TODAY'S FEATURED POST

Feeling Gray Today

Howard Lyon

-By Howard Lyon   Color is a fascinating and challenging part of painting.  It can be defined as hue, saturation and value. Today, I am going to focus a little more on saturation. Saturation being how intense or gray a color is. Before I get going though, I think I need to add a disclaimer to this post. Painting from life is the best way to understand color. Also, photographs of paintings are by no…

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EVERYDAY ORIGINAL

Horns of the high desert (Original Watercolor)

YESTERDAY’S POST

Image

The Power of Preliminary Studies

Julie Beck

May 16, 2025 - Preliminary studies are crucial to my process. Each artist approaches prep work different but as someone who teaches both technical skills as well as the importance of design and composition, I emphasize the importance of massaging the design before you get into the nitty gritty. Preliminary thumbnails help in a multitude of ways: Planning: Sketches help you organize ideas and create a clear roadmap, saving time and reducing frustration. Problem Solving: They allow you to identify and fix issues early, ensuring a more polished final piece. Creativity: Experimenting in sketches encourages creative exploration and innovative solutions. Confidence: Working through uncertainties in sketches builds confidence for the final execution. Cohesion: Planning ensures all elements work harmoniously, resulting in a unified piece. Efficiency: Resolving issues on paper or digitally saves time AND money. I mean, time IS…

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  • Drive Mad on Feeling Gray TodayWow, this hits home! I've always struggled with my skin tones looking 'flat,' and now I realize I've probably been over-saturating ever…
  • doodle baseball on Feeling Gray TodayThis is such a fantastic breakdown of saturation, Howard! Your explanation using the Bouguereau example really clarifies how slight shi…
  • Drive Mad on A Studio VisitIt's so refreshing to see an artist's studio that's built for longevity and actual work, not just aesthetics. The part about still doin…
  • Drift Boss on A Studio VisitWhat an inspiring studio tour! It's so cool to see how Robert Hunt organized his space, especially the use of recycled materials. Makes…
  • ragdoll archers on Studio DreamsAs someone who's worked in various 'less-than-ideal' spaces, this is so real. You adapt and make it work. It's comforting to know that…
  • illiana on Feeling Gray TodayI get paid over $130 1 to 3 hours working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I’d be able to do it but my best friend earns…
  • Drift Boss on Studio DreamsN. C. Wyeth's studio sounds like the ultimate dream! I'm constantly sketching ideas for my own future workspace, and large, north-facin…

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