What Illustrator Tools do you Need for Drawing Lessons

What Illustrator Tools do you Need for Drawing Lessons What Art Supplies Do You Need for Drawing Classes? ChaptersBasic Materials for Beginner Drawing LessonsArt Supplies for More Advanced Drawing TechniquesHow To Store Your Artwork and Keep Your Art Supplies in Good ShapeWhere Should You Buy Your Art Supplies for Your Next Drawing Lesson?In fact, you probably already own your basic drawing supplies: a piece of white paper and a pencil. With a bit of luck, the pencil has an eraser tip.This is quite sufficient to start learning how to draw. This probably the cheapest form of art you could practice! The supplies you need are easy to transport and you can just go out, have an adventure and come back with a full sketchbook.But little by little you will want to expand your palette of drawing techniques and progress in your art. Then you will need some additional art supplies such as an easel, brushes, canvas…Here is a range of must-have art materials for the discerning artist!basic art supplies in addition to the cost of your art classes.To become a good artist, a proper lead pencil is the first and most important item on the list.Unless your drawing tutor has given you specific instructions, a pencil case with a pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener and a ruler are enough. For most drawing courses you find, the  teacher provides the paper.What’s the difference between the different types of pencils?Whether it’s called a lead pencil or graphite pencil, it will be your best friend for many long years to come. It is mostly used for preliminary sketches, a few broad strokes you will then fill in with the actual medium - unless, of course, you are drawing in pencil.Graphite pencils come in several strengths depending on how hard or soft they are. HB is the traditional lead pencil, a good compromise between soft (B) and hard (H) pencils - but there are many gradations on either side.When taking beginner drawing lessons, you don’t need to buy all the gradations. In addition to a HB, you might want to buy a 2B. A little softer than HB, it lets you draw lighter lines - and m ake your shadows darker.But how can you draw with a blunt pencil? You need to be able to draw precise lines to bring your vision to paper - so don’t forget to pack a pencil sharpener.How To Sharpen Your PencilsThe most important question is not whether your pencil sharpener should have a casing for the shavings. The most important question is whether it makes a nice tip without breaking the lead.As an alternative to a pencil sharpener, you can use a cutter or knife instead. This gives you more freedom in shaping the point, so your graphite lead is aways exactly the way you like it.What type of eraser should you use?You will also need an eraser to remove your errors. Learning to draw means making a lot of mistakes until you acquire a sure hand. You can leave some messy lines as they are, but it’s preferable to erase those that confuse the image.There are two types of erasers.One is the kind you have been using since Kindergarten. But there is also a “kneaded” or “kneadableâ € eraser that you can press into any shape you like. It also allows you to simply lighten lines and shading by carefully dabbing with it - great for highlights or certain effects such as drawing fur. If you press down more firmly, you can also erase lines completely.It is as close to perfection as you can get in an eraser, as it unites two functions into one object.Now all you need to do is put all your new supplies into a pencil case or an etui, together with a small ruler for straight lines and perspective grids, and you’re ready to start drawing.Art Supplies for More Advanced Drawing TechniquesWhether to allay boredom during the summer or because you have been curious about a specific technique for a long time, intensive or summer courses such as those offered by the Royal Drawing School are an ideal way to improve your skills and spend several days immersed in drawing.It is a great way to discover new drawing techniques or improve in your favourite art style. Whether you want to take drawing courses London in water colours, sketching in Scarborough, living model in Manchester, still life in Liverpool... You have only to choose!But what kind of art supplies do you need when practicing between two art classes?Once you have mastered the basics and want to improve a specific techniques, you should invest in specialised supplies. Photo by BJN32paint on VisualHuntThe materials an artist use are important. It is in fact possible to recognize the works of an artist merely by looking at the drawing materials he used.You don’t need a fully-stocked art studio to improve your craft. However, it might be useful to invest on some art supplies little by little to allow you to touch on various different drawing techniques.Pencils for advanced drawing classesAre you starting out with graphite?There is a whole range of graphite pencils that will help you add subtlety to your pencil drawings by adding contrast, highlights and shadows.From 9H (the hardest strength) to 9B (the softest), the range is great. But what do you need them all for?By having the whole range of pencil strengths at your disposal, you can create highly nuanced drawings. But certain strengths are also associated with certain styles:H