Master Methods
Look to Renaissance materials, methods and subjects to expand your skill range and, perhaps, find your artistic passion.
By Koo Schadler

Lessons From Life
See how working with your subject in front of you can give you a better sense of your scene—and do wonders for your art.
By Marilyn Simandle with Jennifer Ball

European Visions
From Greece to Sweden, Europe is teeming with creativity. Take a journey across the Atlantic to find out what inspires these five artists.
By Sandra Carpenter

Competition Spotlight
2004 Art Competition finalist Sharon Knettell.

Explore the Possibilities
You owe it to your subject to discover its full potential before committing it to your surface with paint. Find out how a finished drawing and a color study will help.
By Pat Cook

Special Section: Survival of the Fittest
Oil paints are a naturally stable medium, but building a solid foundation beneath the paint layers makes a stronger and better painting.
By David Pyle

Columns Color Corner
How to create the eye color that captures the personality of your portrait subjects.
By Jean Pederson

The Drawing Board
Make your drawings more accurate by employing this simple mapping technique.
By Robert Barrett

Art Clinic
How sharpening your edges and strengthening contrast can help you fine-tune your center of interest.
By Wende Caporale

Business
Create an impressive Artist Portfolio to showcase your work and catch the attention of gallery owners.
By Kathy Gulrich

Master Class
Learn how a change of scenery and culture helped Paul Gauguin unleash his creativity.
By Martha Newfield

Departments

• Dialogue
• 2005 Cover Competition
• The Artist's Life: A theory on the woman behind Mona Lisa; a life-saving easel; Caravaggio's influence on the movies; and more.
• Tech Q&A: The safety of cobalt blue, and the effect of chlorinated water on your watercolors.
• Art News
• Materials Handbook: Videos for your art library; a new line of brushes; a spray to tighten your canvases; and more.