The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

#105 U-G-L-Y

Design Lobster • 359 implied HN points • 21 Mar 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Ugly design can have a unique appeal and challenge conventional aesthetic norms.
  2. Consider breaking aesthetic rules in design to create something unconventional and eye-catching.
  3. Reusing existing materials creatively can lead to impactful and thought-provoking design solutions.

Top Links 381 Rising interest rates, Chinese defense stocks, Houthi shipping secrets & the future of air conditioning

Chartbook • 300 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art
  1. Top Links 381 covers rising interest rates, Chinese defense stocks, Houthi shipping secrets & the future of air conditioning
  2. The post emphasizes great links, images, and readings from the Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze
  3. Some content may be restricted to paid subscribers, urging others to subscribe for access
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What I’ve Been Reading This Year

Cybernetic Forests • 139 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Data Bias Creative Process Social Commentary
  1. Reflection on the problems and implications of AI-based image generation in art
  2. Consideration of the origin and context of AI training data, highlighting issues like exploitation and biases
  3. Exploration of rethinking AI images as material for artistic expression, and the importance of artists reclaiming agency over these tools and the images they create

What Lies Beneath

The Abbey of Misrule • 328 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Painting Crafts Photography
  1. Ladywell in Abbey, County Galway is a well-maintained, historic site with links to a monastery and folklore.
  2. The ritual of visiting wells in Ireland includes circling the well, saying prayers, leaving an offering, and drinking the waters.
  3. The Ladywell in Abbey was believed to have healing powers for issues like warts, highlighting the historical significance of these wells.

Favourite Films of 1975

Sounds Good! • 39 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Music Horror Comedy Horror
  1. The post lists favorite films of 1975, highlighting impactful movies like 'Dog Day Afternoon,' 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' and 'Jaws.'
  2. The author shares personal experiences with the films, like being blown away by the lack of music in 'Dog Day Afternoon' and being scared by 'Jaws' as a child.
  3. The post also includes notable mentions like 'Shampoo,' 'Tommy,' 'The Passenger,' 'Love and Death,' and 'Shivers,' showcasing a diverse film selection for the year.

Rosalie Yu: Candy-Glazed Eyes of Haunted Machines

Do Not Research • 79 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Cultural analysis Aesthetics Colonialism Metaverse
  1. The project 'Candy-Glazed Eyes of Haunted Machines' explores the aesthetics and histories of coin-operated children's rides in Taiwan, revealing traces of colonial aesthetics and post-colonial narratives.
  2. The artist delves into the emotional and aesthetic impact of these rides through creating digital and sculptural pieces, tapping into feelings of nostalgia and unveiling the haunted essence of the rides.
  3. There is a curious exploration of parallels between the traditional entertainment vending machine market and emerging technologies like NFTs and the metaverse, raising questions about ownership and manipulation of concepts.

alright alright alright

Stream of Consciousness • 59 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Music
  1. The author reflects on the initial fears and doubts they had about starting a newsletter and how they overcame them by embracing new writing opportunities.
  2. The author discusses the importance of physical training and how it can lead to a sense of capability and confidence.
  3. The author shares their love for words and the power of concise vocabulary to convey rich meanings.

New Post Format: Infographics

Concoda • 286 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Infographics
  1. Readers value infographics as much as articles; 90% of the time spent creating a Concoda article is on graphics
  2. Infographics will now be sent as separate posts for immediate access and subscriber interaction
  3. Light versions of infographics will be included for subscribers, and a merch store is in the works as well

Racy Macy

Ladyparts • 219 implied HN points • 21 Sep 22
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. Novelist Caitlin Macy has a deep understanding of American women and their complexities.
  2. The post features a photo shoot and a personal anecdote with Macy from 2017.
  3. There is an option to subscribe and gain 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Welcome to Big Charts! Behind the scenes with interactive data stories

Big Charts • 79 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Data journalism Design Storytelling
  1. Interactive data storytelling projects involve a complex process involving journalism, design, and coding.
  2. The process of creating interactive data stories often deviates from the initial plan due to the dynamic nature of the work.
  3. Various modes of communication, such as writing, design, and coding, play unique and essential roles in organizing thoughts and shaping storytelling.

