Thursday, April 2, 2020

Chemistry Cover Letter and Sample Letter Templates

Chemistry Cover Letter and Sample Letter TemplatesIn the job market today, a great number of college graduates are preparing for a career in the field of chemistry. They have been asked to apply for the jobs in these offices and they are very busy with deadlines to meet.This is why you can find many job openings in the chemical workforce in the educational institutions. Here are some of the chemistry cover letter and sample letter templates which may be helpful for you to improve your chances of being hired.Sample Letter: Let your words for those who are responsible to approve your application be like that of a professional examiner's office. You can choose a style that is inspired by school or college classrooms, but with a feeling of yours to make it a somewhat professional look. In it, you can mention the chemical courses you have completed and you can also mention your experience. You should also mention the four-year college you have graduated from.Sample Letter: This letter tha t you have to prepare is of more than one hundred words. You can choose one of them to elaborate with your background and your experience in a school or college. You can also mention about the special courses you took or programs you have studied in a college. You can also mention the one summer course that you have taken, if it has taken place.Your care information is of vital importance to your application. Your students are in constant need of such information. Your college will want to know your language. Therefore, you should make it easy for them to understand your letter.Sample Letter: In a letter like this, you should make sure to use professional sounding words. The letter should not be artificial or flowery. They should not be too technical. It should also be brief, concise and to the point. Sample Letter: This is one of the best sample letter you can get. It also works well if you do not want to come up with your own since you know too much. You can use this letter as a m odel and also add some notes for you.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

3 Reasons to Incorporate Technology Into Your STEM Studies

3 Reasons to Incorporate Technology Into Your STEM Studies If you take a moment to look around, you may soon realize that technology is at your fingertips nearly every minute of every day. As a result, there are many ways in which you can use it for more than social purposes, including incorporating it into your learning time. In the STEM realm, technology can improve how concepts and skills are absorbed, from elementary and middle school lessons, to high school, college, and graduate courses. Incorporating technology into your STEM studies can elevate your personalized experience with learning, connect you with others in the STEM field, and introduce you to unique tools. Here is how you can utilize technology to further your STEM studies: 1. Incorporating technology into your STEM studies enhances the personalized education experience One advantage of educational technology is its ability to enable students to learn in a manner that best suits them. Students can explore new concepts at their own pace, often from a desktop computer or a mobile device like a smartphone. They can also refine existing STEM skills. Instant Tutoring, for instance, allows students to connect with a knowledgeable tutor in as little as 15 seconds. It is also available in all middle and high school STEM subjects. With technology like Instant Tutoring, students can learn STEM concepts in a way that matches their particular learning style. If, for example, you prefer to visually absorb information, Instant Tutorings interactive whiteboard could assist you in gaining a better grasp of the material. If you fall into more than one of these learning styles, technology allows you to easily incorporate multiple techniques. 2. Incorporating technology into your STEM studies connects you with your peers and teachers Certain tools, including some apps and websites, connect you with like-minded students and educators. For instance, perhaps your biology professor creates an online group so you can collaborate with other STEM students at your university. This can provide you with the opportunity to learn what areas of STEM other students are interested in, and that may broaden your outlook on the related topics. It can also provide you with a great place to ask questions or to offer guidance. [RELATED: 4 Benefits of STEM Studies] 3. Incorporating technology into your STEM studies provides unique learning experiences The STEM field has a plethora of resources that can enhance a students experience with the concepts he or she is learning. Consider these STEM tools, which support a students learning while providing unique experiences: 3D printers, which give students the ability to use technology when prototyping projects Virtual reality, which allows students to be immersed in virtual lessons that illustrate STEM concepts Virtual laboratories, which permit students to simulate, practice, and further understand various STEM experiments. [RELATED: STEM Resources for Students] Technology can further a students education by providing a variety of personalized learning experiences. The best part? Advances in technology in the coming years will only provide students with more opportunities to practice their learning in hands-on, individualized ways. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Photography Training for the Professional

