Blog

Our weekly contest winner, Miro Gradinscak, shares his story of art.

We asked Miro where he hailed from and what triggered his interest in art.
Here is what Miro said,

Hey, My name is Miro Gradinscak and I come from Croatia, a small country in Europe. I'm a textile designer and drawing is my hobby. I'm a self-taught artist and I have been drawing from an early age. However, for various reasons I haven’t been able to draw since last few years, but I'm glad that I started again.

We then asked him what served as his inspiration and muse.

My father loved to paint. I would sit next to him and watch him work all day long. Gradually, I realized I had fallen in love with art as well. As I stated earlier, I had started to draw very early, when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I was drawing all sorts of things particularly cowboys and Indians. In high school, I saw a great drawing of some famous singer and that played a significant role in my decision to do portraits. I love animals and lately I have been drawing them quite often.

When asked about the particular areas and media that he liked to work upon and with, Miro replied that,

I'm obsessed with graphite and this is the medium with which I love to work most. Of course, I like painting too. A few years ago I tried to do something in this medium, but I wasn't satisfied. It didn't look realistic enough and that's why I gave up. I'm very self-critical.

We asked Miro where he saw himself after a couple of years down this road. This is what he said,

I will certainly continue to draw and I want to show it. My wish is that more people get to see my artwork and I hope I will have a solo exhibition soon.

Finally, we asked Miro if he wanted to leave a message for other aspiring artists out there,

Well, I don't have any particular message...or maybe...a few days ago I saw an interesting post on Facebook...'Don't compare your work to others, compare your new work to the old'.

To find more about our contests and Miro, check out our website today.
1-catf.pixels.com

Our weekly contest winner, Jim Schultz , shares his journey of art

• Jim, when and why did you get interested in art?

I am a part-time artist who has always loved drawing. I also work as an engineer for NASA. Several of my drawings are selfies of astronauts out on space walks. I love to draw realistic graphite pencil drawings of people, animals, and scenery. My goal is to make my drawings look like photographs. I am self-taught and most of my drawing techniques have come through trial and error. You can see my work at https://1-james-schultz.pixels.com/

• What triggered your interest in art or served as your inspiration?

I have loved drawing as long as I can remember. I have always been awed by the great artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and others and love their realistic art. To me, that takes real talent.
My family, friends, and teachers have always encouraged me to draw and one of my coworkers convinced me to put my artwork out on art websites so others could see it.
The world is full of awesome beauty and I try to capture a snap shot of that on paper using graphite pencils. Being an engineer, I always want to understand how things work which I believe helps me create more realistic drawings.

• Jim, are there any particular areas that you like to work upon?

I’m always looking for new techniques to make my drawings look like photographs. Over the years I have learned a lot of techniques for drawing different things such as hair, fur, skin, eyes, etc. to make them look more realistic. I’m always looking for ways to improve and welcome any suggestions or techniques others have learned.

• Where do you see yourself in future as an artist?

I plan to keep on drawing in my free time. I always look for new challenging things to draw and bring to life. My passion is to be a full-time artist.

• If you had to give a message to all aspiring artists out there, what would that be?

Art is like the seed of a fruit tree. If the seed is nurtured and tended it will produce beautiful blossoms and fruit for the world to see, enjoy, and cherish. If it is put in a box and ignored, the world will ever know what beauty they have never seen.

To get to know more about our contests and more about Jim, check out our website today at
1-catf.pixels.com

Arab culture and passion for horses go hand in hand. According to ancient legend, the Arabian horse was born of a handful of the south wind and virtue is bound into the hair of its forelock, its master is its friend and he has been given the power of flight without wings.
The preoccupation with the horse is a thread traceable through the fabric of Arab society for five millennia. Once high profile in the social landscape of nomadic tribes in the Fertile Crescent, the horse has become far less a part of daily life but is nonetheless nurtured and loved in stables throughout the Kingdom.

