Gesture Drawing of Animals: Colored Pencil & Photoshop

This video shows how to do quick gesture drawings of animals, using Eadweard Muybridge’s book, Animals in Motion, as a reference to show believable action and movement. Technique explored in this video are how to capture the most important essentials of the animal as quickly as possible, while creating a compelling sense of structure and […]

Animation Portfolio Critique

This video provides an overview of an animation portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual animated piece. Fundamental concepts in animation, such as timing, sequence, pacing, and more are explained to critique the animation in this portfolio Critique led by Teaching Artist Deepti Menon, animation portfolio by Hadas Rosen. Featured Artist Hadas Rosen “I’ve always […]

Painting Portfolio Critique

This video is a critique of a figurative painting & still life portfolio by Crystal Tranquilino. Aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are identified, and recommendations for concrete strategies for how to make progress are made. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Alex Rowe. Featured Artist Crystal Tranquilino “I am […]

May 2021 Winners

This video shows the results of the 2021 May Art Dare: “Abstract Art à la Carte,” where participants were asked to pick 1 tool + 1 surface + 1 shape and create abstract artworks from your own visual “menu.” Experimentation with surfaces, shapes and tools were encouraged for abstract art making. Discussion led by Art […]

MFA Graphic Design Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of art art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching […]

MFA Sculpture Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of art art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Topics discussed include aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

This video provides a critique of art art school portfolio, starting with an overview of the portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, art school portfolio by Labiba Zaman. Featured Artist Labiba Zaman “I am a 17 year old Bengali-American Muslim woman who has graduated high school […]

Manga Books

Horror Manga Human Chair, Junji Ito Remina, Junji ItoShiver, Junji ItoSmashed, Junji ItoTomie, Junji ItoVenus in the Blind Spot, Junji ItoDrifting Classroom, Kazuo UmezuThe Enigma of Amigara Fault, Junji Ito Uzumaki, Junji Ito Mystery Manga Case Closed, Gosho AoyamaErased, Kei SanbeMonster, Naoki Urasawa Osamu Tezuka Astro Boy, Osamu TezukaBlack Jack, Osamu TezukaBuddha, Osamu TezukaOde to […]

Comic Books

Asterios Polyp, David MazzucchelliMy Favorite Thing is Monsters, Emil FerrisSafari Honeymoon, Jesse JacobsBone, Jeff SmithContract with God Trilogy, Will EisnerJimmy Corrigan, Chris WareThis One Summer, Jillian & Mariko TamakiLove and Rockets, Jaime HernandezI Never Liked You, Chester BrownThe Incal, Alejandro JodorowskyDeath of Speedy, Jaime HernandezDracula, Alberto BrecciaThe Zabime Sisters, AristophoneThe Shark King, R. Kikuo JohnsonNight […]

How to Books

Animation • Children’s Books • Comics • Drawing Painting • Photography • Printmaking • Sculpture Animation Books for Children Comics & Cartoons Drawing Painting Photography Printmaking Sculpture As a free educational source, Art Prof uses Amazon affiliate links (found in this page) to help pay the bills. This means, Art Prof earns from qualifying purchases.

Sculpting a Foot in Oil Based Clay 2

Part 2: This video demonstrates how to sculpt a small scale foot using plastilene, an oil based clay that is flexible and safe for home art studios. Working from custom reference photos for the sculpture, techniques such as how to build up the base and structure of the sculpture and articulate the skeletal structure are […]

2500 Drawing Challenge

This is the art challenge if you want to level up your figure drawing skills! The 2500 Drawing Challenge consist of drawing 1000 heads, 500 arms (including hands), 500 legs (including feet), 250 hands, and 250 feet. This video provides tips for how to complete the challenge, and the many benefits and skills you will […]

Jam Cookies in Soft Pastel

This video demonstrates how to illustrate a plate of cookies using soft pastel. Starting with a quick thumbnail sketch, decisions about composition, creating depth and emphasis are discussed. Techniques shown in soft pastel include how to layer colors, how to create gradients and blend to get specific colors, and how to create a balance of […]

Instagram Tips & Critique

This video provides specific, concrete tips for increasing your growth as an artist on Instagram, by navigating through 2 artist Instagram accounts. Identifying aspects such as the photographs, text captions, the flow and diversity of content are all important in evaluating the effectiveness of an artist’s Instagram. Discussion led by Prof Lieu, who critiques Instagram […]

Acryl Gouache & Watercolor Pencils: Mountains

This video demonstrates how to paint a mountain landscape using acryl gouache and watercolor pencils. Techniques for creating a convincing sense of depth and atmosphere in the landscape such as atmospheric perspective and brush work are explained and shown. Demo led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Alex Rowe. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s […]

