There are many reasons why a painting might catch the eye or invoke emotion—but often, it’s the color scheme that plays the biggest part. For instance, a warm color scheme in burnt sienna will probably feel somber, while a cool cobalt blue painting is more likely to convey chilling. . . read more
Today's article is a collection of reader-submitted tips, techniques, and methods for avoiding prematurely dry acrylic paint.. . . read more
Since acrylics dry quickly, you will need a strategy to keep your piles of paint wet and workable during a painting session. In addition, you also need to think about how to store your palette between sessions.. . . read more
Depending on the painting techniques used, acrylic paintings may look similar either to oil paintings OR watercolor paintings. Of course, acrylic paint can also be applied in such a way that it is clearly an acrylic painting, and not oil or watercolor.. . . read more
In nearly every aspect of life, working out the kinks by practicing beforehand will always help us “deliver the goods” when it counts - and it's no different for those of us who create art.. . . read more
In the following soft pastel demonstration I’ll be taking you through my process for painting the female figure. I hope you enjoy it!. . . read more
There are several small changes that artists can make which will add up to big improvements - and these changes can be made in virtually no time at all. Here are 8 which I have personally tested:. . . read more
Spring is in the air, and for many artists that means it’s time for us to renew our acquaintance with the outdoors. The list below will remind you what equipment you’ll need to bring, as well as what to focus on while painting in order to make painting "en plein air" a pleasure.. . . read more
The following list of resources are for anyone interested in learning to paint at a college level without paying an expensive tuition. It’s also the third post in my series on getting an art education for free.. . . read more
To abstract something means to “take from” or to “separate out from something else.” It can also mean to “summarize” or “minimalize.” In truth, we abstract each time we capture an image, whether or not we intend to leave something out or change it or exaggerate its. . . read more
Thumbnail sketches are agonizing for me to create. It’s just too much like homework! Instead, I’ve found that if I start from a digital photo I can do my pre-painting planning using photo editing software and eliminate those tedious thumbnail sketches once and for all.. . . read more
Foreshortening happens whenever we view at least two sides, or planes, of an object. Depicting foreshortened objects accurately can be managed through a rather odd little scheme involving plumbing, charting, and angling.. . . read more
As artists, creating visually “active” or “passive” paintings determine how the viewer will perceive it, and what their response will be. To help illustrate this concept, take a look at the two paintings below.. . . read more
For ages artists have found parallels between visual art and music, and the technique of counterpoint is no exception. It has been used for centuries by artists as a natural way to find balance and create emphasis in a painting.. . . read more