General Forums
Site Announcements and Technical Discussions
Important system announcements, technical support, account concerns, suggestions for the administration, etc.
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Welcome Center
Give us a brief introduction of who you are, the art you do, and where you hail from. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about the site and point you in the right direction.
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Art Talk
Discuss your art and the art world; inform us about your local scene; generally chat about the arty things in your life. Any art topics are welcome. Talk about anything you want regarding art, but remember, this is not a debate forum.
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All Things *Not* Art
Talk about anything under the sun, moon, and Mars. Discuss the latest adorable thing your dog said, your underwear, something you discovered under your shoe, anything you feel like talking about. Just don't resort to religion or politics. That's against the rules. And be nice!
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Artists Spotlights
Every month, Creative Spark spotlights one of our talented artist members and features them in this forum.
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All Media Art Challenges This is where you'll find most of our planned drawing and painting events. Click here to learn more!
General Challenges and Special Events
This is where you can find Special Events Challenges, other general and one-time Challenges. Keep an eye out for 'Pop-Up Challenges' as well!
All media and styles are welcome. Feel free to include rough sketches, works-in-progress and completed works when participating in a challenge!
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Abstract Challenges
This is where you can find challenges focusing on abstract subjects - whether it be non-objective, geometric, minimalism, abstract expressionism, cubism, informal, lyrical abstract, colourfield, action painting, organic, fauvism, Op art, etc. All media and styles are welcome. Feel free to include rough sketches, works-in-progress and completed works when participating in a challenge!
Interested in sharing your abstract artwork outside of Challenges? Check out the 'Contemporary and Abstract Art' forum!
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Botanical/Floral Challenges
This is where you can find challenges focusing on botanical subjects - whether it be flowers, the entire plant, plants in their natural habitat, etc. Mushrooms and other fungi are great subjects as well! All media and styles are welcome. Feel free to include rough sketches, works-in-progress and completed works when participating in a challenge!
Interested in sharing your botanical-inspired artwork outside of Challenges? Check out the 'Botanicals and Still Life' forum!
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Animal and Wildlife Challenges
This is where you can find Challenges focusing on animals – whether it be our domestic animal friends or wildlife. Challenges may feature any animals, from birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and more. All media and styles are welcome. Feel free to include rough sketches, works-in-progress and completed works when participating in a challenge!
Interested in sharing your animal-inspired artwork outside of Challenges? Check out the 'Wildlife and/or Animals' forum under 'Genre & Style'!
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Research & Discover
Art News
News about the art world at large, in your area, outside of your state, country, or region. Here, you can post about these topics, news about specific artists, or memorials.
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Art History
Art History 101. From Michelangelo to Caravaggio, Picasso to Damien Hirst, the Renaissance to Post War Contemporary work, Impressionism, Cubism, Pop Art, and the Fluxus Movement. Learn and share.
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Art School
Learn anything and everything. Share a YouTube lesson, workshops, color theory, techniques from experience, host a class, post a class, give your art school experience, your self-taught experience, Give us what you got.
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Studio Tips & Materials
Share tips about brushes, easels, organization and efficiency in the studio, lighting, set-up, or other tools, as well as framing, etc.
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Market Place
List your art supplies! Buy, sell, trade, or give back by gifting them out to your friends on the forum.
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Art Business
Need advice about Internet strategies, website building, tax questions, commissions, dealing with galleries, and other business-related topics? Talk about your experience with art sales, auctions, and online galleries, brick and mortar galleries, representation, how to approach gallerists, eBay, using credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and legal issues.
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Creativity
What is your point of departure? Explore the meaning behind the artist's and their work, what questions they are asking, the messages they hope to procure through the process of creating their work, and so much more.
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Opportunities
Post any and all call for artists, grants and award opportunities, resources for revenue or exhibitions.
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Media & Technique
Drawing
Discuss the line, perspective, techniques, graphite, charcoal, or even crayons -- talk about all things drawing here.
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Ink and Marker
If the Drawing forum isn't quite right for you and you work exclusively in ink and/or marker, this is the forum for you. Have fun.
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Colored Pencil
Discuss the line, perspective, drawing techniques, and your favorite brands of colored pencil. Show off your latest masterpieces.
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Pastels
Chalk and oil pastels can be used to make paintings on any surface and create a variety of texture. They are a versatile medium that is very rich in every color. Join us to discuss and support exploring the techniques and the effects that can be achieved in using this material.