Photography Training for the Professional Discover the Skills needed for Professional Photography with our Online Photography Classes ChaptersProfessional Photography: the Nature of the BeastCompetencies of Professional PhotographersLearning Basics of Photography in SchoolWhat Can You Expect to Earn?In SummaryPhotography is a call of the heart. One does not decide, from one day to the next, to put heart, mind, body and soul on the line in pursuit of the perfect image out of whimsy.Those who have heard the call from behind the lens generally have a strong sense of the aesthetic, extreme powers of observation, and a drive to capture everyday scenes and extraordinary beauty, recording them for posterity.Are you forever cradling a camera? Do you usually sling a bag full of lenses and filters over your shoulder before setting out?Does your tripod feel like a natural extension of your own limbs?If all of this resonates with you, there is a good chance that you are meant for a life behind the camera.Let Superprof help you find your way into, and your place among the ranks of professional photography!Upon review of DSLR ca ptured images, you can discard the shots deemed inadequate, without it costing anything.Still, even a multitude of images might not have a money shot among them.That is why post processing of digital photography is essential. Software such as PhotoShop and Lightroom are the digital SLR photographers' best friend.Adjusting brightness, erasing unsightly shadows, enhancing focal points; maybe adding some background are all possible with Adobe and other software.Let us abstain from editing models' contours, though. That could cause you an unwanted backlash.Look up photography courses london.Exquisite scenes can be enhanced with digital editing Source: Pixabay Credit: QuangprahaSelling Your WorkLet's face it: the only way to make money as a photographer is to sell the pictures you take.Would any photographer worth his film, or any digital camera photographer trust the sale of his images to a second party?That happens more often than you would think.The very nature of the business of phot ography demands hustling: to the next shoot, finding the next client, capturing images before the light wanes...The logistics of the business, of which selling is but a small part, is sometimes handled through an agent or, if the reputation of the photographer in question does not yet warrant an agent, through a trusted business partner.It would be burning the candle at both ends to be photographer and business manager!Still, many beginners in the business of photography chase jobs and sell their work themselves.The logistics of running a professional photography business should be thoroughly considered before settling on photography as a career!Competencies of Professional PhotographersPhotographic pioneers Ansel Adams and Anne Geddes became famous photographers as a fluke.Neither had any formal development in the art of photography; they achieved the pinnacle of their respective fields through trial, error and experimentation.One does not generally become a photographer of renown because of a burning passion and certain talent for capturing images - although those qualities do help.In today's competitive market, professional photographers of all types tend to progress faster in the business if they have mastered essential key skills.Technique and CreativityThere is a furious debate raging on about whether formal education unlocks creativity: does academic knowledge permit greater license for one's mind to roam?Or is the inverse true: too many facts cloud and crimp the ability to imagine?One aspect of fostering creativity through education that we are sure of: if you know what is possible, you may feel compelled to reach for what is, as yet, considered impossible.Thus we lump photographic technique and creativity as two equal halves of one essential ingredient of professional photographers.Just as ballet dancers drill for years to achieve flowing movements and seemingly effortless form, the same exigent demands are placed of photographers.More than anything, photography is an artistic endeavour. At least, it should be!Going back to ballet dancers, just for a moment.Is repetition of well-rehearsed choreography actually art? Or is it mimicry?The best dancers, and the best photographers constantly push the boundaries of their art, inject new emotion, find new ways to express themselves in dance... and in photography.Museums, festivals, family and social events; sunrise and sunset and rainy days: all are opportunities to refine your art!Never leave home without your camera. It is the best way to find new  means of expressing yourself through the art of photography.Never leave home without your camera! Source: Pixabay Credit: JarmolukThe Ability to RelateBe you a wedding photographer or more into photojournalism, the ability to communicate effectively is essential.Discussing contracts with clients, instructing models on how to pose; relaying instructions to your team â€" makeup artists, hairdressers, lighting technicians and assistants: you will need tact and diplomacy in all of these exchanges.Forget the irascible artist stereotype! Any exposure you have to the public demands civility as well as confidence and professionalism.A Working Knowledge of Photographic and Lighting EquipmentThe evolution of photographic equipment, just over the last twenty years, has been phenomenal!To that we affirm: the best way to keep up with the changes in photographic technology is to attend workshops and tutorials.If your schedule proves too demanding, you should keep current by reading trade magazines and watching videos â€" of macro photography, of how to use RAW to display your work.You can pick up tons of photography tips from other pros from online photography blogs!Let us use gridding your shot, as an example.For a hundred years, the most important aspect of photography composition was centering.Today, it is recommended to use the rule of thirds, placing the focal point of your imaging slightly off-center and a bit to the top of the frame, to give the picture a more attractive and engaging appeal.These and other depth of field tricks can all be discovered through photography workshops, either online or at your local branch of a photographic society.In other words: in communion with more advanced photographers.Find online photography courses here.enrol in college and earn a BA Honors  photography degree.Should three years at university be out of your reach, you can seek out an accredited photography course online to earn your Level 3 certificate.Make sure the course is accredited! Otherwise, the quality and breadth of education you would be treated to might be questionable.Whether you wish to specialise in landscape photography or you hold that commercial photography would be more lucrative in the long run, you can be sure of finding a programme that will take you through the basics of photography, all the way to capturing museum quality shots.Most three-year programmes cover:basic through advanced photograp hy, developing and editing of the photographhow to enhance digital images and other skills related to digital