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Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, a foundational event in Christian faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death. Observed on the Sunday following Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion, Easter marks the culmination of Holy Week and the end of Lent, a season of fasting and reflection. For Christians, Easter affirms the promise of eternal life and the transformative power of God’s love and grace. It is both a solemn remembrance and a joyful celebration, often accompanied by church services, music, and gatherings that honor Christ’s sacrifice and triumph, offering hope and renewal to believers. Below, the crucifixion of Christ, his death, and resurrection are portrayed by three artists.  Crucifixion. I intentionally included the Grünenwald altarpiece above because art historians know it is one of the few depictions of the Crucifixion that expresses the true pain and brutality of torture. It is not romanticized. The Grünewald Altarpiece, also known as the Isenheim Altarpiece, is a monumental polyptych painted by Matthias Grünewald between 1512 and 1516 for the Monastery of St. Anthony in Isenheim. Renowned for its intense emotional power and vivid imagery, it was designed to comfort patients suffering from skin diseases like ergotism. The Crucifixion scene, with Christ’s contorted body, graphically conveys pain and redemption, while inner panels reveal scenes of the Resurrection and healing saints. Combining Gothic spirituality with early Renaissance detail, the altarpiece stands as one of the most hauntingly beautiful religious artworks of the Northern Renaissance.  The death of Christ. Michelangelo’s La Pietà, sculpted in 1498–1499, is a Renaissance masterpiece housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. I would have to admit it moved me in a very deep way when I saw it live. Carved from a single block of Carrara marble, it depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the lifeless body of Jesus after the Crucifixion. Remarkable for its emotional depth, the sculpture captures both sorrow and serenity. Mary’s youthful face and the flowing drapery contrast with Christ’s lifeless form, creating a powerful expression of grief and divine grace. La Pietà was Michelangelo’s first major commission and remains the only work he ever signed, showcasing his extraordinary skill and spiritual sensitivity.  The Resurrection, Easter. Affirming the promise of eternal life and the transformative power of God’s love and grace. It is both a solemn remembrance and a joyful celebration, often accompanied by church services, music, and gatherings that honor Christ’s sacrifice and triumph, offering hope and renewal to believers.
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If you're painting from photos, why not take photos with a fisheye filter or wide-angle filter? Or imagine your subject in a swirled state rather than predicably static, and paint directly from your imagination. I enjoy Rob Pointon's paintings above, and it made me think of how artists throughout history have distorted images to create new and exciting effects. Movements like Cubism, led by Picasso and Braque, fractured perspective to reveal multiple viewpoints at once, while Expressionists, such as Edvard Munch, exaggerated form and color to convey psychological intensity. Surrealists like Salvador Dalí twisted reality to explore the subconscious, merging dream logic with the real world. Abstract artists, including Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, abandoned literal representation entirely, using shape, color, and gesture to evoke mood and meaning. These distortions often reflected broader societal shifts—industrialization, war, existential uncertainty—offering new ways to see and feel the world. Rather than mere imitation, modern art became a language of transformation, allowing artists to reinterpret reality, confront truth, and provoke thought. In distorting the familiar, they opened doors to deeper understanding and imaginative freedom.
