Mars Mag 13 by Marsmag

CONTENTS

EASTER AND THE BUNNY

AMBASSADOR COMPETITION

EASTER PENCIL DRAWING TUTORIAL

ART SESSIONS BY RIAAN

HOW COVID HAS AFFECTED CHILDRENS LIVES

TREND DRAWING TUTORIAL

MOTHER’S DAY FLOWER BASKET TUTORIAL

FIMO COLOUR MIXING SYSTEM

FATHER’S DAY TUTORIAL

2021 AMBASSADORS

YOUTH DAY TUTORIAL

EDITORS NOTE: Welcome to the new look and feel of Mars Mag in this issue. In a world where technology and digital is dominating, we salute our artists for standing strong and combining the new with the old with their art. The artists of today uses the age-old art of writing, drawing, painting, etc. to create their amazing work and then using digital platforms to promote themselves. In this issue we are bringing you some new tutorials to try out, Easter fun activities and then of course our newest competition. We are searching for the ultimate STAEDTLER SA Ambassador for 2022. The chosen artist will win a cash prize, stationery for the year as well as get a certificate and be featured in our August edition of Mars Mag. Enjoy the read and let us know your feedback on our social media pages.

and the

BUNNY By Judy Nemeth

Easter and the bunny E

aster is a very important part of the Christian calendar, whereby the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ is commemorated. However, regardless of the religious connection, many children the world over have learnt to associate Easter with that much loved chap, the Easter Bunny. He is often used, nowadays much like Santa Claus, as a blackmailing tool by parents to ensure that their offspring behave well in the days leading up to Easter, in order to receive delicious chocolate eggs.

uch can be researched regarding the origin of the Easter Bunny and why he brings eggs, as well as the significance of eggs at this time of year. For, after all, bunnies don’t lay eggs! It all has to do with eggs and rabbits being symbols of fertility, dating back to pagan times, although there is a connection with German Lutherans who believed in the ”Osterhase” or Easter hare. When these German Lutheran immigrants arrived in Pennsylvania, USA, in the 1700’s they took this tradition with them. Apparently, the Easter Hare was originally depicted as a kind of judge of children’s good or bad behaviour. Only the well-behaved children would receive Easter eggs. The tradition of the rabbit bringing eggs was then passed on to future generations and still prevails.

t must be rather confusing for children to make sense of a bunny bringing eggs, but all things considered, the end result isn’t confusing at all! However, I have heard of several occasions where the bunny decided to hide the eggs all around the garden, and in the morning all that was left was shreds of shiny foil wrappers. The family dog had woken up after the bunny had fled, in fright no doubt, and devoured the entire hoard of chocolate delights long before the children had woken up. Apart from heartbroken children, one hopes that the dog in question survived the feast with no ill effects!

nyway, as we approach the Easter weekend (except for the Orthodox Greeks who celebrate Easter later than other churches) it is expected by many young children that the bunny is up to the momentous task of delivering all those eggs and hopefully all family dogs will be kept safely out of his path.

ow is a good opportunity for children to use their creativity by making Easter gifts, such as cards for friends and family, and decorating baskets for the bunny to fill with chocolate eggs. How about decorating the outer shells of hardboiled eggs in bright patterns using paints, koki pens and even stickers. A lot of fun can be had by making a hardboiled egg look like a bunny by drawing on a face with eyes, a nose, a mouth and whiskers and then glueing bunny ears made out of stiff paper at the top of the egg. These can be kept in the fridge for a day or two and then placed in egg cups on the breakfast table on Easter Sunday to be devoured by hungry children. A good balance to all the chocolate which is no doubt going to be consumed that morning!

HOPING THE EASTER WEEKEND TURNS OUT TO BE A HAPPY AND SAFE ONE FOR YOU ALL.

