The Blog | ART SECRETS STUDIO

2 min read

What You Have to Know about Oiling Out with Oil Painting: Chris Answers Questions

Preserve your oil paintings. Learn how to clean surfaces, manage drying times based on humidity, and choose varnishes, for longevity of art.

3 min read

Lumograph (Blue) and Faber-Castell (Green): Which Pencil is for Me?

Explore the world of art supplies, from Staedtler vs. Faber-Castell pencils to the importance of sharpeners and mechanical pencils.

2 min read

The Power of Protecting Transparent Colors for Depth and Beauty

One of the most crucial aspects of oil painting is layering. Each layer is important and impacts the result in terms of color intensity.

3 min read

Capturing Mood: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Expressive Charcoal Drawings

Discover the art of capturing mood with charcoal! Step-by-step guide on creating expressive charcoal paintings & conveying emotion.

2 min read

Destroying the Shape: A Look at Sargent's Unique Painting Technique

Sargent destroys shapes, forces us to look beyond the obvious, & trains our eye to see the beauty in chaos.

2 min read

Transparent Color in Painting: Don't Lose Your Story by Only Focusing on Your Brushstroke

Explore the magic of mark-making & texture in painting! Learn from masters like Cassatt & Sargent and experiment with color & mediums.

2 min read

My Favorite Art Books: The Power of Loomis' "Creative Illustration" and Ray Smith's "Perspective Drawing" Gombrich's "The Story of Art".

Chris discusses Loomis' "Creative Illustration" & Ray Smith's "Drawing is..." highlighting their significance in understanding art principle

2 min read

Drawing DIY Hack: Why I Prefer MDF Over Traditional Drawing Boards

Discovering MDF as the perfect alternative to traditional drawing boards, offering a healthier, safer, and customizable solution for artist.

2 min read

Unlocking the Power of Light and Use of Lines: Halftone & Notan are Essential Takeaways for Artists

Learn how halftones, notan & light quality shape stories & moods in drawings. Every stroke counts!

2 min read

The Art of Storytelling: How to Guide Your Viewer's Eye with Found Edges

Master the art of storytelling in painting by using 'found edges' to guide the viewer's eye & create visual flow.