On Keeping a Travel Art Journal: Tips for Artists
In this excerpt from Ivan Chow's "Travel Sketching: Drawing Insights from Istanbul," the artist shares his approach to a practice that is both satisfying and memorable.
Get Intimate with Shallow Depth Paintings en Plein Air
The relatively shallow space between our eyes and the ground is a haven of interesting textures, colors, and aromas, especially for plein air painters. Bethann Moran-Handzlik explains.
Painting Architectural Subjects in the Landscape
Tempted to cover up an awkward part of your painting with a random landscape element? Find out why you shouldn't, and more great advice, in this guest blog post from outdoor painter Peggy Immel.
How Joseph McGurl Uses Sight-Size Drawing
Stop Fussing, Start Painting! Joseph McGurl champions the sight-size method, which allows him to spend less time drawing and more time painting; here's how.
19 Tips for Painting Day-to-Night Nocturnes
Whether you paint exclusively en plein air or split your time between indoors and out, we hope the tips shared here entice you to try your first day-to-night scene or help you make your next one that much more believable.
The 6 Steps to My Plein Air Painting Process
Be inspired by this outdoor painter, who shares his process for painting landscapes in the northeast and southwest. You might be surprised by what they have in common. (Includes a bonus interview video!)
7 Oil Painting Ideas for Artists
We've put together some of our most popular articles with oil painting ideas and techniques for all levels of artists. Bookmark this page so you can come back often, and share it with a friend who could benefit from this!
Architectural Subjects: To Paint or Draw?
When this artist approaches architecture as a subject in the landscape, certain factors determine if the resulting art will be a drawing or a painting. See why...
4-Step Plein Air Oil Painting Demonstration
For plein air beginners: See how oil painter Anthony Salvo paints "Sparkling Cliffs, Inspiration Point," in four basic steps that you can apply to your next landscape.
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!
Six Keys to Painting Trees with Character and Dimension
To avoid trees that look generic or pasted on, follow these tips for painting compelling contours, varied sky holes, and details at a range of distances.
Plein Air Watercolor: From Sketch to Finish
See how this outdoor painter considered her options for capturing a “Joyful Day” on paper at Acadia National Park.
How to Begin Teaching Art Workshops
Are you ready to start teaching art workshops? Christine Lashley shares the benefits of teaching, strategies you can use, how to find students, pitfalls to avoid, and more.
What Is Gouache?
In this free article, learn if gouache can be used like watercolor, how the two are similar, and what makes gouache unique.
Painting With Random Tubes of Paint
Have you heard of the Random Tube Challenge? See how it works, and try it yourself. You just might discover that although it's dubbed a challenge, it’s actually quite liberating.
Do You Paint What You Love, or What You Think Will Sell?
This dilemma seems to plague all artists at one time or another. Painting from the heart, or painting what sells? Is it possible to do both?
Plein Air Paint Like a Boy Scout: Be Prepared!
Award-winning plein air painter Kathleen Dunphy knows a thing or two about maximizing her time in the field. Here, she shares four secrets to staying at the ready for whenever inspiration strikes.
Travel Sketching: Tips for Keeping an Art Journal
From 2015 to 2018, Ivan Chow made trips to and around Istanbul, Turkey, sketching many scenes along the way. In this excerpt from his upcoming book, "Travel Sketching: Drawing Insights from Istanbul," he shares one of his favorite formats for drawing on location.
What Comes First: The Painting or the Title?
Artist and author John Pototschnik explains his process when it comes to giving a landscape painting the perfect title.
Studies to Studio: Painting Landscapes with Acrylics
Landscape painter John Hughes shares a step-by-step painting demo, illustrating his problem solving process for an acrylic study.