December 2014.indd web

PicsArt Monthly |1
A RETRO FILMMAKER TRAPPED
IN A FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHER’S BODY
INSPIRED BY FOG
PHOTOGRAPHY
PICSARTIST OF THE
MONTH MARIO
LISI’S ECCENTRIC
PHOTOS

@sw 2a |p PaicnsAdrut Mttoanthly

4 | PicsArt Monthly
TABLE OF CONTENT

PicsArt Monthly |5
PRO INSIGHT
08| Money Honey Makes The World Go Round
INSPIRATION
16 | Inspired by Fog Photography
54 | The Brilliant Character Drawings of LazerFangz
PICSART IN ACTION
20 | Transform Your Shots at the Push of a Button
TUTORIALS
22 | Should You Be Shooting in RAW?
28 | Honey I Shrunk Myself: How to Miniaturize with PicsArt
38 | How to Draw a Magnificent Owl with PicsArt
46 | Make Your Holiday Card with PicsArt
WHAT’S NEW
66 | Meandering in the Haze
INTERVIEW
72 | A Retro Filmmaker Trapped in a Fashion Photographer’s Body
FEATURE
92 | franz xavier’s View from the North Pole
94 | Moscow in 7 Unforgettable Sights, Discover Russia’s Grand Capital
104 | Christmas Poster Polaroid Frame DIY
106 | Mario Lisi’s Eccentric Photos

MEET OUR TEAM...
Editor-in-Chief | Arusiak Kanetsyan
Art Editor | Cristina Gevorg
Art Director | Vahan Balasanyan
Designer | Ina Sarko
Copy Editor | Madlene Minassian
Editorial Contributors | Arto Vaun,
Ani Mouradian, Mark Gargarian
Special Contributors | Chris Corradino,
Lou Jones
In-House Photographer | ma_lina
Copyright of Socialln Inc. ( PicsArt Photo Studio ) 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be re-used without the written permission of the publisher. The content of
this magazine is for informational purposes only and is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of publication. PicsArt Photo Studio does not claim any ownership right for
the photos in the Magazine. All photos,if not mentioned otherwise, are the property of respective PicsArt users. The PicsArt username or photo owner is cited on each photo. PicsArt
Photo Studio has a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, limited licence to use, modify, add to, publicly perform, publicly display, and reproduce PicsArt users’ photos, including
without limitation distributing part or all of the Magazine in any media formats through any media channels.
6 | PicsArt Monthly
FOLLOW US...
Cover photo by Kait Robinson
PUBLISHER: PICSART

PicsArt Monthly |7
WELCOME !
Approach this holiday season with a
creative spirit and peel open our December
issue of PicsArt Monthly.
This month’s issue is an exciting package
of amazing art, awesome tutorials, and
fascinating reads, tied together with a red
ribbon and waiting for you to tear into it.
The best part is that, at the end, you won’t
be left with piles of wrapping paper, just a
head full of inspiration.
Learn how to perform magical editing
tricks like shrinking yourself down to
pocket-size, master the finer points of
digital photography, and meet a rising
fashion photography star.
Discover our PicsArtist of the Month, get
to know some of the PicsArt app’s amazing
editing features, learn about what’s new in
our latest update, and turn through page
after page of original artwork created by
users in the PicsArt community.
We’re also bringing you a special tutorial
on how to design the perfect holiday
card in just 5 easy steps, so that you
can post a custom card that will spread
holiday cheer to your friends and family
throughout the world.
Find all of this and more in a magazine
that's brimming with unique content.
This is a time of year when a lot of us get
swept up in the magic and stress that the
winter holidays tend to bring with them.
Art is rewarding and cathartic, letting you
channel the holiday spirit into creativity,
while also letting you get away from the
chaos of shopping by retreating into your
imagination.
Put aside your daily tasks, pour yourself a
glass of eggnog, and lose yourself in cover
to cover inspiration. Just turn the page and
see where PicsArt Monthly takes you.

