How to Paint a Straight Line-Where the Ceiling Meets the Wall

Have you ever looked up at where the ceiling meets the wall and noticed that the edge looks like something out of a children’s coloring book? Painting a room can be a lot of fun if you know what you are doing. I’ve been painting for over 15 years and can tell you that one of the most painstaking portions is the edging. Edging a line at the ceiling by free hand has got to be the one of the most tedious and irritating things you can attempt when painting a room unless of course you have some tricks up your sleeve. I’m going to share a trick with you today that can help make your painting experience a lot easier. This tip is easy to do but we need to get some of the basics out of the way before you begin. First you need to get all of the prep work out of the way. You know, laying down the tarps, taping down the moldings, repairing the drywall, priming the walls, etc. After the prep-work is completed you want to paint the ceiling first. Once the ceiling is double coated and dried you are ready to begin using my trick.

How to Hold the Brush

I’ve seen a lot of people simply grab a paint brush like they’re pulling on a door handle. They dunk it in a bucket and start splashing paint all over the walls. This is not the correct way to handle a brush when you’re edging. The only time you should hold a brush like that is when you’re slopping paint onto something where precision doesn’t matter (e.g. a fence). The correct way to hold a paintbrush is easy to do and remember. You want to start off with a decent edging brush; I like to use a Purdy brand 2” or 3” angled sash. They’re sleek, the tips are flagged and they last a long time when properly cared for. To start, grab the neck of the brush handle where the long arm meets the ferrule or metal joining piece. Next, rest the notch of the handle into the webbed crux between your thumb and index finger like a pencil. Now, imagine grabbing a piece of bread from the middle. Your index finger should be on top of the ferrule (the crust) while your thumb should be on the side of the ferrule (the white part of the bread). The rest of your 3 fingers should be comfortably supporting the opposite side of the ferrule (the other side of the bread). You middle finger should be directly across your thumb giving equal pressure to the middle of the brush. You should be able to flex the brush up and down like you would a pencil. If you do not know how to hold a pencil, stop what you are doing and call a professional.

Create the Razor-Line

The process is simple but you have to pay attention to what you are doing in order to be successful. First you will need a dull, not dead, utility knife and step ladder (I’ll explain the dull knife later). Position and properly secure the ladder close to a corner so that you can reach the corner comfortably with your knife. Extend the blade out of the knife so that at least half of the blade is exposed, I like to use Stanley utility but any utility knife will do. If you start in a corner you can work your way around the room in one direction, if you’re right handed start with the corner on your left and vice versa if you are left handed. Press the blade into the corner exactly where the ceiling meets the wall and slowly pull the knife along the natural 90 degree angle created by the ceiling and wall (WARNING DO NOT PRESS THE BLADE DEEP INTO THE DRYWALL!!). You are going for a shallow line that does not break into the tape seam underneath the drywall compound. If you puncture the seam you run the risk of cracking your drywall. You simply want to score a line in the drywall deep enough so that a standard office staple could fit inside. If you use a dull knife it will stop you from going in too deep and will also cause the line to be a bit wider than a fresh blade would (I only suggest a fresh blade if you are extremely familiar with this technique). The line you create should follow the natural 90 degree angle of the wall. This was created when you or somebody else mudded and sanded the corner where the ceiling meets the wall. The razor allows you to follow that natural 90 degree angle with precision. Score the entire outline of the room you are painting and dust off anything left behind by the blade.

I’ve scored all these lines, now what?

