Tag: ART

Alcohol as a Medium: Developing a New Visual Methodology in Watercolor Painting

Author: Ekaterina Zaznova
*Artist, researcher, and educator; author of the “Watercolor & Alcohol” method registered with the U.S. Copyright Office;
Member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS), National Watercolor Society (NWS), Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA), International Watercolor Society (IWS), the Union of Russian Watercolorists, and the Eurasian Artists’ Union.

Abstract

This article explores isopropyl alcohol not as a secondary technical additive but as an independent medium that transforms the visual language of watercolor. Drawing on years of artistic practice and empirical research, the author proposes a conceptual and structured methodology for integrating alcohol into watercolor painting. Both the visual effects and pedagogical potential of this approach are analyzed, emphasizing its role in developing individual artistic style and creative thinking.

Keywords: watercolor, alcohol, experimental techniques, visual language, pedagogy, contemporary art, mixed media, Pro Akvarel methodology.

Introduction

Traditionally, watercolor is associated with transparency, fluidity, and delicate color transitions. However, in the era of artistic experimentation, the boundaries of the medium are increasingly flexible. One of the most compelling directions of this transformation is the use of alcohol in watercolor — not merely as a solvent or a decorative effect, but as a fully independent medium with its own plasticity, logic, and aesthetics.
This study presents the stages of developing an authorial methodology where alcohol functions as a means of visual language and artistic cognition, offering a new approach to watercolor as a tool of visual research.

Materials and Methods

The research included:

  • Years of artistic experimentation on watercolor papers of various densities (190–640 g/m²)
  • Use of alcohol at different concentrations (30%, 50%, 99%)
  • Comparative analysis of traditional and experimental watercolor techniques
  • Engagement of over 1,000 participants in online courses and creative marathons
  • Aesthetic and pedagogical verification of the resulting visual outcomes

Alcohol as a Medium: Artistic Characteristics

CharacteristicManifestation with Alcohol Use
Pigment DynamicsCreates “fractures,” spirals, rings, and highly expressive diffusion effects
Texture FormationSurface develops crackling micro-relief resembling natural materials
Compositional ImpactEnables asymmetric, multilayered, and “living” forms
Color BehaviorIncreases saturation through water displacement; produces unpredictable chromatic shifts
Evaporation Timing SensitivityRequires instant compositional response from the artist
Educational PotentialHigh student engagement through surprise, experimentation, and expressive freedom

From Experiment to System: Methodological Framework

The author developed a step-by-step methodology that includes:

  1. Exploratory Phase: Creation of numerous sketches exploring variable pigment–alcohol reactions.
  2. Analytical Phase: Systematization and classification of observed effects.
  3. Formalization Phase: Compilation of correlation tables between alcohol concentration and resulting effects.
  4. Implementation Phase: Integration into educational programs and online courses.
  5. Pedagogical Adaptation Phase: Development of exercises for beginners and professionals.
  6. Authorial Integration Phase: Establishment of the technique as the foundation of the artist’s personal visual series.

Comparative Analysis: Alcohol vs. Traditional Methods

ParameterTraditional WatercolorAlcohol-Based Methodology
ControlHighLimited
Chance ElementMinimalBuilt-in structural feature
Surface TextureSmoothDynamic, tactile, relief-like
Visual ImpressionMeditativeImpulsive, expressive
ReproducibilityPredictableVaried and organic
Emotional EffectCalmnessAwe and fascination

Pedagogical Significance

A central component of this development is its integration into the author’s educational course, where alcohol is presented not as a “trick,” but as a complete artistic system.

  • Over 3,000 students have mastered the technique between 2022 and 2025.
  • More than 60% have participated in multiple courses and creative marathons.
  • The method has become an essential part of the Pro Akvarel educational platform.

The use of alcohol in watercolor helped students overcome the “fear of the blank page,” stimulated creative thinking, and encouraged the formation of unique visual styles.

Conclusion

In watercolor, alcohol ceases to be merely a means of achieving special effects — it becomes an intellectual instrument, a medium that shapes a new visual grammar.
Ekaterina Zaznova’s methodology demonstrates how the apparent chaos of chance can be transformed into a structured artistic system — one that simultaneously liberates and disciplines.
This synthesis opens new perspectives for contemporary painting, educational research, and rethinking the role of the medium in 21st‑century art.

