#acrylic paint brush set

[ayushpaper]

Guiding Your Brush: Tips for Successful Painting on Black Canvas

When delving into the realm of black canvas painting, artists embark on a distinctive journey encompassing both challenges and rewards. The act of painting on black canvas introduces a departure from the conventional white or light-colored surfaces, inviting the exploration of contrasting colors and the creation of strikingly dramatic effects. Just as a seasoned artist meticulously curates their array of tools, the selection of canvas emerges as a pivotal determinant in the composition’s ultimate brilliance. This is precisely where Ayush Paper, acclaimed for its unwavering commitment to excellence and the fulfillment of artists’ requisites, takes center stage. Within this context, the significance of the right canvas, including their specially tailored acrylic painting canvas, becomes indisputable in elevating the zenith of your creative ventures.

Though it may initially appear formidable, the act of painting on a black canvas holds the potential to yield truly enchanting creations when approached with adept techniques and the appropriate mindset. Throughout the course of this article, we shall delve deep into the enchanting domain of black canvas painting, offering a wealth of invaluable tips curated to ensure your artistic accomplishments flourish. Here’s some insight from Ayush Paper.

Understanding the Allure of Black Canvas Painting

Before delving into the intricacies of painting on black canvas, let’s pause to bask in the captivating charm and enchantment it lends to your creative journey. A black canvas emerges as an enigmatic backdrop, amplifying the brilliance of hues set upon it. The profound juxtaposition between dynamic pigments and the profound obsidian surface has the power to evoke a dramatic depth of emotion that remains unmatched. From the portrayal of otherworldly galaxies to the depiction of vibrant urban nocturnes, a black canvas becomes the gateway to an infinite realm of creative prospects.

Selecting the Right Materials

Embarking upon the journey of black canvas painting underscores the vital significance of meticulously choosing the appropriate materials. Your selection of materials becomes an integral partner in transforming your artistic vision into tangible reality. Opting for top-tier paints and brushes becomes your guiding light in this endeavor. Acrylic paints, with their rapid drying properties and vivid chromatic rendition, stand out as an exceptional choice. Furthermore, their affinity for adhering seamlessly to the black canvas empowers you to delve into a myriad of innovative layering techniques. Ensuring a well-rounded toolkit, it’s advisable to invest in a diverse array of brushes tailored to your unique style, spanning from bold and sweeping strokes to intricate and delicate detailing.

Priming the Black Canvas

Establishing a strong foothold for your artwork, priming the black canvas emerges as a pivotal undertaking. This step paves the way for the creative journey that follows. By applying a coat of gesso or a white acrylic paint, you establish a foundational layer that accentuates the vibrant presence of colors. Beyond this, the act of priming bolsters the bond between the canvas and the paint, serving as an assurance of your masterpiece’s enduring vitality. Executing this phase calls for the application of smooth and uniform brushstrokes to ensure an impeccable surface. To optimize results, grant the primer ample time to thoroughly dry before embarking on your painting voyage.

Harnessing the Power of Contrast

The secret to creating captivating black canvas paintings lies in how you use differences to your advantage. These differences, called contrast, involve the mix of bright and dark areas in your artwork. On a black canvas, colors really pop, creating an exciting blend of shadows and bright spots. Try mixing colors that are opposites on the color wheel – like vivid yellows and oranges against the black – to make eye-catching scenes that grab people’s attention.

Playing with Light and Shadows

Shadows take on a new dimension when painting on a black canvas. They become more pronounced and dramatic, contributing to the overall depth of your artwork. When adding shadows, consider the direction of your light source and the way it interacts with the subjects in your painting. By strategically placing highlights and shadows, you can achieve a three-dimensional effect that brings your artwork to life.

Embracing the Ethereal

Painting on a black canvas lets you dive into the imaginative and magical parts of your creativity. Picture a dark sky sparkling with stars or a mysterious forest covered in shadows. The black backdrop can help your art blend perfectly with what you’re creating. This technique can add a dreamy and unreal feeling to your artwork, catching people’s interest and encouraging them to discover the wonders of your imagination.

Incorporating Texture for Depth

Adding texture gives your artwork an interesting touch that you can feel. When using a black canvas, textures become even more noticeable, catching the light in fascinating manners. Try out techniques like impasto or using palette knives, and you can even get creative with different materials to create raised areas that make shadows and highlights pop. The mix of textures against the black backdrop can make your artwork visually exciting and engaging.

The Magic of Metallics

Imagine metallic paints as precious treasures on a black canvas. These paints have a special shine that really stands out against the dark background. Colors like gold, silver, and bronze can make your artwork feel rich and fancy. Whether you’re painting a night sky full of stars or a detailed piece of jewelry, the way metallics and black work together makes a bold and exciting contrast.

Patience and Layering

Creating art on a black canvas usually needs patience and adding layers. Because black is strong, getting bright colors might need many layers. Let each layer dry before you put on the next one, and slowly make your colors stronger. It might take more time, but the depth and richness you get will totally be worth it in the end.

Adding a Splash of Color

Even though the charm of black canvas painting is in its darkness, don’t hesitate to bring in a pop of color to make things stand out. Just one bright detail against the black can really catch the eye. Think about adding a glowing moon in a night-time sky or a colorful flower in a secretive garden. This trick grabs people’s attention and adds an extra layer of interest to your art.

Black Canvas Painting: A Journey of Creativity

To wrap up, stepping into the realm of painting on black canvas is a voyage filled with both difficulties and benefits. It’s a chance to step outside the norm and delve into the depths of your artistic creativity. By getting the hang of contrast, embracing the dreamy, and experimenting with light and shadows, you can create artworks that genuinely capture attention.

As you set off on your journey into black canvas painting, keep in mind the importance of picking top-notch materials that let you bring your vision to life. Feel free to try out various methods, textures, and color choices. While the process might need some patience and layering, the end outcome will beautifully reveal the depth and passion of your artistic expression.