MONEY HONEY
MAKES
THE WORLD
GO ROUND

PRO INSIGHT
PicsArt Monthly |9
Recently on photographic assignment
the exchange rate was 1600TZ for
$1US. Just doing the calculations in my
head caused several costly mistakes.
Being facile in mental conversions is
an artform. For certain spots on the
globe, negotiating, bargaining are part
of the social fabric. How to navigate
financial protocol can make or break a
photography excursion.
Tourists unfamiliar with transferring
money around the world are often
confused by local customs. They can be
complicated. Money looks different. It
is printed in another language. Intricate
math is involved.
Many travelers pull out calculators, special
devices and cell phone apps to help with the
arithmetic. They become mired in the fact
that money does not translate one-to-one
and fluctuates daily. Retail “sticker shock”
can be daunting.
Rate of exchange has little or no bearing on
the strength of one currency against another.
Leave high finance to the speculators. Your
primary quest is to find who consistently
offers the most favorable rate. Convenience
is expensive. So your hotel may be an easy
resource but not the best place to convert.
Banks, even ATMs, are usually better.
Remember you pay a fee each time you trade
back and forth. So do it as rarely as possible.

CASH
Many commodities: gold, precious minerals,
seashells, even animals, have historically
been substituted for money. Money was
society’s way of making barter more
equitable. Eventually taxes and tariffs
were levied for almost every transaction.
Stocks and bonds have become means of
10 | PicsArt Monthly
ownership. Centuries later we still get
conflicted about how it all works.
For the average traveler there are mainly two
types of money: cash and credit card. Cash
is the most liquid instrument for monetary
transactions. Therefore it is the most sought
after. Roving crowds of malcontents’ sole
purpose is to separate you from yours. Beware.
As a photographer, I am always
fascinated by how beautiful some
monies are. The designs and colors
are spectacular and the intricacies
of watermarks and engravings make
them subjects for my photography.
Governments spends millions to make
theirs distinctive. So I collect clean bills
and shiny coins to create interesting
still life photographs when I get back
to my studio. Francs, drachmas,
kopecks, euros, etc. make wonderful
illustrations that highlight stories
about economy, finance, and politics.

PicsArt Monthly |11
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are becoming ubiquitous
around the world. Their convenience and
efficiency is astonishing. And they are usually
safer than carrying wads of cash. However
some societies have not adapted to credit
cards. They may not have the technological
mechanisms, merchants may not want to
pay the high premiums or they
simply are not trusted. Know this
before you venture out. I have
stayed at hotels where the staff
would not take my cards and I
had to make other arrangements
to settle the bill.
Remember credit card
companies are in the business
to make money on each
transaction so you are usually
paying extra to use these cards
in foreign countries. On the
other hand I have traveled to
places that offer a substantial discount if
you pay cash--due to inflation.
I make most of my large purchases: airline
tickets, rental cars, hotel, with credit cards
because I find I spend an inordinate amount
of time trying to find local banks that will
accept plastic, keeping me away from taking
pictures. Most day-to-day buying is done
with paper.

Tipping is traditionally considered a voluntary act where an
extra amount of money is gifted to someone who does his/
her job well. In many places it has become almost obligatory.
Conservative personalities object to rewarding people for
doing their jobs. But you can put yourself into untenable
situations if you do not “play the game”. On the other side of
the coin, there are a few remaining cultures that discourage
tipping. It can be awkward if you are not aware. Know
before you go.
To get the best pictures, I hire myriads of drivers, guides,
translators and assistants. And many people deserve
being paid for “insinuating” myself into their lives and
making unusual requests. This can amount to just a few
coins but many interactions require substantial payments.
Negotiations may end in offering a “tip” or promise to send
prints of my images.
In some societies most confrontation is a negotiation.
Often it is cultural imperative. You are expected to haggle.
It may be alien at first but it can become a habit. To not
engage means to pay exorbitant prices for merchandise
and to lose face. Haggling is an acquired skill.
TIPPING

