Many viewers have expressed interest in the watercolor glazing technique in the previous demonstration with a lemon, and for this demonstration I chose a single red apple as the subject. You can use the glazing method on its own or…
How I Define Drawing as the Foundation of All Painting Drawing and painting are so deeply interconnected that it’s hard to talk about one without the other. I often describe drawing as the grammar of painting, while color functions as…
Henri Matisse’s cut-outs are among the most revolutionary achievements of twentieth-century art. Matisse, however, did not originally consider the cut-outs a stand-alone art form until 1941, when a life-threatening cancer surgery left him bedridden and later confined to a wheelchair. …
Before diving into the comparison between watercolor and gouache, let’s first take a brief look at gouache’s unique characteristics and basic techniques. Since watercolor fundamentals—its basic techniques including transparency and layering—were discussed in earlier posts, this section will help clarify how…
Pastel is a vibrant and versatile medium made from pure pigment and a binder. Soft, powdery, and luminous, pastels act as a bridge between drawing and painting. They offer rich colors that can be layered, blended, or left raw for…
Charcoal drawing for beginners starts with understanding the expressive nature of this timeless medium. It offers a rich and versatile field of exploration, encompassing everything from tools and techniques to mark-making and the medium’s historical significance. In this introductory lesson, we’ll…
The art world in 2025 is filled with extraordinary creativity. This roundup of current art exhibitions 2025 highlights major shows happening now — from Kiefer and Van Gogh in London to Aki Sasamoto in Tokyo. Please also check out the past exhibition posts…
What Are Complementary Colors? *For a better understanding of color basics, please visit my post on Color: Beginner’s Guide to Hues or watch YouTube Video. Complementary colors are pairs of hues that sit directly opposite each other on the color…
What Are Positive and Negative Shapes? “A good composition is not just what you add—it’s also what you don’t add.” Before You Begin For a deeper understanding, be sure to review my earlier posts: SHAPE: A Foundational Guide (June 19,…
Why Format Matters in Art Many students begin drawing without first considering the format. Yet format is not an afterthought—it should be the first decision, even before planning the composition. Would a horizontal format best emphasize New York’s towering skyscrapers?…