ARE YOU OUR ULTIMATE 2022 AMBASSADOR? DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

A STAEDTLER Ambassador is someone who loves art. They create art, share their art and encourages other artists in a positive way. A STAEDTLER Ambassador shares their knowledge through advice to other artists. A STAEDTLER Ambassador is a true example of what art is about. Post your artwork on the STAEDTLER Facebook page or tag our STAEDTLER SA Instagram page and get as many likes and shares as possible. It has to be your own artwork. We will announce the new ambassador on the 31 May 2022

WIN R10,000 AND 1 YEAR’S STATIONERY AS WELL AS CERTIFICATE

T&C’S APPLY 1.

The competition is open to all South African citizens except directors, members, partners, employees, agents, service providers and consultants of STAEDTLER South Africa as well as their spouses, life partners, immediate family members, business partners and associates referred to as ‘The Organisers’.

The competition closing date will be at the discretion of the organisers, but no later than 30 June 2022 at midnight (12pm).

In order to enter the STAEDTLER #ambassador2022 Competition, post your best artwork on our FB page or on your Instagram page with the hashtags #ambassador2022 and #staedtlersa. The artist with the most likes and best artwork will be chosen as STAEDTLER SA’s ultimate ambassador 2022.

You have to be older than 18 years to participate.

Any late entries received will not be taken into consideration.

The competition sponsors and/or their advertising agents will contact the winners ONLY, via telephone, email or a Facebook inbox message. Winners who are not contactable by telephone within 7 (seven) days after the closing date will be disqualified and a new winner will be drawn and contacted.

STAEDTLER, and their agents, accept no responsibility for any problems or technical malfunction of any communication network or any late, lost, incomplete, misdirected, incorrectly submitted, delayed, illegible or corrupted entries. STAEDTLER, and their agents are not liable for any costs incurred, responses received, or any other consequences of user error.

The competition shall result in a prize of the following: a cash prize to the value of R10 000 , as well as stationery for 1 year, an article about the artist in the August issue of Mars Magazine and a certificate.

The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. STAEDTLER, and their agents will not be held responsible for any disputes arising from the competition or prize rewarded.

10. Winners shall use the prize at their own risk. STAEDTLER, and their agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage, personal injury or death that is suffered or sustained (including but not limited to that arising from any person’s negligence) in connection with this competition or accepting or using the prize. 11.

STAEDTLER, and their agents reserve the right to cancel, modify or amend the competition at any time, if deemed necessary in its opinion, and if circumstances outside of their control should arise.

12. By entering you agree that STAEDTLER can publish the winners’ name/s, photograph and entry in any printed, digital media, or any other relevant promotional media. 13. The risk in the prize shall pass to the winner, once possession thereof has been taken. 14. Entry into the competition implies the acceptance of the above.

Good Luck!

WHAT TO DO ON EASTER WEEKEND?

Picnic

“I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.” – Frida Kahlo

Mexican painter best known for her uncompromising and brilliantly coloured self-portraits that deal with such themes as identity, the human body, and death. Although she denied the connection, she is often identified as a Surrealist.

Easter Pencil Drawing Tutorial

STAEDTLER Coloured Pencils • Soft lead for a wide range of dry techniques in bright colours

Sharpener • Double-hole tub sharpener

STAEDTLER Eraser • Premium quality for first-class erasing performance

Art sessions by Riaan

STAEDTLER South Africa is proud to announce that we have created free online art lessons in 2021. We understood that the COVID pandemic has changed many lives and made physical art classes impossible at times. We saw the first episode of Art Sessions with Riaan Marais go live on 1 April 2021 and have since had two episodes per month. Aspiring artists have the opportunity to learn different art forms during a live session with the ability to ask Riaan questions during each session via a chat box or even per e-mail. The lessons range from beginners to experienced artists. If you have missed any of the episodes, you can try them here or join our next live sessions at: https://www.creativesouthafrica.co.za/artlessons

INTERACT AND ASK QUESTIONS

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 13 - Learn the basics of drawing hair and fur.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 14 - Advanced perspective by drawing a car.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 15 - The basics of drawing fabric.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 16 - Learn about still life painting

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 17 - Still life painting by painting a Vase and flower using STAEDTLER’s acrylic paint

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 18 - Landscape painting by painting a river scene with plants and rocks.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 19 - Still life painting.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 20 - Learn more about landscape painting.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 21 - Still life drawing by drawing impressionistic flowers.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 22 - Drawing still life architecture.

