“Irises” by Vincent Van Gogh. 1889. (Photo: The Getty, Public domain)

As home to one of the nation's most thorough art collections, The Getty has found an innovative way for it to reach more audiences. By launching their Open Content program back in 2013, they've made hundreds upon thousands of their cultural artifacts freely accessible online to anyone in the world. Throughout the years, this priceless resource has only grown, with The Getty recently announcing that nearly 88,000 high-resolution images of artworks from its collection are now available for free download under Creative Commons Zero (CC0).

“Users can download, edit, and repurpose high-resolution images of their favorite Getty artworks without any legal restrictions,” writes the museum. “Add a print of your favorite Dutch still life to your gallery wall or create a shower curtain using the Irises by Van Gogh—the possibilities are endless.”

Browsing an archive this size can feel like a daunting endeavor. That's why The Getty has designed a user-friendly platform that allows people to search by artist name, title, date, culture, medium, dimensions, object type, and more. The museum has vowed to continue to grow this resource as it acquires more works and others enter the public domain.

Getty's Open Content program is home to iconic works by trailblazing artists. One can explore the last two centuries of painting with creations by Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian, Édouard Manet, and Edvard Munch; study historical marble sculptures, like the famed Alexander the Great portrait; or get lost in the intricate details of the medieval Book of Hours.

“We’re glad the art community has adopted CC0 as the industry standard to help broaden the impact of collections worldwide and remove barriers to experiencing art,” says Richard Rand, associate director of collections at the Getty Museum. “We hope the public continues to enjoy exploring and using our images in creative ways for years to come.”

Start exploring The Getty's Open Content platform here.

The Getty recently announced that nearly 88,000 high-resolution images of artworks from its collection are now available for free download.

“Landscape with Ceres (Allegory of Earth)” by Jan Brueghel the Younger, Hendrik van Balen. 1630s. (Photo: The Getty, Public domain)

“Users can download, edit, and repurpose high-resolution images of their favorite Getty artworks without any legal restrictions,” writes the museum.

“Sunrise (Marine)” by Claude Monet. 1872 or 1873. (Photo: The Getty, Public domain)

The Getty's Open Content program is home to some iconic works by trailblazing artists, from modernist painters to historical marble sculptures.

“Landscape near Arnhem” by Piet Mondrian. 1900-1901. (Photo: The Getty, Public domain)

The Getty: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
h/t: [Open Culture]

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READ: Nearly 88,000 Art Images From The Getty Are Now Free To Download and Use How You Like

An elementary school teacher teaching, 1877. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

What did your school textbooks look like? Chances are they were old, ripped, and written in. Their computer-printed images were certainly not fine art, especially with other students' layering doodles over the years. However, textbooks do not always have to be boring; they can be works of art. An online archive of historic Japanese textbooks from the 19th and 20th centuries—hosted by the National Institute for Educational Policy Research—exemplifies the textbook as an art form. Decorated in everything from hand painting and calligraphy to traditional block printing, the books are explorable in PDF format for free.

The collection includes artwork such as hanging drawings, elementary primers, and brushwork guides for calligraphy. These works span a broad period, from the 19th century till after World War II—a time of immense change for Japan. Some texts are many pages long, combining elegant writing with detailed illustrations. Horses dance across a page beneath simple characters; whereas in another book, plants found in the garden are illustrated. Others depict teachers and small pupils cross-legged in front of their lecturers. It's fascinating even for those who cannot read Japanese.

Chiefly on display is the artistry of the books' many makers. Woodblock printing is an ancient art, dating back to the 8th century in Japan. These abilities to create books long pre-dated the European invention of the printing press during the Renaissance. Sometimes a block print might create the lines of a drawing, which was then colored in by hand. Other times, artists utilized the “brocade” method, nishiki-e, of using multiple blocks in multiple inks to create an image. It was not until the 20th century that modern print technology began to replace these methods. While modern textbooks might be more conducive to mass production or regular updating, they surely cannot match the charm, elegance, and beauty of these historic tomes.

An archive of centuries’ worth of Japanese textbooks hosted by the National Institute for Educational Policy Research is available online.

A 19th-century elementary school text. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

Many are incredible examples of block printing and illustration.

