The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Imitation Games

Counter Craft • 433 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Contemporary Art Art Theory Digital Art Art Criticism Visual Culture
  1. AI art can imitate famous styles, but it often lacks originality and creativity. Just copying styles doesn't make it as good as the original.
  2. People unfamiliar with art may prefer simple or amateur pieces over professional ones. Knowing more about art can help us appreciate it better.
  3. The value of art comes from creativity and effort, not just the ability to copy. Real art involves developing unique styles and perspectives.

The Six Million Dollar Banana

The Ruffian • 196 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Contemporary Art Conceptual Art Art market
  1. Conceptual art can be surprising and even absurd, like the banana taped to a wall that sold for millions. It makes people talk and think about what art really is.
  2. Artists like Maurizio Cattelan use controversy to gain attention and increase their art's value. They want people to react, whether it's outrage or curiosity.
  3. This kind of art blurs the line between art and commerce, showing how public reactions can actually become part of the artwork itself.

Animating Out of Spite

Animation Obsessive • 8700 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Cultural Commentary Visual Arts
  1. Fyodor Khitruk created a 50-second animated film called Othello-67 as a response to a contest requirement that frustrated him. It humorously condenses Shakespeare's play into a fast-paced experience.
  2. The film critiques the idea of simplifying complex art into quick bites, showing that lots of meaning can still fit into a short time frame.
  3. Despite being a small part of Khitruk's body of work, Othello-67 stands out for its creativity and humor, proving that even short animations can leave a lasting impact.

AI Art Turing Test

Astral Codex Ten • 10048 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art AI Art Visual Culture Art Criticism
  1. There's an AI Art Turing Test happening, which is a fun way to see if you can tell the difference between AI-generated art and human-made art.
  2. Participants can take part by filling out a form, which takes about twenty minutes, and the results will be shared the following week.
  3. Don't peek at the comments until you're done with the test, as they might give away answers.

Domain Warping, Inverse Kinematics, and Iterations

Generative Arts Collective • 39 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Coding Generative Art Visual art Digital Media
  1. Learning how to create art from scratch lets you put your unique style into the work. It's about understanding the tools and processes involved in making something new.
  2. Art can express deeper meanings, even if the creator isn't consciously aware of them. It's interesting to think about the reasons behind the choices made in any artistic creation.
  3. Technology keeps evolving, especially in creative fields. New tools and techniques allow artists to explore and produce things that were previously not possible.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Definitive Handbook For Spotting AI Art

The Algorithmic Bridge • 254 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history AI Art Visual Culture Art Critique Creative Process
  1. Art has two layers: a visible surface like colors and shapes, and a hidden layer that includes history and culture. AI art usually lacks this deeper meaning.
  2. People often struggle to tell AI art from human-made art because they focus only on the surface. They can learn to spot AI art by asking if it has that deeper history and consistency.
  3. Human creativity is stronger because it connects to real experiences and truths. AI can mimic but it doesn't understand the world or the meaning behind art.

How I Pieced Together a Personal Style in Photography

In the Flash • 2238 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Visual Arts Creative Process Art history Personal style
  1. Developing a personal style in photography can take time and experimentation. It's normal to feel anxious about finding your unique voice.
  2. Originality in art comes from mixing ideas from different sources, not from trying to be completely unique. It's about remixing influences to create something new.
  3. Learning from other artists and styles can help shape your own work. It's okay to borrow elements that resonate with you to build your signature style.

Magnum Square Print Sale Announcement

In the Flash • 679 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Curation Visual Arts
  1. There's a special photo print sale happening called the Magnum Square Print Sale, featuring work from famous photographers. Prints start at $100 and there's a deadline coming up soon.
  2. One of the highlights is a photo of people enjoying time in NYC that captures the city's vibes after the pandemic. The photo reflects beauty and stillness amidst the busy city life.
  3. The sale's theme is 'Eden,' showcasing the beauty of our planet and the need to protect it. Diverse photography styles are represented, but the focus is mainly on documentary and portrait work.

What Didn't Get In

Animation Obsessive • 1614 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Illustration Art history Film
  1. Katsuhiro Otomo is well known for his detailed storyboards, and many of his early works are now available to view online for the first time.
  2. Mary Blair's seldom-seen artwork related to Disney films has been shared, showcasing her unique style and contribution.
  3. An interview with animator Tony White reveals more insights and stories from his work in animation, adding depth to understanding his projects.

