Could This Watercolor Method Be Right For You?
In this interview with Eric Rhoads, Tim Oliver shares a practice that keeps him passionate about painting. Could it work for you?
Painting Landscapes: Designing a Field Study on Location
When it comes to designing landscape paintings, artists usually have their own approach to making their paintings work, but there are certain common threads worth noting.
Watercolor: Letting Loose With a Little Planning
Starting with a solid framework in pencil gives this Texas artist the freedom to face outdoor scenes more spontaneously in watercolor.
What Is Color Blocking in Art?
In this interview with Eric Rhoads, colorist Camille Przewodek explains why she stresses the importance of color blocking for artists, which she compares to practicing scales for musicians.
What is Casein Paint?
Stephen Quiller is a legendary artist known for teaching color and color theory. In this interview, he discusses painting with casein and more with Eric Rhoads.
Advantages of Acrylic and Plein Air
The qualities of acrylic don't have to be a disadvantage en plein air. How?
Shapes Before Subject
What makes a painting successful at the finish might just be what you do at the start. Check out these underpaintings and advice from Barbara Jaenicke, who is on the Pastel Live faculty!
Diving Into Plein Air
It’s hard for a lot of artists to “take the plunge” into full-time painting, let along taking up art in the first place. However, this story is about as extreme — and entertaining — as it gets.
How to Build an Easel, (Reasonably) Easily and Affordably
David and Mindy Jamieson wanted their own easels, so they built their own. How’d it go?
Are You Good at Giving Critiques?
Terry Stanley, an artist and art industry veteran who launched the Jack Richeson School of Art and marketed its art materials before retiring, offers what she has learned about the art of the critique in this special feature.
Packing with Pastels: Pochade Box Tips
We asked prolific artist Jude Tolar, “Do you know of a great, light pochade box for pastel painters?” Tolar’s response was worth quoting in full.
A Way to Prepare for Drawing and Creativity
When it comes to painting, the act of drawing is often a departure from the classical linear concept that is understood by most people. Drawing, in the painting arena, has more to do with large compositional ideas and design elements, such as placement of objects or masses, linear movement, relative sizes of objects, weight distribution, and shapes.
Variety: The Spice of Art
The very idea of how we approach our own art and feel about the art of others, keeps the “spice of art” alive. Now, I will be the first to confess that...
6 Studio Lessons For Plein Air Success
Six seasoned pros share their knowledge on when a painting is finally finished.
The “Point” (and History) of Quick Draw
Acclaimed painter Ned Mueller has some fascinating thoughts about the origins of this popular practice we think you’ll enjoy.
33 Special Highlights and Bonus Tips from Plein Air Live
Hundreds of artists gathered recently during Streamline's 2nd annual Plein Air Live, where they had front row seats to presentations and demonstrations from today's masters, such as Clyde Aspevig, Dawn Whitelaw, C.W. Mundy, Thomas Jefferson Kitts, Lori Putnam (who got a very special surprise!) and so many more.
Exposed: Nude Plein Air Painting Secrets
Expert artist Patricia Watwood, who is classically trained, shares a step-by-step demo of how to paint a figure en plein air.
Tips on Painting Ocean Water
Catherine Fasciato paints water wonderfully, particularly the ocean waves along the California coastline, where she lives. Her advice for painting convincing waves and seascapes is simple, but devilishly difficult.
Palette Knife as Ticket to Simplification
For Jane Boyd, the key to simplifying her paintings was simply to put down the paintbrush.
People . . . Who Paint People en Plein Air
Kathryn A. McMahon is not one of those plein air painters who are bothered by passersby. She puts them into her paintings, and chats with them. How?