pencils are often used for technical drawings (architecture etc.)HB pencils for writingB pencils for realistic drawingSo the latter will be most useful to you for figurative drawing.However, lines and shading will also come out differently depending on the type of paper you use.Finding the right paper for your drawing styleAlthough a lot of drawing teachers will provide paper for their students, it’s useful to have a stock at home so you can practice any time.It’s important to be able to draw whenever you like! Indeed, in order to learn to draw well, you have to be able to improve at your own rhythm.What type of drawing paper you buy will depend on the technique you are using. Going out to buy paper means reflecting on what you will be drawing a nd how (landscapes, portraits, drawing animals, technical drawings…)Different types of paper have different weights, colours and structure (grain). A4 paper at 125g/m ² is perfectly fine for beginner drawing sketches, but you will soon find it more pleasant to draw on thicker paper.Sketchbooks are often the most practical. Their leaves are thick enough that you won’t punch through with too much paint, a hard pencil or too much erasing. An A5 format fits into most bags, but they also come in A3 if you want to make larger drawings.Sketchbooks let you capture the moment and doodle wherever you happen to be. Photo by Hornbeam Arts on Visual huntIf you want to keep up with drawing, you might want to consider getting an easel. It lets you have just the right stability and inclination to position your paper or canvas and let you bloom as a pencil artist or painter.An easel is a practical tool for painting. Photo by garryknight on VisualHunt.comIf you want to become an illustrator, a li ght table is a good investment! It makes it easier to copy your line drawings.Obviously, there are a number of drawing techniques that require their own specialised supplies (chalk, charcoal, sanguine, watercolour, gouache, acrylic or oil paints, tempera…) Most artists have a favourite technique that they regularly feed with new art materials.So choose one or two techniques that appeal to you particularly and invest in those first.How To Store Your Artwork and Keep Your Art Supplies in Good ShapeOnce a drawing or painting class is over, it’s important for you to be able to put away your art supplies and even more important to make sure they're protected. Some materials easily become damaged and it would be a pity to have to buy new paper every week. It’s important to take good care of your materials so they will last a long time.Not to mention keeping your finished artwork in pristine condition.Whether you are taking private lessons, going to an art school or taking weekly cla sses at an art studio, you should always use a pouch for your papers.The size, of course, will vary depending on your needs: while sketches and illustrations often make do with A4-size paper, a comics board is usually closer to A3 in size, and reproducing a painting often requires an even larger format.An art folder, ring binder or a plastic pouch are some of the options available to you. The most important thing is to protect your papers and artwork from light and humidity.Some types of paper degrade quickly in contact with light, and humidity warps even the thickest of papers.The same goes for your drawing supplies. A pencil case or etui will protect your pencils.And don’t hesitate to use a little box for your kneaded eraser - they quickly pick up dust and dirt, rendering them unusable. An old film case is just the right size, or a washed-out mint tin. The closed box will prevent graphite dust from your pencils from adhering to the eraser.And don’t forget to clean the edge of your ruler so it won’t leave traces on your next drawing.It’s usually a good idea to review your drawing supplies about twice a year so you can replace used or damaged materials.Where Should You Buy Your Art Supplies for Your Next Drawing Lesson?It is generally fairly easy to find art supplies - no need to go trudging through kilometres of rain and mud to get what you need.You have several choices.Department stores generally have basic drawing materials on offer. Their shelves are usually well stocked with tracing paper, Bristol paper, graphite pencils, erasers or pencil sharpeners.However, there are certain art supplies you won’t find in a department store. Your local stationary shop will have a better choice; some have whole aisles devoted to drawing supplies, with different weights of paper, graphite pencils in varying strengths, etc.But the best selection is obviously in specialised shops. They have the greatest variety in terms of brands and mediums. And you can always as k the shop assistants for advice when choosing new coloured pencils or Copic markers.Physical art shops usually let you try out their art supplies to see if they suit you. Photo by sjrankin on VisualHunt.comIf you don’t have a specialised art supplies shop near you, there are a number of Internet sites that can help you out. However, it’s better to use them only when ordering replacements, since you can’t try out or finger the materials like you would in a live shop.So it’s best to have some idea of what you want before ordering from an Internet shop, though some offer samples for £1 or less if you want to try out new materials you can’t get anywhere else.

