Online workshops have become common in recent times with many opting for monthly subscriptions as well. Live demos are also given on social media sites, such as Instagram and Facebook. Whether it is playing guitar or learning how to paint in watercolor, taking online classes can be extremely useful. Here are some of the key benefits of taking online art classes:

1. Convenience

The art instructors typically give painting demonstrations every day in traditional workshops. Students attending such workshops have to absorb all the instructions and make sure that they remember them. Through online classes, the art instructors teach students in a video format that can be recorded.

Art students can use such recordings to practice what has been taught to them. Besides, they can do it whenever it is convenient for them. They can watch the video over and over again until they have perfected their lesson. These videos can be watched on any device of their choice, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Owing to such conveniences, many students prefer taking online art classes in recent times. They particularly benefit foreign students based in different corners of the world.

2. Value for money

As the online art classes don’t involve much infrastructure costs, they’re often provided at an affordable price. Institutions can also save on the accommodation facilities that they might have been providing for students and instructors. Transportation costs can also be avoided with the online art classes.

Conducting an art workshop in the traditional classroom setup can itself be an expensive affair. The cost can run from a couple of hundred dollars to more than a thousand. Online art classes also leave students with more time to spend with their loved ones.

3. Community

The experience of taking online art classes is quite a unique one. The traditional art workshops typically give you the chance to meet other art students on the same course. After the course is over, they might lose touch and never see each other again. Online art classes often lead to the creation of private groups or communities on social media.

Through such online communities, they can interact with each other, share their works, and stay inspired as well. These online communities of art students are also beneficial for announcing friendly competitions and planning meetups.

4. Inspiration

Online art classes are excellent when it comes to keeping the students inspired. They can stay in touch with their peers through their private online community or group. Every day, they’ll get to see some fresh new content, video demos, and image references.

As the videos are delivered to the students online, they can be stored and used multiple times. When the students are constantly exposed to art, they can always have their daily doses of inspiration.

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If you wish to try out this game, you’ll certainly need a mix of skill and good luck. Casinos Jungle is a great online casino platform that will give you some tips to win playing blackjack. You’ll need to beat the dealer by playing your cards right. By understanding how to play this interesting game you’ll get a step closer to maximizing your chances of winning.

How online blackjack works

Upon exploring some online casinos, you’ll see that there are different variations of blackjack. The rules in each of these varieties differ slightly from each other. What stays the same is the aim of online blackjack, which is beating the dealer by getting to 21. You need to achieve this without losing all your money. The closest hand will win if neither yours and nor the dealer’s hand amounts to 21.

How to play this game

1. Choose a table and place your bet

To get started, you’ll need to join a blackjack game online and select a table. The next step would be to set your stake. Each of the players then gets two cards with both of their faces up. The dealer gets two cards as well. In most variations of blackjack, one of the dealer’s cards will have its face up. The other card, which is often referred to as ‘the hole card’ will have its face down.

2. Check your ‘hand’

The dealer may only check for blackjack if the face-up card is an ace, 10, or face card. This also depends on the variation of blackjack being played. Your bet will be returned if the dealer also possesses a blackjack. This is called a ‘push’. If you’ve been dealt an ace and a picture card or 10, it is called blackjack or a natural.

This can fetch an instant payout, which would be 1.5 times your bet. It is based on the assumption that the dealer doesn’t get one as well.

3. Go ahead with your next move

It will be your time to make your next move if you don’t get a natural. You’ll need to decide whether to double down, split, take another card, or stick with what you have. This depends on your hand. You can usually take another card up to three times before you stand in a classic blackjack game.

What’s important for you to keep in mind here is that if you go over 21, you’ll go bust. The dealer finally reveals the hole card and makes the play when all players are ready.

4. Revealing the winner

You’ll win if your final hand is closer to 21 or if the dealer goes bust. The opposite would be true if you go bust or the dealer’s hand is closer to 21 than yours.

5. Collect your bounty if you’ve won

If you’ve won, you’ll get your winnings credited to your online casino wallet immediately. You can choose to carry on playing at the same table. Of course, you can also head to another table or try any of the other online casino games.

Some useful strategies

1. Use the basic strategy of blackjack

To learn about all the possible outcomes and situations in this game, you can use a blackjack strategy card. It will give you an outline, which will allow you to take the most beneficial decisions. Using the basic strategy of this game will give you a perfect mathematical solution to online blackjack. Such solutions minimize the edge of the house over the players and can result in positive and consistent results.

2. Set your betting limits

You can effectively avoid problem gambling if you use moderation in betting. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player of online casino games, it’s good to set daily betting limits. The limits set before beginning your blackjack session and staying within your bankroll is quite essential. It can give you success in the short-term as well as long-term.