How to get your art into museums

Science of Art • 418 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibitions Cultural Diversity
  1. Museums acquire art through buying, donations, and exchanges. It's not just about buying; they also consider gifts and bequests.
  2. Artists should align their work with a museum's mission. If their art matches a museum's goals, their chances of being noticed increase a lot.
  3. Networking is key for artists. By participating in events and connecting with art communities, artists can improve their visibility and create opportunities for themselves.

Ina Garten Portraits for the New Yorker

In the Flash • 1698 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Portraits Lifestyle Visual art Creative Process
  1. A photographer was advised to keep the shoot with Ina Garten simple and natural, avoiding anything unusual. This means sticking to natural light and straightforward setups.
  2. The photographer brought various tools for creativity but had to focus on a more minimalist approach as per the instructions.
  3. It's important in photography to balance creativity with the preferences of the subject or their team, ensuring everyone is comfortable.

Come See the Chair Show on Nov. 23

The American Peasant • 2036 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibitions Creative Process
  1. The Chair Show is happening on November 23, and it sounds like a fun event to see lots of interesting work.
  2. The person organizing the show prefers to sell their work directly rather than through a gallery, which often takes a large cut of the sales.
  3. They haven't shown their work in a gallery before, but they are excited about the opportunity and the social aspect of gallery shows.

For Paid Subscribers Only

The American Peasant • 1557 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Crafts Design Sculpture Painting Photography
  1. The first 100 Exeter hammers are on sale for $133 and come numbered. It's a great buy if you're into woodworking.
  2. You can learn more about the different types of hammers and their uses on the website provided. Knowing the right tool can really help your projects.
  3. Shipping for the hammers is free in the U.S., and you might want to check out the new T-shirts they offer too. It's a fun way to support a brand you like.

The Colorful Fever Dream of Djeneba Aduayom

In the Flash • 1039 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Contemporary Art Creative Process
  1. Djeneba Aduayom mixes color and black and white in her photography, choosing based on the story she wants to tell. This flexible approach helps her capture different feelings and interpretations.
  2. When dealing with creative burnout, she takes time to pause and reflect, engages in unrelated activities, and practices self-compassion. This process helps her recharge and reconnect with her creativity.
  3. Djeneba believes staying true to herself is the most important part of her art. Rather than following trends or fitting into categories, she focuses on creating work that reflects her unique experiences.

The comfort of drawing Batman

Austin Kleon • 2018 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Drawing Creativity Comics Cultural Commentary Personal Reflection
  1. Drawing can be a comforting activity, especially during times of boredom or stress. For some, like the author, drawing familiar characters like Batman brings joy.
  2. Airplane mode can enhance productivity because it eliminates distractions. This can turn a flight into a great opportunity to focus and create.
  3. Comfort work is any creative task you do when you don't know what else to tackle. It's nice to have simple activities, like drawing, to fall back on.

The genius of Caravaggio

Wrong Side of History • 441 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Artists Painting Cultural Theory Creative Expression
  1. Caravaggio was a very influential artist known for his unique style using light and dark contrasts. This technique is called 'chiaroscuro' and inspired many other artists and filmmakers.
  2. He had a tumultuous life, filled with fights and adventures, which sometimes got him into serious trouble, like killing a man in a duel. Despite his bold personality, he faced many struggles, especially in his early life.
  3. Caravaggio's paintings often portrayed religious themes but in a way that made them relatable to ordinary people. His work was not just beautiful; it also had a deep connection to the social and political issues of his time.

The Thursday Selects Edition

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Visual Arts Art history Contemporary Art
  1. Jason Charles is a winemaker and photographer, sharing his artistic work with others. It's great to see creative talents represented in different fields.
  2. The Thursday Selects Edition highlights the importance of visually breaking up text to keep readers engaged. Using images can make a post more interesting.
  3. Sharing guest contributions can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to a platform. It's a nice way to involve a community and showcase diverse talents.