PicsArt Monthly |13
A few “business encounters” amount to
bribery. They have their own language:
baksheesh, dash, la mordida that hide
behind innuendo
and code. Paying for
favorable treatment,
when inappropriate,
is a form of public and
private corruption,
and is illegal. But it is
rampant.
Government-to-government
it is
called graft. Law
enforcement officials
and civil servants
supplement their
salaries coercing
bribes from unsuspecting tourists. I
traveled for two days recently in an African
countryside where every dozen kilometers
or so we were stopped by armed guards who
demanded credentials. Each time my driver
pressed a few bills hidden behind his license.
BRIBES

BLACK
MARKET
Many countries have a vibrant black
market in currency exchange. People
on the street will offer vastly better
rates for your money. They make a
profit because their currency is so
volatile that they can turn yours for
even higher cash or it is a scam. It
is an alternate means of increasing
buying power but be careful.
Counterfeiting needs to be part of the
dialogue. Large bills are often hard to
use. Many shop owners will not accept
them. Some countries will only deal in
new crisp money and reject the older,
worn bills. Do not be insulted. They
have their reasons.

PicsArt Monthly |15
EXIT STRATEGIES
When traveling it is prudent to convert most
of your money back to your native currency
before you leave. With some nations, it is illegal
to take their money out. Also some money has
such low esteem it cannot be converted once
outside. I still have several hundred dollars of
Ghanaian paper that no one will touch.
A friend of mine invented the strategy where
travelers donate their assorted coins. These
are collected, collated and shipped back
to their respective countries then given to
charitable causes.
Some countries still
have exit taxes. Be sure
you have the right
form of money to pay
to come back home.
I have “lent” many a
wayward traveler
the requisite amount
to get them through
customs. Lots of
people can experience
great adventures. It is
these who RETURN
with photos who get
the glory.

@tea-redhair
@leakooplalala
@milot2

INSPIRATION : Photo
PicsArt Monthly |17
I N S P I R E D B Y F O G
PHOTOGRAPHY
When you think of fog, you think film noir:
mysterious streets made more eerie by fog’s
effervescent glow near lamp posts, and a chill
diffusing all around you. As fog is a quiet and
versatile traveler, it might also arouse images
of peaceful mornings near a secluded lakeside,
or levitating boats at a harbor thanks to a
condensation of coastal mist.
Capturing foggy landscapes is sort of like
packaging the experience of popping a strong
mint in your mouth while standing atop a cliffside
with cool wind brushing your cheeks. Whether
set in the day or night, mountains or seaside,
fog photography carries a rush that is calm yet
thrilling in its mystery.
Using fog in photography can work to the benefit
of the photographer in more than one way. Fog
can serve as the subject that sets the mood
in a photograph, the subject itself, the prop, the
technique, or the filter in a photo. It seems that fog
is also the string that makes the transition between
fall and winter quite seamless, seeping through and
leaving the scene quietly. Peruse through the path
that fog has taken through nature and through
PicsArt with these breathtaking shots accumulated
during the season.

@macgirlamy69
@mpeterparker
@nitsane
@tea-redhair

PicsArt Monthly |19
@lena-tambovtseva
@jlazarte

TRANSFORM YOUR
SHOTS AT THE PUSH
OF A BUTTON
The Picsart Photo Studio
has an extensive collection
of transformations that you
can apply at the push of a
button. Some of the most
exciting effects are those
that reshuffle the colors in
your photo to create some
pretty dramatic changes.
Here we can see
how one photo
looks under 4
different effects:
Black and White,
Negative, Invert,
and Solarization.
Turn light into dark
with Negative,
which turns every
color into its
opposite on the
light spectrum,
or blow out the
dark areas with
solarization. If
you want to mix
things up, PicsArt
is loaded with all
kinds of effects
that can turn your
photo on its head.

