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Abstraction is a key part of how you paint or draw anything. It is seeing completely with the eye, and not allowing the brain to contextualize what we are seeing. But turning off the brain is no small task! I've found that painting with acrylics has given me a bit of insight into abstraction for...
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And what do they all have in common? They are all done with acrylic painting techniques . Peter Drake's Mother W/Out is an unusual but fairly uncomplicated composition that makes the viewer question if the figure is real or a figment. The way the artist has diluted the paint near the back of the...
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Do you know how frustrating it is to love something, but not necessarily know everything about it? That's sometimes the way I feel about color. I have such a visual lust for color--learning new colors, discovering new paint mixes, figuring out how different light sources effect hue--but I have so...
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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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Whether or not Thomas Woodruff's paintings are to your taste in terms of subject matter is one thing—although who doesn't love maniacal butterflies and tigers prowling through lush, jewel-tone landscapes?—but the artist definitely knows how to put a painting together compositionally...
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The Power of Harmony by Rency Punnoose, acrylic painting, 16 x 20. Proponents of painting with acrylics would say that the medium offers advantages that distinguish it from both oil and watercolor. On one hand, acrylics are permanent and do not yellow with age as do oils but, being water-soluble, they...
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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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Orange and Holly by Alan Bateman, acrylic painting. Alan also won our Move Over Hallmark! Holiday Card contest . It's the time of year for decorated garlands, ribbons and bows, and cheery lights, all of which have me in a festive mood to create a few seasonal still life paintings incorporating objects...
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In the December/January issue of American Artist magazine, the editors and staff put out feelers throughout the art community to find artists who are established or up and coming, and deserve recognition. They had limited space in the print issue, so I thought to continue the watch list with several...
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I want to thank all of you for all the wonderful entries for this year's Move Over Hallmark! Holiday Card Contest . Who needs to go buy a holiday card from a drug store when you're as creative as, well, all of you! You all have helped us celebrate the holiday season at Artist Daily and American...
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During this time of year I like to reflect upon and appreciate all the blessings in my life (...also eat a lot of carbs and watch TV marathons). But lately I've been dwelling on how lucky we are to have so much amazing art created and inspired by the American landscape. I would have no problem filling...
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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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Nicole at Mille Fleurs 3 , acrylic painting on canvas, 48 x 30, 2010. In the Afternoon Light , acrylic painting on canvas, 48 x 30, 2011. Contrast is the difference between light and dark values. The human eye is able to see clearly across a contrast ratio of about 15,000 to 1 (the brightest area 15...
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February Shadows, Rio Grande by Stephen Quiller, acrylic painting, 17 x 19 1/2. Stephen Quiller: Weekend With the Masters Instructor Stephen Quiller is an internationally known painter who works primarily in water media, monotypes, and intaglio printmaking. He is best known for his innovative approach...
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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...