottle. There are many methods here and experimentation is probably your best bet.

3. The Dremel Stylus works best for this task. You can also wrap the end of the bottle with a towel and clamp to a working surface. Hold your tool at the same angle throughout the project for an even finish.

Spray Fresh paint Flames

Painting flames will add a fearsome factor to any vehicle or piece of machinery. Achieving a professional appearance with the flames can be accomplished by assuring you have the correct supplies and following a few simple steps.

Instructions

Preparing the surface

1. Choose a well ventilated area to work within. Outdoors is best, but an open garage or basement will suffice. Put on a surgical mask to prevent inhalation of dangerous fumes.

2. Prepare the surface you will be painting by sanding with 300-grit sandpaper.

3. Apply a primer to the area you will be painting. Allow to dry per manufacturer's instructions.

4. Apply one base coat of paint in a color that will provide a nice contrast to the flames. Allow to dry per manufacturer's instructions.

Painting the flames

5. Cover the entire area you want to paint flames on with masking tape.

6. Draw your desired shape of flames onto the masking tape.

7. Cut out the shape of the flames by scoring the masking tape with a utility knife.

8. Spray the bottom of the flames with a red spray paint. Spray the middle portion of the flames with orange spray paint. Spray the top portion of the flames with yellow spray paint. Allow to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.

9. Remove the masking tape and reveal your flames in all of their glory.

Begin A Communitybased Arts Festival

It is important to find a site big enough to hold the projected crowd.

Establishing a community-based arts festival can be challenging and requires a dedicated group of individuals willing to lend their creativity and time to the project. A lot of planning goes into starting a festival, from the exhibits themselves to building sufficient funding. You must mobilize enthusiastic team members who are delegated specific responsibilities. You need to involve as much of the community as possible, from elementary students to professional artists.

Instructions

1. Create a planning committee. This should be a group of volunteers willing to spend the time necessary to create the festival. It helps if some members have had experience planning large events or are familiar with the art community. Determine the tasks that need to be completed to organize the festival. Delegate the responsibilities. Create a timeline. Host frequent meetings, particularly the closer it gets to the festival. Establish subcommittees for parking, entertainment, food, security, accounting/auditing, permits, arts outreach, contests, publicity, clean-up and community relations.

2. Secure funding. Setting up an arts festival incurs various costs, from spreading publicity to renting equipment. Seek donations from community institutions and organizations, such as banks and businesses. Make sure they will be recognized for their contributions in order to make sponsorship more appealing to them. Create gold, silver and platinum levels to encourage support at all levels. Publish an arts guide with advertising that could be a source of funding. Ask your community newspaper publisher for support.

3. Locate a site to hold the festival. It should have easy access, be readily visible and large enough to hold the projected crowd. Public spaces, such as parks, are often cheap and central places to hold a community festival. Gain the necessary permission for a site before advertising the festival. Check the date for conflicts with other events in the community or nearby.

4. Obtain the necessary licenses. The paperwork requirements vary by community. Contact the local government offices or the town clerk to find out what documents are necessary to hold a festival. You will need liability insurance, security, parking supervision and traffic control. Since your festival will likely serve food and refreshments, you and your vendors will need permits from the local health department.

5. Invite the exhibitors. Try to get as wide a range of participants as possible. For example, allow the local elementary school to have an exhibit. This will get their parents and grandparents to come to the festival, increasing the crowd numbers. Also get in contact with local artists and any kinds of creative groups in the area.

6. Focus on the arts community for participation and support. Create a committee of arts-oriented volunteers for outreach and promotion to all types of artists in the region. Include visual and performing artists, authors, publishers, historical and cultural associations, environmental groups, schools and colleges as well as retired artists and dignitaries.

7. Create your arts festival into an event that makes news. Host arts competitions in many categories: visual and performing arts for all ages and talent levels. Award prizes from donors. Host an awards ceremony. Invite a well-known artist or dignitary to host the ceremony or make a speech that will draw a larger audience from the region. Invite a local cartoonist to give a "chalk talk" about his craft. Create activities and classes for kids to seniors -- from chalk art and face painting to a portrait class. Make your competitions and classes part of the advance publicity for your festival.

8. Publicize the event. Put up fliers in public places, as well as shop windows. Establish a website and Facebook page. Send out an email blast. Take out radio and newspaper ads. Ask churches and other organizations to announce the event. Work with the chamber of commerce and tourist development agency to promote the festival throughout the region. Be creative in finding ways to spread the word without tallying high advertising costs. Create various levels of media sponsorships to get in-kind promotion from newspapers, radio, TV and cable, and websites.

Enter An Indie Film Festival

Enter an Indie Film Festival

So you've completed your first independent film and you want everyone to see your first masterpiece. Entering an indie film festival is the quickest way to get your film out and for people to see your hard work. However, entering your film into a festival requires some preparation, and the aspiring producer and director should be aware of the process. Follow these steps and you will be on your way to a premiere at the indie film festival of your dreams.

Instructions

1. Research film festivals in your immediate area as they sometimes can be easier to enter if you are in residence. Film festivals usually have their own websites that give entry information.

2. Compile your film materials according to the festival's entry requirements, since the entrance requirements are often strict. Also, pay special attention to the film format of the festival. Some festivals only take digital entry while others prefer 35mm.

3. Be prepared to pay the entry fee. Most indie film festivals have fees that filmmakers are required to pay before their entrance is accepted.

4. Submit your indie film to the festival. Often times films have to be edited to a certain length to be considered valid for festivals. Big festivals like Cannes do often not have length requirements, but smaller ones tend to limit to 120-minute length film.

Sketch A Cow

Cows are the foster-mothers of the human race.

Without cows, people would have to rely on goats and sheep for milk, butter and cheese. AIPL reports that the first cow arrived in America in 1611. Now, the average cow produces about 2,000 gallons of milk a year. These cud-chewing animals regurgitate and re-chew the grass they eat for up to eight hours a day. The black and white Holstein accounts for 93 percent of the cows in America. Other breeds -- which are named after the places they originated -- include Jersey, Brown Swiss, Guernsey and Ayrshire. Dragoart advises that it is easy to draw cows by using shapes.

Instructions

1. Draw a shape that is half way between a circle and an oval in the middle of the page for the cow's body. To draw the cow's head -- that is going to be facing you -- make a thick oval that is straight on the top, but rounded for the muzzle on the bottom on the left hand side of the cow.

2. Sketch a vertical line through the head to help you position the cow's features. Draw two parallel lines about a quarter of the way down so you know where to put the eyes. Make another slightly rounded at the top horizontal line for the cow's muzzle.

3. Draw two circles for the cow's eyes and then fill in the pupils. Just under the line for the muzzle, add two half circles for her nostrils.

4. Start just under the cow's chin and draw two legs. Position the back leg first and then add the front one. Draw a line half way between vertical and horizontal from the front leg to the back one to indicate the separation.

5. Sketch in the back legs by going to the end of the oval shape you drew and draw a line that goes straight down. Round it off slightly for the hoof and bring the line back up to the oval.

6. Leave a small space between the back leg in the fore-front and draw in the back leg. Add the udder, which is a rounded shape with three teats that look sort of like fingers hanging down.

7. Go to the back of the cow and add a tail. Start at the top and draw it so that it swishes around and sketch in a little broom on the end of the tail. This helps the cow keep away the flies.

8. Pick your breed of cow. If you want a Holstein, add some distinctive black markings. The black designs can be wherever you want, so be creative and make your own design. If you would rather have a Jersey, use a brown pencil.

Music And Art Of The country

Flamenco-rock is a popular Spanish dance and music genre.

Layers of historic traditions and deep roots combine with European and African influences to form Spain's greatest glory: its culture. Spain's cosmopolitan architects, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and writers contributed everything from Gothic spires to unmistakable flamenco-rock sounds, from Goya to film stars Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. Spanish culture is one of the country's greatest exports.

Early Music

In early Spain, music depended on Roman, Moorish, and Italian influences. The Mozarabic Chant and a form of light opera called Zarzuela are two genres developed specifically in Spain. Flamenco developed regionally, then spread throughout Spain over centuries.

20th- and 21st-Century Music

Spain relied on outside influences through the 20th century, borrowing from rock and pop to suit Spanish tastes. In the 1970s and 1980s, Madrid's Movida movement heated up innovation in the Spanish music scene. Top recording artists included Mecano, Héroes del Silencio, Gabinete Caligari, and Alaska.

Spain's current music scene spans hip-hop to flamenco. Along with Spanish versions of rock, pop, punk, and hip-hop, there is a popular Spanish techno genre known as Bakalao. New flamenco genres including nuevo flamenco, flamenco-rock, and flamenco fusion, bring a surge of new life into a traditional favorite.

Besides popular music, Spain has produced world-class composers and classical musicians. World-renowned artists include composers Isaac Albéniz, Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla, and Federico Mompou, cellist Pablo Casals, guitarist Andrés Segovia, pianists Alicia de Larrocha and Esteban Sánchez, and opera singers Victoria de los Angeles and Placido Domingo.