PicsArt Monthly |21 PICSART IN ACTION

Should You Be
Shooting in RAW?
by Chris Corradino
At most neighborhood bulk stores, it’s possible to buy things
in large quantities like a jumbo pack of 36 eggs. Unless you
have a huge refrigerator (or
family), chances are you don’t
have enough space to store all of
this. The same concept applies
to photographers and RAW files.
These massive files do take up
more space on your memory
card and computer hard drive.
Still, there are also benefits that
may make it worth your hassle.
In this article, I’ll break down the
pros and cons to help you decide
if this format is right for you.
TUTORIAL : Shooting

PicsArt Monthly |23
RAW files are like your
digital negative. No
matter how many copies
and edits you make,
it’s always possible to
go back to this original
file and start over. The
file is uncompressed,
meaning it contains
all of the beautiful resolution your camera is capable of. In-camera
adjustments like sharpening and saturation are not added. As such,
the files can appear somewhat flat straight out of the camera. To get
the most out of this file type, you’ll need to first edit the image with
special RAW software. While the workflow is more time consuming,
the image quality is unsurpassed by even the highest quality JPEG.

One major benefit to shooting in
RAW is the ability to easily change
the white balance presets with
software. For example, if you shot
everything in Tungsten White
Balance and the shots all look blue,
it can be remedied with one click.
Had it been captured in JPEG, this
process would be considerably
more laborious. For that reason,
RAW can be best for situations
with a mix of natural and artificial
light. This level of after-capture
control can make the difference
between a successful shoot, and
an editing nightmare.

PicsArt Monthly |25
There are some
assignments when
shooting RAW is just not
feasible. For example,
when photographing
sports, I prefer the JPEG
Large/Fine setting. This
affords a bigger buffer
size making it possible
to shoot more frames
before filling up. For example, a modern DSLR can shoot 31
RAW shots consecutively, but a whopping 1090 in JPEG.
This is a huge advantage for those who never want to miss a
moment. By starting with a JPEG file, you also eliminate the
extra step of RAW processing when you get home. This is a key
consideration for those working on a tight deadline.

No matter which
format you ultimately
choose, a consistent
backup system
is essential. You
want to keep your
precious memories
around for many
generations to enjoy.
This in increasingly
challenging with hard drives that fail, and cloud storage
solutions being hacked. The best approach comes from
the old adage, “don’t keep all of your eggs in the same
basket.” Save your favorite images to a number of devices
and storage systems. This can include external hard
drives, cloud solutions, flash drives, and dvds.

TUTORIAL : Editing
PicsArt Monthly |29
Honey
Myself
I Shrunk
How to Miniaturize with
The Picsart app allows you to master
some pretty amazing special effects
without having to learn any special
skills. Here, we show you how to
do something that has probably
fascinated everyone at some point
in life: how to shrink someone or
something down to a tiny size.
What if you could surf a wave of milk
on a cookie, or ride a bumble bee?
Well once you learn the basics of
how miniaturization works in PicsArt,
you’ll be able to make as many photos
of your tiny adventures as you want.
Just follow the steps below.
PicsArt

Upload a close-up
photo of something
that you could
fit in your hands,
the environment
for your tiny
adventure. Make
sure it is in black
and white. This will
be your background
photo.
Step 1: Upload

Tap the Add Photo
icon from the
menu bar. Upload
a photo of yourself
appropriately
posed. Want to
sit on something
tiny? Then upload
a photo of yourself
sitting down.
Step 2: Add Photo

When you upload
the photo, select the
Effect icon in the
upper left corner and
apply the B&W effect
from the FX effects.
Apply the effect but
do not confirm your
upload process yet.
Step 3: Black and White

With your photo still
selected, press the
Free Crop (scissors)
icon on top of the
screen. Tap the
Brush icon at the
bottom left corner
and choose the
Lasso tool.
Using the Lasso tool
trace the shape you
want to crop.
Step 4: Free Crop

Step 5: Place Image
Confirm your
selection. Position
your tiny self on
the object in your
background image.
Tilt the image to
make sure it fits
the background
naturally.

Confirm to get to
the editor. From
the Tools menu,
select Crop and
trim your photo to
zoom in closer to
the area around
your tiny self.
Step 6: Crop Photo

Step 7: Final Effects
Tap the Effects icon
and select an effect
to give your photo
a final polish. Find
the perfect visual
style to finish your
shrunken fantasy.

