"From my earliest interest in art, the human figure and face were prominent subjects for my work. Even as my style, scale, and mediums varied over time, I was consistently drawn to the figure for inspiration. I was therefore disoriented and nervous when, seemingly on their own, the figures that had long populated my paintings disappeared."
In this full-length article, Nancy Tankersley explains the pros and cons of painting from photos. Bonus: Includes reference photos and the finished paintings.
Learn about a self-taught realist painter whose autobiographical portraits use symbolism and highly detailed compositions to explore her struggle with social anxiety.
“Shades of Blue” is revival of a drawing show, titled (appropriately enough) “Blue Drawings” which was first exhibited at Portraits, Inc. in June 2015...
An essay by Ghanaian-born painter Samuel Adoquei on historical artists and timeless beauty, the difference between skin tones and flesh tones, and ways to capture beautiful skin tones in figurative art.
Figurative realists Sara and Shane Scribner share their inspiration: Sara, for her "Nightfall" series of paintings of women who have found a place of calm and introspection within the looming nightfall; and Shane, for his paintings highlighting light and contrast.
"Standing before a painting can become more like stepping outside and looking up at the sky at night," says Paul Rosiak, "as your eyes slowly acclimate, a world emerges."
This Dutch artist’s time-intensive process requires extraordinary patience, focus, and accuracy: "For me, this is an exciting way of working where destruction creates new life and beauty.”
See how a painting that includes leaves, crystal, and some unexpected challenges comes to fruition, step by step.
Skipping the growth opportunity that drawing provides prevents us from taking the most direct path to becoming a good painter; and drawing is simple, if you're not full of ...