Category Art Demos

Thomas Schaller demonstrates how to move beyond what the eye actually sees to present a unique vision.It’s my belief that an artist’s job is to interpret what he or she sees, not just to imitate it. Also, an artist should try to express what is felt about the subject, not just what is seen. There are different forms of reality.

Pastel Prompt 298: Monochrome ItWhen I say pastel prompt in one color, I really mean discover the power of monochrome! In this simple exercise below, Dawn Emerson shows how working with color on a solo basis can enhance your ability to understand and use value changes in your art.Materials• Soft pastels: three values (light, mid, dark) of one color• Charcoal full value mass drawing• Razor blade• Color wheelStep 1Choose light, middle and dark values of one color, such as light pink, pink and dark pink.

“It’s been said: To know where you’re going, you need to get a handle on where you’ve been,” says Mark Menendez. “There’s so much that we can learn from the artists of the past, techniques that we can incorporate into our own art. When I was learning under the apprenticeship of my instructor, I was brought through learning techniques of some of the greatest painters that have ever lived.

With Marabu Graphix Aqua InksThe art of polychromatic screen printing is to print with many colors at once. A technique that’s useful to printers, mixed media artists, and painters alike, the opportunity to produce several multi-colored prints in one application is the appeal here. Marabu Graphix Aqua Inks are perfect for this technique, and we’ll take a look at what makes them the ideal ink.

Mixed media artist Gwen Lafleur of StencilGirl wanted to experiment with chalk pastels and cream pastels. Below, she shares a fun, step-by-step demonstration on how to use both in the same art project for colorful, eye-catching results.Chalk Pastels and Cream Pastels | Fast and Fun Ways to Use BothAs a self-confessed art-supply junkie, I’m always eager to try out new supplies and find new uses for products I already have.

Drawing Landscapes with a Painterly StyleDiscover how to draw a landscape with painterly style in this art demo that takes you from rough sketch and initial concept to final artwork. You’ll discover how to “lift out” clouds, substitute trees to get the look you want, and adjust your values by following along with artist-instructor Phil Metzger.

How to Oil Paint in One SittingI love saying the phrase “alla prima” but it’s way harder to actually paint that way! Direct or alla prima painting is all about how to oil paint in the moment, in one go. Easy and freeing, right?But I’m a planner by nature! If I didn’t overthink, I don’t know what I’d think about.

Learn How to DrawWe all admire those people for whom drawing seems to be effortless, sketching out portraits, figures, and landscapes rapidly and with confidence. The best thing about learning to draw is that it not only applies as a foundation for painting and other forms of art, but learning basic drawing techniques will allow you to see an immediate improvement and can assist you in learning to see the world in a new way.

Artist Lori White Brings the Prickly Desert “Bloom” to LifePastels are an outstanding medium to choose for your next cactus painting. The color punch from pastels really stands out. Pastels let their color shine unobstructed, reflecting every light ray with which the pigment comes in contact.Cactus painting can be challenging because there is so much green to deal with!

Question Reality in the Name of Abstract ArtWhen I was a teenager, I saw a bumper sticker that said, “Question Reality.” I found that idea intriguing, if somewhat baffling. But as an avid reader and artist, I associated the concept with my favorite forms of escapism, because that’s what artists and writers do every day, to some degree of another: they look at reality, and ask questions about it, or at least what parts of reality are necessary to include in their own work.

Embrace the flow to create a pour paintingIn Sandra Duran Wilson’s book, Awakening Your Creative Soul, you are guided along on a year-long creative journey with inspiring projects of all sorts to pique your artistic spirit. One featured project is a pour painting tutorial from artist Kimberly Conrad, a popular technique for truly embracing the wild and unruly — and beautiful and awesome!

Creating Masterful Pastel PortraitsGreat pastel portraits are more than a likeness. They express something beyond superficial appearance, encouraging the viewer to contemplate what it means to be human.This is true of classically trained artist Gwenneth Barth-White’s stunning pastel portraits. They’re skillful, accurate portrayals of her sitters.

Drawing DIY: Making Pens from ScratchArtists have made their own pens for as long as they’ve made pen-and-ink drawings. But have you tried making pens from … sticks?This drawing hack is not only a fun, do-it-yourself project, but it is also a great way to save some money on art supplies. Below, artist Margaret Davidson shows us how it’s done in just six simple steps.

The Power of PastelsThere’s no beating the versatility of pastels for blending the best of the drawing and painting worlds. And when it comes to subject matter, there might not be a better medium if you want to learn to paint flowers.There are some great foundational tools and painting techniques, however, that every pastel artist should know.

David Lobenberg goes small for big payoffs when it comes to composition, color and value exploration.Looking for more ways to push your palette and loosen up your painting style? In this article by watercolor artist David Lobenberg, learn his techniques for creating dynamic portraiture by working small with big color.

A little artistic license makes for personality-laden pet portraits.By Vickie NelsonMy two biggest passions are watercolor painting and dogs. I’m enchanted by the animals’ sweet faces and expressive postures, and strive to create unique works that complement each pet’s persona.When creating a painting, I like to begin by observing the subject’s facial movements and nuanced body language.

Make the most of your plein air art sessions by planning ahead for a studio painting.By Michael Chesley JohnsonFor many of us, painting en plein air art is an addiction— but one with benefits. Also, as much as you may dislike racing with light that changes by the hour, those shifting light conditions push you to record only essentials—a real plus if you’re a painter tempted to add unnecessary detail.

Depending on your color palette, a snow scene can have a frosty feel or a warm glow.Looking for some watercolor inspiration to get you through the cold winter months? There are many ways to explore color, even when your view is blanketed in snow. In this article by artist Geoff Kersey, learn ways to shift your palette from cool to warm in winter landscape paintings.

Adventures in AbstractionIn her underwater scenes in pastel, Michele Poirier-Mozzone produces a series of work that’s a joyous presentation of bodies in motion. It’s also a feast of dazzling color and light. Her underwater series came about because of a failed adventure in abstract painting. “Shortly after I started using pastel, I felt I needed a new direction,” explains Poirier-Mozzone.