Make Computer Buying and selling Cards

Collecting trading cards can be an enjoyable hobby, especially for children and teens. Most people think first of sports when it comes to collectible cards. However, there are other types of trading cards that have become popular, from artistic to Barbie or Anime trading cards. If you want to create you own trading cards, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Instructions

1. Decide what images you'll be using, such as whether you'll be taking an image from an online source or a book. Perhaps you'll be designing your own original designs for your cards. If you're creating your own designs, you can start getting an idea of what type of design you want to create by sketching them out first in a sketchbook.

2. Consider using a graphics program such as Adobe Photoshop to help you perfect the design of your trading cards. You can use Photoshop to work on and size photographs or other artwork you'll be using for your trading cards, or you can complete the entire design process using just the program. If you'll be copying a design, and then making artistic changes to it, you can bring the image in as a layer and use it as a template. You can then reduce the opacity to 40 or 50 percent, and then work on another layer or layers, adding your changes. You can delete the template layer later or make it invisible, or you can merge the template with the above layers. Make sure to set the size of your document image before you begin designing your cards. For printing, save your images in a format that will give you the best quality image when printed. A TIFF format is usually a good choice.

3. Print your cards yourself or have them printed at a print shop. You'll need to buy a good quality card-stock paper if you intend to print your own cards. Another option is to have your cards printed professionally at a print shop. Both Staples and Kinko's do quality printing and usually offer discounts for bulk orders.

Write Fiction

Anything you think of can become a story. There are things you'll never do, but you can still make them happen by simply putting words on paper. Anyone can do that! Develop characters and make them lovable, or despicable. You'll learn make readers feel like they're in your settings.

Instructions

1. Use active present phrases to describe action that is happening now. Don't make readers arrive after the fact. "I watched Sara fall from the cliff." That sentence is practically wrapped in yellow crime scene tape. Try this: "Sara walks to the edge of the hill to take in the whole sunset over the mountains. A loose rock steals her footing. I leap toward her, though I'm twenty feet away. Sara's wide eyes catch mine, as her body topples over the cliff. Is this fading scream the last thing I'll hear from her?" We're there for the action.

2. Read aloud. Read everything you write out loud. This will expose any phraseology that doesn't make sense. It'll also show how your copy flows.

3. Occupy the senses. Most of us can describe how a scene looks. "The sun shines on golden sea oats as taupe foam pulls away from the receding waves to struggle in the sand." That's good, but it leaves four senses out of the experience. "A salted sea breeze overrules the days humidity and tricks the burning sun. Rolling green waves crash on thirsty sand, while hopeful seagulls cry out to the clear blue sky." Not every setting will have something for each sense, but stop to notice the sounds, tastes, smells and tactile elements wherever you go.

4. Center the action. Most novels and short stories are about a person or group of people with a goal. In many cases the events of the story dictate that goal. This can be as simple as a guy deciding to learn to surf, possibly due to a crush on a surfer-girl. Now everyone he meets and everything that happens in this beach-town can be linked to the tidal romance.

5. Develop your characters. Decide on the traits your characters will posses and devise experiences to reveal them. If someone's a sweetheart, let them help a puppy find it's owner. Have the bad-guy break a child's favorite toy. If someone has a short temper, put her on a cell-phone, in traffic, while repeatedly catching red lights. Use emotion stimulating situations people can relate to.

6. Make the characters believable. A typical surf shop owner is not the kind of personality who'd say: "I apologize for the delay in your orders arrival. Our courier experienced a shipping displacement that should be resolved in twenty four hours." No, this character would say something like: "sorry about your board, man. Somebody put it on the wrong truck, but it'll be here tomorrow."

7. Add a twist. You could of wrap this up as another happy love story, or after several dates the surfer works hard labor in the hot sun to finance, let him decide he doesn't like the girl. Then our hero becomes a surf competitor with his picture on the cover of a magazine. Suddenly he's paid by a sponsor to surf, and he meets a new sun-tanned bikini clad girl.

Write Lower Salsa Dance Steps

You can learn salsa in a number of ways, including from lessons and salsa dance videos. You may pick up the moves fairly easily, but it can be difficult to remember what you've learned later. It's common for you to forget a move you learned at the last class, especially if you don't practice. Writing down the salsa dance steps is an ideal way to avoid this conundrum.

Instructions

1. Write down the dance steps while they are still fresh in your mind. Write it down in sentence form, breaking down each move step-by-step. Use a diagram with arrows if necessary. Salsa dancing is centered around a basic step called a Forward Basic Movement. It starts with a tap of the left foot on the first beat, a step forward with the same foot, a rock back with the right foot and a step back left to close the sequence.

2. Ask the instructor for the name of the move. If it's easier, you can give it your own name or description. Choose a name that will be easy to remember--one that brings to mind that the step looks like. The second step is typically a Back Basic Movement, where you tap with the right foot, step back with the same foot, rock forward with the left and close to the right. It's the opposite of the forward basic movement.

3. Record the turn patterns as well as the steps. Many students practice the moves, but forget about the right and left turn patterns. Write "Turn Right" or "Turn Left."

4. Learn a definition of salsa terms. For example, when you step outward from the closed position, it's called a break. This break allows you to change direction forward, back or side. When you rock, you transfer your weight from one foot to the other.

Write Various Kinds Of Bubble Letters

Bubble letters are a creative way to use letters in endeavors such as graffiti-style art, children's posters or even just in writing for fun. For a letter to be considered a "bubble letter" it must have a bubble-type shape to it or have a "fat" outline rather than have the simple single line typically used to write letters or numbers.

Instructions

1. Choose a letter of the alphabet. Or, if you plan to write a word, make a plan to work on each letter in the same style to keep your end result consistent.

2. Draw the line lettering. The simplest way to form any type of bubble letter is to create outline lettering with the basic letter writing style. For example, write a basic "A" as you would normally write it. If you want a capitalized letter, write it in a capital for the outline.

3. Move the pencil slightly outside the line and trace a second line parallel to the inner letter line. Move the pencil to the other side of the line and repeat the process by drawing a second parallel line. The original line is now centered between two more lines. Connect the two outer lines with a connecting line as appropriate. This will create a blocky style of bubble writing.

4. Create a more rounded style of bubble letters by tracing around the original lettering and follow the lines in a rounded arch to make the outer bubbles all one line.

5. Draw graffiti-style letters by making round bubble shapes around all of the straight lines. For arches in the letters B or D, draw a large bubble around the straight line along the left, and then make bubbles around the arched shape. For B, the bubbles have one medium bubble in the middle, two more medium bubbles at the top and bottom, and two small bubbles to form the outer arch. For D, only three bubbles are needed: one at the back, one bubble that goes downward from the top to about the center, and another going up from the bottom to meet the other in center. The bubbles will overlap.

6. Trace the outer edges of the bubble letters with a dark pen.

7. Erase the lines in the middle of the bubbles. This removes the outlining shapes and leaves only the bubble letters behind.

Draw A Cave Lady

Cave women are often seen in monkey-like poses.

Cave men and woman typically resemble modern-day humans in their facial features and body. These characters often sport jagged, animal-print tunics and wear their hair in a messy, wild style. Drawing a cave woman is usually no more difficult than drawing a person of today, but requires a bit of creativity. There is a lot you can do when it comes to creating your cave woman's attire and environment. You may also wish to pair her with a cave man or several other people to draw an entire cave family or community.

Instructions

1. Draw an oval-shaped head. Using a light pencil, dissect the head with both horizontal and vertical lines to divide it into equal halves. Draw the cave woman's eyes on either side of those lines' intersection. Add the nose by drawing a flat line halfway between the center and bottom of the head, and draw the bottom of a semi-circle under the nose to form the mouth.

2. Add a neck directly under the head, and from this neck, expand out to shoulders, and then arms. In your early drafting phase, the arms should consist of two long, thin rectangles of equal lengths. For hands, sketch an oval-shape with four fingers and a thumb.

3. Create a torso by drawing an hourglass shape under the shoulders. Add long rectangular legs with oval-shaped feet.

4. Draw the cave woman's outfit over your sketched outline of her body. Use jagged lines to create a rustic, primitive shift dress, and add a pattern by adding rounded spots.

5. Fill in and finalize the cave woman's arms, legs, hands, feet, and face, either with a pen or with paints.

6. Add wild hair. Draw a hairline just beneath the top of the head, and extend the bottom edges of the hairline down, nearly to the shoulders.

Help Make Your Own Games On The Overall Game Maker

Game Maker makes it relatively easy to create video games.

Game Maker is a development tool, created by YoYo games, which makes it easier for non-programmers to create their own video games. However, developing games can be a complex task, even in Game Maker, so the age-old classic Pong is a great place to start your game development career.

Instructions

1. Create your sprites (or game images). You will need to produce a total of three. Right click the word "Sprite" in the objects tree on the left, and click "Create Sprite" from the menu that pops up. Change the name of this first sprite from "sprite1" to "paddle" and click the "Edit Sprite" button.

This opens the sprite editor. Click "File" and "New" to create a new frame of the sprite animation. Set the "width" option to 64 and the "height" option to 32. Double click the image that is created.

You will be given an interface that looks a great deal like the interface of Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop. Use the paint bucket tool to color the entire image green (or any other color you prefer).