imagingBusiness aspects of professional photographyYou would also learn about the history of photography, study the technical skills of master photographers, learn to work with black and white, as well as colour film â€" including how to develop and retouch images.As you become more advanced, you may be sent out on assignment, shooting in obscure locations around town or in a photography studio.These assignments are meant to help you refine your photographic talent into the specialty you hope to embrace upon graduation.One of the best aspects of attending photography school is that they will assist with job placement and mentor you, even after graduation!Working through an established studio is the surest way to secure a living wage Source: Pixabay Credit: Alexa_fotosWhat Can You Expect to Earn?We don't dispute that your love of photography drives your desire to become a pho tographer.As always when one finds one's passion, more pragmatic concerns intrude!Unless you are independently wealthy, you will need to earn your living.If photography is indeed your career choice, you will want to know if you can support yourself and maybe your family on what you can earn.The short answer is: it depends on what type of photography you specialise in.It is true that some forms of the art are more lucrative than others.Portrait photography, commercial photography, wedding photography and food photography rank high on the list for earnings.Wildlife and nature photography, night photography and travel photography, on the other hand, are all catch as catch can propositions.Andy Rouse, the renown animal photographer and aviation enthusiast suggests:  Find another line of work, or do it only as a hobby. The market is completely saturated.Richard Peters seems to concur. He supplements his income by writing articles on advanced photography for various magazines and websites .He also enters competitions, and any prize money he earns goes right back into his business.Because there are no baseline regulations on photographers in our country, how much we charge and what we earn is solely up to us.The average commission fee for a wedding photographer, anywhere in the country, is £663.Scottish photographers' average fee is £621 while, in London, the best photographers command £8750!You will have to remember that a portion of your earnings will be sunk into buying new equipment and paying any business overhead you may have.Studio rental, supplies, equipment,  paying any assistants, and maintenance fees all count as business overhead.And, above all else, you must pay into HMRC. Please don't forget to do that!For a sure bet on a living wage, seeking employment with an established studio or concern would be your safest alternative.You may find your creativity stifled by routine employment. On the other hand, you can consider taking such a position as paying y our dues, and still have time to flex your creative muscle during your off time!In SummaryPhotography is visual storytelling: both through the subjects you capture and through your own, inimitable style.Communication, creativity and technique are what define the successful photographer.Of the many avenues to learn photography, obtaining a degree from university or an accredited online photography programme is the surest way to establish your credibility as a professional photographer.Besides your desire to express yourself, artistically and professionally, from behind the lens, the largest concern of professional photographers everywhere is earnings: can you make a living from photography?And here, dear camera wielder, is where the rubber meets the road.How you engage in the field â€" independently or through an already established business, will determine not only how much you stand to make, but what you stand to get out of your new career as a professional photographer.Good luck!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Recording Your Singing

Recording Your Singing What Do You Need to Record Your Voice at Home? ChaptersThe Best Microphones for SingingSound Cards for Recording VocalsThe Best Headphones for SingingHow Much Does It Cost to Record Your Singing?“Singing is a way of escaping. It's another world. I'm no longer on earth.” - Edith PiafMusic is a popular activity among many of us and it includes everything from singing, playing instruments, or joining a choir. It'd be difficult to find anyone who doesn't listen to music in some form or another.With so many people listening to music, it’d be hardly surprising to hear that there are quite a few people interested in singing. If you’re using your voice as an instrument, you might be interested in recording it. While some prefer to learn with certain vocal exercises, others might like to learn with the help of a singing teacher.No matter how you’re learning, you still may need to record yourself.So how can you make a home studio? How can you record your vocalisations and vowel work without leaving the comfort of your own home?He re’s our mini guide to recording your singing with a home recording studio setup. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Best Microphones for SingingEvery singer will tell you, the microphone is essential! When it comes to recording your voice, your microphone is responsible for most of what you’ll get out of your recordings and how they’ll sound. If you want to record your voice, the first thing you'll need is a microphone. (Source: Pexels)Just like any other audio equipment, there are different categories according to your needs and budget. Here’s our non-exhaustive list of mics that’ll give you a good sound for practising singing.Shure SM58, a robust and ergonomic microphone that’s used by greats including Bjork and U2.Rode NT1A, a versatile microphone that’s great for beginners.AAKG D5, a clear, balanced, and powerful microphone.MXL 770, a popular microphone amongst rappers and great value-for-moneyShure SM7B, the microphone that Michael Jackson used, which gives the voice a natural sound.Sennheiser MD421, a dynamic microphone with good resistance to the Larsen effect.AKG C214, a microphone that’s well suited to singing.Rode NTK, an all-rounder at a good price.Neumann TLM 102, a dynamic microphone with a good cardioid directivity.Amongst the best microphones for singing, you’ll see that these will capture your voice well and are great for recording. Then it’s