References

  1. Finley, M. “Alcohol as Agent in Contemporary Watermedia.” Watermedia Journal, 2021.
  2. Zhang, L. “Experimental Media in Fine Art Education.” Visual Pedagogy Review, 2020.
  3. Zaznova, E. “Integrating Alcohol in Watercolor Practice: The Pro Akvarel Experience.” Art Education Review, 2023.
  4. Mitchell, S. “Liquid Boundaries: Mixed Media Art Today.” Contemporary Art Studies, 2019.
  5. Kim, J. “Chemical Reactions in Pigment Dispersion.” Journal of Artistic Chemistry, 2017.
  6. Chukanova, I. “Mixed Techniques in Visual Art.” Actual Artist, 2022.
  7. Pro Akvarel Archive (2022–2025). Online Course Materials and Methodological Notes.
  8. White, C. “Intuitive Control in Unpredictable Mediums.” International Review of Art Therapy, 2020.
  9. Zaznova, E. “Watercolor and Chaos: Developing Artistic Thinking.” Creative Pedagogy, 2024.
  10. National Society of Watercolorists. “Innovation Reports,” 2023.

    https://www.instagram.com/zaznova_ekaterina/ 

Reclaiming Humanity in the Digital Age: The Sociocultural Meaning of “The Boop Effect”

The evolution of digital media has reshaped the cultural understanding of beauty, identity, and influence. Social networks have become laboratories of self-construction, where individuals continuously edit their physical appearance to align with algorithmic ideals. Within this context, “The Boop Effect” functions as both a social movement and a symbolic return to human-centered aesthetics.

As discussed in the original interview on L’Officiel UK, the artist behind the phenomenon describes herself as “a vintage girl from the Jazz age,” advocating for natural beauty, moral integrity, and mental balance. Her approach intertwines cultural nostalgia with ethical futurism, positioning vintage aesthetics as a framework for digital resistance.

1. Vintage Aesthetics as Cultural Resistance

The visual foundation of “The Boop Effect” — inspired by 1920s and 1950s glamour — is not merely an artistic preference but an ideological position. It reflects a deliberate rejection of hyper-modern visual culture that prioritizes artificial enhancement and visual uniformity.

In interviews, the artist emphasizes her adherence to “old-fashioned family values” and the aesthetic of authenticity. Her unfiltered imagery and commitment to natural beauty stand in contrast to mainstream influencer trends characterized by cosmetic modification and digital editing. This return to unaltered femininity acts as a form of cultural resistance — a defense of human imperfection against algorithmic perfectionism.

2. Holistic Beauty and Ethical Self-Perception

Central to “The Boop Effect” is a critique of technological intrusion into the human body. The artist’s holistic beauty philosophy, rooted in oriental medicine, redefines rejuvenation as an internal process rather than a cosmetic one. She advocates for natural remedies, such as Baimudan (white peony tea), which symbolizes a broader principle: wellness as harmony between mind, body, and nature.

Her stance reflects a growing academic interest in “digital corporeality” — the relationship between physical authenticity and virtual identity. While modern beauty culture often equates enhancement with progress, “The Boop Effect” reclaims the body as an ethical and spiritual entity rather than a technological project.

3. Music and Morality: Aesthetic Altruism in Practice

Beyond fashion and beauty, “The Boop Effect” extends into the ethical sphere through the artist’s musical activism. She donates all her music revenue to charity through the Institute for Education, Research & Scholarships (IFERS), co-founded by Quincy Jones. Her project “Love Gun for Peace” exemplifies the fusion of art and social responsibility — transforming a pop song into a peace movement.

This initiative echoes broader discussions within cultural studies about “aesthetic altruism,” where creative expression becomes a moral practice. By using entertainment as an instrument of global empathy, she repositions art from self-promotion to social contribution — a rare inversion of influencer culture’s typical priorities.

4. Technology and Human Ethics

A self-described futurist and astrologer, the artist interprets technological development through a moral and symbolic lens. Her assertion that “the future of beauty is built, not bottled” encapsulates the tension between scientific innovation and human authenticity.