3. Stick to your favorite game type

You might have your own favorite blackjack game, such as European Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, or Classic Blackjack. No matter what type is your favorite, you must stick to it. Playing the blackjack type you’re most comfortable with helps a lot, especially if you’re a new player. Deciding your favorite might involve familiarizing yourself with the rules and testing out the primary variations.

4. Stay away from distractions

You need to avoid all sorts of distractions while playing blackjack online. This will help you in making the correct decisions and boosting your chances of winning. No matter which game you’re playing, you need to be focused on it entirely during the gaming session.

5. Memorize the card rankings

To understand your next move while playing online blackjack, it’s important to memorize the card rankings. Kings, Queens, and Jacks are worth 10, while the aces are worth 11 or 1. The 2 to 9 cards that remain are worth their numerical value. When compared to poker, these are some of the differences you’ll find in blackjack’s card rankings.

6. Be cautious when choosing between ‘Hit’ or ‘Stand’

The moves in blackjack include hit, split, stand, surrender, and double down. Most outcomes are decided by chance when it comes to online blackjack. So, it would be a good idea to keep this in mind when deciding the possible moves to make.

All hard hands above 17 are stands. However, you’ll find different ways to play soft hands that include a 7 and an Ace. Usually, you hit a hand valued under a hard 8 and below a 17 against 7 or above. There are chances to Double Down good positions for the players as well. This includes a player 11 against a dealer 5 or 6.

When a player is dealt a pair, splitting occurs. Nevertheless, the pairs should not always be split. The option to surrender in blackjack might not be available in all online casinos. Despite this, it is important to surrender on 15s and 16s against the dealer’s 10 or Ace.

7. When splitting your hands, choose wisely

You should never choose to split your hands if you’re dealt a pair of 10s because the total is 20. This will give you a great opportunity to win. In online blackjack, players can split their hands and create multiple hands. You must always split 8s and Aces with other hands being split under certain circumstances.

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You’ll find these emotions etched on the walls, floors, doors, and windows as you explore them. You’ll be reminded of the many years of the artist’s toil while walking around in an art studio. Some of the art studios are architectural marvels as well. They have such beautiful architecture that you’d never want to go anywhere once you get inside them. Here, we’ve listed a few art studios that never fail to amaze art lovers:

1. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

This art studio explores the creative connections between various ideas and art forms. It was intended to provide inclusive art experiences in the city of Oklahoma that could also be easily accessible. The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center also crafts partnerships with several organizations and artists.

It does this to foster collaboration and exchange in an easy and hassle-free manner. This is a multi-disciplinary center that brings together some of the city’s largest employers and industries. Created by Rand Elliott Architects, it has also become a key landmark in Oklahoma city over the years.

2. Midden Studio

Located in Kintyre, Scotland, this art studio was created by Studio Weave. When you visit this studio, you’ll find that it is full of light despite its zinc exterior. Studio Weave, the London-based architecture practice described it as the lovechild of rock and manor. The architecture of Midden Studio draws its inspiration from the vernacular architectural buildings.

The art studio’s soffit lighting allows the artist to look through the floor at the flowing water. It has also drawn inspiration from the rocky granite landscape of its surroundings and Scottish Baronial style of architecture.

3. 77 Washington

Architecture practice Worrell Yeung ensured that much of the original history of 77 Washington was retained successfully. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this art studio was a former masonry factory in the 1920s. Worrell Yeung took on an ambitious project of creating several studios out of this six-story building.

The buildings adjacent to it were also a part of the project. To house artists and photography studios, Worrell Yeung restored the storefront openings by removing certain masonry walls. They filled the interiors of the studio with natural light. This created a strong presence visually at the street level.

4. Open Hearts Lisbon Cultural Space for the Arts

Open Hearts Lisbon Cultural Space for the Arts is an art studio that facilitates holistic learning and co-creation. It intends to promote innovation and healing practices through the arts. It is located in a narrow alley of Bairro Alto, a historic neighborhood. The studio is on the ground floor of a building that dates back to the 19th century.

This place was originally quite uninspiring, dark, and oppressive. AB + AC Architects incorporated intelligent lighting solutions into the art studio using natural materials. This resulted in the creation of this innovative studio with a warming color palette and a sense of calm.

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1. Stretch your canvas

If you’re using an unstretched or rolled canvas, you’ll need to stretch it before use. Of course, you can also get a pre-stretched canvas. It would be the most convenient choice, but an expensive investment. You’ll be ready to paint on such a canvas as soon as you unwrap it. A pre-stretched canvas also comes completely primed.