 Cats have long been symbols of mystery, playfulness, and the uncanny, making them perfect subjects for art. Their fluid movements, piercing eyes, and mischievous expressions lend themselves to endless artistic interpretations. From ancient Egyptian depictions of divine felines to the surreal cats of contemporary paintings, these creatures captivate with their enigmatic presence. From vibrant, swirling patterns to exaggerated, elongated forms, artistic depictions of cats highlight their wonderfully weird nature. They embody contradictions—graceful yet chaotic, affectionate yet aloof—making them ideal muses for surreal and whimsical compositions. Whether they appear stretched beyond proportion, rendered in swirling colors, or sitting with an all-knowing stare, cats in art reflect both the strange and the sublime. Study the styles and moods of each painting. Try to imagine painting in a similar style. For more information about each painting, grab the image and drop it into Google Lens.  For all the downsides of social media, there are occasionally wonderful things to be discovered there. Below are works of art that I found on Instagram that captured my attention and imagination. There is no theme or style that I am directing your attention to, just the wonder and curiosity of paintings that catch my eye. (To get more info about these paintings, drag image onto Google browser, double click and select Google Lens) Art lovers who love reading books
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In class last week we were talking about Artist, Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993). He was an American painter known for his contributions to both Abstract Expressionism and the Bay Area Figurative Movement. His early works reflected the gestural, expressive qualities of abstraction, but he later shifted to figurative painting, blending abstraction with recognizable forms. Diebenkorn’s most celebrated series, Ocean Park, features luminous, geometric compositions inspired by the California coast, marked by layered colors, subtle textures, and a masterful sense of space. His work balances structure and spontaneity, evoking both landscape and emotion. Diebenkorn remains an influential figure in modern art, bridging abstraction and representation with a distinctive, contemplative style.
Study these paintings by Carlos San Millan. They portray a dark room with a door or window providing a source of light. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to take reference photos of room interiors that could be used for painting. See my examples at the bottom of the page.
Here are samples of interior photos with a door or window as the source of light. They could be used as reference photos for paintings. If you wish to share your photos with others in my program, post them on our Artist's Network FB page. Here are some photos I took for the challenge:
Below is an example of an interior reference photo, and then my abstract-ish interpretation of it as a painting.
Here are some beautiful and interesting paintings that I found recently. Please check them out and ask yourself how they were painted. Perhaps even download an image and printed out to use as a reference photo for yourself. Enjoy!
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Edwardian-era luxury. He created roughly 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolors, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings.
Sargent’s portrait painting technique was characterized by bold, confident brushwork and a mastery of light and texture. He painted alla prima, applying wet paint onto wet, which allowed for fluid transitions and a luminous quality. His brushstrokes were both precise and expressive, capturing intricate details with seemingly effortless gestures. Sargent often began with loose underpaintings before refining forms with carefully placed highlights and shadows. He emphasized composition and atmosphere, using dynamic poses and rich tonal contrasts. His ability to render fabric, skin, and light with remarkable realism made him one of the most celebrated portraitists of his time.
Sargent’s portrait painting technique was characterized by bold, confident brushwork and a mastery of light and texture. He painted alla prima, applying wet paint onto wet, which allowed for fluid transitions and a luminous quality. His brushstrokes were both precise and expressive, capturing intricate details with seemingly effortless gestures. Sargent often began with loose underpaintings before refining forms with carefully placed highlights and shadows. He emphasized composition and atmosphere, using dynamic poses and rich tonal contrasts. His ability to render fabric, skin, and light with remarkable realism made him one of the most celebrated portraitists of his time.
13 minutes video
"Alla prima" portrait painting, meaning "at first attempt," is a dynamic and spontaneous approach where the artist completes the work in one sitting. This technique requires mastery of brush control, color mixing, and the ability to capture the essence of the subject swiftly. The wet-on-wet method allows colors to blend directly on the canvas, fostering rich textures and natural transitions.
"Alla prima" portrait painting, meaning "at first attempt," is a dynamic and spontaneous approach where the artist completes the work in one sitting. This technique requires mastery of brush control, color mixing, and the ability to capture the essence of the subject swiftly. The wet-on-wet method allows colors to blend directly on the canvas, fostering rich textures and natural transitions.
I have been talking with some of my students about surrealism lately. As an artistic style, it ranges from the quirky and peculiar to the outright ghoulish and horrifying. The original idea of surrealism was that it supposedly depicted what dreams look like.
René Magritte is one of my favorite original surrealists. He was born in Belgium and was known for his thought-provoking and enigmatic works. He juxtaposed ordinary objects in unexpected ways and challenged perceptions of reality and representation. Iconic works like The Son of Man (depicting a man in a bowler hat with his face obscured by an apple) explore themes of identity, illusion, and meaning. His precise, illustrative style and playful manipulation of context created visual puzzles that engage viewers intellectually and emotionally.