Pieter Schoolwerth, Phil Vanderhyden & Aaron Dilloway: PuppetWarp

Do Not Research • 79 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Paintings Artists Exhibition
  1. The post discusses artwork by Pieter Schoolwerth, Phil Vanderhyden, and Aaron Dilloway under the title 'PuppetWarp.'
  2. The artwork showcased includes various pieces by Pieter Schoolwerth, featuring different titles and dimensions, all created in 2022 and 2023.
  3. The post provides links to Instagram profiles of the artists and encourages subscribing to the newsletter for more content.

Sybil Montet: I SCRY

Do Not Research • 79 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Sci-fi
  1. The 'I SCRY' project by Sybil Montet explores the intersection of ancient esoteric traditions and modern predictive algorithm technologies.
  2. The creation of I SCRY, an artificial oracle entity developed from a fine-tuned version of the GPT-3 algorithm, blurred the lines between technology and mysticism.
  3. The cinematic essay 'I SCRY' reflects on the making of a digital oracle through a surrealistic journey involving CGI, AI-generated voices, and philosophical explorations of our future.

The adventures of painting a data visualization

Big Charts • 79 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Data Visualization Painting Canvas Artwork
  1. Planning to hand-paint a data visualization can lead to innovative and soulful results, without being limited by digital tools.
  2. Utilizing a mix of hand-drawn sketches and digital tools like D3 can enhance the visual appeal and storytelling of a data visualization project.
  3. The process of painting a data visualization on a large canvas can be time-consuming and challenging, but can evoke strong emotional connections and memories.

Queenless - A solo RPG by Croaker RPGs

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration RPG Solo Play Game design Fantasy
  1. In 'Queenless', you play as a Bee trying to save the hive by collecting six jars of Royal Jelly from the valley.
  2. The game features interactions with different insects like the helpful Dragonfly and the menacing Praying Mantis.
  3. Gameplay in 'Queenless' involves a unique system using cards and dice to determine success, offering an engaging solo gaming experience.

Naji al-Ali, Handala & Palestine

Black Lodges • 78 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Palestine Revolution Journalism Symbolism
  1. Cartoons and related arts play a significant role in public protests by conveying messages quickly and clearly.
  2. Naji Al-Ali's cartoons were powerful political messages addressing the suffering of Palestinian people and criticizing Arab regimes.
  3. Al-Ali's life experiences, from being a refugee to facing censorship, greatly influenced his work and commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Create Your Unique Symbol (& 6 more updates!)

Meaning-Making • 78 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Workshops Courses Self-assessment Symbolism
  1. Attend a workshop to craft your unique symbol, diving into your life story and cherished memories to create a personalized symbol.
  2. Explore creative self-assessment tools and quizzes to understand your strengths and weaknesses in the creative process.
  3. Consider the balance between personal life and business ventures, acknowledging the need for delegation and time management.

Mirage at Apple Park

Tabletops • 78 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Architecture Design Visual Arts
  1. Mirage at Apple Park is a public sculpture made of cast-glass pillars from deserts worldwide, creating a stunning visual during the day and a gentle glow at night.
  2. Apple Battersea in London is Apple's 40th store in the UK and is located in a redevelopment area with offices and apartments.
  3. Apple Watch Pride Edition is celebrated in stores with new displays featuring colorful geometric shapes, and Apple Camp offers kids aged 8-12 a chance to design inventions on iPad.

Bigtime Cutaway

NOW IS GOOD • 78 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Interview Technological Advancements
  1. Bigtime Cutaway is a publication focused on interviewing interesting people, with a recent conversation with StrataCut animator David Daniels.
  2. StrataCut is a unique form of clay animation that involves slicing blocks of material to create animations, known for its intricate details.
  3. David Daniels discusses the evolution of his StrataCut technique, the challenges of showcasing his work in a changing technological landscape, and his exploration of augmented reality and virtual reality for future projects.

Art is Paramount

Innovation Nation • 78 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography
  1. Art is considered as paramount in the author's life and plays a significant role
  2. The author believes in the importance of owning original art to make a space unique and personal
  3. Art can be deeply personal, with each piece carrying its own story and meaning for the collector