Dance

Regional dance is a popular staple in Spain. Examples are the sardana from Cataluña, a group circle dance, flamenco and sevillanas from Andalucía, and muñeira from Galicia and Asturias. Widespread are regional variations to the jota, a castanet dance. Today a fusion of Spanish styles, as exemplified by flamenco, flamenco-ballet, and contemporary dance, dominates Spain.

Early Art

Art existed in Spain from the beginning of the peninsula's history. Some early examples include the Altamira cave paintings in Cantabria (reproductions can be seen in Madrid). El Greco joined Diego Velásquez at the pinnacle of Spanish painting during the Renaissance, and Goya was the great Spanish painter of the Romantic era.

20th- and 21st-Century Art

Dali's surrealism dominated Spanish art in the 20th century.

In the 20th century, Picasso and Juan Gris in cubism and Salvador Dali and Joan Miró in surrealism dominated Spanish painting. Highly influential in sculpture was Eduardo Chillida, whose art decorates many public areas in Spain.

Popular modern artists include Christine Lecrivain, Luis Bujalance, Nathalie Prados, and Isabel Rondle.

Cinematic Art

In recent decades, the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers and regional cinema produced strong box office appeal, bringing Spanish cinema critical international acclaim. Three directors of the 1980s and 1990s launched this new era: Jaime Camino, who directed the historical drama "Dragon Rapide" (1986), Ventura Pons with urban comedies set in Barcelona and Luna, and cult figure Pedro Almodóvar, who attained international celebrity status, winning Oscars in 1999 and 2002. Spain's most influential and infamous auteur director is Luis Buñuel, who collaborated with Dali on the well-known surreal silent film "Un chien andalou" (1929).

Enjoy An Outside Concert In Boston Massachusetts

The city of Boston has several amphitheaters that highlight a strong musical tradition. Venues such as the Hatch Shell, Tweeter Center and Bank of America Pavilion hold individual concerts with wide-ranging music options throughout the summer. Given the easy access to the area and a multitude of musical options, it's easy to enjoy an outdoor concert in Boston.

Instructions

1. Peruse Boston's news media and the Internet for schedules of outdoor concerts by venue (see the Resources section below). Select the concert or festival you want to see and plan trip options around that time.

2. Look into flight or driving options. Logan International Airport provides several flights into Boston.

3. Reserve a hotel room or campground spot in Boston. You'll find more hotel options in the large metro area of Boston, as well as bed and breakfasts and condo rentals.

4. Finalize an itinerary for the time you will be in Boston. Rent a car or use taxi and bus service.

5. Head to the venue early on the day of the concert. If the venue you are attending does not have permanent seating, bring a blanket and/or chair.

Engrave Wood Jewellery

This butterfly pattern can be engraved into a piece of wood and worn as a necklace pendant.

Wooden engraved pendant jewelry is very popular. Instead of spending a fortune on purchasing wooden engraved jewelry, you can make your own personalized, wooden pendant that can be fastened to a leather string or silver chain to make a necklace. Any type of wood can be engraved. With a few tools purchased from your local hardware store, a little elbow grease and some patience, you can make your own wood engraved jewelry that would make an excellent gift or provide a stylish, unique accent to any outfit.

Instructions

1. Take out your piece of wood that is roughly sized about 2-by-2 inches. With a pencil, draw your chosen design on the flat surface of your wood. You can write your name, draw a butterfly or do an abstract pattern.

2. Take your engraver and plug it into the wall. Turn on your engraver and go over your pencil lines with the thin tip of your engraver in a swift motion. You do not need to press down hard for the engraver to carve your line. When you are finished going over your lines, turn off your engraver.

3. Remove the thin tip from your engraver by twisting it to the left and pulling it out. Replace the thin tip with a thicker bit of your choice by placing the end of the thicker tip into the engraver and turning it to the right until it snaps into place. Turn on your engraver and lightly press the thicker bit into the area around your engraved lines. You now have a thick line sanded away from the area around your design. This will help to give your design a raised look. Turn off your engraver.

4. Remove the thicker bit from your engraver by twisting it to the left and pulling out. Replace the thick bit with your sanding tool by placing the end of the tool into the engraver and turning it right until it snaps into place. Turn on your engraver and sand away the entire area surrounding your design with a light circular motion. You now have a raised design that has been engraved into your wood.

5. Insert a small bit into your drill. Drill a hole where you'd like to thread the leather cord through your engraved wooden pendant. Take your leather string and thread it through the hole.

Graphics History

Graphic design is the art of creating print media, video and web graphics in the electronic or traditional media. Graphic design is the inherent grandchild to art history. Without the imagery of the masters behind the designer, they are nothing more than a typist with glue in their hands. Design starts back in the prehistoric era and continues through its digital grandchild of graphic design today.

B.C.

In the ancient and prehistoric worlds, graphic design was shown by way of pictographs and symbols. Hieroglyphics is another form of ancient design.

Second Through 15th Centuries

Paper was discovered in China by Ts'ai Lun, and Pi Sheng invented movable type in 1045 so designs and words could be placed and printed in specific creative order. The 15th century brought the first illustrated book by Albrecht Pfister, with Roman type being reinvented by Nicolas Jenson in 1470.

16th Through 18th Centuries

The first foundry for type was opened in1530 by Claude Garamond as he sold fonts to printers. In 1722, Caslon Old Style was founded, and the font was later used in the Declaration of Independence.

19th Century

The first cast-iron printing press was invented by Lord Stanhope in 1800, allowing for larger paper sizes and less labor. William Morris of design fame opened his first art decorating firm in 1861, while in 1880, the first halftone screen was founded, allowing design to blossom on many levels.

1900 to 1935

Bauhaus School of Modern Design was opened in 1919 and is the foundation of all graphic design in the current era. Stanley Morrison invented the New Times Roman font in 1932 for "The Times" of London.

Mid-20th to Early 21st Centuries

"Print" magazine was produced in 1940, and more fonts were discovered throughout the rest of the century. In 1984, Apple released the Mac, allowing for the introduction of bitmap graphics. To this day, graphic designers prefer the performance and software capabilities of a Mac over PC. Design software was introduced in 1985 by Aldus and Adobe, and desktop publishing came about in 1990.

Make Use Of A Spray Fresh paint Gun

Paint sprayers provide a flawless finish.

Using a spray-paint gun results in a flawless finish, free from brush strokes or roller marks. Spray custom woodwork as well as small items, such as baseboards or decorative moldings to reach nooks and crannies. Use of a spray-paint gun, however, requires additional preparation to protect surroundings from overspray.

Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the surface and surrounding area around which you will be painting. It’s imperative that the area is draft-free in order to control the fine mist of the spray paint. Drape adjacent furniture and appliances with thin plastic sheeting and secure with masking tape. Overspray is inevitable, so preparation is essential.

2. An inexpensive spray gun is fine for small craft projects, but if you're tackling an entire home, a commercial paint spray rig is your best bet. Check out a spray gun guide before making a purchase. (See resources)

3. Paint that feeds through a spray gun is often much thinner than paint in the can. Thin the paint with paint thinner, mineral spirits or plain water. Read the directions on the paint can to determine which thinner is appropriate.

4. Strain the paint before filling the spray-gun reservoir. Paint that sits on a store shelf for a month or longer may form small thick areas that are not a problem when rolling or brushing, but can wreak havoc in a paint-spray gun. Inexpensive paint strainers are available at lumber yards and do-it-yourself centers.

5. Test the spray on a disposable piece of lumber or cardboard before painting your item. Get the feel of the spray pattern and adjust the spray tip until you find a pattern suitable for your project. A quarter of a turn in either direction will allow you to use side-to-side or vertical movements.

6. Use light sweeping strokes when applying the first coat to your item. Keep moving the spray gun to avoid saturating one area and to avoid runs. Keep a small paint brush handy to wipe away any runs.

7. Cover the item to be painted with a very light initial coat of paint and wait until it dries completely before applying subsequent coats. Your item, depending upon the paint thickness and quality, may require numerous thin coats.

8. Clean your spray-paint gun immediately upon finishing. Flush the gun by filling the reservoir with the same liquid used to thin the paint. Oil paints require either paint thinner or mineral spirits, while latex paint needs only water for cleanup.

9. Disassemble the removable parts of your spray gun and clean them thoroughly before drying and reassembling. If you are using a very fine spray tip, consider putting a drop of regular cooking oil in the tip before storing the sprayer to reduce the likelihood of rust during storage.

Embrace Dying And Dying

To embrace death and dying is a tall order for many. Fear of pain, suffering, and the unknown; reigns supreme over the thoughts of those with death anxiety. Whether one's level of worry is mild, moderate, or severe, it debilitates daily living for many. Here you'll find ways to, gently and lightheartedly, face your own fears and embrace death and dying.

Instructions

1. Begin your journey to embrace death and dying by seeing the resources below after reading this article. There you will find a link to a wonderful YouTube clip from the movie, "What Dreams May Come", starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robin Williams. It is a movie who's premise is that of a belief in the afterlife. You may prefer to simply rent the movie. You also may find that it totally changes your perspective on the concept of death and why you believe what you do about the dying process.