2. Prime your canvas

Unless you’re using a pre-stretched canvas that has been primed, you’ll need to do all the priming yourself. This is often done with ‘gesso’. It is a substance that functions exactly like the primer used when painting a house. Gesso can be used with oil paint, acrylic, or tempera.

It protects the fibers of your canvas and also makes the surface softer for working with paint. This helps protect your brushes and use less paint to create your masterpiece.

3. Prepare your canvas

Decide how you’re going to paint. You don’t need to worry about the rights or wrongs. Just set your canvas in an upright position or at a slight angle. You can also choose to keep it right next to your palette. Keep your brushes, water, palette knives, and other painting supplies ready.

4. Use the right brushes

Some brushes are designed specifically for painting with acrylic or oil paints. If you’re using any of those mediums, it would be a good idea to choose the brushes accordingly. Besides, they’re an appropriate choice for canvas painting. The delicate watercolor brushes won’t last long on the sturdy surface of your canvas.

5. Use a tonal background color to set the mood

A white background might not look good for a moody, stormy painting. You’ll need a greyish coat to give such paintings the desired effects. To set the right mood for your painting, consider applying a suitable tonal background color in addition to gesso.

6. Experiment with underpainting

Underpainting can add depth to your finished piece, although it’s not visible directly once done. This is a method of painting an outline and it is often done in an opposing color. Since you can use canvas for opaque paints, it gives you a chance to experiment with underpainting.

7. Play around with a medium

When you paint on a canvas, you get ample opportunities to experiment with a medium. You’ll have a variety of media to choose, ranging from oil paint to acrylic. Oil paint media can be used to create a matte or high-gloss finish. Acrylic can add body, texture, or gloss to your finished artwork.

8. Find a suitable spot to dry your canvas

Make sure that you have a safe space to dry your canvas before you start painting. Don’t leave it to dry on a paper or newsprint. Even a light touch to the paint may cause some serious damage. So, it is good to be mindful about where you’re setting your canvas to dry. If possible, go for a non-stick surface.

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Paintings are also a tangible and visual representation of the artist’s creative expression, cultural context, and historical significance. An art lover can interpret and appreciate it from different perspectives, making them a continuous source of inspiration, learning, and reflection.

Such artworks can transcend time and space as well, connecting people across cultures, generations, and boundaries. Here, we present some of the famous paintings that came from the renowned artists:

1. Blue Poles

Created by the renowned American artist, Jackson Pollock, Blue Poles is a brilliant work of abstract expressionism. It had the title ‘Number 11’ in 1952, but later became ‘Blue Poles’ in 1954. This work of abstract expressionism consists of long, thin drips of paint on a large canvas.

The painting is currently in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. It is a masterpiece of the abstract expressionist movement in art and among Pollock’s most famous works.

2. Marilyn Monroe

Andy Warhol came up with this timeless masterpiece in 1962. Marilyn Monroe is a series of silkscreen prints based on a publicity photograph of the world-famous actress. One can see the repetition of 50 images of Marilyn Monroe in different colors and compositions. The Marilyn Monroe series is one of Warhol’s most noted works. Many consider it as a monumental symbol of the pop art movement.

3. No. 6 (Violet, Green, and Red)

In 2014, No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) became one of the most expensive paintings to be sold at an auction. It was the creation of Mark Rothko, an abstract expressionist artist, who painted it in 1951. It consists of large, rectangular fields of color on a canvas. The painting was privately bought for €140 million by the Russian oligarch, Dmitry Rybolovlev.

4. Homage to the Square

Homage to the Square is a series of paintings by German artist and educator, Josef Albers. These paintings consist of squares of different colors arranged in a series of nested squares. The series explores the relationships between color, form, and perception. Homage to the Square is one of the landmarks in the development of abstract art. It has also influenced several generations of abstract artists.

5. Nighthawks

Nighthawks is a painting by the American realist painter, Edward Hopper. The painting was created in 1942 using oil on canvas. It depicts four individuals in a diner late at night. They include the diner’s patrons and a waiter. The painting is popular for its stark realism, mute colors, and ambiguous narrative.

Nighthawks is among Edward Hopper’s best-known works. It was sold to the Art Institute of Chicago within months of its completion for $3,000.

6. A Bigger Splash

A creation of the British artist, David Hockney, this pop art painting was created in California in 1967. It depicts a swimming pool, with a large splash of water disturbing its calm. A Bigger Splash dates back to the time of Hockney’s days as a teacher at the University of California, Berkeley.

It is famous for its bright colors, flat perspective, and playful composition. The painting was created with acrylic Liquitex as a medium on a white cotton duck canvas.

