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One of the best conversations I’ve had about art wasn’t with an artist. It wasn’t with an art historian, curator, or gallery owner, either. It was with a mechanical engineer. We went from discussing his latest design project to the artfulness of historical blueprints to Leonardo’s...
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Continuing the long line of intimists from Vermeer to Vuillard, Mark Karnes makes an alluring world out of the quietest aspects of his domestic life. Like all great painters of the near-at-hand, Karnes' work reminds us that beauty is to be found everywhere, at both expected and unexpected moments...
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Sometimes I get list fever, and this is one of those days. I have made a grocery list, a list of gifts I need to buy, and a list of artists I want to look up. The only list I haven't made yet is my list of lists! But lists are great things, especially when you are like me, learning painting techniques...
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In all the painting or drawing dabbling I've done, there is always a definitive moment that divides my experiences into "before" and "after." It's the moment I realize I don't have to worry about going back because every mistake is, in fact, a painting challenge that isn't...
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When you think about it, you probably have a personal symbolism—objects or colors or landscape features that hold special meaning for you. These ideas can develop from our personal experiences, our culture, or books we've read. In the comic book realm, straightforward symbolism is expected...
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I've come to realize that that old saying "It's not always what you know, but who you know," is spot on. Even at American Artist magazine . Luckily, "we" know a lot of people, and as a result we have remarkable access to some of the greatest artists and works of art out there...
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BlueBillie by Shen, acrylic on claybord, 18 x 24. I am finding myself in a little bit of a battle with the blues. Whenever I'm feeling down, I find it especially difficult to create. However, I am learning more and more as I get older that it is important to pay attention to my moods—so I don't...
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Blue Bird by Tonja Sell. Artist of the Month: Tonja Sell A new member to Artist Daily, Tonja Sell is the kind of artist whose creativity has so many places it wants to go that nothing is off limits, especially when it comes to the materials she uses. For years, Sell has been perfecting her art and exploring...
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Winter Sun, Full Moon by Marcia Burtt , acrylic painting. Marcia Burtt: Weekend With the Masters Instructor Marcia Burtt graduated from University of California Berkeley with a major in psychology and earned an M.A. in art from the University of Montana. Her paintings have been included in exhibitions...
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Reading Chair, Sims House by Ronald Lewis, 1996, acrylic, 18 x 14. Courtesy Bryant Galleries, Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Paintings of the sheer peaks of the Alps or serpentine glimmer of the Hudson River showcase the awe-inspiring characteristics of the natural world. But there’s...
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With adequate preparation and the right materials, it's possible to create large acrylic landscapes en plein air. by Andrew Paquette A few years ago, I left the high-stress feature-animation industry in Hollywood, California, and moved to Arizona, where I could devote myself to painting Southwest...
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Acadia National Park, Maine, USA by Jason Pritchard, 2006, acrylic, 13 1/2 x 10. This week, Colin J. Callahan looks at an acrylic painting from one of our readers and talks about the importance "atmospheric perspective." Coastal scenes are quite challenging. For this work I suggest you look...
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Painting with watercolor requires an understanding of not only the paints themselves but also how to apply them. Like what you read? Become a Watercolor subscriber today! by James Toogood Breakers on a Rocky Coast 2005, watercolor, 24 x 18. Private collection. The predominate color in the water is Prussian...
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This Boston acrylic painter teaches art the way a life coach helps a client achieve life goals. by Bob Bahr Rolli advised students to keep their still life arrangement simple so the emphasis is on painting rather than drawing. Students come to Ellen Rolli to loosen up. Perhaps they want their paintings...
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Pay careful attention to edges and incorporate foreground colors into the background to create a unified composition. by Joyce Washor Catching the Red-Eye Flight 2006, acrylic on Masonite, 16 x 20. This bird is painted very well. However, a few adjustments would make it even better. The artist may want...