After you’ve thoroughly mixed your paint, dip your brush into the paint and wipe both sides of the brush on the inside of the can. You want enough paint on the brush so that you can cover a 3’ - 4’ line with paint. Without touching the ceiling, apply the paint to the wall about an inch under the razor line you created. Drag a line of paint parallel to the razor-line (about 3’-4’ long). Go back and forth across the paint moving your brush horizontal to the ceiling and eliminate any ripples of paint. You want the new paint to lay flat against the wall. Also, you want to make the line wide enough so that a paint roller can reach up to the edging without getting too close to the ceiling (about 4”- 5” wide). Note if you have a lot of drips on your first pull then you probably have too much paint on your brush. The starting lines will make it easier for you to spread the next coats of paint into the razor-lines. Once you have good coverage on your starting line dip your brush and wipe both sides again; note for the razor-line runs you’ll need less paint on the brush. Start off under the razor-line again but this time when you drag the paint across the wall gently work the brush closer to the razor-line. Press the brush against the wall just enough to create a smooth brush line that is parallel to the razor-line. Notice the small bead of paint on your bristles closest to the razor-line? Try dragging that bead of paint closer to and eventually into the razor line. Your eyes should be looking just over the top of your painting hand so that you can see the paint filling in the line you created with your knife. Once the paint is in the razor line, slowly follow the line across the wall until the paint on your brush runs out or you run out of arm length. You can bring extra paint from the first line up and into the razor-line, eventually merging the two into one big swath. If you are successful you should notice that the paint sucks into the razor line as you pull the paint across it. The razor line stops the paint from moving onto the ceiling and gives you a strict guide to follow as you paint across the wall. Repeat the process across the wall until you have edged the entire ceiling with wall paint. The new paint will completely cover over the razor-line and effectively seal the line you created. In the end the wall edge should be in a tight crisp line against the ceiling that will defy expectations.

The Inside Corners

You can either do this step as you edge the ceiling or after you have finished. The inside corners should be done when you edge the vertical corners. If you have completed the horizontal edging, work the vertical edging into the horizontal edging at the ceiling. If you said that it’s really hard to get the paint into the corners precisely you’re right, it is. To pull this off you need to flex the brush against the wall so that only a few bristles are touching the absolute threshold of the inner corner. This is why a good stiff brush is a must, it keeps its rigidity even after you flex it. Through a series of different pressures and angles you should be able to tie all the edging together. A good tip is to keep the pressure on the tip of the brush when you press it into the corner. This gives you the ability to press the paint onto the wall with a small amount of bristles. If you find that you still can’t get your brush into the corner or you’re not confident enough to do it with a larger brush, you can always use something smaller to brush the paint on, think Q-tips.


My website http://james-jilbert.artistwebsites.com

How to manage low-back pain

How to Manage Low-Back Pain

Have you ever had a searing pain rip through your lower back? Have you ever had to toss yourself onto your stomach to relieve the pain in your legs? Like many low-back pain sufferers a multitude of symptoms can put you into a tailspin of anguish. Some of the symptoms include; burning, tingling, dull pain, stabbing pain, muscle aches, joint pain the list goes on and on. If you clicked on this post than either you know somebody with these problems or are suffering with them yourself. The most maddening thing that can occur is the relentless ability for the pain to languish on. Most of the time a pain in your body will subside after the swelling has gone down. However for low back pain it might never go away on its own due to the fact that your lower back is used for almost every move you make. A malaise or depression can set in due to the suffering associated with each move which can leave you bed ridden. Here, I will share some tips that helped relieve my back pain*.

Medication

Get the inflammation down! This may seem like a no brainer but anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen (Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve) are great at calming down an inflamed muscle. This and ice can help severely reduce the inflammation around your muscle(s) and give them time to pull away from your nerve(s). Some of the most maddening pain can come from a disc knocked into the wrong position or an inflamed muscle irritating your nerve. When the pain is extreme a doctor could prescribe muscle relaxers or opiates that can help mask the pain. However, using drugs like Vicodin or Percocet are not as ideal long term. They have many side effects and can create a dependency. Your goal should be to treat the cause not to cure a symptom. Other medications such as Neurontin and Lyrica are classified as anti-depressants or anti-seizure medications but are used with great success at managing severe nerve pain. The goal of any medication should be to get your immediate and or daily pain down so you can manage a more normal routine. Talk to your doctor to see which medication might be right for you.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be a great resource for those that have the ability to get up and move around. Either on your own or through a physical therapist, stretching the back in the proper manor can be a great tool to help reduce pain as well. Physical therapy is best although not always needed. Most insurance companies cover physical therapy with a prescription so if you can get one I highly recommend this route. If you can strengthen the lower portions of your back you can help eliminate and stop the pain from coming back again.

