Lesson: How To Draw Black Fur On An Animal

Drawing and painting black fur presents a special challenge in that, so often, very little detail is visible and the animal looks like two eyes floating in a black blob.

This is especially the tendency if the subject is poorly lit and if
you're working from photographs, which tend to flatten tones and decrease subtle variations in color.

Many of the problems can be solved by working from clear references or by starting by drawing the same animal, but with a light-colored coat.

This enables you to familiarize yourself with the complexities of the animal before adding the difficulty of a black coat.

The key to drawing black fur is to remember that even black fur has variations in darkness, though they may be subtle.

The fur in shadow will be darker than the main body of the fur, and there will still be highlights.

Bringing out the distinctions in tone are just as important in drawing black fur as other colors of fur, if not more so.

Begin with a clear sketch that shows how the body is moving.

Even if you can't see the leg, neck, paws and so forth because the fur is too dark, draw lines where they go. When the sketch is complete, begin laying in the tone, always putting the strokes down in the direction of the fur growth.

None of your lines should be contrary to fur, even at the earliest stages. Be careful
to work around the highlight shapes to preserve them.

Blend, then bring out the darkest areas by adding more tone.

Cross a few lines into the highlights to keep them from looking like stripes, and do the delicate blending in the face and smaller areas with a tortillon.

Darken the eyes and add details such as whiskers, nails, and a few flyaway hairs with a sharp pencil to finish. If you want to add a background, you can do so with lines that are as tight or as impressionistic as you wish to give the animal some setting.

Want To Learn More...

Animal Mastery is what you need to successfully learn to draw your favorite animals.

We give you clear videos showing you step-by-step how to draw animals.

With clear (and fun) instructions on how to draw ... you'll learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.

The artist has chosen popular animal pictures and will show you how to draw each one in color.

Each image has high definition videos outlining the animal in pencil and adding color to the image.

Click here to learn more

Warm Regards

Chris Elmore
Drawing Made Easy

Braised Cod with Celery - Healthy Food Tip and Recipe

Today's Recipe

If you don't know what to serve for dinner tonight ...

The combination of ingredients in this recipe offers a delicious flavor while providing you with an excellent source of health-promoting nutrients. And you can enjoy a complete meal in 30 minutes.

Braised Cod with Celery

Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, cut in half and sliced thick
• 6 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 cups celery, cut diagonally about 1 inch long
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
• 3/4 cup green olives cut in fourths
• 1 TBS + 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
• 1-1/2 lbs cod, cut into 2 inch pieces
• pinch red chili flakes
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Slice onion and garlic and let sit for 5 minutes to enhance its health-promoting benefits.
2. Heat 1 TBS broth in a 10-12 inch skillet. Healthy Sauté chopped onion in broth over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until translucent.
3. Add garlic and celery and sauté for another minute. Add drained diced tomatoes, green olives and remaining broth. Stir, cover, and simmer on medium-low for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until celery is tender.
4. Place cod, lemon, salt, pepper, and chili flakes on top of celery and continue to simmer covered for another 5 minutes, or until fish is cooked. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Serves 4 Serving Suggestions: Serve with

• Brown Rice

Slow-Cooker Black Bean-Mushroom Chili

Ingredients

• 1   pound dried black beans, (2 1/2 cups), rinsed
• 1   tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4  cup mustard seeds
• 2   tablespoons chili powder
• 1 1/2  teaspoons cumin seeds, or ground cumin
• 1/2  teaspoon cardamom seeds, or ground cardamom
• 2   medium onions, coarsely chopped
• 1   pound mushrooms, sliced
• 8   ounces tomatillos, (see Ingredient Note), husked, rinsed and coarsely chopped
• 1/4  cup water
• 5 1/2  cups mushroom broth, or vegetable broth
• 1  6  ounce can tomato paste
• 1 - 2   tablespoons minced canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, (see Ingredient Note)
• 1 1/4  cups grated Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack cheese
• 1/2  cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/2  cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2   limes, cut into wedges

Related Video

 

How to Make Homemade Chili

A favorite on a cold winter's day, this homemade chili recipe will warm you right up. This com...see more

more videos

Directions

1. 