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Water Media
Any water media, like watercolor, diluted acrylic, gouache, ink washes, sumi-e, and water tempera can be found discussed here. Please join us and share your techniques on this vast and complex subject.
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Acrylics
All techniques, materials, and approaches related to working with acrylic paints including airbrush and spray cans. Discuss or get feedback.
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Oils
Share your secrets and approaches to oil painting techniques, how you clean your brushes, and all things oil, including oil pencils and oil pastels.
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Mixed Media
Using multiple media in your work, or alternative materials? Perhaps you are playing with collage, fiber, faux finishes, mosaics, casein, or egg tempera. Have you been finding things off the street and sticking them on your surfaces? Mixed media is the place for you.
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Sculpture
If it is in three dimensions, consider it sculpture. Any type of clay, paper, wood, metals, bronze, found objects, plush, fabric, and soft sculpture, it all counts.
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Digital Art
Any and all digital work made in any way, shape, or form, in any software program, with a mouse, a stylus, or?
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Printmaking
Fine art print editions such as etchings, aquatints, lithographs, drypoint, monotypes, lino-cuts, woodcuts, silkscreens, and more. Share your experience as a Master Printer, a beginner, or learning along the way.
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Bookarts
Artist’s books are made by hand and can be one-of-a-kind or made as limited editions. They are a genre unto themselves and can be handbound, hand-sewn, painted, letterpressed, foil-stamped, leatherbound, and made in so many more creative ways. Discuss what you know about this amazing genre and any resources you can share.
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Journaling and Sketchbooks
Post your journal pages, sketchbooks, scrapbooks, or anything else you feel falls into this category.
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Photography and Film
Whether you work in traditional photography in the darkroom, use a digital camera, Polaroid, Holga, Brownie, video, Camcorder, Super-8 film, or are taking simple snapshots of the family, this is the place for you to talk about all of your techniques and interests in this field.
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Fiber Arts and Fashion
Discuss fiber arts and fashion. This means anything from fabric-based work, knitting, quilting, or crochet, leather, embroidery, felting, doll-making, or anything made with a needle. Or maybe you paint on silk! Maybe you weave baskets or design the greatest pants or dresses. It's all here if you do.
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- Jade
Artist Trading Cards
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs or ACEO: Art Card - Edition or Original) are 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size, originally the size of hockey or baseball trading cards. They are typically traded or sold among others that participate in the practice of making ATCs.
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Genre & Style
The Human Figure
Painting the figure is a beautiful thing. Male, female, nonbinary, and intersex. Paint them nude, clothed, or adorned. Portraits can also be posted here. Post your finished pieces or works in progress and get feedback, critiques, comments, advice, or discuss.
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Scavenger Hunts from Life
This forum is for our ongoing 'Scavenger Hunts' game! Search for the listed subjects in life (no photo references), and use any medium to draw or paint them. Subjects can be just about anything! See the current Hunt for the list of prompts.
Happy hunting!
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Landscapes
Are you a Bob Ross fan? Maybe you are, maybe you’re not, but any landscape, cityscape with happy or unhappy, dark clouds, trees, buildings, or anything outdoors counts here. Post your finished pieces or works in progress and get feedback, critiques, comments, advice, or discuss.
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Plein Air
This forum is dedicated to Plein air artists--whether Alla Prima or in the studio, or a combination of both (please use this forum for either). Get feedback. Share. Discuss. And, have fun.
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Still Life and Botanical/Floral
Beautiful greenery, vegetation, flowers, and plants are wonderful to paint. All things plant-related are welcome to share here. Or maybe a bowl of fruit is your cup of tea. Still-life works are welcome here as well, whether they feature natural objects - foods, flowers, shells, rocks; or human made objects - books, dishware, figurines... The possibilities are endless! Post your finished pieces or works-in-progress and get feedback, critiques, comments, advice, or discuss.
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Wildlife and/or Animals
A place to talk about techniques in painting animals and wildlife: horses, cats, dogs, bears, birds, fish, pets, or two people in an animal suit. Post your finished pieces or works in progress and get feedback, critiques, comments, advice, or discuss.
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Contemporary and Abstract Art
All media is welcome here, whether your work is abstract or just in the contemporary/realism genre, post your finished pieces or works in progress and get feedback, critiques, comments, advice, or discuss.
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