Sculpting a Foot in Oil Based Clay

This two part series demonstrates from beginning to end how to sculpt a small scale foot without using a wire armature. The clay used in this series is plastilene, an oil based clay that is flexible and safe for home art studios.  Working from custom reference photos that were shot specifically for the sculpture from […]

Contracts & Invoices for Artists

How do you know if a contract you received as an artist is fair? This video addresses how to spot red flags in contracts when doing freelance work, commissions, and more as an artist. You’ll learn how to negotiate terms in your creative projects that won’t let companies and clients take advantage of you! Discussion […]

“Bad” Abstract Painting Compositions

What is a “bad” abstract composition? This video shows a broad range of abstract paintings, and the opinions of several artists as to why the compositions are effective or not. The opinion of each artist on the abstract composition then stimulates a discussion on why a specific abstract composition is successful or not. Discussion led […]

Business Curriculum

The complete Business Curriculum for Self-taught Artists is a series of 2 videos. The Curriculum’s document is a complementary resource for both videos. Business Part 1 Business Part 2

Is it Wrong to Make Fan Art?

Fan Art is often where many young artists begin, but there’s a time and place for it, and inevitably copyright issues and ownership make it a more complicated subject. Read high school student Iris Yip’s short article on the subject or watch Art Prof’s in depth video with Teaching Artists Cat Huang and Jordan McCracken-Foster. […]

Abstract Acrylic Painting Compositions with Collage

See how to begin and develop an abstract painting composition with acrylic paints, starting with collage as a prompt,  from beginning to end. This video demos the process of how to come up with an idea for an abstract painting, determining the tools and techniques to be used, and how to layer and push the […]

How to Start Exhibiting Your Art

First steps This video provides all the info you need to start exhibiting your artwork in galleries and other venues. There are a wide range of opportunities for artists, but you need to do the research to figure out what exhibition venue is the best fit for you! You can try juried exhibitions, you can […]

Balancing a Website with Instagram

This video provides tips on how an artist can balance their artwork on their Instagram and website, in a way that maximizes each platform and complements the other at the same time. Artist Tina Figarelli’s website and Instagram are featured as an example of how content can be organized, presented, and delivered within the context […]

Artistic Anatomy Lecture: Upper Back Muscles

This explains the most important muscles on the upper back torso of the figure for artists to be able to draw and recognize. Muscles covered include the deltoid, latissimus dorsi, teres major, infraspinatus, and the trapezius. The relationship of these muscles to the bony landmarks, how they overlap on top of each other is covered […]

Digital Illustration Portfolio Critique

This video critiques a digital illustration portfolio by Bryan Voell. Topics explored in this video include achieving a broader range of textures in digital media, how to push the full potential of what a background can offer, artwork titles, and the potential for integrating text into the images. Featured Artist Bryan Voell “I am an […]

Should I Get an MFA?

A lot of the decision is based on a number of factors, is enrolling in an MFA program worth the time and cost? Do this first! This video addresses the many reasons why people attend MFA programs and weighs the pros and cons. Do you want to get an MFA in order to be eligible […]

Drawing Celebs as Monsters in Oil Pastel & Procreate

Draw a celebrity and transform them into a monster! Techniques in Procreate and oil pastel + colored pencil are shown here as a means to illustrating these monster portraits, and approaches to distortion, drawing a range of textures and forms are explained. Demo led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Deepti Menon. Video […]

Instagram Tips & Critique

This video provides specific, concrete tips for increasing your growth as an artist on Instagram, by navigating through 2 artist Instagram accounts. Identifying aspects such as the photographs, text captions, the flow and diversity of content are all important in evaluating the effectiveness of an artist’s Instagram. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, who […]

Abstract Acrylic Painting Prompts

This video demos exciting painting prompts to get you started creating abstract paintings in acrylic, using a wide range of techniques and tools for creating abstract paintings in acrylic paint. These prompts are a great way to jump start your process so you can get moving with your paintings. Demo by Art Prof Clara Lieu. […]

Elements of Art: Texture in 3D

Texture is one of the Elements of Art that is readily seen in 3D artworks. Materials, surfaces in 3D artworks vary tremendously and contribute towards the character of an artwork. This video provides examples of contemporary art and images from art history where texture plays an integral role. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu […]

Top 5 Figure Drawing Mistakes!

Avoid these mistakes when drawing the human figure: tracing the outline, drawing too dark too soon, leaving the hands and feet to the last minute and more. See these mistakes demonstrated, and followed up with more effective and efficient techniques for drawing the figure. using stills from Eadweard Muybridge’s book The Human Figure in Action. […]

Budget Framing Options for Artists

Explore options for framing and hanging your artwork in an exhibition on a budget! This video provides many cheap options for installing artwork other than custom framing. Formats like plexiglass + L pins, push pins and clips can all be used for a clean, professional presentation. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching […]