Realism Today

Your ability to “experiment” and create is based on your solid understanding of the science of painting. The more experience you have working out the science, the braver you become with experimenting. 

This article is sponsored by the art workshop

Essentially recreations of famous paintings, sculptures, and historical events that are undertaken by costumed individuals, tableaux vivants (the French term for “living pictures”) began as an amusement among Europe’s upper classes. Similarly sophisticated Americans followed suit. Continue reading >>>

CARAVAGGIO (1571–1610), “Narcissus,” 1597–99, Galleri...

No Rules

by Daniel Keys

“Dan, there aren’t any rules.” That’s a statement that I’ll probably remember most, if not all of my life. That simple and yet profound assertion was directed at me by my friend, master artist Richard Schmid, during our very first session painting together, and it has resonated in my mind for years.

I’ve found myself repe...

Ann Pember makes painting a petal look effortless and yet far from simple with wet-in-wet watercolor washes. Here, she walks us through her thought process and the decisions she makes before she even picks up the brush.

Painting Petals: Plan First

by Ann Pember

My watercolor painting process has evolved over about 50 years. It is certainly not e...