The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

In Flux with Robert Sahakyants

Animation Obsessive β€’ 1345 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Surrealism Psychedelic Artist biography
  1. Robert Sahakyants was an influential animator known for his surreal, psychedelic, and stream-of-consciousness style.
  2. He was unique in the Soviet animation scene for coming from Armenia and not the more common regions like Russia or Ukraine.
  3. Sahakyants creatively employed transformations in his work to create effects that were ahead of his time before the advent of computer animation.
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Spotlight: Space Artist Michael Najjar

Space Ambition β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 12 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Contemporary Art Visual Culture Digital Art
  1. Art can connect people to space science, making complex topics more relatable and exciting. It invites everyone to explore the wonders of the cosmos.
  2. Michael Najjar merges technology and art to visualize the future of space exploration. His works reflect both current scientific realities and imagined possibilities.
  3. Collaboration with scientists and engineers enriches his art, helping bridge the gap between public understanding and advanced technological concepts in space exploration.

What Would David Lynch Do? Unlearning Photography Rules, Part 1.

In the Flash β€’ 519 implied HN points β€’ 04 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Inspiration Creativity
  1. The author finds inspiration in pushing photography boundaries through Twin Peaks and David Lynch's work.
  2. Rewatching Twin Peaks for the third time intensified the author's inspiration rather than diminishing it.
  3. The author references David Lynch's ability to construct a unique, darkly comic reality that sets his work apart from others.

Hometown Heroes

HIDDEN.RSRCH β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. The Yankee logo has become an iconic symbol of New York City.
  2. Jay-Z referenced the Yankee hat in his 2009 song 'Empire State of Mind'.
  3. The enduring style of the Yankee logo has made it a popular fashion statement.

The Cartoon That Inspired 'Wander'

Animation Obsessive β€’ 1255 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Influence
  1. Professor Balthazar, a cartoon series from the former Yugoslavia, inspired Craig McCracken, the creator of The Powerpuff Girls.
  2. The series ran from 1967 to 1978 and made a significant impact by influencing popular modern animations.
  3. The episode discussed in this post sheds light on the link between older cartoons and the creative inspirations of modern animators.

Solo Exhibition in Philadelphia

Labor Intensive Art β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Artist Labor Abstract Memoir
  1. Tabitha Arnold's solo exhibition in Philadelphia at Swarthmore College's List Gallery includes unseen rugs and popular pieces like Whose Streets and Picket.
  2. The exhibit showcases 5 years of Arnold's textile work, featuring pieces from various residencies and highlighting themes of collective power and solidarity.
  3. The public reception and artist talk for the Workshop of the World exhibit will be held on January 25 at List Gallery, with the exhibit running from January 18 to February 25, 2024.

A union for illustrators | An interview with Rebecca Blake

On Looking β€’ 279 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative industry
  1. Labor unions for freelance artists play a crucial role in advocating for fair pay and improving labor conditions in the creative industry, especially in the face of emerging challenges like generative AI.
  2. The Graphic Artists Guild transitioned from a labor union to a trade association to better adapt to the changing freelance landscape and address the needs of a predominantly freelance workforce.
  3. Strong organization and collective action among designers and illustrators are essential for protecting copyrights, negotiating fair contracts, and advocating for the economic interests of creative professionals in a rapidly evolving industry.

Saul Steinberg at play

Austin Kleon β€’ 1338 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Cartoons Exhibitions Artists Art history
  1. Saul Steinberg was a unique artist who described himself as a 'writer who draws'. He inspired others to see art in new ways.
  2. His famous work, 'View of the World from 9th Avenue', is well-known and a great introduction to his style and ideas.
  3. Steinberg had a long history with 'The New Yorker' magazine, which showcases his diverse range of artistic styles and contributions.

#140 Design everywhere you look

Design Lobster β€’ 339 implied HN points β€’ 02 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Japanese manhole covers are beautifully designed with regional variations to tell local stories, sparking the phenomenon of "drainspotting."
  2. The Monobloc chair, mass-produced from plastic since the 70s, is both recognizable yet nondescript, symbolizing consumerism and plastic pollution.
  3. Design can become ubiquitous through accessibility and impact on low-income families, challenging perceptions of ecological impact.

London in Paint

Cosmographia β€’ 339 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Historical Art
  1. London in Paint offers a visual journey through the city's iconic landmarks captured by master artists like Canaletto and John MacVicar Anderson.
  2. Explore London through the brushstrokes of old masters, from cobblestone lanes to majestic bridges, in a series that transports you to the heart of the city.
  3. This post is exclusive for paid subscribers, featuring stunning paintings that evoke the essence and unique weather of London.