If you ever hit a plateau with you current painting style, consider painting a whimsical surrealist painting for a change of pace.
René Magritte is one of my favorite original surrealists. He was born in Belgium and was known for his thought-provoking and enigmatic works. He juxtaposed ordinary objects in unexpected ways and challenged perceptions of reality and representation. Iconic works like The Son of Man (depicting a man in a bowler hat with his face obscured by an apple) explore themes of identity, illusion, and meaning. His precise, illustrative style and playful manipulation of context created visual puzzles that engage viewers intellectually and emotionally.
If you ever hit a plateau with you current painting style, consider painting a whimsical surrealist painting for a change of pace.
The sfumato painting technique, famously used by Leonardo da Vinci, involves blending colors and tones seamlessly to create soft transitions without harsh lines or edges. Derived from the Italian word sfumare, meaning "to evaporate" or "to fade," this method gives paintings a smoky, atmospheric quality. Sfumato is particularly effective for rendering realistic skin tones, subtle lighting effects, and a sense of depth. Artists achieve this effect by layering thin glazes of paint, carefully controlling the transitions between light and shadow. One of the most renowned examples is da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, where sfumato contributes to her enigmatic expression and lifelike presence.
Here is a close up of Mona Lisa's eyes. Notice that there are no sharp, hard edges. (The cracking was caused by the use of linseed oil)
Here is a close up of Mona Lisa's eyes. Notice that there are no sharp, hard edges. (The cracking was caused by the use of linseed oil)
In the painting below, notice there are no hard edges:
I invited the painters in my program to ask me any questions they wanted, and I would do my best to answer them. Painter Debbie made us laugh by joking about asking for the meaning of life. Later, on my way home from the art studio, I saw a bumper sticker that read, "The meaning of life is to live it." An hour later, my friend Tom sent me a quote from Instagram: "You're a ghost driving a meat-coated skeleton made from stardust, riding a rock, rolling through space. – Fear nothing."
It seemed the universe was sending me this question, so I looked up several quotes about the meaning of life—and art—and added my own at the end.
It seemed the universe was sending me this question, so I looked up several quotes about the meaning of life—and art—and added my own at the end.
Pablo Picasso – “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
Picasso suggests that art elevates us beyond the mundane, hinting that the meaning of life may lie in experiencing beauty, wonder, and insight beyond ordinary existence.
Picasso suggests that art elevates us beyond the mundane, hinting that the meaning of life may lie in experiencing beauty, wonder, and insight beyond ordinary existence.
Oscar Wilde – “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.”
Wilde implies that art is a powerful source of meaning and vision, shaping how we perceive life itself. This challenges us to see art not just as a reflection but as a guide to life’s purpose.
Wilde implies that art is a powerful source of meaning and vision, shaping how we perceive life itself. This challenges us to see art not just as a reflection but as a guide to life’s purpose.
Rainer Maria Rilke – “The work of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.”
Rilke saw art as a way to engage with life’s mysteries rather than solve them, suggesting that part of life’s meaning might be found in contemplation rather than explanation.
Rilke saw art as a way to engage with life’s mysteries rather than solve them, suggesting that part of life’s meaning might be found in contemplation rather than explanation.
Fyodor Dostoevsky – “Art is as much a need for humanity as eating and drinking. The need for beauty and creativity goes beyond practicality, connecting us to a deeper purpose.”
This connects art directly to our essence as humans, implying that our quest for beauty and understanding through art is fundamental to our reason for being.
This connects art directly to our essence as humans, implying that our quest for beauty and understanding through art is fundamental to our reason for being.
Jeanette Winterson – “Art is not a luxury, but a necessity...Art becomes a bridge, a passageway, into that which cannot be spoken.”