Career Development Way to Your Success - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Career Development Way to Your Success - Introvert Whisperer Career Development: Way to Your Success Career development is the backbone of every single individual who has a personalized set of goals for their future. It plays an important role in the development of a person as it continues to be with him throughout his lifespan. Planning of a career is not an easy task. When a kid sees a doctor, pilot, an engineer and other people having different skills, they start to idealize them and in this way development of career starts. It’s all about exploring your occupation and deciding which career to pursue.   Any candidate who is seeking to get Jobs in Singapore, India, Malaysia, Dubai and other countries can visit the job portals and gain the best opportunity to get into some of the best companies to work with. The next step towards this is to get the right education and training, applying and finding the employment for the profession an individual has chosen to make his or her career in. It does not have a fixed age and it varies from person to person. After getting proper education and training some people will look to get a job to earn some livelihood while some people will wait for the right opportunity for their desirable job. The ultimate motive for career development is to get the results one has set for himself/herself. Career counseling expert can be of huge help as they will provide you the guidelines to excel in your career. Here are some of the major ways to build your career and grow: 1. Mentor guidance: A mentor is a person who will be standing by your sides, clearing all your doubts, and help you out whenever you face a problem. For an effective career, you should have a good and helpful mentor who will guide you on the initial stage of your career. 2. Improving your skills and knowledge: Knowledge is the greatest asset a human being can ever have. This can be enhanced by studying the relevant books and materials of the profession one has chosen for himself. It will lay down a foundation how to begin your work in a career. Apart from knowledge, skill is also one of the major factors in enhancing your career. It can be acquired by applying practical knowledge of your profession and by doing various internships during your college life. 3. Know your Strength: Personal qualities will determine how fruitful will be your career. An individual should know their own strength and weaknesses. It helps in tackling the toughest situation thrown at you.   Depending on the qualities and traits an individual possess, a person should always look to make a career in their respective fields and support their strength. This will help you in adapting the work environment you have chosen for yourself. 4. Dream Big: One of the major factors in career building is a goal set by the person himself. If a person accomplishes a small target then he should never be satisfied by it. If you have big goals in your mind, your hard work will reflect your achievements. You should always keep chasing your dreams to achieve something big, as it will bring out the best in you. 5. Building Relationships: Having contact with different people with different skills will help you in enhancing your career. You can apply their skills to your advantage and in return, you must always render your knowledge, services or your money. To be successful in your career you must keep those contacts which will turn out to be profitable later. Contacts can be created by meeting individuals in a seminar, workplace or social networking sites. A successful career is not just made in a single day. You have to work hard, be patient and dedicate your time to building it. Your dedication and ambition to achieve goals set by you will lead to a successful career. You just have to believe your capabilities. Author Biography: Chinmayee Jha is a content writer who writes topics related to digital marketing trend and many other trending subjects. She also writes content that includes career guidance, employment opportunities which can set ablaze your career fast forward. https://www.facebook.com/chinmayeeataly Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

New Interview Prep Partnership

New Interview Prep Partnership Improving Academic Performance MyGuru is proud to announce a partnership with NextLevel Interview Consulting.Everyone takes the GMAT, CFA, CPA, or Series 7 exam for a variety of reasons, but we all have one thing in common - we're looking to enhance our careers.This means the end goal of taking these tests is to get a job that is: More interesting Higher paying More flexible Less stressful More prestigious Capable of providing better learning experiences So, we all realize that a great GMAT score or a CFA or CPA certification is only part of the story. You need to find, interview for, and ideally land a job after taking these tests. With that in mind, MyGuru is proud to announce a new partnership with NextLevel Interview Consulting, a provider of customized, 1-1 interview preparation. The founder of NextLEVEL Interview Consulting, went to small school on theeast coast called Rider University, graduating with a degree in Finance and an MBA. He had a goal of getting a job in financial services at a large Wall Street firm, but his lack of a “big name” school hindered his efforts. These companies, and the executive recruiters that worked with them, would not grant an interview to a young guy from a smaller school. After a year of relentless effort, he convinced several recruiters and banks to interview him, and prepared so well for these interviews that he received several offers. He has a four part methodology to acing interviews that relies on being extremely proactive, engaging, and more importantly, prepared to answer and ask some key questions. We’re proud to be partnered with NextLEVEL Interview Consulting, and hopeful that he’ll complement our private tutoring and test prep services nicely. Click here to learn more about Dan and his approach to interview preparation.

