The hottest Art & Illustration Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Domain Warping, Inverse Kinematics, and Iterations

Generative Arts Collective • 79 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Coding Generative Art Visual art Digital Media
  1. Learning how to create art from scratch lets you put your unique style into the work. It's about understanding the tools and processes involved in making something new.
  2. Art can express deeper meanings, even if the creator isn't consciously aware of them. It's interesting to think about the reasons behind the choices made in any artistic creation.
  3. Technology keeps evolving, especially in creative fields. New tools and techniques allow artists to explore and produce things that were previously not possible.

The Pinched Nipple

Euro Desk Paris • 39 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Portraits
  1. The painting of Gabrielle d'Estrées and sister at the Louvre holds historical and artistic significance.
  2. The artwork is linked to historical figures like Diane de Poitiers and explores themes of power and femininity.
  3. Understanding the context and history behind artworks enriches the interpretation and appreciation of art.

Rattle Bag

The Ruffian • 178 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Theatre Literature Gender Violence
  1. The play Macbeth explores themes of toxic masculinity, manhood, and violence, showcasing the complexities of showcasing strength and expressing emotions.
  2. Macbeth delves into the concept of legitimate violence versus illegitimate violence, examining the distinctions and societal perspectives on celebrating different forms of killings.
  3. Shakespeare uses Macbeth to analyze the transition from feudalism to a centralized state, questioning the monopoly of legitimate violence held by modern states.
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Process notes: iso e super

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 152 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Ingredients
  1. Iso-E Super is a popular ingredient in perfumery that is derived from myrcene and has a cedar-like scent.
  2. This fragrance ingredient undergoes complex chemical processes to enhance its aroma.
  3. Sasha Chapin discusses the intricate construction of Iso-E Super in perfumes in their paid post.

How I Spent my October

Fireside Chat Logs • 39 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Digital Art Visual Effects Graphic design Creativity
  1. The creator made a short animated video with heavy metal music for a D&D group that involved using Blender 3D program. Despite challenges, he managed to finish the video in time.
  2. After the initial creation, the creator took the time to improve the video by boosting render settings, animating textures, and enhancing particles, among other upgrades.
  3. The experience of revisiting and improving the video reminded the creator of his art school days, where he didn't always have time to polish his work. This inspired him to redo old school work and focus more on writing and creating content to share with friends and family.

Computation using Fractions, Shader Based Journeys, and Remembering Lillian Schwartz

Generative Arts Collective • 79 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Generative Art Creative Coding Digital Art Animation Computer Graphics Visual Effects
  1. Lillian Schwartz was a key figure in computer-generated art, known for her innovative techniques that combined art and technology. Her work at Bell Labs helped shape the world of digital expression.
  2. Fractran is a unique computation method based on fractions, using prime numbers for calculations. It's a creative way to explore new ideas in both math and art.
  3. Theatre.js is a helpful animation library that allows artists to create detailed animations without needing advanced coding skills. It's great for those who want to add motion to their creative projects.

L-Systems, Elm Puzzle Generator, and Skia

Generative Arts Collective • 65 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Generative Art Creative Coding Digital Design Interactive art
  1. L-Systems can create beautiful patterns like trees or snowflakes using simple rules. They're fun tools for exploring nature-inspired designs.
  2. Elm is a programming language that makes it easy to create SVG images. You can use it to generate puzzles and get creative.
  3. Skia Canvas lets you use the HTML Canvas API outside a web browser. It's great for making graphics on both servers and desktop applications.

I Think I Can Learn How to Feel to Keep Going

The False Consensus Effect • 59 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Painting Acrylic Canvas Music Dreams
  1. The author shares their struggle and determination to keep pushing forward in their art despite challenges and self-doubt.
  2. The images showcased in the post are examples of the author's acrylic paintings, reflecting their continuous practice and passion for art.
  3. The author's artistic journey is likened to a process of filtering 'thick human lake mud' to create something clear, empty, and perhaps even innocent.

