The hottest Visual Arts Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

Uninflected Images

So Here’s a Thing • 845 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Audiences can fill in narrative gaps between images or scenes to create a more engaging story.
  2. Leaving space for interpretation and gaps in storytelling can lead to a deeper connection with the audience.
  3. Allowing readers or viewers to connect the dots on their own can lead to a richer and more personal experience.

#144 Design Déja Vu

Design Lobster • 479 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Corporate Memphis or Globohomo is an overused illustration style characterized by flat colors, geometric elements, and simplistic human figures, popular in Big Tech software.
  2. The Lobster typeface, designed by Pablo Impallari, became widely popular in the 2010s for its retro-contemporary appeal, but font choices should always align with the intended message.
  3. Designers should aim to bring a human touch to designs without relying on typical illustrations, considering alternatives to communicate warmth and humanity.

A Simple Rule for Using AI in Art

Counter Craft • 421 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Using AI in art can be great if it's done thoughtfully. It's important to be open about how AI is used and ensure it enhances rather than replaces creativity.
  2. There are successful examples of authors using AI to help craft dialogue or ideas, but they are intentional and clear about their AI use. This distinction separates meaningful art from low-quality outputs.
  3. For artistic integrity, it's best to be honest about your use of AI, especially if it generates a lot of the work. Just like with plagiarism, taking someone else's work, including AI-generated text, without credit is not acceptable.

The Anatomy of Photographing a British Party

In the Flash • 1199 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Photographing parties can be a way to capture unique stories through observation of interactions and details.
  2. Adapting photography styles to different party atmospheres, like from New York to London, can result in new and creative visual approaches.
  3. Incorporating various inspirations like paintings, songs, or movies can enhance the storytelling and artistic elements in event photography.
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Echoes of Troy

Cosmographia • 658 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Travel is an attempt to understand a place, but one can never fully know it as a native does.
  2. To truly know a city like Rome, with its complexity and history, would require living multiple lives.
  3. Artists like painters, writers, and musicians can provide new perspectives and help us see a place in different ways.

Let’s throw an art show!

Austin Kleon • 1099 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. We can now share pictures in our chats on the web, which makes connecting easier. It's a fun way to show off our art creations!
  2. There's a virtual art show happening where everyone can join and post their recent artworks. It's great to see what others have been working on.
  3. Engaging in these chats and sharing our work helps build a creative community. It's nice to connect and inspire one another!

Four Magical Minutes from Cartoon Saloon

Animation Obsessive • 3498 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  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'.

The creative tensions

Austin Kleon • 1878 implied HN points • 30 Aug 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Creative work has opposing forces that create tensions, and we should embrace these instead of avoiding them. They can actually help us create better art.
  2. Finding the right balance in these tensions is important, just like tuning a guitar string; too loose or too tight won't produce good music.
  3. Understanding and accepting paradoxes in creativity can help us work through challenges, and thinking in terms of both/and instead of either/or is key to problem-solving.

Keep

ASK MOLLY • 511 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The post discusses self-reflection and paying attention to one's emotions.
  2. It emphasizes the importance of believing in what you feel and not dismissing your emotions.
  3. The content is geared towards paid subscribers.

Basic human situations

Vague Blue • 299 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Basic human situations are simple yet universal experiences that involve conflict or tension between people.
  2. Two people with conflicting ideologies often lead to conflict, but even everyday interactions can become a basic human situation.
  3. The essence of a basic human situation can be seen in the waiting and dependency depicted in plays like 'Waiting for Godot' as well as in personal struggles and choices like in the film 'Wanda.'

Ghosts and Witches

slow motion multitasking • 674 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The final season of Summer Camp Island is premiering on Cartoon Network soon, with fun merchandise available to celebrate.
  2. In the world of Summer Camp Island, ghosts and witches are portrayed as interconnected.
  3. The story introduces immortal teenage witches and their ghosts, exploring themes of memories and regrets.

