The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

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Doc Hammer's Anvil • 275 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Woodworking Crafting DIY Projects
  1. The author shared about making tiny Christmas hammers for their children using spring steel and oak wood handles.
  2. They also worked on creating an ax from a circular saw blade and steel strap, giving it to their dad as a display piece.
  3. Lastly, the author moved to a new place and engaged in projects like crafting door latches and long squirrel cookers with the help of their daughter.
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The Lone Toad Newsletter - February 2024

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 139 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration RPGs Podcasts
  1. The Solo But Not Alone 4 bundle features 125 solo games and supports mental health initiatives in the gaming community, it's a great opportunity to explore unique games while contributing to a good cause.
  2. Some highlighted games from the Solo But Not Alone 4 bundle include 'People, Places & Perils' by Cezar Capacle, 'Haxen' by Not Writing, and 'We Deal in Lead' by Odin’s Beard RPG, offering diverse gameplay experiences with innovative mechanics.
  3. Upcoming projects from Croaker RPGs include the completion of 'Night Terror' and the release of 'The Lost City of Cargoth,' showcasing a creative journey in expanding the world of solo RPGs.

Genre Grapevine on Machine Learning’s Problem with Bad Stories and Bad Intentions

Genre Grapevine • 176 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Artificial Intelligence Creativity Resistance Machine Learning
  1. Bad stories can inspire writers to improve their own writing by learning from the mistakes of others.
  2. Artists and writers have pushed back against AI dominance by engaging in strikes and filing lawsuits to protect their work from being used without permission.
  3. Machine learning programs face challenges in creating truly innovative and original art, as they often get stuck in a cycle of reproducing popular styles and lacking true imagination.

From "Shadow Artist" to Artist

Working Theorys • 174 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Contemporary Art Art Community Creative Process
  1. Many creative people hide in jobs that don't let them express their art, sometimes called 'shadow artists.' It takes courage to pursue your true passion and make that leap into the arts.
  2. Art isn't just about skill; it's about sharing your unique human experience. What makes art special is that it reflects personal truths and emotions.
  3. Transitioning to a full-time creative career is challenging but rewarding. It's important to find joy in art and not let financial pressures ruin your passion.

The Figurative-to-Abstract Art Pipeline

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 1289 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Abstract art Art history Artists Painting Modern Art
  1. Pioneers of abstract art often began with painting representational pictures.
  2. The shift from figurative art to abstract art is a gradual progression seen in artists like Kandinsky, Mondrian, Malevich, Pollock, and Rothko.
  3. Early abstract art skeptics may not fully appreciate the value of abstract art, but understanding the journey of artists can provide insight into their artistic development.

A down-on-her-luck Lady of Shalott, and other tall tales

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 678 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Literature Mythology Writing Podcasts Books
  1. The author reflects on revisiting past places, realizing how much she's changed but also how old selves still linger within her.
  2. The monthly newsletter discusses upcoming projects like 'Hagitude' and 'The Rooted Woman Oracle', and offers a chance to win a signed copy of 'Hagitude'.
  3. The author shares personal experiences and insights on growth, learning, and the impact of different places on one's sense of self.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 137 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Literature History
  1. Jack London, known for "Call of the Wild," worked as a photojournalist and took thousands of photos during his travels.
  2. London captured photos in London's East End during the coronation of Edward VII in 1902.
  3. Living among the poor changed London's views, leading him to write about social issues and eventually become a socialist.

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.

The Guild of St. Luke

Cybernetic Forests • 99 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Digital Art Creative Process Copyright Law Art Education
  1. Artists historically learned how to create art through hands-on practice and not just by observing art - a concept often misunderstood.
  2. The concept of learning from masters in art, as compared to how AI learns from training data, reveals interesting differences in approach and outcomes.
  3. The discussion around AI, art, and copyright brings up important points about data rights, labor values, and the need to support human artists in the digital age.

Sierra Nevada

Cosmographia • 259 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Poetry Literature Cartography Photography
  1. The post is part of a series called Atlas' Notes, focused on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography about a specific place, in this case Sierra Nevada.
  2. Access to the full content and map featured in the post seems to be for paid subscribers only.
  3. The post includes images related to Sierra Nevada and provides links to the author and subscription page.

Plagiarism: The philosophy, psychology and biology of why we don’t see eye to eye.