2. Understand the basic concept of death; which is that everything that has a beginning, also has an ending. Begin to wrap your mind around this concept with the life cycle of a maple leaf: from a bud on a branch, to a new green leaf, to drying shades of gold, red, and orange as it drifts to the ground to become part of the Earth once more.

3. To fully embrace death and dying; you must take a role in another person's process to become more comfortable. Inevitably, we all will know someone who will die. Many people avoid funerals or other memorial services as if they can also avoid death itself. When you feel uncomfortable with someone who is grieving and you don't know what to say; the best thing to do might be to just offer a gentle, heartfelt hug.

4. Examine your beliefs. Is God, or belief in a higher power, a part of that? Perhaps, you believe in the afterlife because of the many near death experiences you've read, or heard, about. I encourage you to read the article that accompanies the YouTube video of "What Dreams May Come". It may just help you to soften your fearful thoughts on death and dying and question personal beliefs that you've learned through time.

5. Read about other cultures and their beliefs and customs regarding death and dying. Many take a very non-emotional, and spiritual, view that can help you embrace the concept and the process.

6. Embrace death and dying by thinking of the process of life as a "long vacation". We're so anxious to plan our trip that we can hardly contain ourselves. Then while we're at our destination, we have good times and not so good times ! Finally, towards the end of our vacation, we decide that though we've had a wonderful time.....we're ready to go home.

Emboss Vellum

Make decorative cards, scrapbooks and home decor even more beautiful with your own embossed vellum designs. Embossing vellum is easy and takes only minutes to create any design once you know do it. In addition, there is no mess to clean up afterward because the method used is dry embossing--no powders or heat guns are necessary.

Instructions

1. Cover the rubber stamp with ink and then stamp the image onto a sticky note or a small piece of paper. A sticky note will work best for this because it will adhere to the mouse pad in the next step. Allow the ink to dry completely before moving on.

2. Stick the sticky note to the mouse pad, and lay the vellum paper over it. Make sure to place the vellum exactly where you want the design to be.

3. Trace the stamped image onto the vellum using an embossing stylus. Use even pressure throughout the design to ensure equal depth. The vellum will turn white if you are pressing down properly with the stylus.

4. Dip a soft paintbrush into chalk--any color--and gently brush over the raised area of the vellum to add depth and dimension as well as color to your embossed design. This step is optional; however, it affords a rich beauty to the design, especially if using it with other colors.

Create A Double Walled Miracle Bag

With this bag, you'll be able to entertain your friends for hours with magic tricks. It's a must have prop for any magician. You'll be able to make small object disappear and reappear. Your friends won't be able to figure out your magic trick's secret.

Instructions

1. Open up one of your paper bags. You'll want to use the fold lines on the bag's sides as cutting guidelines. You'll notice that it goes down and then at an angle toward the sides.

2. Save the smaller section of the cut bag. This will be your secret pocket of your prop.

3. Lay the cut bag on the table, folds facing up. Use your glue stick to apply glue on all outer sides except the top.

4. Open your second bag and lay it on its side on the table.

5. Turn the glued section over. You'll want to slide it into the open bag without letting the glue touch anything.

6. Line up top edges of both bags. Now, you can press the glued edges against the open bag. Let the glue dry.

7. Decorate your magic trick bag. Since you'll be using this for all kinds of disappearing and reappearing acts, you'll want it to look like a real magician's prop.

Eject A Stuck Videotape

Removing a stuck videotape

A videocassette recorder is made up of a tape basket that holds tapes, rollers and capstans that physically move the videotape inside the VCR, and heads that play video and audio, as well as erase tapes. When a videotape becomes stuck inside a VCR, it usually takes only a screwdriver and a few minutes to get the tape out. To avoid electrical shock, unplug the VCR before beginning any kind of work.

Instructions

1. Use a screwdriver and remove the screws on the VCR's upper casing to allow access to the stuck videotape. Release any plastic tabs that are holding the casing, then remove the casing.

2. Remove the videotape from the interweaving parts inside the VCR. Do not pull on or put any strain on any of the inner workings of the VCR.

3. Hold the VCR door open so it does not close on the tape and remove the whole videocassette from the VCR.

4. Replace the VCR casing and use a screwdriver to replace the screws. Plug the VCR back in and run a cleaning videotape through the VCR. This should prevent the problem from happening again.

Museums In Orlando

Orlando is known as a vacation destination, packed with theme parks and attractions and within an hour's drive of Florida's white sand beaches. Among the city's many things to do, you will find several museums where you can spend a few hours soaking up some culture and history while taking a break from the Florida heat.

Orlando Museum of Art

Orlando Museum of Art offers exhibitions that change throughout the year, such as collections of contemporary American art, artifacts from historic civilizations and presentations of the works of notable artists. The museum also offers educational programs for both adults and children and events such as antique shows. Parking is free and wheelchairs are available for those with limited mobility. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

Orlando Museum of Art

2416 N. Mills Ave.

Orlando, FL 32803

407-896-4231

omart.org

Orange County History Center

The Orange County History Center offers three floors of permanent exhibits and additional traveling exhibits, all about the history of central Florida. The permanent exhibits include ones focusing on the area's natural environment, Native Americans who lived in the area, the history of aviation, agriculture and tourism. You can pick up a free audio tour of the permanent exhibits at the entrance to enrich your experience. The museum offers a variety of adult, youth and family educational programs throughout the year.

Orange County History Center

65 E. Central Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32801

800-965-2030

thehistorycenter.org

Ripley's Believe It Or Not

Ripley's Believe It Or Not offers a change of pace from the standard museum by showcasing the odd and unusual. Located on International Drive in a building that appears to be leaning to one side, this museum is filled with exhibits including life-sized replicas of the Terra Cotta Warriors of China, a car built from matchsticks, a section of the Berlin Wall and a showcase of unusual animals.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not

8201 International Drive

Orlando, FL 32819

407-345-0501

ripleys.com

Edit Your Pictures With Glitter

Pictures that glitter or sparkle are common on MySpace and Facebook profiles. Unfortunately, no preinstalled program exists that allows you to create glitter pictures on your computer. However, various websites allow you to upload photos you've taken and then add glitter to them. One of the keys of making a glitter photo look good is to increase the contrast, as this will allow your picture to "pop" and make the glitter effect more obvious.

Instructions

1. Head to AddGlitter (see Resources for link). Once there, navigate to the box that says "Add glitter to any photo" and select your photo. The website will take you through the rest. These photos will glitter on any site that uses HTML, including MySpace and blogs.

2. Go to Glitterfy (see Resources). At the website, click on "Glitterfy Photo" on the left-hand side. This will take you to a new screen asking you to upload a photo. Select which photo you would like to upload, and Glitterfy will walk you through the rest. One benefit of this website is that you can automatically size your photo for a MySpace profile by checking the "Size this photo for MySpace profile picture" box.

3. Use Blingee (see Resources), another free website that will allow you to make a photo that sparkles. Click on "Make a Blingee Now." From there, follow the prompts that will guide you through the process. One of the benefits of Blingee is that you don't have to upload a photo; instead, you can choose to take a photo from Facebook, Photobucket or a random URL address.

Edit Poetry

If you write poetry, you have to know edit poetry. Want to submit your poem for publication in a magazine? Unless you're Billy Collins, an editor for a publishing house or magazine will not blink at tossing your poem in the trash for a small error that could have been prevented. If you are a new poet, you will learn more from editing your poems--or having them edited--than you will from writing a poem. Although poetry is an art that depends upon freedom of expression, there are limits that define good poetry.

Instructions

Edit Poetry with Honesty

1. Block out any distractions. You need as much silence and the same atmosphere as you did to write the poem. Find a cozy room or office. Shut the door. Start some instrumental music. Dim the lights. Do whatever you need to do to concentrate fully on your poem.

2. Read your poem twice. Understand exactly what you are saying with the poem.

3. Cut any unnecessary words. These include: very, never, almost, always, and any other word that detracts from the action or adjective.

4. Change passive voice to active. Don't say, "The boy was outside." Say, "The boy stood outside." Cut out those TO BE verbs; is, was, were, be, will, are and have. They slow down the flow of words. Make your language sharp and crisp. Don't clutter it with confusing clauses.

5. Sharpen action words and find unique descriptive words. Don't go crazy with a bunch of unrecognizable words but don't write mundanely either. Use a thesaurus and dictionary.

6. Cut off the last few lines if you don't need them. A common flaw among poets is a strong attachment to any words they write. If your poem ends perfectly after the second stanza but three more stanzas remain, cutting the poem off is OK, in fact, it's better than OK; it's highly recommended. Maybe those last three stanzas can be a new poem.

7. Focus your poem to at least one meaning. Aristotle said art should say something--speak about life or family or criticize society. Not every poet agrees with this, but many do. And many readers enjoy walking away from a poem feeling enlightened. Enlighten them.

Edit A Film Scene

The scene has been shot and the footage has just been given to the editor. The director needs a copy of the scene by tomorrow and you have not been on-set at all to see what has happened. Follow this tutorial and you will know exactly what to do and what not to do when editing a film scene together.

Instructions

Edit a Movie Scene

1. Capture all of the footage, being sure to label it by either the shot name/number, or something about each take to help you remember.

