Gallery Wrap A Canvas

Gallery wrapped canvas on easel

A gallery wrapped canvas is a canvas that is attached to the back of stretchers with staples. A non-gallery wrap may staple the canvas to the sides of the stretchers which prevents the painting from being mounted without a frame. When the canvas is stretched and stapled to the back, the artist can paint around the corner of the canvas and the painting can be hung with no frame. An existing painting can be stretched and mounted in this manner although it may feel uncomfortable to see painted canvas on the back of the stretcher where you are stapling.

Instructions

1. Purchase stretcher bars in the size you want to use. For a new painting you can select any size you want. For an existing painting you will want to measure the painted surface of the work and select stretcher bars that are at least one inch shorter for both length and width. If the stretcher bar (the wood) is thicker than a half inch you may need to allow more than one inch shorter.

2. Assemble the stretcher bars. Most stretcher bars are slotted. The top side doesn't have writing. The bottom side has the measurement of the stretcher. Insert the slotted corners together. Measure diagonally from corner to corner to check for square. Your diagonal measurements should be the same when the wood is square.

3. Place the canvas face-down on the work table. Position the stretcher bar over the canvas with at least 3 inches of excess canvas on each side. Trim off the excess with scissors.

4. Find the center of a long side. Bring your canvas over the side of the stretcher bar and staple the canvas near the center thickness of the stretcher bar. Go directly across the canvas and stretch the canvas with your hands. You should see a tightening of the canvas. Place a staple. Go to the center of each side. Pull. Stretch and staple. For larger canvas you will need to use special canvas stretching pliers in order to pull the canvas.

5. Return to your first long side. Use your pliers (if necessary), stretch and add three to four more staples 1 to 2 inches apart moving away from each side of the center. Move across to your other long side and repeat. You want to pull your canvas taut but not so tight as to bend the wood. Move to the sides and continue in this pattern until you are 5 inches from the corners.

6. Pull the canvas corner close to you toward the top. Place a staple 1/2 inch from the side. Stretch the corner lightly and place your finger on the corner. Bring the canvas edge back toward you in a 1-inch pleat that will be at a 45-degree angle. Bring the side canvas over the pleat so that there is a fold even with the bottom edge closest to you. Staple with two staples at least 1/2 inch apart. Repeat each corner the same way.

7. Stretch with canvas stretcher pliers the canvas between the corner and the 5 inches and finish stapling each side.

Paint Around A Picture

Paint Around a Picture

Creating a border for a picture or photograph can be challenging. To maintain the integrity of the original picture, it is important to protect it from any sort of paint or other materials that could damage it. The best technique to paint any border around a picture is a simple stencil technique. By using a stencil, it is possible to create the perfect shape around the image. The shape can be customized to get next to the picture or provide space around the image.

Instructions

1. Place the tracing paper over the picture which will be painted around. Use a pencil to trace the outline of the picture. This tracing can be enlarged or modified if you desire space around the image.

2. Cut the shape of the image out of the tracing paper. This is not necessary as it is possible to simply cut into the foam board and use the tracing as a guide. However novices or less artistically inclined persons may find it helpful to transfer the pattern to the cardboard by tracing around it on the cardboard itself.

3. Use the razor knife to cut the cardboard to shape from the tracing pattern.

4. Affix the cardboard pattern to the original picture to be painted around with the tape. Check to make sure that the fit is accurate and that no part of the original can be seen behind the pattern. The process may need to be repeated if the stencil is not accurate.

5. Paint around the stencil. Remove the stencil when finished to ensure that there were no leaks. If there were leaks, clean the area immediately.

Paint An Underwater Mural

Paint an underwater mural in a room for wall décor. The mural can take up a whole wall or part of the wall. Incorporate windows, doors and other features of the wall in the mural. For example, make a window the opening of a cave by painting a rock around it. If the mural is for a child's room, incorporate book characters like Rainbow Fish or Nemo, from the movie "Finding Nemo."

Instructions

1. Pour blue paint in a paint tray. Paint an area of the wall blue with the paint roller. After it dries, use a small paint brush to add green and other shades of blue to the water.

2. Use fish stencils to make fish shapes on the dry blue paint. Hold the stencil up to the wall and paint over the stencil with the brush. Use any color or a combination of colors. Remove the stencil and repeat as often as desired. Add seaweed.

3. Pour tan paint into a paint tray. Sprinkle sand inside and mix with a paint brush. Paint the wall with the sandy paint. Throw out this tray and brush when done. The sand won't come out easily.

Paint An Outer Space Scene

Hues give your outer space scene dimensionality.

Painting an outer space scene lets your imagination run wild, as you try to best represent the cosmos. An outer space scene makes a great mural for a child's bedroom, and is a good way to add some color to a wall. Outer space might seem alien to you, but that doesn't mean you can't let your creativity take over, filling in the gaps for what you don't know about the universe. Paint planets, stars, rocket ships, comets and more.

Instructions

Painting Outer Space

1. Paint all intended walls or other surfaces black to create a primer coat for your outer space scene. Let this coat dry while you think about how you want your space scene to be arranged. If you are designing a mural, first sketch out your space scene on a piece of paper. Think about what planets, stars, UFOs, nebulas, suns and/or galaxies you want to decorate the "space" of the black paint. Sketch your design using rough shapes to represent these objects and celestial beings.

2. Start painting by splattering white paint over the black background coat to create stars. Let this dry. Then, sponge various dark colors of paint over the scene, to create a nebulous effect. Start on the top with a blue sponging effect, and use a plasma pink or similar color toward the bottom. This will add some dimension to your space scene and give it color to grab your viewer's attention.

3. Wait until the sponged paint has dried, and then paint a circle to start making a planet. For example, Earth starts as a blue circle; once that paint has dried, you can use green paint to illustrate land masses. Don't forget the Earth's moon---a small gray dot orbiting nearby. The Sun is essential to any space scene, and you can paint it as a yellow circle larger than the size of your Earth. Add a UFO by painting a disk with gray paint. Draw aliens in the "cockpit" of the space craft before closing it off with a circular line around their heads.

Pick Colors For Glass Painting

Understanding how the different colors of paint are going to work together on your glass paintings is important for any glass artist. Some colors will take multiple coats, while other colors can be applied in a single coat. You can use the way that the various colors of paint work with glass to create specific effects in your painting.

Instructions

1. Use clear glass primer with all colors of glass paints.

2. Read labels on your paint choices carefully to decide whether the paint you have purchased is intended to be opaque or transparent.

3. Choose black and white paints that go on thick and opaque. They typically do not require second coats, and can be used to create simple yet striking designs.

4. Paint blues, greens and purples with a heavier coat so that you can avoid a transparent appearance in your paint. These colors will quite often appear more opaque than reds and yellows, but still somewhat on the transparent side.

Paint An Office A Color To Promote Creativity

Color can affect a person's mood in a positive or negative way. Although each color generates different feelings in different individuals, there are some that are more often associated with creativity. When choosing from this category of colors, it is best to also consider the effect of the color on certain aspects of the room, such as size and the amount of light filtering in. For instance, a small, dark room can stifle creativity, but a bright color can make it feel airy, which will help the creative process.