Soak beans overnight in 2 quarts water. (Alternatively, place beans and 2 quarts water in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.) Drain the beans, discarding soaking liquid.

2. 

Combine oil, mustard seeds, chili powder, cumin and cardamom in a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven. Place over high heat and stir until the spices sizzle, about 30 seconds. Add onions, mushrooms, tomatillos and water. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are juicy, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover and stir often until the juices evaporate and the vegetables are lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Add broth, tomato paste and chipotles; mix well.

3. 

Place the beans in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the hot vegetable mixture over the beans. Turn heat to high. Put the lid on and cook until the beans are creamy, 5 to 8 hours.

4. 

Garnish each serving with cheese, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of cilantro. Serve with lime wedges. Stovetop Variation: Total: 4 1/2 hours In Step 2, increase broth to 81/2 cups. Omit Step 3. Add the beans to the Dutch oven; cover and simmer the chili gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beans are creamy to bite, about 3 hours.

Tips:

1. 

Ingredient notes: Chipotle peppers are dried, smoked jalapeno peppers. Ground chipotle chile pepper can be found in the specialty spice section of most supermarkets. Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are smoked jalapenos packed in a flavorful sauce. Look for the small cans with the Mexican foods in large supermarkets. Once opened, they'll keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer.

2. 

Tomatillos are tart, plum-size green fruits that look like small, husk-covered green tomatoes. Find them in the produce section near the tomatoes. Remove the outer husk and rinse them well before using.

3. 

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

4. 

Equipment: 5- to 6-quart slow cooker

nutrition information

Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 306, Fat, total (g) 10, chol. (mg) 20, sat. fat (g) 4, carb. (g) 40, Monosaturated fat (g) 2, fiber (g) 13, pro. (g) 18, sodium (mg) 415, Potassium (mg) 735, iron (mg) 3.96, Vegetables () 2.5, Starch () 2, Medium-Fat Meat () 1, Fat () 1, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Insight for the Day 12/3/2014

Insight of the Day 12/2/2014

Lesson: How To Add Texture To Pastel Colors

Even the beginning pastel student will realize that pastels are easily blended ...

... and that the smooth, gradiated tones produce a very different feel from the rougher look that is initially put down on paper.

Blending is, of course, an essential tool to have available to you and you should be familiar with the many variations that are had by blending with fingers, brushes, stomps, chamois, tissues and more.

But the key to producing lively, eye-catching work is variation in the style. You don't want every color to be flattened smooth by blending, just as you don't want everything to appear rough and untouched.

You need to have in your toolbag many different skills and methods for manipulating the medium so that they're all there at your disposal whenever you sit down to a fresh pastel painting.

Take what is discussed here and use it as building blocks from which you can develop new looks in your work and create a style all your own.

Feathering is adding lines of different colors over the top of a blocked in color field.

Dusting is scraping pastel particles onto the page and then crushing them with a flat, clean tool like a palette knife to create a soft or spotted texture.

The texture will change according to the size of the particles and how you flatten them with the knife; straight pressure produces a different look than circling or wiping the dust.

Scumbling is dragging one color over another lightly enough that the color underneath shows through. It is usually done with a pastel stick on the side.

Want To Learn More...

Landscape Mastery is generously illustrated showing you step-by-step how to draw landscapes.

With clear (and fun) instructions on how to draw, you'll learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.

The artist has chosen popular landscape pictures and will show you how to draw each one in color.

Landscape drawing is a fascinating area of study which requires an understanding of perspective, light and shade, detail and abstraction.

Click here to learn more

Warm Regards

Chris Elmore
Drawing Made Easy

16 Stay-Skinny Breakfasts

See the Recipes »

 

See How to Lose Weight with a Healthy Breakfast

Lighten up your morning meal with these yummy, low-calorie breakfast recipes.

Good news for people who eat breakfast—they tend to weigh less than people who don't. Plus, starting your day with a healthy meal helps you stay on track. These recipes all clock in at less than 350 calories and have healthy nutrients like protein, fiber and vitamins. Enjoy delicious green smoothies, pancakes, eggs and oatmeal. Download a FREE Cookbook of Our Best Breakfast Recipes!
Begin »

The Snack Food Hall of Shame

• The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  If you buy a snack at a fast-food restaurant or other convenience outlet, beware. Most takeout foods are much higher in fat and calories than you might think. For instance, a Carrot Walnut Spice Muffin at Au Bon Pain packs in nearly one-third the calories you need in a day and half the fat. To avoid these calorie traps when you're on the go, take healthy low-fat snacks such as fruits and vegetables with you. If you've got a healthy snack in the car, you won't be as tempted to purchase one of these.
  
  Click here
  
• 

  The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  550 calories, 27 grams of fat
  The Everyday Health Swap:You may be seduced by the sweet spice of this carrot muffin, but are the double-digit fat grams really worth it? Instead, try one of these alternatives:
  Carrot Raisin Bread
  99 calories, 3 grams of fat
  Oatmeal Carrot Muffins
  151 calories, 3 grams of fat
  
• 

  The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  590 calories, 24 grams of fat
  The Everyday Health Swap:You can have your cake and eat it too — if it's not high in fat! Indulge in these mouth-watering cupcakes or delicate soufflés:
  Chocolate-Cream Cheese Cupcakes
  166 calories, 5 grams of fat
  Chocolate Soufflés
  109 calories, 2 grams of fat
  
• 

  The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  310 calories, 16 grams of fat
  The Everyday Health Swap:Most of us love chocolate chip cookies, but none of us love extra calories! Try this lower-calorie recipe for a classic cookie:
  Chocolate Chip Cookies
  72 calories, 3 grams of fat
  
• 

  The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  360 calories, 19 grams of fat
  The Everyday Health Swap:You can chuck more than half of those fat grams and still indulge in a creamy, rich dessert.
  Tiramisu
  186 calories, 8 grams of fat
  
• 

  The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  860 calories, 21 grams of fat
  The Everyday Health Swap:Frozen, creamy drinks can be tasty and low-fat!
  Mango-Strawberry Smoothie
  142 calories, 1 gram of fat
  Root Beer Frosty
  49 calories, no fat
  Chocolate-Banana Sipper
  122 calories, 1 gram of fat
  
• 

  The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  730 calories, 24 grams of fat
  The Everyday Health Swap:Serve these delicious desserts warm and enjoy without any guilt!
  Apple Coffee Cake
  196 calories, 8 grams of fat
  Apple Cinnamon Cobbler
  258 calories, 10 grams of fat
  
• 

  The Snack Food Hall of Shame

  480 calories, 20 grams of fat (with whole milk)
  The Everyday Health Swap:Pre-make a pitcher of this low-fat, low-calorie coffee drink so you can grab it on the go.
  Iced Mocha
  46 calories, 1 gram of fat
  Last updated: June 2007
  

Lesson: How To Paint Amazing Landscapes in Watercolor

Although in a sense there are as many different approaches to painting in watercolor as there are watercolor painters ...

... there are a few broad methods of approach that can be defined.

Because watercolor can be put down in thin washes or intense color, dry brush or flooding washes, flung on the page or neatly brushed on, each basic approach will produce a nearly limitless variations in style, but in essence, the differences come down to how much control you want over your painting.

Method One:

is a high-control, systematic approach in which large areas of color are blocked in, allowed to dry, and then added to.

In this method, work back to front, beginning with the sky and ending with foreground details.

Before you wash in each layer of color, mask the area with clean water so that the paint will flood only that area and won't have time to partially dry before everything is covered.

This will ensure that your brush strokes are hidden and give you a more professional look.

Begin is the lightest color, let that dry, layer over the mid-tone and let that dry, then finish with the shadow shape.

When you have completed these three levels for everything in the picture, go back and add details as desired.

Method Two:

is a two-pronged approach to painting. The first step calls for a free-flowing, spraying, flinging application of color to the page and the second step is revising and adding details.

Begin by filling a plastictipped syringe with color and liberally spraying it on the paper in an interesting pattern of drips and lines.

Next, move the color around the page using a brush handle, credit card, palette knife--basically anything that you want, but try to avoid a brush.

You can sprinkle the paint with water or salt for a more textured look. When you're satisfied with the first step, let the paint dry and then go back in with brushes to refine the painting.

Focus on energy and movement in step one, accuracy and detail in step two. If you need to remove small areas of paint, wet a flat brush, squeegee it almost dry with your fingers, and gently rub the paint off, then blot with a paper towel.

Want To Learn More...

Landscape Mastery is generously illustrated showing you step-by-step how to draw landscapes.

With clear (and fun) instructions on how to draw, you'll learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.

The artist has chosen popular landscape pictures and will show you how to draw each one in color.

Landscape drawing is a fascinating area of study which requires an understanding of perspective, light and shade, detail and abstraction.

Click here to learn more

Warm Regards

Chris Elmore
Drawing Made Easy

Eat Well at 50 and Lower the Risk of Dementia by 90 Percent by Nimble Pixie Blog

According to a Finnish research, eating a high vegetable diet at midlife, combined with fewer saturated fats, lowers the human risk of dementia by 90 percent. 

 

This recently published 14 year study is the first to investigate the relationship between food combinations and poor cognition and memory.  Previous research on diet and dementia has mainly focused on the impact of single dietary components.

 

“But nobody’s diet is based on one single food, and there may be interactions between nutrients, so it makes more sense to look at the entire dietary pattern,” says Marjo Eskelinen, author of the study.

She says that “Even those who are genetically susceptible can at least delay the onset of the disease by favoring vegetable oils, oil-based spreads and fatty fish in their diet.”

Healthy Diet Index.

 

Eskelinen assessed the link between diet and dementia using a healthy diet index based on the consumption of a variety of foods. Vegetables, berries and fruits, fish and unsaturated fats from milk products and spreads were some of the healthy components, whereas sausages, eggs, desserts, sugary drinks, salty fish and saturated fats from milk products and spreads were indicated as unhealthy.

The Participants

 

• The study group was between 39 and 64 years of age at the beginning of the study.

• While 2,000 participants were involved in the initial study, 1,449 completed the follow-up.

Other Issues Studied Separately

 

• The impact of dietary fats on cognitive performance/dementia was studied separately.

  • A high intake of saturated fats was linked to poorer cognitive and memory functions and an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment in a 21-year follow-up.

  • A higher saturated fat intake was associated with an increased risk of dementia among those carrying a genetic risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease, the epsilon 4 variant of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene.

    • “Even those who are genetically susceptible can at least delay the onset of the disease by favoring vegetable oils, oil-based spreads and fatty fish in their diet,” says Eskelinen.

• Coffee intake was also studied

  • Those consuming 3 to 5 cups of coffee daily had a smaller risk of dementia than those consuming less or more.

  

The Alzheimer’s Association Recommends Healthy Eating too.

• This new research adds credence to the Alzheimer’s Association recommendations to increase the intake of protective foods to maintain a healthy brain.

  • These include dark-skinned fruits and vegetables such as prunes, raisins, red grapes, plums, blueberries, cherries, broccoli, spinach, kale, onion, red bell pepper, beets and eggplant. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pecans are also recommended, as are cold-water fish such as trout, salmon, tuna, mackerel and halibut. Increasing intake of vitamins such as C, E, folate and B12 is also considered helpful.

Reference:
 

• Eskelinen, Marjo.  The effects of midlife diet on late-life cognition:  an epidemiological approach.  Publications of the University of Eastern Finland. Dissertations in Health Sciences., no 220.  Itä-Suomen yliopisto, 2014. Terveystieteiden tiedekunta  Väitöskirja. 

 

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Insight of the Day 12/1/2014