Como ser brasileiro, agora em livro

Como ser brasileiro, agora em livro Ohmega1982 / FreeDigitalPhotos.comFalar das diferenças culturais de cada país é fácil, até certo ponto. O mais complicado é quando somos nós que estamos vivendo e tendo que lidar com situações repletas de comportamentos e pensamentos de uma cultura diferente. Até para os mais multiculturais, viver em um país que têm uma cultura diferente da sua, pode ser um desafio.  Por isso, para ajudar estrangeiros que querem evitar situações menos agradáveis quando visitam o Brasil,  Steve Luttmann escreveu o livro How to be a Brazilian.Baseando o guia na experiência que acumulou em 15 anos de Brasil, Steve, que é norte-americano e ambiciona ser brasileiro, fala de comportamentos e gostos, de forma a dar a conhecer ao mundo como é o jeitinho brasileiro de viver.  No  livro, escrito em Inglês, são relatados gostos como o de sair com os amigos, de paquerar e de ir para a praia.Nesse guia de como ser brasileiro, também é dada a conhecer a gastronomia e o gosto por comer churras co e feijoada. O autor comenta ainda o amor dos brasileiros pelo futebol, caipirinha e samba, chegando mesmo a dizer que o povo brasileiro é o que dança melhor. Além disso, há uma relação de gírias e frases que Steve considera úteis para o dia a dia.Segundo ele, houve uma grande preocupação para que os seu livro fosse divertido e prático, de forma a passar para os leitores a energia e o clima amistoso do povo brasileiro. Sendo que a sua intenção fundamental é ajudar os estrangeiros a experenciarem o famoso jeitinho brasileiro de viver.Sem dúvida que um livro que dê a conhecer facetas de uma cultura é uma ótima forma de promovê-la, especialmente sendo escrito em Inglês. No entanto, até que ponto um livro que tem como título How to be a Brazilian, mas que não aborda todos os costumes de um país multicultural como o Brasil, poderá ser mais do que uma caricatura do que é ser brasileiro?

OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate - Tutor Hunt Blog

OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate, says ex government advisor OFSTED grades are misleading, and often inaccurate, says ex government advisorSchoolsWith no way to objectively assess how good one school is over another many people will simply rely on anecdotal evidence. Parents may select a school they attended many years ago, wishing for their child to enjoy the same educational benefits that they benefited from - or they might choose another school they have heard is academically good, perhaps from friends whose children are pupils there. Like any institution schools can change over time: headmasters and mistresses will come and go, much of the teaching staff will be entirely different decade to the next; and funding structures from local councils may vary over time. All these factors can have a dramatic influence on the school. How is it possible then for parents, when trying to select a place for their child, to objectively judge how good a school is? League table results can be misleading, as schools often have the practice of only allowing pupils of appropriate ability to sit certain exams. Ofsted reports seem like the perfect solution to determining just how good, or bad, a school may be. The institution itself is a non ministerial department of the UK government, unaffiliated with any particular school or university, and is an independent institution which reports only to parliament. Schools can be visited at any point during the term, and though they used to have to give 48 hours notice, this is presently set to change to a mere 15 minutes notice, with Ofsted announcing their imminent arrival with a phone call. New research published by the EDSK, a new Education and Skills think-tank, has cast serious doubt as to the reliability and objectivity of Ofsted reports. The results are indeed astonishing, with separate international studies conducted during 2012 and 2013 revealing that different inspectors are able to arrive at vastly contrasting assessments about the very same school. A small discrepancy would be expected in any kind of large scale review - but the research from the EDSK has shown that, in as many as 50 per cent of inspections, simply having a different inspector can mean the same school receives a vastly different grading. Tom Richmond, Director of the EDSK and former advisor to the Education Secretaries Michael Gove and Nicky Morgan, has said the whole rating system is misleading parents in as many as half of all cases. He did express understanding at how parents consider Ofsted reports to be helpful when selecting a school for their child, but cautioned as to their reliability: `We know that many parents use Ofsted grades when choosing a school for their child. But these same parents have never been told these grades could be very misleading in terms of how well a school is performing.