Instructions

1. Select colors associated with creativity. While opinions vary as to which colors definitively enhance creativity, general studies show that yellow and blue are more favorable. According to Science Daily, subjects were twice as creative in a blue environment than in a red environment. Color specialist Leatrice Eiseman claims yellow stimulates the imagination.

2. Consider colors associated with the things you enjoy. For instance, if you enjoy the outdoors, then a shade of green may be the color that will inspire creativity for you in your office.

3. Select a light color for the ceiling. A dark color will make the room feel smaller and could stifle creativity. Conversely, light colors give a feeling of openness and freedom, which promote creativity.

4. Choose a shade. Compare paint swatches in shades that are different from the color you have selected. Hold each against the walls to determine which is best. You can find paint swatches at home and garden stores.

5. Prepare to paint. Remove the furniture from the room or cover them with drop cloths. The floor should also be covered. Remove wall plates from switches and electrical outlets. Use sandpaper to remove any rough or peeling paint, then use a sponge and soapy water to clean the wall of any extra debris. Let it dry completely.

6. Paint the walls and the ceiling with the colors you selected for each. Use a paint brush, roller, or airless sprayer to apply a coat of primer. When the primer is dry, apply a coat or two of the paint. Let the it dry completely before returning or uncovering the furniture.

Paint An Ocean

Ocean on a stormy day.

No matter what type of paint you are using to paint an ocean, the steps are the same. This article will explain steps using acrylic paint.

Instructions

1. Before you begin, you will need an artists license. Anyone who wants to be an artist, or who wants to do any artwork, needs one. This is merely permission from yourself to do what you think is art. Anything created by your hands can be classified as art. Now that you have your license, you can paint an ocean.

2. If you have not painted before, perhaps you want to practice on something you can dispose of once you have tried this a few times. Inexpensive canvas notebooks are available in stores such as Kmart, Walmart, or Family Dollar. Once you have decided what you will paint on, move to the next step.

3. Open all the paints you have selected. Choose a paint brush that looks of interest to you. It does not matter which one, as you will learn what works in your hand, and what doesn't. Try mixing some blues with white paint on whatever you are using as a palette to get a feel for the color possibilities. Don't forget to add some green to some of the blues, and mix with white. While doing this, picture shades of colors you have seen while at a beach. The shades ranges from white, through beige, blues, and greens. Depending on the weather, you may have seen more colors. Your artist's license gives you the right to paint the colors you know you saw the last time you were at the ocean. You don't have to paint an ocean just in shades of blue. How boring would that be?

4. Pick one shade of darker blue, and paint the entire area this base color. Use the brush from left to right, right to left, following an imaginary horizon.

5. Select a lighter shade that you have created, or one straight from the tube, and spread on your palette. Apply this shade from the center of your work toward the right of your practice piece. Repeat this until the right side is covered, then use the same steps on the left of your work, being careful not to have strokes be the same size. Use 3-4 different size strokes, and notice how it begins to look like salt water. The ocean is not perfect, so you don't want your strokes to be either. Are you starting to feel it?

6. Blend some blue and white, and place similar strokes over the completed work. Continue the steps you used above until you can 'see' it! The ocean is there. You should know, you put it there!

7. Prepare to teach! Those around may want to paint the ocean also. Perhaps You can tape some of your canvas pieces to a wall, and let others have a go at this.

Get Into Acting

Aspiring actors should take acting classes to hone their craft.

Film and theatre productions are constantly on the lookout to find the next big actor. The field of acting is quite competitive, with thousands hoping to break into the profession. Acting requires a number of skills such as good memory, improvisation and a range of speech patterns. Some roles may require song and dance or musical ability on an instrument. Casting directors have a long list of skills they require of an actor.

Instructions

1. Educate yourself about the fundamentals of acting. Check out books from the library on the theatrical genre that focus on the history and art of acting. Read about your favorite actors and actresses. Read plays and movie scripts to become acquainted with dialogue.

2. Take acting classes. Join an acting school where the lessons are hands-on and you will be given the chance to hone your craft in front of an audience. This helps aspiring actors overcome shyness, develop better articulation, maintain eye contact and overcome other acting challenges in order to stand out.

3. Join a talent agency. Talent agencies have the networks to book auditions for aspiring actors, set them up with acting lessons and act as a professional representative for the actor. Research to find the best talent agency for your style of acting.

Talent agencies are very knowledgeable about the business aspects of acting such as preparing an acting resume, doing headshot photos and audition etiquette. Talent agencies also educate aspiring actors on signing with entertainment unions such as Actors' Equity, which is the labor union that represents American actors.

4. Develop friendships with other actors. Learn about their experiences and gain access to their networks. Spend time reading over lines and getting critiques from your acting friends. Go to plays and movies together to get different perspectives on the craft.

5. Become a movie extra. This is an important step in gaining experience and moving closer to your goal. Aspiring play and movie directors as well as producers also need actors for their short works, and major films need extras on the set.

Check the newspaper, media networking and online sources to find listings for extras needed on projects or call your state film commission.

6. Educate yourself before signing any contracts and determine whether the job is for pay or free. Bring your headshot photo and resume with you to any auditions. This along with your talent improves your chances of getting noticed by film executives.

Paint An Illusion

Paint your own mural on a wall.

The art of painting an illusion is referred to as "trompe l'oeil," which in French translates as "fool the eye." Trompe l'oeil is a painting technique that has been used since ancient times to paint a visual deception of reality on a flat surface. By employing the technique you can paint an illusion of a three-dimensional image on a flat wall. Trompe l'oeil technique is used as a decorating technique for wall murals to create a super-realistic image such as a faux window, landscape or pillars.

Instructions

1. Place your drop cloth on the floor where you will be working to protect the area.

2. Locate a photo of the scene or image you want to create to use as reference.

3. Sketch your design onto the wall using a pencil. Refer to your reference photo and create a very simple sketch to outline the features you want to add onto the wall.

4. Mix your acrylic colors onto your paint palette using a paint knife. To achieve a painted illusion, the key is to layer colors and use a range of colors from very light highlights to very dark shadows. This extreme from light to dark creates the illusion of depth. Mix the colors with their complementary colors for a shadow color, and add some white to lighten them.

5. Paint your base colors onto the wall with a broad paintbrush. The base color should be the medium hue in the range of colors you see. For example, if you are painting a brick on the wall, don't start with the lightest or darkest shades of the red-brown color you see, but paint a base color that falls in the middle.

6. Paint your shadowed areas with a medium-sized round brush. Your shadowed areas are the darker areas, such as in cracks and crevices or shady areas. Brush the paint into smaller areas with a paintbrush, and then lightly dab larger shadowed areas with a paint sponge.

7. Paint your highlighted areas with a medium-sized round brush. Your highlighted areas are the areas being hit by the most light. Lightly dab your lighter colored shades of paint onto the highlighted areas using a paint sponge.

8. Step back and look at your painting. If you feel that there needs to be more depth to your painting, add another layer of a darker color to shadowed areas and a lighter color to highlights. The more layers of light to dark you have, the more you will achieve the illusion of depth for a realistic appearance.

Make A Graffiti Background With Real Spray Paint

Spray paint can

Painting graffiti is a skill that could take years to learn. There are certain steps that you need to follow to create that perfect masterpiece, whether it is a small signature or a larger wall piece. To create a graffiti background, you need to use practical spray can painting techniques. The background should be completed first prior to any other details.

Instructions

1. Complete the background before any lettering or characters. It is easier to create details on a finished background than adding a background to already painted letters or characters.

2. Hold the spray can upright, facing the wall or canvas. Keep some distance between the wall and the spray can.

3. Push down on the nozzle until paint sprays out. Do not press down too hard, because paint will come out too fast and in large amounts. The paint will thus run down and ruin the background.

4. Paint the background using slow strokes, painting from left to right or up and down. It does not matter which direction it is, as long as there is movement. Use smooth and even passes when painting. Leaving the spray can in one area too long will result in darker areas, or the paint will start running.

5. Create light coats rather than heavy. A few lighter coats are better than one heavy coat in terms of appearance. If creating numerous coats, make sure to allow proper drying time between coats.

6. Avoid fixing mistakes along the way. If mistakes happen, it is possible to cover them up using letters, characters, or details that are to go on top of the background. However, if the part of the background with mistakes will be visible when the lettering or characters have been added, make sure to fix it before adding anything else.

7. Create a cloudy looking background by stepping back, creating more space between the spray can and the canvas. To create a more solid color and background, step closer to the canvas. There should still be a distance between the canvas and spray can to keep the paint from running.

8. Use different colors to create the background desired.

9. Allow the background to dry completely before adding any lettering or additional details to the design. If the paint is not completely dry, the colors might mix and run, essentially ruining the background.

Paint An Acrylic Color Mixing Chart

Paint an Acrylic Color blending Chart

An acrylic color blending chart is a useful tool for beginning acrylic painters. Painters refer to the chart to decide on the correct hue (color) while painting. As the painter becomes more experienced, this will become second nature, and the chart will no longer be needed.

Instructions

1. Click on Figure 1 Template. The letters represent acrylic colors. Let each letter will stand for a color.

2. It isn't necessary to use the order that was used in the chart with this article. Some painters like to group in different shades of acrylic color. For instance, the blue shades, red shades, yellow shades, etc. On the canvas board, draw a chart and write vertically the colors in any order desired. This artist wrote in Phthalocannine Blue, Yellow Light Hansa, Magenta, etc.

Write A-H at the top of the chart. The letters represent the corresponding colors.

3. It is easiest to paint the first row vertically and then horizontally. It will also make more sense as you add white to each acrylic color. On the template, the "W" stands for white.

4. Let's assume all the vertical acrylic colors have been painted. Now it's time to paint the horizontal row. Refer to the template. The second square, labeled B reads A +B + W. That's Phthalo Blue + Yellow Light + White. Mix these colors together and paint the square. Use equal parts of each color and adjust as needed. Phtalo Blue and Magenta tend to be powerful colors so it may be necessary to add more white. Continue painting verically and then horizontally until the chart is finished.

Paint An Acrylic Abstract

Abstract painting relies on color and texture for appeal.

Acrylic paints have two big advantages over oil paints for beginning abstract artists. The first advantage is ease of cleanup. While oil paints require paint thinner to clean up, acrylic paint comes out of brushes with soap and water, and many spills clean up with a damp rag. The second main advantage to acrylic paint is that it dries quickly. Many beginners do not want to spend days or even weeks working on a painting. An artist can paint an acrylic abstract in a single day and have it ready for framing or hanging the next day.

Instructions

Painting an Acrylic Abstract

1. Choose the basic color palette you want to work with. If you want colors to blend at the edges you will need to have all your paints ready, so you can work quickly while each layer is still wet to create a blended or swirled effect. You may want to use a spare canvas or even a sheet of white paper to test how the colors work together.

2. Paint your entire canvas in a neutral color. Don't forget to paint the edges. Even if you intend to paint a very vibrant abstract with a bright background, getting a light neutral color on the canvas first helps the other paint glide smoothly. If you don't want a colored background, a neutral white or cream looks more polished and finished than unpainted canvas.

3. Add color. When working with acrylics, colors will remain more true if you put down the lightest colors first then proceed to darker colors. Experiment with different size brushes and with different amounts of paint on the brush until you get the look you want. Even things like sponges, feathers or aluminum foil can be used to apply paint that takes on different characteristics from the different techniques.

4. Step back. If you like what you see, you are finished, or if you like more shine and protection for your painting, you can paint a coating of varnish over your abstract once it is dry. If you aren't satisfied with the painting, touch up the areas you dislike.

5. Hang your artwork. Acrylic paintings on canvas may be placed in a frame if you prefer, hung without framing or even displayed framed or unframed in a large easel. Since you are the artist, you can choose the look that fits what you wanted to accomplish.

Make Gray Oil Pastel

Mixing your own gray oil pastels saves money and give you control over the shade of gray.

Mixing your own old pastels is the best way to create exactly the shade of gray you desire for your painting. Through combining primary colors, you can create a basic gray, then lighten or darken it to suit your preferences. Another advantage of mixing your own paint is that is saves money. You can buy one basic paint kit, then mix the paints yourself to create a multitude of hues, such as gray, that are available only in larger, more expensive sets.

Instructions

1. Warm the white oil pastel crayon by holding it in your hand. A warm pastel will flow better.

2. Apply a base of white pastel to your canvas, board or paper -- in the spot you eventually want to be gray.

3. Warm a black oil pastel crayon in your hand, then apply it over the white pastel until you have reached the shade of gray you desire.

4. To make the gray hue warmer, apply a little brown to it. To make the gray hue cooler, apply blue.

Paint An Abstract Masterpiece

Defining what makes something a masterpiece is almost as difficult as creating one and every person's idea of what makes something a masterpiece -- or not -- is different. Decide on what makes a masterpiece for you before trying to create one. Aspects such as skillful execution, how well an idea is communicated and the emotion inspired by a piece are oftentimes considered to be major parts of a masterpiece. According to dictionary.com, a masterpiece is "a consummate example of skill or excellence."

Instructions

1. Figure out what you are trying to say or communicate. Abstract art allows a huge degree of freedom as well as serious limitations in that it does not include representational work. But just because an artist isn't painting a scene or a person doesn't mean that nothing is being communicated. Art has the unique ability to communicate emotions and ideas. You will use your title, colors, materials, canvas size and type to tell the world something so you need to know what you want to say, whether it is "life is nothingness," "the world is full of beauty" or something more concrete and simple such as "I am sad today."

2. Find a paint that communicates your ideas: spray paints, most often used in ephemeral graffiti may show the transient nature of art, while watercolors might show a timidity of feeling. Find something that you are comfortable working with that relates to what you want to create.

3. Choose colors that show the idea you want to express; for example, dark blues or grays might convey sadness. Keep in mind, however, that how colors make us feel is an intensely personal experience. One person may find oranges revolting while for another person they represent joy. Don't use other people's ideas of color -- this is insincere and can sometimes be picked up on by the viewer. Abstract art is not simply throwing paint on a canvas, it is about expressing your ideas and feelings, so use your real feelings and ideas.

4. Find a "canvas" that is right for your piece. Don't just go to the local art store and grab the first 12" by 16" you see. Think about what you are trying to say: If you are raging against the policing and commodification of art, try making a mural on a wall; if you are showing the ephemeral nature of art consider cardboard, or posters hung outdoors or given away. Use something that really shows and communicates the ideas you want to share. Take time to really think about how you want to show something, how big it should be, how permanent you want it and so on. If you choose an ephemeral canvas such as posters, graffiti or stickers, document your work for your portfolio using photographs.

5. Paint sincerely and thoughtfully. Use techniques and styles that speak to you as a creator. Don't try to imitate some other "master's" creation or style. A masterpiece is a unique creation, not a rip off. You can incorporate other people's styles as long as you use them in a personal way, not to make a piece that looks like that person's. A good artist can incorporate styles, techniques and ideas from many different people, places and things to create a wholly unique personal style.

Paint Acrylic Sheets

Paint Acrylic Sheets

Paint acrylic sheets to make distinctive sun catchers, cabinet door inserts and other decorative additions to your home or garden. You can paint acrylic sheets using translucent or opaque paints, depending on the desired look of the finished piece. Translucent paint works best if you plan to hang a painted acrylic panel in a window or if you are making lighted wall art. Opaque paint works best if you are refacing cabinet doors or making a painted water wall.

Instructions

1. Clean both sides of the acrylic sheet with glass cleaner.

2. Position the acrylic sheet on top of the desired design template. Your design template can be a coloring book page, a photo, a magazine cutout or a stained glass outline. Omit this step if you plan to paint the acrylic sheet in a solid color.

3. Clean the side of the acrylic sheet that's facing up with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol removes fingerprints and readies the acrylic for the paint. Make sure that you do not touch this side of the acrylic again with your bare hands. Wear cotton gloves when handling, tracing and painting the acrylic sheet. Your bare hands leave oil and prints on the acrylic which can be visible through the paint.

4. Trace the design outline onto the acrylic panel with glass paint pens, liquid leading or self-adhesive leading strips. Allow liquid leading to dry before painting, the strips are ready as soon as you press them in place along the outline. Glass paint pens are translucent; you can leave them in the design or paint over them with the same color of opaque enamel paint. Liquid or self-adhesive leading strips are most often used if you are painting a stained glass style acrylic sheet.

5. Paint the open spaces between the outlines with glass paint or stained glass paint for a translucent finish. Paint the open spaces with enamel paint for an opaque finish. Apply glass and enamel paints with an artist's brush. Apply stained glass paints through the applicator tip attached to the paint container. Smooth stained glass paints with a paint comb.

6. Allow the paint to dry completely. Most glass paint calls for baking the paint to set it. Rather than place acrylic sheets in the oven, place them in direct sunlight for several hours to set the paint. Air dry most enamel and stained glass paints.

Paint Acrylic Lacquer

Acrylic lacquer is often used as a paint finish for show cars.

Automotive acrylic lacquer is a preferred finish for show cars. Painting a car with acrylic lacquer is extremely labor intensive. Properly applied, acrylic lacquer automotive paint requires up to 24 coats of paint applied over three to four days. The resulting finish should have an exceptional shine and smoothness.

Instructions

1. Prime the vehicle with a coat of primer paint and allow it to dry.

2. Prepare the car exterior for the lacquer. The preparation for acrylic lacquer follows many of the same steps as any automotive paint job. Clean the primed surface with grease removers and clean rags. Sand the surface with 400 grit wet sandpaper. Blow the surface clean with compressed air and wipe with a tack rag.

3. Apply the first coat of lacquer. The initial coat should be applied at a rate of one and a half parts thinner to one part lacquer. The alcohol within the lacquer and thinner will evaporate in a matter of minutes, allowing a second coat to be applied almost immediately. Repeat this process until six to eight coats are applied during the same day. Allow the lacquer to dry overnight or longer---up to as much as three days---in humid conditions.

4. Wet sand the car and thoroughly clean and dry the surface before applying another six to eight coats of lacquer. Each additional day's applications of lacquer should be mixed with more and more thinner so that the final coat is three parts thinner to one part lacquer. Continue repeating these step until the desired finish is achieved.

Paint Acrylics One Stroke Method

Select colors that will create an artistic color gradient.

The One Stroke method, which was developed by Donna Dewberry, combines two to three colors on one brush. When applied to surfaces such as wood, canvas, and glass, the one stroke method creates shadows, highlights and blending all in one stroke of the brush. New painters interested in new methods of painting may find the one stroke method to be a quicker way to add several colors to their next art piece.

Instructions

1. Pour the acrylic paints that have been selected for the paint project onto a painter's palette or a disposable plate. If more than two colors are selected, place each pair side by side. For example, light blue next to white or yellow next to orange.

2. Dip the bristles of the fan brush into a cup of water, then pat it dry with a paper towel. This prepares the brush for painting and permits the acrylic paint to adhere to the brush without becoming sticky.

3. Load the acrylic paints onto the fan brush. Holding the paint brush straight up and down, dip the left corner of the fan brush into the desired color of acrylic paint. Turn the brush over, and dip the right side of the fan brush into another color of acrylic paint until both colors meet in the middle.

4. Press the paint brush down firmly, from the bristle's tip to the top of the brush, near the metal ring known as the the "Ferrule." Stroke the paint brush left to right into a 1 inch space, without completely mixing both colors, five times. Repeat this step three times to load the colors onto the brush properly.

5. Add another acrylic paint color to the tip of the paint brush if desired, then apply the paint onto the canvas. Stroke the brush with the acrylic paint on the initial area three times, then wiggle or taper the paint brush out to create the desired shape. The result will be a shape with a gradient color effect.

Paint Your Face Like A Tiger For Halloween

Glow in the dark face paint will help you stay visible at night.

Painting your face like a tiger for Halloween is an alternative to wearing a mask to complete your Halloween costume. Face paint will allow you to breathe and speak more easily and will not cause overheating, as a mask might. Glow-in-the-dark face paint will make you more visible while trick or treating or at nighttime Halloween events. Applying only one color at a time can make a complicated design simple to create even if you do not have artistic experience.

Instructions

1. Dip a sponge in the glow in the dark white face paint. Apply the white paint to your chin, upper lip, and above your eyebrows.

2. Take a clean sponge and dip it in the yellow face paint. Evenly spread the yellow paint over the bottom third of your face, except for the places that are already white.

3. Using a new sponge, apply orange face paint to any part of your face that is not already painted.

4. Blend the edges of the different colors of paint together so that there are no gaps in color. The colors should appear smooth where they meet.

5. Dip a paintbrush in the black face paint and make three straight lines on each side of your nose for whiskers. Make a solid black circle over the tip of your nose. Draw four short black vertical lines from your eyebrows to your hairline. You can add other black lines if you would like.

Pack Peanuts In Bulk

Perhaps you've just scored a deal at your favorite warehouse store and bought a huge amount of peanuts. Maybe you have a relative who works in a nut factory and gets great deals on peanuts. In any case, there may be times when you want to find a way to pack those peanuts in bulk and keep them fresh. Home vacuum sealing technology has advanced significantly and can help ensure that your peanuts stay fresh until you are ready to eat them.

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a 16-inch piece of vacuum sealer plastic packing material from your 11-inch roll. If the piece is slightly too long, that is OK, but it will not work if the piece is too short.

2. Seal one of the open ends of your 16-inch-long plastic with the vacuum sealer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for locking the lid shut and sealing a bag. This strip will now be the bottom of the bag for your peanuts.

3. Allow the newly sealed bag and your vacuum sealing machine to cool.

4. Pour 2 to 3 lbs. of nuts into the bag. Smooth the top two edges together.

5. Place the open end of the bag in the vacuum sealer. Make sure the edges of the bag are aligned. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for vacuum packing and sealing a bag.

6. Label and date your bag of newly sealed bulk peanuts and store for later use.

Learn About Using Stage Lights

Stage lighting is used to make what appears on stage visible to an audience. Through focus, stage lighting can direct an audience's attention to a certain part of the stage, while using a certain shade of a color for lighting can affect the mood on stage. To truly learn about using stage lights, Rob Sayer of Onstage Lighting believes it is as simple as "getting a book, getting a gig and getting around."

Instructions

Procedures

1. Invest in books about stage lighting. Two of the best books are "Stage Lighting" by Richard Pilbrew and a "Practical Guide to Stage Lighting" by Steven Shelby. Learn about lighting technology and put on an event or show.

2. Log onto Lighting Trainer.com to get free access to lighting training materials from various Web sites.

3. Contact your local university or college and ask about stage lighting courses being offered. Enroll in a class or even ask a stage lighting instructor whether he or she offers private instruction.

4. Volunteer with a good lighting company in your area to gain experience working with professional lighting engineers. Or, volunteer with your local theater company or high school's performing arts club to get as much hands-on experience as possible.

5. Contact your local stage technicians union and ask for permission to watch technicians at the next show. Explain that you need to visually apply what you have been learning academically. Offer to run errands for the technicians such as picking up lunch or coffee in exchange for their help.

Outline A Valedictory Speech

A comprehensive outline will ensure that your valedictory speech is thoughtful and entertaining.

Many high schools and colleges around the world honor the person with the highest level of academic achievement of a graduating class with the title of valedictorian. With the title of valedictorian comes the responsibility of delivering an inspirational speech that is representative of the entire graduating class. Like most speeches, valedictory speeches require lots of preparation and forethought. Outlining your valedictory speech is an effective way to define the scope of your speech and ensure your speech is effective, thoughtful and entertaining.

Instructions

1. Start by outlining the introduction of your speech. Under a heading labeled "introduction," write down key concepts you want to focus on. You can start your speech by reciting a relevant quote or sharing an anecdote from your time at the school. Introduce an overarching theme that will frame your speech. In the introduction, thank your classmates and the school staff for the experiences you had in school, and thank the rest of the audience for attending the graduation exercise.

2. Outline the body of the speech. Write a heading labeled "body," and break up this section, which will be the bulk of your speech, into three or more subsections with the subheadings "past," "present" and "future."

In the "past" subsection, jot down some key concepts you want to touch on, such as the accomplishments of your peers, or a significant event in your school's history.

For the "present" subsection, focus on the importance of graduation and what it means to you and your peers.

For the "future" subsection, write down concepts about what is in store for you and your classmates after graduation, and include the lessons you learned in school that will serve you and your classmates later in life.

3. Outline the conclusion of your speech. Summarize three main points from the body of your speech --- one point for each subsection, if possible --- and revisit the overarching theme you introduced in the introduction.

4. Rewrite and tweak the outline, as needed. Ask a person whose opinion you value to look over your outline and give you feedback.

Organize A Bus Day Trip

The size of the bus you rent depends on your group's needs and can range from a small mini-bus to a full size coach, as pictured here.

A bus day trip is an affordable and reliable way to enjoy the sights and sounds of home or to have an adventure somewhere new. Buses also are one of the most risk-free ways to journey. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, buses are the safest form of highway transportation, tied only with trucks and far ahead of cars and motorcycles. Planners have a wide variety of resources available to help make organizing a safe and enjoyable bus day trip a seamless and uncomplicated process.

Instructions

Research

1. Log onto one of several charter bus databases available online, where you will find search options for every state and every type of bus you may need. These sites include busrates.com, busreserve.com and busbank.com. (See Resources). Websites such as these are the best option for initial planning, because they make a plethora of companies available so that you can decide which one best suits your needs.

2. Enter both the type of bus you are looking for and the name of your state in the search box on the website. The search engine will lead you to either a list of bus companies that may suit your needs or will simply open an estimate request form and send your request to the companies that best suit your needs. If the search engine presents you with results to choose from, browse through the companies available and select those from which you would like to receive an estimate. Read user reviews, note the star ratings of each company, and request an estimate.

3. Check out the companies yourself while you are waiting for a response. You can collect information on the companies from the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org (see Resources 2). This will allow you peace of mind when you choose a bus company for your day trip.

4. Ask each responding company its deposit and payment policy. According to the Charter Bus Operators Database, most companies have traditionally required a 22 percent deposit; however, there has been a trend toward requiring up to 100 percent. Also, request the company's tipping policy, and if the driver's gratuity is included or is above the quoted price.

5. Commit to one bus company once you have done sufficient research and feel satisfied with your choice. Pay the deposit.

The Final Details

6. Call the places you are planning on visiting to inquire about their group packages and availability. Mention the number of people you will have with you, and ask about the best times of day to bring a group your size. It may be to your benefit to book ahead so as to avoid standing in line at different places.

7. Put together a detailed itinerary of your day for the bus driver and the group you are bringing on the trip. Include items such as departure/arrival times, entrance fees, meals and even small items such as reminders to bring sunscreen. Ask your bus company if you are responsible for your bus driver's meals.

8. Clarify any expectations you have for the driver, such as pick up/drop off time and meals. Pay the remainder of the bus payment according to the timing you agreed upon.

Organize An Open Mic Poetry Night

An open mic poetry night is a lot of fun.

An open mic poetry night can be a window into a new world. You may not be a cool-cat poet -- yet -- but a night of performance poetry can reveal a sophistication your friends never knew you had. It's actually fairly easy to put one together. If you have access to a coffeehouse or bookstore, fine, but all you really need is a large meeting place, a mic, some budding poets and a little word of mouth. So slip on your black jumpsuits and berets, order an espresso, and get ready to snap those fingers, daddy-o.

Instructions

1. Determine the date of the poetry night. Give yourself enough time to line up a venue and prepare advertising for the event. If you're a student or teacher and your class is throwing the reading, be sure to take the school calendar into account -- for example, don't schedule a reading the night of a football game, or right before a big test. If the reading will be open to the community at large, then schedule it during a weekend, when most people will be free to attend.

2. Reserve a large meeting place, such as a school gym or a private room at a library, for your poetry slam. Make sure there are plenty of tables and chairs available, and provide a sound system if the space is too big for a reader to be heard without one. Other venue options include private dining rooms at a restaurant or country club, or -- of course -- a coffeehouse.

3. Lay down some rules. Although an open mic is all about freedom of expression, be prepared to defend your audience against mic hogs. Establish a time limit for each reader. Decide if your open mic will have a theme and, if so, what it is. Will you allow music as well as poetry? Do you plan to decorate the space with local artists' works -- perhaps works that edify the theme? Also, if you plan to charge admission, decide the rate in advance so you can include this information in any advertising you use. Don't make it too expensive -- open mic events are usually free.

4. Advertise the poetry night in the school paper. Announce it at a school assembly and among groups likely to attend -- the school writers' club or local readers' club, for example. Use social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, to spread the word. If the reading is a community event, take out an ad in the local newspaper and distribute flyers. Consider e-mailing your state's official poetry association to invite its members, or invite a well-known community poet to read.

5. Once you've determined the theme, when and where you'll have the reading, and the structure for the evening, assign tasks to friends or members of your club or class. Appoint a greeter to help poets sign up for their readings, as well as to seat guests. Have an announcer introduce poets as they step up to read. If you've chosen to serve refreshments, assign several people to take charge of the food.

If you've decided to put on a "slam," or poetry competition, appoint a panel of judges, such as teachers or club officers, to determine the winners. If you don't want the responsibility and expense of prizes, you can simply let the poet be content with the glory -- perhaps print certificates for "1st Prize," "Honorable Mention," and so forth. Be sure to remind your audience that it's coffeehouse tradition to show approval by snapping their fingers, rather than with applause.

Operate A Houdini Wine Opener

Ah, the wine cork. It can be a thing of beauty for people who've mastered its removal or a thing of torture for those who haven't. Luckily, new devices such as the Houdini wine opener may rid your life of broken corks for good. The Houdini wine opener creates a simple and smooth removal process. If you don't already own a Houdini wine opener, you can look for it at your local wine shop or purchase one online. It works with natural and rubber corks.

Instructions

1. Find a flat and non-slip surface to open the wine bottle.

2. Remove the foil over the cork with either a knife or the foil remover enclosed in some Houdini wine opener kits.

3. Place the tip of the screw directly over the center of the cork. The top lever should be open and loose at this point.

4. Clasp the two side wings tightly and hold with one hand. The side wings should squeeze the top of the wine bottle tightly so the bottle does not move and the Houdini wine opener does not shift when trying to open.

5. Push the screw in by pushing down on the top lever. The screw should easily go directly into the cork.

6. Keep a tight grip on the two side wings, then pull the top lever all the way back up until it can't go any further, or until the cork is completely out of the bottle.

7. Unscrew the cork from the Houdini wine opener and pour yourself a nice glass of vino!

Open A Karaoke Club

Open a Karaoke Club

From the karaoke boxes of Japan in the late 1970s, karaoke has become a worldwide phenomenon. Many bars have added karaoke nights and, as the technology becomes more powerful and affordable, dedicated karaoke clubs are springing up. Here are some things to consider if you plan to open a karaoke club.

Instructions

Layout and Acoustics

1. Consider having multiple karaoke rooms of different sizes, along with a main stage. Individual rooms can be dedicated to either specific music styles or rented out for private parties, such as wedding receptions or school reunions.

2. Install sound-deadening materials in the individual rooms and main area so that private parties don't disturb the main stage area and vice versa. Possible materials include sound-deadening paper and carpeting for floors and vinyl composition tiles for the walls and ceiling.

3. Place speakers within the club to take advantage of the rooms' shapes so that sound is distributed evenly without reverberating in the singers' ears.

Equipment Needs

4. Obtain as broad a selection of karaoke music as you can. Store your collection on a computer server to provide easy access to it for your KJ (karaoke jockey) and your singers. Have a backup server in case something goes wrong with your main server.

5. Have a means for customers to select the songs they wish to sing. It can be as simple as songbooks in three-ring binders and individual request sheets or as high-tech as touch screen computer terminals. Keep your available song list up to date.

6. Provide a means for playing the songs your customers have selected. If you've stored your songs on a server as suggested in Step 2, this means having a laptop computer linked to the server to control song play. If not, this means using a CD player, preferably one with the capability to cue up multiple songs.

7. Invest in good quality audio equipment: microphones, sound mixer (board or software), amplifiers and loudspeaker. You'll also need a video system of equal caliber to display the song lyrics to the singer and the people in the club's audience who want to follow along.

8. Set up a bar or wait station to handle patrons' food and drink needs. If you don't have a restaurant integrated with the club, you can offer packaged snacks, but you will need to offer a reasonable drink selection.

The KJ

9. Find someone who enjoys singing karaoke and working with the equipment. An enthusiastic KJ will infect the crowd with his enthusiasm.

10. Choose someone who deals with people consistently and fairly. The KJ should give everyone their chance to shine in front of the crowd and also should be able to deal with difficult, and sometimes drunken, divas.

11. Get someone who can sing relatively well and is comfortable being in front of a crowd. Singing ability should be secondary to interpersonal skills, however.

12. Determine your expectations from the KJ before you hire him and communicate them clearly throughout your working relationship. A "handshake" deal may be sufficient, but consider a written contract if the KJ is someone you're not familiar with.

Oil Paint Like Monet

Monet's "Le Parlement, Effet de Brouillard" (1903).

Claude Monet was a French painter and pioneer of the Impressionist movement, in which artists attempted to depict real and natural life in terms of tonality and light, according to WebMuseum. Impressionism became a major art movement during the late 19th century. Monet often used outdoor subjects in his paintings, the most famous of which were "Waterlilies" and "Houses of Parliament." To capture and adopt Monet's style of painting takes much practice and a few oil painting techniques.

Instructions

1. Study Monet's paintings and note the color palette. Monet's choice of colors, according to the Explore Drawing and Painting website, include white, chrome yellow, cadmium yellow, viridian green, emerald green, French ultramarine, cobalt blue, madder red and vermilion. These oil paint colors can be found in any art supply store

2. Practice and use the color-mixing technique Monet used. Paint a line of two colors together and notice how it creates a vibrant color in between. For example, painting a yellow and red together creates a bright red color in between. Also, lay down a mass of vibrant color, followed by pure color on top, wet color on wet color. Or use scrumbling, a technique Monet used by adding wet color spots on dry color layers for texture.

3. Find a subject to paint, preferably outdoor still life. Look out your window and find something that interests you visually. Use a canvas in a size of your choice.

4. Wet your brush with diluted oil paint. Outline the large, basic shapes of your still life onto the canvas, which will serve as a basic "underpainting." Start painting over this underpainting. Let this initial layer dry for a day or two.

5. Use oil paint on a dry paint brush for the next layer. Use the scrumbling paint technique you practiced previously, using short strokes or dabs for texture. Take note of how natural light plays on your subject; mix in lighter colors on the lit side, with darker colors for shade immediately behind it.

6. Take your time. You do need not finish a painting in one session, as Monet never did. Monet often would work on a few paintings at a time and allow them to dry for one or two days between sessions, according to the Explore Drawing and Painting website.

Find The Title Of An Old Movie

Find the Title of an Old Movie

You have just finished watching a movie you really liked, but once it ended, you had no idea what the film was called. You may want to add the movie to your film collection, or maybe you just want to be able to see it again, so you begin to search for it. This search becomes complicated if the film was made years ago, and no one you know has any idea about the movie. You can find the movie's title by using your memory and some simple investigative techniques.

Instructions

1. Identify any celebrities in the film. If you can pick out a movie star, you can then look up all of the movies they starred in at IMDb.com. From there, you can go through any applicable films of theirs to see which one fits your memory.

2. Try to narrow down the time period in which the film was produced. The first feature-length movie that included dialogue ("The Jazz Singer") was produced in 1927, while the first movie featuring color footage ("On with the Show") was made in 1929. So if the film you are searching for was made with no dialogue and no color footage, you can limit your search to movies produced before the late 1920s.

3. Distinguish any characteristics about the film that might set it apart from other films of the era. Try to remember what the characters looked like (including what they wore) or sounded like, as well as what their major motivations were throughout the movie. Also, pick out any particular scenes that stand out as being representative of the film.

4. Use search engines such as Google to identify the movie. Be as specific as possible in your searches; for instance, if you know the film must have been made in the 1920s and has a particular line in it, type the line of dialogue, as well as "film" and "1920s." Keep trying different bits of information.

5. Talk to people who can help you find the film title. If you do not know anyone who can help you identify the film, consult film scholars and movie buffs at any movie website's forums or message boards. One such website dedicated to older movies is ClassicMovies.org, which has its own Classic Movies forum.

Paint Art Tiles

Add an artistic touch to a variety of crafts projects with hand-painted tiles. Even if you are not an accomplished artist, you can paint art tiles to decorate back splashes, trays, mosaic designs and outdoor fountains. Tiles have a slick, non-porous surface; certain paint products will not adhere to tiles. With the right kind of paints and techniques, you can paint the tiles and set the designs without a kiln. Select tiles from local home-improvement stores and find the painting supplies from local crafts stores.

Instructions

1. Clean the ceramic tiles with glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Wipe over the cleaned surface with rubbing alcohol to remove fingerprints. Wear cotton gloves from this point forward to avoid adding fingerprints to the tiles.

2. Squirt a small amount of the background paint color onto a plate. Using a paint sponge, apply a thin coat of the glass paint onto the surface of the tile. Allow the paint to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat this step as needed to deepen the background color of the tile.

3. Tape the stencil or design template onto the front of the dry, painted ceramic tile. Omit this step if you are creating the design using a rubber stamp.

4. Add small amounts of the design paint colors to the paint plate. Using an artist's paint brush, apply the paint to the tile according to the design. If you are stamping the design image, cover the raised portion of the rubber stamp with the glass paint. Lightly press the stamp onto the tile and rock it back and forth to paint the stamp design onto the ceramic tile. Clean the rubber stamp with stamp cleaner before the glass paint dries on its surface.

5. Remove the stencil or template and allow the painted design to dry on the tile. Cover a baking sheet with tin foil. Place the tiles onto the sheet.

6. Bake the tiles in the oven to set the glass paint. Follow the manufacturer's baking instructions for oven temperatures and times. Some manufacturers recommend placing the painted objects into a cold oven, and then baking at 275 degrees for up to 25 minutes.

Obtain The Color Wheel With Acrylic Color

Thanks to the magic of the principles of the color wheel, an artist or crafts enthusiast can, in theory, combine any two primary colors (red, blue or yellow) to create the secondary colors of the rainbow (orange, green and purple) and all the hues in between. But mixing colors with paint doesn't always produce an acceptable result. Painters must follow a few guidelines to avoid mixing dull, "muddy" hues.

Instructions

1. Use "pure" primary colors. Avoid using "shades" (colors containing black) or "tints" (colors containing white) of primary colors. Instead, use hues of red, blue and yellow that are closest to the "ideal" primary color shown on the color wheel. For red paints the tube or jar will be labeled "Cadmium Red." Avoid "Magenta" because it is too close to the violet end of the spectrum. For blue paints "Cobalt" will be a true blue. Avoid darker, more "navy" shades of blue. In yellow paints look for "Cadmium Yellow" or the word "Zinc" in the name. If you use shaded or tinted hues, the result of any mixing of these primary colors will be more "muddy" or grayed. A red and a blue, for example, will produce a purple color, but use of a shade of blue and a tint of red will create a purple that is dull and gray.

2. Purchase the highest quality acrylic paint product you can afford. Cheaper acrylic products often contain impurities and the colors are engineered with cheaper chemicals. When cheap acrylic paints are mixed, the results will tend to be dull and muddy. Higher-priced paint is often worth it if you need true, vibrant, rich color for your project. High-priced paints mix with a more satisfying result and can save money in this manner.

3. Mix two primary colors gradually. If you want to produce a secondary color, such as green (red and blue), orange (red and yellow) or purple (red and blue), start with the "hottest" color (red or yellow) and place a full teaspoon of this color on your palette. Introduce the cooler color (blue or red) in small quantities: 1/8 tsp. then 1/4 tsp., then 1/2 tsp., mixing between additions. Mix the two colors thoroughly with a brush or a palette knife. Keep track of the amount of the second color introduced. When you produce the mixed color you want, you will have a good formula for mixing the color in a larger portion. Mixing in small test batches like this makes it possible to stop, if the result is dull or muddy, before wasting too much paint.

4. Shade or tint a mixed color using small amounts of a pure black, like "Mars Black," or pure white, like "Titanium White." Like the primary colors, blacks and whites can also vary according to formulas. Avoid blacks that are too "purple," and whites that are too "creme."

Not Be Nervous When Singing

Many singers battle stage fright, but there are ways to overcome it.

Stage fright is a very real emotion for entertainers. In fact, some of the most famous actors and performers report getting nervous on stage. If you are a singer battling stage fright, there are some methods for overcoming your fears.

Instructions

1. Exercise your vocal chords. The same as the rest of your body, your vocal chords need exercise before a performance. When you keep your vocal chords tuned, you will be less nervous about hitting the wrong note. Rehearse a couple hours prior to the sbe confident and relaxed when you perform for the audience.

2. Focus on the positive. Prior to the performance, take your mind to a place you enjoy, such as a favorite memory or a peaceful experience. Forget that you are in front of others and sing from the comfortable, stress free place in your mind. Focus on your enjoyment of the song itself and how you want your audience to appreciate this piece of music as you do. If you focus on giving to your audience, you will more easily forget yourself and your own nervousness.

