-
Van Gogh's self-portrait (detail) is an exercise in line, but notice how it varies in thickness and direction, especially around the eyes . If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then a painter needs to get them right when creating a portrait. But the "oval, circle, dot" anatomy of the...
-
On the Cover: Anna (detail, reversed) by Wende Caporale, 2002, pastel, 24 x 18. Collection the Abernethy family. FEATURES Painting Figures With Purpose by Arthur Egeli After completing a rigorous program of art education, I was adept at capturing a person’s likeness but still struggling to express...
-
It was tough, but we chose 10 finalists who best showcase the skill level and imagination of our readers and named Noel A. Carmack the Drawing Magazine Cover Competition Winner for 2006. Noel A. Carmack Shannon by Noel A. Carmack, 2006, black colored pencil heightened with white, 25½ x 19¾...
Posted to
Quick Sketches
by
American Artist
on
6 Jun 2008
Filed under:
Filed under: drawing, portrait painting, pencil drawing, figure drawing, sketching, Charcoal Drawing, shading, Drawing Basics, Art Competitions, Art, colored pencil, Artist Daily
-
As one studies a new medium, it can be useful to learn about the process of masters that came before in order to gain inspiration and insight into tackling various techniques. Here we focus on the great watercolorists of the past. Mink Pond by Winslow Homer, 1891, watercolor over graphite on heavy white...
-
The Bay Area Classical Artist Atelier, just outside of San Francisco, began with one woman’s dream to establish a school steeped in the traditions of the European ateliers of the past. Today the atelier is one of the most regarded classical contemporary schools in the country, offering students...
Posted to
Quick Sketches
by
American Artist
on
7 May 2008
Filed under:
Filed under: Pastel, how to paint, portrait painting, figure drawing, sketching, shading, Drawing Basics, How to Draw People, Art, Artist Daily, Drawing Faces
-
Many of the great teachers who trained Daniel Graves were featured in American Artist in the 1970s, while he and his students have been profiled in more recent issues. As the magazine celebrates its 70th anniversary, we examine the academic art education that Graves has dedicated part of his career to...
Posted to
The Oil Painting Blog
by
American Artist
on
9 Feb 2008
Filed under:
Filed under: oil painting, figure painting, portrait painting, drawing, how to paint, Figure Drawing, shading, Drawing Basics, How to Draw People, Art, street art, Artist Daily
-
This French master teaches us much about contours, portraiture, and how to draw people. by Mark G. Mitchell Portrait of Charles- François Mallet 1809, graphite, 10 9/16 x 8 5/16. Collection The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. So that’s what Paganini looked like in his cravat...
Posted to
The Drawing Blog
by
American Artist
on
8 Feb 2008
Filed under:
Filed under: drawing, art, Drawing Basics, pastel, how to draw, how to draw people, colored pencil, life drawing, Portrait Painting, Oil Painting, shading, Ink Drawing
-
Selecting a palette of colors often means limiting the choices, making studies, and experimenting along the way. by Christopher Willard One of the keys to successful watercolor painting is to choose a workable set of colors. Today, with the wide range of watercolors available, there is no particular...
Posted to
Beginners Watercolor Blog
by
American Artist
on
9 Jan 2008
Filed under:
Filed under: watercolor painting, landscape painting, painting flowers, Drawing Basics, Plein Air, Portrait Painting, shading, Pastel, Color, Art, Artist Daily
-
In the winter 2007 issue of Drawing magazine, we explored how Ingres taught us much about contours and portraiture. Here, we offer an excerpt from the feature about how the artist's use of graphite on smooth white paper was ahead of his time. by Mark G. Mitchell Portrait of La Principessa Fiano 1817...
-
The greatest of Dutch masters used a rapid, abbreviated technique in drawing to record visual impressions from the world around him and his own cornucopian imagination, foreshadowing developments in modern art more than two centuries later. by Joseph C. Skrapits The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds ca...