Winterson suggests that art helps us access aspects of life’s meaning that words alone can’t convey, making it a fundamental part of our existence and quest for purpose.
Winterson suggests that art helps us access aspects of life’s meaning that words alone can’t convey, making it a fundamental part of our existence and quest for purpose.
Alan Moore – “To paint a picture of the meaning of life may be the highest purpose of all.”
As a graphic novelist and writer, Moore speaks to the powerful role art plays in humanity’s search for meaning, as if to suggest that the journey to create art may itself be the purpose of life.
As a graphic novelist and writer, Moore speaks to the powerful role art plays in humanity’s search for meaning, as if to suggest that the journey to create art may itself be the purpose of life.
Albert Camus – “A work of art is a confession.”
In the existentialist spirit, Camus believed that art reveals the inner struggles and truths of life, suggesting that art may be one way to face the essential questions and truths of our existence.
In the existentialist spirit, Camus believed that art reveals the inner struggles and truths of life, suggesting that art may be one way to face the essential questions and truths of our existence.
Patrick Howe - "The purpose of life is to awaken to the reality of your true being. Bring that into your art."
"May your life be guided by curiosity, and a passion to see the world with fresh eyes."
"May your life be guided by curiosity, and a passion to see the world with fresh eyes."
When studying paintings by other artists, focus on technique. Was the painting done 'loose and expressive' or 'tight and technical'? Compare the color palette between the paintings below. Ask yourself how the color palette affects the mood of the painting. Imagine if they were different colors. Study the composition and notice how shapes interact with each other to produce a harmonious whole. Ask yourself, or notice, what emotional feeling the painting evokes. Which paintings have a flat-to-the-picture-plane composition and which create a sense of deep space? How do you think the artist accomplished these compositional effects? Can you identify the historic style out of which these paintings have arisen?
Portrait painting is an art form that captures both the physical likeness and the emotional essence of a subject. Beyond merely replicating facial features, a successful portrait conveys personality, mood, and even deeper layers of character through careful attention to expression, pose, and composition. Focus in closely on these images and compare them; look how some are hard edged and bright colored, while others are very carefully rendered with soft edges, which Leonardo da Vinci called sfumato. (See mustached figure by Shellyhannaart below.) Artists use techniques like chiaroscuro (the interplay of light and shadow) to create depth and lifelike presence. Color choices, brushwork, and background elements also contribute to the narrative of the portrait. While rooted in tradition, portraiture continues to evolve, offering a profound way to explore and depict human identity and emotion.
Styles of visual art are available to us today like never before. And it's amazing to see what so many artists are doing from all over the world.
Variety of style and technique in our visual art culture is vital as it reflects the diversity of thought, experience, and perspective. Different approaches to form, color, and medium enable artists to express a wide range of ideas and emotions, from traditional beliefs to modern innovations. This richness fosters dialogue between generations and communities, enhancing cultural understanding and evolution. A varied artistic landscape also encourages experimentation, challenging established norms and pushing creative boundaries, which contributes to a culture’s growth, resilience, and ability to inspire others globally. Diversity in art nurtures a dynamic and inclusive cultural identity.
Variety of style and technique in our visual art culture is vital as it reflects the diversity of thought, experience, and perspective. Different approaches to form, color, and medium enable artists to express a wide range of ideas and emotions, from traditional beliefs to modern innovations. This richness fosters dialogue between generations and communities, enhancing cultural understanding and evolution. A varied artistic landscape also encourages experimentation, challenging established norms and pushing creative boundaries, which contributes to a culture’s growth, resilience, and ability to inspire others globally. Diversity in art nurtures a dynamic and inclusive cultural identity.
We had a wonderful Student Art Show and Phinney Center, Painters in my program spread their artwork around the room and invited all their friends to see their artwork. The special event of the evening was the Vincent van Gogh Paint-Off. Each contestant had 20 minutes to paint a version of a Vincent van Gogh painting. Winner: Jenna Humble!