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There has been a renewed interest in sign painting and hand lettering. An artist chooses a particular type of painting based on a sound knowledge of paint characteristics and aesthetics. Some types of painting require advanced technical skills while others are easy for artists of all levels. Here, we’ll take a look at four types of painting that are preferred by most artists:

1. Watercolor painting

Watercolor paintings are created using watercolor paints that are soluble even in their dry state. Such paintings are typically done on paper. Watercolors are made using pigments that are suspended in a water-based solution. The biggest benefit of watercolor paintings for artists is that rectifications can be done even when the painting is dry.

However, the finished works of art that use this medium need some careful protection. The watercolor artists use many different techniques to create varying styles of art. They include washed-out landscapes and realistic portraits.

2. Oil painting

Many artists use oil paints because of their thick consistency, which produces some fantastic textured effects. Artists have been using this medium for centuries to create their masterpieces. As it has a long drying time, the artists can take their time to produce some excellent oil paintings.

It can be quite messy to create oil paintings despite the benefits. Oil paints may contain certain toxic elements and requires handling with much care. Oil paintings are among the most popular types of paintings and the artists love them for their rich colors.

3. Acrylic painting

Acrylic paints are water-soluble and dry immediately. They’re both cost-effective and non-toxic. These are some of the qualities that make acrylic paintings a favorite of many artists. They also get to choose between a wide range of acrylic paints with regards to drying time and texture. Acrylic paintings are not prone to yellowing or cracking of paints, making them a better option compared to oil paintings.

With diverse acrylic paint techniques, the artists can also have good flexibility in the final appearance of their paintings. When acrylic dries on the canvas completely, it is water resistant. However, when it is damp, the acrylic paint is water-soluble. This makes it easy for the artist to clean it up.

4. Pastel painting

The most popular types of pastels are chalk-based soft pastels and oil-based waxy pastels. Pastel paintings have been popular since the 16th century. As the pastel paintings are fragile, their framing is usually under glass. The artists need not worry about any drying time in case of pastel paintings.

This is why many often call them ‘dry paintings’. Water-soluble pastels are also available for artists seeking a watercolor-type effect. Pastels are mostly available in a stick form and are popular with many artists across the world.

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You’ll be pinching the clay between your forefinger and thumb most of the time. At certain stages, you might also need to compress the clay between your thumb and fingers. Here are the basic steps involved in creating some wonderful pinch pottery:

1. Roll your clay into a ball-like shape

Rolling your clay into a ball would be an ideal way to get started. The amount of clay would greatly depend on the size of pinch pot you want to make. It is good to be aware that much hard work is involved in pinching a large amount of clay. Even more tricky is to pinch large amounts of clay into an attractive, even form.

2. Start pressing with your thumb

With one of your hands cupped, support the ball of clay. Press your thumb into the ball’s center and keep pushing. Soon, you’ll begin to feel the push of your thumb in the supporting hand. However, make sure that your thumb doesn’t get right through. The thickness of the clay needs to be ideally about one-third of an inch.

3. Start pinching out the pot’s walls

With your forefinger and thumb, start to pinch out the pot’s walls. You must keep your thumb and fingers reasonably straight in this process. This will ensure that you’re pinching the clay ball’s overall depth. Pinching with just the tips of your fingers would cause a thin band around the pot’s base.

Its wall will also be shaped. Upon pinching a section of the pot, turn the clay and pinch the next section. Keep the pinching and turning process going.

4. Check the walls for even thickness

Check if the pot’s base is a bit thicker than the other parts. If it is thicker, you can drag some of the clay up the walls from the bottom of the pot. This can be done easily by using the tips of your fingers.

5. Leave the pot to firm up

You must leave the pot to firm up once you’re satisfied with its thickness, shape, and size. Keep the pot upside down with its rim resting on a wooden plate. Leave it there until the clay becomes leather-hard. The best thing to do would be to cover the pot with a plastic bag and leave it overnight. Allow it to become a little more firm by removing the plastic in the morning. Make sure that the pot doesn’t get too hard and dry.

6. Tidy up the pot

You must be absolutely sure that the clay is firm enough to handle without losing shape. When you’re assured of its firmness, tidy up the inside and outside surfaces of the pot. You can do this by using a platter tool. If you don’t have such a tool, use the back of a dessert spoon.

A clay shredder can be a good tool to smooth down the outside surfaces of the pinch pot. Remove the serrated texture on the clay using a metal potter’s rib. After running it over the surface, your pot will have a smooth finish. You can then use a damp piece of chamois leather to clean the pot’s rim.