Characteristics of Arabian Horse

* There are several characteristics that set the Arabian horse apart from other breeds, the most noticeable being the face. The Arabian’s head has a characteristic dished profile with a prominent eye, large nostrils and small muzzle.
*There is also religious significance in the Arabian’s features; the large forehead is said to hold the blessings of Allah; the high tail carriage was symbolic of pride and the arched neck and high crest signified courage.
* The Arabian’s broad chest, short, but strong back, and sloped shoulders give him power and ‘floaty’ gaits. Arabians have also become the breed of choice in the endurance racing world because of their stamina and agility.
* They are well-known for being affectionate and bonding well with humans and it is this particular characteristic that supports a discreet but invaluable therapeutic use for the ancient breed.

Arab Culture and Horse Racing

This love for horses is also reflected in Middle East’s fervent patronage for horse racing. Interest in horse racing may wax and wane in other parts of the world, but no place can match the racy and sustained passion for the sport which is found in the Middle East.

CATF and Horse Races

CATF has portrayed this very ardor in its artworks which stand out because of their impressionistic yet simultaneously realistic depictions of this sport. Check out our gallery today to savor Arabian horses in all their glory.

https://1-catf.pixels.com/collections/arab+culture+and+horses

Arab culture and passion for horses go hand in hand. According to ancient legend, the Arabian horse was born of a handful of the south wind and virtue is bound into the hair of its forelock, its master is its friend and he has been given the power of flight without wings.
The preoccupation with the horse is a thread traceable through the fabric of Arab society for five millennia. Once high profile in the social landscape of nomadic tribes in the Fertile Crescent, the horse has become far less a part of daily life but is nonetheless nurtured and loved in stables throughout the Kingdom.

Characteristics of Arabian Horse

* There are several characteristics that set the Arabian horse apart from other breeds, the most noticeable being the face. The Arabian’s head has a characteristic dished profile with a prominent eye, large nostrils and small muzzle.
*There is also religious significance in the Arabian’s features; the large forehead is said to hold the blessings of Allah; the high tail carriage was symbolic of pride and the arched neck and high crest signified courage.
* The Arabian’s broad chest, short, but strong back, and sloped shoulders give him power and ‘floaty’ gaits. Arabians have also become the breed of choice in the endurance racing world because of their stamina and agility.
* They are well-known for being affectionate and bonding well with humans and it is this particular characteristic that supports a discreet but invaluable therapeutic use for the ancient breed.

Arab Culture and Horse Racing

This love for horses is also reflected in Middle East’s fervent patronage for horse racing. Interest in horse racing may wax and wane in other parts of the world, but no place can match the racy and sustained passion for the sport which is found in the Middle East.

CATF and Horse Races

CATF has portrayed this very ardor in its artworks which stand out because of their impressionistic yet simultaneously realistic depictions of this sport. Check out our gallery today to savor Arabian horses in all their glory.

https://1-catf.pixels.com/collections/arab+culture+and+horses

Handling edges is a skill that all fine artists will need to learn sooner or later. Edges that are out of focus are vital in paintings in order to create the 3D illusion of making things look like they recede in a landscape painting, for example. Edges that are blurred make things appear they are moving.
The handling of edges is to be applied in all mediums, although some are more cooperative than others. For example, with pastels all you need to do is massage the dust with your finger and you can achieve any degree of softness, whereas in acrylics the paint dries too fast and it’s impossible to blur, like with oils. Watercolor requires experience to know exactly when to apply the pigment to the wet paper.

Painting Tips for Artists

There are three kinds of edges in all mediums:

Diffused Edges
The contour of forms can become completely lost, leaving little or no definition. Use diffused edges for the following to:
• Indicate foliage in the last plane in your background
• Create ethereal cumulous clouds
• Create realistic waterfalls that appear to be moving
• Indicate crashing waves in seascapes
Soft Edges
The edge is recognizable, but blurry.
• Distant trees and evergreens in backgrounds
• Distant hills
• Things in the peripheral areas of a painting
• Water reflections
Hard Edges
Clearly defined with no sense of being out of focus.
• Rocks
• Buildings
• Rocky mountains
Advice on how to achieve soft or diffused edges:
Oil and Pastel:
Massage the paint to the degree of blurriness desired. These two mediums are very easy.
Watercolor:
1) Apply water to the paper.
2) Wait about 5 minutes for the water to be absorbed and/or until the paper is no longer glossy.
3) Add just enough water to create pasty (not runny) pigment. If necessary suck the excess water out of the brush by squeezing the bristles where they meet the ferrule while holding the brush vertically to the paper. Note: Rough paper is more cooperative than cold-pressed paper when it comes to controlling soft edges.
Acrylic:
Scumble the adjacent color (such as the sky on the edges of trees) and lightly feather it in until the transition creates the blurred contour.