up to you to work on your breathing, vocal techniques, and do your best to improve your singing.A good microphone won’t do all the work, you’ll still need to put the effort in yourself.Sound Cards for Recording VocalsOf all the choices you have to make when opting to record your voice, choosing a sound card is an important step as it’ll improve the finished product. A sound card is used to convert analogue audio signals into digital signals. (Source: Bru-nO)You can also get external sound cards, allowing to you treat the audio at input or output. It’ll manage the analogue signal (in this case, your voice) and convert it into a digital signal which is exactly what you want when recording your voice at home.Many people are opting for external sound cards when recording their singing. There are two types of connections you can choose from:USB or USB 3.0 for PC or Mac.FireWire, a faster connection but less commonly found on computers.To be able to record your voice, you’ll need the right ports on your computer or sound card. Usually, you’ll need one or several XLR ports.Generally, you’ll just need one if you’re only recording your singing, but you will need several if you plan to also record instruments. Luckily, most sound cards will come with several.You’ll also need converters. The AD/DA (Analog to Digital/Digital to Analog) converter is the main part of a sound card. However, this is what allows you to take an analogue signal (your voice) and convert it into a digital signal. You'll need an audio interface and some recording software (commonly known as a digital audio workstation) to create a digital recording of your voice.You need good audio quality so you can hear the best and worst parts of your voice when practising. When it comes to sound cards, some of the best include:Behringer UMC22 U-PhoriaNative Instruments Komplete Audio 6Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Generation)Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HDFocusrite Scarlett 2i2PreSonus Audio iTwoAnd many others...What better way to listen to yourself singing?The Best Headphones for SingingTo listen to your singing in real-time, you’ll need to hear your vocal technique. This is why headsets or headphones are important when recording yourself. Furthermore, you won’t have the same equipment as a professional studio. A good set of headphones will allow you to hear your singing. (Source: cegoh)You must choose a headset with good sound quality. Additionally, you also need something ergonomic and comfortable and practical. With that in mind, here’s a list of decent headsets or headphones:Beats Solo3: a good set of headphones that optimises the acoustics with padded cushions and high build quality.Denon AH-GC30: great headphones for singers, great value-for-money, and good noise-reduction.Sennheiser Momentum: good headphones with great shape and feel.JBL Everest 710: comfortable folding headphones with a great range.Nura Nuraphone: powerful headphones, low distortion, and some great functionality.Bose QuietComfort 35 II and QuietComfort 35: robust headphones with a vocal assistant built into the second model.Sony WH-1000XM3 and WH-1000XM2: Quick charging headphones with 28 hours of battery life and great noise reduction.Marshall Mid A.N.C: the perfect headphones for singing thanks to its noise-redu ction, balanced sound, clarity, and control.If you’re getting all this equipment, you can expect to pay for it.So how much will this all cost you?How Much Does It Cost to Record Your Singing?If you’re going to record yourself to improve your singing, you’re going to have to pay for it. You can get a basic home recording studio for quite cheap. (Source: Pexels)You’ll have to start by buying your microphone first.You need to know that a good quality microphone can cost you a few hundred pounds. Of course, you need to weigh up the cost against how much you’ll use it.If you’re regularly going to use your microphone to record yourself practising, you’ll need to set aside £200 to get started.A recording program can cost a pretty penny whereas as others such as Audacity are completely free. For a home studio, some like to record with something like a Zoom. You can pay around £300 for some recorders. The more outputs, the more you pay.In terms of sound cards, you can pay around £200 for a decent one. Of course, this is just an average price so you can get stuff for more and less.Accessories can also end up costing you more than you’d think. For example, you can pay around £10 for a pop filter, £30 for a mic stand, and between £150 and £200 for a good set o f headphones.If you want to record a singing voice, you’ll need the right equipment, which won’t be the same as it would be for a speaking voice. Your home studio will be designed with you in mind.You need to choose what works for you and your budget.If you need more help with your singing, consider getting in touch with one of the many talented and experienced tutors on Superprof. There are three main types of singing tutorial available and each has its pros and cons so have a look at what's on offer and see what will work best for you, your learning style, and your budget.Face-to-face tutorials are between just you and your tutor. Since you're the only student, the tutorials will be planned around you, what you want to learn, and how you like to learn. Of course, this bespoke service comes at a price and face-to-face tutorials tend to be the most costly per hour of tuition. That said, they're also the most cost-effective since every minute in a tutorial is spent teaching you h ow to sing.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials in that they're between a single tutor and a single student. However, thanks to the marvels of modern technology, you can be taught over the internet thanks to video conferencing software. However, since your tutor won't have to travel to you and can schedule more lessons each week, they can also charge more competitive rates.Group tutorials tend to be the cheapest per hour because the tutor's time is being paid for by everyone in the class. Unlike the other two types of tutorials, the tutor won't be able to offer bespoke tuition as they have several students to keep happy. However, if you and a few friends all want to learn how to sing, you can share the cost of private tutorials between yourselves in group tutorials.