TUTORIAL : Drawing
PicsArt Monthly |39
HOW TO DRAW A
MAGNIFICENT OWL
WITH PICSART
Draw a wise and gorgeously
feathered owl using PicsArt
with this simple 5 step tutorial.
PicsArt’s customizable brush
set and layer options, give you
the freedom to work on details
separately, then go back and
edit those details later if you
see a mistake or want to try
something else. This makes
complex projects easy, as you
can perfect your drawing piece
by piece to achieve beautiful
artistic final results.
An owl is a perfect start for
any amatuer drawer, because
its full coat of colored feathers
is just the sort of thing that
less experienced drawers
might wring their hands at.
Here, you’ll see that PicsArt
takes all of the pain out of
drawing, coloring, and shading,
so that you’re free to have
fun without worrying about
ruining your hard work. This
way you can get inspired
and lose yourself in the
creative process.

Create a rough outline of your
owl. Reduce the opacity, create
a new layer, and trace a more
precise outline. Repeat this
process until you have a final
outline. Delete the layers with
previous outlines.
Step 1: Draw an Outline

PicsArt Monthly |41
Step 2: Add Shadings
and Shadows
Shade your owl in stages. Use
new layers and start with broad
black shading, then reduce
the opacity to make it a pale
shadow. Use black in another
layer for detailed shading, then
reduce the opacity, but less
than in the previous case.

Step 3: Base Color & Lighting
Create a new layer below all the
existing ones and come up with
a base color for your owl. In
higher layers, use bright-toned
colors and brushes with lower
opacity to add accents of lighting
on your owl’s feathers.

Color in your owl. Use a broad
range of colors to create a
magnificent coat of feathers,
and color everything down to
the tip of your owl’s beak. Make
sure you add your color in new
layers in the back, just above
your base color layer.
PicsArt Monthly |43
Step 4: Add Colors

Step 5: Color the
Background
Add a background layer below your
Base Color and Lighting layer and fill
it in with the background color. Use
a black brush to create your owl’s
shadow and reduce the opacity to
preference. Use multiple shade tones
to give your shadow depth.

December is the month
everyone is preparing
for the holidays in one
way or another. It’s the
ideal time to work your
hands at creating your
own mementos, gifts, or
holiday cards. With so
many gifts to buy, it’s also
a great way to go easy on
the pocket. For originality,
creativity, and style, use
the PicsArt Photo Studio
to make a gorgeous,
and professional-looking
holiday card to
send virtually to your
friends and family. It’s
simple, it’s classy, and
it’s a thoughtful gesture
everyone will love.
PicsArt Monthly |47
MAKE
YOUR
HOLIDAY
CARD
WITH
PICSART
TUTORIAL : Design

CHOOSE A PHOTO
Open PicsArt and go into Photo to
choose your holiday picture from
your gallery.

CROP AND
ADD FRAME
Crop your photo as
desired and click Frame to
choose a holiday themed
frame for your card.
PicsArt Monthly |49

ADD CLIPART
Click Clipart to add festive
elements to your card.

PicsArt Monthly |51
CREATE
BACKGROUND
Add Snowflake clipart and change
them to Lighten blending mode to
create a very subtle background
of snowflakes.

ADD AN EFFECT
Click Effect and choose an effect, for
example, the Cinerama effect, to add the
final touch to your holiday card.

INSPIRATION : Drawing
@ch 5a4z |d PaicwsAnrt Monthly

THE BRILLIANT CHARACTER
DRAWINGS OF LAZERFANGZ
PicsArt Monthly |55
The PicsArt community is home to
many unique drawing talents, and when
you come across users like LazerFangz
(@chazdawn), it’s a fun and exciting
experience to start flipping through the
stacks of art that they have piled up.
LazerFangz is a character artist, meaning
she doesn’t just draw people, she gives
them a style and personality of their own.
Each drawing feels like an introduction to
a new character from her world. It seems
like each one has clues drawn into their
composure that make us feel like we have
an idea of what they might be like if we
bumped into them on a street corner.
LazerFangz uses the PicsArt app to
create her work. You could call her
drawing style urban or even anime,
because of the style, edgy attitude, and
graffiti look that seems to crop up in
her drawings.
We think that there is an inner comic
book artist in her as well, since any of
these drawings could be a moment
from a story.
Is there a character artist in you? When you
see her art, it kind of makes you want to
give it a try for yourself. What would your
universe look like?

