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Life In a Day- Merrill Kazanjian Artwork (Self Portrait)

How to Draw Megan Fox Step by Step

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The Man Who Created Farmville

Facial Expressions- How to Draw a Smiling Face With a Pencil

How to Draw Bruce Lee Step by Step (Pencil, Tortillion, Paint Brush)

How to Draw George W. Bush Step by Step

Merrill's T-Shirt Art Tutorial (Avery T-Shirt Iron on Transfers)

Link- http://merrillk.com/?part=fineart&art...
Ah paintings, there is nothing like staring at a painting all day and night.....its quite riveting .....Dont you think?

Riveting? Well, yes and no. While I appreciate painting and enjoy visiting museums. Every artist making work today has to acknowledge that art has changed with the times, and perhaps a canvas is not the best place to display your artwork. Think about it. 2D works painted on canvas are competing for wall space with flat screen televisions. Even if you dont have it, imagine yourself with ADHD.....what would you choose?.....exactly my point.

This tutorial is going to give you an alternative to the gallery wall. A T-Shirt. If you want publicity for your art, dont stick it in a local library exhibition, wear it proudly on your chest.

Here is what you will need: 1.) Scanner 2.) Ink Jet Printer 3.) Iron 4.) Fabric Transfer paper. What is Fabric Transfer Paper you ask? All it is, is a special type of paper that gets ironed on to a shirt, after a design is printed on it, from an inkjet printer. (I use Avery Dark Fabric Transfers for the shirts I make).

1.) The first thing that you will need to do is to scan or photograph your favorite artwork and save it as a JPEG file on your computer.
2.) After that, open up the scanned file in any photo editing program and crop your image. Please note that if you use Avery dark transfer paper, you will not need to flip the image. If you use another brand, be sure to read the directions carefully, because most brands of transfer paper require you to flip the image during this step.
3.) Next, place the paper white side down in the printer and press print. You should get close to a perfect copy of your original artwork
4.) After you print, grab a scissor, its time to trim your image. Cutting is an art form so be sure to be neat when you cut. If you use the dark fabric transfers, any area that you do not cut out will be white. Usually I leave an eighth of an inch border around my artwork, but I did not for this image. Cutting is usually the longest and most annoying step of the process, but be sure not to rush yourself.
5.) After you cut, peel the paper off of the back of the image like you are seeing me do here. The image part is flexible and very difficult to rip so dont worry about that. It helped me to fold a corner before I peeled.
6.) For the final step, use the collar tag to center your image on the front or the back of a shirt. Make sure that neither the fabric of the shirt or the image is wrinkled. Avery supplies you with special heat resistant paper to place over the image and the t-shirt while ironing. After the iron is heated to a high setting, and the special paper is placed, press down firmly with the iron as you are seeing me do here.

Now lift up the paper and viola! you can now mass produce and wear your drawing. For information on where to buy the paper that I used in this video, hit the link in the video description. Thanks for watching!

Note, Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night was shown at the beginning of the video. This artwork has entered the public domain. The musical track at the beginning was supplied by Kevin MacLeod of Incompetech,com. It is called "Ghost Dance" Thank you Kevin!!!

Scooby Doo Makeover 2010

Oil Pastels + Oil Paint + Color Pencils + Illustration Markers (Mixed Me...

Today, I decided to incorporate oil pastels in to a mixed media work of art. I also used/combiled oil paint illustration markers and Prismacolor Color Pencils to create the portrait that you see. I describe my process as I narrate: First, I did a pencil sketch which I inked. Second I used illustration markers (Prismacolor and Ad Chartpak) to lay down the first layer of color. Then I added a layer of oil pastels atop the layer of illustration marker. The oil pastels are more mixable than the color pencils and are also more opaque. They mix with liquin (like the color pencils and oil paint). I discovered that the process closely resembles painting (especially) when you mix the pastels on a palette, with liquin and then apply with a paintbrush. I finished my (quasi- Bob Ross demonstration) with a few layers of oil paint, since there is no substitute for oil paints mixability and layering capabilities (as well as the range of opacities). I am happy with the portrait that I made of youtube user armanchik24. I learned a lot while incorporating the oil pastels in to my artwork.