5 Ways to Master High School Physics

5 Ways to Master High School Physics Oftentimes, when the three main science courses that students take in high school Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are ranked in order of favorite to least favorite, Physics winds up at the bottom of the list. There are a plethora of reasons for this, but one of the big ones is that many students find Physics very difficult to grasp. Struggles in a class can easily lead to negative feelings toward it, so it is not difficult to see why many students try to steer clear if they can. Despite its notoriety, Physics can actually be an enjoyable and useful class with tons of real-world applications (from improving your golf swing to launching a rocket), and you can get through it relatively painlessly by following these simple tips. 1. Familiarize yourself with key math lessons first Physics can be taught as both Algebra-based and Calculus-based. No matter which type of Physics you are taking, it is crucial to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the mathematics concepts associated with it. Here are 5 tips for taking better math notesthat may help you. Since Physics is essentially the application of mathematical principles to model the world around you, you will need a solid grasp of Algebra and/or Calculus in order to better comprehend the theoretical math and calculations that pop up in Physics problems. 2. Understand concepts before class There are two parts to Physics: understanding the concepts and applying the concepts to actually solve a problem mathematically. Try to get a conceptual understanding before class, and worry about the math that comes with it once lecture begins. Try to reason your way through the ideas presented in the text. Understand what terms mean, how they relate to each other, and what units are attached to them. Knowing your terms thoroughly will be extremely useful when it comes to actually solving problems, as oftentimes you must substitute formulas into each other to come up with a workable function that includes all the terms you are given. If there are worked examples in the text, look at them, identify all the terms and steps taken to solve, and then rework the examples yourself. This will be the first step in learning to master the problem-solving part of Physics. If you are confused on concepts, terms, or worked examples, make a note and ask in class. 3. Pay attention in class No matter what class you are taking, this tip is crucial to success. The whole point of being in class is to learn something, so pay attention while you are there! Since you have read the material beforehand, you will have a basic understanding of the concepts and will be able to focus on the application to problems during lecture. Normally your teacher will work some example problems, and if you understand the concepts you should be able to follow along. Take good notes, and when you are confused, ask a question! Here are 3 note-taking formats every student should try.The better you can understand concepts and how to solve problems by the time class ends, the easier you will have it when it comes to doing the homework on your own. 4. Work through a variety of problems Just like Calculus, correctly working as many Physics problems as you can will put you on the path to success. Practicing your problem-solving skills repeatedly will help you get the hang of the process that you must go through in order to solve problems in Physics. The more types of problems you see and know how to answer, the more you will hone your problem-solving skills. Here are 4 ways to improve your problem-solving skillsthat you may find useful. 5. Remember the details Even if you are working the same general type of problem, the details may be different. Are you solving for initial or final velocity? Are your units in cm, m, or km or do you have to convert from inches? Making sure that you identify all necessary terms, know what term you are going to find from solving the problem, and use correct and compatible units when solving will help you greatly!

