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Create Bold & Direct Still Life Paintings
by Al Gury
In his new book, Professor Al Gury demonstrates the materials and techniques used in direct or alla prima painting, one of the great traditions in Western art. Here he explains methods for using observation, improvisation, experimentation, and bold brushwork to record still life arrangements.

Plein Air Pioneers: Oil Sketches From the Thaw Collection
by John A. Parks
A new exhibition at The Morgan Library & Museum reveals that the pleasure of oil painting en plein air started more than two centuries ago.

Modern Ways to Sell Traditional Art (Available Online)
by M. Stephen Doherty
Ed Terpening may represent the future of art education and marketing. His skills as a plein air painter and a software engineer allowed him to use social-media marketing to build a flourishing art career. Reading about his experiences could help you navigate through the new world of digital communication, instruction, promotion, and sales.

Paint Figures to Represent Your Ideas & Feelings
by M. Stephen Doherty
Zack Zdrale paints from photographs of people, sometimes using the same model in different poses so that the combined images suggest a range of conflicting emotions. That’s one of the ways the Wisconsin artist explores his thoughts and feelings.

The Only Rule You Need to Follow
by M. Stephen Doherty
For watermedia artist Penny Soto, the only question worth asking is whether a particular material or technique will help her complete a painting satisfactorily.

How Product Knowledge Improves Pastel Painting
by M. Stephen Doherty
Illinois artist Gary Wick encourages students to experiment with different types of pastels, papers, and surface preparations until they find the best means of expressing themselves.

Copying Velázquez at the Prado
by Bob Bahr
New York City artist Yuka Imata used a travel grant she won at the Art Students League of New York to travel to Madrid and copy two pieces by Diego Velázquez. Here’s what she learned from the experience.