2. Look at the scripted scene. If you have notes from the director, examine them, as well.

3. Most scenes start by introducing the geography, consisting of where we are, who is there, and where they are in relation to the location. With this in mind, find the desired take of the master/wide shot and drag it into your timeline.

4. Do not make a cut unless it feels natural or seamless. Just because you can does not mean you always should.

5. As tension increases, gradually edit yourself closer to the characters. Starting with the wide shot, gradually progress into Close-Ups. When tension subsides, back out to the wide shot.

6. Make sure that each cut corresponds. If the wide shot cuts to a medium shot of Character A, when we cut to Character B it has to be HIS medium shot or else it will look jarring.

7. Be true to the emotion of the scene. Hectic scenes require lots of quick cuts whereas dramatic scenes generally require less cuts.

Understanding How To Dj

The term DJ has changed meaning over time. Initially, it was the person in charge of what songs were played over radio airwaves. Later, with the evolution of cable television, DJ's morphed into VJ's, who brought the latest videos into millions of homes. In its latest iteration, disc jockeys manipulate records and sounds to create a whole new product for the ears. Many have spent countless hours attempting to learn this craft.

Identification

Learning to DJ involves some preparation. DJ's must acquire equipment including turntables, a mixer, amplifier, speakers and needles. DJ's must learn to monitor two records on the turntables by listening to both records and mixing one record into the output while diminishing the sound of the other record. This is called mixing. It takes skill, timing and good equipment. In addition to becoming good mixers, some DJ's "scratch," or move records back and forth, to add signature sounds to their mixes.

Benefits

Becoming a DJ can lead to a full-time career. A good reputation will help a DJ gain steady work for parties and other special events. It also provides access to party promotions and music artists. Some DJ's, such as DJ Khaled, have released CD's as music producers. Like DJ Khaled, star DJ's enlist the services of many of the artists they feature in the mixing sessions. The transition from DJ to music producer is often seamless as DJ's have a broad knowledge of music and what is popular.

Geography

The current iteration of the DJ got its start in the urban areas of American cities. New York fostered young rap artists and DJ's at the same time. The artists often had a sidekick who spun records and scratched during their shows. Salt-N-Pepa had DJ Spinderella. Run-DMC had the late Jam-Master Jay. This inspired young DJ's during the 1980s and '90s to take up the craft.

Theories/Speculation

Part of the initial hesitation by the larger music community to accept hip-hop and rap artists was the theory that they were not actual artists. This was in part due to the perception that DJ's took records that already existed to make beats over which hip-hop artists rapped. Over time, this theory was mostly dismissed.

Warning

The cost of becoming a DJ can be exorbitant. Decks or turntables of any quality run into the thousands of dollars. Needles for turntables is an ongoing cost for DJ's who scratch. Quality mixers are also costly.

Misconceptions

Becoming a professional DJ is more than just a notion. It takes hours and months of practice to become a DJ who can charge for services. Before spending money to become a DJ, it is prudent to borrow equipment and get a feel for the craft to determine whether a full commitment is desired.

Modern Art

Modern art encompasses a wide range of styles and genres, but the overriding element is a rejection of the representational model of traditional art that preceded it. There is also a concern with pure form and color for their own sake within much modern art, as well a commentary on the influence of pop culture in later modern art schools of the latter half of the twentieth century.

Time Frame

The turn of the twentieth century is generally considered the beginning of the modern art period. Although the movement away from traditional representation and perspective had begun with the Neo-Impressionists, modern art typically is placed into the evolution of art as a twentieth century contribution.

Identification

Modern art differs from the artwork before it by virtue of being a movement toward the nonrepresentational and the abstract. Artists began to break away from the real world around them that could be seen and touched and gravitated to the idea of creating art from the more nebulous arena of experience.

German Expressionism

The first really successful school of modern art was German Expressionism. Expressionist paintings is concerned with psychological symbolism and social expression. These works tend to be dark hued and feature very intense subjects. The brush strokes may be considered almost crude, but this is an attempt to express the pain of existence. German Expressionism is far more accessible than other later modern art because it still retains a semblance of representational expectations.

Cubism

Cubism is one of schools that many people immediately think of when they think of modern art. Pablo Picasso is the foremost Cubist artist and his paintings of two-dimensional figures made up of clearly defined geometrical shapes are the keystone of this genre. The mask-like appearances of the figures is Cubist art often gives it a nightmarish effect.

Surrealism

Surrealism is one of the more accessible schools of modern art and is typified by artists like Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and Georgio deChirico. Surrealism is concerned with creating art that gives the feeling of being lost in a dream. Dream imagery is combined with Freudian psychological theory to plumb the subconscious desires of the mind and dress them in often bizarre imagery to hide their true meaning.

Abstract Expressionism

The school of modern art that is most often savaged by critics is abstract expressionism. With abstract expressionism modern art moved entirely away from the representational and into the world of the totally abstract. Those masterpieces that look like splattered paint or just a few wide strips of paint against an otherwise bare background are examples of abstract expressionism. While the joke is that any kid could paint in the style of abstract expressionism, actually the masters of this style like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline represent some of the most disciplined artists of the era.

Pop Art

Pop Art is a school of modern art that transforms pop culture into high art. Andy Warhol's paintings of Campbell's soup cans is an attempt to reveal the marriage between art and commercial in the twentieth century, while Roy Lichtenstein looked to the Sunday comics and comic strips to create giant canvases that turned this most disposable of commercial art forms into esteemed works of art.

Eat Fire

Eat Fire

Fire eating is an amazing and impressive feat, however it is extremely dangerous and should only be attempted after professional training. This guide is only intended to provide an idea of what goes into professional fire eating. It is not intended to equip you with all the knowledge you must have in order to eat fire. Read on to learn eat fire.

Instructions

1. Train under a professional fire eater or attend a fire eating workshop. Untrained individuals must never attempt fire eating alone or with a non-professional.

2. Properly set up the fire eating area. Use a floor with a surface that is fire-proof and non-absorbent. Make sure there is no breeze or draft. Check that there is nothing in the area that can catch on fire. Have first aid supplies and a fire extinguisher available.

3. Light your torch. Fire eaters use special torches, wicks and fuel.

4. Stand in the correct position. The fire eater stands with his legs wide so that he is properly balanced. He will then tilt back his head with his nose and mouth pointing straight up. This position assures that all the heat of the torch goes directly up to the ceiling and away from his face and mouth.

5. Breathe correctly. This is the most important aspect of fire eating. The performer takes a deep breath and exhales slowly and with control for 15 to 20 seconds. This causes much of the heat to blow away from the face. If he inhales even a little bit, flames will be sucked into his lungs.

6. Eat the fire. The performer sticks out his tongue so it is wide and flat. He then lowers the fiery torch onto his tongue, takes the torch into his mouth with his tongue and then closes his lips almost entirely around the shaft of the torch.

7. Quench the flame. With a last puff of air, the fire eater puts out the flame. This must be done very carefully because the lips will be burned if there is even a moment of contact with the torch's shaft.

8. Perform more tricks. With years of practice and skill a fire eater can perform a number of more impressive tricks such as eating fiery embers, fire vapor tricks, giant fire blasts, breathing fire and holding the torch with the teeth.

Dye Pointe Footwear

Pointe shoes are very specified pieces of footwear. They are made by hand for ballerinas. But sometimes a ballerina wants her shoes to match her costume so the pink satin must be dyed. However since pointe shoes are so special they cannot simply be tossed in the washer and dyed like a piece of clothing. You have to follow a series of steps and take some items into consideration when changing the color of your pointe shoes.

Instructions

1. Get your pair of pointe shoes and if the ribbons and elastic are already on the shoe then remove them. Take masking tape and tape the inside of the shoe starting at the bottom edge of the satin on the inside. Cover the entire inside sole as well as the inside satin.

2. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a 3-inch by 6-inch strip. Stuff the strip into the toe of the shoe so it wraps around the inside toe and holds the form. Then stuff loose cotton or lambs wool into the toe. You do this so the dye doesn't weaken the shoe so much that it loses its form. The shape of the shoe is extremely important, stuffing it will help maintain this structure.

3. Fill a small bucket with the dye and water as directed on the bottle. Put on a pair of gloves and dip the pointe shoes into the dye. Dip several times making sure to get the entire outside of the shoe covered and evenly. Set the shoe out to dry inside in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Allow to dry for one full day.

4. Inspect the shoes. Notice any sections that have spots, seem lighter or just need some work. Get a paintbrush and dip it into the dye. In short quick strokes cover the problem area. Allow to sit out and dry for at least 12 hours. Dip the ribbons and elastic straps into the dye. Allow to sit out and dry for 12 hours as well.

5. Remove the stuffing, tape, and cardboard. Sew the ribbons and elastic straps back on. You're ready to dance in your new colorful pointe shoes!

Dress Like Zz Top

From the look of their website, that "Little Old Band From Texas" is still going strong. Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill made a name for themselves in the eighties by blending a catchy kind of pop music with their own kind of image appeal. With hits like "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man", the duo captivated audiences with their straightforward electric-guitar grooves as well as their style, and decades later, they're still rockin', re-defining style for a whole new generation.