Therefore, whether you’re a seasoned artist aiming to broaden your creative horizons or a newcomer brimming with enthusiasm to delve into a fresh medium, take that step forward and let your brush glide across the captivating expanse of a black canvas. Set your imagination free, welcome the enigma of the dark backdrop, and craft artworks that radiate vividly against the backdrop of the night.

In the world of art, the canvas is where you hold sway, and the brush serves as your trusted companion. Allow the enchantment of the black canvas from Ayush paper to spark your creativity, propelling you to forge masterpieces that imprint a lasting legacy in the world of creativity.

[puppyeared]

Gaspard et Lisa drip

[01alxg]

13. 'WAKE'

[two-calicos-in-a-trenchcoat]

This is the most expensive paint I own now

[artrightofficial]

Art Right's drawing brush set includes a variety of high-quality brushes designed for artists of all levels. Each brush features durable bristles and comfortable handles, making them perfect for detailed work, sketching, and painting. Elevate your creativity with our versatile set tailored for precision and control.

[zionmantis]

Hoooo boy. It's finally finished. This only took me eight months to paint. T.T

Disco Elysium is soooo good y'all; I feel like I'll never give it the credit it deserves.

I'm not even sure it's finished, but I'm just going to set this down now, though.

Clip studio paint and a ton of downloaded watercolor and acrylic brushes.

Let me know if you want me to pull out any closeups or anything

[kingsframingartstore]

It can be challenging to choose the perfect "artist acrylic or oil paintbrushes". Having too many options from numerous good brands can often make a decision incredibly challenging. The type of brush can influence the texture and quality of your artwork. 

[pleasantboatpress]

so, you wanted to start bookbinding?

so @princetofbone mentioned on my post for "factory settings" about wanting to know more about the binding style that i used for it. so i thought i might make a post about it.

i was as terrible as i always am for taking in progress shots, but i can link you to the resources i used in order to make my book. i would also like to point out that "factory settings" is my 120th bind, and i have been doing bookbinding as a hobby for just over 3 years now. unfortunately this means some of the methods that i used for that bind aren't particularly beginner friendly, just in terms of the tools and methods i have used, but i would love to point you in the right direction when it comes to resources. i dont say this to sound pretentious which i fear i might come across, just so that youre fully informed. getting into this hobby is fun and rewarding, but it can definitely be intimidating.

with that caveat, heres a list of links and resources that i have used for bookbinding in general, with additional links to methods i used specifically in regards to this bind.

ASH's how to make a book document. it gives you a great introduction into typesetting fics (where you format the text of fics to look like a traditionally published books) and then turning them into a case-bound book (the style i used for "factory settings"). it is comprehensive, and explains how to use microsoft word to do your bidding. it was invaluable to me when i was just starting out! currently i use affinity publisher to typeset/format my fics for printing, but i only bought and learned how to use that after i had been binding books for a year and a half. i made some beautiful typesets with word, and some of my close friends use it still and design stuff that i never would be able to in my wildest dreams (basically anything by @no-name-publishing)

DAS Bookbinding's Square Back Bradel Binding. a great style to do your first bind in! this method requires, when making the case, to attach the cover board and the spine board to a connecting piece of paper, which makes it so much easier to match the size of the case to the size of the text block (your printed out and sewn fic). using this method is what allowed me to get much more accurately fitting cases, and made me much more confident with the construction of the books i was making. a well-made book is something that is so wonderful to hold in your hands!

DAS Bookbinding's Rounded and Backed Cased Book. This is the specific method that i used to create my bind for "factory settings"! even before i could back my books, i found that watching DAS's videos in particular helped me see how books were traditionally made, and i was able to see different tips and tricks about how to make nicer books.

Book Edge Trimming Without... i trim the edges of my text block using my finishing press and a chisel i have sharpened using a whetstone and leather strop with buffing compound on it. i follow the method for trimming shown in this video!

Made Endpapers. i follow this method for my endpapers, as i used handmade lokta endpapers, and they can be quite thin, but they look beautiful! i used "tipped on" endpapers (where you have your endpaper and then put a thin strip of glue on the edge and attach it to your text block) i used for a very long time before this, but these feel like they are much more stable, as they are sewn with your text block.

Edge Sprinkling. this is the method that i used for decorating the edges of my text block. but the principle is basically clamping your text block tight and then sprinkling the edges. i do not believe you need to trim the edges in order to do sprinkles on the edges, and that's what makes it accessible! i personally just use really cheap acrylic paint that i water down and then flick it onto the edges with my thumb and a paint brush.

Double-Core Endbands. i sew my own endbands, which i followed this tutorial for. that being said, it's kind of confusing, and this video is a bit easier to follow, but it is a slightly different type of endband.

Case decoration. i used my silhouette cameo 4 to cut out my design for "factory settings" in htv (heat transfer vinyl). i also used my cameo 4 to cut out the oval of marbled paper on the front, as i honestly didn't want to try my hand at cutting an oval lol. i also glued some 300 gsm card with an oval cut out of the centre of it onto the cover before covering it with bookcloth, to get a kind of recess on the cover. i then glued the oval of marbled paper onto the top of the recessed area once it was covered with bookcloth, so that it was protected. the images i used were sourced from a mix of rawpixel, canva and pixabay. a more accessible way to get into cover decoration is by painting on a design for your cover as described in @a-gay-old-time's tutorial just here. or even doing paper labels, which look classy imo.

physical materials. sourcing these will depend on your country. i am located in australia, and have compiled a list with some other aussie bookbinders of places to buy from. here is a great post describing beginning materials for getting started binding.

