The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics
Cosmographia β€’ 1098 implied HN points β€’ 15 Apr 24
  1. Love can be described in various forms through art, literature, and quotes. These expressions often capture the essence of deep emotions and connections.
  2. Famous writers and artists have beautifully conveyed the power and complexity of love through their work, offering insights into human relationships and sentiments.
  3. Love is portrayed as a force that transcends time and circumstance, exhibiting qualities of passion, devotion, and steadfastness.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 6099 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
  1. Japanese animation made a significant impact at the Oscars when 'Spirited Away' won in 2003, marking the full acceptance of Japanese animation into Hollywood's mainstream.
  2. Koji Yamamura's film 'Mt. Head' brought Japanese independent animation into the spotlight, showcasing a unique style and storytelling approach that influenced a new generation of animators globally.
  3. The animation world mourned the passing of Akira Toriyama, a legendary manga artist known for 'Dragon Ball,' whose work has had a lasting impact on global animation and storytelling.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 10943 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 24
  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.
Patti Smith β€’ 14996 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  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.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
The Shift With Sam Baker β€’ 619 implied HN points β€’ 11 Apr 24
  1. Helen Garner values human contact gaze over the erotic gaze in her work and conversations.
  2. Helen Garner, a respected Australian novelist at 81, is finally gaining recognition worldwide for her 13 books.
  3. Garner shares personal stories about her relationships with family members, highlighting the complexities and changes that come with age and life experiences.
The Honest Broker β€’ 8145 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. It's Open Mic Day at The Honest Broker, a chance for people to share their projects and plans.
  2. The community is encouraged to talk about their creative endeavors, business launches, non-profit work, or anything they need to publicize.
  3. The focus is on supporting each other and spreading the word about various projects and initiatives.
Cosmographia β€’ 1198 implied HN points β€’ 01 Apr 24
  1. Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple, remains a mystery in terms of its origins, being built with 1 million stones weighing 100kg each.
  2. The temple's construction in a Hindu area, far from Buddhist thought, and its sudden decline after completion add to the curiosity surrounding its purpose.
  3. Borobudur's significance goes beyond its structure, shedding light on the ancient Javanese society, their resources, and devotion to a peaceful philosophy.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 4215 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 24
  1. 'Catnapped' is a unique and imaginative anime feature that is often underrated but holds a special place among fans.
  2. Director Takashi Nakamura's journey from being a core animator on 'Akira' to directing his own films like 'Catnapped' showcases his evolution as an artist with a distinct visual style.
  3. The making of 'Catnapped' involved a team of talented animators, art director, and composer who brought Nakamura's creative vision to life, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in animated filmmaking.
Patti Smith β€’ 10554 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
  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.
Patti Smith β€’ 6387 implied HN points β€’ 08 Feb 24
  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
Animation Obsessive β€’ 4574 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
  1. The animated film 'Moremi' tells a sci-fi version of the Nigerian Moremi Ajasoro tales, using a unique mix of 2D and 3D animation.
  2. Director Shofela Coker and art director Wian van Bergen collaborated to maintain a visually rich aesthetic, blending Nigerian motifs and traditional painting techniques into the film.
  3. The film's unique visual style was achieved through a custom compositing workflow, blending 3D characters with 2D backgrounds seamlessly, along with incorporating striking neon 2D special effects.
Webworm with David Farrier β€’ 10299 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jan 24
  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.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 4126 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
  1. Art Babbitt, a renowned animator, considered his best work to be an animation sequence in a lesser-known UPA cartoon called 'Grizzly Golfer'.
  2. Babbitt's animation style for the bear chase scene was a blend of Disney's fluidity and UPA's limited animation approach, showcasing his technical skill and creativity.
  3. The UPA animation style, including 'limited animation,' was a deliberate artistic choice that differed from Disney's constant motion approach, providing a unique aesthetic to animated scenes.
50 Years of Text Games β€’ 2888 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 24
  1. Merchandise such as posters, t-shirts, and maps for classic text games are now available for purchase on Redbubble.
  2. A revised and expanded edition of Further Explorations, a companion to 50 Years of Text Games, will soon be released for standalone purchase, featuring extra material and content.