Contemporary art defies traditional movements, and is bound by no singular style or school. Artists today blend diverse influences, techniques, and cultures, creating a vibrant, eclectic global art ecosystem.
The internet has amplified this new art world reality, enabling a global exchange of ideas and recognition of artists from every culture, country, and race.
Unlike the past’s Western-dominated narratives, today’s art world is more inclusive, celebrating a multitude of perspectives.
It used to be that artists like myself could only learn about art through history books, magazines, and film documentaries. But it’s super exciting to see so much extraordinary art now.
Here are some painting that recently showed up on my Instagram that I really liked.
The internet has amplified this new art world reality, enabling a global exchange of ideas and recognition of artists from every culture, country, and race.
Unlike the past’s Western-dominated narratives, today’s art world is more inclusive, celebrating a multitude of perspectives.
It used to be that artists like myself could only learn about art through history books, magazines, and film documentaries. But it’s super exciting to see so much extraordinary art now.
Here are some painting that recently showed up on my Instagram that I really liked.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of showcasing my work in a solo exhibition at Axis Gallery in Seattle. The show featured 50 of my oil paintings, each reflecting my deep affection for flowers and vibrant color palettes. Alongside these, I presented pieces from my Post Personalism series—a body of work that delves into themes beyond self-centricity, exploring concepts of cosmic consciousness and other mystical ideas that captivate my imagination.
Have a wonderful day filled with color, textures, and mysteries.
I am typically not a fan of digital art, but I think Tuukzs' recent works are beautiful, and I resonate with his messages of universal love and oneness in some of his Instagram comments.
Arthur Machado, known as Tù.úk’z, is a Brazilian digital artist who has been working within the digital arts landscape since 2012. Tù.úk’z's body of work spans a broad spectrum of digital forms, including glitch art, AI-generated pieces, collage, painting, image, video, and sound. His work explores themes of abstraction and psychedelia, reflecting his journey as a digital nomad.
Quirky and beautiful realistic fine art painting brings a delightful twist to traditional realism. These works capture everyday scenes and objects with meticulous detail, yet infuse them with unexpected elements that surprise and charm the viewer. Whether it’s a whimsical play on scale, an imaginative use of color, or the inclusion of fantastical details within a realistic setting, these paintings balance authenticity with creativity. The result is a captivating blend of the familiar and the extraordinary, where the ordinary becomes enchanting. This fusion of quirky and beautiful invites viewers to see the world with fresh eyes and a sense of wonder.
I have been watching Turner Vinson's plein air YouTube videos. He is the most enjoyable plein air painter to watch because his approach is so direct and spontaneous. He smears, drips, and brushes color onto the canvas in a way that appears out of control and wild, but he is always studying his subject carefully. His marks are intentionally spontaneous, which is what makes him interesting to watch. Plus, he sometimes paints very large paintings outdoors, and the complexity and difficulty of carrying and managing canvases and supplies shows tremendous intention. He often uses very thick paint. I noticed that he uses the cheapest brands he can find, which is smart since he's using so much paint.
See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbZ5P-KyqRs
Oil painting by artist Mickey Culver [email protected]
Culver's painting blends realism and abstraction, offering a unique visual experience. The foreground stripes make us respond to the piece as if it were abstract. The abstract effect is accentuated by the seemingly disconnected landscape to the left and right of the vehicle in the upper part of the painting.
However abstract this painting may seem, it is actually a realistic painting. It is an illusion on a highway. A mirage in which shimmering pools of water seem to cover the roadway far ahead. This mirage occurs when the air near the ground is much hotter than the air above it. This temperature gradient causes light rays to bend (refract) as they pass through layers of air at different temperatures, creating the appearance of water or a shimmering, blurry effect on the road. This is specifically called an 'inferior mirage', as the mirage appears below the actual object.
As artists, this painting may inspire us to look for unusual phenomena in the world around us that would create a dynamic and thought-provoking composition, challenge viewers' perceptions, and invite diverse interpretations.
