The Creation of a Masterful Figurative Painting – Demo

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While working on Twitter one day, I discovered the remarkable figurative work of Rob Hefferan.  Rob's breath-taking oil paintings of beautiful women range from dark and brooding, to light infused and optimistic. Inspired by the pre-Raphaelites, each elegant scene realistically captures the essence of his favorite subject, the female form. Rob's paintbrush masterfully depicts soft skin tones, graceful movements,  and touchable … [Read more...]

Turn an Altoid Box into a Mini Watercolor Travel Set

Altoidstin

I am always on the lookout for money saving ideas for the artist. A couple of websites (links below) shared this little creative project which turns an ordinary Altoid mint box into a pocket-sized watercolor travel set... watercolor travel box by Nita Leland Materials: Use an empty Altoid mint metal container Empty plastic 'half-pan' wells for the watercolor paint Hot glue gun Paint brushes (cut the handles to fit in box) Mini … [Read more...]

Sculpting in Clay for Bronze – The Process

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guest artist/author: Ken Newman As I continue my artistic journey, I am often asked how I do you choose a subject. It is something that continues to evolve as I am a self-taught sculptor. Below is an overview of the steps I follow in creating a sculpture, but the most important part is the concept, which is a reflection of my journey, interpreting the simple and subtle rhythms and textures in nature. The following is an example of my … [Read more...]

The Importance of Value & Tone in Painting

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Little did I know that my drawing background would give me a good foundation in tone, otherwise known as value. Value is how light or dark that color is. For example: If you took a black and white photograph of your painting, the shades of grey would be the different values or tones within the painting. ("Approaching Shadows" by Lori McNee ©2006) Simply put, value is the lightness or darkness a color or hue. In painting, … [Read more...]

5 Websites to Help You Learn to Draw

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by guest author: Andrew Salmon Love to doodle while on the phone or while trying to stay awake during staff meetings or in class? Well, why not develop that natural talent? Whether you’re looking for a career as an artist or just want to indulge in drawing as a hobby, the internet is a great place to learn the basics or further develop the talent you’re already cultivating. Here are five websites that will help you learn to draw. 1. … [Read more...]

Save Studio Space! How to Make Your Own Painting Racks

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My studio space is limited, so I really like this spacing saving tip I learned from my Facebook artist friend. Networking with other artists is just one of the benefits of Social Media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Recently, I met Marc Hanson on Facebook. Marc is not only a talented artist, but a ingenious one at that. Marc's simple studio space saving idea for storing small paintings and drying them too... By guest artist/author … [Read more...]

A Unique Approach Using Color Harmony to Improve Your Paintings

Mountian Gold Up Adams Gulch by Lori McNee 2010

This past weekend I was feeling unmotivated in the studio. I have just finished painting still lifes for the winter season and now must  make the switch to painting landscapes for my summer shows. I enjoy bouncing between the two disciplines, but lately nothing seemed to inspire me. So, here is what I did... I decided to have some fun and experiment with color harmony or complimentary colors. Pairs of colors that share no common … [Read more...]

Painting Abstracts – The Process Behind the Art

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by guest artist/author: Matt LeBlanc Every artist obviously has different ways to create art.  Techniques, feelings, emotions & experience all play a role in the finished product. Painting Abstract or Modern Art is just plain fun. I’m not the type of artist who will take a walk and get instantly inspired by something I see.  For me, it’s more the mood I’m in and the emotions I feel when I’m in front of the canvas. … [Read more...]

How to Pack Your Paintings for Shipping

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The subject of  'packing & shipping' art is a much overlooked, but an important topic. We all go to the trouble of creating great artwork, so we need to make sure it gets 'there' safely! In this video I explain the proper way to safely pack a painting,  purchase the right insurance and what to do if your art is damaged. Best - Lori Check out my other helpful videos! ...and articles: Newsletter Art Marketing Tips That … [Read more...]

Why Paint Abstract Art?

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In the popular post,Painting Abstracts: The Process Behind the Art, a talented young abstract artist gives us a rare glimpse into the thought process and inspiration behind his abstract paintings. Abstract art, otherwise known as Modern Art mystifies many people, including representational artists. The untrained eye might have trouble understanding and appreciating it as a serious art form. We have all heard people say (or thought … [Read more...]


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