Visit our gallery today to find out how CATF artists have these techniques in their artworks.

1-catf.pixels.com

What is “sufi dance”?
This dance is a spiritual practice (known as Samâ) and is related to “spiritual hearing” in sufism. This whirling or spinning style dance is sometimes referred to as the dance of the “Whirling Dervishes” but there is an important difference.



What is the difference between the dances?
The whirling dervishes dance is part of the Mevlevi Sufi order and is highly codified and choreographed. The essence of the Sufi Dance however is a „communion with the divine“ and not just a blind imitation of the familiar whirling and spinning movements.

The Sufi Dance creates a personal space in which the dancer is free to explore a more intimate journey experienced using the whirling and spinning technique.



What does Sufi dance represent?
The dancer is destined to whirl as the earth around the sun and so achieve harmony with the Universe itself. As the planets themselves rotate so the dance is performed spinning from the left side, the heart side!

So why does the dancer whirl and spin ?
The answer to this question is to be found in the Sama (spiritual hearing) and truly it is only the one who spins who holds the key ! Like a journey that cannot be taken without departure, the one who desires the mystery and secret of the danse must feel the will to embark upon the journey !



Does the movement induce nausea or dizziness?
It is quite normal to feel disorientated or „dizzy“ and indeed it is said to be an essential part of learning the dance and preparing the dancer to enter the state of ecstasy known as „mystical intoxication“ which varies in intensity from person to person. Perseverance and self discipline are the pathway to enlightenment where spirit and body fall by the wayside in the liberation of the soul.

Over time the dancer will learn how to embrace feelings of nausea and dizziness and indeed learn to ignore these sensations and give way to a feeling of fullfilment.



Why do the dancers wear long skirts?
The long skirt, most often white as a symbol of purity, enhances the circular motion of the dance. Naturally the long flowing skirt begins to spread and fan out as the movement increases in momentum.

The sufi dance créâtes an invisible energy, colourless, pure and transparent as light reflected from a Mirror.

The swirling skirt begins to move in endless waves and an aura envelopes the body in the same way as the sun bathes the earth in its light.



What kind of music accompanies the dance?
Sufi music is repetitive and often built around the Zekr (or Zikr) which is concerned with the memory and the practice which rekindles the memory. It’s powerful rhythm reminds us of the heartbeat and leads us to the mystical intoxication of the Sama.



Can I perform and experience the Sufi Dance?
Yes but you must be a believer!! A believer in ‘love’!!
To love yourself and to love others.
To believe in each one of us.



Do I have to be experienced in dance?
No, anyone of us can learn the Sufi Dance and master the whirling, spinning techniques whilst respecting one’s own limitations! With time and practice the dancer will improve in power and speed and embark on the journey to mystical intoxication and the liberation of one’s own soul.

Sufi Whirling and Art
While anyone can appreciate Sufi art, understanding it requires study. Each dance posture symbolises a different meaning, for example, the raised arm of the dervish means taking from God and the lowered arm connotes giving to the world. Similarly each colour has a different story to tell.

CATF’s has illustrated this mystical connection to infinity in its artworks which depict this very form of dance adopted by Rumi’s followers.

Check out our gallery today and relish the ambiance and aura of sufi art.

1-catf.pixels.com

Our collection of paintings on Sufis and mystics primarily feature Sufis and their dances.
In order to understand the depth of these paintings, it is vital that one primarily gets acquainted with the concept of Sufism and what it is all about.

Sufism- What is it?

Sufism can be termed as the mystical dimension of Islam. People who practice Sufism are termed as Sufis. These Sufis belong to various orders or congregations and have their spiritual sessions in accordance with these orders.

Usually, all Sufis trace back their original precepts from Muhammad SAW through his cousin and son-in-law Ali. The Naqshbandi order differs in this respect since they trace back from Muhammad through the first Rashid Caliph Abu Bakr.

This was a short introduction of Sufism and Sufis. However, our collection of paintings pertains to asceticism which classical Sufis are noted for .