@renegadepublishing. this tumblr is great! its what got me started bookbinding, and being in the discord has been inspiring, motivating, and honestly just one of the best online experiences i have ever had. it is full of resources, and most people in there are amateur bookbinders, with a couple of professionals thrown in. the discord is 18+, and anyone can join!

i'm sorry this post got so long, but i hope that this has a lot of information for you if you would like to get started bookbinding. its one of the best hobbies ive ever had, and i genuinely believe i will have it for the rest of my life.

[introloves]

can we puh LEASE get a drabble or a one shot on that gojo undercut thing u posted im beggin on my hands AND knees 🙏🙏

you knew he wanted something from you. you could feel it in the way he folded his frame down against yours. borderline suffocating, a malformed pout stretched across his face while humming against your neck.

“what is it.” you wondered, tapping away on your laptop without so much as paying him any attention- wounding him further.

he scoffed, wondering how you could be so cruel considering the fact he was dying. his eyes painted against the sheen of gloss painted over your newly done nails.

pink.

they were pretty and pink, and oddly resembling a part of him you just loved sucking on. his ego absolutely through the roof with that fact. you hadn’t put up your usual fight when he suggested the color brushed over that acrylic.

“nothing.”

a lie.

he himself knew what he wanted, but he never gave it up easy. choosing instead to wander away from the back of the couch you were so prettily purchased on. walking to stand directly in-front of you- the laptop screen doing nothing to block the majority of his body. tight shirt tucked into sweats that were hung a little too low for your tastes to be casual.

eyebrow raising and huffing with the hint served on a silver platter before you. smiling knowingly while closing the device and setting it aside.

opening yourself up to receive the heavy weight of his body, an exclaimed huff of air leaving you when his arms braced your body. engulfing them with ease- face planting first into your chest and groaning like he’d just found nirvana.

lifting his face to really show up that pout. letting those arms wrapped around you leave the circumference of you to grab at your wrists and plant them firmly against the shortened hair laying against the lower part of his head.

giggling when you finally got the unspoken hint. taking those newly manicured nails and raking them through the translucent hair.

“nothing, huh?” you teased, finding it easy to follow along to his whims. it was him who had paid a pretty penny for your current set after all.

answered with only a groan- eyes shut tight while you traced your initials into the hair there.

a vein prominent along the curve of his jaw with the force of his clenching teeth, something inside of him purring with the fact that you were so well taken care of.

taken care of on his money, with the color of his cock head painted on your nails.

shamelessly moving his face to nestle further against you, hands grabbing at you with an intensity not in proportion to your actions. wondering why the singular act of you running the tips of your styled nails across the short hair of his undercut had him reacting like this.

“satoru?” you inquired when his breathing nearly heaved while he let the full weight of him lay against you. answered with another near incoherent hum.

“is this okay?” words giggled sounded just a little teasing- but you truly wondered if this was fine. you’d never seen his body react in this fashion- not unless he was buried deep inside of you.

and with that realization, it seemed like a veil had been pulled from your eyes. looking over the curve of his back, over the defined planes, and watching the shifting of his hips against the couch cushions.

glossy lips pulled into something that resembled a smile before bringing your nails back and running them over the surface with just a little more pressure. making sure to watch for any shift in his demeanor.

barking out a bell of a giggle when his body tensed, coils of muscle wound tight and with an intensity that would have scared anyone that wasn’t you.

“feels good?” you wondered, and he could only nod. looking up and marveling at the pretty face smiling down at him. choosing to stretch himself back up to his full height. looming over you with that same intensity highlighted seconds previous.

“yeah, that feels good baby.” satoru huffed, letting you see for yourself when those horrible, teasing, wonderful sweats detailed the throbbing outline of his cock.

“do you wanna feel good?” he wondered, not letting you answer before tugging down the front of his waistband. finding it funny how close in color the pink tip of his matched your fingernails.

[ghostickle]

I have a giant random assortment of so many things cause anytime I’m bored or feel bad my immediate response is “I need a new hobby” and yk suddenly u have three travel watercolor pallets and u don’t even like watercolor

[ayushpaper]

Exploring The Versatility of Acrylic Painting Canvas: A Comprehensive Guide

Acrylic painting is an exciting way to express your creativity and bring vibrant colours to life on canvas. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of acrylic painting canvas and discover its versatility. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, Ayush Paper guide will help you understand the ins and outs of using acrylic paint on canvas.

Understanding Acrylic Painting Canvas: A Solid Foundation for Your Art

Acrylic painting canvas serves as the foundation for your artistic journey. It’s the surface on which you’ll create your masterpiece. Acrylic canvases come in various sizes and shapes, allowing you to choose the perfect canvas for your vision. The texture of the canvas can vary as well, from smooth to rough, giving you even more creative control over the final look and feel of your artwork.

Advantages of Acrylic Painting Canvas: Why Choose Acrylic?

Acrylic paint has gained popularity among artists for several compelling reasons. When applied to canvas, acrylic paints offer a range of advantages that enhance both the painting process and the final outcome:

Durability and Longevity: One of the key benefits of using acrylic paint on canvas is its durability. Acrylic paint adheres well to the canvas surface, creating a strong and lasting bond. This means that your artwork can withstand the test of time, and you can enjoy your creations for years to come without worrying about fading or deterioration.

Vibrant Colors: Acrylic paints are renowned for their vibrant and intense colours. When applied to canvas, these colours appear bold and striking, instantly capturing the viewer’s attention. Acrylics have the ability to retain their vividness even after drying, allowing you to achieve a captivating visual impact in your artwork.

Quick Drying Time: Unlike oil paints, which can take days or even weeks to dry, acrylic paint dries relatively quickly. This fast drying time opens up opportunities for layering colours, experimenting with different techniques, and making changes on the canvas without the need for extended waiting periods. This efficiency in drying also makes acrylics a favourite among artists who prefer to work on multiple pieces concurrently.

Texture Possibilities: Acrylic paints offer incredible versatility when it comes to texture. Depending on your desired effect, you can apply acrylics thinly for a smooth finish, or you can use impasto techniques to create thick and textured brushstrokes that add depth and dimension to your art. This textural flexibility enables artists to convey emotions and details in unique and captivating ways.

