As another year comes to a close so to does another opportunity to look at our art and creative efforts throughout the year. Like many artists, I document and catalog my paintings, an effort that is much easier with computers! Years ago I would write index cards for each painting with a [...]

Most of us have a space that acts as a ’studio’ if that is a separate building or just a temporary corner of the kitchen. It isn’t usual to start out with a dedicated space and of course plein air artists can settle to paint anywhere. Some artists have special requirements for [...]

In the studio the other day I was thinking about what makes artists fearful. Humans are by nature fearful; not always of immediate danger, but, as the one creature who looks forward in time, we can imagine dangers in the future. From worrying about wild animals or food shortage, the health and well [...]

How is it that hours of concentrated artistic effort can produce nothing of worth and yet a few minutes can be inspired?  Determination is not alway efficient use of painting time.  It sometimes seems that the art we work hardest on is not always the best.
While creative inspiration might sometimes seems hard to find, at [...]

ArtBoard members and visitors know Roger Marz as the ‘old man mad on drawing’. Roger really is a prolific and dedicated artist who has done thousands of sketches and drawings in just the last few years.
Recently Roger created a 2007 desk calendar with floral and tree sketches for every week. The article ‘How to [...]

This summer’s ArtCafe Open Project is ‘Fill in the Blanks’. In the first part of the project, ArtCafe artists sent in twenty-two line drawings in a variety of styles and subjects. From frogs and herons to country roads and figures, there is something for everyone.
For some of us it was not difficult to guess who [...]

A box of new art supplies brings out the kid in most artists. It is a treat to go over all the new colors in unbent tubes or handle the brushes lovingly. The new palette is sparkling white and the paper is velvety to the touch.
It takes a while to get to know the personality [...]

With the advent of scanners and digital cameras it is easier than ever to record? and document artwork.? Whether student, professional or hobbiest, it is a good idea to keep a record of the progress of your art.
Rather than a collection of slides in a folder, today’s portfolios can be digital reproductions in [...]