How to Draw Michael Jordan Step by Step Drawing- Pencil

Morph of the Vampires- Edward Cullen, Dracula, Nosferatu, The Count (Ses...

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The "Myspace Pose" (Mirror Self Shot)- Tradigital Artwork by Merrill Kazanjian

http://merrillk.com/?part=publications
If you own a computer, and you have a myspace account, chances are, you have seen what is known as the myspace self photo....also known as the TOO MUCH INFORMATION profile pic! These photos are usually a combination of blatant misspelling and nudity. Sexxii Grannii (Sexy Granny) ON DECK (Whatever the HELL that means)!

As an artist, it is my job document what exists in the world around me. Right now (early 2010), the social networking sites are king......so I created this mixed media artwork, based upon a scary picture that I saw on Myspace.

I took a mixed media approach in creating this work.
1.) Pencil- I used the pencil to sketch the initial pose. I do not do any shading while working with the pencil (in step one)
2.) Illustration Marker- Prismacolor and Chartpak Ad markers allow me to put down layers of color quickly. These markers leave transparent marks of color, similar to watercolor paint and often, their vibrancy can be seen through layers of translucent color (added later).
3.) Color Pencils- The fine tip of color pencils allow me to make marks with extreme precision. I use prismacolor color pencils because they blend extremely well and are compatible with oil paint.
4.) Oil Paint- The most versatile medium. Oil paint can be applied in thick "impasto" style or in thin transparent glazes. In this case, I tried to finish my work......but I decided that I needed to make a few changes.
5.) In order to make those changes, I let my work dry, then scanned it, then opened it up in....
6.) Photoshop (And Paint Shop Pro 9)- THese two computer programs allow me to do digital collage and edit/refine my work. In this case, I changed the posture of the character.
7.) Print- On SPECIAL paper (hit the link)
8.) Color pencil- to bring out the tones (again) and prep the paper for oil paint (yes, it is a good primer). Also the color from the color pencils mix with the oil paint, which creates a cool effect.
9.) Oil Paint- Finishing touches
10.) Scan
11.) Save as a PNG file....so that I can use this character multiple times.

How to Draw the Hand (Peace Sign) Step by Step.mpg

Link- http://merrillk.com/index.php?part=fi... This is the second in a series of twenty videos, that will show you how to draw the hand in various poses. This video will specifically focus on the peace sign hand gesture. I broke the process down in to simple steps and I went the "extra mile" to make sure that EVERYONE could do it, even if you havent had much experience with art. The link in the videos description will take you to a web page with step by step instructions and a PDF Book that you could download and print for free..... Lets get ready to draw

As a general recommendation, pause the video at the end of each step and look at the reference image often.

Step 1: Draw the two fingertip shapes. Notice that the fingertip on the left is at a different angle than the fingertip on the right.
Step 2: Add the next two shapes. Notice that they are slightly longer than the fingertip shapes.
Step 3: Draw the trapezoid shape in addition to the two shapes that complete the fingers. Notice that the bottoms of the fingers are slightly longer than the mid sections of the fingers.
Step 4: Step four is a tricky step! Be sure to spend some extra observation time. Notice that the thumb overlaps the trapezoid shape. Also notice that the thumb in this position, resembles a flying saucer tilting to the side.....YES...a flying saucer with a thumbnail in it.
Step 5: Draw the traingle shape. Notice that it is directly below the V shape from the two fingers. Also notice the tiny shape that I made tp the right side of the thumb.
Step 6: Draw the tilted U shape, to the left of the triangle. Also, draw in the fingernail.
Step 7: Observe the picture to close the U shape from step 6.
Step 8: Add in the shape that I just added. It will eventually be a part of the pinky finger.
Step 9: Add in the fingertip and fingernail to complete the shape for the pinky finger.
Step 10: Add the triangle shape next to the pinky finger. This will eventually be part of the palm.
Step 11: Add in the shape for the lower palm.
Step 12: Observe the line that was just added. It is similar to the bottom of a cup. It starts at the middle of the ring finger and ends at the thumb shape from Step 4.
Step 13: Take some extra time to observe the line that I just added. Then, complete the shape for the bottom of the palm
Step 14: Now, take a second to observe the lines that I ALMOST totally erased.