MEANDERING
IN THE HAZE
One of the recent trends in
photography is a throwback to
the 1970s, when everything
from album covers, film posters,
and fashion spreads used haze
in various creative ways. The
haze effect added a lighter,
more glamourous element to
photography, symbolically making
a break from the more social
documentary and psychedelic style
of the 60s.
Many photographers have recently
rediscovered haze as a tool in
adding unique textures and depth
to their work. The color palette
used with haze photography is
more muted, lending itself to
a radiant, glowing quality. This
creates a mix between reality and
an other-worldly, whimsical mood.
all photos by @lettishajo1984

PicsArt Monthly |67
The use of haze
lends itself to many
different uses, from
a general filter, to
more sophisticated
combinations in
collages. Speaking
of sophisticated,
that seems to be
the crowd that
appreciated and
utilizes haze in their
work--folks whose
tastes call for a more
complex, playful, and
artful mix in photo
compositions.
PicsArt has a dynamic
range of texture
masks that will add
haze effect to your
images. These images
highlight how striking
and potent the use of
textures can be.

PicsArt Monthly |75
Interview with Kait Robinson
At the ripe age of 24, when most
photographers are still banging on the
door of opportunity, Kait Robinson has
already shot herself into the front row of
Fashion’s rising stars.
In a genre where too many photographers
bend over backwards to turn people into
wax sculptures, Kait’s photos glow with
emotional life. We get the sense that
these are not just beautiful bodies in
beautiful clothes, but people with conflicts
who are not always in control of the
moment, even if the lighting, set design,
and color pallette are pitch-perfect.
In that sense, her shots recall classic films,
pristinely dressed and elegantly mannered
people, with personal struggles that are as
messy as everyone else’s. It’s still fashion,
but that part is woven into something
greater, a story in a shot.
Whether it’s a couple in a car who can’t
look at each other, or a woman toying
anxiously with her bracelet on a motel
bed with a man’s shadow darkening the
wall behind her, these photos always have
something deeper going on than what we
see at the surface.
We interviewed Kait to find out how
she does it.

PicsArt Monthly |79
How did you get interested in
Fashion photography?
Growing up, I had always appreciated and
admired photography as a medium. I began
taking darkroom photography classes while
I was in high school, with no specific focus
really. And around the same time, I really
started to fall in love with fashion. Next
thing I knew, my-once-flower-macro-shots
had turned into (amateur) fashion shoots
complete with hair and make-up.
It wasn’t until I was a sophomore in college
studying Advertising and Public Relations
that I realized photography was the path
I wanted to go. Shortly after, I moved to
NYC to attend the Fashion Institute of
Technology, where I just recently graduated
with a BFA in Photography.

Is there a particular
look or feel in
photography you
gravitate towards?
I typically am intrigued by
anything that’s very moody
or appears to have some
kind of story. Alex Prager, for
example, is a huge inspiration
for me.
I don’t like when the subjects
are too posed. I want it to
look effortless and natural
yet still have direction. It’s
interesting that I recently
realized that a good
amount of my photographs
don’t have eye contact. I
suppose I enjoy the almost
photographer-isn’t-there
kind of feeling.

What was your most
memorable shoot
and why was it so
memorable?
My most memorable shoot
would have to be my ‘Motel
Blues’ series. Not only was it the
biggest shoot I had produced, but
because at the time, I remember
feeling like the final product
was a true representation of my
style in every sense of the form-lighting,
composition, mood, etc.
I have an affinity for anything
retro or vintage, as well as
photography that has a story
behind the photographs. I had
envisioned this specific project
for a while and it was inspiring
and self-satisfying making it
come to life.

