Art Articles | Explore Art Techniques, How Tos & Resources

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

June 24, 2025 8 Comments

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,

June 19, 2025 13 Comments

Oil Paint Drying Times and How to Make Oil Paints Dry Faster

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

June 5, 2025 9 Comments

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

May 20, 2025 12 Comments

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

April 30, 2025 6 Comments

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

April 18, 2025 10 Comments

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

April 4, 2025 6 Comments

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

March 26, 2025 8 Comments