Sustainable art is a movement whose aims are to ignite discussion (and adjust our perception) about the way we use our resources. Sustainable art seeks to make us think more deeply about the impact that our lifestyle choices have on the planet.Artists for Conservation is a group of artists who, in various ways, support nature through their artwork. They paint nature in art in the form of beautiful and idyllic images of animals and landscapes. In addition, they also donate a portion of their art sales to conservation efforts.Nature in Art is a British museum devoted entirely to artwork inspired by nature. They have an extensive collection of artwork covering a 1500 year time period, representing over 60 countries and cultures. In addition to their permanent collection, they have special exhibitions as well as classes and events for adults and children.
Tutorial for a fun and surprising painting experience
This week we are excited to paint one of the newest releases from Warlord Games for their Bolt Action range of miniatures, a French Army Infantryman! This fantastic new box set has tons of options on how you can build them up, and in this video we use one such miniature as an example to run though a great method of painting these brave troops from the early days of the Second World War.
As is often the case with historical miniatures, it is easy to get hung up on what the exact colours are for the various bits of gear and in this video we discuss this straight away, giving great guidance on what colours you can choose to get off to a great start. This kit can be built to represent a variety of troop types and the guide can be easily adapted for any of them, making this an ideal video for anyone looking to play games set in these early stages of the war.
Tutorial of the Month!
Our Tutorial of the Month is an epic video for you focused on an amazing new monstrous model for Games Workshop’s Warhammer Age of Sigmar – the Ironjawz Maw-grunta Gouger! Huge and very angry, this model is full of the classic Orcish character from Warhammer with a great pose, wide open maw, and slobbering tongue!
In this video we show a great method of painting this beast (and the orruk desperately trying to stay on it’s back) from start to finish in the eye-catching yellow and black colour scheme from the box. This means we cover a lot of tricks and techniques that are ideal for anyone painting a monster, as well as if you are looking to paint something yellow – such as a Bad Moonz Ork!
We start out by breaking down the model into a few sub-assemblies that, whilst not necessary to paint the model, certainly do make the process easier throughout. From here we set about painting the core of the model – the Maw-grunta’s fur and flesh, which we tackle simultaneously so as to merge the colours of these features together in a natural way. We then go into the beast’s mouth, painting the gross tongue and gums!
After this it is time to move outwards on the model, so the process of painting the various colours on the armour begins. This armour features a lot of texture to create the appearance of hammered metal, and so our process here is designed to bring out this texture in an efficient way that is easy and fun to replicate. With that phase complete is is then time to bring the model to completion, painting the flesh of the orruk along with a few other fine details, concluding with the bone – the teeth, tusks, trophies and more! All of this detail is chunky and fun, making painting this model a delight.
This guide features a wealth of knowledge for anyone wanting to paint an Ironjawz horde.
Many forms of nature in art
Nature in art can take many visual forms, from photorealism to abstraction. Art can mimic nature, by seeking to visually replicate objects as they actually appear in real life. But abstract paintings can also take their visual cue from actual forms in nature, such as the painting below. This piece arose from the study, observation, and contemplation of natural phenomena and natural forms. When sitting at the easel, I used creative liberties to assign bright colors to detailed patterns that were inspired by what I had seen in my natural surroundings.
My painting below, Fulgent Life, is another example of nature in art. This painting was heavily influenced by my up-close observations of plants and insect life whilst living on an isolated hilltop in southern France. This painting depicts the elements of earth – rocks, stones, soil, minerals, and the things that live amongst them. This artwork was based on the forms that I observed in nature, which I used as a starting point to create an imaginative, abstract work of art.
Art with a Purpose
There are many different ways to approach the subject of nature in art. Art can open our eyes to the intricacy and beauty of the natural world. It can simply be a pretty picture that appreciates nature for what it is. or it can be a challenging piece expressing our complex human connection to nature. Art can serve a purpose beyond being an object of beauty: it can also address pressing environmental issues and topics about conservation, sustainability, preservation, biodiversity, and threatened habitats. Art has the ability to interact with and educate the viewer about these issues, spreading awareness about such important topics. We feel an instinctual need to take care of the things we feel connected to. Art can help renew, or spark anew, our connection with nature.
Sustainable art is a movement whose aims are to ignite discussion (and adjust our perception) about the way we use our resources. Sustainable art seeks to make us think more deeply about the impact that our lifestyle choices have on the planet.
Artists for Conservation is a group of artists who, in various ways, support nature through their artwork. They paint nature in art in the form of beautiful and idyllic images of animals and landscapes. In addition, they also donate a portion of their art sales to conservation efforts.
Nature in Art is a British museum devoted entirely to artwork inspired by nature. They have an extensive collection of artwork covering a 1500 year time period, representing over 60 countries and cultures. In addition to their permanent collection, they have special exhibitions as well as classes and events for adults and children.
In these hyperreal, digital times, it is easy to forget, and even resist, that we are susceptible to natural forces. Art can help us become more conscious of our true relationship with nature. It is undoubtedly important to feel a connection to the natural world. in fact, it is vital to our survival!
The first step to creating art based on nature is to spend time in nature. So unplug yourself. Turn off your screens. Go outside. Tune into your surroundings. Feel the wind upon your cheek. Observe the veins of a leaf, sit against the trunk of a tree, watch a river flow.
Let your mind be as vast as the sky.
Bring a sketchbook and see what arises!
Read More
Making art from nature returns us to our natural roots, bringing the artistic process back to basics. Learn about nature-inspired art and artists!
Art lessons & inspiration
Learn to color in this whimsical owl with alcohol markers, colored pencils and paint pens!
In my Ultimate Guide to Using Alcohol Markers, you can download and print the line art for this cute owl scene. Then follow along with me as I show you step-by-step how to color this in!
Colored Pencil Tutorial
Follow along every step of the way as I color in this whimsical frog coloring page that I created for my Woodland Mandalas Coloring Book! This detailed colored pencil tutorial will help you learn which colors go together to create depth and shading, which is useful knowledge that you will take with you when you create your own colored pencil drawings!
More lessons & inspiration
These whimsical bird drawings depict a variety of birds in colorful scenarios, with the aim to expand our usual view of the creatures we meet in nature.
Learn how to draw a rose! Learn the steps to creating your own rose pencil drawings using basic supplies you have around the house.
Here’s a fun tutorial on how to draw a cat! These are not ordinary cats though. these are Cosmic Cats!
Learn how to draw a puppy in this drawing lesson! This drawing tutorial shows you how to draw your own puppy drawings.
Check out the detailed pencil drawings of Doreen Cross. Realistic animal drawings are her specialty!
Learn how to paint flowers with amazing classical realist artist, Delmus Phelps! Read an in-depth interview and view his breathtaking flower paintings of roses, daffodils, magnolias and more.