Instructions

1. Get yourself a collection of "shades." ZZ Top was not alone in promoting sunglasses to a style-conscious pre-millennial crowd, but with their almost religious use of the tinted eyewear, they did their part. They even added their own pop hit, "Cheap Sunglasses" to the trend.

2. Put away the Gilette. They wouldn't be the ZZ Top of international fame without their trademark beards. No, they're not Amish (or River Brethren either). The pair used facial hair in the pursuit of image, and did what some would consider nearly impossible: they made long beards fashionable. That's not to say there are that many fans running around with similar styles; the long beard is too hard to maintain and clashes with the guidelines of many popular occupations (volunteer firefighter, for one). But if you want to truly resemble "the Top", it's a must.

3. Stock up on suit coats or "smoking jackets." For stage performances, Gibbons and Hill wear matching combos; a few traditional black coats wouldn't hurt. They're also seen in bright red coats, or other flashy colors.

4. Pick out some hats. The front-running headgear of the Top: simple grey or black fedoras. Also featured on stage are knit caps or other styles, but for the best commonly recognized top style, it's the fedora all the way.

5. Be a "sharp dressed man" in neat, pressed coats and pants, always immersed in the style that stood these long-time musicians in good stead through the years, showing that some styles are truly timeless. While the glam-rock icons have put away their frills and cut their hair, ZZ Top hasn't changed too much to maintain the same space in our national consciousness.

Dress Like Paris Hilton

Dress like Paris Hilton

The closet of Paris Hilton is likely an abyss of high-end designer pieces... worn once at the most. With a limitless budget to throw towards whatever clothing her little heart desires, Paris strives to be a fashion diva. Always dressed to turn heads and please cameras of the paparrazzi, Paris has the style of an heiress whose number one hobby is shopping. Pick up on a few tips here to dress like Paris Hilton.

Instructions

1. Be unpredictable in your fashion choices. Paris always surprises, sometimes being daring and trendy, while others more demure and sweet. She often sports the color pink, and she is all about being girly--dressed from head to toe in a stylishly coordinating ensemble. When dressing like Paris, make each outfit a intentional combination of pieces that make you stand out as a fashionista.

2. Don't follow mainstream fashion trends. Paris isn't known for being one of the best-dressed when it comes to celebrities, but she certainly has her own flair. She goes out on a limb and wears pieces others wouldn't dare to. Even when she makes a fashion faux paux, she still makes a splash because her style meets her personality.

3. Incorporate some of Paris' fashion main stays in your wardrobe, including those details that make a million-dollar statement. Try sky-high stilettos, butt-baring jeans, mini skirts, diamante studded belts and plunging tops. These items reflect the wild side of this famous heiress.

4. Buy high-end, designer pieces whenever possible. High on quality and so exclusive that rarely should you see anyone else wearing what you are, these pieces help one to stand out in the world of fashion.

5. Realize that fashion and style are much more than choosing outfits. Paris accentuates her look with peroxide blonde locks, brilliant blue eyes enhanced by contacts, a year-round tan, flawless makeup and nails. In addition, she wears the finest accessories, including designer sunglasses, jewels, handbags and shoes.

Pose If Not Photogenic

Some people are unfortunate in not looking as good in pictures as in person. Other people are even more unfortunate in looking precisely as good in pictures as in person. Whether you are a being so radiant that your beauty can not be captured by current technology, or you're just kind of homely, this article will help you to get the most out of your photos.

Instructions

1. Act natural. Many people take on strained smiles and stiff poses when asked to pose for the camera, and this can make you look less attractive. Don't try to smile. Instead, think of something that makes you happy or makes you laugh. You won't necessarily get the full, toothy grin, but you will look relaxed and happy, which almost always looks better than a staged smile.

2. Have a few drinks before your photo shoot. This will relax you and probably bring a nice flush to your cheeks.

3. Find your best angle. Model before a friend and ask which angle you look best at. Have that friend take several pictures of you so that you can form your own opinion about what angles are most flattering.

4. Stand straight. Good posture will make you look more confident, powerful and slim.

5. Stick your neck out and tilt your chin down slightly. This will give your face good definition.

6. Do something you enjoy. Have someone take your picture while you are painting, playing music or doing whatever hobby you enjoy.

7. Recline. Sometimes, it is easier to feel natural and at ease while lying down or lounging. This can lead to better pictures.

Dress For That Nutcracker Ballet

Dress for the Nutcracker Ballet

The Nutcracker ballet is a Christmas favorite that follows a young girl's journey through a dream world of toy soldiers, fairies, princes, vicious mice, and of course, a very charming Nutcracker. The ballet is adapted from the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffman; legendary composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky was commissioned to write the music for the ballet in 1891. The costumes for "The Nutcracker" cater to the whimsy of children--their love for toys and belief and magic.

Instructions

1. Dress the main character, Clara, in an assortment of nightgowns and tutus. She should wear tutus especially for dance sequences. Clara's tutus and dance costumes should resemble the rest of the dancers in her troop, but also stand out from them. Ideally, Clara and the ballerinas would wear pointe shoes and dance "en pointe--a style of ballet that takes years to master. Ballet shoes will be fine if cast members lack pointe training.

2. Outfit the Nutcracker and other toy soldiers in a costume of white tights and a classic cropped military jacket. Cast members' makeup should resemble a doll's face.

3. Make drab clothing for the rat army; simple robes with weapon belts should work well. They Rat King should be more regally dressed. Dress him in luxurious robes or even a tuxedo. Another great costuming idea for the rat king is to dress him in a military officer's uniform because as king, he would be head of the military.

4. Incorporate shades of purple into the costumes of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court. Give her a pair of wings and a wand to add to her fairy persona.

5. Dress the Prince and the men of the Sugar Plum court in tights, white gloves, and a formal jacket or some variation that would still represent their noble status.

6. Make costumes for the various cultures represented in the celebration of dances that occurs in Act II of the ballet. After the Prince tells the Sugar Plum Fairy about the battle with the army of mice, she rewards them with a celebration of dances: the Spanish Dance, the Arabian Dance, the Russian Dance, the Chinese Dance, the Mirilton Dance, and the Waltz of Flowers. For the Waltz of Flowers you'll want to dress dancers as different types of flowers.

7. Add various toy costumes for non-starring ensemble cast members. Harlequin dolls, jacks-in-the-boxes, clowns, rag dolls, nutcrackers, and soldiers are examples of great dream world costumes.

Setup Photo Art For Public Display

Set Up Photo Art for Public Display

If you are planning to display your photography art in a busy public place such as a mall or train depot you will need to have a display stand to hang your photos on, and you will have to frame your photographs so they do not get damaged from people touching them. In addition, if you are not going to be in attendance with your photographs, you will also have to find a way to protect them from theft.

Pre-planning is the most important part of setting up your photos in a public display space. Implementing those plans is the second.

Instructions

1. Go to the public area you will be setting your photo display up in and take photos of the space for reference. Measure out the dimensions of the display space area you will be placing your photos in. Check to see if you will need lighting and see if the public space facility has electrical sockets available.

2. Sketch out your ideas in the sketchbook and decide on a final design. Count the number of photos you will be displaying and lay out the order in which your photos will be displayed on the stand. Choose what type of photo display stand you will be using based on these factors.

3. Review the ready-made display stands available through online websites that offer collapsible metal stands for art fairs. Custom build your display if you cannot find a standard one that will work. Build it from the same materials other suppliers use: metal framed fencing, tubular steel poles, stakes and canvas. If the public space has a permanent display area with locked cabinets that is available, consider displaying your photos within those restrictions. If there is a permanent wall which photos can be mounted to (either framed or glass over the photos) determine if those options would work better than a collapsible display stand.

4. Mount and frame your photographs. Make sure they will be protected from being damaged while being displayed. The simplest way to frame each photograph is to use pre-cut mats and frames. Buy standard "modular" mat and photo frame sizes such as 8-by-10, 11-by-14, 16-by-20, and 20-by-24 inches. Use UV glass to protect the photographs from the sun's rays.

5. Set up your display stand at home before taking it to the public place. Fine tune any details that need to be addressed, such as lighting. Test your track or spot lights and position the lights in the areas the photos will be displayed. Hang some of the photos to see how they will look, and lock them in place to see how they will hold up during the actual public display.

6. Take your display unit and photos to the public display space during a time of day when it is least busy. Work with the staff of the facility to correct any problems. They will be the ones watching your photo display when you are not around, so it is important to communicate your concerns and your appreciation to them for their support.

Draw Yourself Like A Chibi

A Chibi character is a small cartoon character invented by the Japanese. The word basically translates to "cute small person," and is used in Shojo Magnas and in cartoons for young children. The Chibi character have heads that are two or three times larger than the rest of the body, and the arms and legs of the characters are short and stubby. Typically, the characters have enormous eyes. You can translate your own features into Chibi form with little difficulty.

Instructions

1. Draw a large round circle for the head. Draw a smaller oval that is about half the size of the head for a body.

2. Divide the head into a cross pattern using light pressure. Draw two large eyes in the middle of the head shape. Erase the cross lines and add other facial features, such as a mouth and ears.

