Tuesday, September 25, 2018

6 Easily Overlooked Yet Extremely Valuable Design Tips That’ll Elevate Your Art to the Next Level


The tigers eyes are in the bottom third of the image.
You’re artistic, crafty, gifted, talented, whatever title you favor, like me, you’re a hands-on creative who loves making exciting art. Being a budding member of this inspired group, it’s likely you already apply some of these design concepts in your work and in your everyday life. My intention here is to bring to light the increased value of purposefully incorporating these ideas in all of your artistic endeavors. 

Stand-out glass art is the result of careful planning and mindful execution. Yes, it takes forethought. But once you see the incredible benefits a little preparation can bring, you’ll actually enjoy the process as much as I do.   

Elements of good design that’ll take your glass artwork to the next level. 

This piece is divided in thirds vertically.
1.    Rule of thirds.

This rule refers to the way the artistic composition of a piece of art is planned and laid out. Begin by dividing the project shape into three even pieces vertically and horizontally. Think of it like the lines of an imaginary tic-tact-toe board are superimposed over the project. Then place design elements along the imaginary lines, or better yet where two lines intersect. This placement creates desirable tension that engages the viewer and therefore holds their attention much longer.
Unless the design is geometric, avoid placing design elements in the center of the artwork. This type of symmetry creates a calming setting that’s easily ignored. 

There are five flowers.
2.    Work in odd numbers.

When designing your pattern include an odd number of design elements. If you’re drawing flowers, have 3, 5 or 7 blossoms. This pleasing setup meets the viewer’s expectation, plus it amps up the tension and the repeat adds continuity to the overall design.  

The lock and key are focal points. The artwork is also divided in thirds.
3.    Include a focal point.

Every design can benefit from having a focal point. The focal point can be literal and pictorial like a bird or tree. Or it can be abstract like a specific design element, an unexpected shape, a field of contrasting color or an unusual texture. Focal points anchor the viewer to the art. They lure them in and invite them to stay awhile and look around to see how the focal point relates to the remainder of the artwork.  

Design elements are in a triangular pattern.
4.    Place design elements in a triangular fashion.

Placing design elements in a triangular pattern creates a visual flow that encourages the viewer’s eyes to move around the design. Your artist guidance, in the form of strategically placed design elements, is a personal invitation to interact and communicate with the viewer. That’s powerful stuff!  

Triangles are repeated through out this design.
5.    Repeat shapes, elements and patterns.

If you use a shape, design element or pattern in once place consider repeating it two more times. For example, if a circle appears in one place, add two more. This level of planning shows your commitment to your design and the confidence you have in your work. Plus, it adds continuity that raises the sophistication level of the work as a whole. 

Colors are repeated several times in this design.
 6.    Repeat colors.

Color plays an important role in the visual impact of art. It sets the tone and mood for the work. It also unifies the piece. You can increase the dramatic impact of your work by repeating colors at least three times. This adds continuity and shows the artist’s higher level of seriousness and commitment to the art.
When selecting colors plan to use multiple shades of the same color, like yellow, sunflower yellow, light amber, medium amber and dark amber in combination to create shading and add contrast. 

Small changes can have a BIG impact!  

When you stop to think about it, it’s likely you’re using many of these concepts every day. When you decorate the coffee table you arrange three candles in a corner, not in the middle. The candles are likely three different heights that visually forms a triangle. You selected candle colors that are repeated in your décor.

Now, put it all together. Purposely apply these simple design tips when making your glass art and you’ll see a wonderful increase in the beauty and desirability of your finished artwork.

Excerpt from Fused Art Design Video DVD.

Keep being creative. You’re doing great! 

Happy Fusing!
Lisa

Follow my blog for more tips and tricks! 


FREE Fused Art Design Video DVD!
Act now! Special offer ends 9/30/2018.  



Get this inspiring video FREE, a $24.95 value, when you register for my November, Advanced Glass Fusing Workshop.
Advanced Glass Fusing, 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop
November 6 – 9, 2018, Register today: http://www.lisavogt.net/products.aspx?id=477
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on


5 Awesome New Things You’ll Learn in this Workshop
1 NEW Free-Flow process for artful blends and washes like blown glass.
2 How to create dramatic effects with color, pattern and texture. 
3 How to design and build complex, multifaceted works.
4 How to give your art unique form that stands out from the crowd.   
5 How to combine multiple advanced techniques for engaging artwork. 

Check out the New Advanced Fusing Workshop video here



Advanced Glass Fusing 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop
February 5 – 8, 2019
Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.



Learn at home at your own pace. Instructional Videos are here!


Check out my writer’s blog.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

5 Fabulous Frit Techniques You’ll Love



Except from my Fusing with Frit Webinar, this Thursday, September 20, 2018.

Never underestimate the power of small! 

Frit may be tiny, but make no mistake, this little powerhouse can make a huge, positive impact on your glass artwork. The beauty of frit is in its flexibility. I love to push that flexibility every chance I get. 

