How To Shoot Your Own Reference Photos for Painting

See how effective taking the time to shoot your own reference photos can be. Explained are ways to set up photos with lighting and point of view to create reference photos that can be used to create intricated figurative paintings. Discussion with Art Prof Clara Lieu with Guest Artist Owen Rival. Guest Artist Owen Rival […]

Oct 2022 Winners

This video shows the results of the 2022 October Art Dare: social media makeover. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch. Prize Winner Ginger Medrano (USA)@gingercel “I decided to makeover my two Instagram accounts and my YouTube. For Instagram I actually ended up combining my accounts. When I posted both […]

December 2022: Artist Memes

Art Dare Prompt Create a meme on being an artist, art history, or contemporary art. tips Get specific! Display your inner art nerd, there’s a big difference (in our opinion) between “blue” and “pthalo blue.” Consider the typography, what font will you use? Does the text overlap with the image, or are they separate? Where […]

Fears as an Artist: How to Deal

There are so many fears when you’re an artist: will people like my art? Will my art get stolen online? What if I get cancelled as an artist? This video explains how to overcome these inevitable fears so that they don’t get in the way of our studio practice. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara […]

Drawing a Male Torso & Portrait in Soft Pastel

See step by step how to draw a male portrait in soft pastel and quick torso drawings with Clip Studio Paint. Techniques covered include how to block on the beginning of the drawing, how to emphasize lighting, and how to address color. Demo by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster. Video Walkthrough […]

How to Edit Instagram Reels

Learn editing tricks for how Instagram Reels that will capture a viewer’s attention. Overall approaches about how to hook an audience, piquing their curiosity, and how to learn editing are discussed. Techniques for editing that are discussed include transitions, masks, using split screens, adding stickers and text. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and […]

Sept 2022 Winners

This video shows the results of the 2022 September Art Dare: transform a celebrity into a monster. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster. Prize Winner Janet Hebert (USA)@firesoul_19 “A year ago when Art Prof did the original celebrity monster streams, Deepti made a silly face and invited us to […]

BFA Art School Portfolio Critique

Art Prof Clara Lieu critiques an art school portfolio by high school student Natalia Alvarez, providing a detailed critique of the overall portfolio, followed by critiques for each individual artwork. Prof Lieu highlights what aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are working well, and recommends concrete strategies for how to make progress. Featured Artist […]

November 2022: The Artist Muse

Art Dare Prompt Create an artwork based on a reference photos of Ken, long time RISD artist model. Reference Photos Portraits of Ken Torso poses of Ken Timed Drawing Videos 2-10 min. torsos of Ken 5 min. portraits of Ken 10 min. torsos of Ken tips Consider how dramatically will you depart from the reference […]

Which MFA Programs Should I Apply To?

There are so many MFA programs out there, how can you make decisions about where to apply? While it’s understandable that many MFA candidates want to apply to the top programs, there are many other options out there that could be a much better fit to your goals as an artist. Video Walkthrough MFA Programs […]

Expressive Drawing TRACK: Lesson 5, 3D References

Prompt Creating the 3D Reference Examples Tal, JenK, Helen Lighting the 3D Reference Photographing the 3D Reference tips Inspiration Alexander Ross, Andrew Raftery, Will Cotton Thumbnail Sketches Final Drawing drawing media Highlights Lighting can be a powerful visual tool in art! This video gets down to the nuts and bolts of how lighting works in […]

Expressive Drawing TRACK: Lesson 4, Ghosts

Prompt Examples Tal, Lakshana, Dhritika, JenK Dictionary Definition Inspiration William Blake, Ghostbusters, Gustave Doré, Michael Mazur, Dadu Shin, John Doyle, Princess Mononoke, Yūrei in Japanese folklore Brainstorming Thumbnail Sketches Reference Photos tips Narrative drawing media & paper Elements of Art: Shape This video explains SHAPE, one of the Elements of Art. Shape can be a powerful […]

Complete Guide to Selling Your Art

Table of Contents online shops merch finances Video printS CATALOGS events Galleries INstagram Digital Files Commissions Crowdfunding Miscellaneous Etsy Etsy “Etsy is an online marketplace catering to craft sellers and artists. Etsy easy to use, affordable, and has a huge base of potential customers. I always recommend Etsy as a good place to start before […]

How to Publish a Graphic Novel

See step by step, how to write, illustrate and publish a graphic novel from beginning to end. This video explains how to develop a graphic novel idea, how to pitch to publishers and agents, research images and reference photos as the preliminary process. Shown is the process for creating thumbnail sketches, compose panels and layouts, […]

Workshop: Selling Your Art

In this 2 week workshop, take a deep dive into strategies for selling your artwork online or in person. Whether you are just starting, or a seasoned seller, this workshop will meet where you are at provide customized feedback. Watch a Sample Workshop “I really love that we get the week afterwards to continue to […]

Does Your Art Disappoint you?