3. Draw the hair on the character. Use a similar length and style to your own hair. This will be the main distinguishing feature of the cartoon, so make sure it looks like you.

4. Draw small rounded hands and feet on your Chibi character. Add in clothing and other details.

5. Color in the Chibi character so that it matches clothing that you typically wear, your eye color and hair color. Add in shading if desired to complete the Chibi you.

Draw Women'S Clothes

Drawing the clothes on your cartoon characters adds the finishing touch to your artwork. You can add details that express the character's personality and quirks. The little details you add can make a big difference in how well your drawing turns out.

Instructions

1. Draw the basic outline of the woman that you are drawing. You need to make sure that her proportions are correct, so that the clothing looks real.

2. Sketch the basic outline for the shape of the clothing you are drawing. If you are drawing a dress or skirt, sketch the outline of how it falls. You can add curvy lines along the bottom to represent folds.

3. Add the details to the piece of clothing. Choose any patterns on the material and begin to draw them in. Add buttons, pockets, hems and belts.

4. Shade in any areas that need to be darker than others. It is important to stay true to the form and figure of the woman that you are drawing.

5. Determine the accessories you want to use and add them to the drawing. Add jewelry, hairstyle and shoes to the drawing.

6. Color in the drawing with the colors you have in mind. Remember to add shading as you go.

Create A Shadow Box From A Drawer

With some tools, you can make a shadow box out of your drawer.

If you have an old drawer and would like to make a shadow box out of it to put decorations on, all you need is some extra wood, a saw and measuring tape. You can use the wood to make shelves on your drawer shadow box. If you want to hang your shadow box on a wall, you will need to get wall anchors that will hold the weight of your drawer shadow box.

Instructions

1. Remove the drawer's hardware, such as the handle and any other parts that you do not want on your shadow box, using the screwdriver.

2. Measure the length and width and depth of the inside of the drawer with the measuring tape. Make notes of these measurements. Plan a layout for where you want your shelves to be in your shadow box. Measure for your layout. You need these measurements for when you cut the wood.

3. Cut the planks of wood into the appropriate shapes that you measured for. Wear safety goggles when cutting the wood with the saw. Sand the edges of the cut wood planks.

4. Fit the planks into your drawer as you planned in your layout. See if they fit nicely. Once you have everything as you want it, it's time to use the wood glue and glue all the planks into place. Let the wood glue dry for several hours.

5. Attach the wall hangers on the back of the drawer shadow box on both corners at the top. Make sure the hangers are strong enough to hold the drawer shadow box. Hang it on a wall and decorate it.

The almighty From The Rings Weapons

J.R.R. Tolkien created an entire universe when he wrote his "Lord of the Rings" saga, complete with history, culture and mystic weapons. Many of Tolkien's heroes used weapons with histories of their own, which lent Middle Earth a sense of weight and reality.

Sting

Sting was an elven short sword which Bilbo Baggins found amid the booty of three trolls. He coined the name himself and later gave the blade to his nephew Frodo.

Glamdring, Foe-hammer

Glamdring also appeared in the trolls' cave: a much longer sword than Sting. Gandalf the Grey claimed it and used it on his subsequent adventures.

Narsil

The sword Narsil was shattered during a battle with Sauron long ago. In the books, Aragorn carried it with him; in the movies, the pieces stayed in the House of Elrond.

Anduril

The shards of Narsil were eventually reforged into Anduril: the sword of Aragorn the king

Herugrim

Herugrim was the sword of King Theoden of Rohan, which he carried during the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

Perform "Magical Clock"

The magician gives a pile of cards to the spectator, asking her to pocket some and memorize one of the remaining cards. She places the non-pocketed cards on top of the deck. The magician proceeds to spell out the hours on a clock with the top 12 cards. He asks her to count the number of pocketed cards. Whatever number she names, the magician turns over the card corresponding to that hour on the clock to reveal her memorized card.

Instructions

1. Shuffle and cut the deck. No sleights of hand are needed here.

2. Pretend to select a random number of cards but actually hand her 13 cards.

3. Ask her to pocket as many as she wants as you turn around, and with the remaining cards (non-pocketed), memorize one. Once memorized, have her place the non-pocketed cards back on top of the deck.

4. Turn back around and arrange the top 12 cards in the shape of a clock. Do this COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, starting at 12:00 and working backwards, 11:00, 10:00, and so on.

5. Ask her to remove the cards from her pocket and count them.

6. Explain that you can tell where her card is from the number she just said. If she said 6, as in she pocketed 6 cards, then her card is the one at the 6:00 hour.

7. Have her name her card as you turn over the hour value corresponding to the number of pocketed cards. It will always work.

Draw The Body

Heads being used to measure proportion.

Drawing the human body can be easy as long as general proportion guidelines are kept in mind. Each body part should be measured and drawn to the appropriate length. Here is draw the adult human body using the head as a measurement tool.

Instructions

1. The length of your drawing's head can be used to find the proper placement of the rest of the parts. Take a look at the example illustration. Notice how if you were to stack 7 heads, it would equal the height of an adult male.

2. The average male can be divided into measurements if the head is used as a measuring tool. The body is 7 to 7 1/2 heads tall;the shoulders are generally 2 heads wide; and the hips are a little over 1 head wide.

3. The average female can be divided into measurements if the head is used as a measuring tool. The body is 6 to 7 ½ heads tall; the shoulders are around 1 ½ heads wide; and the hips are are 2 heads wide.

4. Use these measurements to help you draw the human body. Start by drawing the head. Make sure that the shoulders, hips and body length match the proportion of the head according to the information in Step 2 and Step 3.

Draw Anticipation Gemstone

Learn to draw the brilliant facets of the Hope Diamond.

While not as racy as the composition that Leonardo DiCaprio drew in the movie, "Titanic," a properly executed rendition of the Hope Diamond will surely make hearts race with the sheer beauty and size of this luxurious stone and its setting. The Hope diamond itself weighs more than 45 carats, which makes its facets and reflections easy to see. Drawing diamonds takes practice and precision. With the correct tools and dedication, you can create a breathtaking composition to emulate the actual diamond. While a drawing may not equal the worth the Hope Diamond itself, the experience you gain from your practice can increase your strength and value as an artist.

Instructions

1. Print photographs of the Hope Diamond as a reference for your composition. Use glossy, high-quality printer paper to print several photos.

2. Create a work area. Tape the photographs on an easel; secure a sheet of drawing paper to the board.

3. Examine the photograph. The actual Hope Diamond is not completely spherical, but rather has a slight horizontal oval shape. Draw the oval shape in the center of your drawing paper with a fine-grade graphite pencil.

4. Draw the setting. There are 16 alternating white diamonds, in both pear-shaped and cushion cuts, that surround the Hope Diamond. The cushion cuts have square edges with a rounded or "pillow" top.

5. Create realism. The easiest way to create a realistic rendition of the Hope Diamond is to examine how the light strikes the facets in the diamond. Don't attempt to draw each individual facet; instead, draw the positive and negative spaces that the light and shadows create. Use a ruler to help create the geometric and angular shapes that light creates as it reflects off the diamonds.

6. Mark the positive or light areas of your drawing. Blend in light shades of blue and white to create the diamond's highlights. Shade in the shadows with darker blues, grays and violets where the light fails to refract.

7. Evaluate your composition. Repeatedly refer to your photographs to correct or change your drawing to get it as close as possible to the realistic setting.

Music Festivals In California

Concert crowd

Venues hold music festivals for a variety of reasons, whether it is for a charity event, for exposure, for the love of art and music or a combination of all the above. California has several annual music festivals ranging from bluegrass festivals to universal music festivals that include a variety of genres and activities.

Old Town Temicula Bluegrass Festival

The Old Town Temicula Bluegrass Festival is an annual event in Old Town Temicula, California. In addition to the bluegrass artists, such as Sligo Rags, Gone Tomorrow and Silverado Bluegrass in 2010, there is also the Temicula Wine Shoppe, where you can enjoy a taste of Temicula's own wine while enjoying the bluegrass festivities. Concerts have been held at the Embassy Suites Inn as well as the Old Town Temicula Community Center. The event is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your dogs. There are also places to eat steak, ribs and burgers at places like Texas Lil's and Mad Madeline's.

High Sierra Music Festival

The High Sierra Music Festival was scheduled to celebrate its 20th annual event in 2010 in Quincy, California. This event began in 1991 as a festival with 20 artists performing on one stage and has now grown to an event with more than 50 artists performing on four stages during the day and at four different venues at night. This music festival's list of 2010 featured artists included the Avett Brothers, Lotus, the Black Crowes and the Radiators. There is access to on-site camping for RVs as well as an arts and crafts fair and a place for your kids to enjoy some activities of their own. This event also includes festive parades hosted by Third Planet Ceremonial Celebrations and include a variety of artists, performers and puppeteers.

California Music Fest

The California Music Fest is held in Ventura, California. In addition to enjoying the celebration of music, this event also celebrates the California culture of surfing and other arts. This music festival offers a variety of genres, including blues, jazz, country, folk, indie and rock. Artists scheduled to perform in 2010 included Blackbyrd McKnight, formerly with George Clinton, DJ Homicide and Lil Uno in addition to Unwritten Law, Kid Frost and B-Side Players on the main stage. A surf contest is held in which surfers compete in categories such as short board, long board and paddle contests.

