Part 4: Seeing Color Differently: Chevreul’s Impact on Art
In this post, I take a closer look at Michel Eugène Chevreul’s ideas about color and why they are still useful for artists today. I walk through concepts like afterimages, simultaneous contrast, warm and cool color relationships, and how color affects mood, using well-known paintings as examples. I also share simple, practical ways artists can apply these ideas in their own work without getting overwhelmed by theory.
Pastel Progress: 5 Honest Lessons from My Artistic Journey
When I first started using soft pastels, I had no idea how much I’d learn—not just about technique, but about the process of growing as an artist. In this post, I’m sharing a few key lessons that have helped me along the way. Whether you’re new to pastels or just looking for inspiration, I hope these reflections encourage you to keep going.
From Good to Great: 5 More Tips for Excelling in Realistic Art
The journey to mastering realistic art is a blend of persistence, learning, and patience. In this second blog of a two-part series, I take a look at five more tips to help you improve your art.
Drawing the Line: 5 Practical Tips to Master Realistic Art
I’ve been on a mission to improve my realistic art skills. I have already learned a lot, and I’m sharing 5 tips to elevate your technique. These are very simple and range from how to print your large reference photo to mind tricks to help you practice.
Grass Whispers: An Artist's Guide to Not Mowing it Up
Rendering backgrounds, especially ones featuring grass, can be quite the artistic feat. But fret not! There are some helpful principles to ease the process. Here are a few practical tips for achieving realistic grass with colored pencils or pastels.
10 Pros & 5 Cons of Pastels & How to Work Around the Cons
In Part 2 of my blog series, I dive into the realm of pastels, sharing insights into their history, types, and unique characteristics. While I admit to having less experience with pastels as compared to colored pencils, I provide valuable information on different pastel types, discuss the positives of using pastels, and I candidly address the challenges the medium. Despite these hurdles, I am enthusiastic for exploring and learning more about pastels as a crucial part of my ongoing artistic journey.
8 Pros and 5 Cons of Colored Pencils & How to Work Around the Cons
Discover the dynamic world of colored pencils and pastels for creating realistic artworks. In Part 1 of this two-part blog series, we'll explore the possibilities these mediums offer. We'll delve into the specifics, uncovering both the strengths and challenges of working with colored pencils, revealing the secrets that bring vibrancy and detail to your art.
5 Things I’ve Recently Learned On My Art Journey and How I’m Adjusting Accordingly
I only started to take my art seriously in 2018 after years of art being an afterthought. Recently I’ve been pondering the big picture of my art journey, and I’ve been considering how I’m going to move forward differently. Here are 5 things I’ve learned and how I plan to adjust my focus.
“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”