β€œMom, have you ever thought about being a stand-up comedian?”

Funny How: Letters to a Young Comedian β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Comedy Family Dreams
  1. The daughter encouraged her stay-at-home mom to pursue her dream of becoming a stand-up comedian.
  2. The mom received notes of encouragement in a water dispenser gift, which motivated her to start her comedy career.
  3. With support from family and friends, the mom successfully transitioned to becoming a professional comedian.

AI at the Intersection of Instinct, Intuition, and Feelings

Reality Studies β€’ 196 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Exhibition Artificial Intelligence Creativity Technology
  1. Human evolution involves more than just intelligence - instinct, intuition, and feelings play important roles.
  2. Artificial intelligence, specifically generative AI, is rapidly advancing and intertwining with human creativity.
  3. Questions arise about how AI affects human instinct, intuition, feelings, and the future of creativity.

Imitation Games

Counter Craft β€’ 542 implied HN points β€’ 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 simplest cut

Austin Kleon β€’ 1398 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jun 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Collage Creativity Visual art Mixed Media Art Techniques
  1. Making collages can help spark creativity when you're feeling stuck. It's a fun way to combine different ideas and get inspired.
  2. The 'Simplest Cut' is about making minimal changes for a big impact in your art. Sometimes, just a little twist can create something new and interesting.
  3. You can apply this idea to words too by mixing up headlines or phrases. It can lead to funny or clever results that tell a story.

The Terrible Loneliness of Genius

Wrong Side of History β€’ 427 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Artists Mental health Cultural influence
  1. Vincent van Gogh struggled with loneliness and mental health issues throughout his life. His passion for art often clashed with his personal struggles, causing him to feel isolated.
  2. Despite facing rejection and lack of recognition during his lifetime, Van Gogh created around 200 artworks while living in Arles. This period was productive but also led to his mental breakdown.
  3. Today, Van Gogh is celebrated as a brilliant artist with a significant legacy. His brother Theo's widow worked hard to promote Van Gogh's art after his death, helping to secure his place in art history.

Fold paper, make zines, take an art class!!!

vrk loves paper β€’ 239 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Zines Classes Design Drawing
  1. Taking art classes, like figure drawing, can significantly improve your skills and understanding of art. It's great to learn techniques hands-on with a teacher guiding you.
  2. Making zines can be a fun and creative way to express yourself. It's exciting to see your work shared and sold in stores, making it feel more official.
  3. Exploring new hobbies, like origami or paper crafts, can be a fun and fulfilling way to spend your time. It helps with relaxation and creativity, especially during festive seasons.

The Paschal Second

Opaque Hourglass β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Time
  1. Time is broken down into different seconds, minutes, and hours with unique characteristics and designations.
  2. The concept of the 'king second' and 'paschal second' involve intricate ideas about memory and the passing of time.
  3. The relationship between minutes, hours, and the passage of time is portrayed in a poetic and metaphorical manner.

There are no good right-wing artists

Becoming Noble β€’ 358 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Fine Art Education Religion
  1. Producing great art requires more than talent and opportunity; the necessary support systems have been declining over the past century.
  2. There is a significant difference in how left-wing and right-wing artists are educated and supported, affecting their ability to create impactful art.
  3. Great right-wing art needs to be viscerally beautiful, standing on its own merit and referencing universal truths that our current age may suppress.

Radimir Koch & Anna Pederson, "Secrets to Graceful Living" at Alyssa Davis Gallery

Do Not Research β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Gallery Artists Installation Creativity
  1. The exhibition 'Secrets to Graceful Living' by Radimir Koch & Anna Pederson is hosted at Alyssa Davis Gallery from January 13 to February 25, 2024, showcasing unique aesthetic experiences.
  2. The exhibition involved a remote viewing session documenting raw intelligence about various aesthetic experiences using a specific protocol known as Distant Flame Protocol.
  3. Participants in the session provided detailed observations and interpretations of a mysterious gateway covered in moss, evoking feelings of being woven into something with elements of machinery and nature.

Fez فاس

Cosmographia β€’ 319 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Poetry Cartography Photography
  1. The post is part of an Atlas' Notes series on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography related to a specific place.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only, with a prompt to subscribe for full access.
  3. The author's work revolves around showcasing various forms of creative expression centered on specific locations.

Genre Grapevine on the Hugo Awards’ β€œnot eligible” problem

Genre Grapevine β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Awards Science fiction Genre Publication
  1. The 2023 Hugo Awards had issues with works being deemed 'not eligible' for the final ballot despite earning nominations.
  2. There were concerns of censorship or outside influence affecting the selection process.
  3. Calls for changes to the World Science Fiction Society constitution and Hugo Award rules to prevent future controversies.