They have a number of devotional practices, amongst which the notable ones are Dhikr, Muraqba, Visitation and Sufi Whirling.

Sufi Whirling- What is it?

Our paintings portray Sufis in this latter form of physically active meditation. Through this customary dance, dervishes aim to reach the source of ultimate perfection or Kemal.

In this dance, the dervish abandons his ego or nafs and while listening to the music, focuses his attention on God. While he centers his attention on God, the source of Kemal, he spins his body around in repetitive circles which is known as Tanoura dance or Sufi Whirling. This dance is a metaphorical representation of the planets in the solar system orbiting around the Sun.

Check out our gallery on Sufis and Mystics today to revel in this classic art form

1-catf.pixels.com

This week, Team CATF would be delineating its tried and tested tips and guidelines for all aspiring artists out there on how to varnish an acrylic painting.

WHY VARNISH YOUR ACRYLIC PAINTINGS?

You might be wondering at this juncture that why do we have to varnish in the first place. The answer is pretty simple.

It is essential that you varnish your completed acrylic paintings because
• The varnish will protect the painting from dust, UV rays and yellowing.
• It would add a layer of shine that somehow, almost as if by magic, pulls the whole painting together and makes it look even more amazing, bringing out the gorgeous vibrancy of the colors.

WHAT KINDS OF VARNISHES ARE AVAILABLE OUT THERE?

• Varnish comes in gloss, satin or matte finish.
• You can mix any of these types of varnish to get the exact finish that you are looking for, but it will take some experimentation! Learning how to varnish an acrylic painting involves this kind of experimentation so that you get it just right.

ARE YOU ALL SET TO VARNISH NOW?

When you're ready to varnish, these are the instructions that you would have to follow.
1. Make sure that the painting is completely dry first.
2. Always keep a separate glass jar or plastic cup aside exclusively for varnishing
3. It is better to keep a separate brush too just for varnishing.
4. Rinse the jar in water before putting in varnish.
5. If you use a removable varnish and you think that someday the varnish might need to be removed for any reason, you'll need to apply an isolation coat before you varnish the painting. The isolation coat acts as a barrier between your painting and the varnish, protecting your painting from the chemicals that remove the varnish.
6. Lay the painting flat while varnishing, and make sure it's in a place where it can lie flat and undisturbed for a few hours while the varnish dries..
7. Dip the brush into the varnish about 1/3 to 1/4-way down the length of the brush and gently tap off the excess. Holding the brush at an angle, apply the varnish in even strokes across the painting, moving the brush in the same direction each time. Start at one corner and work your way across the whole painting in a parallel fashion.
8. When you are done, look at the surface of the painting from an angle. If there are any parts that are not shiny and wet, gently go over it with a bit of varnish. It helps if you shine a light on it, because the wet, varnished parts with sparkle in the light. If you see any dust or other debris that may have fallen into the varnish, gently and carefully pull it out using a toothpick or some other small, pointed object.
9. Allow a few hours for the varnish to dry, according to the time indicated on the package. Then you may or may not want to give it another coat of varnish. Sometimes the varnish doesn't cover completely evenly the first time around, so another coat will even everything out
10. When you're done, carefully and thoroughly clean the jar and the brush, and keep them someplace safe where they won't collect any dust.
Congratulations! Now you've completed your acrylic painting!


Check out our collection of acrylic paintings today at
1-catf.pixels.com

Belly Dance- What is it?
Belly dance is an expressive dance which emphasizes complex movements of the torso. Originally a Middle Eastern folk dance, it has evolved to take many different forms depending on the country and region, both in costume and dance style. New styles have been spread from the Middle East to the whole world where its popularity is becoming more and more popular in the Occident.

Belly Dance- What are its roots?

The term “belly dance” is a translation of the French term “danse du ventre”, which was applied to the dance in the Victorian era, and probably originally referred to dancers from the Ouled Nail tribes of Algeria.

Belly Dance- Today

Its current use is something of a misnomer, as the Ouled Nail dance used more abdominal movements than the dances described today as “belly dance”.

CATF and Belly Dance

In its collection “Belly Dancers”, CATF has focused exclusively on belly dancers, their associated ambience, dress codes, movements and the mystery which they evoke.