Draw Subway Trains

Subway trains provide public transportation to city destinations.

A subway train is a passenger vehicle, typically driven by a single operator, that travels underneath the ground on a guided track. Originally developed for New York City, these subway systems eventually caught on in other metropolitan cities. These trains vary in design, but most cars feature basic rectangular shapes that closely resemble cross-country passenger trains. If you wish to draw a subway train, use a picture of one so that you can recreate this image realistically.

Instructions

1. Select a picture of a subway train that is angled in the desired way for you to create this drawing.

2. Sketch the basic outline of the subway car or cars as depicted in the picture you are using as a reference guide. Regardless of how the train is angled, you may want to use a ruler to assist you in drawing long, straight lines. Check the rough draft outline of your subway train with the picture and ensure the basic shape is proportional.

3. Draw the windows and doors of the subway train. Use the ruler to assist you in creating straight lines of these train compartments. However, take note of any rounded edges of these train features and draw them accordingly. Use light pencil marks until you are satisfied with how the windows and doors look.

4. Study the picture and take note of any small or large details that define this particular subway train. If any of the interior features are visible, sketch these areas carefully. Sketch out the stylish marks on the subway train to complete this image.

5. Check your rough draft drawing of the subway train with the reference picture and fix any differences you notice between the two pages. Erase any remaining pencil marks that are not needed to complete the drawing at this time.

6. Trace all of the pencil lines of the subway train with an ink pen to add a bolder look. Move the pen carefully and consistently over these lines to avoid any mistakes. Let the ink dry, then erase all of the remaining pencil marks on the page.

7. Shade the subway train as it is shown in the picture to add a sense of realism to the drawing. Whether this train is underground or outside, there will be light sources illuminating certain areas of the train while creating shadows in other regions. In train stations, many artificial lights will cause great lighting on the train and surrounding areas. Above ground, the sun will only illuminate the train from one point.

8. Use the pen to create cross-hatched shading or use the pencil to create faded shading, as both techniques provide for different effects.

Sketch Out A Wall Mural

A beautifully painted wall mural can bring any room in your home to life. Often, murals grace the walls of entryways, halls and even bathrooms. Creating a wall mural, however, can be a rather tedious task. Adequate preparation is the key to a beautiful mural.

Instructions

1. Clean the wall surface thoroughly before you begin to sketch the mural. Consider applying a fresh coat of paint before sketching.

2. Decide on the design or figure that you would like to sketch. It's best to sketch out a small-scale rough draft first.

3. Determine the necessary supplies. For instance, you should decide which types of paints and glazes would work best with the mural.

4. Create a grid over the small-scale rough draft. Draw a corresponding grid on your wall space. There must be the same amount of squares on both grids.

5. Transfer the small-scale image onto the wall. To do so, sketch exactly what you see in the small-scale drawing onto the wall grid.

6. Fill in forms and figures with white paint. White paint allows you to build the depth and strength of your color choices.

7. Seal the mural with a water-based varnish. Start in a single corner and apply evenly to the entire mural.

Draw Stickman Wings

A stick-man may be simple in theory, but the only real limit on stick-figure drawing is your imagination. Adding wings to your stick-man can turn him into an angel, a powerful superhero, or a tiny fairy. Wing styles are entirely up to your, but the basics behind drawing a set of wings are going to be the same no matter how you choose to fill in the details.

Instructions

1. Start drawing at the intersection between your stick-man's arm and body. Wings would begin on a subject's upper-back, so this is the best location on a simple stick-man.

2. Draw a large arc up and over the arm of your stick man. This serves as the top of the wing, where you might find a supporting bone. The arc should begin at the shoulder, move up to around eye level, then head back down and end near the knee.

3. Draw another simple arc from the bottom point of the wing, connecting to the waist of your figure. This will create a simple wing shape that can be filled in with color, feathers or left blank.

4. Create another wing on the opposite side of the character by closely mirroring the first wing you drew.

5. Study images of birds and flying bugs for ideas on different types of wings. Bats, for example, have only two wings, while dragonflies have several sets. You can use these as inspiration to create an army of winged stick figures.

Draw Skateboard Designs

Design the underside of your skateboard with your own artwork.

Personalize your skateboard by drawing or transferring pictures on models constructed out of wood. Many websites offer services that allow you to purchase a skateboard with your own customized designs, but it is actually cheaper and more hands-on to paint or use pyrography to adorn your skateboard. If you do not like draw you can use designs from pyrography book to paint or wood burn on the underside of a wooden skateboard. When envious friends ask where you got your awesome new skateboard, you will be able to tell them you designed it yourself.

Instructions

Design a Wood Skateboard with Pyrography

1. Look for pictures you enjoy looking at in a pyrography design book. Transfer a pyrography design found in a book onto the skateboard by tearing out the page to trace over the carbon transfer picture with a pencil. Draw your own design directly on the underside of the skateboard if you prefer your own artwork.

2. Use the pyrography stylus to burn the image on the underside of your skateboard. Experiment by using various sizes of tips to get different kinds of effects, such as using thick tips to create bold lines, and thin tips to burn minute details on the wood.

3. Color the pyrographic image in with oil colored pencils, which are ideal to use with pyrography projects.

4. Allow the oil colored pencils to dry on the wood.

5. Apply a coat of wood varnish to both the underside and the topside of the wooden skateboard, which will give the board extra protection.

6. Allow the wood varnish to completely dry before trying out your newly designed skateboard.

Paint a Design on a Wooden Skateboard

7. Find designs for your painting the same way you did when looking for pyrography designs. Using a pyrography picture transfer is ideal for painting because you do not have to worry about drawing anything. Transfer the pyrography design to the underside of your skateboard by tracing over the carbon transfer picture with a pencil. Draw your own design directly on the underside of the skateboard if you prefer you own artwork.

8. Use a variety of acrylic paint colors to achieve the painting technique you would like to create on the underside of the skateboard. Allow each layer of paint to dry if you do not want the colors to mix while painting on new details.

9. Allow the paint to thoroughly dry.

10. Apply a coat of wood varnish to both the underside and the topside of the wooden skateboard, which will give the board extra protection.

11. Allow the wood varnish to completely dry before trying out your newly designed skateboard.

Create Local clergy Cards

Create Clergy Cards

Whether you wish to create greeting cards as a gift for your favorite priest, rabbi or pastor-or you'd like a career designing greeting cards appropriate for use by members of the clergy-you'll find a waiting market in this day and age of sarcasm and humor. It helps to have desktop publishing experience and some creative flair. Looking for an occasion for presenting customized cards to your favorite religious leader? October 11th is Clergy Appreciation Day, so you'll have the perfect gift for the person who truly doesn't have everything.

Instructions

1. Get direction from members of the clergy to make certain the messages you'll place on your cards are appropriate. Ask if the cards you'll create are to be holiday-focused or for general, year-round use and ask about using scripture on the cards. Make certain every phrase you choose is available for use to avoid sayings protected by copyright law.

2. Make a list of the type of clergy cards you're planning to create. Start out with a modest number of designs. Find copyright-free art on the Internet, buy religious-focused clip art software on CD, or use images provided by stock photographers after paying a modest fee to obtain high-resolution photos or drawings.

3. Match the images you've chosen to place on your clergy cards with phrases, scripture, inspirational text (see link below) or original copy taken from sermons and writings of the clergyman or woman for whom you're producing the cards. Boot your computer, launch your word processing program, and keystroke the phrases you've chosen to include on the cards.

4. Work backward from the envelope size you plan to use for your clergy cards to determine the size of the finished product. Open a 10-inch wide by 7-inch high page that will allow you to fold the output card in half to wind up with a 5-inch by 7-inch, four-sided card. Import images into each of the pages you've created and either import or copy and paste the matching phrases onto each card.

5. Output the finished card art on plain paper to check positioning of the art, verify font size and typeface style. Check for spelling and other errors. Load your printer paper tray with card stock. Print the fronts of the cards first and then replace the card stock in the paper tray so you can run the second side of each one.

6. Fold the cards in half, pair them with envelopes and present them to your spiritual leader. Alternately, contact greeting card companies and ask to be put in touch with their product development, marketing or research and development departments. Send samples of your clergy card designs to the card company, and you might wind up with an inspiring career.

Draw Style And Design

A one perspective room starts with a small square at the center.

Decorating a room means bringing together colors, patterns, shapes and sizes to complete a design idea. Furniture, televisions, wood floors, Grandma's painting of a flower, and framed pictures all come together to create a room decor. To draw room decor, a person thinks of shapes inside the room. A square table for instance when looking at it from a distance, is a trapezoid with legs. The same shape is made with a mounted television on the wall but the trapezoid is now horizontal. Creating these shapes is essential to drawing and designing room decor.

Instructions

1. Draw a rectangle in the center of a blank sheet of paper. Turn the paper sideways for landscape style drawing. Draw the rectangle to be 3 times smaller than the size of the paper itself.