Culver's painting blends realism and abstraction, offering a unique visual experience. The foreground stripes make us respond to the piece as if it were abstract. The abstract effect is accentuated by the seemingly disconnected landscape to the left and right of the vehicle in the upper part of the painting.
However abstract this painting may seem, it is actually a realistic painting. It is an illusion on a highway. A mirage in which shimmering pools of water seem to cover the roadway far ahead. This mirage occurs when the air near the ground is much hotter than the air above it. This temperature gradient causes light rays to bend (refract) as they pass through layers of air at different temperatures, creating the appearance of water or a shimmering, blurry effect on the road. This is specifically called an 'inferior mirage', as the mirage appears below the actual object.
As artists, this painting may inspire us to look for unusual phenomena in the world around us that would create a dynamic and thought-provoking composition, challenge viewers' perceptions, and invite diverse interpretations.
Visual Color Memory
Before I discuss the chart below, let's discuss visual color memory. Being able to create the exact color you want for a painting is a wonderful challenge and good skill to have. The first step is to know what colors you already have. And by "knowing" your color, I am saying can you see them in your mind without looking at them physically? You can probably see in your mind the difference between blue and red. But can you envision the more subtle difference between Cadmium Red Medium and Cadmium Red Light? When you look at the colors on your pallet, look at them with the intention of remembering what they look like. There's nothing special you have to do, just give the colors your attention for a moment and you will be committing them to your visual memory.
Make Your Own Color Chart
It can be helpful to make your own chart that has the colors you own. Next to each square of color, have the same color with some white added. That way you will see the pure color plus each color as a tint. Do this with each new color you buy to increase your visual vocabulary, and soon you will easily see in your mind, for example, the difference between Ultramarine Blue and Phthalo Blue. Or between Quinacridone Red and Quinacridone Magenta.
The Color Mixing Guide
The chart below (brought to my attention by one of the painters in my program) can help you, if you are new to color mixing. It shows all of the basic colors and what they look like mixed with each other. I found this chart to be very useful for my students. However, I must add one caveat. While the color mixtures are accurate on the chart, what the chart does not tell you is that there is a little bit of white added into each mixture of color. Nevertheless, I am recommending this chart as a very useful color matching aid. I believe it will help you on your journey to master full color matching.
Where to Buy
I found this chart on Blick Materials website for around $14. There are other cheaper charts that look similar, but they don’t have the same level of detail as this one.
Before I discuss the chart below, let's discuss visual color memory. Being able to create the exact color you want for a painting is a wonderful challenge and good skill to have. The first step is to know what colors you already have. And by "knowing" your color, I am saying can you see them in your mind without looking at them physically? You can probably see in your mind the difference between blue and red. But can you envision the more subtle difference between Cadmium Red Medium and Cadmium Red Light? When you look at the colors on your pallet, look at them with the intention of remembering what they look like. There's nothing special you have to do, just give the colors your attention for a moment and you will be committing them to your visual memory.
Make Your Own Color Chart
It can be helpful to make your own chart that has the colors you own. Next to each square of color, have the same color with some white added. That way you will see the pure color plus each color as a tint. Do this with each new color you buy to increase your visual vocabulary, and soon you will easily see in your mind, for example, the difference between Ultramarine Blue and Phthalo Blue. Or between Quinacridone Red and Quinacridone Magenta.
The Color Mixing Guide
The chart below (brought to my attention by one of the painters in my program) can help you, if you are new to color mixing. It shows all of the basic colors and what they look like mixed with each other. I found this chart to be very useful for my students. However, I must add one caveat. While the color mixtures are accurate on the chart, what the chart does not tell you is that there is a little bit of white added into each mixture of color. Nevertheless, I am recommending this chart as a very useful color matching aid. I believe it will help you on your journey to master full color matching.
Where to Buy
I found this chart on Blick Materials website for around $14. There are other cheaper charts that look similar, but they don’t have the same level of detail as this one.
