How To Paint Your Own Artwork - And Save Money by Catherine Calder

How To Paint Your Own Artwork - And Save Money by Catherine Calder

Everyone wants to save money. Don't you? Well, painting
your own, color matched art can be a lot easier than you
might think!

Usually the picture that you want for your room will have an
outrageous price. Or maybe you just can't find anything
that matches your new color scheme?

There is a simple way to paint your own pictures and save a
fortune. Not only will you save money but you can exactly
match your dcor as well. Use this easy method and you can
make your own unique pictures.

First decide what size of picture you want and buy a
suitable stretched canvas. It needs to be suitable for
acrylic paints which are water based. Some canvases are
only suitable for oil based paints, and will not work for
this project.

It will be easiest to choose an abstract theme. Abstract
art will look good in most rooms. You can include shapes
from any of the patterns in the furnishings. Use a basic
shape rather than trying to copy the shape in detail. For
example, just use a simple leaf outline rather than showing
every vein in the leaf as it is depicted in the curtains.

Any water based paints used in the room can be included in
the picture for a perfect match. Otherwise take along a
color sample of your paint or wallpaper, as well as any
fabric samples when you go to buy the paints for the
picture.

I like to use acrylic paints as they come in a large range
of colors. It is easy to adapt the colors to match those
that are already in the room. Also acrylics come in a range
of metallic colors which can look stunning.

Another option is to use tester pots of interior paint.
This can be an economic way of buying colors for your
picture - as long as the paints are water based.

Keep the painting simple for the best result. When you see
paintings that you like you can use them as the inspiration
for your own abstract. Simple bands of color can be very
effective. Also blocks of color can look good too. Use
tape to mask off the areas before painting if you want a
crisp edge. Acrylic paints are an adhesive, so remove the
tape before the paint dries - unless you want to the tape in
the final picture!

You do not need to cover all of the canvas. Leaving areas
of the white canvas will help to brighten the final effect.
One method is to just splash on a few colors and leave it to
dry.

If you are unhappy with the result of your efforts simply
paint over the canvas and start again. No stress!

Leave the picture to dry. When completely dry you can
improve or highlight parts as necessary. This would be a
good time to add metallic paints if you are using them.

Once the final coats of paint are dry, give the picture a
coat of acrylic varnish to seal it. Once sealed, it can be
wiped with a damp cloth to keep it clean.

The canvas could be framed, but a lot of modern pieces are
displayed without a frame. In modern surroundings this is a
very good look, and saves on the cost of framing.

It really isn't that difficult to paint your own pictures.
By learning a few simple techniques you will be able to
paint with confidence. When you paint your own pictures you
will be able to match your dcor exactly and repeat the
patterns already used in the room - all at a fraction of the
price of buying one from a gallery. Your own unique
masterpiece!

About the Author
Catherine Calder, author of the Acrylic Painting Course.
This 'No-Draw' painting course shows you, step-by-step,
how to complete 12 pictures, and ideas for more!
For a Free Report about painting your own artwork -
How to Paint Abstract Pictures for Pleasure and Profit
Click here => http://www.learnanddo.com/acrylic.asp

Soy Candles? What Will They Think of Next? by M J Plaster

Soy Candles? What Will They Think of Next? by M J Plaster

Quick: What comes to mind when you think of soy candles? Before my formal introduction to soy candles, I thought organic (read expensive) and BEIGE! And not just the color beige, but beige as an overall description for soy candlesblah like baby food, ground chick peas, and a pale winter pallor. I had no idea why it would even occur to anyone to purchase a soy candle.

I couldn't have been more wrong in my assessment! After gaining a working knowledge of candles, soy candles reside front and center in my growing candle collection. When you learn the facts, you will probably replace your paraffin candles with the soy version, at least on an attrition basis. If you're still at the beige stage, read on while we shed a little light on the subject.

Paraffin vs. Soy

First, clear your mind of all preconceived notions that you've conjured up about soy candles. Replace those thoughts with just two thoughts for now: clean and fresh. Traditional candles made of paraffin are actually petroleum-based products.

Oil is not only a finite resource, primarily imported from the Middle East, it recently made a new all-time high. You see it reflected at the gas pump, and you'll see it reflected in candle prices, if you haven't already. You pay no premium to reap the benefits of soy candles, because soy candles are priced competitively with their paraffin counterparts, and soy candles last up to 50% longer than paraffin candles.

Petroleum products do not burn cleanly. If you wouldn't voluntarily walk into a burning petroleum field, then why would you burn paraffin in your home? If you burn candles regularly, try this experiment. Move a picture on your wall. If you see an outline on the wall at the edge of the picture, soot from burning candles is the culprit. That same burning petroleum deposits itself in your lungs, and it's a known carcinogen. Soy candles are non-toxic, burn cleanly without smoking, burn cooler than paraffin candles, and use all-natural cotton wicks.

If you've ever spent hours cleaning spilled wax on your floor or carpet, you know what an exercise in futility it can be. Sometimes there is simply no removing it. Spilled melted soy wax cleans up with soap and water, and it does come out, unlike some paraffin spills. Biodegradable soy has its practical advantages as well as its health advantages.

Made in the USA! Soy is a renewable resource, made right here in the United States, and you don't see much of that these days. You're helping the economy by using soy-based products, and charity begins at home.

Scented Soy Candle

With all these good-for-you attributes, you may wonder if you'll have to settle for the aroma of melting soybeans. Not only are scented soy candles available, but they are typically scented with a natural essence rather than a synthetic fragrance. With "flavors" such as Crme Brle, Gingerbread, Jeweled Citrus and Banana Nut Bread, you can easily tease your appetite with soy candles. In fact, soy candles burn more evenly than paraffin candles, and the fragrance lasts through the entire candle, rather than burning off in the top half of the candle.

Aromatherapy Soy Candles

It would seem a contradiction of terms to use a pure essential oil in a candle of paraffin, but it's a common practice. The highest-quality aromatherapy candles use pure essential oils, soy wax, and cotton wicks. If you're going to pay a premium for aromatherapy candles, and there are numerous benefits in doing so, make sure that the candle is comprised of 100% unadulterated, natural products. Otherwise, why bother?

As an educated consumer, you have the power to further the advancement of superior products through your purchases. Every industry requires research and development to make advancements, and the natural candle industry will evolve at a rate that makes economic sense. Through your support of natural candle products, you can effect a healthy change while enjoying the benefits and the pleasures of burning soy candles.
About the Author
M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/ in general and http://www.candles-4-u.com/soy_candles.htm. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.