Artist Profile: Dena Yago, by Günseli Yalcinkaya

Do Not Research • 59 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Art Theory Community Building Content creation Cultural critique
  1. Being an artist in the age of social media means navigating the intersection of art and commerce, where the artists' creations and online presence get quantified and exploited
  2. Collaborative platforms like Are.na and collectives like K-HOLE have been vital in forming connections and providing alternative spaces for artists to create and share their work
  3. Dena Yago's art explores complex societal issues through familiar cultural symbols, reflecting the challenges artists face in balancing commercial work, art practice, and navigating the gig economy

Manifesto

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 13 Sep 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Artists Art history Creative Process
  1. Productivity in art can be surprisingly high, as shown by Paul Klee who sometimes created 500 works a year. This suggests that making art can be more about the enjoyment and flow of the process rather than just the final product.
  2. There’s a common belief that art needs to be carefully crafted and special, but prolific artists often create works continuously for their own satisfaction rather than for external validation.
  3. Instead of viewing work and leisure as separate, finding joy in continuous creation like Klee did can lead to a more fulfilling life, where making art feels more like living fully rather than just a job.

Should you listen to your audience? | #5

The Pole • 79 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Decision-making Artistic Process
  1. Deciding whether to listen to your audience isn't always easy - audience feedback matters more in client work than in personal projects.
  2. Starting out in a creative field can be tough as your early work often falls short of your taste and potential - it's normal and requires persistence.
  3. Making creative decisions is preferred over dealing with complicated decisions early in a project - starting with templates can save time and reduce overwhelm.

Just a Coppola Films to Enjoy

Through the Looking Glass • 59 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Film analysis
  1. Francis Ford Coppola's films like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now are considered evergreen classics that transcend time and space.
  2. Coppola is known for taking risks in storytelling and production, such as personally funding portions of Apocalypse Now.
  3. Midpoints in Coppola's films, like the pivotal restaurant scene in The Godfather, mark radical shifts in characters' perspectives and drive the narrative forward.

A Brief History of Static

Cybernetic Forests • 59 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Data Visualization Digital Art
  1. Refik Anadol's AI art piece, 'Unsupervised,' at MoMA uses AI to interpret and reimagine the history of modern art, creating a mesh of pixelated visuals.
  2. Interpolation in AI refers to filling in the gaps between data points or images, creating a smooth transition and possible new variations.
  3. The concept of interpolation extends to creating a connection and kinship between disparate entities in an artistic representation, showcasing the latent possibilities in the in-between spaces.

#76 Are you seeing red?

Design Lobster • 279 implied HN points • 12 Jul 21
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Human vision is trichromatic, with photoreceptors for blue, green, and red. Our sensitivity to red and green hues is high but affects how many colors we can see.
  2. The color red may have helped our ancestors identify ripe fruits. Designers use this sensitivity to red for attention-grabbing elements like notification dots.
  3. Bold colors, like the red Olivetti Valentine typewriter, can evoke emotions and create an emotional connection with designed objects.

Critical Making Reflections, 2D Packing, and Grids in R

Generative Arts Collective • 65 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Theory Creative Process Generative Art Art Education Visual Culture
  1. Creativity is about balancing rules and imagination. Understanding the rules helps you know when to break them and innovate.
  2. Making art is a journey that involves exploration. It's important to try new things and take steps, even if you don't know where they will lead.
  3. Looking deeper into things can reveal their true complexity. Just like knowing more about birds goes beyond their colors, understanding art involves seeing beyond the surface.

How the Sainsbury's Design Studio Packaged a Nation’s Dreams

Vittles • 297 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Sainsbury's design studio revolutionized supermarket design post-World War II by introducing self-service and unique packaging.
  2. The design studio's focus on modern, functional, and visually appealing packaging reflected the quality of the products inside.
  3. The shift towards agency-led design in supermarkets has led to a loss of distinct identities in packaging, moving away from the creativity and quality seen in earlier designs.

#103 Justice by design

Design Lobster • 179 implied HN points • 21 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Social justice Chocolate Book Quote
  1. Design can be used as a tool for social justice and equity, as demonstrated by initiatives like Creative Reaction Lab and their 'Equity-Centred Community Design Field Guide.'
  2. Companies like Tony's Chocolonely are using design in their products to convey powerful messages and promote social change, like highlighting issues of slavery in the chocolate industry.
  3. Design justice involves challenging normative models and amplifying diverse voices and knowledge through design practices, as emphasized by Sasha Costanza-Chock in their book 'Design Justice.'

The Ruffian Speaks

The Ruffian • 159 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Speaking Curiosity AI Humanity
  1. The author is available for hire as a keynote speaker for talks on topics like curiosity and productive disagreement.
  2. The author has experience giving talks to various organizations and is open to discussing speaking engagements.
  3. The author also discusses themes like AI and being human, emphasizing the importance of maintaining humanity in the face of advancing technology.