Versatility in Techniques: Acrylic paints accommodate a wide range of techniques, making them suitable for artists of varying skill levels. Whether you’re interested in the fluidity of watercolour-like washes, the layering potential of oils, or the boldness of opaque colors, acrylics provide the perfect medium for experimentation. From wet-on-wet blending to controlled brushwork, artists can explore an array of techniques to achieve their desired effects.

Preparing Your Acrylic Canvas: Tips for a Smooth Start

Properly preparing your canvas sets the stage for a successful acrylic painting experience. Here are some important steps to consider before you start creating:

Canvas Priming: Many acrylic canvases come pre-primed, which means they have a layer of acrylic gesso applied to the surface. This pre-priming provides a smooth and consistent surface that’s ready for painting. However, if you’re working with an unprimed canvas, it’s advisable to apply a layer of acrylic gesso to create a suitable base for your paint.

Surface Preparation: Before you begin painting, take a moment to ensure that your canvas is clean and free from dust, debris, or any previous residues. A clean surface guarantees better paint adherence and prevents unwanted particles from affecting the final appearance of your artwork. If you find that the canvas surface is too rough, you can lightly sand it to achieve a smoother texture.

Choosing Brushes and Tools: The choice of brushes and painting tools can significantly influence the outcome of your acrylic painting. Acrylic brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each suited to different techniques. Round brushes are ideal for detailed work, flat brushes are great for broad strokes and layering, and fan brushes can create interesting texture effects. Additionally, don’t hesitate to experiment with palette knives, sponges, and other unconventional tools to achieve unique textures and effects in your artwork.

Acrylic Painting Techniques for Canvas: Getting Creative

Now that you’ve prepared your Acrylic Painting Canvas and selected your tools, it’s time to explore various acrylic painting techniques. These techniques allow you to create diverse visual effects and styles in your artwork:

Layering Colors: Acrylic paint’s quick drying time makes it ideal for layering colours. Start with lighter colours as your base and gradually build up to darker hues. This layering technique adds depth and dimension to your artwork, giving it a sense of realism and vibrancy.

Blending and Gradients: Acrylic paints can be blended together seamlessly to achieve smooth transitions between colours. The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint onto a wet surface, allowing colours to blend naturally. This technique is perfect for creating gradients and subtle colour shifts in your artwork.

Impasto and Texture: If you enjoy adding texture to your paintings, acrylics offer the ideal platform. Impasto is a technique where thick layers of paint are applied to the canvas, creating a three-dimensional effect. Palette knives are commonly used for impasto work, allowing you to sculpt and shape the paint for added texture and visual interest.

Dry Brushing: Dry brushing involves using a relatively dry brush to apply paint onto the canvas. This technique creates a textured and scratchy appearance, which can be particularly effective for depicting surfaces like rough tree bark, stone, or weathered wood.

Sgraffito: Sgraffito is a technique where you scratch into a layer of wet paint to reveal the underlying layer. This technique can be used to create intricate designs, patterns, or even text within your artwork.

Sealing and Finishing Your Artwork: Preserving Your Creation

After you’ve completed your acrylic painting on canvas, it’s important to protect and preserve your masterpiece for years to come. Applying a clear acrylic varnish is a recommended step to ensure the longevity of your artwork:

Choosing the Right Varnish: Acrylic varnishes are available in various finishes, including gloss, satin, and matte. Select a varnish that aligns with your desired final appearance. A gloss varnish enhances colour vibrancy and provides a shiny finish, while a matte varnish offers a subdued and glare-free surface.

Application: Apply the varnish evenly using a soft brush, ensuring smooth coverage over the entire canvas. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for application, drying times, and the number of coats needed.

Protecting Against UV Light and Dust: The primary purpose of varnishing is to protect your artwork from environmental factors such as UV light and dust. UV light can cause colours to fade over time, while dust particles can settle on the canvas and affect its appearance. A quality varnish acts as a protective barrier, shielding your artwork from these potential hazards.

Final Thoughts

Acrylic painting on canvas opens up a world of possibilities for artists of all levels. Whether you’re drawn to bold colours, intricate details, or textured surfaces, Ayush Paper brings your artistic visions to life. So, gather your supplies, choose your canvas, and let your creativity flow onto the versatile surface of acrylic painting canvas.

[foervraengd]

Mirre’s “How i render gemstones” tutorial!

(note: image above is not what is shown in the walkthrough. It is an example piece)

Ingredients:

Art program that has layers and selection tools

Patience (hubris or stubbornness is fine too)

(recommended) photo references of gemstones and/or prisms

(Optional but very helpful) Knowledge on how to use Reference layers and anti-overflow in Clip studio Paint

For this tutorial i am going to use clip studio’s “anti-overflow” feature. This post is not going to explain how to use that specific setting but you should be able to find guides on how to use it on clip studio’s official website or on youtube.

Please Note: The result of this technique will not 100% represent real life gemstones. These are more simplified but should still make an impression of the brilliance and appeal of gems, crystals and diamonds.

If you don’t work in CSP: the best workaround is to use the polygonal lasso selection tool for the same purpose.

This ended up being a long post so I am putting it under the readmore:

First off; Basic idea on how the light refracts inside a solid transparent object:

Wether it is acrylic, glass, water or crystal, the way light pass through more or less should behave the same as long as it is solid and not hollow inside. Pay attention to how the darkest parts of the stone goes along the inner edges, leaving a ”mid tone” sort of in the center. However, this might vary depending on the light setting. But it is a generally good rule-of-thumb to follow if you’re drawing something not based on a photo. Another thing to pay attention to here is how the placement of the highlight will lit up the inside of the gem in a parallel line. It also shows through on the cast shadow.

