by Kristen O'Neill | May 30, 2023 | Art Lessons
What are you aiming for? If we are striving for a great final painting, we can cause issues for ourselves by being stuck on perfectionism. The fear of making a mistake that we can’t recover from, or perhaps making a lack-luster painting, is something that can...
by Kristen O'Neill | May 16, 2023 | Art Lessons
As a painter, it is important to understand the different mediums that can be used to modify the consistency and finish of acrylic paints. Two of the most common mediums used with acrylic paints are water and acrylic mediums. Both have their own unique characteristics...
by Kristen O'Neill | May 9, 2023 | Art Lessons
As a painter, you want your artwork to be visually interesting and engaging to the viewer. One way to achieve this is by using the principle of emphasis. Emphasis is the act of making a specific element of your painting stand out and draw the viewer’s attention....
by Kristen O'Neill | Apr 26, 2023 | Art Lessons
As a painter, you want your colors to be vibrant and lively, but sometimes, your colors can end up looking dull and muddy. This is a common problem for artists, but it can be prevented with a few simple techniques. Here are some tips to help you avoid muddy colors in...
by Kristen O'Neill | Apr 25, 2023 | Art Lessons
As a painter, you have likely experienced the struggle of knowing when a painting is finished. On one hand, you want to keep adding details and perfecting your work. On the other hand, you don’t want to overwork the painting and lose the energy and excitement...
by Kristen O'Neill | Apr 17, 2023 | Art + Nature, Art Lessons
Originally, I planned for this lesson to be about the principle of design patterns. However, I started to go down the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Sequence rabbit hole, and quickly realized it needed it’s own lesson. Hope you find this information as fascinating...
by Kristen O'Neill | Apr 11, 2023 | Uncategorized
Earth and mineral pigments are natural pigments that are derived from the earth and are prized for their rich, earthy tones. They’ve been used by artists for at least 40,000 years. In this lesson, we’ll explore the world of earth pigments, how...
by Kristen O'Neill | Apr 4, 2023 | Art Lessons
Details are an integral part of a painting, helping to bring it to life and tell a story. Whether it’s the intricate patterns on a garment, the weathered lines on a face, or the delicate veins of a leaf, details can make a painting truly remarkable. In this...
by Kristen O'Neill | Mar 28, 2023 | Art Lessons
Texture is one of the “elements of art” and is often used by artists to add depth and dimension to their works. It can bring a painting to life and make it more engaging for the viewer. In this lesson, we’ll explore what texture is, how it’s used in art,...
by Kristen O'Neill | Mar 21, 2023 | Art Lessons
End the Confusion About Paint Brushes! There is a lot of confusion around brushes. Which one should I use? What is the difference? Do I need all these?? While we could experiment with trying out all the brushes there are, we would probably need to cash out our...
by Kristen O'Neill | Mar 14, 2023 | Art Lessons, The Practice of Art
Prioritizing Time for Painting As an artist, you know how important it is to have studio time to create and produce new works of art. However, with busy schedules and daily responsibilities, it can be challenging to find the time and the energy to paint. If...
by Kristen O'Neill | Mar 7, 2023 | Art Lessons
Shape is the element of art that refers to the two-dimensional outline or silhouette of an object or form. Whether you’re working with painting or drawing, understanding the role of shape in art can help you to create successful, impactful artwork. Types of...
by Kristen O'Neill | Feb 28, 2023 | Art Lessons
Painting skies has lots of leeway for mistakes and creativity. Clouds, colors, feelings – the variety that skies offer is astonishing and inspiring. However, no matter the type of sky you paint, there is one steadfast rule that needs to be followed. The sky is...
by Kristen O'Neill | Feb 21, 2023 | Art Lessons
Layering is a fundamental technique in opaque painting, where the application of multiple layers of paint on top of each other can create depth, dimension, and richness in a painting. Whether you’re working with oil, acrylic, or any other opaque medium, layering...
by Kristen O'Neill | Feb 14, 2023 | Art Lessons
Lines are one of the most basic elements of art and can be found in nearly every piece of art that has ever been created. They can be thick or thin, smooth or jagged, straight or curved, and can be used to create a variety of effects in a painting. Understanding how...
by Kristen O'Neill | Feb 7, 2023 | Art Lessons
I saw this quote, and knew I needed to do an art lesson on it. Because there are two arcs to this story. As an artist, we progress. Also, each artwork does this, too. Luckily, the messy middle between starting and getting it somewhere we want lessens in length and...
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