The hottest Visual Arts Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

The Visual World of 'Samurai Jack'

Animation Obsessive • 30856 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🎭️ Culture Animation Visual Arts Film Television Storytelling
  1. Samurai Jack told stories through visuals instead of dialogue. The team focused on creating beautiful images that captured emotions and actions without needing words.
  2. The show's unique art style came from mixing different influences, like classic films and mid-century cartoons. This made the backgrounds and characters really stand out.
  3. Tartakovsky believed kids could understand complex stories, so he created a show that treated them with intelligence. This bold approach made Samurai Jack memorable and different from other cartoons at the time.

How I Pieced Together a Personal Style in Photography

In the Flash • 2238 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Visual Arts Creative Process Art history Personal style
  1. Developing a personal style in photography can take time and experimentation. It's normal to feel anxious about finding your unique voice.
  2. Originality in art comes from mixing ideas from different sources, not from trying to be completely unique. It's about remixing influences to create something new.
  3. Learning from other artists and styles can help shape your own work. It's okay to borrow elements that resonate with you to build your signature style.

Hearing What You See

Animation Obsessive • 2421 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🎭️ Culture Animation Film Music Media Visual Arts
  1. Mickey Mousing is when music matches the exact movements in animation. This technique started in early cartoons and was popularized by Mickey Mouse.
  2. Some famous artists and directors criticized Mickey Mousing as being too mechanical and limiting. They believed it took away from the original creativity of the film.
  3. Despite the criticism, syncing music closely with animation can still be powerful and effective when done well. Some animations have shown that this technique can enhance the experience.

Magnum Square Print Sale Announcement

In the Flash • 679 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Curation Visual Arts
  1. There's a special photo print sale happening called the Magnum Square Print Sale, featuring work from famous photographers. Prints start at $100 and there's a deadline coming up soon.
  2. One of the highlights is a photo of people enjoying time in NYC that captures the city's vibes after the pandemic. The photo reflects beauty and stillness amidst the busy city life.
  3. The sale's theme is 'Eden,' showcasing the beauty of our planet and the need to protect it. Diverse photography styles are represented, but the focus is mainly on documentary and portrait work.

WILD, WILD WOMEN: FLORA AND FAUNA (PART 2)

Secretum Secretorum • 505 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Photography Creative Writing Graphic design
  1. Women have a strong connection to nature and can embody wildness in their spirit. Embracing this can lead to a deeper appreciation for the environment.
  2. The characteristics of flora and fauna can be seen as reflections of feminine energy. Understanding these connections can enrich our perception of both women and nature.
  3. Celebrating wild women means recognizing their power and resilience. It's essential to honor and uplift these qualities in ourselves and others.
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Color Palettes, Leaf Music, and NeuralSVG

Generative Arts Collective • 65 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Generative Art Creative Coding Digital Design Visual Arts
  1. Creating generative art involves using programming to make things like color palettes or music inspired by nature. These projects let you explore creativity with technology.
  2. NeuralSVG is an interesting method for generating vector graphics from text prompts. It helps create more structured designs, which can be really useful for artists.
  3. Using tools like Blender and Three.js can make it easier to design stunning generative visuals. Tutorials are available to help you learn these skills step by step.

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.

The Look of 'Over the Garden Wall'

Animation Obsessive • 15786 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Animation Film Visual Arts Television Storytelling
  1. Over the Garden Wall is a special show that stands out for its unique visual style and storytelling. It mixes comedy, drama, and horror in a way that makes it feel like a timeless classic.
  2. The art team, led by Nick Cross, worked hard to create stunning backgrounds and designs using inspiration from old cartoons and paintings. This attention to detail made the show feel like an independent film on TV.
  3. Despite the challenges of making a short series, the team enjoyed a lot of creative freedom. This allowed them to take risks and try new ideas, which is something that’s rare in the animation industry today.

