How To Erase And Alter Pastel Paintings!...

By Anna Meenaghan

Maybe you are new to pastels and do not know how to go about changing your paintings if things go wrong. Other people think they cannot be dealt with! It can be very annoying when unwanted marks will not vanish like they would with pencil marks, but help is at hand. Here are a few things to help you along the way.

Normal rubber erasers do not work. They can ruin it for you. They are damaging as they remove your paper surface. What can you do?

First most of the actual pigment has to be removed, leaving you with just a very feint line. How can you achieve this successfully? Personally, I would say to use a plastic rubber and on your surface itself, just dab it.

It is possible you have all you already need, if you have a fresh, white loaf in the house. This will serve you well if it is rolled into a small ball, but if you only have little mistakes to correct I would just try rubbing my finger over them on soft pastels.

If using the finger method, you need to run your finger both forwards and backwards, as you do not want to disturb the surface if you can help it. If you find you still have unwanted marks, a stiff brush can then be used.

Should disaster strike, you have had enough and decided that you want to give up on your picture, this is what you can do! Just don't screw your paper up. Make sure that you have some acrylic paint to hand, take a brush and apply a wash so that it completely covers your work.

You now can achieve an admirable, tinted paper. The result being made by the acrylic and pastel coming together as long as you are using strong watercolour paper.

Something is to be said for oil pastels. If you make errors with these, you can adjust them fairly easily. No rubber is actually needed. All you need is some cotton wool and a supply of mineral spirits. I roll the cotton wool into a ball, dampen it with the spirit and simply wipe off the colour.

You just need to try this way for yourself. Your painting should be okay as the spirits are fast evaporating. Now would you like to have an image transferred? A soft pastel already well worked would be ideal for this.

You need to soak a clean piece of paper with water and remove excess. Place the drained sheet over your painting, ensuring that it will not move. Take a sponge and go across it or use a strong hand.

If you then carefully raise the paper off, you should have reversed and transferred your image on to the new sheet of paper. Really, it needs to be left to dry, so adhere it to a board so that the paper will not wrinkle. Now you can start all over again.

About the Author:

If you liked this guide by Anna Meenaghan then you can find a whole lot more at her internet based interactive art community website. Here you can discover anything related to art ranging from realism to abstract paintings, as well as interviews with artists etc.

How To Create A Pebble Mosaic!...

By Anna Meenaghan

Living so close to my local beach I was inspired by the shoreline and found that this was something I needed to try. On a daily basis I see people picking up and feeling pebbles, fiddling with them and often putting them in their pockets to take home. To be able to create a picture from them too, can only be a progression.

It may be just that you return from your holiday with them as a reminder of that lovely break you had, no matter what the weather was like.

Mosaics using pebbles seem to have become quite popular now, but really, they are not only effective, but easy to make.

Like most things in life, there is a bit of an art to it! Most important being what you choose for your picture and how you design it. You can try and create an abstract sort of picture. Success probably lies in the actual colouring of the pebbles you choose.

If, like me, you are inspired by the seas, here itself you need to choose your colours accordingly. So you would require some sand coloured for the shore, and whites and different greys to a sort of a maroon colour.

The darker colours will be right at the top of your picture and moving downwards greys to white finishing with sand for your shore at the foot of your work.

You will need a few items before you can get started. Mainly a deep picture frame, some white wood primer, white paper, some blue emulsion, a medium type grade of sandpaper, panel pins, matt acrylic varnish, PVA adhesive, a decorators brush and some half inch MDF.

Added to the above you will need some driftwood and some gravel and pebbles. These extra items can be put to good use. At all times you need to keep your picture image in your mind before you now begin to arrange your treasures, driftwood and pebbles into sizes and colours.

The gravel I mentioned is very handy for filling in any spaces you are left with. Just remove anything that is not of use for your picture.

You need to take your frame to pieces. Remove the back, the glass and its mat. Get your sandpaper and rub down the frame. Take your white primer now and paint inside and out. Then it needs to be left to dry.

Once this is dry take out your blue emulsion and paint your frame. Let this dry, then you can rub this down with sandpaper so that you have glints of your white primer coming through, in what I call, a distressed look. It would be better then to apply an acrylic matt varnish to the frame to seal it.

Take your backing board and put a sheet of white paper on it. You can now draw around this, thus giving you your surface to work out your design. Place your pebbles and driftwood on this. Move the pieces around until you are happy with your pattern.

The back of your picture frame needs covering with MDF, cut to the size of it. You then need to place your backing board on to the centre of it to get your work area for your mosaic and simply draw round it.

So you have your design formed on your paper, now we get to move it. Carefully shift the mosaic to the MDF. Stick a blob of PVA glue on each pebble or bit of driftwood before you put it into position.