Click the green check marks in the menu to save your work and return to the base game maker window.

Use this same procedure to create two more sprites: one named "ball" and another named "wall." Draw the wall to be all red using the paint bucket, and draw the ball as a circle using the circle tool. Yellow is a good color for this, but you can use any you like.

2. Create your objects. You'll need to create a total of four.

The first will be the player's paddle. Right click the word "Object" from the objects tree and choose "Create Object." Change the name so that it reads "playerOne." In the sprite option box just below the name, click the small blue button that looks like a pop-up window with a mouse over it. This will pop up a list of all your sprites and allow you to select one that will be the graphic for this object. Select "paddle." Finally, ensure that the boxes for "Visible" and "Solid" are both checked and click "ok."

Follow the same procedure to create a new object named "aiPlayer." Assign it the paddle sprite as its graphic.

Again, create another new object, name it "ball" and assign it to use the ball sprite.

Finally, create a final object and name it "wall." Assign it to use, you guessed it, the wall sprite.

3. Program the user controls. For this version of Pong, things will stay simple. The player's paddle will follow the mouse around the screen. To start programming, double click the playerOne object you just created.

Under "events," click the "Add Event" button. Select the command "Step" as your event trigger. This tells Game Maker that you want an event to occur on every single frame of animation, while the game is running. On the far right side of the window, you will see a list of tabs. Choose the "control" tab. Find the icon that looks like a sheet of paper under the "code" section and drag it into the "Actions" window with your mouse.

An entry should be added to the actions window that reads "Execute a piece of code." Double click this and you'll be presented with a small text-editor. Type the following in:

self.x = mouse_x

Click the green arrows and ok boxes to save your work and close the code editor and playerOne object.

4. Program the computer player. Double click the aiPlayer object from your object list and follow the same procedure as step 3 with only one alteration. Instead of inserting the code from step 3, insert the following code into the text editor:

self.x = ball.x

This will give us a particularly challenging Pong computer player. The computer's paddle will always track the location of the puck, no matter where it goes.

5. Program ball. The ball is the most complicated part of the entire game.

Double click the ball object to open its object properties, click the "add event" button and select the "Step" option.

Under the "move" tab on the right side, there will be an icon that looks like an arrow bouncing off of a wall. Drag that into the actions box and it will appear in the list, along with the explanation "Bounce against solid objects."

Next, go down to the "control" tab and add another "Execute a piece of code" action, by dragging the icon that looks like a sheet of paper into the actions list. Insert the following code:

if (ball.y > room0.room_height) {

show_message("You lose!")

game_end()

}

if (ball.y > 0) {

show_message("You win!")

game_end()

}

This is a little more difficult than the code before. It is saying: "if the ball ever leaves the room at the bottom, then the player has lost. Show him a message, and end the game. If it ever leaves the room at the top, then the player has won. Show him a message, and end the game."

The ball has been programmed, but there is only one small flaw: it doesn't start moving!

Click the "add event" button and select the "Create" option. Go to the "move" tab and drag the icon that looks like a bunch of red arrows pointing outwards.

Click an arrow to choose a starting direction you like and set a "speed" of 5.

Click the green check marks to exit back to the basic Game Maker window.

6. Create a room. Right click the "Rooms" option in the object tree and choose "Create Room." Click in the object's box and select the wall object from the pop up. Use your left mouse button to draw a wall on the left and right sides of the level.

Click the object's box again and select the ball. Place it in the middle of the level.

Again, click the object's box and select the "playerOne." Place it at the bottom of the level.

Finally, click the object's box and select the "aiPlayer." Place it at the top of the level.

7. Press the green arrow to test your game and have fun!

Visit A Live Talk Show In La

See a Live Talk Show in Los Angeles

People travel to Los Angeles for many reasons including visiting Disneyland and Universal Studios. One main attraction that you do not want to forget is a live talk show during your Los Angeles visit. Tickets are free so the price is right for this type of fun time.

Instructions

1. Write to: NBC/The Tonight Show with Jay Leno c/o Tickets 3000 West Alameda Burbank, CA 91523 if you know you want tickets to a show more than 5 weeks in advance.

2. Request free tickets to your favorite talk show in Los Angeles by going online to tvtix.com.

3. Check the list of shows against your timetable to be in Los Angeles. TV Tix specializes in providing tickets on short notice so this is the place to check if you want to see a live talk show and did not write in advance for tickets.

4. Go to NBC studios at 3000 West Alameda Burbank, CA 91523 on the day you want to see the show if you are not successful in getting tickets. NBC gives out a limited number of tickets every day for the talk shows.

5. Stand in line and wait. They give out the tickets on a first come first, served basis so go as early as possible.

6. Find out the time of the show. Return at that time and enter the studio. Sit down and watch the live talk show, which will last about an hour.

Use Roxio Movies Hd

Roxio Products

Roxio makes a product for the Macintosh called Toast, which is a suite of DVD authoring and creation tools. For years, Toast has been the standard for the Macintosh--and now they have begun to bundle different applications in various editions. One of the coolest applications they include is a product titled Motion Pictures HD. This nifty tool allows you to quickly blend still images together with music to create photo slide shows. It is fun and easy to use--and you might already have it if you have a Toast package. Check your applications folder and read below to get a quick tutorial on the basics.

Instructions

1. Locate Motion Pictures HDD in your applications folder and open the application, which will display a blank page. The music tab will automatically display all music in your iTunes library. You can use the media browser to locate your iPhoto library or simply drag the photos that you select from the finder.

2. To drag the photos, simply locate them in the media browser, then select and drag them to the blank page. Notice that once you have imported your photos you can drag and drop them to put them in any order you want for your slide show movie.

3. You can add a music track by simply clicking on the music tab and searching your iTunes library. Notice it displays the length of the movie, amount of frames and the length of the music. You can specify if you want the music to repeat, fade out and fade in, plus other options.

4. You can add group pictures by using the group picture tool. Reorder them on the page and they will appear in a sequence on a single slide. This allows great flexibility in displaying images in your slide show.

5. The motion for each image can be adjusted in a variety of ways. Note the crop handles, which allow you to frame the part of picture to be displayed. You can also select from a variety of motion effects and alter the rotation, zoom and cropping for each image.

6. When you are done with all the adjustments, it's time to make your movie. Here you can adjust the border size and color to be applied to the images. You can also adjust the timing to make your slides change quicker or slower. You can adjust aspect ratio and even add beginning titles or import your movie into Toast or iMovie to add titles. There are a variety of export formats and you can export directly to iMovie, iDVD or Toast. Out of all the products I have used, this is one of the easiest to learn and produces high-quality movies to integrate into a larger production or use as stand-alone productions.

Write Capital Letters H Through P In Calligraphy

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting. Wedding invitations, diplomas, inscriptions and other formal manuscripts often use calligraphy for its artistic and elegant lines. A good place to start when learning this beautiful art is with capital letters. Here you'll learn form capital letters H-P.

Instructions

Letter H

1. Start with a compound curve. Place your calligraphy pen at the top of the line and create a shallow "s" form.

2. Move to the right side of the letter and make a lower-case "l." Start slightly lower than the left side of the letter and curve down at the bottom. End by looping out into a small tail.

3. Finish the letter by looping down from the top of the right side of the H to the right. Create a small loop, then pass through the two sides, connecting the H in the middle. Continue the line, swooping down to the left. If you prefer the look, you can add an exaggerated "v" form to the left of the letter.

4. Start to the left and create two small connected curves; curve up a short way, then curve down the same distance, then curve back up, ending as the "v" form meets the top left of your H.

Letter I

5. Begin with a compound curve just as you did with letter H.

6. Move to the top of the compound curve, and place your pen slightly further up and to the right of your first line.

7. Swoop your pen downward in a "c" motion, cutting about halfway through the compound curve. Pass through the first curve, and end with your a small tail curving upward.

Letter J

8. Create a long, slender compound curve. You want to come down quite a bit further than a traditional compound curve, and make it slightly less wide.

9. Starting at the bottom of the curve, continue the line out to the left and connect it back to the lower half of the curve to make a stem loop.

10. Finish the letter the same way we finished letter I: from the top of the compound curve, swoop downward in a "c" motion, cutting through the curve and ending to the right in a small tail.

Letter K

11. Begin with the compound curve. For the forward portion of the K, start slightly higher than the first curve. Swoop down, curving in to meet the back portion of the K slightly below the halfway point.

12. Meet the curve, then make a slight curve upward, then dip back down and end in a small upward tail.

13. Finish the back end as you did with the letter H, with an accentuated "v." Start a small distance from the top of the back portion of the letter. Make a small curve up, then down the same distance. End by curving back up to the top of the first compound curve.

Letter L

14. Begin with the standard compound curve, but continue the end of the stroke out longer to the bottom left.

15. Take the end of the compound curve in a very small loop and continue the line out to the right. Curve the line up slightly.

16. Finish the L by coming from the top of the letter down and to the left, creating a backward "c." Pass through the compound curve and curve up to the right.

Letter M

17.Start with a compound curve, only start your pen at the bottom. From the top of the line, continue downward in a very shallow curve.

18. Make a shallow curve in the center, almost as narrow as a "v" shape. Continue the line all the way to the top of the form.

