The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

⬜ Studio Ghibli vibes vs. history

One Thing • 217 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation History Film Literature Philosophy
  1. The film The Boy and the Heron by Studio Ghibli offers a fantastical, immersive experience for viewers of all ages.
  2. The movie carries historical depth, drawing inspiration from a 1937 novel addressed to counter militant nationalism in Japan.
  3. The director, Hayao Miyazaki, encapsulates profound themes through abstract storytelling and dreamlike elements, challenging conventional standards of ambition in art.

Q + A

slow motion multitasking • 555 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creatives
  1. The post is about a Q + A session regarding TV pitching.
  2. The author is willing to share slightly rambling responses to questions about TV pitching.
  3. To access the full content of the post, a 7-day free trial subscription is available.

The woman who shaped the look of Aja

Expanding Dan • 314 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Patti Mitsui was instrumental in creating the iconic cover design of Steely Dan's 1977 album Aja.
  2. Mitsui, along with Oz Studios, added the striking red calligraphic letters to the cover, complementing the photo of Sayoko Yamaguchi.
  3. Despite her significant contribution, Mitsui remains relatively unknown among Steely Dan fans and has worked in public relations for decades.

On being easy to fire...

Development Hell • 315 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Screenwriting
  1. A good story and script that faced difficulties in getting produced for years finally gained traction when the UK script option expired and a US studio showed interest.
  2. Experience taught the author to manage expectations, but the unexpected interest from a studio led to them not only paying for the script but also offering a directing role and immediate production.
  3. Sometimes, situations can unexpectedly turn in your favor, illustrating the importance of perseverance and being ready for sudden opportunities.
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Ouvert Sur - Résilience

Newsletter Artistique • 314 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Poetry
  1. The article discusses the resilience of the buxus tree, which has endured attacks in the past.
  2. The author draws parallels between the tree's resilience and the ability to overcome challenges.
  3. The message conveys hope for those going through tough times, emphasizing the potential for renewal and strength.

Top Links 632 Breakthrough analysis of the "Origins and Content of New Work in the USA, 1940–2018". The art of the photocopier & oil as the lubricant.

Chartbook • 386 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Visual Arts Contemporary Art Art Theory Photography
  1. The analysis focuses on the new job categories that have appeared in the USA from 1940 to 2018. It's interesting to see how work has evolved over time.
  2. It mentions the role of tools like photocopiers in changing the way art and work are created. This shows how technology can enhance creativity.
  3. The study sheds light on the connection between art and industry, suggesting that they can work together in innovative ways. This idea encourages thinking outside the box.

TITAA #50: Slow Grey Mares Stuck at Exit 8

Things I Think Are Awesome • 196 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Folklore AI Art Animation VR Poetry
  1. The post discusses the Welsh tradition of Mari Lwyd, a skeletal horse pranking people during New Year's Eve.
  2. Mari Lwyd is associated with village mummers in south Wales in the 1800s and is constructed of a horse's skull and a white sheet.
  3. The post also covers various AI art tools, including an AI animation artist called NiceAunties and AI-generated SVG from images.

SWIM

Cybernetic Forests • 179 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Archives Memory Training Data AI Visual Culture
  1. SWIM is a piece that visualizes the relationship between archives, memory, and training data. It explores the impact of training AI models on images and the implications for memory and synthetic images.
  2. The artist behind SWIM finds creating pieces as a way to think through ideas that might not work well with words. The process often clarifies thoughts or raises questions that are hard to articulate.
  3. The deduction of memory through photography or AI analysis is highlighted in SWIM, where a swimmer dissolves into training data, shifting the remembrance process to a mechanized model and potentially losing the essence of being remembered.

#142 Design Quality

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Quality Writing Stationery Architecture
  1. Design quality can encompass an intangible 'quality without a name' that includes aspects like wholeness, humaneness, and timelessness.
  2. Ordinary elements in design can be elevated to almost art-like status through thoughtful design decisions.
  3. Focusing on delivering high-quality products can drive user engagement, positive experiences, and growth for a business.