“Garden Lessons” picture book, 1828. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

An elementary reading book, late 19th century. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

An elementary reading book, late 19th century. (Photo: National Institute for Educational Policy Research)

h/t: [Colossal]

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READ: Vast Archive of Rare Japanese Textbooks Now Online To Explore for Free

“Owl” by Curtis Hylton, 2022, Royal Mews, Southend, Essex (Photo: Tracy Jenkins, courtesy of Art UK, © the artist)

By its very nature, street art is ephemeral. Due to weather, theft, or demolition, mural art is vulnerable to many potential risks. But as a result of the work of one organization, street art in the United Kingdom now has a permanent home online. Art UK is a digital archive with over 300,000 works belonging to public art collections nationwide. Thanks to a new three-year initiative, 5,000 pieces of street art across the UK will be added to the collection. This ensures that their legacy remains long after they may fade from view.

The program began in January 2024 and includes many different types of street art. While painted murals will form the bulk of what will be digitized, Art UK will also be documenting “sculptural murals in concrete, brick, wood, stone, tile, and other materials.” By adding this work to its database of institutional public art, Art UK is also helping elevate what can sometimes be seen as an outsider art form.

Once the street art has been added to the online database, its record will be continuously updated. This means anyone can discover if the work has been removed or defaced. Each piece will also be incorporated into Art UK's public education programming, which includes workshops, films, accessible audio versions of the record, and learning resources for teachers.

“Battle of Cable Street” by Desmond Rochfort, Dave Binnington, Paul Butler, and more, 1976–1983, St George's Park, Cable Street, Tower Hamlets (Photo: Anthony McIntosh / Art UK, © the artist)

“As well as highlighting more well-known artists and adding to their legacy, this project will reveal the stories, artworks, and practice of lesser-known muralists, who may not previously have received as much attention,” shared the organization in a statement.

Some of the work entering the database dates from the 1960s and 1970s, while other pieces are much more recent. By incorporating painted murals into its scope of work, Art UK is acknowledging the increasing importance of street art. It is also another sign of the increased acceptance of street art in the contemporary art world.

Banksy, of course, is present in the database, along with a mix of established and lesser-known muralists. You can take a peek at what's been digitized already and keep checking back as more is added.

Art UK is embarking on a three-year project to digitize the country's street art.

“Saint Enoch and Child” by Smug, 2018, George Street / High Street, Glasgow (Photo: Gordon Baird / Art UK, © the artist)

“Viking Longboat Mural” by Phelgm, 2022, Shore Road, Peel, Isle of Man (Photo: Patricia Tutt, © the artist)

Over 5,000 painted murals, public sculptures, and mixed media work will be added to the platform.

“Endangered Dreams Mural” by Artur Bordalo, 1998, Aberdeen (Photo: Andy Hayes / Art UK, © the artist)

“Market People” by
Helen Bur, 2021, St Martin's Square, Basildon, Essex (Photo: Tracy Jenkins / Art UK, © the artist)

Art UK: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [artnet]

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READ: UK’s Most Significant Street Art Will Be Digitized Over the Next Three Years

Photo: Khara Woods
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If you’re creating amazing art but struggling to gain exposure, art contests are a great opportunity for publicity. And if you’re living the infamous “starving artist” lifestyle, this is also a way to pull yourself out of a rough spot by potentially winning cash prizes, allowing you to gain an extra financial boost towards your dream creative projects.

There are loads of different competitions out there, from world-renowned painting contests to inspiring digital art challenges, that will place you in the art world. With so much to choose from, we’ve created a guide to help you decide which visual arts competitions are best suited to you and your artistic talents. Depending on your eligibility, you can try for these annual awards year after year.

Ready to show off your art to the world? Check out our guide to some of the best art contests to enter this year.

Painting Competitions

“Catalyst” by Jennifer McChristian. Winner, 11th annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition

PleinAir Salon Art Competition

Prize: $50,000 in All Cash Prizes. $15,000 Grand Prize for annual competition ($24,200 in annual cash awards), $600 first place prize for monthly competitions ($25,800 in monthly cash awards).
Entry Fee: $38 for the first image, $16 for subsequent images. (entries placed in first two weeks of the month receive a 25% discount)
Requirements: Open to international artists 18 years of age and older.
Closing Date: Each monthly competition ends at midnight Pacific Time on the published final day of that competition. Winners are announced on the last day of the month following the competition.

PleinAir magazine hosts monthly painting competitions that award artists across a variety of painting mediums. The winners of the monthly competitions will be entered into the annual competition with a chance to win $15,000. The winner of the annual competition will also see their work placed on the cover of PleinAir magazine. There are 19 categories to select from, some reserved specifically for plein air painting, while others also accept studio paintings. The winners will be showcased in PleinAir Magazine, and all winners and finalists will have their work promoted online on sites like FineArtConnoisseur.com, OutdoorPainter.com, PleinAirSalon.com, and in a variety of e-newsletters.