SHADING

Step 15: Build the tones up slowly. Start cross hatching with an HB (#2) pencil.

Step 16: (NOT SHOWN) I use a blending stump to smudge my hatches. And then I do more hatching atop of the smudges.

Step 17: The darkest parts will be the triangle in the center and the areas on the edges of the right side of the hand (and fingers....see this developed in the next few steps).

Step 18: At this point I am using my darker (in tone) 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B pencils. I also use the eraser (A LOT) to create highlights.

Step 19: I always try to finish a drawing by smoothing it out by using the pencil, the eraser and the blending stub (tortillion).

Tradigital Art / Illustration with Decocolor Markers, Prismacolor Markers and Pencils and Photoshop

Tradigital art incorporates traditional materials with digital media. This video illustrates the tradigital process step by step (demonstration by artist Merrill Kazanjian). Link- http://merrillk.com/index.php?part=pu...
Kazanjian's process for this artwork-
1.) Pencil Drawing (regular HB pencil)
2.) Digital Scan
3.) Digital Collage with Paint Shop Pro / Photoshop
4.) Print
5.) Illustration Markers
6.) Opaque Paint Markers
7.) Scan (Again)
8.) Digital Touch Ups with Paint Shop Pro / Photoshop
9.) Save as PNG file
10.) Juxtapose PNG file

How to Draw the Female Eye, Step by Step, From a Side Profile Perspective

Link- http://merrillk.com/index.php?part=fi...
Today you are going to learn to draw the female eye from profile view. I went the extra mile to make this easy for you! Click the link in the videos description to download a printable PDF to assist you while you draw. The PDF has pictures and text and it is sequenced identically to the video. Use both resources to master the skills that I am trying to teach you in this lesson.....Grab your pencils and paper and lets get ready to draw.
Step 1: Draw the shape that you see. It looks like a heart shape turned to the side.
Step 2: Create the shape for the eyebrow at the top of the heart shape.
Step 3: Create the small bowl shape at the bottom. Notice that it overlaps the heart shape. Also notice how small it is compared to the heart shape.
Step 4: Create the shape that was just added. It looks like a sideways triangle with rounded sides. Notice its placement within the heart shape and its proximity to the bowl shape.
Step 5: Add the U shape for the iris. Notice that you can see the bottom of the iris, but not the top. Also notice that the iris is more oval like, rather than circular, since the head is turned.
Step 6: Add the shape to the inner corner of the eye.
Step 7: Add the crown like shape for the upper eye lashes. Notice that the longest ones seem to be on the inner corner of the eye. (This is actually not the case, the other lashes are foreshortened)
Step 8: Add the lashes on the inner corner of the eye.
Step 9: Add the bottom eye lashes. Notice that they are much shorter than the top lashes.
Step 10: Add the Pupil. Since the head is turned, the pupil is oval like.
Step 11: Add the highlight shapes that I just added
SHADING:
Step 12: Start shading the darkest areas first. The upper lashes and the pupil will be the darkest areas. Build it up slowly in "cross hatched" layers (the video will demonstrate). Dont do it all at once.
Step 13: Shade in the Iris. Notice that it is not as dark as the pupil. The shape added in step 6 is part if the eyelid. Shade it alightly lighter than the iris.
Step 14: Shade in the eyebrow. This can vary in tone depending upon hair color and make up. In this case, I left it lighter in tone than the eyelashes.
Step 15: Fill in the areas around the eye with hatching. Refer to the photo (above) as a reference. Use up to a 4B pencil at this stage.
Step 16: LIGHTLY shade in the white part of the eye (with the exception of the highlight areas drawin in before). Hint: The two lightest tones will be the highlight in the eye, followed by the bony area directly under the eyebrow. By this point, feel free to use up to a 6B pencil to help with the darker tones.
Step 17: Use the blending stump (tortillion) to smudge and spread your hatching.
Step 18: Develop the tones more by hatching over the smudges (from the tortillion). If you wish, smudge some more.
Step 19: Put on the finishing touches.
Step 20: Finished