Check out our collection today at

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-catf.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=339906

1-catf.pixels.com

CATF Artist Guide for Beginners: Acrylic Paint Supplies

Needless to say acrylic paint supplies and knowledge of where to get them is an essential must-have before you start painting with acrylics.
Here we have jotted down a list of all the supplies that you would need along with suggestions of where to get them from. From paints to brushes to canvases, this article is going to be your basic but ultimate guide.

The Basic supplies include:
1. Acrylic paints
2. Paint Brushes
3. Canvas (wood, paper, etc.)
4. Palette
5. Paper towels or rags
6. Varnish
7. A cup of water
8. Soap for brushes


1. Acrylic paints

When painting with acrylics, acrylic paints are indispensable. The top item in our list seems way too obvious, however it is important for beginners to know where they can get hold of acrylic paints and what kinds of acrylic paints are available in the market.
Acrylic paints can either be bought individually or in a set. While buying your paints, things which you need to consider include the colors’ quality, its permanence, its viscosity, drying time etc. Links to some of our favorite brands have been given below.

• High Quality Acrylic Paints for Artists

http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-artists-acrylic/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates


http://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-professional-heavy-body-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-heavy-body-artist-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

• Fluid Acrylic Paints

http://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-professional-soft-body-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-fluid-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/lascaux-aquacryl-artists-watercolors/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

• Open and Interactive Acrylics

http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-open-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/chroma-atelier-interactive-artists-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

• Student Quality Acrylics

http://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-basics-acrylic-colors/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/grumbacher-academy-acrylics/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

2. Paint Brushes

Paint brushes are going to be the next mandatory item on your list. Choosing the right paint brush can be an overwhelming experience for beginners and hence we have listed down some of our favorite links for you to consider.

Also, you need to remember that for Acrylic paints, there are 8 different shapes of paintbrushes. Each shape caters to a different technique and level of details.
- Round Brushes
- Pointed Round Brushes
- Flat
- Bright
- Filbert
- Angular Flat
- Fan
- Detail Round




Also, there are different sizes of brushes too.

• The small size brushes are for details.
• The mid-size brushes are for versatility
• The large size brushes are for painting large areas and washes.

Moreover, paint brushes usually come in two types of bristles. Natural and Synthetic. For acrylic paints, the latter option works well because they are easier to clean, work well with the acrylic resin and can sit in water for hours.

Listed below are some of our favorite brands for paintbrushes.

If you are looking for something budget-friendly, check out these

http://www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-series-3750-select-synthetic-round/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/loew-cornell-american-painter-brushes/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

Or if you want something high-end, Da Vinci brushes may just be what you need

http://www.dickblick.com/products/da-vinci-top-acryl-synthetic-brushes/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

3. Canvas

Canvas is the most popular substrate to paint on. Canvases are available in multiple sizes. Another option could be wooden panels or very thick paper. Some factors to consider while choosing a canvas for yourself may include texture, weight, fiber, permanence etc.

Some of our favorite canvas brands include:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-academic-cotton-canvas/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/masterpiece-artfix-acrylic-primed-linen-canvas/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/fredrix-blue-label-cotton-canvas/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

4. Soaps for Paint brushes

It is important to wash your paintbrushes thoroughly with soap and water. For this very purpose of cleaning and conditioning paintbrushes, specific soaps are manufactured.

Listed below are some brands of paintbrush soap.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/ez-air-brush-cleaners/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/the-masters-brush-cleaner-and-preserver/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/pink-soap-artist-brush-cleaner/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

5. Varnish

Varnish may be your last step while painting with acrylics, however its importance can in no way be mitigated. A coat of varnish at the end is crucial because it helps the paint to chemically bind up with the canvas. Also, it serves as an additional layer of protection.

Acrylic varnishes come in different finishes. They may be satin, gloss or matte.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-matte-acrylic-varnishes/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-acrylic-polymer-varnishes/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-acrylic-polymer-varnishes/?SSAID=317993&utm_source=SAS&utm_medium=affiliates&ref=affiliates

CATF and Acrylic Art

CATF team loves Acrylic paints and we have an extensive array of acrylic artworks, each distinct in its technique, meaning and ambiance.
Check out our acrylic artworks today at

1-catf.pixels.com