19. Come back down in the exact same pattern, only end with a short upward tail.

Letters N and O

20. Create your first hairline stroke in a subtle upward curve.

21. Turn your paper so it's horizontal to your chest; normally you'd write at a slant, but for this step, you want to turn your paper.

22. Make a compound curve that ends just shy of 12:00 at the bottom of the stroke, vertically; it will be a tight curve.

23. Finish with a very light hairline curve, starting at the bottom of the compound curve and ending to the top-right side of the form.

24. Draw letter O by starting at the top and create a large oval shape, ending where you began. This letter is fairly basic.

Letter P

25. Create a compound curve.

26

Bring your pen behind the left side of the curve, slightly below the top of the form. Loop the line around, down and to the left. Continue the line all the way up, in a circular fashion, meeting the compound curve at the top.

27

Continue the line around, passing through the original curve and looping downward. End on the right side of the curve, about halfway down.

Write A Visible Artist Statement

Write an artist's statement that will engage your audience.

Though art speaks for itself, patrons often like to know something about the artists themselves. A well-written artist's statement may take the voice of the emotionally involved poet or of the objective reporter, and it can lend further depth to the art. It may also help to sell your work. If people are interested in you and your point of view, they probably also will develop a greater interest in your work.

Instructions

1. Read a variety of other artists' statements to get a feel for what works and what doesn't.

2. Anticipate viewer questions about you as an artist and try to answer them briefly in part one of your statement. You might discuss why you enjoy your particular medium and how it works to help you express your world view, at least as it appears in your art. As well, you might mention your general influences and inspirations. Do not attempt to give detailed explanations of individual pieces of art. Though it's interesting to see a collection in the light of your vision, viewers want to be free to experience a given piece as it speaks to them and to draw their own conclusions. (Reference 1)

3. Discuss the current exhibit in part two of your statement. Describe what inspired the collection and how the inspiration influenced it. Also mention other influences, perhaps how the collection reflects the mood you were in when you produced it or how it reflects your need to examine the loss of a loved one. Throughout, mention specific techniques or images that you used that the viewer can look at and compare to your statement. Change this segment as you exhibit new collections.

4. Include some biographical information, but keep it brief and don't offer too much detail. Mention only highlights and details that influence your work. For example, if you're from the Midwest, maybe the flood of open farm fields influences you. No one needs to know your street address or how many children you have. Mention some important accomplishments if you want, but don't create a resume. (Reference 1)

Scholarship grants For That Art Major

There are many scholarships for aspiring artists majoring in art.

For young artists who dream of a professional art career, completing a major program in art can be a key stepping stone toward success. Art majors are fortunate in that there are a number of scholarship programs available that can help them realize their creative vision and professional goals.

NAMTA Foundation Visual Arts Major Scholarship

The International Art Materials Trade Association Foundation sponsors a scholarship program for visual arts majors enrolled in accredited art-degree programs. The $1,000 scholarship awards are granted primarily on the basis of artistic talent, although academic achievement, extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation are also considered. Applicants must be majoring in a designated field of the visual arts, such as painting, drawing or sculpting or in art education.

NAMTA Foundation

15806 Brookway Drive, Suite 300

Huntersville, NC 28078

704-892-6244

namta.org

Scholarships.com Art Scholarship

Scholarships.com sponsors a $1,000 art scholarship for graduating high school seniors and enrolled undergraduate students who plan to major in art, art history or a related field. To be eligible, applicants must be registered users of the site, and all applications must be submitted online. Scholarship awards are nonrenewable.

Scholarships.com, LLC

473 Central Avenue, Suite 6

Highland Park, IL60035

scholarships.com

Friends in Art Scholarship

The Friends in Art Scholarship is designated for blind or otherwise visually impaired students who plan to pursue degrees in art. Scholarship awards of $1,500 are presented to academically and artistically talented students who have some type of significant disability related to sight.

Friends in Art Scholarship

402 East French Broad Street

Brevard, NC 28712

800-872-5827

ucp.org

MYARTSPACE Art Scholarship

MYARTSPACE offers an international art scholarship program for undergraduate art majors who are members of the MYARTSPACE.com website. The program provides scholarship awards of $1,000, $2,000 and $5,000 to art majors who demonstrate a significant level of artistic achievement. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited art degree program to be considered, and all applications must be submitted through an online gallery on the website. Art majors working in all mediums are encouraged to apply.

CatMacArt Corporation

818 Emerson Street

Palo Alto, CA 94301

650-838-9942

myartspace.com

The Art Institutes/National Art Honor Society Scholarships

The Art Institutes and the National Art Honor Society offer a joint scholarship program for art majors interested in attending the Art Institutes. Scholarship awards range from $5,000 to $20,000, and awards are granted based on the quality of work submitted in the applicant's art portfolio. The program is limited to graduating high school seniors who are members in good standing of the National Art Honor Society.

National Art Honor Society Scholarships

c/o The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

420 Boulevard of the Allies

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

800-275-2440

artinstitutes.edu

European Art Details

European Art Facts

The phrase "European Art" refers to paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs--and more--made in Europe from the time of the Renaissance to the 21st century. Though earlier European-made objects stand as "art" in contemporary museums and galleries, the makers of pre-Renaissance objects did not have the same concept of art that modern societies hold. Medieval artisans, for example, made icons for worship purposes.

During and after the Renaissance, Europe developed ideas of art that upheld the value of objects made solely for aesthetic purposes; that is, objects whose function is for display and visual enjoyment rather than for religious or utilitarian purposes.

Brunelleschi and Linear Perspective

Filippo Brunelleschi developed linear perspective (sometimes called scientific perspective). A geometric procedure for representing three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional plane, linear perspective depends on the fact that objects appear smaller when they are far away. Paintings and drawings in linear perspective have a vanishing point placed on the horizon line, and all horizontal lines (called "orthogonals") converge at that vanishing point. Lines parallel to the picture plane (called "transversals") remain parallel, but get closer together towards the vanishing point.

Though previous artists experimented with representing three-dimensional space in two dimensions, Brunelleschi's "discovery" led to a systematic method for projecting space using mathematics and geometry. In 1435, Leon Battista Alberti described Brunelleschi's discovery in "On Painting," the first Renaissance treatise on the subject. The combination of science and math with painting and drawing supported arguments that painters were not craftsmen but philosophers. Such arguments led to a change in the status of the artist that emerged full-fledged in the High Renaissance with Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian.

Neoclassicism

"Classicism" refers to later art inspired by ancient Greek and Roman aesthetics and history. Though Renaissance artists were avowed classicists, the emergence of Neoclassicism in mid-18th to early 19th century Europe revived and redefined the importance of classical art.

In 1764, Johann Joachim Winckelmann published "The History of Ancient Art Among the Greeks," which contained a novel approach to art in that Winckelmann delineated the history of Greek art as well as of Greek culture. One of the most widely-read books of its day, Winckelmann's text influenced European artists. With the early archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, Neoclassical artists enjoyed a much deeper knowledge of classical art then their Renaissance predecessors.

Jacques-Louis David's canonical painting "The Oath of the Horatii" from 1784, displays David's deep knowledge of the Roman culture he depicted. David painted the three Horatii brothers swearing that they will defend Rome to the death. David lifted this story from an ancient Roman text by Livy describing the wars between Rome and Alba in the 7th century. David researched 7th century Roman dress and architecture to stay accurate to the historical period. (see reference 2)

Invention of Photography

Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre presented the daguerreotype to members of the French Académie des Sciences on January 7, 1839. A daguerrotype is a metal plate prepared with light-sensitive chemicals. When placed in an unlit box with a small aperture (a camera obscura), the plate records the scene outside of the camera.

Daguerre explained the process to a joint session of the Académie des Sciences and the Académie des Beaux-Arts in August of the same year. One eyewitness wrote: "One of the audience staggered out, was mobbed with questions and said, as one with authority, 'bitumen and oil of lavender' . . . when at last the session ended and I knew the real secret, I ran to buy iodine and cursed the setting sun for putting off my experiments until the morrow . . . In a day or so cameras were being focused on public buildings everywhere."

The daguerrotype's popularity for its unprecedented naturalism (adherence to the appearance of the natural world), later fell to the more efficient technologies developed by William Henry Fox Talbot. The daguerrotype records a scene once. It is a negative, where light and dark values are reversed. The high polish of the silver surface reflects the negative and makes the recorded image appear with lights and darks in their proper places.

Talbot's invention of a negative image from which the photographer can make multiple positives proved a cheaper and faster way to take pictures.

Impressionism

Photography's ability to quickly and accurately record the natural world challenged painters in the latter half of the 19th century. Impressionist painters of the 1870s and 1880s turned away from naturalism and grew interested in the optical properties of color and light.

The quick and broad brushstrokes that characterize Impressionist paintings emerged from an emphasis on painting en plein air (an artistic term for painting outside). With but a few hours to record a scene, Impressionists like Claude Monet concentrated on capturing light and surface effects.

The term "Impressionism" comes from Monet's 1872 painting "Impression - Sunrise," satirized by the French critic Louis LeRoy, who wrote: "Impression---I was certain of it. I was just telling myself that, since I was impressed, there had to be some impression in it ... and what freedom, what ease of workmanship! Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape." LeRoy inadvertently coined the movement's name, as Impressionist painters adopted the term as a joke.