A Weekend of New Animation

Animation Obsessive • 8252 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Storytelling Cinematography Visual Arts
  1. The London International Animation Festival (LIAF) showcased many interesting animation films from around the world, featuring unique styles and stories.
  2. Some standout films included 'Adios', which explores a father-son relationship in a beautifully crafted stop-motion style, and 'The Girl with the Occupied Eyes', which creatively addresses modern issues using vibrant animation.
  3. There is a notable trend of children's films at festivals tackling serious themes, suggesting that animations for kids can also tell meaningful and thoughtful stories.

Animating Out of Spite

Animation Obsessive • 8700 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Cultural Commentary Visual Arts
  1. Fyodor Khitruk created a 50-second animated film called Othello-67 as a response to a contest requirement that frustrated him. It humorously condenses Shakespeare's play into a fast-paced experience.
  2. The film critiques the idea of simplifying complex art into quick bites, showing that lots of meaning can still fit into a short time frame.
  3. Despite being a small part of Khitruk's body of work, Othello-67 stands out for its creativity and humor, proving that even short animations can leave a lasting impact.

Pyrotechnics and Play

Animation Obsessive • 1704 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Japanese culture Visual Arts Creative Process
  1. Atsuko Fukushima is a talented Japanese animator known for her unique and playful style in various anime projects, including well-known films like Akira. Her work shines with energetic and whimsical animation.
  2. Fukushima's notable projects include the opening sequence of Robot Carnival and the short film Genius Party, showcasing her dynamic approach to animation. Both works, while different in tone, represent her signature style of bright visuals and lively motion.
  3. Throughout her career, Fukushima has contributed to both mainstream and independent anime, illustrating her versatility and creative spirit in the animation industry.

For my Subscribers

Patti Smith • 2299 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Visual Arts Poetry
  1. The post titled 'The New Jerusalem' by Patti Smith is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content for a specific audience.
  2. The post delves into deep philosophical or spiritual themes, referencing biblical verses and provoking thought on the nature of time and existence.
  3. The content presented appears to be rich in imagery and poetry, inviting readers to explore complex concepts within the author's perspective.

Being Unrealistic

Animation Obsessive • 1524 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Visual Arts Cultural Studies Creativity
  1. Cinema Fantasma, a stop-motion studio in Mexico, started with a big dream and little money. The founders had to get creative, making their own animation tools and props from scratch.
  2. The studio began on a rooftop in Mexico City, showing the dedication of the Ambriz brothers and their family. They transformed their home into a workspace to achieve their goal of creating a top-quality animated film.
  3. The making of 'Revoltoso' was a learning experience for everyone involved. The animators were new to the craft but worked hard to develop their skills for this project.

☞ Creating a Typeface: Humanist Computer

Cabinet of Wonders • 231 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🪑 Design Graphic design Visual Arts User Experience Typography
  1. Designing your own typeface can be a fun and creative hobby. It's a way to express yourself and combine art with practical use.
  2. Creating a monospaced typeface for coding can make programming feel more magical, like working with ancient texts.
  3. Working on a typeface is an ongoing process. Even if it's not perfect, seeing your progress can be really rewarding and inspiring.

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.

What actually is Cosmography?

Cosmographia • 2056 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Cosmography is the study of the universe and its features, and its roots trace back centuries through various works by different authors.
  2. The post discusses plans for the publication "Cosmographia" in 2024, indicating potential upcoming content and developments in the field.
  3. Access to the full post and its insights seems to be restricted to paid subscribers, implying exclusive content behind a paywall.

Snæfellsjökull

Cosmographia • 1537 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Literature Photography
  1. The post is part of a series called Atlas' Notes on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography centered around a specific place.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers of the Cosmographia newsletter, showcasing a mix of creative content related to the location Snæfellsjökull.
  3. The post features images and links to subscribe or sign in for paid subscribers to access exclusive content related to Snæfellsjökull in the Atlas' Notes series.

Happy Birthday, Machine Shop

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 2614 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Music Creativity Community Visual Arts
  1. The author reflects on the one year anniversary of their newsletter/blogsite, celebrating the community and support they have received.
  2. Throughout the year, the author engaged with their audience through various creative endeavors like podcasting, sharing demos, writing a book, and giving insights into their musical process.
  3. The author expresses excitement for the future of their platform, emphasizing a shift away from mainstream social media to focus on creating a meaningful body of work on The Machine Shop.