If your doctor decides that you do not need physical therapy some simple stretches can help strengthen your core as well. A heating pad applied to the painful area prior to your workout can also help ease the sore muscles into the exercise. The goal is to strengthen the weak muscles surrounding your nerves to help reduce irritation and add support. After your stretches a cold pack or ice can reduce any additional swelling.There are many exercises and stretches out there; the 4-square leg stretch is my favorite:

 Loosely, tie one end of a tension band around your right leg and the other end to an immovable object; walk backward until the band is taught and keep your legs shoulder width apart. While facing the object you tied off on, keep your legs straight and pull your right leg backward. Once you have reached your stretched leg’s pinnacle return the leg back to your standing position (this is called a rep). Repeat this move for 10-15 reps or the amount you are comfortable with. After you complete the backward leg stretch return to the standing position, turn 90 degrees (it doesn’t matter which direction) and stand upright. Stretch your leg away from the object you tied off on. For example, if you turned 90 degrees to the left you would be crossing your right leg in front of your left leg (about a foot in length away from your standing leg) and return it back to the standing position for a rep. Keep in mind that in every move you will be stretching your tied leg in line with the cord and away from the object you tied off to. Once you complete all four positions switch the rubber tension band to the other leg and repeat the 4 stretches for your left leg.

Sleep

This one is often overlooked and may be better evaluated if you keep a journal. How do you feel in the morning? Is your back pain worse or better off than when you laid down? If it’s worse than the increased pain can almost always be associated with the kind of bedding you are laying on or the position you are sleeping. Is the bed too firm? Is it too soft? Do you feel better after lying on the floor? Take a long hard look at where you spend 8 hours a night and you could be on your way to recovery. The Sleep Number bed is a great alternative to traditional bedding because you can actually adjust the firmness of the bedding up or down. The way you position yourself may also be worth taking a look at. Sleeping on your side while placing a pillow or full body pillow in-between your legs can help separate the sagging that can occur in your pelvis and spine. In any case the idea is to take the pressure off of the affected area to reduce the inflammation surrounding your nerves. If you can get the swelling down, you may have a better opportunity to alleviate the pain.

For the majority of us that live with chronic back there are many solutions available. The most important thing is not to give up hope because you are not alone. Talk to your doctor and develop a treatment that works best for you.

*Please note, I am not a doctor; you should consult with your physician before attempting anything designed to relieve pain (e.g. medication, stretching, heating or otherwise). This should not be considered medical advice and failure to consult your doctor could result in injury. Please do not attempt any treatment without consulting your doctor first.

My website http://james-jilbert.artistwebsites.com

Get Creative with Pareidolia




Stare at the Center

 

Good day all you fine aspiring artists out there. Have you ever stared at an empty canvas, waiting for inspiration to magically hop out? Do you need inspiration? I know many of you are wondering how to come up with ideas for original artwork. You may be asking yourself, how can I create something other than that fruit in a bowl painting or building on the side of the road sketch? While these are all fine ideas for some, others may be looking for more. I have written this article to show you some easy steps to spark your imagination. I get asked all of the time, “How do you come up with the ideas for your artwork?” To which I often reply, “They simply come out, Of Nothing” (to see what I’m talking about, click on the link). Many artists intrinsically understand this left brained concept but if you are right-brained or have no imagination to speak of or have just plain ran out of ideas; there is still hope for you.


Often times, people attempting to ‘come up’ with a new idea or concept are left dumbstruck, staring at an empty canvas. This is also known more commonly to authors as “writers block”. If you have ever reached this stage you may start to worry. You may be overly concerned with coming up with the next big thing or try to imagine what the final outcome will be before you even get started. Hey, who can blame you; it’s hard to put yourself out there for others to judge. That feeling of rejection can often hypnotize you into a thick malaise and cement you to your seat. All of this inner turmoil and your canvas is still blank, Van Gogh would have killed for this kind of anguish. An empty canvas can be a very intimidating obstacle to overcome but with the right tools, you’ll never look at an empty canvas the same.