Often our artwork disappoints us, it doesn’t live up to our expectations or standards that we are looking to fulfill. Hear concrete strategies for how to stay patient with your development as an artist and how to deal with the inevitable frustration you will have with your artwork. Discussion by Art Prof Clara Lieu and […]

MFA Application & Portfolio Advice

RISD Graduate Printmaking Professor Andrew Raftery speaks to Art Prof Clara Lieu, providing advice on how to prepare an MFA application. They discuss the portfolio, writing the artist statement, getting letters of recommendation, when to attend, and more. Raftery regularly reviews MFA applications for the RISD MFA Printmaking program and shares insights based on those […]

How to Start & Grow an ART YouTube Channel

Get concrete tips and strategies for how to start and develop an art YouTube channel. Hear about how to harness your artistic skills to create a lively and engaged channel through various forms of content. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster. Video Walkthrough Software mentioned YouTube channels mentioned Prof […]

Expressive Drawing TRACK: Lesson 3, X-Ray Vision Spaces

Prompt Create a drawing that captures the personality a portion of an interior or exterior space. Pretend you have X-ray vision so you can see through objects and emphasize where they overlap and interact. Examples JenK, Helen Draw from Life Inspiration Prof Lieu Reference Photos Or, you can draw from photos, preferably from photos you […]

August 2022 Winners

This video shows the results of the 2022 August Art Dare: creating an artwork based on an object found during a nature walk. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster. Prize Winner Ana Wieder-Blank (USA)@anawiederblank “I started collecting walking sticks during hikes at Byrdcliffe Artist Residency. I painted them to […]

October 2022: Social Media Makeover

Art Dare Prompt Make over one of your social media sites. Or, start a new social media site from scratch! This includes: Instagram, YouTube, Tik Tok, website. Observation Exercise Look at your Instagram feed as usual, and take notes on how you interact with the posts. Note which posts you swipe past. Are there any […]

Do Artists Need to Show Their Face?

Showing your face on social media can be really effective to cultivate a following online. However, many people are nervous and / or intimidated about showing their faces, and unsure how to go about taking photos of themselves that will serve their needs. Get tips on how to shoot selfies and edit them to use […]

Expressive Drawing TRACK: Lesson 2, Touch Portraits

Prompt Hand movements Examples Tal, Dhritika, Helen, Aoun Scale Inspiration Prof Lieu Start Tips Inspiration Frank Auerbach, Diane Victor, Alberto Giacometti, Max Beckmann Physical pressure Skull Structure drawing media Artistic Anatomy Lecture: The Face This video explains how to the structure of the head and neck are organized. All of the major bony landmarks are […]

Will AI Art Ruin Artists?

AI art has the potential to dramatically change the art world, but will AI’s impact be destructive for artists and their careers? Or will AI simply be another tool employed by artists? This video discusses an AI artwork by Jason Allen that won an award in a Colorado State Fair, and the implications that has […]

Expressive Drawing TRACK: Lesson 1, Moving Figures

Prompt Inspiration Prof Lieu Start Examples Taru Kortelainen, Nyree B., Manette Eaton, Helen Cook, Yulia S, Truc-Ha Duong Objectives Observe yourself Recommended Videos You draw from any video you like that shows movement in slow motion. Or, you can use these videos below. These videos were selected because the figures are not cropped and the […]

Workshops for Self-Taught Artists

Get your motivation back and boost your skills quickly! Even after watching 20 videos, you still have so many questions. Our workshops drop professional answers into your lap. “As a complete beginner, I felt very welcome and supported.” Feedback in a workshop fixes your chronic problems quickly. With our support you’ll know what to do […]

Statement Editing

Whether you are applying to a degree program, preparing an artist statement for an exhibition or residency, these statements are critical parts of your application that many artists underestimate. 2 Edit Option Buy Now Questions? Email Prof Lieu. $499 1 editLimit 1000 words3 business days $699 2 edits Limit 1000 words3 business days

Portrait Painting in Acrylic

This is a comprehensive portrait painting demo showing acrylic painting techniques. Explained are how to capture the structure and personality of the face, how to layer and build up colors through opaque and transparent glazes. Brush techniques are shown to achieve a diversity of strokes and direction. Demo by Art Prof Clara Lieu. Video Walkthrough […]

Children’s Book Illustration Portfolio Critique

This video is a critique of a children’s book illustration portfolio by Mary Ryazantseva. Aspects of the entire portfolio and artworks are identified, and recommendations for concrete strategies for how to make progress are made. Critique led by Teaching Artist Alex Rowe. Featured Artist Mary Ryazantseva “I am an illustrator of children’s books for over […]

July 2022 Winners

This video shows the results of the 2022 July Art Dare: creating a new version of an old artwork. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster. Prize Winner JaVon Townsend (USA)@javonmakesart “In 2020, a friend suggested I create a Patreon account to support my efforts to create joyful children’s books […]

Expressive Drawing Track

Drawing is more than fundamentals, it is an interpretation of the world through your lens as an artist. A drawing is capable of stimulating a visceral feeling, impacting the viewer emotionally, pique your curiosity, and more. Lesson 1 • Lesson 2 • Lesson 3Lesson 4 • Lesson 5 • Lesson 6 This track will broaden […]

September 2022: Celebs as Monsters

Art Dare Prompt Choose a celebrity. Portray the celebrity as a monster. Dictionary definition Art Dare Leap Choose 4 celebrities to draw. Get started! In our Discord, we have an #art-dares channel where you can post your works in progress, and get feedback and support throughout the month. People in this channel provide motivation and accountability […]