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

Secretum Secretorum • 505 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  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.

Macau

Cosmographia • 399 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The post is part of the Atlas' Notes series on Cosmographia, focusing on art, poetry, literature, cartography, and photography centered on a specific place.
  2. The content is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive access to detailed and curated material.
  3. The post promotes the full map of Cosmographia, encouraging engagement, subscriptions, and sign-ins for existing paid subscribers.

Eveningside: T&A Tools

Crewdson Trail Log • 393 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The photographer revisits locations, themes, and casts in their work over time.
  2. The narrative elements of a photograph often come together through a process of returning to a location.
  3. Using consistent crew members and actors can add depth and continuity to the storytelling in images.

Two Ways of Thinking About Modernism

Castalia • 379 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Art has changed a lot over the last hundred years, and many feel that modern art doesn’t resonate as strongly with people today. Unlike the past, when artists were central to cultural life, modern artists often seem disconnected from the public.
  2. The shift from painting’s focus on realistic representation to abstraction was influenced by technology, leaving behind traditional techniques. While early modernists responded creatively to these changes, later artists seem to have lost that boldness.
  3. The art world is heavily influenced by money and market trends. Many notable artworks were pushed to success by a few wealthy individuals rather than by a collective appreciation of good ideas, which can cloud our understanding of what makes art valuable.

Mirrors, not windows

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Visual Arts
  1. Use data to create mirrors, not windows. This means helping communities understand themselves better, instead of letting outsiders judge them.
  2. Visualizations can be made more inclusive and participatory. Designers should involve the community in creating the data displays.
  3. The benefits of datafication are not shared equally. Often, dominant groups gain more advantages, while marginalized groups face increased risks and harms.

Collage problems

Austin Kleon • 1518 implied HN points • 28 Jun 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Collaging can be a fun and calming way to process thoughts. Just gluing random things together can help find new ideas.
  2. Using technology like a photocopier can make collage work easier and more efficient. It's a simple way to create many copies of an image you like.
  3. The most important aspect of collaging is to have fun and not take it too seriously. Sometimes, just playing around can lead to great creative outcomes.

Ouvert Sur - Résilience

Newsletter Artistique • 314 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  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 Visual Arts
  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.

Two Short Movie Reviews

Maximum Progress • 196 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Visual Arts
  1. Poor Things is a visually stunning movie with explicit philosophical themes.
  2. Godzilla Minus One explores the contrast between wartime and post-war Japan.
  3. Both movies provide interesting cultural commentary and raise important questions.

Kindling | 3.28.23

Signal Fire • 294 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The post encourages self-promotion and sharing accomplishments without judgment.
  2. The post uses humor by playing with the word 'toot.'
  3. Readers are invited to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to continue reading the content.

From "Shadow Artist" to Artist

Working Theorys • 174 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  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 Thursday Selects Edition

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  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.

Fresh

ASK MOLLY • 255 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. Spring is a time for new beginnings and growth.
  2. Don't let others bring you down, stay resilient and strong.
  3. Embrace your uniqueness and shine bright like a prime number.

Findings, vol. 3

thegreataffair • 137 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The newsletter discusses personal reflections on experiences and insights into various topics.
  2. The author shares updates on their life, from recovering from illnesses to being back in KL.
  3. There are references to diverse cultural influences like books, films, and Korean culture.

Tomi Faison: First As Tragedy Then As Larp

Do Not Research • 199 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts
  1. The artwork 'First As Tragedy Then As Larp' by Tomi Faison delves into the concept of devirtualization and the transition of online politics to physical actions during specific events.
  2. The piece 'Carousel No. 1 (Desire Is Structured Like A Montage)' showcases a series of 35mm slide shows that explore the circular nature of desires and the unconscious through various sourced images.
  3. Through the use of film slides and montages, Tomi Faison's work reflects on drive and desire with a focus on the repetition and cyclical aspects of the unconscious.