Write an article based on this "Buy a practice lock to perfect your lockpicking technique. Examine the lock to determine how many pins it has. Clean your lock before you pick it. Slide the pick's needles back and forth. Invest in a lock pick for the easiest way."
article: If you're learning to pick tubular locks as part of a hobby and are mainly concerned about technique, purchasing a practice lock may come in handy before buying the real thing. Practice locks show the inside of the lock so you know exactly what you're doing as you pick it. If you're trying to open a specific item and don't particularly care about technique, you don't need to purchase a practice lock. Tubular locks usually have between 6-8 pins, with 7-8 being most common. How many pins the lock has influences what kind of lock pick you will need, so count and record the number before you purchase a lock pick. Wash dirty locks with soap and warm water to remove dust or debris. If your lock is rusty, try to remove as much as you can before picking it. If your lock is clean, you'll be able to pick it more easily. If the picking needles move easily, they will contour well to the interior of the lock and will be useful for picking. Needles that don't move as easily back and forth, however, may be dirty or rusty. Clean your pick and remove any visible rust to eliminate sticking. If you've cleaned your pick and the needles still don't move easily, it may be broken. Because tubular locks are so complex, they cannot be picked in the same way as other locks. Using a lock pick is the only verified way to open a tubular lock without the key so, if you have time to spare, purchase a pick to open your tubular lock. If you're in a hurry, you may be able to pick your lock with a ballpoint pen, but this method is less guaranteed than using a pick.

Write an article based on this "Do the prayer stretch. Stretch the wrist flexor. Stretch the wrist extensor. Do wrist circles. Squeeze a ball in the palm of your hand. Do weighted wrist curls."
article: Stretches alone will not resolve an issue you have with carpal tunnel, but combined with effective treatments, they can help you to relieve moderate symptoms. The prayer stretch can help you to increase blood-flow to the median nerve. Try the prayer stretch for early relief of carpal tunnel pain, and to reduce sensations of numbness and tingling. Begin with your palms pressed together in front of your chest, below your chin. Slowly lower your hands (still pressed together) downwards, keeping them close to the stomach. When you feel a moderate stretch, hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat two to four times. The stretch should cause no pain. If you feel an increase in pain or numbness and tingling in your hands, then stop the exercise and see your doctor or physical therapist. Stretching your wrist flexor might help. Start by extending one arm forward, parallel to the floor with the palm facing the ceiling. With the other hand, bend the fingers down towards the floor. When a stretch is felt, hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Switch arms and repeat two to four times. If it is not possible for you to straighten your arm out, then you can also do this stretch with your elbow slightly bent. Extend one arm forward, parallel to the floor with your palm facing the floor. With the other hand, bend your fingers down towards the floor. When a stretch is felt, hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Switch arms and repeat two to four times. If it is not possible for you to straighten your arm out, then you can also do this stretch with your elbow slightly bent. Wrist circles can help you to decrease tension in the fingers and flexor tendons. Clench your fists then release the index and middle fingers, pointing them straight. With the two fingers draw five circles in a clockwise direction, then another five circles in a counterclockwise direction. Alternate hands, but repeat three times with each hand. Squeeze a tennis ball or something similar to help you to increase mobility of the entire wrist. Using a pressure or stress ball can help alleviate carpal tunnel pain as well as provide stress relief. Gently squeeze the ball for five seconds and then release. Then switch to your other hand, and continue alternating. If you don't have something to squeeze, make a fist and hold it for five seconds. Release, and then repeat five times. Switch to the other hand and repeat. If a tennis ball is too difficult to squeeze, then try squeezing a soft stress ball or even some clay. You can help strengthen your wrists and potentially release tension by performing some weighted wrist curls. Take a light weight, a can of food is good to start with, and hold it in one hand. Hang your hand over the edge of a surface, such as a bench, table or your lap. Your palm should be facing down. Make sure that your forearm is supported. Then slowly curl your wrist up, hold it for a moment and then slowly bring it back down. Repeat this for 10 repetitions. Then turn your arm over so your palm is facing the sky, and do ten more repetitions. You can also use a resistance band in a similar manner. Place your forearm on a surface, such as a bench, table, or your lap, but allow your hand to hang over the edge of the surface. Then, place the other end of the resistance band on the floor and secure it under your foot. Then, complete the curls. You can adjust the 'tension' on the elastic band by increasing or decreasing the length of the band.

Write an article based on this "Layer your colors to create a blending effect. Utilize a blender pencil. Spread colored pencil with a bristle brush. Smudge colors to imitate blending."
article:
By layering one color on top of another, you can lighten or darken it to accomplish the hue you have in mind. This should be done lightly and with as few strokes as possible. You can always add more of your layer color, but once added, it'll be difficult, if not impossible, to remove. You can lighten dark colors with a layer of a lighter color, like white, over top. This can also help with softening colors, like the one found in skin tones. This tool looks like a clear colored pencil and it is intended specifically for blending colored pencils. It is sometimes referred to as a colorless blender. Rub this tool firmly upon the colors you are trying to blend and pass it back and forth until the desired level of blending is reached. By spreading a thick layer-color over a base-color with your blender pencil, you can create a glaze effect over top the base. This will also impart a blended effect to your artwork. With a moderately stiff bristle brush, you can drag colors you've already applied to the page around it. Thin coverage will give your colors a lighter tone; thick concentration will intensify the color. Colors spread together will blend. You may have to experiment with this and get some experience before you become fully comfortable with the technique. You should choose your brush with regard to the paper you have used. Thicker paper may allow you to use stiffer brushes for easier blending. Thinner paper might require a soft bristle brush and gentle blending over time. You should also be able to use a tortillion to push colors around the page to create either increased or decreased brightness. Though paper and tortillions won't be effective for blending, a cloth can be used to smudge colors together to attain this look. You may want to start by smudging a small, inconspicuous area with a tiny piece of cloth to see how the colors blend before attempting to blend the main parts of your art. Some cloth might blend differently than others or create a unique effect in your drawing. Testing your cloth beforehand can prevent unintended effects when blending.