PicsArt Monthly |89
In what ways do you “direct” the performance of
your models?
I get this question a lot, and though it seems like a typical answer, I simply try
to make the person feel as comfortable as possible. And I’m talking about from
the moment they enter through the door.
When the time comes to shoot, it makes both of our jobs much easier because
we’ve already “broken the ice” in a way. I don’t particularly like fashion shots
that are obviously pose-y, so making the subject comfortable lends itself to
that casual, cool vibe which I much prefer.

You’re shooting at such a
high level, that it is easy
to forget you are just 24
years old. To what do
you attribute your early
success?
When I was around 16 years old
and just getting into photography,
a family member gave me a book
on the basics. I read it front to back
probably 6 times in a week span. I
think having both an appreciation
for the technicality as well as the
aesthetics really pushed me to
want to photograph.
This might not be the same for
every photographer, but I truly
loved learning how a camera
functioned. So at a young age, I had
for the most part learned a great
deal about how to properly take a
photograph, which allowed me to
then focus on concepts and all the
visual aspects later on.

franz xavier’s
VIEW FROM THE NORTH POLE
FEATURE : Photo

During the month of December,
“The North Pole” becomes
synonymous with thoughts
and musings of Santa’s hidden
home, the occasional reindeer
strolling around in the snow,
and perhaps the Polar Express
making a much-awaited
stop. The association of this
fascinating and dynamic
geographic location with the
fantastical often overpowers
our tendency to envision
the reality.
PicsArtist franz xavier (@a-lexi)
lets his travel experiences guide
his photography and in doing
so, he gives us a unique glimpse
into a reality that is far from the
everyday eye: a glimpse that
became December’s Photo of
the Month on PicsArt.
Franz xiavier’s shot is of a
lonesome polar bear looking
ahead, surrounded by snow
and Atlantic waters. It doesn’t
have a title, but it does have
a satisfying simplicity that
comes with the wild nature it
has captured. It is a breath of
the reality that prevails in the
North Pole.
This photo conveys isolation,
in a place away from most of
our attention and appreciation,
where winter wonderland is the
forecast all year long.
Although we are more aware
of the world we live in thanks
to technology, there are still
corners of the world that don’t
receive the attention they
deserve, making this photo a
truly rare find.

Moscow is a goliath of eccentric sights, where
you’ll find yourself walking through a labyrinth
of wonderously shaped castles, historic
museums, ultra-grand plazas, and a ceaseless
rhythm of daily life.
Moscow is full of surprises. Its history
reaches back a thousand years, and it
remains the hub for an entire Eurasian
region, overflowing with life and culture in a
way few places can match. Life in Moscow is
fast-paced, and the list of things to see and
do can easily grow faster than you can check
items off.
Thanks to our PicsArt users, however, we can
show you 7 of Moscow’s most timeless sights
to offer up a small glimpse into this enigmatic
Russian capital.

PicsArt Monthly |95
@blastococcus
FEATURE : Destination

RED
SQUARE
Welcome to Red Square, the grand heart of
Moscow. Below you can see the view of Red
Square from St. Basil’s Cathedral, the amazing
building with the meringue-shaped towers.
There are many cultural treasures you can find
in this sprawling square. The bright red State
Historical Museum is at the far end, alongside
the iconic Resurrection Gate and Chapel, which
lead to the historic merchant
quarter, known as Kitai-gorod
(Chinatown). To the left, you
can see some of the towers of
the Kremlin, Moscow’s former
royal citadel, which runs
along the entire left side of
the square, with only Vladimir
Lenin’s Mausoleum to keep
it company. To your right is
GUM (literally translated as
Government-owned Universal
Store), which currently is a
huge western-style shopping
mall. You won’t find a better
starting point for your journey
through the grand capital of
the Russia. @romanov23

PicsArt Monthly |97
MOSCOW
RIVER
A great way to take in Moscow on a large scale,
all at once, is by soaking it in from across either
bank of the Moscow River, or from a boat on
the water itself, if the river isn’t frozen solid.
This waterway meanders through the city
center, passing before some of the city’s most
historic sights. Cathedrals, castles, museums,
and opulent layer cake houses will drift by you,
letting you admire them one by one as you
pass. See the city lit up at night in @fotomika’s
shot below, captured from the very center of
the river.
@fotomika

