How to Paint the Illusion of Detail

This post is all about how to paint the illusion of detail. That is, how can we trick the eye into thinking there’s more going on than what’s actually there. I’ll cover: What It Means and Why It’s Important First, let’s go over what exactly the illusion of detail means and why it’s important. A … Read more

Chiaroscuro in Art – The Ultimate Guide

This is the ultimate guide on the idea of chiaroscuro for artists. I’ll cover: What Does Chiaroscuro Mean? Chiaroscuro refers to the use of light and dark to create the illusion of three-dimensional volume on a flat surface. The term translates to “light-dark”; chiaro meaning bright or clear and scuro meaning dark or obscure. The … Read more

Sfumato

Sfumato is a painting technique which involves blending the edge between colors so that there is a soft transition. The term “sfumato” is Italian which translates to soft, vague or blurred. The technique was popularized by the old masters of the Renaissance art movement, like Leonardo da Vinci, who used it to create atmospheric and … Read more

5 Tips for Painting Faster and More Efficiently

When you watch some of the top artists paint, you may be wondering how they do it so fast! They seem to make every stroke without hesitation and the canvas quickly takes form and fills with color. The reason they are able to paint so fast is mostly due to experience. The top artists are … Read more

How to Create the Perfect Background for Your Painting

The background in a painting is by nature out of the spotlight. But that does not mean it is not important! In fact, the background has the incredibly important role of providing context and contrast for the main subjects. Remember, painting is all relative. Without a dull background, how would your stunning colors and delicate … Read more

Scumbling (Dry Brush Painting Technique)

Scumbling in art refers to a painting technique that involves applying a thin layer of paint with a dry brush and a loose hand over an existing layer. The idea is to allow parts of the already existing paint below to remain exposed. In most cases, scumbling is used over dried paint, but you can … Read more