3. Breathe deep. Take deep breaths prior to going on stage and allow yourself a moment to relax. Prepare for your performance ahead of time so you have some extra minutes before you take the stage to unwind.

4. Talk to yourself. As silly as it sounds, look in the mirror and tell yourself you can succeed. Say out loud that you are talented and the people in the audience want to hear you sing. Build yourself up the way you would want a promoter or manager to encourage you. Believe what you say to be true and take that fearless attitude on stage.

5. Have fun on stage. Enjoy the experience of being on stage by connecting with your audience. Choose audience members with friendly smiles who are clearly enjoying your performance and focus your attention on these individuals. Sing to them, move around and have fun.

Prep Glass For Paint

You have two glass trays on which you want to paint flowers and other embellishments. You purchased paint designed for glass, but you have no clue on prepare the glass surface for painting. Like other surfaces, glass attracts dust and dirt. Glass surfaces need to be cleaned before applying paint. You don't need a special cleaner or tool to prep the glass surface; but, depending on the type of glass paint you purchased, you may need to apply an undercoating to the glass before applying the paint.

Instructions

1. Lay four sheets of newspaper on to a countertop, workbench or other flat surface.

2. Lay the piece of glass or glass object on to the newspaper-covered surface. If the glass is attached to a wall or is large and can't be placed on a newspaper-covered surface, place newspapers on the floor under the glass.

3. Spray the glass surface with glass cleaner or apply 2 tbsp. of rubbing alcohol to a soft cloth or rag. Let the glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol sit on the glass surface for one minute. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands from getting wet.

4. Wipe the glass surface with a soft cloth or rag to remove any loose dust, dirt and residual grease from the surface. For stubborn stains, reapply glass cleaner or rubbing alcohol and scrub the stain with light pressure to break up the dirt.

5. Let the glass surface air dry.

Prepare A Talent Routine For A Beauty Pageant

Prepare a Talent Routine for a Beauty Pageant

You are the perfect candidate for a beauty pageant. You have poise, beauty, grace and intelligence. You set your sights on achieving the crown but you are concerned that the competition requires a talent performance. Singers, dancers and other performers face fierce competition even when they've studied their craft for many years. Potential contestants may be steered away thinking they have no talent, but if they look deep enough, they will see that everyone has a talent to share. Let your inner creativity abound and showcase it in a way that leaves the judges and the audience applauding.

Instructions

1. Determine your best talent and polish it to perfection. If you've had years of music or dance training, compose or choreograph a piece that is challenging and interesting. Get the audience laughing with a hilarious comedy routine or swell their emotion with a dramatic reading. Read original poetry or demonstrate a unique skill.

2. Listen to many musical selections before making your final choice. Pick one that suits your personality and is in keeping with the tone of the routine. Use mood music for effect during comedy routines and dramatic or poetry readings.

3. Block the routine to music, which means to walk it through with movement and music, as suggested by performance coach Bill Wolfe. Check the talent competition time limit in the pageant guidelines. Walk through the routine so that it is within the stated time limit. Time the routine periodically, double checking it against the time limit.

4. Imagine how your routine will be perceived from the audience perspective. Pull the routine together by synergizing costumes, props, music and stage presence. Ask a pageant coach or trusted friend for feedback.

Moonwalk Like Michael Jackson

Moonwalk

The moonwalk is legendary all over the world. First made popular by Michael Jackson in the early 1980s, it's part walking backward and part shuffle. But when you and your friends try it, it will be all fun! It's easy to moonwalk as long as you remember a few key tips. Watch this eHow video tutorial on Moonwalk Dance Step Basics.

Instructions

1. Put on the old moon boots. This is what the footwear required to moonwalk is called, but truthfully you do not need a pair of early 1980s retro Michael Jackson moon boots. Just find a pair of shoes with smooth soles (not hiking boots) like Converse high-tops or dress shoes, or maybe even Keds. If all else fails, just wear socks.

2. Find a flat, smooth surface that won't provide an immense amount of friction. Wood floors are ideal, while concrete or rubber surfaces will hinder you. Carpet, depending on the length (the shorter the better) can be effective.

3. Lift your left leg into the "l" position, so that the toe of your left leg is pointed to the floor. You are ready to moonwalk like Michael Jackson.

4. Place your right foot about 12 inches in front of the left.

5. Slide your right heel back so that it is even with your left foot.

6. Snap the left heel down and raise the right heel simultaneously so the right heel assumes the "l" position. You have now completed the first step of the moonwalking dance!

7. Repeat! Keep repeating the movement, alternating feet to execute the dance of the last century, the moonwalk.

Mix Water Soluble Oil Paint With Acrylic

Mixing water soluble oil paints and acrylic paints can create an optimal drying time.

Water soluble oil paints have many advantages. They can be cleaned off brushes with water and mixed with a number of different mediums, including water and other acrylic paints. Acrylic paints dry very quickly, and oil paints tend to dry very slowly. Mixing the two types of paints together can often balance out their drying time and create a smooth painting texture. With some experimentation and patience, mixing water soluble oils and acrylics can be a wonderful way to create the texture and drying time you are after.

Instructions

1. Before you purchase your water soluble oil paints, check the labels. Most clearly state that they can be mixed with acrylics. But, some brands recommend that you do not mix them with acrylic paints because the texture will be distorted. Holbein Duo is one brand of water soluble oil paint that suggests mixing its colors with acrylics.

2. Place a teaspoon-sized amount of the water soluble oil paint on your palette. Squeeze a small, pea-sized dab of the acrylic paint next to it.

3. Use a paintbrush to slowly mix the two paints together in a circular motion on the palette. Be sure to thoroughly and evenly mix the two mediums so that the texture of the mixture will dry evenly.

4. Test the mixture on a piece of scrap canvas or heavy-fiber paper. Observe if the paint flows evenly on the canvas, or if it feels sticky and too thick. Allow the mixture to dry completely, and observe how the two paints dry together. Take note of how long it takes for the mixture to dry.

5. Add slightly more acrylic if the mixture flows nicely on the canvas and dries evenly. Add slightly less acrylic if the mixture tends to freeze up as you paint. Stop adding acrylic to the water soluble oil paint if the texture becomes too thick and coagulated.

Mix Turquoise Oil Paint

Oil paint is easy to mix.

Mixing oil paints is not a precise science. Ask six painters to make the color turquoise for you, and you will end up with six similar, but fundamentally different, shades. To mix the shade of turquoise that you are looking for, it is helpful to use a guide. Keep the picture or color swatch next to you as you paint. The basic components of turquoise are green and blue. Once you mix your base, lighten or darken the hue until it matches your example.

Instructions

1. Mix equal parts blue and green paint to make a basic turquoise.

2. Lighten the turquoise, if necessary, by adding white paint. Add small amounts at a time and mix well. Do your best to keep track of the amount you add, so you can repeat the process later.

3. Give dimension to the color or match it accurately to your example. Add small amounts of blue, gray, green (or any other colors) to achieve the specific shade of turquoise you are looking for.