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Although, you’ll come across very few potters today, the ancient art still continues. In recent times, pottery involves more advanced and delicate materials such as glass and marble. You may not be using clay pots today, but you’ll find artists who practice pottery as an art.

Many aspiring artists are taking a lot of interest in pottery and are trying to learn it. If you’re one of them, you’d want to take some pottery lessons as well. Here are some of the top websites that will help you learn this art online:

1. SkillShare

This is one of the most popular online learning platforms in the world today. It offers you a unique interface and teaching methods that are interactive and fun. Through this website, you’ll be able to learn any type of skill within the comforts of your home.

The best part of this site is its distinct module. It not only offers premium learning content, but also has some quality content that you can access for free. You’ll need to sign up for premium membership and pay for the subscription to access all the courses listed on SkillShare at once. Unlike most of the other websites, SkillShare offers you a two-month trial period.

This gives you the chance to check out their courses and teaching methods extensively. It will help you know if they work for you. There are a number of fabulous courses for pottery on this website. They cover a wide range of skills and other essential techniques for mastering the art of pottery.

2. Udemy

Udemy covers the most diverse range of topics in its elaborate courses. So, it won’t be a problem for you to find the course in pottery you’ve been looking for. The courses listed on this website are extremely useful, whether you’re a beginner or at an advanced level. You’ll find courses in pottery that allow you to learn the art, helping you identify certain mistakes in the process.

Once you become aware of the mistakes you’re making, you’ll certainly avoid repeating them. These courses also come with a lot of assistance from the instructor. Among such courses listed on this site is the wheel-thrown pottery for beginners.

Others include the fundamentals of wheel pottery and personalizing your work with the use of colors. Given below each of the listed course would be the duration. It helps you in scheduling your study in an appropriate manner. Besides, you only need to pay for the course you want to learn.

3. Reed

Known for its authentic content, Reed is a UK-based website for online learning. It makes formal learning a lot more convenient and facilitates continuing professional development (CPD). With the help of Reed, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from the experts firsthand.

It also has a dedicated section for career advice, which gives you some valuable insights and guidance. This helps you in taking your career to greater heights. You’ll come across a variety of pottery courses on this site. They’ll connect you to the cultural roots of this age-old art.

The strict quality standards of this website is yet another feature worth mentioning here. The listed courses have been described in detail on the site, thus helping you make the right choices.

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With the gradual progression of the history of arts, these studios have also evolved significantly. Today, they’ve become a place for planning, development, professional meetings, and negotiations. Moreover, an art studio has also become a matter of great prestige for the artist owning it.

When you visit one of the art studios, you’ll feel an overwhelming presence of the artist. You can even get to see them work in these spaces if you’re lucky. Art studios always have something new to offer every time you visit them. They’re indeed a wonderful place to explore some excellent works of art and the artist’s character as well.

The earliest days of art studios

Many talented artists worked within the monasteries during the Middle Ages. While they came up with some brilliant pieces of art, everything that they created had a reference to God and religion. Some wealthy individuals sought to end the influence of the religious institutions on arts and artists. They wanted to have a say on what artworks looked like and what they needed to depict.

Thus, the art studios sprung up at the beginning of the Renaissance period. Soon, they became sanctuaries for the artists’ enthusiasm and motivation. They became a reminder of the artists’ working habits and how painstakingly they made the artworks.

Art studios during the 17th and 18th centuries

In the 17th century, studios began to attract curious art lovers. They were the ones with an urge to see the great talents at work. According to Leonardo da Vinci, an artist studio were to be smaller in appearance. In his opinion, large studios often distracted the mind, while small rooms disciplined it. Many great forms of art came up during this period, such as murals, portraits, and altarpieces.

Such works were commissioned from artists by the patrons to use them as symbols of their financial status. The 17th century saw the introduction of terms such as ‘studiolo’ and ‘bottega’. The former meant a room separated from the rest and used by the artist for contemplation. The use of the latter was for describing a workroom.

Both these spaces were often located inside the same art studio. A number of art students were hosted in bottegas. Antony Van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens were some of the renowned masters who taught in such bottegas. In the 18th century, such studios became more secretive, where the most talented artists were engaged in their artistic endeavors.

The 19th century art studios

With the founding of Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1816, things changed considerably. It soon launched its exhibition program called ‘salons’. These shows were frequently organized and supported the academic production of art. The critics and enthusiasts were also involved in this process. Soon, the salons became major events in Europe.

The industrial revolution in the 19th century resulted in several innovations made in the field of art. Paint became readily available in tubes made of aluminum. Some portable artistic tools such as easels and brushes were manufactured as well.

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