P.S. Leonard Bernstein's Daily Planner

Noted • 1415 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Leonard Bernstein's daily planners reflect his personality with energetic and artistic designs
  2. The shapes and patterns in the planners make one wonder if they represent the music in Bernstein's mind
  3. The post offers paid subscribers a deeper look at Bernstein's daily planner and other note-takers

art delivery : 01.20.24

The NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH ART Society • 1139 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Artists
  1. British artist Sue Williams A'Court creates stunning landscape drawings in graphite on various surfaces.
  2. Sue Williams A'Court also incorporates some of her drawings into small collage pieces available in her shop.
  3. The 'Dear Arty' column in the ART DELIVERY newsletter allows subscribers to ask questions and receive advice and insights from the community.

What’s the matter?

Austin Kleon • 2058 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Creative Process Artistic expression Cultural Commentary Art Education
  1. Asking 'What’s the matter?' helps us understand what's bothering us and can lead to artistic ideas. It's a question that sparks creativity.
  2. The discomfort or irritation we feel can be the starting point for new work. Those feelings can inspire us to create something meaningful.
  3. We can also think about 'matter' in terms of the physical materials we use, like paint or paper. Getting hands-on might help when we're unsure of what to create.

3 poems from the sports section

Austin Kleon • 1498 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Visual Arts Creative Writing Cultural critique
  1. The sports section of newspapers is great for crafting blackouts because of the simple and expressive language used by athletes and coaches.
  2. Even though the New York Times recently disbanded its sports department, this section continues to inspire creative writing.
  3. Using nouns and verbs from sports articles can help create interesting and relatable poetry, highlighting themes like time and idleness.

Bordeaux

Cosmographia • 1517 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series, focusing on art, poetry, and cartography centered on Bordeaux.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only, requiring a subscription to access the full content.
  3. The author, M. E. Rothwell, shares content related to Bordeaux through the Cosmographia platform.

Processing: How David Small Illustrated and Wrote The Werewolf at Dusk

Counter Craft • 168 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Graphic novels Fiction Illustration Storytelling Visual Arts
  1. David Small creates art that shows big feelings and fears, often inspired by monster movies he loved as a kid. He relates to the giant creatures and uses them to express those feelings in his work.
  2. When deciding on colors and styles for his illustrations, he chooses what fits the mood of each story. For example, he picked bright colors for one story to match its lively vibe, while another used darker colors to create a more serious tone.
  3. Small emphasizes that in graphic novels, visuals are very important. Writers need to trust artists to bring their stories to life without over-directing them.

Spring cleaning continues...

Microanimism • 179 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The author is shifting regular communications to Substack for updates on podcasts, courses, events, and more. No action needed if already subscribed.
  2. New longer form writing will be on a paid subscription basis. Those with existing access will maintain it.
  3. The author plans to set up a system for online courses and ensure fair paid access for subscribers.

Four Magical Minutes from Cartoon Saloon

Animation Obsessive • 3498 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Industry Visual Arts Entertainment
  1. Cartoon Saloon created a visually stunning four-minute sequence in 'On Love' within the film 'The Prophet'.
  2. The project was made possible by a Hollywood production of 'The Prophet' without a screenplay or director attached, allowing indie teams like Cartoon Saloon to participate.
  3. The success of 'On Love' paved the way for Cartoon Saloon's larger projects, including 'Wolfwalkers'.

Inside my studio

Austin Kleon • 2378 implied HN points • 13 Dec 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Visual Arts Art Process
  1. Having a neat workspace can be overwhelming. It's important to remember that creating in a clean space is not the ultimate goal.
  2. Sometimes, you need permission to get messy and be creative. It's okay to make a bit of a mess while working on your projects.
  3. A well-organized studio setup can make it easier to switch between tasks. Having both digital and analog spaces allows for more creativity.