Here are several tips to get you inspired
Why am I doing this? What is/are my intention(s)? These should be some of the first questions you ask yourself before beginning an expression of any kind of artwork. An intention or direction should be established so that you have a reason to begin creating. Later on, it can help focus your piece and give your inspiration the added direction it may need. Sometimes you may end up going in ‘another direction’ after you begin. Sometimes the focus is so apparent and you know exactly what you are going for that the idea just jumps out of the medium. However, at this point, if ideas were flying off the pages you probably wouldn’t have clicked on this article. The important thing is to establish a vague thought or idea that perpetuates action.

Now, this is where it gets a little weird. I want you to take that thought or idea you just came up with and forget about it. Put it in the back of your mind and out sight. It’s time to get started. You don’t want an overbearing concept dragging you back into the malaise we talked about earlier. Personally I like to start an idea or concept for a painting on a pad of paper. Pencil is easier to work with and can be changed as you go. You can start off in 2 different ways.

1.     Quickly draw a physical object, if you are bad at drawing this is fine, it will only help you in the end. Choose anything you like and it does not matter. After you draw the physical object, stop.
or  

2.     Start scribbling, draw lines, shapes circles, make smudges, tornadoes, dots, whatever you can think of. You can draw a lot or a little it does not matter.
Here’s what stops most people and the point at which we most often give up. We initially judge ourselves. If you chose to draw something like an object or a landscape and you aren’t very good at drawing then it probably looks like crap. Now, if you chose the scribble method than it most definitely looks like crap. Fact, nobody wants to buy something that looks like crap. This is where our imagination comes into play.


This next step is easy, conceptual and can most aptly be described as cloud surfing (Pareidolia). Have you ever played that game where you stare up at the clouds and come up with things that the clouds seem to resemble? Millions of people have been doing this throughout the ages. How do you think the constellations got their shapes? If you stare at them long enough the clouds appear to take on the appearance of something known, even though they are nothing more than gaseous mixtures of dust. Our mind forces us to make something out of the random patterns within the clouds.
Now, pick up your artwork and look at what you just drew. You need to focus and stare at a single point on the picture for a couple of minutes. Do you notice anything that your mind gravitates too? Does anything stand out from the picture? Does any part of the drawing resemble anything interesting? Try switching to a different portion of the drawing. Has anything caught your eye yet? If you stare at your artwork long enough the same phenomena will occur as it does in the clouds. It might be a 1 x 1 inch square within your drawing that inspires you but it doesn’t matter. Use as much or as little of that inspiration as you can to your advantage. Use everything you can to reveal the hidden image. Link lines, erase overlaps and shade in portions to create something out Of Nothing. The whole process can be like revealing a question that you only have pieces of the answer to. The question usually is, ‘What is it?’

Keeping it Rizeal
For those of you worried that this new fangled way of creating things might not represent who you are, the amazing thing is that this will always be a representation of you. If you go back to our little cloud example and think about ever playing this with others, you may have noticed that not everyone observers the same cloud the same way. Many different interpretations are usually created by a single cloud formation. Some may agree with your expression and see what you are describing, however others will not. This is what makes these interpretations so interesting because they are within our own mind. The great thing about this inspirational tip is that you are not only creating the ‘cloud’ on the paper but also the interpretation from that ‘cloud’. Your new creation is 100% you.

Conclusion

Once you have refined the image your final step is to transpose the idea onto your preferred medium. You may find that once you have discovered the image within your ‘cloud’ artwork that your mind will begin guiding you with its most powerful tool, your imagination. Be creative and artistic, this is your time to shine The next time you need some inspiration give this fun experiment a try and see if you can create some original artwork straight from your sub-conscious mind. Think of it as your own little artistic Rorschach test.

To see examples of my work go to
http://james-jilbert.artistwebsites.com/

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