Post-Impressionism

"Post-impressionism" does not define a particular artistic style, it is a blanket term for the painters working after the Impressionist movement. Post-impressionist artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and Seurat all painted in different styles.

Gauguin started as a stockbroker, was married and had five children. After befriending Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro, Gauguin dedicated himself to art and eventually separated from his family.

Gauguin achieved little success during his lifetime. Poor and frustrated, Gauguin left for Tahiti in 1891 where he made many of his most famous works. Exotic and filled with bold and unnaturalistic colors, Gauguin's paintings are highly individualistic and thus pose particular difficulties for interpretation. Nevertheless, his use of symbolic color and exotic subject matter inspired later artists interested in the art of non-European cultures, like Picasso.

Make An Application For America'S Next Top Model

"

America's Next Top Model" is a popular reality show created by former supermodel Tyra Banks. If you have what it takes to make it to the top, find out what you need to do become the best model.

Instructions

1. Visit the official site and print out the application form to fill out.

2. Read the eligibility requirements to make sure you agreed on the requirements prior to filling the form.

3. Prepare to answer seventy-two questions on the application and reply honestly to the best of your ability.

4. Be sure to have a US passport. If chosen, you might travel internationally.

5. Include a video application in VHS only. The video should be no longer than three minutes showing the best you got to become a participant of the show and a runway walk. If you must, practice the walk preferably in high heels.

6. Send a photo of your face closeup, full body and another picture of you in a swimsuit.

7. Sign, print and date the Release and Waiver form with the videotape and send to the address given to you.

Write A Thanks Card After A Job Interview

Write a Thank You Card After an Interview

A thank you note sent to a potential employer after an interview shows that you are interested in the job. It also shows that you value the time the person spent on you and that you are a go-getter ready to work your way up. An effective thank you card must follow a few rules to have the biggest impact.

Instructions

1. Choose a plain, simple card. You can buy a white cardboard card ready to print at home, or you can choose one with a printed image on the front. If you opt for the second choice, buy a simple card without any writing inside. Avoid overly cute images, funny sayings and notes that are too informal.

2. Address the thank you card to the person you had the interview with. If you don't know his exact name, find out. Taking a business card with you at the time of the interview will solve this problem, but if it's too late for that, call the company and find out the details over the phone. Get the spelling of the name correct as well.

3. Do your homework. After you have thanked the interviewer for his time, say something about the company. Let the person know that you did your research by including a sentence to the effect of "I know your company values employees with international experience, especially since your merge with X Global, which is why my travel experience would be a great asset." You can also mention how the company has grown in a specific area and what you can contribute to increase that growth.

4. Sell yourself again. Restate why you're a good candidate for the job, how much you want the position and what you can bring to the company. Do so in just a few words, rather than going into a bullet list of how amazing you are or how much you need the job. Be succinct and to the point. If you neglected to mention something in the interview, address it here.

5. Keep the note short. This is not the time to go into a detailed resume or a list of reasons why you're the perfect candidate for the job. That should have been done in the interview. Instead, keep the letter simple. The purpose of it is to make the employer remember you. It also shows respect, attention to detail and a genuine interest for the position.

6. Close the note asking the employer to contact you with any additional questions. This keeps the door open for future contact, even if you're not offered a position right away.

Write A Terza Rima Poem

While many poets favor free verse, experimenting with the terza rima form can add discipline and density to one's poetry. The terza rima rhyme scheme has been employed by many notable poets throughout the course of literature, from Dante to Robert Frost. Many modern poets still employ the terza rima form, which focuses on repetitive rhyme in metered form. The poem punctuates its point in the two lines of its ending couplet, while every other stanza contains 3-line sets called tercets.

Instructions

1. Decide on a topic for your poem. A terza rima poem can be as long as you wish, but you'll want to ensure you select a topic that will give you at least 12 lines worth of material.

2. Master the terza rima rhyme scheme. Think of each unique (non-rhyming) sound at the end of a line as having a new letter assigned to it. If one word rhymes with another, it will share the first word's letter. To follow the terza rima rhyme scheme, ensure each stanza's first line rhymes with its third line (a-b-a). As you begin the next stanza, you'll want to make its first- and third-lines rhyme with the ending sound of your second stanza (b-c-b). This pattern continues throughout the bulk of the poem. A terza rima will usually begin with the rhyme scheme a-b-a, b-c-b, c-d-c or d-e-d.

3. Create effective tercets. Each stanza in a terza rima poem will have three lines. Depending on your meter, this means you will have a relatively short space in which to convey the point of each stanza. Ensure the points you wish to convey are straightforward, concise and follow the meter you have chosen.

4. Initiate effective meter in your poem. Many terza rima poems fall into iambic pentameter, containing 10 syllables per line of alternately unstressed and stressed syllables. You can select any number of poetic feet per line that you wish and choose the type of meter you prefer (iambic, anapestic, trochaic or synecdochic).

5. Finish the terza rima rhyme scheme. When you are nearing the end of your poem, you will want to end the terza rima format in a strong stanza that continues your meter and finishes your rhyme scheme. The traditional way to do so is with a couplet--two lines that rhyme with each other. You can also end your poem in a tercet, so long as you rhyme the (as of yet) unrhymed sound from the middle of your prior tercet. Some poets even do so in a single line, making its own stanza.

6. End your poem strongly.

How Get My Child On "Small children & Tiaras"

Your little beauty queen could appear on "Toddlers & Tiaras."

TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras" needs pageant families to feature on their reality show. If you have a boy or girl who participates in pageants, "Toddlers & Tiaras" might chronicle the journey and preparation necessary to compete at a pageant, from the clothing selection to the extensive beauty appointments. Get a child with a strong passion for competing in pageants on "Toddlers & Tiaras."

Instructions

1. Visit the TLC "Toddlers & Tiaras" website to download an application.

2. Fill out the personal information portion of the application. The personal information includes your child's name, age, and siblings and your contact information.

3. Complete the remainder of the application. These questions ask about upcoming pageants, pageant history, prizes won, the personality of you and your child at pageants and questions about what type of enhancements you use for your child during competitions (makeup, hairpieces and tanning). The producers of "Toddlers & Tiaras" look for families with energy, exuberance and excitement. Use energetic language in the application. Present your child and your family as having a zeal for competition and pageants in order to grab the attention of the producers. Include specific examples of your child's fierce competitive style or the unusual efforts you make to help your child compete, if possible, to set yourself apart from other applicants. If your child has won titles, list them (along with the pageant name).

4. Attach the application to an email. Attach two or three high-quality, professional digital photographs of your child also. If your child participates in "glitz" competitions -- full makeup and hair -- send glitz photos. If your child participates in "natural" competitions -- no eye makeup or hair extensions -- send natural photos.

5. Send the email and attachments to ToddlersTiarasCasting@authentictv.com.

Begin A Senior High School Drama Club

High school drama clubs help students practice their acting skills.

In 2006, Disney's film "High School Musical" gave high school drama clubs everywhere a boost with its catchy tunes and upbeat themes. Participating in a drama club can help high school students sharpen their acting and public speaking skills, learn more about theater arts and connect with each other socially. According to the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, students involved in dramatic arts perform better in academics and are less likely to drop out than other students.

Instructions

1. Write a proposal of what you want to accomplish by starting a high school drama club. Be specific about goals and benefits, what type of students you want to recruit and how it will impact the school.

2. Obtain permission from your high school principal. Do this by using the proposal you created to convince the principal to let you to start a drama club. Ask your principal if your club needs an adult chaperon, and choose a senior student or teacher to chair meetings.

3. Advertise for club members. Use intercom announcements, advertise in the monthly newsletter or school magazine, and post information in the cafeteria or other common areas. Let potential members know when and where they can learn more about the drama club.

4. Hold an inaugural meeting to decide on the short-term and long-term goals you wish to achieve. For example, short-term goals might include team-building activities and long-term goals might include performing a play for the school or community.

5. Assign a role and key responsibilities to each member of the club. Decide which students will be in charge of finding scripts, costumes and props, and which will coordinate fundraising and advertising. Make a list of members' roles and post it in your usual meeting area so everyone is aware of who is in charge of what.

6. Choose regular meeting times. Agree on a time and place to suit students' schedules, such as before or after classes in the school auditorium. Hold weekly meetings at your usual venue, but have a backup venue, such as a park, where your club can meet weekends for extra rehearsal when necessary.

Strip Fresh paint Having A Warmth Gun

Strip the old paint from this door with a heat gun.

One of the easiest ways to remove old paint from wooden surfaces is with a heat gun. Instead of messing around with harsh chemical solvents and caustic liquids, a heat gun melts the paint from your old furniture and woodwork with ease.

Instructions

Strip Paint with a Heat Gun

1. Clean the painted wooden item that you intend to strip before using the heat gun. Use clear water instead of cleaning chemicals and scrub it well with the sponge. You need to remove all residue, dust, and loose particles.

2. Plug in the heat gun and allow it to heat up in a safe location. Be sure the heat gun can easily reach every part of the painted item.