Hanging out with Lenny Kaye

Patti Smith • 14996 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Movies Poetry Friendship
  1. Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye enjoyed a day together in the city, reminiscing about past performances and exploring the neighborhood.
  2. They watched the movie Poor Things in an old-fashioned theater, appreciating the cinematography and performances.
  3. Their friendship spans over half a century, highlighting the value of long-lasting friendships.

Drawing Eno

Austin Kleon • 1778 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Film Creativity Generative Art Documentary
  1. The documentary about Brian Eno is exciting and unique because it creates a different version every time it's shown. This encourages viewers to watch it in theaters for a fresh experience.
  2. It uses a special system called Brain One to generate the film. This system combines new interviews and personal clips from Eno’s archive, making each showing feel like a new story.
  3. The movie has interesting marketing advantages. Since every version is different, it gives people a reason to see it on the big screen instead of waiting for it to stream.

Processing: How David Small Illustrated and Wrote The Werewolf at Dusk

Counter Craft • 168 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Graphic novels Fiction Illustration Storytelling Visual Arts
  1. David Small creates art that shows big feelings and fears, often inspired by monster movies he loved as a kid. He relates to the giant creatures and uses them to express those feelings in his work.
  2. When deciding on colors and styles for his illustrations, he chooses what fits the mood of each story. For example, he picked bright colors for one story to match its lively vibe, while another used darker colors to create a more serious tone.
  3. Small emphasizes that in graphic novels, visuals are very important. Writers need to trust artists to bring their stories to life without over-directing them.

Writing on the wall of heaven

Patti Smith • 10554 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Handwriting Art
  1. The author reflects on the joy of learning penmanship and practicing handwriting with dipping pens and ink in school.
  2. The author's dream was to write like the authors of the Declaration of Independence and copied it line by line at different points in their life.
  3. The post celebrates National Handwriting Day and mentions a meditation on the importance and beauty of handwriting.

After Three Years, What's Left?

Animation Obsessive • 10943 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Newsletter Content creation
  1. The Animation Obsessive newsletter, even after three years, remains a small team passionate about sharing accessible stories on animation.
  2. Reader support has allowed the newsletter to grow into a full-fledged career, without ads or sponsorships with companies.
  3. The team highlights the continuous thrill of learning and discovering new aspects of animation, striving to keep delivering interesting content to their audience.

An Ocean of Pain and Death

Looking Through the Past • 178 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Visual Culture Cultural Commentary
  1. Ernst Friedrich's book 'War Against War!' aimed to show the harsh realities of war, pushing people to rethink their views on conflict. He believed that by confronting the true impacts of war, society could work towards lasting peace.
  2. Artists throughout history, like Goya and Picasso, have used their work to express the horrors of war, presenting it not as glorious but as tragic. Their art serves as a reminder of the suffering that war brings to individuals and communities.
  3. The anti-war art movement highlights the need to see the brutal consequences of conflict, encouraging people to think critically about war and its effects on humanity. Recognizing these realities can help prevent future wars.

A love Supreme

Patti Smith • 18121 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Music
  1. John Coltrane's music was a powerful force of love and creativity.
  2. For many, Coltrane symbolized spiritual seeking and artistic freedom in the 1960s.
  3. The impact of John Coltrane's music on individuals and their relationships is profound and lasting.

The Curious Case of the Pearl Jam Posters

Webworm with David Farrier • 10299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Artists Posters Compensation Design Creativity
  1. An artist was asked to make posters for a Pearl Jam tour but was offered an unusual form of payment.
  2. There were mixed reactions from artists who had similar deals with bands like Pearl Jam, with some feeling undervalued.
  3. The case raises questions about fair compensation for artists and the value of their work, sparking a conversation about artist payment standards.

Parma Return

Patti Smith • 13660 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature History Travel
  1. Patti Smith returned to Parma for a festival honoring Guiseppe Verdi and St. Francis.
  2. Loris Borghi, who previously presented an honorary doctorate to Patti Smith, passed away in 2018.
  3. Patti Smith's visit to Parma included exploring the town, sharing pictures, and a venue performance the next day.

A Time of Gifts

Patti Smith • 6387 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Visual art
  1. The post is the final installment of a series called The New Jerusalem
  2. The author discusses responding to difficult times with art, music, poetry, theater, dance, and film
  3. Patti Smith expresses appreciation for the engagement and shares an image of a youth with birds