2. Draw lines from the corner of your paper to the corner of the rectangle. Use a ruler to create crisp, sharp lines to each corner of the rectangle. This is a one-perspective room that now needs furniture.

3. Create a straight, horizontal line in the center of your room's floor. Now draw a parallel line 2 inches above the the first line, but make the second line slightly smaller, then center it to the first line. In order to create the top of a table, the first line must be wider than the second.

4. Draw two lines connecting the the first line to the second line, creating a trapezoid. This is the top of a table.

5. Draw a rectangle using the first line as a top line for the shape. Now draw two thin vertical rectangles on each corner of the table top. Draw two lines from the ends of the vertical rectangles to the second line that are parallel to the two lines connecting to the back of the room.

6. Create a new vertical line on the right side of the room in the center of the wall. On the left side of the first line, measure 2 inches or longer and create a second line. Then draw lines from the first line to the second, creating a new trapezoid like the table.

7. Frame the trapezoid with a larger trapezoid around the first by drawing longer lines parallel to each side of the shape. Inside the trapezoid, draw a small picture of some kind following the same perspective points as the room. This means draw the right side of the picture larger than the left.

8. Add more room decor following these same perspective rules. For other pieces of room decor, add chairs, televisions, rugs, and wall art. See resources for more perspective drawings on room decor.

Detail Vehicle Bumpers

At one time, most car bumpers were made of steel. Then, most were made of chrome or a chrome-plated material. Today, car bumpers can be made from anything from chrome-plated material to a variety of different rubber materials or plastics. This makes detailing car bumpers somewhat more complicated, as bumpers made from different materials require very different detailing treatments.For the purposes of this article, we will assume that your car bumper is chrome-plated. Detailing a chrome-plated bumper requires a bit of patience and a light sanding touch, but it is certainly something that even the most casual car owner can accomplish in a day or less.The primary enemy of chrome-plated bumpers is oxidation (rust). The longer you allow rust spots to remain on your bumper, the more difficult the detailing process is going to be.

Instructions

1. Wash your bumper with warm water and a mild soap, and then rinse off thoroughly. This will reveal where all the rust problems are located and how severe they are. If chrome-plating is flaking off, it is too late for you to successfully detail your bumper. Your only recourse is to live with the shabby look of your bumper or to remove your bumper and take it to a re-plating company. If chrome is not flaking off of your bumper, then proceed to the next step.

2. Scrub your bumper with a household steel wood soap pad. BE GENTLE and use plenty of water. While the soap will act as a lubricant to keep the steel wool from scratching the surface of your chrome, you MUST exercise caution and use lots and lots of water. If the soap washes out of your steel wool pad, toss it away and start with a fresh one. Concentrate on areas with rust spots, gently scrubbing until the spots are removed.

3. Use your toothbrush and a little Soft Scrub cleanser to get into any folds or tight places that your steel wool soap pad can not reach. Use caution and work slowly, as the Soft Scrub may work a lot faster than you may think and cause your chrome to scratch. Rinse frequently with lots of water.

4. Rinse your bumper thoroughly and wash with a mild soap, using only your hands. Rinse off thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cotton cloth (T-shirt material is good for this). Use your steel wool soap pads to touch up any remaining spots. Then, give your bumper a final rinse and pat dry.

5. Apply chrome polish. Use sparingly and rub on gently, using a soft cotton cloth such as an old T-shirt. Follow the chrome polish manufacturer's instructions for prep time and directions. Buff with a CLEAN soft cotton cloth. Your chrome bumper should now look as good as new!

Draw Realistic Animal Hair For Any Wolf

There are several techniques for drawing realistic wolf fur.

Drawing realistic-looking fur for a wolf or any other animal is a difficult process. In fact, it is one of the harder elements of drawing to perfect. Drawing fur takes an excellent eye that can observe tiny details and translate them into the drawing. One of the hardest parts about drawing fur and hair on a wolf is that it uses the illusion technique. The drawing is almost more about what you don't draw in the picture than what you actually do. Practice on a separate piece of paper before drawing the wolf to learn the technique without ruining the drawing.

Instructions

1. Draw the body and outline of the wolf before starting to draw the hair. You can draw some allotment for hair in the general outline, such as the basic shape of the body or legs, but don't worry about texture while making the basic outline.

2. Look closely at the photo of the wolf to determine how the hair grows. If you look closely, you will see that the hair grows in many different directions.

3. Draw long hatching lines for the fur. A hatching line is just simple lines in a row following a pattern. Draw the fur in the area of the wolf where the hair is thickest and darkest first, and then move on to the areas where the fur is thinner and shorter.

4. Follow the photo of the wolf for hair placement. Erase some of the outline lines to make room for the hair flowing down around the body, under the belly, around the neck and at the tail. Make just a few fur marks for a more cartoon-like drawing, or follow the photo exactly for a full body of hair on your wolf. For lighter fur, draw a few patches of light hatching marks to give the illusion that hair is in the light areas where there are actually no drawn lines.

5. Fill in the face and legs of the wolf last. Use short lines to draw the fur. Make the hair near the sides and back of the legs and head slightly darker than the middle to give the wolf a 3-D effect.

Africanamerican Tours In Washington Electricity

Many tours focusing on African-American history are available.

Visiting Washington, D.C., can be overwhelming. There is so much to see, including monuments, museums, historical documents and neighborhoods. It can be a good idea to limit a trip to the nation's capital by selecting a certain topic to focus on. The District has several tours focusing on African-American history. Some tours are free; others cost as much as $44.

Washington Walks

See where piano great Duke Ellington lived.

"Before Harlem, There Was U Street" is a tour led by Washington Walks. The tour costs $15 per person and meets at the 13th Street exit for the U Street/Cardozo Metro stop. The tour focuses on an area of town that was the site of political riots after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and was home to famous African-Americans like Duke Ellington. According to the tour description on the Web site, the tour visits a memorial to African-Americans who fought in the Civil War, the first YMCA for African-Americans and homes occupied by famous African-Americans. During the tour, members of the group will also be able to see how this part of the District has become revitalized with new stores, apartments and restaurants. The tour lasts about two hours and is offered at 10:30 a.m. every Saturday from April 1 to October 30.

Tour Washington DC

The Vietnam War Memorial is one stop on the African American Heritage Tour.

Tour Washington DC offers the African American Heritage Tour to groups of 15 or more. The price is $27 per person. According to the Web site, the tour makes nine stops. The entire tour is led on a bus, but participants get off at each site and have 30 minutes to explore. The tour first visits Frederick Douglass' home. The next stop is the historic Anacostia neighborhood in the city's southeast quadrant. Next is the statue of Mary McLeod Bethune, who was vice president of the National Council of Negro Women and the NAACP. The next stop is the African-American Civil War Memorial, followed by a walk down U Street. Then participants visit the White House, the Vietnam War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. The tour concludes at historically black Howard University.

DC Tours

The Black Heritage Group Tour is led by DC Tours and leaves every day at 8 a.m. The tour is for groups of 20 or more. The bus will pick up the group from the hotel to start the journey. The price is $44 for adults, $33 for children. The purpose of the tour is to focus on African-Americans who have made significant contributions to the United States, according to the Web site. The tour visits 20 sites, including Frederick Douglass' home, the Martin Luther King Jr. library, the African Art Museum and Duke Ellington's home.

Cultural Tourism DC

The Capitol building is a stop on the Cultural Tourism DC tour.

Cultural Tourism DC has created the African American Heritage Trail tour. This tour is free because it is self-led. The Web site details 98 sites in 15 sections that can be visited. The tour goes more in depth into African-American history in Washington, D.C., than other similar tours. The entire District of Columbia is covered in this tour, if every site were to be visited. A tourist could easily make a side trip to any of these sites. Visiting the Capitol building will put a visitor close to Lincoln Park, where there is a statue of Abraham Lincoln freeing slaves. A trip to Dupont Circle will allow for a trip to Langston Hughes' former residence.

Draw Images Of People

Draw Pictures of People

The art and skill involved in drawing pictures of people is like most art, practice makes perfect. Creating your own drawn portrait takes some amount of drawing skill to yield a reasonable rendition of the subject matter.

Instructions

1. Set your drawing tablet or paper on a drawing board or table or your lap, if it's stable. Make sure there's plenty of light so you can see what you're doing as well as see the subject. Lightly draw a grid of 10 blocks on your paper: the top six should be squares, the bottom four should be rectangles. This grid serves as a head-on guide for drawing a person's face.

2. Draw the top right and left sides of the head on the top two right and left squares. Continue drawing those lines downward into the next two squares to make the forehead area, then add in the cheek lines in the next two squares. For the rectangles, draw in the jaw line and chin. Add a curved line to the top of the head to complete the outline of the person's face.

3. Draw the person's eyes on the lines of the intersection between the bottom four squares (the anatomically correct placement for eyes is the middle of the face). Add the ears on either side of the head, level with the eyes. Draw the mouth at the intersection between the bottom rectangles. You should now have the overall shape of the person's face with the eyes and ears.

4. Add in details specific to your subject matter, such as thickness and shape of eyebrows and lips. Draw in other details like freckles, moles or any facial hair. Erase the grid, then redraw any elements of your portrait that may have been erased.