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The SourceTek cover art competition opened March 1. It's always an exciting prospect to have your work seen by artists whom you respect and admire. SourceTek, maker of canvas panels, plein air panels and more, certainly agrees. For fourteen years the company has been publishing a product catalog...
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I'm a sucker for a good cause, and the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery is putting on a great one this October: The Green Paint Out, a plein air landscape painting competition with the mission of preserving and protecting America's national parks. The concept of the paint out is to inspire artists...
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Cincinnati artist Monica Achberger participating in a paint-out in Milford, Ohio, sponsored by the Ohio Plein Air Society in August 2010. Looking ahead to the next few months, there are countless plein-air painting competitions coming up. We’ve all heard of the biggies-- Plein Air Easton , the...
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American Artist has recently offered a great deal of information to those of us who enjoy working out in nature with oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolors, or drawing materials. Senior Editor Allison Malafronte did a great job organizing a state-by-state landscape painting competition and interviewing...
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One of the most useful aspects of painting workshops is the personalized critiques offered by knowledgeable instructors. Now you can get this advantage anytime through the American Artist Critique Blog. Through this blog, you can get commentary and suggestions on your work by simply e-mailing a high...
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Modulate contrast to keep the attention on the focal point. by Dawn Whitelaw The Old Man Pastel, 23 x 17. The artist has done an excellent job with this pastel portrait—the drawing and the use of color are quite effective. My only suggestion would be to lower the contrast on the ear. This adjustment...
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Consider value choices carefully when painting figures. by Dawn Whitelaw The Mother Wore Green (at the Wedding) 2007, acrylic, 12 x 16. The critic manipulated the image in Photoshop to demonstrate how to alter the values of the bodies. I like the energy and animation in this painting—the expressions...
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The 10 Finalists in the Watercolor Cover Competition offer their insights on the creative process—from finding inspired subjects to selecting materials to applying the final details. Cymbidium Equinox by Kory Fluckiger, 2004, watercolor, 27 x 19. Collection Suzanne Lindquist. Hydrangea Blue by...
Posted to
Quick Sketches
by
American Artist
on
6 Jun 2008
Filed under:
Filed under: painting, drawing, color, plein air, how to paint, Still Life, sketching, shading, Drawing Basics, Art Competitions, Art, Artist Daily
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Painting the expressiveness of a person’s mouth helps establish his or her likeness, personality, and vitality in a portrait, yet many artists have difficulty representing that facial feature. Here’s how I teach students to paint a mouth in either oil or pastel. To read more features like...
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We present the semifinalists in the pastel category. by Karen Stanger Johnston Changing Channels by Mike Barret Kolasinski, 2007, pastel on archival foam board, 12 x 24. First Place: Mike Barret Kolasinski Chicago artist Mike Barret Kolasinski is passionate about nature. He calls his pastel landscapes...
Posted to
The Pastel Blog
by
American Artist
on
7 Mar 2008
Filed under:
Filed under: how to paint, Pastel, oil painting, plein air, landscape painting, art competitions, Painting, Still Life, Watercolor Painting, Drawing Basics, Art, colored pencil, Landscape Drawing, Artist Daily
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It is important to consider the background color in a portrait. by Dawn Whitelaw Kate Menendez 2006, pastel, 21 x 19. The critic created an adjusted version of the painting in Photoshop to supplement her critique. This artist asked for help with the background in this pastel portrait. The value of the...
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Finding the right balance of materials can be challenging in mixed-media artwork. by Dawn Whitelaw Red Circle of Life 2006, oil, acrylic, and hammered copper on wood panel, 36 x 84. Orange Dragonfly 2006, oil, acrylic, and hammered copper on wood panel, 36 x 84. Layers to Figure 2006, oil, acrylic, and...
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This month's featured artist is Alexandre Reider, a landscape painter who lives and works in Brazil. by Edith Zimmerman Washers by the River 2006, oil, 7 7/8 x 11 13/16. Collection the artist. Our Artist of the Month, Alexandre Reider , hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, represents the South...
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Our critic offers advice on painting rounded forms with soft edges to create realistic portraits. by Dawn Whitelaw A Spanish Song Acrylic on canvas panel. The artist has created a dramatic composition with a very appealing combination of interesting textures. The drawing feels accurate and the range...
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It’s important to consider color theory when painting a landscape. by John Budicin West Coast Fall acrylic on canvas. It’s important to consider color theory when painting a landscape because often, as in this painting, the colors are too intense throughout the composition. For example, the...