So, all you have to do now is build up your colour bands of pebbles. You can adapt a bit as you go, but it all needs to fit tightly. Once you have glued your last pieces into their place, just check on all this fitting as tight as you possibly can.

Do not bother with small spaces, but you can fill in any big spaces with fine gravel. If you have any driftwood remaining, you can glue bits across others. With panel pins, go from the back through your frame, to pin your frame down into position.

About the Author:

If you enjoyed this guide by Anna Meenaghan then you can find a great lot more at her online interactive art gallery website. Here you can discover anything related to art ranging from realism to abstract paintings, as well as interviews with guest artists etc.

Why Is Liver Detox So Important?

By Mark Lee

The liver is the biggest glandular organ that performs functions pertaining to the detoxification of harmful substances to an easily eliminated waste. It plays important role in the breaking down of fats, converting glucose to glycogen, forming urea, producing certain amino acids and storing vitamins A, D, K and B12. A liver that it overloaded with toxic is congested and sluggish thus is unable to perform its activity at its best.

Liver detoxification to clean the liver off the toxic overload is necessary in order for the liver to be better equipped to do its basic functions. Realizing the constant toxic exposure experienced by the liver from unhealthy diet and the ingestion of toxic substances like alcohol makes it imperative for us to use liver detoxification to aid the liver to reach and maintain its best condition.

Some of the methods to achieve liver detoxification include milk thistle, coffee enema and consuming detoxification super foods. Milk thistle is one of the most effective herbs known for relieving liver disorders. The key chemical ingredient that makes this possible is silymarin. It has antioxidant properties that protect liver cells from chemical oxidation. Its anti inflammatory effects keep liver cells from swelling during an injury response, which encourages liver cell growth.

Coffee enema is another way to detoxify the liver. It works by helping to open up the bile duct of the liver to facilitate the elimination from the liver to the colon. Rectal administration of coffee enema stimulates liver detoxification by converting fat-soluble toxins to water-soluble substances to be rid off.

Consumption of foods that influence to keep the alkalinity state of the body is one of the important methods of liver detoxification. Organic food, fruits and vegetables that are unprocessed help to provide the body with abundant nutrients. Balanced with grains and proteins, the body alkaline-acid equilibrium is set to a level that promotes liver detoxification. The super foods that can aid detoxification include apple, olive oil, onion, artichoke, parsley and asparagus.

The advantages that can be gained from liver detoxification are limitless. From an improved sense of well being, radiant skin complexion, increased energy and concentration, weight loss to efficient digestion, the effects are all around. Though some people may present undesirable symptoms such as skin break outs, diarrhea, headaches and bad breath, these are not abnormal but can be controlled by taking liver-supportive supplements and antioxidants.

However, if there are underlying chronic diseases that affect the liver such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, it may be wise to get a support of a health practitioner who can develop a better liver detoxification plan tailored to respond to an individuals needs. The benefits of a healthy liver certainly overshadow the discomforts that one experiences from dieting and detoxification procedures. Love your liver, give liver detoxification a chance.

About the Author:

Liver Detox Site is a website that provides detail information about different liver detox products in the market. These products include Herbal-Medi-Care Liver & Gall Reviews and LiverActive Reviews.

Deer Valley Resort Welcomes Guest For The Summer And Winter

By Robin Rutecki

Ski resorts don't all offer year round vacation facilities. Many of them simply close in the summer months and re-open again in the winter season. Providing entertainment in the summer months is sometimes not economically viable for some ski resorts but Deer Valley Resort in Park City Utah is different. There is just as much fun to be had at this ski resort in the summer as there is in the winter months.

Deer Valley Resort has made a special commitment to its customers, and that is to offer them a service which can't be beaten. The summer months see a great many different activities taking place, and you can participating in lift assisted hikes, scenic rides on the chair lifts, and with 55 miles of mountain biking trails available, you could spend the entire summer exploring the mountains.

Summer Deer Valley lodging packages for accommodations are available, and they are reasonably priced with a good variety of different Deer Valley lodging options available. The majority of the Deer Valley lodging options are condominiums, but lodges, private residences and some hotel accommodations are also available. The quality of the Deer Valley accommodations also varies, but there are many options to choose from.

The preschool, the Deer Valley Academy, takes care of and entertains youngsters from the age of two months up till four years. While the Summer Adventure Camp takes care of the older children up to the age of 12. This affords parents and older brothers and sisters the ability to explore the area, the resort, and everything it has to offer, while the little ones are cared for.

