Visual Arts Journal

Photographers, Musicians, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, Digital Animators, Programmers and anyone working with digital media or products
This is a site you are going to want to check out. Envato is more than a brand or a successful business model, it’s a mindset. In a few short years Envato has changed the way freelancers and product developers (referred to as authors on their site) develop skills, market their products and build a community (aka following). (continue reading…)

The Shopping List A recommended list of supplies. Established professionals can cherry-pick through the list and the beginners can go crazy at the art supply store. Of course, you can also accumulate the supplies over time. For a list of online suppliers and outlets check the Link page. ☐ Hand Drafting or Layout Prior to illustration These tools are helpful for more technical styles of illustration, cartoon layout, storyboarding, template making, etc. (continue reading…)

The Recommended Tool For Finding Values
If you are looking for a tool to aid in seeing values then the preferred tool is the Gray Scale Value Finder shown above. This tool can be particularly helpful if you are following Jane Hofstetter’s methods or just trying to train your eye. (continue reading…)

The Issue Arose With an Offer
A commission of sorts recently came up where the potential client was asking for an existing painting to be copied, and a group of artists were discussing the legality of the offer. Without mentioning details, let us just say that the image wasn’t in the public domain. This issue also arises when composing a new work of art, such as images (in full or in part), subject matter or other elements, depending on how much an artist borrowed from the original. (continue reading…)

Dream Tool for Math Avoiders
Proportional scales make quick work of determining exact measurements for increasing or decreasing the size of reproductions (copies) while maintaining the proportions of the original work. Whether you are matting and framing, setting the dimensions on a new digital file or cutting substraight (the supporting material such as paper, wood, canvas, etc.); using this tool reduces error and waste.

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A Little Advice Earned the Hard Way
Once you decide to use markers as an artistic medium, you’ll discover that there is a huge array of colored markers to choose from. Before you go out and sink a boat load of money into markers, let me offer a bit of clarification and advice.

The Difference Between Writing Markers and Artist/Layout Markers
There are two primary categories of pens, markers for writing and markers for art. The difference will determine not only (continue reading…)