Art Critiques & Studies

Marvin Mattelson’s Portrait Artist Hall of Fame

Pat and Jennifer (oil, 44x44) by Marvin Mattelson

Luminous skin tones, reach-out-and-touch fabrics, verisimilitude of facial features—these are all characteristics of a portrait by Marvin Mattleson, whose client list includes CEOs from Met Life, NYNEX and ITT, as well as composer Philip Glass and the Archbishop of New York, Edward Cardinal Egan. But whose work does Mattelson admire—and why? Read his answer—and find out why John Singer Sargent isn’t on his list. Full Article

Posted in Art Critiques & Studies, Articles, Artist Interviews & Profiles, Inspiration and Creativity, Medium, Oil, Portrait / Figure, Subject, The Artist’s Magazine | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Abstract Painting | Melanie Daniel’s Creative Process

Antlers in Berry Season oil painting, abstract painting

Ruth K. Meyer describes the similarities between Wassily Kandinsky’s and Melanie Daniel’s intuitive process, as exemplified in Daniel’s ‘Antlers In Berry Season’ (oil, 35×43). Full Article

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Pastel Pointers | The Need for Feedback

feedback

Painting is a lonely endeavor. The bulk of artists’ creative lives are spent interacting alone with their subject matter and artwork. While many of us put considerable effort into listening for what a painting might be saying to us while we are painting, the only voice we really hear is that of our internal critique. This critical voice serves a good purpose. It is at times our coach, teacher, mentor, and cheerleader. The problem is that the internal critic is only as wise and nurturing as the artist. Full Article

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Design Rules! | For Powerful Paintings, Push Design Over Subject

Road to Asciano (oil, 36x36) by Ian Roberts

“Most students I’ve taught are looking for good subjects to paint. In fact, what you need to look for is good design,” says artist and author Ian Roberts. Full Article

Posted in Art Critiques & Studies, Articles, Inspiration and Creativity, Landscapes, Landscapes / Seascapes / Cityscapes, Portrait / Figure, Still Life, Subject, The Artist’s Magazine | Tagged , | Comments Off

Stories Behind Two of Gregory Strachov’s Paintings

To Lux Aeterna (watercolor, 24x18) by Gregory Strachov

Two of Gregory Strachov’s paintings, To Lux Aeterna and Icon of Common Man, have particularly interesting stories behind them… Full Article

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A Pastelist’s Dream List

Pastelist Deborah Secor shares her studio dream list. Use her ideas to spark plans for your own upgrades!
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The Story of Manet

In the December 2010 issue of The Artist’s Magazine, Jerry N. Weiss discusses Edouard Manet’s Fifer (1866, oil on canvas, 63×38), which was rejected from the Salon because of the scandal that arose from Manet’s earlier picture, Olympia, (oil, 51.4×74.8, now at the Musee d’Orsay, Paris) shown in 1865.
Full Article

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Art Clinic: Playing With Value Contrasts

Greg Albert suggests some value contrast improvements to a pastel seascape.
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How to Critique Your Painting

As a workshop teacher, I critique my students’ paintings every day. Thanks to this, I’ve learned how to critique my own. Here’s what I look for. Full Article

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Free Download: Guide to Workshops

Download a free copy of Michael Chesley Johnson’s guide to workshops and find out how to get the most out of your workshop dollar. Full Article

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