Property management companies manage all the Deer Valley accommodations, different companies for different accommodations, but central reservations companies can bring everything together for you. You should also look for websites which help you search Deer Valley lodging options and contact property managers directly. This is often the only way to get the best deal.

Season dates vary throughout the property management companies; however it is generally accepted that winter high season is from December 21 to January 6 and the second week in February through the end of March. The summer runs from mid April through November with a few different rate changes in the peak of summer.

Of course winter time in Deer Valley also has its gifts. This resort virtually revolutionized the skiing industry more than twenty seven years ago, when they became the first ski resort in North America to provide service of the equivalent of a first class fine hotel.

During winter they provide amenities of the highest standard of luxury, such as ski-valets, immaculately groomed ski slopes, child care on-site, ski lessons at an award winning school and high end rental equipment. This exceptional customer service with a combination of attention to detail, makes Deer Valley the year-round resort of choice for many domestic and international vacationers. It is an award winning resort which even hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics' Mogul, slalom and Aerial events.

Winter time is not only a favorite time for skiers. Deer Valley also operates Summit Meadows snowmobile tours for snowmobile enthusiasts as well as skiers looking for something a little different during this time of year. There are 7,000 acres of snowmobiling territory to take advantage of and explore. And during the summer months you can add horseback riding, water sports, boating, national and local mountain bike racing and golf into the itinerary.

About the Author:

Robin Rutecki suggests using an interesting Deer Valley Utah website for detailed information on Deer Valley condos and Deer Valley restaurants.

A Comparison of the Leading Socks Brands for Men

By Pri Vag

There is a huge range of exciting and high quality mens sock available from most designer brands. They all offer more than your standard sock from a department store, and can add a bit of colour and detail to your look. This article looks at the defining features and differences between mens socks from brands such as Armani, Falke and Ted Baker.

Socks do not always receive the attention they deserve when putting together an outfit. For most men, socks are considered unimportant as they are less visible than other garments. Whilst this is true, an ill conceived pair of socks can ruin an otherwise well thought out outfit. In addition, socks can offer a great opportunity to subtly add pattern and colour. Socks need to be considered not only in visual terms, but also with respect to comfort and quality. In this article I will compare the leading designer sock brands for men on the basis of choice, quality, comfort, innovation and fashion. The brands I will be looking at are; Falke, Pantherella, Burlington, Calvin Klein, Emporio Armani, Paul Smith, Duchamp-London and Ted Baker.

An important distinction needs to be made between these brands i.e. whether they are sock specialists (Falke, Pantherella etc.) or fashion brands that manufacture a range of socks (Ted Baker, Paul Smith, Armani etc). There are several differences, apart from the fact that sock specialists offer a larger range. Most fashion brands manufacture mens socks in only one size, known as one size fits all. On the other hand, sock specialists usually offer 3 different sizes; 5.5-8, 8.5-11, 11.5-14. Whilst it is more comfortable to wear a sock designed to fit your foot size, the fashion brands offer the chance to buy into a big brand name. In fact, sock specialist never put their logo on the outside of the sock, whilst designer brands usually do (such as the Armani eagle or Calvin Klein CK).

Pantherella and Falke have a vast range of mens socks, covering all aspects of functionality from business to casual to sports. Within each category they offer plain fabrics in many colours, as well as fashion patterns such as stripes and argyle. In plain coloured socks, they also offer variations in fabric such as plain cotton, ribbed cotton, wool and cashmere. Calvin Klein and Emporio Armani also offer quite a diverse range, from plain cottons to stripes. The other brands have a more niche range, offering high fashion socks that adhere closely to the brands design principles (e.g. Paul Smiths renowned stripe).

In conclusion, if you are looking for a technical, well fitting sock then sock specialist brands such as Falke offer the best solution. On the other hand, many fashion houses such as Paul Smith provide socks that will add bold and dynamic colour to your casual and formal wear.

About the Author:

David Cole is a trained designer, and has worked in the mens fashion industry for 4 years since graduating. He has a particular interest in mens accessories, and runs a website called Herbert Jones Mens Accessories that offers underwear, socks, belts, bags and more from the leading designer brands.

Swimwear Selections ARE Important

By David Wittlinger

When choosing ladies swimwear, it is important that women consider their body shape and pick current styles that are flattering. Please note, this does not necessarily mean the most revealing. Retro look swimwear is something a few may be able to pull off, but it can also make you look older and outdated, so that is something to keep in mind. It's important to put some thought into the style of swimwear you choose to purchase.

When looking for ladies swimwear you should try to focus on the various styles that are popular right now. This doesn't mean that you have to spend a large sum of money on designer swimwear, but it means that the suit you choose should be current.