There are always several ways to approach any glass fusing project. But if you can incorporate frit of some sort into that project, you’ll have something unexpected that is unquestionably more engaging. And as self-serving as it is, we all want to dazzle people with our art. 

Next time you’re brainstorming how to build your project, consider replacing some or several design elements with frit. Play with different sizes; use mosaic, course, medium, fine and powder. Each size has its own unique visual characteristic that you will love after firing. Work with several shades of the same color such as light amber and medium amber to create a three-dimensional quality. Repeat the same color such as red in both transparent and opal glasses for greater contrast. 

Let’s dive in! 

1 Go Overboard! Strengthen your design by incorporating a subtle complimentary pattern in the background. When making the Flowering Tree, I cut a leafy tree limb stencil out of stiff paper. I then sifted soft green powders over the stencil to add the delicate woodland setting behind the flowering plant. The addition of the soft foliage unifies the overall project and makes it distinctly more appealing. The great thing about stenciling a design is that each piece you make will be slightly different and therefore everyone has unique beauty.


2 Go Deeper! Consider increasing the attraction of your work by repeating the same pattern on both the base layer and the top layer. Simply sift powders over a stencil on the base layer. Then turn the stencil ¼ turn and repeat the pattern on the second layer. Stack the layers to create a new, more elegant design. This quick little trick is a terrific way to increase visual depth and ramp up the sophistication of your artwork.  


3 Lighten Up! Give your design a light source and you’ll have an immediate winner. With frit you can do it in a snap. Select frit in multiple shades of the same color. Use both transparent and opal versions of every color in your palette. Then gradually spread the frit working from light to dark. Blend the colors as you go for an even more engaging flow. This painterly technique rapidly transforms flat, lifeless images into lively three-dimensional masterpieces.


4 Set the Mood! Making a sherbet colored tropical sunset, a magical starry night or mysterious mist cloaked meadow is easy with frit. Think about how such enchanted places make you feel. Think about how they draw you in, tempt you to stay and make you wonder what hidden treasures wait for you just out of sight. Now take that feeling and make it tangible by mixing different colors of frit and you’ll create energetic settings that speaks out loud.  


5 Take the Helm! Next time your cut glass design doesn’t fit as accurately as you’d like, do what I do. Throw in a zinger. Fill that nasty crevice or inconvenient hole with frit in a color that contrasts the cut glass around it. No, you’re not fudging a mistake. You’re making something new, adding detail and highlighting the more important characteristics of your design.   

Don’t Mutiny! Frit may be small, but its applications are huge. Use it in small or even large doses and as you navigate these new waters you’ll begin to fathom the many, many artistic possibilities. 

Except from my Fusing with Frit Webinar, this Thursday, September 20, 2018.

Anchors Away!

Want to learn more? Join me this Thursday, September 20, 2018.
This is just a sampling of the tips and techniques you’ll see how to apply in my upcoming Fusing with Frit webinar. I hope to see YOU there!


Fusing with Frit Webinar
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Ramp up the visual intricacy of your glass art!
Clever glass fusers know that using strong line quality and bold color saturation in combination is an effective way to create stand-out works of art. Now take such trustworthy techniques and sprinkle in gradient blends and subtle shading achieved using frit. You’ll be amazed just how quickly your artwork advances to a new, exciting level of sophistication.
In this comprehensive webinar, I’ll show you how to apply several methods I employs to add the striking, painterly-quality I’ve developed to improve the impact of your glass fusing projects. I’ll demonstrate SEVEN projects in this Webinar, from sea turtles to flowering trees to beach scenes and more! You’ll learn: how to evaluate a design to maximize the imagery, steps for successful fabrication and practical tips for building professional quality, finished pieces. Along with my step-by-step instruction, you’ll also receive complete material lists and project-specific firing guides. I hope to see YOU there!
Let’s get together and fuse glass!
Are you a hands-on learner? Join me in November! 


Now registering!
Advanced Glass Fusing 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop
November 6 – 9, 2018
Wesley Chapel, Florida
4-Day, Hands-on

5 Awesome New Things You’ll Learn in this Workshop
1 NEW Free-Flow process for artful blends and washes like blown glass.
2 How to create dramatic effects with color, pattern and texture. 
3 How to design and build complex, multifaceted works.
4 How to give your art unique form that stands out from the crowd.   
5 How to combine multiple advanced techniques for engaging artwork. 

Check out the New Advanced Fusing Workshop video here

Keep creating. You’re doing great!

Happy Fusing!
Lisa
Follow my blog for more tips and tricks! 



Advanced Glass Fusing 4-Day, Hands-on Workshop
February 5 – 8, 2019
Join me for this intense workshop held in my private studio.
Wesley Chapel, Florida, 4-Day, Hands-on, Class size is limited.


Learn at home at your own pace. Instructional Videos are here!


Check out my writer’s blog.
Writer – Instructor – Artist