Y'all Ain't Gonna Believe This...

The Experiment • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling Author Book Writing Visual Arts Literature
  1. The post discusses the story of a fascinating case where a client shot her husband's testicle and the surprising legal outcome.
  2. McCracken Poston Jr. is highlighted as an exceptional storyteller, with a talent for captivating narratives.
  3. The post shares insights into Poston's life and experiences, showcasing his skills as a lawyer and the journey of writing his book.

Important source for Gardenworld - The Arts and Crafts Movement.

Douglass’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Aesthetics Community projects Craftsmanship Aesthetics
  1. The Arts and Crafts Movement was an international trend in the decorative and fine arts, advocating traditional craftsmanship and social reform.
  2. The movement emphasized simpler and more aesthetic homes and gardens, influencing styles like Art Nouveau and Modernism.
  3. Craftsmanship involves doing a job well for its own sake, contributing to people's well-being and community morale.

Dear Child Film

The Chris Hedges Report • 139 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. The film provides a perspective on the experiences of children in Gaza under Israeli fire.
  2. It is part of the Dear Child initiative, with a longer version to be released soon.
  3. The publication is reader-supported, and encourages readers to become free or paid subscribers to support the work.

Guest Post: Baale and Mugudu

The Story Birds • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Folktales Illustration Storytelling Photography Literature
  1. The story of Baale and Mugudu is a cautionary Tulu folktale about a brother and sister who turned into fish, emphasizing the consequences of breaking promises.
  2. In Tulunad, festivals like Keddasa are celebrated to honor Mother Earth and mark the blooming season with festivities.
  3. The tale highlights the importance of honoring traditions and following certain rules to lead a healthy and prosperous life.

Walking Through Vermeer

backstory • 290 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Museums Artworks
  1. Vermeer's art continues to captivate audiences, with a major exhibition in Amsterdam showcasing much of his work.
  2. Exploring the history and locations related to Vermeer's life provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of his art.
  3. Various historical events and figures, like the Delft explosion and Hugo Grotius, add layers of intrigue to the story of Vermeer.

Brown Bath

Into the Hedge • 39 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Color Crafting
  1. Natural dyeing from plants often results in brown hues despite the colorful nature of the raw materials - this is due to scientific reasons that are hard to pinpoint.
  2. Although there are more efficient and precise synthetic dyes available, working with natural dyes can be more enjoyable and reflective of the environment.
  3. Despite the challenges and abundance of other dye options, exploring the variety of browns from natural sources can be an exciting and rewarding process.

A Klezmer Revival in South Seattle?

The Cholent • 39 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Music Culture Community Performance History
  1. The Royal Room in South Seattle has become a hub for local bands embracing their Eastern European musical roots, particularly klezmer music.
  2. Klezmer culture in Seattle has experienced a revival with the efforts of musicians like Mark Lutwak and events like Klezmer Starts Here!
  3. Younger generations are showing an increasing interest in klezmer music, embracing it as roots music and connecting to their Jewish heritage.

The Zero Has Traces of the One

Cybernetic Forests • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Multimedia Creative Process Collaboration Technology
  1. The process of creating art can be just as significant as the final product, with each step informing the meaning and depth of the work.
  2. Art can contain multiple layers of meaning simultaneously, reflecting complexities like trauma and grief that are typically not straightforward.
  3. There is a challenge in balancing authenticity and polish in creative work, as well as in navigating the pressures of social media and algorithms.

Discover the Art of Crafting Noh Masks in Japan

SJF • 39 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Crafting Japanese Masks
  1. Noh masks in Japan date back to the 14th century and play a crucial role in conveying emotions and personalities in Noh theatre.
  2. Artisans who craft Noh masks utilize traditional techniques and hand tools like chisels, saws, gouges, and knives to create intricate pieces.
  3. Nakamura Mitsue demonstrates the detailed process of fashioning Noh masks from a solid block of wood, showcasing 40 years of skill and expertise.

Meeting Yana Frank

Elad's Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Painter Writer Productivity Blogging Writing
  1. Yana Frank has insightful productivity strategies, such as tracking time spent on tasks and leaving room for spontaneity in her schedule.
  2. Algorithmic feeds can significantly impact the audience and content of creators, as seen in Yana's experience on LiveJournal.
  3. Yana's approach to writing teaches the importance of sharing content that resonates personally, rather than waiting for perfection.