It is alright to buy a suit and expect it to be durable enough to last you a few years, as long as you pick one that won't be so trendy that it is quickly outdated. Finding brands that are made to last with colorfastness and construction is the key factor.

The biggest question to think about when you want to look good in swimwear is what type of suit you should get. For ladies swimwear the question is often - two pieces or one? Although both styles come with a great selection, the general question is whether you want to show your belly or not?

The suit type that is most flattering for your figure is what you should be looking for. A bikini is often selected when a woman has a flat stomach and shapely figure, but even some of them will opt for a one piece suit for modesty purposes.

Focusing on which type of suit looks best on your body is always the most important factor. A one piece suit is often going to look more flatting than a bikini on women larger mid-sections. However, a woman with flat belly might look comfortable in either, for example.

The design and appearance you're striving for should be based on how you see yourself at the beach or pool. If you can imagine how you will look in a particular suit and how it will appear on your body type, it can help you to make the proper swimwear selection.

Men should try to find swimwear that fits their physique as well, although their choices are often more limited than women's styles. This can arguably make it easier for men to come to a swimwear decision. Most men tend to choose baggy, long shorts or board shorts, since these are the most commonly accepted. The trend these days dictates that you'll see more men wearing these styles of suits at most beaches and pools this summer.

Ultimately, find the style that you feel comfortable wearing and that is the swimsuit you should own. Focusing on a fun day at the beach is much easier if you are comfortable in the swimwear you have selected.

About the Author:

Never having been one to miss a day at the beach, David Wittlinger has become a leading salesman of ladies swimwear and fashionable clothing. Spending his free time with wife and two kids, David spends his working hours researching fashion trends for his online swimwear clothing store.

Whats New With Finger Print Door Locks

By Yuri Gonwalo

The image of the secret agent working his way through intense security measures to reach some clandestine meeting, using a fingerprint lock at every door, is quite familiar in our popular culture. But as technology has improved, and costs have come down, a fingerprint door lock has become an affordable option for people looking to protect their home or business.

A fingerprint door lock offers a number of benefits. They are convenient and simple to use. You'll never have to rummage around for lost keys again. Or are you tired of remembering 18 different PINs? Luckily, with a fingerprint lock, you've got the ultimate unique PIN built right in, and it's impossible to lose.

And, if you still don't think that's enough security, most fingerprint door locks also come with a numerical pad or key lock. This is in case something goes wrong with the fingerprint lock, but it can also be used to add even more security. You can simply program the lock to require both a fingerprint and a combination. This is the true wave of the future when it comes to door locks and security. The technology industry is moving away from "what you know" like a user name and password, to "what you have" like fingerprints.

This way you are the only one with access to you home or business. In today's world, it is essential that we take every necessary precaution to protect ourselves, our homes, and our businesses. Finger print door locks are one of the best ways to respond to this increased threat.

These locks are affordable and easy to install. You don't even have to modify your door to put one in. If you're looking for a way to protect your home, family, or business, you don't have to be a secret agent to take advantage of this kind of technology.

About the Author:

Yuri Gonwalo is an expert in biometric locks and has experience in all aspects of biometric technology including fingerprint door locks. He has done work all throughout the United States and Canada.

A History Of Heating And Todays Methods

By Mary Barbara Dickins

Central heating is very much thought of as a modern-day convenience. However it has been dated back to the ancient Greeks. A system of central heating provides heat to the interior of (or a portion of) a house or factory etc.

It is believed that in around 350 BC the homes of the wealthy and the Great Temples in the ancient times of Greece were heated by warm air that was circulated through flue systems in the floor. Today, because we have electricity to power blowers, forced-air systems warm billions of homes all around the world.

These forced air systems draw air into their pipes through to a furnace where the air is warmed and sent back into the room. There are different sizes of each model system so as to provide for every size room.

These forced-air systems are sometimes used together with a humidifier, an air filter and/or an air-conditioning unit. The piping in the system will usually be metal wrapped in an insulating foam of some kind to keep maximum heat in.

Local heating differs from central heating as the heat is generated in one place, e.g. a furnace room. The heat then begins circulating, usually either by water thats being forced through piping, steam thats being pushed through pipe work or by air that is being forced through piping.

In parts of northern Europe, where the weather is quite cold anyway so they rarely need air-conditioning, central heating comes installed with most new homes.

Systems of steam heating, by oil, coal or gas can be found in North America, Russia and some parts of Europe, usually in larger buildings. Electrical heating systems are less common and are only really used along with cheap electricity.

About the Author:

Of all the different types of heating that there have been throughout the ages, you will find one that is right for your home at discountheatingcentre.co.uk whether you live in a small flat or a stately manor house, you will find the right Towel Rails supplies for you.