` `Instead, we should focus on giving parents simple, accessible information to help them decide if a school is right for their child rather than Ofsted trying to come up with all the answers themselves.` Ofsted are planning to make changes to the way it assesses schools, with their new system being rolled out this September. The new grading system will apparently focus more on children`s behaviour, with the whole school being marked down if any unruly or discourteous conduct is observed. The new framework for the report will feature a `personal development` category, which will judge how schools are planning to build up their pupils` `resilience and confidence.` A spokesperson Ofsted has recently declared: `We are open to serious debate about how we inspect, as shown through our recent consultation on a new inspection approach. We will be publishing the outcome soon.` The proposed changes have met with positive comments, with The Association of School and College Leaders saying the alterations Ofsted are proposing are a `step in the right direction`. Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Policy Exchange think-tank in Westminster has said that there`s no evidence that suggests a benefit to `summarising an entire school in a single number or phrase.` Ofsted itself have criticised the report, and rejected the judgement that their school grading system is `inaccurate.` Despite their defence, it seems that Ofsted is planning a major change to its assessment system. Schools do need to be independently graded - parents need a comprehensive tool to help them select the right school for their child; and school`s themselves need to be kept under check, to ensure standards do not slip. 11 months ago0Add a Comment

Debate of the week American Idol

Debate of the week American Idol American universities have always held an appeal for young people across the world. Most British teenagers could name the Ivy League universities and the qualities that their students possess: intellectual, high-achieving and exceptionally talented. It's perhaps no surprise that more and more of the UK's teenagers are choosing to attend US universities. In many cases, they give the brightest and the best a passport to a first-class education and a first-class life. According to a recent article in The Times, however, it's the lure of meeting a rich man that is encouraging female A-level students to abandon their UCAS forms in favour of SAT tests (the American university entrance examinations) and transatlantic flights. At First Tutors, we have certainly noticed this emerging trend in young people choosing US universities and a concurrent rise in the demand for SAT tutoring. But is that really just because female students are fed up of British men and want to bag themselves an American alpha male? To believe that is to believe a facile argument that does young people a great disservice. If you are bright enough to attend St Paul's (the UK's leading girls' school which, according to The Times' article, sent 12 pupils off to American universities last year) you would not be stupid enough to incur the great time and expense involved in doing so just on the off-chance that you might meet and marry a future President. We feel that young people are attracted to US universities for other, better, reasons. Society is more globalised, and young people see their opportunities all over the world. Some US universities, especially Yale and Harvard, have unparalleled resources and offer an education and experience that is second to none. Of course, the UK has first-class universities too, but now that students have to pay their tuition fees in this country, some undergraduates feel that if they are to pay money, they may as well benefit from a unique and international experience in return. These days, higher education is a consumers' market. With the amount of scholarships on offer across the US, it actually might save some UK students money to study in the States. Let's support our students in their choice of university, wherever it is, applauding their real reasons and goals, rather than patronising them with sexist nonsense that belongs in the 1950s.