3. Hold the heat gun in your non-dominant hand and position the hot end very close to the painted surface. Read the manufacturer's instructions for specific distances. Move the heat gun slowly over the surface until the paint bubbles and appears to melt.

4. Scrap the soft paint off the wooden item with the paint scraper tool. A flat scraper tool is ideal for flat surfaces such as the sides of dressers. Triangular scrapers or the sharp side of the flat scraper should be used for moldings and carved wood.

5. Turn off the paint gun when the bulk of the paint is removed. Use a dry scrubber or steel wool to wipe off all remaining loose paint. Use a cloth soaked in white spirits to wipe over the whole piece as a final check for remaining paint.

Different Anime Hair styles

Drawing anime is a popular past time for a growing number of artists. Artists like the flashy over the top styles that anime characters offer. Among the many traits that anime characters offer, the eccentric hairstyles are some of the most fun and complicated to draw. There are many different hairstyles that are present in the anime art style, the styles dictated by the characters role and how much attention the artist wants to be drawn to the character.

Lead Roles

Many lead characters are often drawn with flamboyant hairstyles that combine many attributes of other hair styles. The over the top hairstyle will often be used to pull viewers eyes to the character and help the character stand out in a crowd. These styles will often be very large, but typically have strands of hair hanging around the face. It's also not abnormal for the lead character's hair to sport abnormal colors.

Spiked

Spiked hair styles can be some of the most entertaining hairstyles to draw. These hairstyles can at times add an extra foot to the characters height. The main layer of this hairstyle is often drawn behind the characters head instead of on top like most other hair styles. This simple trick helps give the look a 3D appearance. The bangs and scalp layers often make the first layer look like it's attached to the head.

Crew Cuts

Like crew cuts in real life, anime crew cuts are drawn to be simple and clean. Crew cuts are often drawn with one simple layer, the layer either raising straight up from where the hair would normally lay and given a clean cut where the artist wants the height of the hair. This hairstyle can also be drawn really short and really close to the head to give that "buzz cut" look.

Flowing

Often characters are meant to give off a more delicate natural or perhaps feminine look. These hairstyles are drawn in multiple large layers, the first of which actually moves down from the back of the characters head and down the entire back. Characters with this hairstyle also usually have strands that start from the upper portion of their heads, and cascades down over their ears and shoulders.

Sharp

Sharp hairstyles are often worn by the most powerful or power hungry characters. Their hair sharply jags out in different directions that wouldn't be possible in real life. These hairstyles are often drawn on top of another style, usually the flowing hairstyle. These hairstyles take large strands of hair that jut out one way, then about halfway along the same strand of hair jags in another direction.

Painter X Watercolor Tutorial

Traditional watercolors

Corel Painter X is a graphics software package that mimics real world media such as oils, acrylics, chalks, pastels and watercolors. Digital Watercolors interact with any canvas and layer rather than just the restricted watercolor layer of previous versions of the program. You can get a true watercolor effect from the software, which include blotting and blending tools. Digital watercolors interact will all other media as well. You can even keep the watercolors from interacting by choosing "Layers" then "Dry Digital Watercolor."

Tools

Corel Painter X can be used with a mouse. However, you will only get minimal results. Painter X recognizes pressure and rotation when used in conjunction with a drawing tablet and stylus. There are several manufacturers of tablets, bit the most widely recognized maker of drawing tablets is Wacom, which makes several types of tablets and supplies the monitors for some tablet PCs.

Starting a New Painting

Open Painter X and choose "Create a New File" from the Welcome Screen. Set your file to be 500 pixels wide by 500 pixels in height. Change the DPI to 300. 300 DPI (dots per inch) is the resolution of your image. If you plan to print your image later, set the DPI to at least 300 for a clear, crisp image to print. Press Ctrl+M on your keyboard. This will center the image.

Painting in Watercolor

Click the Paper box on the toolbar. This is the first box on the left of the bottom set of six boxes. Choose "Italian Watercolor Paper." You can choose any paper you would like; the digital watercolor brushes will react differently with each paper type.

From the brush selector bar at the top-right of the screen, choose "Digital Watercolor." This will change the brush set to the digital watercolors. Start with the brush called "New Simple Water." Choose the color you would like to start with from the color palette. Starting with a dark color will make it harder to paint on top of it unless you dry that layer and start a new layer to paint.

If you want to change brushes, you can either right-click to bring up the current brush set menu or use the brush selector at the top-right of the screen. You can change the size and opacity of the brush using the brush toolbar at the top-left of the screen.

You can paint just as if you were painting with real watercolors and change your tools on the fly.

Digital Watercolor Brushes

Each brush in the digital watercolor section produces a different effect. The watercolor brushes place watercolor paint on the canvas. Coarse brushes show the bristle strokes while simple and fine brushes do not. Spatter brushes paint spatters of paint on the canvas instead of smooth strokes. Erasers remove the paint but keep the wet look. Diffusers and blenders soften and blend colors. Be sure to use light strokes when using a blender to finely blend the colors rather than using hard strokes. This will muddy the colors on the canvas and cover up your details. Dry brushes place color on without the water and show the bristle strokes. All brushes have opacity and size setting in the top-left corner of the screen.

Write One Step Outline For The Script

A step outline gives you a bird's eye view of your overall story. Slightly more detailed than a treatment, the step outline should end up about 10 to 12 pages when finished. Creating the step outline helps maintain focus on the main story instead of getting drawn into the details. The step outline process should also help cut down the the number of inevitable rewrites by giving you a chance to spot structural deficiencies in your screenplay's story and characters,

Instructions

1. Write each step as an event rather than a specific scene. In other words, each step is made of a set of scenes. This will help keep you out of the story details prematurely.

2. Keep your steps short and to the point. A step should ideally be only one to two paragraphs. If you have an idea for a characterization or a piece of dialogue, go ahead and include it in the step, but keep it succinct.

3. Capitalize your characters' names and the props the same as in full screenplay format.

4. Format the step outline for a short film to include the slug lines or scene headings above each step. In a 10-minute film, this will make drafting the finished script progress much more quickly.

Pose For Pictures For Males

With a few tips, you can strike a photogenic pose.

Do you love working out and enjoy being the center of attention? Consider becoming a male model. Don't be nervous if you think you don't know pose. A few tips can help you appear to be a seasoned professional. Examine your favorite photo of yourself before you begin practicing. Noticing the position of your body and expression on your face should help you. You can imitate poses that you believe you have mastered and improve upon them with practice.

Instructions

1. Choose poses that are similar to each other. According to CampusMen.com, moving your head a quarter of an inch in any direction can create major changes in how old you look, so if you want to do two very different poses, move gradually. The camera may pick up an array of looks in your slow, subtle movements, the tiniest of which can be the difference between a defined jaw and a double chin. An old modeling trick is to stick your chin out a bit. Having it angled is key too; some people cannot master the face-on pose.

2. If you want to nail the rugged, sexy look, you may have to do a photo shoot that shows off your body. Doing a last-minute workout just before a shoot may tone up your body enough to help your muscles have clear definition.

Posing with your muscled flexed may be a difficult endeavor. CampusMen.com suggests that you flex one muscle at a time and always remember to pay attention to your face too.

3. Try a pose similar to the artistic pose "contrapposto," an Italian term seen in paintings and sculptures. Esquire magazine suggests that men stand with the left leg forward and bent, right leg back with knees locked, and hips rotated to either side. The pose makes you appear poised and strong, but also relaxed--which means that you should not be straining.

4. You could also just ask your photographer. Whether he is a professional or amateur, he has some idea of how your pose looks on camera. If you are easy to direct, he may want to work with you again too.

Write An Audio Lesson On Guitar Like Metallica

In the early 1980s, Metallica emerged as one of the top metal bands. The guitar team of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett developed a menacing sound, with Hetfield's tormented lyrics perfectly complementing his sinister-sounding riffs and Hammett's fluid leads. Metallica has influenced two generations of musicians who look to the band for song writing inspiration.

Instructions

Write Metallica-Style Guitar Parts

1. Use the minor scale as the basis for a Metallica-style song. The minor scale is 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7-8. In the key of E minor, the basis of many Metallica songs, this would be E-F#-G-A-B-C-D-E.

2. Play two-note power chords consisting of a root and a fifth. Pick three chords that complement each other. Create a heavily rhythmic riff from them.

3. Add nuance and a darker sound to your riff by adding an occasional tritone. A tritone is a two-note chord with a flatted fifth, which is the fifth moved down one fret.

4. Strum power chords with downward strokes for a consistently chunky guitar sound.

5. Use palm muting in a consistent down stroke rhythm, such as quarter notes or eighth notes. Release the muting quickly every third or fourth note and re-mute. Move between the power chords of your riff while switching between muted and unmuted rhythms.

6. Break your song into clearly defined sections, with a softer, arpeggiated section to provide contrast to heavier riff-based sections.

7. Experiment with your power chords, tritones and palm muting until you have a song that lasts 3 to 5 minutes.

Write Metallica-Style Lyrics and Melodies

8. Hum or sing nonsense syllables over the chords. Experiment with different melodies until you find one that complements the chord sequence and rhythm.

9. Pick a song writing subject you feel strongly about. Metallica's songs pack an emotional punch because James Hetfield expresses himself in his lyrics.