Letters from the field #5 - Season 2 announcement + Call for participation

On Looking • 79 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Research Industry Creativity Visual Culture Design
  1. Season 2 of the research will focus on exploring the perspectives of designers, art directors, editors, and production managers in the creative industry.
  2. The research involves conducting in-person interviews as well as observations within magazines, design studios, and advertising agencies in New York to understand how creative professionals work and make decisions.
  3. The researcher is seeking New York-based creatives to participate in the study, emphasizing the importance of observations in workspaces to gather insights for the research.

Sikhote-Alin

Cosmographia • 299 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Literature Photography
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series on Cosmographia, focusing on a specific location with art, poetry, literature, and photography.
  2. Access to the full content is for paid subscribers only, encouraging readers to subscribe for more exclusive material.
  3. The featured place in this post is Sikhote-Alin, offering a unique exploration of the location through various creative mediums.

A Moment of Triumph

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1402 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Graphic novels
  1. The author shares their first success in building a large subscriber base for their publication.
  2. The author discusses the challenges of making a living through their creative work and the need to diversify income sources.
  3. The author introduces their new tabletop role-playing game, highlighting its extensive content and inviting support through a Kickstarter campaign.

Authentic. Confident. Provoked. We are all the things.

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1069 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visuals Memes Newsletter
  1. The newsletter is about being authentic, confident, and provoked, and it includes visual memes in addition to written content.
  2. The author creates visuals for Instagram based on the content of the newsletter, covering topics like gratitude, branding, and more.
  3. Readers can continue enjoying the newsletter by subscribing for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.

Disorderly Creativity

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 170 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Expression Inspiration Art Theory Literature
  1. Creativity often feels chaotic and unpredictable. It's important to embrace that disorder rather than trying to control it with logic.
  2. Art is more about emotions than just ideas. Creating purely from thoughts can lead to dull and flat outcomes.
  3. To spark true creativity, step away from your usual patterns and allow yourself to engage with the mysterious and unknown parts of your mind.

Ely Cathedral and the beauty of progress.

The Common Reader • 1098 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture History Progress Beauty
  1. Ely Cathedral showcases the evolution of architectural progress from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
  2. The transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture highlights the significant engineering improvements that allowed for artistic advancements.
  3. The beauty and grandeur of Gothic architecture in Ely Cathedral represent a high point in Western architectural history.

Frog: Who drew it best?

Soaring Twenties • 177 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Illustration Art history Cultural Commentary
  1. Art can express thoughts without words, like with frog illustrations in this case. Sometimes, we appreciate visuals more than the text itself.
  2. Different artists have unique styles and depictions of the same subject, which can spark debate about which is best. Everyone has their favorite!
  3. Art can be a fun and engaging way to connect with others, and sharing preferences can create meaningful conversations. Explore what you love!

The Art of Animated Titles

Animation Obsessive • 986 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Design
  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.

Episode 1.0 Opening

404EVER • 275 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Comics
  1. The post is about Episode 1.0 Opening on 404ever.substack.com
  2. The content includes a comic by Lordess Foudre intended for adult readers
  3. Readers can continue the episode by subscribing to the website

When it's going badly...

Development Hell • 276 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Creativity Coping
  1. Being a writer can have moments of self-doubt and feeling like a disaster, especially when facing a project that seems to have gone terribly wrong.
  2. Writers can be extremely hard on themselves, often internalizing problems with their work as personal failings.
  3. Despite the challenges and self-doubt, subscribing to platforms like Development Hell can provide insights and support in navigating screenwriting catastrophes.

Bowie RIP

The Weekly Dish • 1483 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Tribute Loss
  1. The author's beloved dog Bowie passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest.
  2. The author and their partner will be taking an extra week to mourn and grieve before returning to their planned activities.
  3. Losing Bowie has been extremely difficult for the author, and they find solace in the love and support they have received.

The Of of Of

Opaque Hourglass • 259 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Haiku Silence Gardening Literature
  1. Haiku poems emphasize the power of silence and the impact of what is left unsaid.
  2. Writing a haiku requires appreciating the importance of silence and mastering the art of restraint in words.
  3. The difficulty in creating a good haiku lies in the challenge of balancing what is said and what is left unsaid.