Growing Up In The Steroid Era Testimonies From Youth Athletes On PEDs

Growing Up In The Steroid Era Testimonies From Youth Athletes On PEDs Some Orioles fans show what they think about A-Rod and his steroid use at a game against the Yankees (image courtesy of Flickr) He picked up the vial and nonchalantly placed it back in his locker and that was that. As far as I know, he was never approached about his sudden improvement on the field or his physical transformation from a chubby freshman to a gargantuan senior. Today, the picture of what it was to grow up as an athlete in the steroid era is becoming clear. The “steroid era” is the name given to the period from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s when steroids and other PEDs were widely used in Major League Baseball (MLB).PEDs include steroids as well as any other substance that increases performance, including but not limited to human-growth hormone (HGH) and creatine. Although baseball led the way in usage, other sports were far from innocent bystanders. Younger and younger athletes began taking these substances to gain an advantage on the field and to keep up with others that were doing the same. “PEDs have been popping up in almost every sport, even ones you wouldn’t expect: golf, tennis, you name it,” said Tufts University Director of Sports Medicine Nick Mitropolous. Although Mitropolous recalled that Tufts hasn’t had an illegal substance case in quite a while, he insists it’s because users are getting smarter about which, when, and how much they use, not because they have stopped. Even though college and high school athletes are not currently making “a lot of money,” taking illegal substances is “a risk they’re willing to take” because it gives them an edge over their competitors, makes them better players, and gains the attention of scouts at the next level. This “risk,” however, may not be all that risky. According to many prior and current sports administration personnel (including Mitropolous himself), testing for illegal substances is not a serious threat to users. “Have you ever heard of someone getting caught using steroids in high school sports?” said Kevin*, a 25-year-old former high school and college baseball pitcher who used PEDs in college. “College sports even? Neither had I. Its an easy and naive rationalization but apparently a good enough one for some kids.” Most colleges are required to test their players only if they qualify for NCAA tournaments and when collegiate athletes are tested, they are often told well in advance the date it will happen. This gives them ample time to “flush” their body by drinking large amounts of water or by using  other methods of cleansing. “As soon as I started practices and workouts [at college] the older guys on the team were asking us new guys if they needed steroids,” recalled Chris*, a 22-year-old former college infielder. “I was pretty shocked at how easily they could be acquired. I knew seven guys on my team who used for sure, but being an NAIA [National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics] school, the drug testing consisted of two not-so-random drugs tests per year. The date of the test was always announced and not once was a known user tested.” At his college, 21-year-old offensive lineman Patrick* learned that budget cuts would prevent his school from running any more drug tests for that semester, so he said “Why not?” Various steroids (image courtesy of Wikipedia) Patrick is no longer a user, however. “I stopped during the summer between my sophomore and junior year because I started to feel intense pain in my abdomen and it was obviously from the stuff I was taking,” Patrick said. “If it weren’t for the pain, I would probably still be doing them.” At Tufts, Mitropolous made it clear that tests are only run if there is ample suspicion of use. Unless there is a telling injury or a witness comes forward, testing on the athletes is not done regularly. It seems, then, that the only real deterrent is the negative side-effects on health and the unfair advantage over non-users. And let’s face it: if you are considering PEDs, the latter is not going to stop you. As a matter of fact, that is the main reason to do them in the first place. But for a young athlete, the former should give pause. Shouldn’t it? “Perhaps the only area where there is no doubt or controversy is when it comes to young people: these drugs, especially anabolic steroids, are unanimously considered harmful to the young,”  wrote Caroline K. Hatton, Ph. D, the former Associate Director of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory, in her 2008 book  Night Team. Sadly, statements such as Dr. Hatton’s fall on the deaf ears of thousands of young athletes who have seen their heroes ascend to legends with PEDs as their catalyst. 2012 MLB All-Star Game Most Valuable Player  Melky Cabrera was suspended  for the remainder of the San Francisco Giants’ World Series-winning year when he tested positive halfway through the season.  Cyclist Lance Armstrong  was implicated in leading a PED ring and was consequently stripped of his seven Tour de France wins. And it was no surprise to haters and fans alike when New York Yankees’ third baseman  Alex Rodriguez’s name came up on a known supplier’s clientele list. There is no hiding that stardom has a profound effect on the decisions of young people, especially when those decisions have to be made in the environment of anticipated success. “I was considering PEDs because I couldve easily gotten away with it,” Kevin said. “It wouldve helped my lifelong dream of playing professionally.” For all of us growing up in the height of the “steroid era,” it was a decision we had to make: to dabble or not to dabble. The choice was always within arm’s reach, but the hand it was reaching for comes in many shapes and sizes. While Kevin approached one of his high school coaches during his senior year of