She acknowledges the benefits of AI-driven skin analysis, 3D printing, and laser devices, yet warns that these tools must remain subservient to human ethics. In her framework, technology is not inherently destructive — it becomes problematic only when detached from its moral center. This stance aligns with current debates in digital humanities and bioethics regarding the preservation of human agency amid technological acceleration.

Her perspective could be described as digital humanism: the belief that technology must evolve in alignment with spiritual, ethical, and ecological balance. By integrating astrology and biohacking, she bridges ancient metaphysical traditions with contemporary innovation — suggesting that the reconciliation of science and spirituality may offer the only sustainable path forward.

5. Equalism and the Philosophical Extension of Beauty

Her socio-economic theory Equalism, presented in The Transhumanism Handbook (Springer Nature, 2019), expands her aesthetic philosophy into a global framework. Equalism proposes that technological progress should serve collective welfare by enabling a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.

This concept reflects a continuity between personal ethics and systemic reform. Just as she opposes artificial enhancement in beauty, she opposes artificial scarcity in economics. Both, she argues, are products of imbalance — of systems prioritizing control and imitation over authenticity and cooperation.

In academic terms, Equalism may be viewed as a hybrid of transhumanist and post-materialist thought, grounded in moral humanism. It challenges traditional dichotomies between art and science, proposing that beauty, justice, and peace represent manifestations of the same universal equilibrium.

6. Cultural Implications of “The Boop Effect”

From a sociological perspective, “The Boop Effect” demonstrates how individual expression can generate systemic critique. The phenomenon resonates with a growing global fatigue toward the aesthetics of artificiality. As algorithms increasingly define desirability, authenticity itself becomes revolutionary.

Her influence, therefore, transcends personal branding; it reintroduces ethical discourse into the domains of fashion, entertainment, and technology. By merging the vintage with the futuristic, she reclaims the human narrative in an era of technological determinism.

Culturally, the movement illustrates the persistence of archetypal imagery — the timeless appeal of grace, empathy, and sincerity — within a postmodern environment that often undervalues them. “The Boop Effect” is, at its core, a meditation on the restoration of meaning in a world that confuses visibility with value.

Conclusion

“The Boop Effect” offers a case study in how aesthetic philosophy can evolve into social ethics. Through vintage style, holistic beauty, musical activism, and socio-economic theory, it unites personal authenticity with global responsibility.

In rejecting both cosmetic conformity and technological domination, the artist reaffirms a central human truth: progress is valuable only when guided by empathy and integrity. Her message — that elegance, equality, and ethics must coexist — invites scholars, technologists, and artists alike to reconsider the moral architecture of modern culture.

Visual Storytelling: Scientific Illustration & Journal Covers

Scientific illustration merges artistry with precise scientific observation to communicate complex concepts clearly. Illustrators draw upon meticulous research—examining specimens, data sets, and expert insights—to craft visuals that highlight critical details. These images range from botanical leaf dissection and cellular structures to astronomical phenomena, each tailored to illuminate intricate ideas in textbooks, research papers, and public exhibits.

Scientific illustrators employ a combination of:

  • Hand-rendered Sketches: Initial drafts that capture shape and proportion
  • Digital Techniques: Vector graphics and layering for clarity and scalability
  • Color Theory: Strategic palettes to differentiate structures and emphasize functions

By distilling dense information into a single frame, these illustrations foster deeper comprehension and spark curiosity among diverse audiences.

Science Journal Covers: Making Research Visible

A science journal cover serves as both a scientific statement and an artistic invitation. It encapsulates an issue’s thematic focus—be it a breakthrough in materials science or a new drug mechanism—and entices readers to explore further. Effective covers balance accuracy with aesthetic appeal:

  • Central Imagery: A bold illustration of the study’s core subject
  • Contextual Elements: Background patterns or diagrams that reference methods
  • Typography Integration: Journal title and issue details harmonized with the art

Covers spotlight research highlights and offer a memorable first impression in digital platforms, print editions, and social media feeds.

Cover Design Workflow

Creating a science journal cover involves a structured process:

  1. Concept Development
    • Collaborate with authors to extract key visual themes
    • Draft storyboards that align scientific significance with visual impact
  2. Illustration & Drafting
    • Produce detailed sketches or 3D mockups of the main element
    • Select color schemes that convey mood and focus attention
  3. Composition & Layout
    • Integrate graphical elements—molecular models, micrographs, data plots
    • Position typography to complement the illustration without distraction
  4. Review & Refinement
    • Seek feedback from researchers and editorial teams for accuracy
    • Iterate to sharpen details, adjust contrast, and finalize the art

Specialized teams—often comprising PhD scientists and professional designers—ensure that each cover is both scientifically rigorous and visually striking.

