Painting

December 27, 2017

Ingenious Coffee Mugs Save Artists From Accidentally Drinking Their Paint Water

Artists, how many times have you almost ingested your gunky paint water thinking it was your afternoon tea? It’s an unwelcome surprise, but one that doesn’t have to happen anymore—thanks to illustrator Hallie Bateman. She’s created a handy set of mugs labeled “paint water” and “not paint water” so that you’ll never make the mistake again. Bateman’s funny coffee mugs prove that sometimes, art imitates life.

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December 6, 2017

Artist Skillfully Details Paintings to Look Like Real Ornate Rugs

If you hadn’t seen artist Jason Seife painting these intricate designs himself, you'd think they were actually rugs. Using an impossibly small brush and acrylic paint, the Miami-based creative depicts the elaborate details you’d normally find on Persian rugs. From floral motifs to fancy flourishes, Seife puts his own spin on these familiar patterned tapestries by incorporating hues that aren’t typically seen in the large floor coverings. Seife’s attention to his craft is beyond impressive.

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November 16, 2017

How Skilled Copyists Leave the Louvre with a Masterpiece Every Year

Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Edgar Degas. These artists are not only some of the most famous painters in art history, but they also share a common experience—copying the works of Old Masters in the Louvre. A long tradition dating back to just after the French Revolution, each year Paris' premier museum grants 250 permits to amateur and professional artists, allowing them to copy the masterpiece of their choice.

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November 8, 2017

Watch as 200 Years of Varnish Is Wiped Away From a 17th Century Oil Painting

Art dealer, author, and BBC presenter Philip Mould makes the painstaking process of art restoration look easy with his hypnotic set of Twitter videos documenting the restoration of a 17th-century painting. Working with quick precision, it's magical to watch as he wipes away centuries of dirt and grime, revealing the gleaming oil paint beneath the yellowed surface.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.