Light refraction on a cube:

I have already made two posts on this, so definitely go through them:

CUBE BREAKDOWN POST HERE

But a rough summary from those two links would be: Every side/facet of a gem or a cube etc refracts the light individually and not as one entity (that would make it look hollow and not solid). Think of it like how each piece in a broken mirror individually reflect your face back to you. Like a weird patchwork!

Putting this into practice:

For this tutorial I’m going to be nice to myself and not try to draw perfectly accurate gemstones. Instead I’m gonna draw them with a more ”natural” looking set of facets. Which actually isnt as common in real world as video games makes us think. Some crystals have geometric shapes naturally, but a lot of other stones are not as fancy. Anyway, im taking artistic liberty on these example stones because the technique I’m going to use will work for these just fine.

So, in clip studio paint, I first draw the stones on a vector layer. I give them facets for the front side. Then I duplicate the layer, remove the front facets and replace them with the facets on the back of the stone. The third image here shows both layers visible on top of each other. I now put these into a layer folder and mark the folder as ”reference”.

Now, on a layer below the lineart folder, fill with your base tone. Then make a layer on top (if you can clip it to the base tone, do that), this layer is where you decide where the highlight will be placed. In some cases the highlight is only lighting up one single facet - it really depends on the design of the stone. You can also blend and soften the highlight here if it looks good for you, just make sure not every facet is highlighted. The highlight layer should be on top of all the other layers clipped to the base tone layer.

Now it is time for the juicy juicy stuff! Turn on both lineart layers so they’re both visible. I hid the hilight layer here because it was in the way, but might not be needed in your case. Make a layer clipped to the base tone and paint in the darkest tone. This is where anti-overflow helps me out, because when i run my brush over all these crossed lines it will make the stroke pop in and out for each facet. If you dont use CSP, this is where you can use the lasso tool and select every second facet. It will take a bit more time but it should work similarly.

After the darkest tones I then make a layer for the inside light that the highlight has lit up. Here i keep it inside the darkest tone but this might vary depending on the light setting. If it looks good to me, then that’s what i stick to.

The way I approach rendering the facets here is like the grid in the example images above, every shade and tone appear more or less in each facet but the amount is relative to their position. So a gradient wouldnt have a smooth transition; it would be slightly scewed in each square on this example grid. Essentially like how some bathroom window glass panes look like.

Now it’s time to hide the lineart layer folder and check if the gemstones look decent to you. If not, then you can look up some reference photos and analyze where the values group together the most; be careful not to focus too much on the photos 500 million sparkles. Squint your eyes or blur the reference and try to see how the overall values behae.

I, personally, am satisfied with these rocks so I slap on a gradient map (you can manually color in them too if that’s your thing) and call it a day. The lit up inside of a gemstone tend to have a brighter and more saturated color than the mid tone.

Other Examples with this technique:

If you look up ”gemstone types” you can often find images displaying various facet types from more than just front view. These can serve as useful base templates for practicing this rendering technique. The backside of a gemstone is called the “pavillion” and is really useful to have at hand when it comes to painting the inner refractions. You can probably also use 3D models and convert the wireframe into lineart. But that is slightly out of my pool of knowledge.

Applying this knowledge without using a base lineart layer is of course possible. In this painting I followed a simplified summary of how the facets sparkle: Keep the highlight shape to match the front facet design, and all the inner refractions should be more scattered and split up but face a direction towards the center of the gem. Now don’t you think this sort of makes the gems look like eyes? That’s right! You can, and absolutely should, apply this on eyes to create the most sparkly anime eyes ever.

Now, refracted light that lands on the surface surrounding gemstones varies depending on the material - and if the gem is inside a metal frame it usually doesnt create this much refraction around it. But I want to have fun so i decided to break this rule in the name of pretty sparkles. :)

[crowgvts]

How to start a pair of punk patch pants

(a potentially really shitty tutorial)

I've seen a couple videos on this but a lot of them seem to skip out on some really key information and tricks so I thought I'd just write a probably really long and really rambly post about it!!!

Step one: gathering supplies

In terms of supplies the main things you'll need are:

The pants

Approximately 4 rolls of dental floss (this can change depending on number of patches and your pant size)

A needle with a big enough eye to fit the floss through

Acrylic paints

Brushes

Scrap denim or other scraps of fabric for the patches

Pins

Some kind of marker or pencil that will work on the fabric you've chosen

I will be going into some detail below about why you need each of these items!!

The pants themselves

personally I prefer either using a pair of jeans I already own or thrifting a pair to be as sustainable as possible, however if you really need to go out and buy a new pair for whatever reason get a high quality pair, this will help in the long run with preventing them from falling apart as easily.

The second main point I want to make is that the pants should not be skinny jeans. This is because when you sew on patches it slightly cinches in the fabric, and with skinny jeans generally being stretchy, this is going to result in the thread of the patches stretching out and snapping. Your patches will all just start falling off and it'll ruin your hard work.

This is why I'd recommend using a pair of jeans or pants that are a bit looser of a fit, such as straight legged pants or a pair of pants a size up from your actual size if possible!

Dental floss

The reason it's generally suggested to use dental floss rather than actual thread is because dental floss tends to overall be a lot stronger than your average thread, as well as often being more easily accessible to buy.

Needle

This ones pretty self-explanatory, just make sure you get a needle with a long/wide enough eye (the hole the thread goes through) for your floss to be able to fit through without trouble.

Acrylic paints

You may be wondering why I'm suggesting acrylics over fabric paints and there are a few reasons!

The first is simply that they're both cheaper and far easier to purchase for the average person than fabric paints, and I want this tutorial to be as accessible as possible for as many people as possible.

The second reason is that fabric paints require a lot of fucking around with setting the paint, whereas acrylics can just be left to dry and be finished, and so long as your pants are hand washed, the paints won't come out (unless you layer it on super thick or are really rough when you clean them).