GUM SHOPPING
MALL
GUM shopping mall is a
historical building that
extends along the entire
North side of Red Square.
If you have to get some
shopping done, GUM
has 200 department
stores with top brands
from Russia and around
the world, packed into a
gorgeous structure. Built
in 1893, GUM combines
Russian Medieval
architecture with steel
beams and a glass roof. It’s
often wildly decorated for
various seasons, making it
a magical place to see.
@leiaku

BOLSHOI
THEATER
If you have a taste for high culture, Russian ballet is famous the world over, and the Bolshoi Theater in
Moscow is where Russia’s greatest performers can be found.
PicsArt Monthly |99
The Bolshoi Ballet
Company is by far the
world’s biggest, with
more than 200 dancers.
The theater was built
in imperial times and
was recently renovated
to get it back to its pre-
Soviet form. Whether
you’re going to a ballet
or to an opera, this is a
world-class standard for
music lovers everywhere.
Attend any performance
at the Bolshoi Theater
and you will surely get a
taste of Russian ballet. @wiwh

NOVODEVICHY
CONVENT
The enormous Novodevichy Convent is so special to Moscow that it was deemed a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. This enormous fortress, filled with cathedrals, churches, and residences, was
started in the 1500s
and has remained intact
since the 17th century.
Smolensk Cathedral
is the oldest and most
imposing structure in
the Convent, with great
silver and golden domes
on the outside and 16th-century
frescoes on the
inside. These castle walls
are magical any time
of year, surrounded by
green pastures in the
summer and slopes of
snow in the winter.
@yanandersen

ALL-RUSSIA
EXHIBITION
CENTER
Also known by
the acronym
VDNKh, the All-
Russia Exhibition
Center is a
permanent trade show, with world’s fair-type pavilions and
museums dedicated to national achievements like the Atomic
Energy Pavillion and the Cosmonautics Museum.
You’ll probably be most interested in the beautiful statues,
parks, and fountains, and of course, Moscow 850, Europe’s
second-tallest ferris wheel.
@tanya12300

@sabrinarain
PicsArt Monthly |103
STATE
TRETYAKOV
GALLERY
The State Tretyakov Gallery is the foremost
depository of Russian fine art in the world, with
big names like Chagall and Kandinsky gracing its
walls alongside medieval icons. It’s the entire
history of Russian art in a single place, on the
south side of the Moscow River.

FEATURE : Tips & Tricks
What you need:
Large and small display boards
Pencil
Scissors
Spray paint (green), paint (red)
Glue or tape
Clothespins
Holiday pictures
Christmas
Poster Polaroid
Frame
DIY

PicsArt Monthly |105
Draw a template for a
polaroid photo frame on your
large display board. Trace a
Christmas tree in the frame,
and trace “Merry Christmas”
(or any other holiday message)
on the bottom of your giant
polaroid. Cut out the area inside
of the frame surrounding your
tree outline. Spray paint your polaroid green. Paint your holiday wish on the
bottom in red.
Attach your holiday photos
with the clothespins and glue
on snowflakes for a winter
wonderland effect.
You can also spray paint your
clothespins or add glitter for a
more festive touch.
Happy Crafting and Happy Holidays!

PICSARTIST OF
THE MONTH
MARIO LISI’S
ECCENTRIC
PHOTOS
PicsArtist of the Month Mario Lisi (@mariolisi) has
gotten more and more attention for his unique
photography. The images he puts out beautifully
capture the world as he sees it, from photography on
the streets of Italy, to stunning shots of his pets, to
double exposures that fuse different meaningful images
together.
Whether he’s shooting a spooky shadow or the elegant
profile of a contented face, his photos always promise
something special, an unusual visual choice, or a close-up
of a moment or particular emotion.
FEATURE : Artist

December 2014.indd web

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