PLAY

Art Sessions with Riaan Marais Episode 23 - learn more about drawing a Venetian mask.

PLAY

Find more on: https://www.creativesouthafrica.co.za/artlessons

WHAT TO DO ON EASTER WEEKEND?

Hiking

There are many children nowadays whose early years have been filled with Covid prevention rules and rituals which include having to wear face masks, keeping a safe distance from other people, washing their hands regularly, spraying them with sanitizer and learning grown up words such as “virus”, “Covid”, “symptoms”, “isolate” and “quarantine”. Under normal circumstances none of these would have been part of their day to day childhood experiences. Has this affected their social capabilities as well as their mental health? Healthy young children are usually very vocal and extremely active. Therefore, one has to wonder what kind of long-term effects, the restrictions imposed by Covid are likely to have. We will just have to wait and see.

HOW HAS THE COVID PANDEMIC AFFECTED CHILDREN’S LIVES? By Judy Nemeth

Whilst being confined indoors during certain stages over the past 2 years, children’s creative abilities have, in many cases, been always

stimulated. involved

This the

hasn’t use

techno gadgets. Parents working from home with children unable to attend school found it critical to keep their children quiet, whilst they themselves could carry on with zoom calls or conferences. Making sure there were crayons, paints, markers, white boards for small hands to use, as well as the mandatory school work books all potentially assisted in creating a less chaotic environment.

Lego construction, doing jigsaw puzzles, and well as inventive indoor playtime such as dressing up, playing with dolls, and even having chats with imaginary friends, can all be viewed in a positive light when compared to sitting in front of a TV for hours on end, or playing non-stop computer games. Whilst outside playtime has always been seen as a necessary part of a happy childhood, this hasn’t been possible in many cases for large parts of this Covid pandemic. Mental activities have been essential to replace the running around and interacting with friends. Only time will tell whether, once things get back to the new normal, children will continue to be as creative as they may have been forced to become, due to spending many days, and even weeks or months at home, instead of in a classroom with all their friends. Depression has increased exponentially amongst all sections of society, as reported by health care workers. This

potentially dangerous condition affects people across the board, regardless of gender or age. It is, therefore, critical that parents or care givers take note of changes in a child’s moods or behaviour patterns in order to try to act to prevent things from escalating out of control. No-one is capable of being constantly happy and full of the joys of Spring. Perhaps, by getting involved in a fun, creative activity with a child who seems to be struggling to be cheerful could be a short-term solution. In the meantime, we all need to constantly remember that children have been controlled by this virus and it is bound to have had some negative effects, which may only show up in the future. If it is necessary, do not hesitate to ask for professional help for the child in question who seems to be struggling to cope with their negative emotions cope with their negative emotions

LINE DRAWINGS

While lines form the basis of all drawing styles, line drawings use contours without shading to create memorable sketches. If you really want to exercise your drawing skills, try continuous line drawing. In this exercise, the pen or pencil never leaves the sheet of paper, so the end result is formed from one single line.

Learn More

https://youtu.be/iPBl4hbotj4

Use these when doing your line drawing

DOODLING

While we may think of doodling as a mindless past time, this type of drawing is a wonderful way to let your subconscious mind flow. Great artists like Leonardo da Vinci are known for their doodles, which populate the margins of his notebooks. Illustrator Vincent Bal plays with the shadows and shapes he finds in everyday life and transforms them into whimsical works of art with his doodles. Meant to be executed quickly and with simple, clear lines, doodles are wonderful, immediate impressions of the world in front of us.