Brushes

Another pretty obvious one, these are needed so you can actually paint your patches!!!

Fabric/spare denim

You need fabric or scraps to be able to actually create patches for your pants, so this is essential.

Any kind of scrap fabric can do, a lot of fabric stores tend to have bins of scrap fabric that are either pre-priced or priced by weight and that can be a really good opportunity to acquire the fabric you need!

Another way (the method I tend to use) is thrifting a few pairs of jeans alongside the pair I want to patch and then ripping them up into patch-sized pieces!

Either way, I really advise against buying straight up new fabrics by the metre for this as it kinda goes against the entire idea of sustainability and reuse.

A really big tip I have for when you're cutting the fabric of your choice up for patches is to actually only cut a little slit, and then rip. This produces a really nice distressed edge and will help add some texture and more of a fucked up look to your pants a lot quicker than if you waited for the fabric to fray by itself!

Marker/pencil

This is literally just so you can draw your designs onto your patches! I've personally found that either a black or white (depending on how dark the fabric you're using is) pastel pencil is generally good enough to get the general gist of what you want down well enough for you to paint it on.

Pins

These are literally just to hold your patches in place and literally any kind from proper sewing pins to safety pins will work! (just don't forget they're in the jeans before you put them on I promise you it isn't fun to put on a pair of jeans full of pins).

Optional: a sketchbook

You may want a sketchbook or alternatively scraps of paper if you have any kind of original concept for a patch so you can draw it out a few times first to really nail it, and it's also helpful to have if you aren't as confident in your painting and drawing abilities!

Step two: patch making

I personally pre-rip/cut all of my patches before I paint anything on them generally speaking and then fit whatever design I want onto whatever piece I think it would fit on, however if you want to paint your patches and then rip/cut the design out that's also an option (and probably a much smarter one I'm just incredibly stubborn).

For punk pants you want a good mix of both punk bands, politics, and also maybe something a bit daft (I have the "he scream at he own ass" possum on the back pocket of a patched skirt for example). If you don't have bands and such, it kinda defeats the point of them being punk patched pants.

I personally generally pick a theme (eg. colourful patches, all black and white) when making anything patched because I think it makes everything look a bit more cohesive, but that is by no means a rule you actually have to follow I'm just autistic a fuck tbh.

Step three: the assembly

I personally put my main/bigger patches on first and put them on in a few different places until I get the placement I like, and then sew them on with the floss like this:

The main thing you want to do to make sure your pants don't wind up looking a bit weird or bare is to fill in any gaps between your painted patches with small, blank patches. Like this:

and that's pretty much it!!! I can't really explain via written text how to sew and how I personally tie off etc but if anyone would like a video tutorial lmk!!!

[iriswritesforyou]

His Mona Lisa

Warning - small violence, prejudice against mutants, and maybe some other things? IDK

Word count - 1,889

Description: Reader is a human art teacher at the school. You and Logan had both been giving each other eyes for a while now but things heat up during a field trip.

Charles Xaiver had asked you, a human, to teach at his school for mutants, as an art teacher. You were reluctant at first, not because you were scared of mutants but because you felt as if you had nothing to offer them. Your only gift rested in your ability to paint and draw, to bring the images in your mind to life, and to help the youth do the same. 

It was rocky at first, the kids were hesitant to warm up to you and you were hesitant to discipline them but that all changed one day when you introduced them to what you liked to call ‘splat balloon painting’. You had set up a canvas for each kid with balloons filled with paint next to them outside, encouraging them to throw them at the canvases. The kids loved it so much and getting paint all over you was definitely worth watching them smile and laugh. The true solidarity came when one of the kids' powers acted up and you got freezing cold acrylic paint all over you. The kid expected you to be angry like most humans would but you werent, to their surprise you just laughed it off and assured the kid you were fine. 

After that day your class was one of the favorites among the students, even the kids who had hated art in previous years found themselves enjoying your class. 

And then there was Logan, the combat instructor teacher who plagued your thoughts and little did you know you plagued him as well. It all started when one of your kids came to class all battered up and looking worse for wear claiming it was from Logan’s combat class. You didn't know much about Logan and you didn't know much about his class but you did know that your students shouldnt be showing up to class looking like they just got beat up in an alleyway. 

So you marched down into the lower levels of the school determined to scold Logan like a parent would a child. 

He was quite surprised to see a young human woman dressed in paint covered overall hanging off one of her shoulders, paint brushes stuck in her hair, and mismatched jewelry stomping up to him.

He had heard about you of course, there was a stir when you joined the campus, people whispered about you with some saying you didn’t belong and others thinking your presence would be good for future relations between humans and mutants, he didn't particularly care. This was the first time he had seen you through and you certainly left your mark on him huffing and puffing about how the kids shouldnt be showing up to class battered and bruised. 

If Logan was being honest, despite what most people thought his reaction would be, he wasn't annoyed or angry, in fact he found it a little endearing how you cared for the kids, but he pushed that down and explained to you how it wasn't his intentions but the kids have to learn somehow. 

A couple months had passed since then and you and Logan were cordial to each other, you smiled at each other in passing but nothing more than that but the rest of the teachers and even students could see how both of your eyes always found each other in a room. 

Things started to heat up when you scheduled a field trip for the students to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Logan was going with you to help you watch the kids.

Logan knew he should have been paying more attention to the kids but he couldn't help but keep his eyes on you, the way you smiled when you explained the exhibits or how you lit up when they would ask questions. And you couldn't help but notice his watchful gaze, mostly on you and it unnerved you. Why was he staring? Was there something wrong with the way you were dressed? Something on your face? 

“Alright I want everybody to find a partner and split up, the sheet of paper I handed you all lays out the entire place and all of the attractions. Please, remember to meet up back here in an hour.” You told the kids as Logan came up beside you and you smiled at him gently “And you and I will be walking around keeping an eye on them.” he didn't say anything but nodded. 

