The Virtual Paintout: Belfast, Northern Ireland

View Larger Map

You'll find an interactive map of Belfast, Northern Ireland above, though you can't access the little yellow pegman from that map. Use the link below it "View Larger Map", and the map will appear on your monitor; drag the little Yellow Man onto the map, step into Belfast and the adjacent area in Northern Ireland, and start exploring. Find an interesting subject/area. Change it all you want. Or paint it straight up as you see it. Instructions are in the sidebar to the right. Any questions, ask 'em in the comments or email me directly.

This month we are including the rural areas north of Belfast into the project. Not just the city itself. This area is currently the only part of Ireland available through Google Street View, so we thought we'd include the whole thing for a variety of urban and rural references.

Again, we are always happy to mention that Google has given their okay for artists to use Street View as a reference for paintings that can then be sold without fear of copyright infringement.

Thank you to the Google Maps Team, the Google Street View Team, and all those involved. And thank you, artists, for participating.

Remember, participation is open to all levels of artistic ability.

NOW LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!

The Main Rule

The Main Rule

The artist must use a view found through Google Street View as the reference for the painting or drawing. Artwork created from photographs not acquired through Google Street View will not be accepted. User Photos found as thumbnails in the upper right hand corner on some views (and now indicated also by the confusing blue dots) are not acceptable. Google Earth views are not acceptable either. The whole point is to "walk" around the streets using Google Street View, in the pre-determined area, as if you were actually participating in a real life paintout. Thanks.

The purpose...

To gather in one area of the world, virtually, once a month with other artists.

To paint or draw a scene and composition of your choosing, within a predetermined area.

You may put as many hours into the painting as you wish. You've got a month!

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Each project will begin on the first of the month and will end on the last day of the month. Submit your art during the month and it will be posted. Once the monthly location has ended no more art will be accepted for that particular month.

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This monthly project is open to all, no matter the experience or level. All drawing and painting mediums are acceptable, with the exclusion of computer created/digital art. A new city will be posted monthly.

To get to Google Street View, go to Google/Maps. Find the city, zoom in, and drag and drop the little yellow man (in the top left corner) onto a street. A pop-up window will appear with a 360 degree photographic view. You may then travel the streets, looking around, to find your composition.

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Since you can't save a pic from Street View, I've found the easiest thing is to take a screenshot of your monitor screen. To do this with a PC simply hit alt + print screen. Open a photo program and paste into a new document. With a MAC press shift + command + 3. This will normally create a PDF that you can then open with Adobe Acrobat or a photo program. You may also take photograph of the scene as it's displayed on your monitor screen and open it in a photo editing software program, and work from that. You'll see that some verticals may need to be fudged a bit due to camera distortion.

Submitting Your Art

All artwork should be sent to me at bnguffey @ windstream.net, and should consist of an attachment of a good quality jpg image, adequately cropped to show nothing but the artwork. I will not post out of focus, poor quality photographs. Be professional. Make sure your name and website/blog address are included with your submission. Also be sure to include "Virtual Paintout" in the subject line. No large file sizes please. Do not exceed 1000 pixels on the widest side. Please keep the resolution to 72 also. Thanks.

A URL of the location is now required with each submission. It's easy to do. Just click the "LINK" button in the top right corner of the screen in Google Street View that you are painting/drawing. Copy the link URL and paste it into the email with your submission. You can easily click the "SEND" button in the same location and email the link to yourself so that you have it on file.

(For digitally challenged individuals, there are many helpful tips on the internet regarding the resizing of photographs. A great link that should be used for this purpose is...HERE)

We must limit the number of artworks submitted to 3 (three) pieces per artist, per month.

5 comments:

Leslie Hawes said...: Thank you so much, Bill for providing the Virtual Paintout! It is my first time, and I am hooked!; October 9, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Alex said...: Beautiful and soft drawing of the castle. Love the details and the colors, and it totally gives out the majestic, calm and strong aura! Thank you for sharing; October 11, 2009 at 7:32 AM
Claire Beadon Carnell said...: Bill - I have really enjoyed my first venture into the Virtual Paintout, and have also really enjoyed seeing all of the different paintings that have come out of this challenge as well.; October 22, 2009 at 3:10 PM
gavmcginty said...: I love this challenge. It would be great if the artists also submitted the URL for the scene on Street View (you can get it from the "Link" button at the top right of the image) - just so that we can see their inspiration!; October 30, 2009 at 5:01 AM
Billy Guffey said...: Thanks for the comments everyone!

Also, thanks to everyone that participated this month.

To gavmcginty -- That would be nice, but I'm pretty stretched for time as it is. Since many artists have their own space that they post their artwork to, they have the opportunity to give as much info about their reference as they wish on their own website or blog.

Bill; October 30, 2009 at 6:14 AM

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Belfast, Northern Ireland - October 2009

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