high school about PEDs, Rogers was being approached by upperclassmen at his college. Patrick, however, told me he got all the information he needed to start, as well as the drugs themselves, online. “I literally just went on the internet and Googled ‘legal steroids’ and sure enough there was  a website called legalsteroids.com  run by a company out of Lake Worth, Florida called SDI-Labs,” Patrick said. “They had discrete shipping so I just told my mom I was ordering some protein powder. They’re not hard to come by.” The PED phenomenon is not new by any means, but the movement toward synthetic performance-enhancers is a generational concern. Because there is such immense pressure on these young athletes and the substances are easily attainable, their widespread use should not come as a surprise. Creatine supplement (image courtesy of Flickr) Just a couple years ago, a Wisconsin high school reported that ten players on its football team had ingested a banned substance and were subsequently suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season. The substance, called Synephrine, was contained in an over-the-counter  Creatine Nitrate product called  C4 Extreme. The athletes claimed ignorance, but Eric Holden, a contributor for Yahoo! Sports, hit the nail on the head: “Any athlete who grew up in the 1990s and early-2000s knows the word creatine is synonymous with former St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGuire, who used a combo of creatine and andro to bulk up into a home run slugger. That may be the first tip-off that C4 Extreme was a performance-enhancer.” Granted, a certain amount of hard work still has to go into day-to-day activities and getting big in the weight room does not guarantee success on the playing field, but as Patrick pointed out, “If nothing else, I certainly  felt  like I had an advantage over the other guys out there.” The problem of PEDs is a many-faceted issue. Some talk of legalizing PEDs in sports and such a proposal raises many controversial questions about competition, health, and even morals.  Such a world leaves the door open to change sport  from a competitive event between athletes into a pharmaceutical rat race. Who can produce the cheapest drug with the most potent effect? The health consequences alone would shorten the lives of any athlete who submerged themselves wholeheartedly. It would spell the end of sport as we know it. If the “steroid era” has taught us anything, it is that penalties must be enforced and potential consumers need as much incentive as possible not to partake in the craze. I call it a craze because we live in a world obsessed with immediate gratification and excess. If there is a quicker way to elevate your performance, youll take that opportunity head on. “If you take anyone who has a talent and you tell them you can enhance that talent to make a lot of money, more often than not, that’s a risk they’re willing to take, Mitropolous said.  â€œIt’s never going away. This is not to say every athlete, and especially those who are successful, have taken PEDs. There are a number of  players from the steroid era who managed to stay clean and perform well. There is even more hope in our youth than statistics or writers like myself may have you believe. I never took steroids. Thats not to say I was never around it as early as that moment my freshman year in the locker room and as late as when I conducted interviews for this piece. Patrick gave me the rest of his pills after we talked. The two bottles (D-bol and Winni-V) were still about half-full when he handed them to me. According to their website, the 60-capsule bottle of D-bol is the “most powerful mass building oral on the market!” and the Winni-V pills will “add quality muscle mass and increase stamina!” Together they will set you back $159.90 plus shipping. I wasnt expecting to ever hold steroids. Yes, they are perfectly legal for the common man, but for those of us who saw nothing but their tainted image on SportsCenter and the sports pages of newspapers, they might as well have been heroin capsules. Roger Clemens pitching for the Houston Astros in 2005 (image courtesy of Wikipedia) I took them home and curiously opened the bottle. I made a joke to my dad that we should take them, and, within the same breath, threw them in the garbage can. My generation was on the cusp, just when the shit was hitting the fan in Major League Baseball. We saw McGuire and Sammy Sosa go at it, Roger Clemens pitch into his 40s and  acts of sheer strength. We also witnessed the downfall of these moments: when it came out that our favorite players, those we looked up to, were cheaters. Our sources have shown that it was common for PEDs to be introduced at the high school level, but our sources are now graduating college. There is a new wave of youth athletes who are faced with this question. This generation plays in the wake of it all. My cousin Anthony is part of this generation. He is in high school. He tells me there are really no talks circling around his baseball teams locker room regarding steroids. Maybe we are seeing a change in the winds. After all, at this point we are beyond the period where athletes can take them innocently. They know the history and know they cannot live outside of it. I feel confident the youth of today understand not only the moral implications of using, but also the very real health concerns at stake. Where we have taken sports is not a good direction. The pressure is unrelenting on the youth athletes. The multimillion dollar salaries we throw at players only furthers to keep this problem alive. Steroids were a shortcut for players to improve faster and perform better, but it was also a way to ensure they were not kicked to the curb. Its the fear of failure. This is why Mitropolous believes they will never go away. Because we have seen they are so easy to get, it is truly up to the individual which road to take