You both had wandered over to the Museum history panel and read the date 1870, was Logan born just after that? 

“Can I ask you something personal?” He didn't even have to think about it before answering ���Yes.”. 

“It says this place was founded in 1870.” your voice dropped into a whisper “weren't you born around then?” He snapped his face towards you while you stayed looking away. He wondered how you knew that you and him hadn't had a conversation in months. 

“How did you know that?” You now turned to face him completely, faces close and heart racing, he could hear it. Your eyes were locked onto each other and he couldn't help but study how the light danced in them and skin became flushed under the cool lighting, he thought he was making you scared and took a step back. He wouldn't admit it but he didn't want to take a step back. He wanted to take a step closer. 

“I’ve been - asking around, about you. I'm sorry, I should have asked you but-.” Unspoken words held in the air. 

It was your guilty pleasure to find out more about Logan, the more you knew the more you had answers and you couldn't ask him, he was, well, him. 

“You could have just asked me.” He said. You thought he would be mad, furious even but instead he looked hurt. “You're right Logan, and I’m sorry. If I’m being honest you intimidate me a little.” 

He raised one of his brows at you, he knew he had that effect on people but he didn't want it on you. “Well, you don't have to be. I don't want you to be.” His gruff voice made you stay locked onto him. 

Time could have passed for a hundred years and you both could have stayed right there forever but time didn't care what you wanted as a blood curdling scream snapped you both back to reality. 

Over in the Egyptian side of the room one of your kids and a human boy were having an all out brawl with your kid winning. Logan got there faster than you and pulled him off while the human boy quickly got up and spat at the ground by your feet, “mutant.” 

That one word was all it took for your kid to start kicking in Logan's arm, trying to claw his way back over to the human boy while he just stood there glaring. You quickly walked over to the human boy and grabbed his forearm,  “where are your parents?” and it was as if they heard you. 

A lady in an expensive looking green suit and a man twice the size of you came over, the woman with tears in her eyes, hyperventilating and the man getting red in the face with anger. 

“Let go of my son!” the man huffed getting up into your face, so close you could see the pimple about to burst on his nose. Letting go of his son you took a step back and he took one again closer to you. “Mutant bitch” It was two words now that snapped Logan into action, as he had been watching the exchange with the kid still fighting in his arms. Quickly, Logan let him go, not caring if he went back over to the human boy and started another fight. No, his only concern was you. 

Stepping in between you and the man, blocking him from your sight, they stood toe to toe. Logan was clearly taller and stronger than the man but that did nothing to deter him “And you must be her mutant bastard”. You grabbed the back of Logan's clothes hoping he wouldn't start something “Logan” you gently whispered. Logan may be an angry man but it was never for himself, he wouldn't start anything. 

It wasn't until you stepped around Logan hesitantly, still keeping your grip on him and started to try and mend the situation. “Please, ma’am, sir, we are truly, very sorry. And -”, a sickening slap echoed around the now quiet room, he had hit you and Logan wasn't going to let that slide. 

In the blink of an eye Logan pulled you back and into the arms of your mutant students who had now gathered around the both of you and punched the guy right back. 

Chaos exploded, the woman shrieked as Logan had the man jacked up against the wall as he cried, half of your kids went for the human boy who had bullied your kid and the other half stuck by you as you stood there in shock. 

It took ten security members to pry off Logan and the aftermath was quite horrific. Blood was on the walls and floors, but only the man and his boy had seriously gotten injured with your mutant students only having minor bumps and bruises. 

They would have hauled Logan off to jail if it wasn't for Charles showing up and sweet talking to them, promising not just financial compensation for the museum but for them personally as well, the human family too. 

It wasn't until you got back to the school that you really felt the pain in your upper cheek bone and eye. As you were about to open your door Logan stood there with his fist raised about to knock. 

“I’m so sorry Logan.” He didn't say anything back, his eyes not wavering from a particular spot on your face. He reached towards it and gently touched it making you hiss and jerk back “I should have hit him harder.” 

You shook your head in disbelief  “No, anything more and you would have gone to jail Logan.” 

“You need to go down to the infirmary.” He took your hand in his. “That's actually where I was about to go.” but he still held your hand and led you to the infirmary. 

“I’m sorry.” The gruff man apologized this time.

“Why?” he stopped and fully turned to you, feeling ashamed for running your first field trip. 

“It was a shitty field trip, your first one.” you shrugged but still stayed looking at him “I'm more upset about not being able to tour the museum, I've always wanted to go.” 

He felt guilty now, he knew art was your passion and he didn't even think about that part of the debacle. 

“I'll make it up to you, I'll take you next time.” He couldn't even believe the words that had come out of his mouth but he wanted to take them back, not because he didn't want to but because he assumed you wouldn't want to go with him. But to his surprise a smile grew on your face “Like a date?” 

There was a beat of silence as he gazed down at your beautiful face and gave a small smile down at you “Like a date sweetheart.” 

[gorgeys]

imagine….

gently holding maddy’s hands while applying a topcoat of nail polish on her fingernails. you treat her so delicately, the brush barely grazing her nails and your fingers cautiously holding hers, afraid of pressing too hard.

your eyes are trained on the slight movements of the brush, your eyebrows knitted in concentration, and your lips pursed ever so slightly. you’re afraid of messing up.  you always are, but especially on her. luckily the soft, familiar music playing in the background and the silkiness of your sheets beneath your knees is comforting against the sensation of her in front of you.

she’s just as focused on you, her brown eyes unable to retreat from your face. she’s come to love the way you focus on your craft, the way you focus on her.  she’s learned every little quirk of your lips and twitch of your nose from the times you’ve worked on her, committing them all to memory.

she feels awkward and obsessive about the way she thinks about you but she can’t help herself.  she loves the way you care, the way warmth radiates off of you whenever you’re touching her, the way you look up at her every so often to check on her.  its a sort of calm that she hasn’t felt before.