Discover the Incredible Links Between Art And Biology

Discover the Incredible Links Between Art And Biology Examples Of Art In Biology Tuition ChaptersLife Drawing â€" The Human FigureHuman Anatomy ArtAbstract Art And The Human FormBiological PhotographyBioArt - Taking Art To The ExtremesA Quest To Find The Perfect Body?Horticultural ArtAlthough it may not have crossed your mind before to find a link between Art and Biology, the two actually share many connotations with one another. Classically, Art has been the study of humans and other organisms, with a strong focus on highlighting the intricacies of nature.Of course, illustrations and images are required for your academic textbooks, in order to teach you about scientific concepts, but Biology has a much bigger connection to the world of Art than just that.Keep reading to find out how Science and Art combine to celebrate biological processes and phenomenon. If you don't already, this will teach those art lovers among you to love Biology too! MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!D iscover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLife Drawing â€" The Human FigureThe human form has been the subject of many paintings over time,  but while photographs of nude bodies are still somewhat controversial in today's society, historically there was no shame in nudity in art.Figure drawing has been around for many centuries and describes the sketching of the human figure, male or female, in various shapes and postures. Purely observational, artists following this particular style of art have limited freedom to express themselves because they are using a liv ing and breathing person standing before them to compose their works of art.Even in prehistoric times, society was concerned with anatomy and drawings suggest an already sophisticated view of the human form. In the late 1700s, the ability to master drawing was seen as a prerequisite for artists and so many had to spend hours in the drawing room practicing their craft.Take your A level biology courses on Superprof.Life drawing is the process of studying the natural human form using art media. Photo credit: San Sharma via Visualhunt / CC BY-SATo this day, art students continue to draw models, often in a circle or semi-circle so that no one has the same perspective.Contemporary artists might choose to exaggerate or distort aspects of the model’s appearance to bring something extra to their art piece, balancing composition with style. Those  who do life drawing are encouraged to learn how to draw figures of all types, thus opening up their eyes to the fact that all body shapes are dif ferent.Discover some A level biology distance learning courses here.Human Anatomy ArtWhile life or figure drawing is quite matter of fact in its execution and is very much about putting down on paper what you see on the surface, some artists are more interested in what lies beneath.So many of us go through our lives without really knowing much about the intricacies of our bodies, like our anatomy and the processes our organs go through to keep us alive every second of every day. (Not to mention all of the emotional states that our mind and body experience over our lifetime.)Figure artists, however, draw humans in a very realistic style, displaying an understanding of the structure of the human body, including muscles, bones and organs. One of the best examples of this is Michelangelo's series of studies of nude men.Like these artists who study the human body in an attempt to recreate it on paper, once you begin studying the finer details of our bodily parts then your eyes will be op ened to the sophistication of our figures. Having appreciated what our bodies can do, and how well they do it, you will never look at them in the same way!Rembrandt famously painted a series of paintings focused on surgeons  which, although less detailed than Michelangelo's sketches, brought about interest in human anatomy.With less information and knowledge of what was beneath the layers of our skin back then, the fascination with autopsies and dissection was of course quite astounding. People were naturally curious about corpses and the artist’s motif was to reflect on these lessons in anatomy.Abstract Art And The Human FormThe Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, was a very important figure in Art during the 20th century, and had a very particular style when it came to expressing the human body.Not one to follow trends, the innovative artist rearranged the traditional outlook of the male and female bodies into an abstract form. He completely abandoned known form and brought to the su rface the question of what is real and what is illusion, playing with feelings and emotions too.This approach has even more relevance today, with so much emphasis on looks and the idea of what is beautiful. If Picasso were still alive and painting today, we wonder how we would have depicted the falseness of cosmetic surgery or the startling transformations that come  from modern methods of applying make up or using controversial hair dyes? MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.0 0 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBiological PhotographyAlthough not exactly considered a popular form of art, photography has a very important place in the world of Biology, and particularly in the area of crime investigation.On crime scenes, photographs are taken as a visual representation of how the scene was left, including any relevant objects or, in the case of massacres, corpses. In the case of fatal attacks or robberies, a crime scene investigator will arrange for photographs of the deceased to be taken. If you have watched CSI: Miami or Silent a Witness, you will be very familiar with this process.Photography plays an important role in crime scenes. Photo credit: Colin Remas Brown via Visualhunt.com / CC BYWhile most photographs are kept guarded in police files, some chilling photos are released to the public, including some macabre photos showing New York crime scenes in the 1910s which have been printed as part of a book called Murder in the City, by Wil fried Kaute.Although the pictures were not intended for the public, they have been collated and serve a purpose to show what crime looked like in the Big Apple during this decade (where homicide rates were extremely high).BioArt - Taking Art To The ExtremesBioArt, is a relatively new art practice whereby artists and scientists are creating pieces (mainly in the lab but also in studios and galleries) made from live tissues, bacteria and other living organisms. Pioneers of this branch of art are determined to transform the science into works of art by using their bodies and other living things and by adopting the help of engineers and scientists.Orlan, for example, is an artist who uses cosmetic surgery procedures to change her appearance to resemble famous images of women in art, using the procedure as part of the performance.Her aim is to focus on the power of technology to transform our physical appearance.  