Human Touches
See the 30 winners of our 21st Annual Art Competition and take inspiration from the artists' stories.
By Jenny Wohlfarth

The Winning Edge
What makes a winner? Go behind the scenes of the competition and discover what the jurors were looking for.
By Sandra Carpenter

The Perfect Stroke
Whether you paint in oils or watercolors, these three calligraphic strokes can add visual direction and unity to your paintings.
By Woon Lam Ng

Two Is Better Than One
Sharpen your skills and free your imagination by alternating your media and your subject matter.
By Iva Morris

Special Section: To Preserve and Protect
Make sure your art can stand the test of time with this handy guide to varnishes.
By Maureen Bloomfield and Val Hunt

Artistic Giving
Stock your favorite artist's studio with these 15 great gifts.
By Lisa Wurster

Columns

Brushing Up
Linear perspective is nothing new. See how the masters used it and what it can do for your work.
By Butch Kreiger

Color Corner
Tried-and-true strategies for mixing clear colors.
By Nita Leland

The Drawing Board
Why a quick value study can mean the difference between good art and great art.
By Phil Metzger

Art Clinic
Learn how to combine the seemingly opposite concepts of unity and diversity for fabulous florals.
By Jane Jones

Business
Protect yourself and your art with these 10 must-have sections in your gallery contract.
By Jason A. Aquilino, Esq.

Master Class
René Magritte shows us how to get viewers to look beyond the obvious and ask the difficult questions.
By Tina Tammaro

Departments

• Dialogue
• The Artist's Life: Promoting world peace through art, a new book on color, art society winners and more.
• 2005 Art Competition
• Technical Q&A: Proper conditions for your studio, the lowdown on copal medium, and why ground layers are so important.
• Art News