On Looking • 259 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Philosophy Psychology Biology
  1. Plagiarism is a significant issue in the creative industry, often going unnoticed or unpunished due to various factors like power imbalances and technological complexities.
  2. Our perception of images is influenced by a dynamic interplay of similarity and difference, with both forces being essential for creativity and artistic identity.
  3. Understanding plagiarism requires a multidisciplinary approach, considering philosophical, psychological, and biological perspectives on how people perceive and categorize similarities in creative works.

In roselit memory

Cosmographia • 259 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Photography
  1. The post is titled 'In roselit memory' and includes a vivid description of a scene by the lake.
  2. The content is available for paid subscribers only, with the option to subscribe provided.
  3. The post features original photography of Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda by the author in 2017.

Call for Applications: International Biennale of Vallauris - Contemporary Creation and Ceramics

Ceramics Now Weekly • 255 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Ceramics Contemporary Art
  1. The International Biennale of Vallauris is holding its 26th edition in 2024, encouraging creators to explore ceramics.
  2. The competition aims to showcase diversity in ceramic use and major trends, with prizes like the Grand Prize of the City of Vallauris.
  3. To participate, complete an online form, submit required documents, and pay a €20 participation fee by December 20, 2023.

The Saddle Stitch Edition

Why is this interesting? • 904 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Craft Luxury History
  1. Saddle stitching with two needles creates strong and elegant seams on thick leather like saddles, emphasizing craftsmanship and durability.
  2. The saddle stitch process is a symbol of true luxury, centered on effort, rarity, and longevity, contrasting with mass-produced items.
  3. Hermès still values traditional saddle stitching in their leatherwork for its quality, despite openness to technological advancements if they can improve quality.

You're Gonna Die Too, Friend

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 99 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Literature Analysis Ancient Classical
  1. Book 21 of the Iliad presents chaotic and intense battle scenes that highlight the brevity of human life and the themes of mortality, violence, and heroism.
  2. Achilles' memorable speech to Lykaon reflects his nihilistic acceptance of fate and mortality, showcasing a transition in his grief from mourning to a thirst for vengeance.
  3. The language used in Achilles' speech also delves into the symbolism of the heroic body, emphasizing the inevitability of death even for heroes with perfect physical forms.

The Lone Toad Newsletter - Zimo 24!

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration RPGs Visual art
  1. Zimo 24 is a time when many creators share their amazing games on crowdfunding sites, particularly solo RPG zines.
  2. A zine should be short, visually striking, and push the limits of what RPGs can be.
  3. Featured solo projects like 'Courier - Repackaged', 'MIRU 3: An Analog Defense Game', and 'Milk Bar' offer unique gameplay experiences for solo RPG enthusiasts.

Art is Navigating Latent Spaces

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 31 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Conceptual Art Art Theory Art history
  1. Art may help us explore parts of our own minds that we don’t usually think about. It can highlight unusual connections that we weren't aware of before.
  2. When we ask questions to AI models, we guide them to specific areas of their knowledge. This is similar to how we might expect art to take us to new and surprising ideas.
  3. People often feel disappointed by art when it doesn't challenge them. If art points to familiar and predictable ideas, it tends to feel less satisfying.

vol 3. monthly recs & rabbit holes

Wellness Wisdom by Patricia Mou • 137 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Architecture Words Film
  1. Monthly recommendations and exploring rabbit holes can lead to discovering new ideas and perspectives.
  2. End-of-life dreams can hold deep meaning and offer insight into the transition between life and death.
  3. Boring drafts in writing can paradoxically lead to more engaging storytelling by focusing on minute details and avoiding being overly self-conscious.

Dispatch from Sundance

Chance Operations • 158 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Technology Creativity Design
  1. The documentary 'Eno' premiered at Sundance to sold-out audiences and sparked discussions about the future of technology and film.
  2. The film 'Eno' is created using generative software, resulting in a unique viewing experience every time it's shown.
  3. There has been significant press coverage and excitement surrounding the film 'Eno' and its innovative approach to filmmaking.

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.

#124 Design Symbols

Design Lobster • 499 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Symbols Origins Meaning
  1. The origin of common design symbols can often be traced back to specific historical contexts, like the play button symbolizing movement of tape in early tape players.
  2. Symbols can efficiently represent values and concepts; for example, the Nike swoosh symbolizing motion and victory communicates brand values effectively.
  3. Symbols acquire meaning through habitual use, highlighting the power of symbols in communication and representation in design.