How to Draw the Hand Step by Step- Pointing Gesture

Link- http://merrillk.com/index.php?part=fi... How to draw the Uncle Sam pointing hand pose. This is the first in a series of videos that I will make on drawing the hand. In this video, I am going to teach you how to draw a pointing hand step by step. I have gone out of my way to make this as easy as possible and I made three resources to help you. The first resource is this video, where I will demonstrate the process for you. The second is a link to step by step directions on my website. The third resource is a printable PDF file with big pictures and text. Also, check http:merrillk.com in the coming weeks for printable PDF's for all of my videos. Alright, lets get started!

Be sure to pause the video at the end of each step and look at your reference image as much as possible.

Step 1: Make three ovals that get slightly smaller (from top to bottom).
Step 2: Put in the three connected shapes that I just added. Notice the angle that the top and bottom lines create as they slope inward towards each other.

Step 3: Observe the picture (above) and put in the four lines. Notice the direction of each of their curves.

Step 4: Put in the shape for the pointer finger. The small banana shape that you see to the left is the fingernail. Do not close the top!

Step 5: Close the shape to create the knuckles.

Step 6: Put in the triangle shape above the pointer finger.

Step 7: Close the shape at the top by connecting the top of the banana shape with the top of the triangle. Notice the creases of skin on the foreshortened finger.

Step 8: Put in the shape that sort of looks like a birds head from the side.

Step 9: Make a kite shape below the beak of the bird head shape.

Step 10: Close the shape


Now its time to shade. You will need a q-tip or blending stump for this part.

Speed Painting of Rihanna: Oil Paint, Color Pencils and Illustration Markers

My process 1.) Sketch 2.) Illustration Markers 3.) Color Pencils and 4.) Oil paint. Sometimes I add even more steps with Photoshop, but I didnt for this portrait. I wanted to see how far I could push oil paint as a medium. I prefer painterly realism to photorealism (photo realistic stuff gets boring.....whats the point of simply reproducing a picture?). I was satisfied with the results, despite my unorthodox approach to making this....(painting? work of art? mixed media?....I dont know what to call it.) The markers were Prismacolor and Chartpak Ad. The color pencils were Prisma and the oil paint was Old Holland, Maimeri, Vasari, Bloxx, Grumbacher and Holbein Colors. I used Liquin as a paint medium. I used Flat, Round and Filbert Brushes and occasionally a fan brush (for delicate blending). This time lapse speed portrait consolidated four hours in to less than four minutes.

ARTMORPH (Martial Arts)- Lee + Seagal + Van Dam + Norris

What do you get when you "Photoshop" Bruce Lee, Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Dam and Chuck Norris? - There would be lots of spin kicking, artificial testosterone, bad hair pieces,ex wives and Martial Arts trophies. This superhuman would be able to enter any dragon or Kumate; and would be very "Hard to Kill", so dont mess with them, or else you will end up in a "deeper plot" than a bad 1980's movie.

I used Photoshop CS3 and Paint Shop Pro 9 to merge the faces of these movie superheroes. I depended heavily on the digital scissor/ quick selection and magic wand tools as well as the smudge brush and the lighten and darken tool.

How to Paint a Puppy Dog: Painting Instruction for Beginner to Intermediate Artists

Today, I am going to show you how to paint a puppy dog. I made this video for beginner to intermediate level artists, who wish to learn about traditional painting...I will try to show you how to paint. step by step. While I can imagine that painting a realistic looking puppy is intimidating for someone new to art, I will try to make my instruction as clear as possible, so that you can get in to great habits for the future. Once you are in good habits, you will progress very quickly.

I split this lesson in to four parts.

1.) Part one will cover what you need to know before you paint.
2.) Part two will give you an effective strategy for painting realistically The mentality of rendering (aka drawing what you see)
3.) Part three will walk you through the process of painting and I will give you tips while I paint. The process of "sculpting" a painting
4.) Part four will actually be a separate video and it will discuss glazing...a great finishing strategy. Glazing: Finishing a painting (Covered in another video)

Part 1.) I have two points to go over in Part 1-

1-1- First, pick a surface to work on. When I was learning painting, I would use cardboard in place of canvas to save money. Ten years later my original oil paintings are still in good shape. However, this would not be the case if I didn't prime the cardboard with layers of Gesso. Without getting over technical, gesso gives your surface a protective layer that will prevent the oil from being over absorbed. Try to remember this silly saying, "Paint with cream, not with butter or milk!" No, im not saying that you should break out the dairy prodicts.....I am referring to the consistency of the paint. Cream is not a solid like butter .....and is not watery like milk. When you apply paint to a surface it should be creamy in texture. You can make the paint creamy by adding about three to four drops of painting medium to the paint that is sitting on your palette. The object in my hand right now is called a palette knife. I used it to mix the paint with the painting medium. For a long time, I considered this step trivial, but it makes a difference!

1-2 Oil Painters use mineral spirits to clean off their brushes and to thin out a paint mixture. Mineral Spirits is also known commercially as paint thinner and sold as an art supply called turpenoid for quadruple the price. You will only need a SMALL amount of Mineral Spirits because its very powerful. Use it sparingly when you wish to thin out your paint; because too much will make the paint runny and "milk-like" in consistency. Here is a great tip to remember when cleaning your brushes.....WIPE-DIP-WIPE. As silly as that sounds, commit it to memory....In other words..... wipe your brush with a paper towel.....Then dip it in to the mineral spirits and swish it around....followed by another wipe with the paper towel to take the extra spirits off your brush. The last wipe is especially important to prevent the excess mineral spirits from thinning out your paint too much

Part 2

Now you will learn a great strategy to help you paint what you see. I call this strategy, "jigsaw puzzle observation" because it is similar to putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Jigsaw puzzles are fun because you fit shapes together to create an image.........I want you to think the same way when you paint. Try to see and identify shapes and then put them together like a puzzle. Painters sculpt and manipulate the paint on the surface of a painting until the shapes fit together as a recognizable image. Here....let me show you what I mean.....When you try this, I recommend that you get in the habit of looking at your reference image at least once for every five seconds; and then paint what you observed. After you get the bigger shapes in.....work your way down to the smaller shapes........ If you feel that you cant work the paint any more. Let it dry and repeat this step on top of the dried paint. You have an advantage by using paint because it is opaque and it can cover over any mistake...... Take your time with this step. Skyscrapers cant be erected without solid supports and good paintings cannot be made without careful placement.

Supply List
- Titanium White (paint)
- Raw Sienna (paint)
- Ultramarine Blue (paint)
- Ultramarine Purple (paint)
- Lamp Black (paint)
- Painting Medium (my favorite is called Liquin)
- Palette, Wax Paper or Aluminum foil (to mix the paint on)
- Mineral Spirits
- Canvas or Cardboard
- Gesso (white or clear)
- Paint Brushes (several sizes, tips, and softnesses......based on your preference)
- Cups for Mineral Spirits and Paint Medium