Grow Your Skills. Become a More Complete Artist.
Welcome! I’m Elisabeth Larson Koehler and the I am the founding instructor of Art Studio Life. This space is to help you discover/grow deeper in the art of painting and drawing. Sign up to get updates on all of my essential tips and artist resources sent to your inbox weekly. PLUS as a new subscriber you will also receive, my FREE Color Mixing Artist’s Guide as a special welcome!
Get started with one of my recent articles below, or explore the full collection of art articles available! You’ll find various techniques, painting and drawing tutorial guides, as well as master painting breakdowns to help you grow where you’re at. You will also find art articles that delve into the exploration of how to use artistic mediums such as; oil painting, watercolor, acrylic, pastels, charcoal drawing, pencil drawing, silverpoint and more.
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Finishing a Painting
How do you know if a painting is “finished”? This can be a big looming question for artists, as it can often be difficult to
Vermeer’s Painting Techniques: A Masterclass in Light, Color and Stillness
Johannes Vermeer, who’s now celebrated for his masterful paintings and meticulous techniques—lived a life of rather quiet obscurity during the Dutch Golden Age. In fact,
Oil Paint Drying Times: How to Make Oil Paints Dry Faster
One of the greatest strengths of oil painting is also its biggest frustration—oil paints dry slowly. Though this does allow for beautiful blending and extended
Why Portrait Paintings Still Matter Today
Today, anyone with a smartphone can snap a portrait in seconds, why does portrait painting still matter? What can a painting capture that a photograph
Chiaroscuro in Painting: What it is and How to Paint Your Own
Chiaroscuro in painting, is the use of use of strong contrasts between light and dark. The term is often used by Artists and art historians
The 5 Most Common Painting Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
Every artist runs into painting pitfalls—especially when starting out. However, some mistakes happen so often they seem almost inevitable. The good news? Once you know
How to Use Color Combinations to Make Your Paintings Stand Out
When you look at an incredible painting, what’s one of the first things you notice? Chances are, it’s the colors. Color combinations can elevate a
How to Make Saturated Colors Work in Your Painting
Saturated colors are the lifeblood of many captivating artworks, they can create visual intensity and often making a bold statement. But here’s the thing—while these
See more in-depth learning materials by clicking the button below. Where you will find articles that include; artist tips, painting tutorials, drawing tips/tutorials, as well as lessons tailored to different artist’s skill levels.
Hello! I'm Elisabeth Larson Koehler
Art Studio Life is here to help you achieve the next step in your artistic growth (no matter what level you're currently at).