you had only begun giving her manicures a couple months ago when one of her friends recommended you for a cheap set.  you had learned how to do nails from youtube tutorials and it had become your talent, but never in a million years did you think you’d be good enough for the most perfect girl in school.

but you were sat across her on your bed every couple weeks painting intricate patterns on her acrylics. you talked frequently during your sessions but seldom outside the confines of your room.  nevertheless, conversation flowed smoothly.  she always made you nervous but she was surprisingly easy to talk to. you were like the oasis from her usual, dramatic world.

but then there were moments of silence. there were moments where the only thing you could feel was the soft skin of her hands and the beating of your own heart. and moments when she felt her chest tighten as you made the simplest eye contact.

as much as she wanted to deny it, she knew she felt things for you, even in the short time you had spent together. she knew when she got home each time after leaving your house and was already craving to be with you again.  sometimes she tried to ruin her nails just so she had an excuse to see you again.  she knew when she laid in bed at night after a bad day and the one thing that made it a bit better was the thought of your sweet smile.

and she must have known you felt things for her. the way your eyes gleamed when she complimented you was almost embarrassing. a single word from her would make your entire day. and every single time you went the extra mile to add painstakingly complex details to her nails and give her a discounted price.  though she always paid you more than what you asked of her.

when you were done, you looked up at her with a smile, pushing the brush back into the nail polish jar.  you didn’t let go of her hand and she didn’t pull away.  the corners of her lips curled upward, her heart melting when she recognized the pride in your eyes and your smile.  she slightly squeezed your hand, a silent thanks and praise.

your gaze flickered to your hands and then back to her face, your heart beating faster when you realized just how close you were.  you waited patiently, hoping that the adoring look in your eyes would coax her into making the first move.  luckily you wouldn’t have to wait much longer.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

The Depths 1

Warnings: non/dubcon, stalking and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: fisherman!Geralt of Rivia x artist!reader

Summary: your sleepy existence is thrown into chaos by a mysterious man.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

The water crashes onto the coast. The sound is dulled by the distance of your perch. The sky melds into the lake's surface as the sun hides behind a swathe of clouds.

You lean in to squint at the strokes on the canvas, sweeping your brush in repetition of the rippled horizon. You use the wnd of the brush to scratch your cheek.

Almost...

You peek above the easel and watch the small speck growing larger as it moves across the water. The fishing boat is there so often that you've added its silhouette to the acrylic tides. A stalwart to your early mornings and listless afternoons.

Day after day is layered before you in shades of cerulean, slate, and lavender. The grey sky with a tinge of golden sunlight, the waters stirring in sparkling shades of aquamarine and pearl, the coast rippled in fawn and umber. Another eye might see it and deem it finished but not you.

You step back to let the paint dry and rinse your brushes in the jar. Hmm. You're out of clean water.

You close up the easel and hook the canvas on the backside, carrying it like a briefcase as you pick up your canvas bag with your roll of brushes and pots of paint, your palette around your index finger.

You make a slow descent down the cliffside and curl around towards the shore. You veer away from the dock and head down into the silt. You put your stuff on a flat rock. You take the used brushes and palette to rinse in the shallows.

The water laps over your sandals as you linger in the soothing cool foam. The approach of evening skews the water with emerald and jade. You shake it all off and step back to dry it with a paint-blotted cloth.

You rearrange the bag so it all fits and hook it over your shoulder. You look down at the your linen apron. You can recall where every splotch and streak came from.

You take your easel and canvas and head back up along the dock. As you reach the post, the fishing boat knocks against the other end. You peer over at the man that lays a board across the spanse between.

You see him every night. You couldn't forget a man with snow white hair and golden eyes. His age is less than his locks might suggest and his eyes seem to look through you, not at you.

You smile, like you do every night. He doesn't react. Just like every other time.

The smell of fish wafts in the boat as he drags his net across the wooden ramp. You turn and press on. He's much to busy for you. It doesn't bother you. You came out here to get away from people.

Your feet leave divets in the dirt as the rock of the boat knocks in a rhythm against the dock. The man's toil adds to thunks and thuds and they fade behind you. The peace here is immaculate, you wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone else.

Past the seaside houses left vacant in the colder seasons and the smaller basins of the lake, between the rocky ridges and grassy knolls, you return to your little house.The cornflower paint chips from the wooden siding and the stairs are worn in the middle from the tramp of feet. A bench stands on the other side of the white railing between a plinthed flowerpot and folding table with a book forgotten on its slats. Home.

The spindly wreath on the front door rattles as you push through and the screen door snaps behind you. The evening breezs drifts in through the mesh as you set your easel down and rest the canvas on crate just beside the mat. You put your bag in front of the wooden stand and bask in the calm.

You hang your wicker hat and untie your apron. Your hands are covered in paint. You'll wash them before you eat. You leave your wet sandals at the door.

You pull out the pot of chowder you made two nights past from the fridge. You put it over a burner and wait for it to warm. The fare lasts you near a week when you take the time to put it together. Every ingredient must be used to its last, especially when it is so far to market. And expensive.

You scoop out a bowl and eat it on the front porch. Your eyes are too tired to read. When you finish, you recline on the bench and yawn. You lay in the dimming hue of the evening as the stars wink down at you.

A whistle carries on the wind. You sit up and look for the culprit. They are close enough to hear but that could still be far. It could even be a bird.

You take the empty bowl inside and rinse it. You retreat to the bedroom and change

You open the window to let the night in. Around here, you can do that. Not like the city and its grated windows.

You laze in the dusk shade and drift slowly into yourself. Sleep enshrines you atop the cushy bed, the water stirring from afar, the loons calling into the dark. Tomorrow you'll figure out the exact right colour for the undertow.

You're more than due to sell a new piece. You need to if you want to stay in paradise.