Impact on Communication

Enhancing Accessibility

Illustrated covers crystallize the essence of complex research, making findings accessible to specialists and non-experts alike. A single compelling image can convey hypotheses, results, or applications without extensive text.

Boosting Engagement

Vibrant, thought-provoking covers attract readers’ attention in crowded digital and physical spaces. Journals with standout visual identities tend to see increased readership and social media shares.

Strengthening Brand Identity

Consistent visual standards across issues reinforce a journal’s reputation for quality and innovation. Striking covers contribute to brand recognition among the scientific community.

Case Studies of Excellence

  • Nature’s Artful Selections: Leveraging diverse styles—from watercolor renditions of biological specimens to abstract data-driven patterns—to reflect each issue’s theme and broaden appeal.
  • Specialized Studios: Firms like Ella Maru Studio have produced hundreds of covers for leading journals by integrating domain expertise in chemistry, biology, and physics with advanced design workflows.

Future Directions in Cover Art

Emerging trends will further transform science journal covers:

  • Interactive Digital Covers: Incorporating animations or AR overlays that bring static images to life on mobile devices.
  • AI-Assisted Illustration: Streamlining the generation of preliminary drafts and color schemes, freeing artists to focus on nuanced details.
  • Data-Driven Visualizations: Embedding real-time data or interactive charts within digital covers for dynamic storytelling.

By harnessing new technologies alongside traditional artistry, scientific illustration and journal cover design will continue to elevate the visibility and impact of research across disciplines.

Comoros License as a New Standard For Online Business

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What is something others do that sparks your admiration?
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The world of online gambling changed forever when the opportunity to access content on the internet became available to the masses. To provide online casinos or sports books to a wide audience of users, it is important to receive specific permission from the proper jurisdiction. Among the top recommendations from the SBSB Fintech Lawyers firm — is the famous Comoros gaming license, which is much more appreciated these days, as it provides an opportunity to run your company legally, without significant time spending. There are a lot of benefits this specific legal document has for operators of gaming sites of all kinds.  

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Central Aspects of Online Business Popularity

Gambling has always involved high risks, requiring careful attention to legal regulations, banking rules, and player safety. For entrepreneurs looking to start a business in this field, Comoros stands out as a top jurisdiction. Securing a gambling license in this country ensures that the business operates legally. Several key benefits make it an attractive option:

  • Cost-effective licensing. Obtaining a gambling license in Comoros is more affordable compared to other jurisdictions. This lower cost makes it accessible for operators with smaller budgets, enabling them to enter the industry without large financial obstacles.
  • Quick Licensing Process. In the fast-paced gaming industry, speed matters. The local government offers a streamlined registration process, allowing operators to obtain their licenses and begin operations in just a few weeks, not months.
  • Strategic Market Access. Located in the Indian Ocean, the Comoros Islands offer a gateway to expanding into major African and Asian markets. This geographical positioning provides a significant advantage for businesses targeting emerging markets.
  • Transparency and Trust. The Comoros government follows international standards to fight money laundering and illegal activities. A license from this jurisdiction signals a commitment to transparency, which builds trust with banks, payment providers, and players.

These advantages make obtaining a Comoros gambling license an attractive and practical choice for operators when compared to other global options.

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New Opportunities to Run Business Smoothly

Registering a gambling license in Comoros is a smart decision for establishing a reliable business with long-term growth potential. The country provides straightforward regulations, affordable fees, quick processing times, and advantageous tax incentives. Working with specialists such as SBSB Fintech Lawyers can assist you in navigating the registration process and ensuring your business’s success. If you feel like you need a fast and reliable solution for this sphere and you cannot wait to start running your company legally, this is the best opportunity. 

Thinking through Act

“Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”

Acting is basically an art of imitation or reflection or representation. It is the quality of utilizing your own spirit body and mind in being someone else. Actors on the stage do not show themselves up there, but they show the character they get into to people.”  Acting is equivalent to forgetting the original self.