10. Sing lyrics to your melody that complement the brooding nature of the riffs. If you get stuck, check the rhyming dictionary.

Generate A Digital Memorial

Set Up a Digital Art Gallery

The Internet can be a great way to gain exposure for your art, providing an opportunity for thousands of people across the world to view it. Setting up an online art gallery for your work is easy when you use a digital art gallery website. Here's get started.

Instructions

1. Scan or photograph your artwork, if it isn't already in a digital format. Use a high quality, high resolution digital camera to take photographs of paintings, sculptures, and other art to achieve the best results. Make sure the images are crisp and cropped to show only the art work itself.

2. Select your best work to display online. When you present yourself as an artist online, the work shown should be art gallery quality.

3. Choose a digital art gallery website to host your online art web page (see Resources below). Some are free, while others charge nominal annual fees. Many of these sites allow you to sell your work, and they don't take a commission.

4. Create an account with the site of your choice and upload your digital images. Make sure they are resized according to the site's requirements.

5. Write a biography for your digital art gallery. It should be concise and professional and can include background information, methods and materials used, and an artist statement. Browse other artists' sites online to get ideas.

6. Determine pricing for your artwork, if you wish to sell it. Look for other artist sites with comparable work and use that as a guideline. For more help in pricing your art, see Resources below.

7. Keep your gallery updated with recent work and information.

Fresh paint Snowmen On The Glass Jar

Create a winter holiday craft by painting a snowman on a glass baby food jar and placing a candle inside. You can reuse baby food containers, which would otherwise be thrown away, by making this environmentally-friendly craft. Make several of these snowman jars at once so that you can give them to people as gifts, or keep them for yourself and set up your collection of painted glass jars as a display in your home. The snowmen do not have to be packed away with the Christmas or holiday ornaments because snowmen can be displayed all winter long.

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the baby food jar to make sure that there is no leftover baby food in it.

2. Dip your paintbrush into the white paint. Paint three circles with the brush on the glass jar to represent the snowman. Fill in the circles with the white paint. Draw another snowman if you like, on the other side of the jar.

3. Dip your paintbrush into the black paint and paint three buttons on the snowman's front. Use your brush to also paint the stick arms that snowmen have. Paint the eyes and the mouth with the black paint.

4. Paint an orange carrot nose on the snowman.

5. Decorate the rest of the jar with white paint to create snow and snowflakes around the snowman.

6. Tie a colorful ribbon around the top of the jar and create a bow. Place the candle inside the baby food jar.

Write A Brief Manga Script

Manga, a Japanese form of graphic novel, are traditionally sold in paperback form, and are much thicker than a normal comic book or graphic novel. It features a particular art style that closely resembles the Japanese "anime" aesthetic of large eyes, small mouths and elaborate hairstyles. Manga is extremely popular in Japan, with long-running series marketed to every age and demographic. Due to the diverse readership, manga stories can come in any length or genre. Writing your own short manga script should be fun and simple.

Instructions

1. Brainstorm ideas for your plot, setting and characters. Think about what kind of story you want to write. Will it be happy, thoughtful, artistic, violent, funny or informative? How will the story be told--with a single narrator or many separate narrators? Will the story focus on a single main character, or tell many stories simultaneously? Where will the story be set? When will it be set?

2. Come up with a rough plot structure. Think of a solid introduction to the story that will serve as the beginning of your script. Decide on a few major dramatic elements that will serve as the action of your story. Pay attention to the chemistry between different characters when coming up with plot points. Drama is the core of storytelling, so be sure that there are plenty of problems for your characters to solve or overcome. Try to come up with a strong climax that can help lead your manga into a satisfying conclusion.

3. Write up character sketches to help you develop the characters in your story more completely. A character sketch is a document that contains all the important information about a character's personality and history. The more information you can include, the better. Write about the character's age, appearance and cultural background. Determine your character's socioeconomic status. Write about your character's strengths and flaws. Consider your character's dreams and phobias. All of these things will motivate a character to act in certain ways. Having well-developed characters will make your story more believable, and make it easier to write dialog that is true to the personalities you are attempting to portray.

4. Draft up a storyboard for the manga. A storyboard is a rough visual outline of the manga's plot. The storyboard should contain a frame for every major action sequence in the story. Manga is a a visual medium first and foremost. The imagery that accompanies every line of text is very important to the overall readability of the manga. A storyboard will allow you to tailor your writing to the specific imagery of each panel in the manga. Storyboarding is also important for gaining an understanding of the length and pacing of your novel.

5. Write dialog that is interesting and informative. Dialog is the main vector though which your readers will understand each character. The best dialog is both informative to the reader and interesting to read. Well-written dialog can increase the dramatic effect of a scene and help your reader develop an emotional connection to each character. Make sure that lines of dialog are consistent with the character sketches.

6. Proofread your work multiple times as you revisit it. Scan for spelling and mechanical issues as you proofread. Try to read all your writing aloud to see if it flows naturally. Enlist the aid of friends and family to provide feedback on the work as you finalize it. Actively seek criticism and input regarding any areas of concern. Ask for feedback on the plot and characters to ascertain if readers are understanding concepts in the way you intend them to.

Write An Example Thanks Note

Thank you note

Thank you notes convey a sense of appreciation from one person to another. These forms of communication can be very important in terms of letting someone know that their thoughtfulness is acknowledged and valued. Thank you notes can be simple yet meaningful. Understanding the format of a sample thank you note will help you to write your own personalized note when the occasion arises.

Instructions

1. Write a personalized greeting. Begin with "Dear" followed by the person's name and a comma.

2. Thank the giver for the specific item or favor. Include a detail or two so that the giver knows you recognize which gift she contributed. This is especially important in situations where you receive numerous gifts. You should say something like, "Thank you for the red and white set of towels that you gave us."

3. Mention how or why the gift is meaningful or useful. Write something along the lines of, "Those towels match our bathroom perfectly!"

4. Add a personal note. You might thank the person for attending your party or event, or you might allude to an upcoming occasion. An appropriate example might read, "Thanks so much for attending the shower. I can't wait to see you again when we get together for girls' night out!"

5. Restate your gratitude once more before ending the note. Be concise, as in the statement, "Again, thank you so much."

6. Include an appropriate closing before signing your name. You could use closings such as, "Love," "Sincerely," "Take care" or "Yours truly." Choose a closing that matches the level of closeness you share with the individual.

Build A Skill Display Easel

Display easels usually come in two different types: big, heavy easels for several hundred dollars or cheap unstable ones that topple from the slightest breeze. You can build your own quality display easel in one day or over a weekend. And, to save on cost, you don't have to use fancy wood finishes. They can be built using a quality hardwood instead of pine. You can even get the materials pre-cut at a hardware store for exact measurements. This will save you time and money.

Instructions

1. Build a center piece to support the easel with two slots (top and bottom rests). This allows for up and down movements to different positions. Mark the spot for the bottom slot (half an inch wide), which should be in the center of the wood running from 4 inches low to a high position of 45 inches from the bottom. Cut the slot using a drill hole of a half inch in diameter at the top and bottom of the wood. Cut out this 41-inch-long slot with a jigsaw (make sure the cut is accurate).

Now, mark the spot for the top slot from 48 1/2 inches to 66 1/2 inches in height from the bottom of the wood. Cut it out using the same method as for the bottom slot. Use the jigsaw to cut a rounded shape for the center support and sand the slots.

2. Adjust the two front legs by rounding them and use the top and bottom cross members. Glue the legs by first laying them on the floor. Make sure the bottom of the two legs are spread 21 3/4 inches apart and the top legs are 3 1/4 inches apart. Next, glue and screw brass screws into the bottom cross member and the two legs with the cross member 9 inches from the bottom of the legs. The top cross member should be glued and screwed 55 3/4 inches from the bottom of each leg. Draw a straight line across both legs using a straight rule. Cut off the excess wood below each line.

3. Glue the center support piece onto the center of the cross members with the bottom starting from the lowest part of the cross member. Make sure it is attached to the same side as the front legs to assure the piece is level.

4. Round the top of the back leg piece into a quarter circle. Cut a half-inch slot of 5 1/2 inches in height to 12 inches from the top into the back leg. The slot is for the sliding connector between the front and back pieces. Now, curve each top end of the back leg and cut a quarter-inch groove (three-quarter-inch wide) down the center and attach the back leg with screws and glue. Do the same to the bottom of the back leg. Next, attach two brass hinges, 1 1/2 inches long, to the top of the back leg connecting it to the top back support on the front of the easel.

5. Use small brass screws on the sides of the center support piece and a bolt to connect the front and back connectors to the back of the leg. Glue an extra piece of scrap wood on the back of each connector for added support.

6. Complete the main bottom and top supports. First, build the bottom support by taking one of the bottom rests three-quarter inches by 3 1/2 inches by 23 inches piece of wood and routing grooves into one side. Rout out all of the top of a second piece of wood, leaving a thin section at one side. Connect the three pieces together using glue and screws; and drill a hole through the center of all three. Insert a bolt through the hole in the main slot in the center support. Use the wing nut to tighten the bolt.

