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Decorate Your Walls On the Cheap With These Affordable Art Websites

May 20, 2016 by

While you may not be able to afford a priceless work of art for your walls, that doesn't mean that you can't decorate your home with beautiful paintings and inspiring prints. From works by independent artists to reproductions of well-known pieces, there are a number of smart ways to turn your home into your own personal gallery. Here are just a few great websites that sell affordable artwork online.

Society6
With art for everyone from the minimalist to the bohemian, Society6 is one of the most modern and varied art websites. Not only can you purchase framed and unframed prints in all sizes, you can also buy the same designs in the form of smartphone cases, T-shirts, and even tapestries.

AllPosters.com
If you still love the look of hanging a poster of your favorite movie or band on your walls, try All Posters. This expansive online store offers high-resolution posters of almost any pop culture icon, as well as reproductions of classic works of art.

Etsy
Etsy is well-known for its handmade jewelry and quirky vintage apparel, but you'll also find handmade art from little-known artists. Browse abstract paintings, original photography and colorful prints for very affordable prices.

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Calling All Artists: Check Out These Drawing Tips and Tutorials on Pinterest!

April 17, 2015 by

You love to draw, but taking an art class might be too time-consuming. Just like with most things, you can find everything you need to improve your art skills right on the Internet! Pinterest boasts a number of drawing tutorials, painting tips, and other ways to connect with experienced artists without leaving the comforts of your own laptop.

Drawing Tutorials
If you’re a visual learner looking for a bit of assistance improving your sketches, the Drawing Tutorials board on Pinterest can help. This board is filled with links to videos that will show you the mechanics of drawing landscapes, sketching the details of a person’s lips, and even creating beautiful drawings on a chalkboard.

Draw
You don’t particularly need to watch instructional videos, but you could use a bit of guidance when it comes to drawing. This board contains endless sources of drawing inspiration, as well as diagrams and daily assignments to help you improve your drawing skills. You can also use the additional tabs at the top to browse the Draw board by doodles, anime, sketches, or whichever type of drawing that you’re most interested in.

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5 Interesting Facts About Artist Edgar Degas

March 13, 2015 by

The stunning paintings of young dancers and women by Edgar Degas are well loved by many arts patrons. Degas used his classical techniques and merged it with his avant-garde, impressionistic tendencies to create singular portraits of modern life in Paris during the late 1800s. There are a few things you might not know about this important artist, like these five facts:

Degas initially studied law.
At the request of his father, Degas enrolled into the Faculty of Law of the University of Paris. It didn’t suit him well, and Degas left the school two years later to study his true passion—art—at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.

Degas never married.
For all of the time he spent with women, drawing, painting, and obsessing over them, Degas never took a wife. He had intimate relationships throughout his life, occasionally with famous artistic women like Mary Cassatt, but the painter remained a bachelor until his death.

New Orleans was his second home.
Degas was born in Paris to a French father and American mother, who was from New Orleans, Louisiana. As an adult, Degas spent much of his time between the two cities, often staying for long periods in New Orleans during the French-Prussia War. His painting "The Cotton Exchange at New Orleans" was inspired by the city and was the only work purchased by a museum during his lifetime.

He collected art.
Degas was a rare type of artist who enjoyed financial success, unlike many of his contemporaries. This allowed him the ability to purchase artwork to create a collection that included work from Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.

He stopped painting.
Toward the end of his life, Degas suffered from terrible sight problems. Embittered by this problem, Degas stopped painting altogether. He focused on sculpture, experimented with photography, and promoted his own work. By the time he died in 1917, he had stopped his artistic endeavors altogether.

Edgar Degas [Biography]
Edgar Degas Biography [Edgar Degas]
Edgar Degas Biography [Modern Art Muse]

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Become a Mobile Artist With These 5 Apps

November 8, 2013 by

Interested in getting more involved in art or something creative? While you may not have time to sit down at an easel and paint a masterpiece, chances are you have five or ten minutes to draw something on your smartphone or tablet. Next time you're waiting for your dining companion, on the train, or taking a small break, check out these five great apps. 

ASKetch
Draw a black and white portrait or cartoon with the touch of your finger. The app has a minimal interface, so you can focus on your drawing. Pick a place on the screen and start drawing. You can switch back and forth between different types of pencils for different looks. Available for iPhone and iPad.

How to Draw
New to drawing but interested in learning? This great app, available for iPhone and Android, will teach you how to draw. Learn to draw over 200 different objects with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. Lessons range from beginner to more advanced. 

Comic & Meme Creator
Sometime the best way to tell a joke is through a drawing or comic. If you aren't the best drawer, this app is for you. Create a comic or meme with pre-drawn characters and backgrounds. Just add the words! Once your comic is done, you can send it to friends on Facebook and Twitter. Available for iPhone and Android. 

Paper
This free app for iPad lets you create beautiful images right on the screen. Add on additional tools, like brushes and color mixers, for a small fee. Create beautiful images, landscapes, and even presentation tools. Each work of art is stored in a notebook within the app. 

Auryn Ink
Paint a watercolor picture right on your phone with this great app. Choose your canvas, brush size, color wheel, and more. You can allow your watercolor picture to air dry or dry it instantly. It's just like painting a real picture but without the mess. Available for iPhone and Android. 

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