“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.“

Benefits of acting

There are many benefits of acting :

  1.  It is a self-cleansing art.
  2. It helps us to forget ourselves, our worries, or goals, our life pressure, etc for the same time.
  3. It helps us to “be present”. Through acting, we enjoy “the moment”. We are at “the moment”.
  4. It helps us to understand the small little worlds as well as the big worlds of various people around us.
  5. Every act gives us a different perception that adds to build our character.

Methods of acting

  1. Stanislavski/Strasberg/Method: It uses affective memory considering our past. We need to relate to our past events. It draws situations from real life and there is an “emotional recall” as we get in touch with your emotional self.
  2. Meisner Method: It is the method based on the usage of imagination only. We need to enforce us to ask questions to ourselves. We ask the questions “what if”. We need time to contemplate under what situation will I be like this and considers the hypothetical future.

Voice Acting

Our emotions come out of our voices. Talking to a person over a voice call, we can immediately interpret if he is happy, sad, angry, guilty, lonely, or anything else. The Voice of a person gives a strong sense of the feelings of a person. Therefore, in addition to bringing the character by our body movements, we also need to bring out the character through our voice. Indeed, the voice acting is so powerful that it has opened up a separate domain for artists. Voice acting by podcasts are becoming popular day by day. It is easy to access and very interesting helping listeners to create a world of their own by listening to the voice artists. In addition, in these difficult times of pandemic, where shooting is difficult due to the rules of social distancing, podcasts are the way for artists.

Irrespective of the form of acting, the main trick is to make your character your best friend. We need to study up on character traits; read testimonials, interviews, or watch videos. Then, we need to try to bring the traits through voice. Traits, in general, depending on age, geographical location, any distinct characteristic, or disability. There is a need to develops a culture of responsive acting. It is also important to tackles self-consciousness. It is an effective way of creating the world around us. An actor is an energy bank, always excited about his character and his story.

“Acting is a sport. On stage you must be ready to move like a tennis player on his toes. Your concentration must be keen, your reflexes sharp; your body and mind are in top gear, the chase is on. Acting is energy. In the theatre people pay to see energy.”

Food insecurity and ART non adherence, Nampula, Mozambique.

Paulo Pires[1], Abdoulaye Marega[2], José Craegh[3].

ABSTRACT

Introduction: ART scale up in Mozambique was followed by an under evaluated treatment abandon rate, supposedly due to food unmet needs and low access to health centres. This research will evaluate food security contribution to ART abandon in Nampula Province.

Methods: quantitative research, transversal cohort study in 5 health centres of 5 Nampula Province Districts with high HIV incidence and ART abandon rates, using surveys (patients on ART, patients who have abandoned treatment) and statistic documents consultation to evaluate ART non adherence.

Results: we surveyed 208 patients on ART and 86 abandons in Lalaua, Mossuril, Murrupula, Nacaroa and Nampula districts and 58% consider they do not have enough food. ART adherence for patients on treatment over the last 3 months was estimated at 69%. Last 24 hours food intake survey shows that 21% had only one meal, 22% did not eat any vegetables, 24% did not eat any proteins, 56% any fruits. About who is responsible for food supplies, 58% are themselves. About economic income, 63% work in subsistence agriculture, 29% have informal activity and 18% are employed.

Discussion: the ART adherence for the last 3 months at 69% is far under desirable. Our results show that food insecurity affects deeply this population and allow as confirming it as a determinant abandon factor. We may suggest a diet with beans, peanuts, eggs, cabbage and fruits, locally available, as an ART adherence facilitator.

Conclusion: diet seems to have a direct influence over ART abandon rate in Nampula Province and patient nutritional inhabits show high food insecurity. We recommend implementing a nutritional education programme and rural extension intervention with this group, to better families’ food security.

Key words: ART non adherence, nutrition, ART, Nampula, Mozambique.

[1] MD, FCM, Lecturer, Health Sciences Faculty, Lúrio University, Nampula, Mozambique.

[2] MD, Lecturer, Health Sciences Faculty, Lúrio University, Nampula, Mozambique.

[3] Pedagogic Sciences PhD, Lecturer, Health Sciences Faculty, Lúrio University, Nampula, Mozambique.