Your Painting and Copyright Law
In my studio, I sometimes provide reference photos of paintings by other artists. But the images I provide are intended for educational purposes only. And copies painted of them are not meant to be sold or presented as your original works.
Can you paint a picture of another person’s painting?
Yes, but you cannot sell the painting. Or promote it in public/online as if it were your original idea.
Can you post your copied painting publicly online?
Yes, but:
1. You cannot offer it for sale.
2. You cannot sign it as if it were your original painting.
3. You must attribute the painting to the original artist and provide a link to the artist, if you know who it is. For example, you would specify in your post: “This is a study of a painting by Joe Smith at www.JoeSmith. com” If you want to be extra courteous, contact Joe Smith first and ask him if you can paint a copy of his painting.
If you are unaware of who the artist is, you could do a Google image search. And if you still cannot find who the artist is, then state in your post: "Image found on line, artist unknown."
Can you share images of your copied painting with friends?
Yes, but technically, you cannot sell it to them.
Can you give your copied painting away?
Yes. However, best practices would suggest that you credit the original artist, if you know who it is, on the back of the painting along with all the other important details of the piece, like the title, dimensions, and medium.
Can you paint a painting that is a dramatically altered version of another painter's painting?
Yes, if it is altered sufficiently. The criteria is that if you paint an alteration of say Joe Smith's painting, it shouldn’t look like any specific painting by Joe Smith. This is a gray area in copyright law, so I can’t say exactly how altered it must be from the original.
Can you paint in another artist's style?
Yes, an artist cannot own a style. Artists can only own specific physical or digital works. In other words, you could paint in Van Gogh’s style all you want and sign it as your own, but you could not paint a copy of any specific Van Gogh paintings and claim it as your own.
Are there copyright-free images to use as reference photos?
Yes, do a search for copyright-free photos and lots of options will come up.
Can you use AI-generated images as reference photos, which are cobbled together images of other artists artwork?
This is a new topic, and precise rulings have not been made yet about copyright ethics and AI-generated images.
In my studio, I sometimes provide reference photos of paintings by other artists. But the images I provide are intended for educational purposes only. And copies painted of them are not meant to be sold or presented as your original works.
Can you paint a picture of another person’s painting?
Yes, but you cannot sell the painting. Or promote it in public/online as if it were your original idea.
Can you post your copied painting publicly online?
Yes, but:
1. You cannot offer it for sale.
2. You cannot sign it as if it were your original painting.
3. You must attribute the painting to the original artist and provide a link to the artist, if you know who it is. For example, you would specify in your post: “This is a study of a painting by Joe Smith at www.JoeSmith. com” If you want to be extra courteous, contact Joe Smith first and ask him if you can paint a copy of his painting.
If you are unaware of who the artist is, you could do a Google image search. And if you still cannot find who the artist is, then state in your post: "Image found on line, artist unknown."
Can you share images of your copied painting with friends?
Yes, but technically, you cannot sell it to them.
Can you give your copied painting away?
Yes. However, best practices would suggest that you credit the original artist, if you know who it is, on the back of the painting along with all the other important details of the piece, like the title, dimensions, and medium.
Can you paint a painting that is a dramatically altered version of another painter's painting?
Yes, if it is altered sufficiently. The criteria is that if you paint an alteration of say Joe Smith's painting, it shouldn’t look like any specific painting by Joe Smith. This is a gray area in copyright law, so I can’t say exactly how altered it must be from the original.
Can you paint in another artist's style?
Yes, an artist cannot own a style. Artists can only own specific physical or digital works. In other words, you could paint in Van Gogh’s style all you want and sign it as your own, but you could not paint a copy of any specific Van Gogh paintings and claim it as your own.
Are there copyright-free images to use as reference photos?
Yes, do a search for copyright-free photos and lots of options will come up.
Can you use AI-generated images as reference photos, which are cobbled together images of other artists artwork?