Make the top support rest by shaping the larger piece of top rest wood three-quarter inches by 2 1/2 inches by 9 inches and attaching a smaller piece, 1 1/2 inches in width, underneath it. Attach the shaped piece to the center support piece by drilling a hole, inserting a bolt and tightening it with the wing nut.

7. Sand, clean and wax the easel.

Create A Movie Teaser

You may not be ready to make a full-length feature movie, but you can still join the fun by making your own movie teaser, or trailer. A teaser is a short film that teases the audience with information about an upcoming film. Turn your great idea into a teaser and you can create great buzz about your movie.

Instructions

1. Start with the basics: a main character in a predicament. Most teasers start with the existing flaw or handicap that hampers the character from addressing the main challenge of the film. In the case of Godzilla, show Tokyo vulnerable to potential monster attack or the chaos on the ship when the unexpected monster appears.

2. Show the tension leading up to the main conflict. In Godzilla, this would include lots of shots of people on the phone, getting into tanks, running for the door or looking up and screaming.

3. Include an authoritative voice-over to tie it all together. Pick whichever friend of yours sounds the most like that voice-over guy on tape. Write down all the lines and have them practice until it sounds professional.

Tap Dance The Buck And Wing

The Buck and Wing (or Buck-and-Wing) was one of the forerunners of modern dance. It had its origins in a number of places: the sailor's hornpipe, Irish step dancing and clog dancing. In the 19th century, it was a staple of Vaudeville performers, such as Jimmy Doyle and Harland Dixon. The buck and wing also included the pigeon wing. Read this elearn tap the buck and wing yourself.

Instructions

1. Play music that's 2/4 time to dance the buck and wing. The original music that was played was a like a syncopated march.

2. Wear wooden shoes.

3. Push the ball of the foot across the floor and drop the heel. This you can do with some weight or less, depending on the sound you wish to make.

4. Make syncopated rhythms on the down beat of the music.

5. Add the pigeon wing aspect of the buck and wing by shaking one of your legs in the air as you're tap dancing.

6. Leap forward, kick your leg up high, and throw back your shoulders as you hold out your arms. Tap the back of the other calf with your foot after kicking, or kick the front of the leg in variation.

7. Hop on one foot and kick out the other foot.

8. Jump up from one leg, and use careful timing to make some taps with that foot before coming down with the other, non-tapping foot. Practice moving the non-tapping foot up and down, swinging it like a pendulum, and more.

9. Work on bringing up your speed as you do all of the above steps and add some steps of your own. The dance was known as a "fast and flashy dance usually done in wooden-soled shoes and combining Irish clogging styles, high kicks, and complex African rhythms and steps", so wild and have fun.

Art Welding Projects

Welding does not have to be a purely functional craft.

Most people think of welding as a practical trade. The traditional image of the welder is of a man welding together a car frame or a pipeline. However, welding is becoming a more common technique in the art world. Many modern artists and sculptors use welding to create magnificent metal works of art. When you embark into the world of welded art, you need to think about technique, materials, function and theme.

Function and Form

Some art projects are strictly decorative in their nature. They have no purpose other than to exist as art. If creating decorations doesn't interest you, weld some practical projects with a decorative flair instead. Projects such as a mailbox or a bicycle rack serve a function, but you can create them in a way that is individualized and artistic. The amount of creativity you put into it depends on your own welding experience and inspiration. Anyone with welding experience can put together a simple bike rack or mailbox. Your customization could range from a unique paint job to making your project out of interesting found materials instead of common steel. You could make a bird waterer out of an old flagpole base and a hubcap, for instance.

Found Materials

The right materials are crucial to welded art. Usually, metal sculpture is not created from plain rebar or steel. Instead, sculptors dredge junk-piles and salvage yards looking for inspiration in any shape or size. Engine parts, appliances, structural steel, old chains and more can all serve as inspiration when creating welded art. Part of the skill of a metal art welder is knowing enough metallurgy and welding technique to know securely join found materials made from diverse metals. Artistic welding beginner's projects should be made from metal that is not overly thick, as it can be difficult to work with. Also, lightweight metals, such as aluminum, can be difficult to weld without experience.

Thematic Ideas

Choosing a theme or basic idea for an art welding project is often the most important step. For example, western-themed art is a very common choice among welding artists. Horseshoes have been welded in almost every possible configuration as western-themed art projects, including the classic bookends where two shoes are welded together at a perpendicular angle. This is a beginner welding project that most budding metal artists try at least once. Many other artists choose other inspirations, and welded sculptures range from robot- and cyborg-inspired designs to completely random works of modern art.

Techniques

Welders use all types of equipment and welding methods when creating art. Choosing which one is right for any given welder will depend on budget and experience with various welding methods. Usually, welding art projects are created using arc welding or oxy-acetylene welding. Welding art creators aren't limited to welding as the only possible technique when creating art. Grinding, cutting, polishing and any other techniques that you can think of for working metal should be utilized to realize your vision.

Write An Invisible Play

Write a Radio Play

A radio play is much like a television show, but some people prefer the radio version as it allows the imagination to generate the images. The radio play may not be as popular as other modern forms of entertainment, but it still retains a loyal following. Writing a radio play is much less expensive than producing than a TV show, movie or live theatrical production.

Instructions

1. Write the radio play in the same format as a live theater play. Start with a setting, though create the setting with the sounds that are present in the background.

2. Create the characters, and give each plenty of dialogue to convey all of the information necessary to carry the story. Write in the specific voice inflections and accents that each character and block of dialogue has. Write in any special instructions such as whispering a line.

3. Instruct your characters speak in realistic speech patterns, rather than writing in alternating monologues. Script scenes that have characters who interrupt other characters and who interact in pitch and tone rather than simply speaking in turn.

4. Think about the types of instrumental music that can enhance the emotion of various scenes. Write your radio play script with specific scene music included in the notations.

5. Add in the sound effects that make the scene more realistic, humorous or emotional. Include the effects that are the most appropriate such as how loud or soft each sound should be. Use items from around the house to experiment with sound.

Write An Invisible Drama Script

Writing a radio drama is a great way to tell a story. A well-done radio play can be more vivid than any movie because it uses the imagination of the viewer. A radio show is also easier to put together than a movie, since all you need is basic recording equipment and sound effects.

Instructions

1. Figure out the central topic of your radio play. Radio drama can be about pretty much anything, but it has to be driven solely by dialogue, narration and sound effects. This makes plot-driven genres such as science fiction, adventure, suspense and mystery especially well-suited.

2. Create a protagonist and a few supporting characters. Because radio play has no visual reference, you'll want a lot of contrast in your characters. Having characters of different ages, genders, nationalities and subcultures with different ways of talking will broaden the appeal of your radio play and make it easier to follow.

3. Come up with a good central conflict. Does the protagonist have to catch a villain before he strikes again? Does he have to discover a way to escape from the strange planet where he has been stranded? Does he have to reconcile with a friend from whom he has been growing apart? Writing out a clear explanation of the central conflict will help you organize everything in your own head before you start writing the script.

4. Create a villain. Not every story has a villain per se, but a really evil antagonist gives your script that pulpy, over-the-top feel that made old-time radio so much fun.

5. Pick a script format for your radio drama. It really doesn't matter what format you use, as long as you have a standard way of writing dialogue, stage directions, sound effects and narrative.

6. Set the scene. Radio plays can create the scene using a narrator, a monologue, a dialogue, sound effects or a combination of the above. The important thing is to let the audience know where they are at the beginning. Within the first few minutes, they should know who the principal characters are, where they are and what they are doing.

7. Clearly introduce a plot element and place in each scene. The first scene might tell you that the protagonist is on a mission on board her starship, for example, and that she is searching for a ship that put out a distress beacon. The second scene might take place in the science laboratory of the vessel and introduce the character of the head scientist and his theory that the ship fell into a parallel dimension. By tying each scene to a place, event and character, you can, piece by piece, create a vivid world for the listener.

8. Incorporate sound effects whenever possible. Creaking doors, shrieking alarms and cavernous echoes really make radio more vivid. They help set the scene, raise suspense and hold the attention of the audience.

9. Wrap it up within 30 minutes. Although radio plays can take hours, don't set too big a task for yourself in the beginning. Keep the script tight, short and simple.

Write An Offer

Proposals have no mandatory structure or formula. In fact, the structure of a proposal is as varied as the interests of the granting organizations. The idea behind writing a proposal is to develop a partnership between a nonprofit organization and a foundation or corporation. This is necessary because nonprofits often have the vision to execute effective community programming but not the financial resources to carry it out. Proposals request funds for a myriad of needs, but good proposals generally include similar elements.

Instructions

1. Prepare an executive summary. This is the key element of your proposal. It should include the problem, the solution, the funding needed to support the programming and the history and qualifications of your organization. All the information needs to support your ability to effectively carry out the details of the proposal. Catch the reader's attention in this opening portion of the proposal so they have to read on.

2. Develop a statement of need. Use current and accurate statistics to support this statement. This section is a way to give the reader hope that the problem, if addressed, can have a positive outcome. Convince the reader that your project is better than any other project out there.

3. Create a project description. Include the objectives, methods, staffing, evaluation and sustainability of the project. Each part should seamlessly flow into the next. Give the reader an idea of what you plan to accomplish, how you plan on going about it, what depth of staff you need and how you plan to evaluate your progress throughout the project. In many ways, this should be looked at as the justification for your proposed budget.

