Best Art Books from Jen’s North Light Picks

Discover some of the best books for artists available now at NorthLightShop.com with each installment of Jen’s North Light Picks. North Light Books include book titles featuring art career advice, painting demonstrations, art collections and painting and drawing techniques. Hear from Jen about features & special events happening at our shop & on ArtistsNetwork.com. For the latest & greatest on the best painting and drawing books – check back with Jen’s North Light Picks often!

Acrylic Collage Techniques with Merle Rosen

Posted on June 13, 2013 by vanessaw

This week’s Jen’s Pick takes us back to ancient 2008, but there’s nothing dated about the excellent instruction in these two videos. In these video workshops on acrylic collage, Merle Rosen takes a looser, more dynamic approach to painting and … Full Article

Get Started in Pastel with Deb Secor: Paint the Landscape

Posted on June 6, 2013 by vanessaw

There’s a reason landscape painters love working in pastel-several reasons, in fact, including, but not limited to, the easy way they blend and move, their vibrant colors, their portability for plein air work, the quickness of painting and cleanup, and … Full Article

Posted in Best Art Books from Jen’s North Light Picks, Uncategorized | Tagged Landscape Painting: Techniques & Tutorials, Pastel Art Techniques Painting Landscapes & More | Comments Off

Lisa L. Cyr: Embrace Inspiration, by Neely McLaughlin

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Mary Bostic, Editor

Lisa L. Cyr’s mixed-media fantasy-inspired work invites the viewer to participate in her imaginative vision. That vision inspires both Cyr’s paintings and her desire to encourage others in creative pursuits. “Create from the heart, innovate without boundaries, strive for greatness and speak to the culture in ways that inspire and motivate,” she says, explaining, “I often use this quote I wrote on my website and other materials.” Full Article

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Painting Facial Features with Sharon Sprung

Posted on May 30, 2013 by vanessaw

In these two portrait painting workshops, you’ll learn how to paint a variety of skin tones, as well as how to simplify and paint facial features. You’ll learn how to paint eyes, noses and mouths to create realistic, lifelike faces. … Full Article

Posted in Best Art Books from Jen’s North Light Picks, Portrait & Figurative Art: How to Draw or Paint People & Figures | Tagged Drawing Techniques: How to Draw People Animals Landscapes & More, Oil Painting Techniques Tips & Instruction | Comments Off

Art Lessons with Lee Hammond

Posted on May 23, 2013 by vanessaw

The best thing about online and video education is that it’s so easy to follow along. You can pause and rewind over and over again, all while seeing how your favorite artist pulls off what seems so difficult–and they make … Full Article

Posted in Acrylic Painting Techniques & Art, Animal Art: Drawing & Painting Birds Horses Dogs & More, Best Art Books from Jen’s North Light Picks, Colored Pencil Art & Techniques, Drawing Techniques: How to Draw People Animals Landscapes & More, Landscape Painting: Techniques & Tutorials, Portrait & Figurative Art: How to Draw or Paint People & Figures | Tagged Animal Art: Drawing & Painting Birds Horses Dogs & More, Drawing Techniques: How to Draw People Animals Landscapes & More | Comments Off

Watercolor Painting Techniques from Soon Warren

Posted on May 15, 2013 by vanessaw

Soon Warren has three new watercolor painting videos out that you’re going to love! Learn how to paint cherries in a glass bowl, koi fish in a rippling pond, and get great tips and techniques for creating great watercolor paintings. … Full Article

Posted in Best Art Books from Jen’s North Light Picks, Still Life Painting & Composition: Fruit Vegetables Vases & More, Top Art Techniques & Tips, Watercolor Art: How to Techniques Painting & Landscapes | Tagged Still Life Painting & Composition: Fruit Vegetables Vases & More, Watercolor Art: How to Techniques Painting & Landscapes | Comments Off

Happy, Healthy and Successful: Create a Positive Work-Life Balance, by Lori McNee

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Mary Bostic, Editor

There is lots of information on finding balance in our lives available. Nevertheless, for freelancers, small business owners, and aspiring artists, it might seem as though the only way to get ahead at work is to get behind at home. As a professional artist who juggles a busy painting career along with blogging, teaching, writing, social networking and family, I can speak on this subject with authority, because I have been guilty of imbalance myself. Full Article

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Easy Colored Pencil Techniques from Janie Gildow

Posted on April 25, 2013 by vanessaw

You can learn great drawing and coloring techniques with Janie Gildow in her four videos on colored pencil techniques, including an easy way to draw an apple, the types of surfaces you can use, such as mylar paper and dark … Full Article

Posted in Acrylic Artist Magazine, Best Art Books from Jen’s North Light Picks, Colored Pencil Art & Techniques | Tagged Colored Pencil, Creative Art Ideas Inspiration Tips & More | Comments Off

Oil Painting Techniques: Landscape Painting

Posted on April 19, 2013 by jenniferl

Love to create landscape paintings? Want to learn oil painting techniques? Brian Keeler is here to help! With his keen knowledge of art history; his years painting in oil, pastel, watercolor and acrylic; and his passion for all styles of … Full Article

Posted in Art Articles: Education & Topics, Art Mediums & Drawing, Best Art Books from Jen’s North Light Picks, Landscape Painting: Techniques & Tutorials, Oil Painting Techniques Tips & Instruction, Shop, Subject | Tagged Landscape Painting: Techniques & Tutorials, Oil Painting Techniques Tips & Instruction | Comments Off

Great Acrylic Painting Techniques With Chris Cozen

Posted on April 11, 2013 by vanessaw

Chris Cozen acrylic painting instruction

Chris Cozen is a not only a great artist, but a great instructor, too! See how she creates great abstract acrylic paintings with a lot of acrylic painting techniques that are so easy to do yourself, you’ll be blown away. … Full Article