This is a new topic, and precise rulings have not been made yet about copyright ethics and AI-generated images.
There is no universal standard for what a wall label should look like, or the information that it should contain. Art galleries and museums will have their own stylistic preferences. However, here is what a typical wall label may look like if you are making your own:
Label dimensions: 3” horizontal by 2” vertical
Font: New Time Roman, or Arial, or Aptos
Font size: 11 point
Label dimensions: 3” horizontal by 2” vertical
Font: New Time Roman, or Arial, or Aptos
Font size: 11 point
Here are the items your wall label must contain:
Title:
Artist:
Dimensions:
Medium:
Price:
Contact info:
About the Title
If your painting is from your own reference photo, then you can title it whatever you wish.
However, if your painting is a copy of someone else's painting that was found online, then it is not an entirely original work of yours because you are copying somebody else's work. In that case, your title should say:
"This is a copy of a painting found online, artist unknown.”
If you do know who the original artist is, then for the title you would say:
"This is a copy of a [Artist name here] painting"
Dimensions
Indicate the width first. The dimension is for the artwork only and does not include the frame.
Medium
Oil on canvas. Or Oil on board. Or whatever the medium is.
Price
You can have any price you want. There is no universal standard. But naturally, if you are new to painting you would price your work on the lower side.
If your painting is a copy of another artist’s work, you must put ‘NFS’ for the price. Because it is unethical to sell a painting that is a copy of another artist work. NFS means Not For Sale.
Your Contact Information
If you would like to be contacted about questions or for a possible sale, you must put your email address on the label. However, if you do not want to make your email address public then do not put it on the wall label.
Printing Your Wall Label
After printing your wall labels, draw a 2" x 3" box around it, then carefully cut it out with a blade or scissors. Make sure the cut lines are straight and cut carefully. You want your label to look professional.
Back of Painting Information
All of the information on your wall label, except for price, must also be permanently applied to the back of your painting. That way, people hanging your artwork can associate the information on your wall label with its specific painting. Do not use a felt tip pen to write on the back of a canvas because, over time, it may leach through to the front of the painting. I typically use a soft lead pencil. Write legibly, clearly, and dark enough so no one has to struggle to read it. The price is never included on the back of your painting because it can change.
Title:
Artist:
Dimensions:
Medium:
Price:
Contact info:
About the Title
If your painting is from your own reference photo, then you can title it whatever you wish.
However, if your painting is a copy of someone else's painting that was found online, then it is not an entirely original work of yours because you are copying somebody else's work. In that case, your title should say:
"This is a copy of a painting found online, artist unknown.”
If you do know who the original artist is, then for the title you would say:
"This is a copy of a [Artist name here] painting"
Dimensions
Indicate the width first. The dimension is for the artwork only and does not include the frame.
Medium
Oil on canvas. Or Oil on board. Or whatever the medium is.
Price
You can have any price you want. There is no universal standard. But naturally, if you are new to painting you would price your work on the lower side.
If your painting is a copy of another artist’s work, you must put ‘NFS’ for the price. Because it is unethical to sell a painting that is a copy of another artist work. NFS means Not For Sale.
Your Contact Information
If you would like to be contacted about questions or for a possible sale, you must put your email address on the label. However, if you do not want to make your email address public then do not put it on the wall label.
Printing Your Wall Label
After printing your wall labels, draw a 2" x 3" box around it, then carefully cut it out with a blade or scissors. Make sure the cut lines are straight and cut carefully. You want your label to look professional.
Back of Painting Information
All of the information on your wall label, except for price, must also be permanently applied to the back of your painting. That way, people hanging your artwork can associate the information on your wall label with its specific painting. Do not use a felt tip pen to write on the back of a canvas because, over time, it may leach through to the front of the painting. I typically use a soft lead pencil. Write legibly, clearly, and dark enough so no one has to struggle to read it. The price is never included on the back of your painting because it can change.
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