Understanding Your Subject as an Abstract Design
Before laying paint to canvas, it’s a good idea to assess your subject in terms of pure abstraction. John Hughes explains.
10 Drawing Principles That’ll Improve Your Paintings
Improve your drawing skills to achieve accurate placement and proportions in your paintings. The good news is that you don’t have to stop painting in order to improve your drawing; it’s not an either–or situation. Read on to shine a light on this challenge!
A Plein Air Painting Step-by-Step: Passing Fancy
Pastel artist Nancie King Mertz shares how she created a recent landscape with a unique composition in this step-by-step demonstration.
Three Quick Tips on How to Paint Dog Portraits
This advice from Johanne Mangi, one of the world’s top painters of dog portraits, will get you going in the right direction toward painting our canine counterparts.
Painting Landscapes: Paint Exactly What You See
In recent years, top plein air painters have been using painting procedures associated with academic studio painting. Painters like Marc Dalessio, Joseph McGurl, and Matt Chinian all frame their landscape subjects inside a rigid viewer, then paint exactly what they see inside that rectangle. Find out why.
A Great Painting Always Comes Down to This
Quite frankly, these elements are the glue that holds every good painting together and, conversely, is the reason some paintings fall apart!
What Is a Proportional Wheel?
For artists, a proportional wheel is (or should be) an indispensable tool. See why in this guest blog post from John Pototschnik.
Color Corner: 10 Artists Share What’s on Their Palette
We asked some of your favorite plein air artists about their palettes and what colors — and brands — they use to create stunning landscapes.
Plein Air Painting in Yosemite: Joys and Challenges
Artists from the California Art Club share their experiences from — and advice for — painting in Yosemite.
9 Suggestions for the Beginning Artist
If you’re still in the early phases of your art journey, you’ll appreciate these practical nuts and bolts of getting started as an artist.
Advice for Artists: 10 Ways to Take New Risks
Why is taking risks so important for our growth as artists, especially when it comes to confidence? Jed Dorsey explains in this excerpt from “The Confident Artist.”
Fresh Off the Easel of Lori Putnam
See a landscape painting come to life step-by-step in this behind-the-scenes look into Lori Putnam’s recent painting, “Downtown Charlotte.”
Oil Painting Demo: Irises by Lynn Dunbar
To help market her artwork, Lynn Dunbar summarized her approach to plein air and studio painting and emphasized her response to the spirit, vitality, and beauty of her home state.
When “Paint What You See” Doesn’t Work
If we only paint observationally and we rely on our visual perceptions, we are often wrong in our drawing and our values. Here’s why.
Albert Handell on Handling Rejection
Even master pastelist Albert Handell has had paintings rejected from art shows — see what he has to say about this inevitable part of being an artist.
What is Cold Wax Medium?
If you’re experiencing a creative block, consider giving cold wax medium a try. Here, Randall Graham shares some basic techniques for beginners. Bonus: Watch a video on how to use cold wax!
12 Ways Artists Can Reduce Frustration While Painting
The art of painting is a head game. It requires a distraction-free environment that allows you to get into the painting zone and lets things go smoothly.
The Kitchen Tool That Can Help Your Next Painting
Robin Cheers admits that this might sound strange, but this tool can actually help you make correct marks from the start.
What’s Your Painting Worth?
John Pototschnik explains the six factors that determine how much you should charge for your paintings.
How to Travel Light When Painting Abroad
Thomas Jefferson Kitts explains how to trim down your supplies and equipment, plan a painting trip, and return home with a collection of useful plein air paintings. Bonus: Learn from his step-by-step landscape painting demonstration!