4. Present a budget plan. Some organizations require a detailed budget, while others expect only an overview. Following the guidelines set forth by your lending organization, develop a budget plan that accurately reflects your project's funding needs.

5. Include your organization's resume. Describe the board that runs your organization and the activities its members participate in. Tie in how the organization's activities and culture directly reflect the goals described in your proposal.

6. Finish with a strong and persuasive conclusion. This is your final appeal for the proposal. It should recap what your organization hopes to do and why the funding is necessary. It might also explain what the desired outcome would be and how the project could continue into the future with additional funding.

Know If You Talk An Excessive Amount Of And How To Proceed Should You Choose

Once you recognize that you talk too much, you can take steps to stop doing it. Your friends will thank you.

Some people have trouble telling the difference between being a good conversationalist and talking too much. Unfortunately, not everyone is good at determining how much talking achieves a good balance. Once you recognize that you talk too much, you can take steps to stop doing it. Here is tell if you talk too much and what to do if you do.

Instructions

Tell if You Talk Too Much

1. Ask yourself if your conversations are balanced. Does your typical conversation provide a balance of how much each person is talking? If not, then you are likely talking too much.

2. Consider how much you learn about another person. If you cannot recall anything new that you learned from the conversation, then you probably talked too much.

3. Analyze your ratio of talking to listening. You should never dominate a conversation more than 75 percent of the time, with the goal being closer to 50 percent. If you are doing the vast majority of the talking during a conversation, then you are talking too much.

4. Pay attention to body language. Do people frequently break eye contact, cross their arms and gradually move away from you when you are talking? If so, then you are likely talking too much.

5. Think about how a conversation typically ends. Do people frequently interrupt you to tell you that they have to leave? If so, you might be talking too much.

What to Do if You Do

6. Recognize that you talk too much. You cannot fix a problem until you acknowledge that a problem exists.

7. Resolve to change. Decide that you are going to stop dominating conversations. Being aware of the problem and willing to fix it is half the battle.

8. Ask questions. When you have a conversation with another person, ask the person questions that are of interest to him.

9. Listen to the answers. Choose to focus on what the other person is saying instead of thinking about what you want to say next.

10. Pay attention to body language. The other person will tell you through her body language whether or not she is interested in what you are saying.

11. Pause during conversations before continuing with what you plan to say. This gives the other person the opportunity to respond or move the conversation in another direction.

12. Make an emotional connection. The key to any good conversation is connecting on an emotional level. Once you achieve an emotional connection, it becomes much easier to know when to talk and when to listen.

Generate A Office At Home Art Studio On A Tight Budget

You don't need a warehouse loft to have an art studio.

Depending on the city where you live, art studio rental fees can approach the cost of renting an entire apartment. Not only can setting up your own studio at home save money, but you will likely get more use out of a conveniently-located home studio than you would from a studio in a separate location. Although setting up an art studio in your home can take a day or two, it is well worth the initial time investment to have an affordable, convenient space to create.

Instructions

1. Choose a room for your home studio that is near a bathroom. This way you can save the cost of installing a studio sink. Keep a can of powdered bathroom cleanser such as Ajax or Comet and a sponge under the sink for convenient clean up.

2. Check yard sales for large, sturdy tables to use as studio furniture. If you are a painter, avoid spending money on expensive easels by working on small paintings directly on the wall, or by resting large paintings on old paint cans.

3. Plan for efficient storage. Many rooms in homes or apartments will feature clothing closets; use this space wisely. Remove the horizontal clothes-hanger bar, and line the interior of the closet with shelving for art supplies. To save money, make your own shelves out of cut 1-foot-by-6-foot boards, using wooden strips or L-brackets for supports.

4. Install window fans to provide ventilation. Avoid the cost of installing a professional ventilation system with strategically placed window fans. Ideally, you will be able to achieve cross-circulation with two windows; set one window fan on exhaust, and use a fan in another window to introduce fresh air. Wear a respirator when working with strong solvents.

5. Install economical lighting. Rather than paying for expensive halogen or direct-wired fluorescent lighting systems, install simple plug-in fluorescent lighting for a fraction of the cost. Replace the bulbs in your fluorescent lights with full-spectrum "natural light" fluorescent bulbs, available at any hardware store. Save even more money by keeping your lights unplugged when not in use.

6. Protect the room. Since you are converting a room in a house or apartment, you may need to convert it back at some point. However, there's no need to install expensive false floors over your existing floor. Simply cover the floor and walls with 4-millimeter plastic sheeting, and then cover the floor with an additional layer of canvas dropcloth. The plastic will protect the floor from incidental spills, and the canvas will keep the plastic from tearing.

Mute A Verizon Phone Throughout A Business Call

Blackberry phones come with a mute button on top.

While on a conference call, muting your phone is a great option. It allows you to listen to the conversation while you continue your work without having to worry about interrupting the talk with any noise you make. All Verizon phones come with a mute option, so you can continue listening but no one else can hear you.

Instructions

1. Dial in to the conference call. Some conference call services require a password, so type that in if required.

2. Press the mute button on the top of your Blackberry, if that is the model phone you have. Blackberry phones are designed for business people, so there is a button specifically for muting the phone during conference calls. It is on the top left of the phone.

3. Press the "Mute" button on the bottom of the touch-screen if you have a Droid device. The button automatically pops up when you dial any number.

4. Press "Options" on any other type of phone, then select "Mute."

Get Balance In Break Dancing

A strong core allows you to balance with one hand.

Break dancers need core strength to perform most of their moves. This core strength allows dancers to balance during some of their notable stunts, such as holding themselves up in the air with one hand or standing on their head. If you don't have good balance as a break dancer, you'll find yourself toppling over when attempting many of these moves. It's important to work on your core strength so that you have better control over your abdominal, back and pelvic muscles to perform successfully.

Instructions

1. Develop your abdominal muscles. Do sit-ups, crunches, V-ups, oblique crunches and ab twists every day to build strength in your stomach and back.

2. Practice planks and push-ups for arm and shoulder strength. Once you are comfortable doing regular planks and push-ups, challenge yourself by doing one-handed planks and push-ups. Try holding yourself in a half-push-up position, elbows bent, for 30 seconds to give yourself an even harder challenge.

3. Advance to handstands after your arm strength is developed. Perform handstands against a wall at first to practice your balance. Allow your core muscles to engage so that you can balance while your legs lift straight into the air. When you are comfortable in this position, practice handstands without a wall to help you balance. This is a true test of your balance and core strength.

4. Walk on your hands with your legs straight in the air. Position yourself in a handstand, bend your legs at the knee and take steps forward with your hands, while keeping your balance. This exercise will help you balance in break dancing.

5. Practice one break dancing move at a time. Get into the position slowly and engage your core muscles to balance your body. Stabilize your limbs by inching them off the ground or by lifting yourself up. When you feel yourself start to wobble out of position, identify what types of exercises you can do to train for that position.

Sfumato Painting Techniques

Sfumato, from the Italian word, sfumare, "to tone down" or "to evaporate like smoke", refers to a painting style which was coined by Leonardo da Vinci. Sfumato paintings can be recognized by the blending of colors and tones which are so subtle, the transition between shape and shadow cannot be perceived. The most famous example of this method of painting is da Vinci's, "Mona Lisa."

Color Palette for Sfumato Paintings

Mid-tone colors are the basis for this type of oil painting technique. The easiest selection of colors to work with comes from a palette of earth tones. Starting with neutral grays and browns for the under painting, glazes can then continue into a small range of earthy greens, blues and browns which all stay within a similar tonal range. These colors, if painted in a value scale would fall within the same narrow range almost creating a monochromatic feel.

For consistency, contrasting colors, complimentary colors and intense colored paints such as bright reds should be avoided. Black and white is used to help modify tones within the colors, narrowing the palette, yet offering some variation.

Sfumato artists tend to use dark umber browns to show the illusion of objects in the distance. Mixing umber brown and ultramarine blue paints will create an interesting variation on black.

Techniques

Painting in very thin layers of glazes over a solid under painting is the most effective way to create a smoky illusion. Glazes refer to oil paint that has been thinned down to a watery consistency. This can be achieved with a number of thinning vehicles, though linseed oil works very well. After the under painting is completely dry, the first layer of glaze is added and allowed to also completely dry prior to adding additional glazes.

Patience is the most important attribute to this technique of painting. Depending on the climate where the artwork is made, it may take several days for each layer to dry completely, which is the key to successful layering. It is suggested to work on several canvases at once for artists practicing this technique.

When painting facial features, there should be no outlines, and very little definition between shapes. Instead, distinctive features should be softly blended variations in tone and color. In the case of shadows, darker browns can be blended to show depth. Colors can be swapped to help with the illusion. Burnt umber and ochre can be used for lips instead of red. Moss green and burnt umber can be used for eyes in place of blues.

Filbert and fan brushes are ideal for blending out edges. Greater detail can be achieved using smaller brushes. Da Vinci was known to have painted upwards of 40 layers of glazes while painting "Mona Lisa." His painting technique was not typical short or long brush strokes; instead he used tiny dots to convey the minutest shadows.