Artists Magazine

“I guess I’m not very human,” said Edward Hopper. “All I really want to do is paint light on the side of a house.” Indeed, though the sea and sky certainly make their appearances, Hopper was inspired to include buildings—both interiors and exteriors—

although some creative professions combine aspects of fine art with architecture and design, few give designers the ability to work directly with iconic paintings from the past and present. Melanie Taylor, the Director of Exhibition Design at the Whi

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903) was a worldly fellow before he even turned 18. Born in Lowell, Mass., he lived in Connecticut; St. Petersburg, Russia; London; and began an ill-fated military education at West Point. After stints i

The paper with which you make the sketchbook should be supple for ease of folding. I recommend Fabriano, Rives BFK, Stonehenge printmaking paper, Arches watercolor paper and Annigoni all-media paper. 1 On a sheet of paper, place hash marks to indica

I began figure drawing more than five decades ago to develop my understanding of the human form and improve its use in my paintings. But as time went on, I continued a figure drawing practice for its own sake. I now draw primarily for the simple joy

Plein air painting is, at best, an unpredictable endeavor. Light, wind and temperature are in constant flux as the artist works to capture on canvas a fleeting effect of a subject that he or she is powerless to keep from changing. It was with a mix o

Use Google Maps’ street view feature to plan your sketching excursions. While part of the fun of urban sketching is exploring your city, a street view can provide you with a solid starting place. Street views can also help if you get home and realize

Painting a floral still life allows a relatively controlled opportunity to work from life while offering a welcome relief from what can seem like visual chaos when painting outdoors. In a studio setting, the artist can determine the arrangement of th

A city is more than its buildings. For London artist Stephen Wiltshire, however, the fervent energy of the skyline or the looming peak of a landmark building captures the heart and soul of a metropolis. Wiltshire has earned acclaim for his finely det

Montreal is not a city that lacks for beautiful sites to paint. Among its impressive landmarks are the imposing Notre-Dame Basilica, the historical neighborhood of Old Montreal and the large Parc du Mont-Royal, which offers panoramic views of the isl

Given the close association between Amsterdam and Rembrandt, it’s fitting that the Rijksmuseum has chosen to mark the 350th anniversary of the famous Dutch master’s death, in 1669, with a special exhibition. “All the Rembrandts,” which runs February

There are moods that attach themselves to cities—feelings that emerge from the characteristic light and atmosphere of a particular locale. The thick, watery light of London, with its days and weeks of overcast skies and sudden fresh breaks of sunshin

Since many galleries have limited resources for hiring public-relations support and an increasing number of artists are curating group shows in community spaces, it has become important for artists to know how to write a press release. The main purpo