  3. The newsletter platform Substack has faced controversy for allowing the publishing of objectionable content, prompting authors like Aaron A. Reed to consider switching platforms in the future.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 5471 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
  1. Background painter Nizo Yamamoto rose to prominence in Japanese animation industry and played a key role in iconic films.
  2. Yamamoto's journey into animation industry was filled with twists and turns, from attending vocational high school to becoming an art director.
  3. Animating for documentaries involves speed, character design, and efficient teamwork, as seen in the making of 'May the Lord Watch'.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 7175 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
  1. Animation masterpieces can be created on limited budgets, showcasing that money doesn't guarantee a great film.
  2. Artistry, vision, and talent are key to creating successful animated projects, sometimes taking risks can lead to unique and impactful films.
  3. Japanese anime industry often achieves expressive movement with small budgets, emphasizing creativity over financial resources.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 6189 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
  1. The film 'Funny Birds' is a remarkable CΓ©sar nominee with rich realism and attention to detail.
  2. The creation of 'Funny Birds' involved deep research, natural sound recordings, and a documentary-like approach.
  3. The animation process of 'Funny Birds' focused on capturing spontaneous energy and specific performances from real-life sounds.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss β€’ 1729 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 24
  1. Matti Friedman is a well-known nonfiction writer, reporter, and columnist, whose work delves into Israeli history and identity.
  2. His song 'Canaan' captures the dark and existential realities of the ongoing war, challenging the notion of reaching a promised land and questioning the concept of homeland.
  3. Shaban's songs, like 'Canaan' and 'A Practice Run for Waking Up,' seem to foreshadow Israeli conflicts, evoking deep emotions for those directly involved in the war.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 3318 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. During the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, animators faced challenges adapting to life under capitalism with reduced state funding and support.
  2. Some animators, like Yuri Norstein and Priit PΓ€rn, expressed struggles and concerns about the impact of financial censorship in the capitalist system on their artistic work.
  3. Countries like Estonia benefited from renewed state support for artists, resulting in a thriving animation community that continues to produce award-winning films.
Cosmographia β€’ 1557 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 24
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notebook series on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography related to specific places.
  2. This post is for paid subscribers of Cosmographia, offering exclusive content for those who have subscribed.
  3. Samantha Childress, an American essayist living in Amman, Jordan, wrote a guest post featured in this publication.
Cybernetic Forests β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 24
  1. Gaussian Pop music is generated by AI models prompted by user searches, aimed to reduce streaming service costs and drive profits through listener engagement.
  2. Gaussian Pop creates music that satisfies the urge to consume quickly and easily, tailored for inattentiveness and quick skips.
  3. The rise of Gaussian Pop represents a shift in music consumption towards AI-generated content, leading to concerns about economic impacts on musicians and the potential alienation of shared music experiences.
Patti Smith β€’ 18121 implied HN points β€’ 23 Sep 23
  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.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 986 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
  1. The post discusses the art of animated titles during the mid-century era, particularly focusing on the animated movie titles of that time.
  2. The newsletter references Saul Bass's title sequence for Bonjour Tristesse (1958) and how it inspired elements seen in modern films like Pixar's The Incredibles.
  3. There's an invitation to subscribe to the Animation Obsessive newsletter for a 7-day free trial to access more content on animated titles and their history.
Animation Obsessive β€’ 1614 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 24
  1. Reiko Okuyama was a legendary Japanese animator who played a significant role in the early days of modern Japanese animation.
  2. Okuyama's career spanned years and she contributed to Studio Gh...
  3. To learn more about Reiko Okuyama and her artistry, consider subscribing to Animation Obsessive for a 7-day free trial.
Cosmographia β€’ 1697 implied HN points β€’ 25 Feb 24
  1. The post is titled 'The Ring of Fire' and is part of the Atlas' Notebook series on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography related to a specific place.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content for those who have subscribed.
  3. The author of the post is M. E. Rothwell, and it was published on February 25, 2024, with a link to their profile for further exploration.