Orlan’s work also pushes boundaries in terms of human health with her nu merous experiments with going under the knife. That sure is dedication to one’s craft!A Quest To Find The Perfect Body?Having considered all of the above examples, can we conclude that Biology’s place in art is centred around finding the perfect body?While many people in society share roughly the same ideology concerning feminine and masculine beauty (hence why the same actors and singers are voted as the ‘sexiest’ or ‘best looking’ in magazine and television polls) it would seem that this belief of what is attractive and what isn’t is very much influenced by the times.Just to prove that this is the case, you are unlikely to look at a painting from the 1700s, of a then very beautiful women or a strappingly handsome man, and to think that they are good-looking. This is because, as with most things, tastes change and external factors play a big part. What  on earth might those from the 18th century have had to say about Kim Kardashian’s famous pear-shaped body, or Arno ld Schwarzenegger’s bulging biceps?The answer to the aforementioned question is therefore an astounding no. We can safely say, however, that Biology’s place in Art is to embrace the human body including all of our unique traits or imperfections, while also celebrating how strong and powerful our bodies are as well as referencing all that they are capable of doing.Horticultural ArtMoving away from the controversies of the human body, however, plant matter has equally been the focus of many artists’ attention over the years.Perhaps it is their ability to reproduce, just like humans, that draws us to flowers, or maybe it is simply because they look so nice.Anatomical images of flowers are very popular among homeowners, with many prints and drawings being available to purchase online and in art or poster shops, but the subject is also very closely linked to your biological studies.Horticultural drawings are commercially very popular but they also serve a purpose to the scientific community. Photo credit: Swallowtail Garden Seeds via VisualHunt.com / CC BYDuring your Biology GCSE course, you will be required to learn about plant reproduction, including the male and female sex cells and the process called pollination.The flower is the reproductive organ of many plants and is therefore a hugely important piece of nature, as well as being a pleasant thing to look at.There is such a thing as Scientific Botanical Art, which describes the ability to draw plants to scientific standards, i.e. using observation to create detailed illustrations of plants and their make-up.This is a very important branch of art as it vital to helping scientists within the botanical field to recognise and distinguish species from one another, while documenting this information in the formal classification of plants.Biology affects our everyday lives.In order to lean more about the sensational breakthroughs within this field, click here.Alternatively, you can read our blog on some of the vocabulary that you will need as a Biology student.Moreover, you can discover more about how the subject has evolved over the years by visiting this blog.Find biology tutors.

An Introduction to Oil Painting

An Introduction to Oil Painting All a Beginner Needs to Know about Oil Painting ChaptersOil Painting for BeginnersBeginner Techniques in Oil Painting â€" and Some More Advanced OnesHandy Tutorials and Resources to Improve Your Oil PaintingWe’re guessing you’re here because you want to stand alongside some of history’s geniuses of oil painting. You want to be rubbing shoulders with Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Da Vinci, in the pantheon of the greatest oil painters of all time.Or maybe not; maybe your oil painting ambitions are a little more modest. Maybe you just fancy splattering that canvas with something beautiful, being able to wield a paint brush, or creating an oil painting of which you can be proud.Whilst the first may be a little challenging â€" although not to say impossible â€" the latter is within everyone’s grasp. And we’re here to help you get there.That’s why we’ve prepared this beginner’s guide to how to paint with oil. And although it is one of the more difficult painting mediums to master, its effects â€" its bold, vivid colo urs, its beautifully textured quality, and its glossy vibrant finish â€" make it one of the most rewarding media in which to work.So, let’s have a look at some of the things that you will need to have to start painting â€" and some of the things that you will need to know. There’s a fair few of them. However, with practice, you’ll be as good a painter as you want to be.Let’s take a look. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsOil Painting for BeginnersSo, what do you need to know before you get cracking with your oil painting? That’s what we’re going to be answering here.However, the answer depends on what exactly you want to be doing. Obviously, everyone has a few things in common. Yet, the amount of detail and the types of techniques you’ll want to learn depend on the sort of painter you want to be and the level of seriousness you’ll want to put into learning to paint.Here, we’re going to be looking at the very basics, for those who are totally new to painting on canvas. Because that is always the best place to start. Oil painting is fun!What is Oil Painting?To begin with, then, what is oil painting?Oil paint is a particular type of painting medium that is known for its viscosity, its slow drying time, and its use by some of the most important painters in history.It’s made â€" as you can probably expect â€" from oil. From vegetable oils, primarily â€" including linseed oil, walnut oil, or the oil from poppy seeds. Oil is a great medium in which to suspend colour pigments because it has a very high saturation, meaning that oil paints can hold a lot of the colour, so they become incredibly bold on the canvas.In comparison, watercolour â€" in which pigments are suspended in water â€" does not produce such vividness of colour.The other characteristic thing about oil paint is that it is very slow drying, to the extent that some colours don’t dry fully even after months. This means that artists can retouch and correct their works after much time has passed.In comparison to acrylic paint, say, which is incredibly fast drying, this feature of oil painting makes it ideal for beginners who shouldn’t need to rush.Some Key Tools You’ll NeedTo excel in oil painting â€" or, indeed, to get anywhere at all with it â€" you are going to need a certain number of practical tools with which to work.You can imagine what most of these will be.Paint brushes are a pretty good place to start. But note the plural: you’ll probably need more than one of different sizes before you can get going. Flat brushes are good for larger scale paint application, whilst round brushes are good for detail.Meanwhile, canvases â€" primed and sized â€" are going to be necessary too, as well as a colour palette in which you can mix your colours. The mixability of oil paints is one of the perks of the medium â€" so don’t neglect it.Otherwise, something to clean your brush â€" and water won’t do. You need a white spirit of some kind. We’ve moved past the days of turpentine, however, so try an artist’s whi te spirit. Any art shop will sell it.Find out more about starting out in oil painting!Beginner Techniques in Oil Painting â€" and Some More Advanced OnesOnce you have rushed out and bought all those things that you’ll need, it’s good to think about what techniques, skills, and knowledge you are going to need to make some progress in your painting.Here’s where it all gets pretty serious, because if you don’t nail some of the fundamental aspects of this, your painting might not last as a painting for too long. The canvas can rot, your paint can flake or fade, and the whole thing can crack if you do the wrong thing.But enough of the scary stuff. Really, it is very difficult for it all to go that wrong. Just do as we suggest and it will all go swimmingly. Start on your journey of oil paintingPreparatory Techniques in Oil PaintingSo, what do you need to know before you start painting? There are three things really:How to prime a canvas or surface;How to thin your paint; andThe laws of paint application.You can see the details of all this in our article on oil painting techniques for beginners, but let’s run through some of the basics here.In regards to the first point, if you paint in oil on a surface that has not been primed â€" such as an unprimed canvas â€" you are going to be exposing the threads of cotton or linen in the canvas to the oil. This will make the fibres in the canvas rot â€" and your paint will begin to flake off.Secondly, you know that you are going to clean your brush with white spirit â€" because water and oil don’t mix. However, these spirits are also essential for thinning your paint too.Why would you want to do that? Sometimes you don’t want your oil paint to be as thick as when it comes out of the tube (su ch as when you are doing underpainting). As such, you can add spirits â€" and oil too â€" to your paints to make them less thick.Finally, there are two primary laws of oil painting: fat over lean and thick over thin. In both cases, you want the fast drying paint to be applied first. Thick paint â€" and ‘fat’ paint, that paint that is oilier â€" needs to be applied later. As the thicker and fatter paints dry slower, thin paint on top will just crack.Use Different Oil Painting Techniques to Achieve Different EffectsMore advanced techniques come in truckloads â€" and the different techniques you’ll want to learn will depend on the styles in which you want to paint.If you are interested in traditional landscape painting, you might want to try your hand at blending â€" the technique in which you mix together the boundaries of adjacent colours on your canvas. The effect smoothens the whole scene.If you are more a Van Gogh fan, you’ll want to consider wet on wet painting (or alla p rima, as it is known), or impasto.Handy Tutorials and Resources to Improve Your Oil PaintingFinally, if you are looking for guidance or inspiration in your oil painting, there are plenty of places in which to look.From the newer forms of entertainment and instruction â€" such as podcasts and video tutorials â€" to blogs, books, and the original paintings of famous artists themselves. All of this can provide inspiration and motivation in your own work.Oil Painting Podcasts and VideosPodcasts and online videos are some of the most popular places for people to get their information these days. And this doesn’t exclude the world of art either.In terms of oil painting tutorials via video, the best place to look is of course YouTube, where painters such as Florent Farges and Lena Danya give live demonstrations of their work.If you want to just learn about the history of oil painting, or about ideas around the creative process, check out the podcasts of Tate Museums. They cover just abou t everything, with a quality that you would expect.Learn more about resources and tutorials to help with your oil painting!Find Inspiration from the History of ArtHowever, there is no better place to look for inspiration and guidance than in the history of art itself. From Da Vinci and Rembrandt to Van Gogh and Wassily Kandinsky, history is full of oil paint artists â€" who are probably the reason that you wanted to paint in the first place! Those paint brushes won't stay clean for long...