Learn More

https://youtu.be/eLgTPDaholU

Use these when doing your doodling

CARTOON

Cartoons have a long history, dating back to print magazines in the 19th century when they were used as satirical and comical illustrations. Cartoon illustration is a large category, having evolved over time. Some different cartoon styles include caricature, anime or manga, and classic Disney. Playing with cartoon drawings means liberating yourself from hyperrealistic representations, while still attempting to capture the essence of a figure in a semi-realistic manner.

Learn More

https://youtu.be/nDTAzOrH4AM

Use these when doing your cartoon drawing

POINTILLISM

While we often associate pointillism with the post-Impressionist paintings of Georges Seurat, it’s a technique and style that also works well for drawing. By stippling hundreds, or even thousands, of tiny dots, artists are able to build up light and shadow. The results can often be shockingly realistic, with viewers only realizing that dots—not lines—were used when looking at the finished artwork closely.

Learn More

https://youtu.be/PJ7o-MLdVkEVkE

Use these when doing your pointillism

Mother’s Day flower basket Tutorial

Brush Set • Wood handle with metal ferrule” • Excellent elasticity and shape retention. • For use with watercolour, acrylic, gouache, oil and water-soluble pencils and crayons

Watercolour Paint • Highly pigmented, brilliant colours • For use on watercolour paper and board

S I T A WH Y FR

A D M O D E E

Freedom Day is a national holiday in South Africa. It is celebrated every year on April 27. This day commemorates the first democratic elections in South Africa. Freedom Day celebrates democracy and freedom in South Africa. The first democratic election in South Africa was held on April 26–29, 1994. It was the first election in which South Africans of all races could vote. It was also the first time in South African history that all voters were treated as equal citizens. It marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era in South Africa. A total of 19 political parties took part in the 1994 election, and about 20 million people voted. The election was peaceful, and international observers declared it free and fair. The African National Congress won the election. On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Freedom Day was celebrated for the first time on April 27, 1995. https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Freedom-Day/602024

WHAT TO DO ON EASTER WEEKEND?

Go- Karting

WHAT TO DO ON EASTER WEEKEND?

Waterpark/Swim

COLOUR MIXING SYSTEM

FATHER’S DAY TUTORIAL

Brush Set • Wood handle with metal ferrule Excellent elasticity and shape • retention. For use with watercolour, acrylic, • gouache, oil and water-soluble pencils and crayons

Sharpener • Double-hole tub sharpener

Ergosoft aquarell • Coloured pencils in ergonomic triangular shape for relaxed and easy drawing with watercolour lead.

A look back at our 2021 Ambassadors ROBERT MCKENZIE E-Mail: Robertmckenzie27@yahoo.com Contact Number: 0763218238 Facebook: Robert Mckenzie Instagram: @robzart_za

AUBREY MATHEBULA Contact Number: 071 515 9447 Facebook: Ma’Os Art & Designs Instagram: @ma_os_art Twitter: @ma_os_art

BERNARD HUGHES E-Mail: bernardhughes777@gmail.com Contact Number: 0630388412 Facebook: Goldfields online flea market.

KAMERON LEE GOVENDER E-Mail: kameronleegovender@gmail.com Contact Number: 0817003049 Alternative Contact: 031 5393880

KELVIN MASAWI E-Mail: Kmasawi331@gmail.com Contact Number: 061 969 8319 Facebook: Kelvin Masawi Art.

FRANCINE KOTZE Contact Number: 073 073 7525 Facebook: @FranCineKotze.arts

LEFTHAND BOY E-Mail: thokozaniartsa@gmail.com Contact Number: 0672040208 Instagram: @lefthandboysa

YOUTH DAY TUTORIAL

Brush Set • Wood handle with metal ferrule Excellent elasticity and shape • retention. For use with watercolour, acrylic, • gouache, oil and water-soluble pencils and crayons

Double-ended watercolour brush pens • Flexable like a brush, a pen or watercolours • Available in 18 colours