Enter now

AcrylicWorks 11

Prize: $2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize.
Entry Fee: $45 ($35 before February 27, 2024).
Requirements: Open to artists in the United States and Canada.
Closing Date: April 9, 2024

For the AcrylicWorks 11 competition, the organizers are looking for the best in acrylic painting over a variety of styles and subjects. The eligible entries will be judged in two rounds according to artistic technique, handling of the medium, design, and creative elements, as well as overall impression and impact. Winners’ works will be featured in Artists Magazine.

Enter now

Splash 26

Prize: $2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize.
Entry Fee: $45
Requirements: Open to artists in the United States and Canada.
Closing Date: Fall/Winter 2024 (TBD)

For the Splash 26 contest, Artists Network is looking for original watercolor paintings. Each entry must be rendered predominantly with watercolor; however, some minor use of other mediums may be acceptable. Top winners and a selection of other winners will appear in a special edition of Watercolor Artist magazine.

Enter now

Jackson's Painting Prize

Prize: £6,000 first prize
Entry Fee: £5 per entry.
Requirements: Open to international artists of all ages.
Closing Date: March 1, 2024

Jackson's Painting Prize was created to reward excellence in two-dimensional works of fine art. Both painting and drawing media are accepted and in addition to the main prize, there are also awards for emerging artists, best watercolor, and people's choice.

Enter now

Digital Art Contests

Photo: Howard Lawrence B

The Lumen Prize for Digital Art

Prize: $4,000 first prize, with a $13,500 total prize fund.
Entry Fee: $40 for two works ($32 for two works if submitted prior to March 24).
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide.
Closing Date: May 25, 2024

This digital art competition is organized by Lumen Art Projects Ltd, a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to providing new opportunities for digital artists around the world. The contest guidelines are relatively loose—the only requirement is that the submitted artworks must somehow engage with technology. Categories include Still, Moving Image, XR, 3D/Interactive and Artificial Intelligence.  Several awards categories are also rewarded with artist residencies and exhibitions in addition to the cash prize.

Find out more.

animago Award

Prize: €3,000 cash prize for Best Young Production, all nominees provided lodging and tickets to animago.
Entry Fee: Free
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide.
Closing Date: TBD

For over 20 years the prestigious animago Award competition has spotlighted talent in the fields of 3d animation and stills, visual effects, visualization, and design. Organized by the German magazine Digital Production, all winners are announced during a gala at the annual animago conference in Munich, Germany. Though, due to the pandemic, animago has not taken place since 2019, artists are still encouraged to submit their work for the next time that the conference occurs.

Enter now

Illustration Contests

Photo: rawpixel

World Illustration Awards

Prize: A cash prize of £2,000 and more publicity opportunities.
Entry Fee: £29 (approximately $33)
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide.
Closing Date: February 22, 2024

Anyone who’s into illustration is bound to have heard of the prestigious World Illustration Awards. Illustrators are invited to submit work created or published since January 2018 to 8 different categories. Winners will not only win a cash prize, but they’ll also be awarded invaluable global exposure, such as a marketing package in the Directory of Illustration, a feature in a major exhibition in central London, and an invitation to the Awards Evening in October.

Enter now

Society of Illustrators Annual Competition

Prize: Medals, work published in a full-color catalog and displayed in an exhibition.
Entry Fee: $20 for members ($35 for non-members)
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide.
Closing Date: TBD

The Society of Illustrators Annual Competition is known as the premier showcase for illustrators and animators. Open to artists worldwide, work can be entered in one of the six categories: Editorial, Book, Advertising, Institutional, Uncommissioned, and Surface/ Product Design. The selected entries will be exhibited at the Society of Illustrators’ gallery in New York City and be printed in full color in their annual catalog. In addition to the entry fee, there is a hanging/publication fee of $90 for non-members and $80 for members.

Enter now

Drawing Contests

Photo: Stock Photos from Iuliia Tarabanova/Shutterstock

Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing

Prize: $2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize
Entry Fee: $45
Requirements: Open to artists in the United States and Canada.
Closing Date: Spring/Summer 2024 (TBD)

The Strokes of Genius Competition celebrates original work made in drawing mediums; including pencil, charcoal, Conté crayon, pen and ink, scratchboard, silverpoint, colored pencil, pastels, and even some wet paint mediums if used in a linear or sketchy manner. Winning entries plus an additional 85+ finalists will be published in a special edition publication, The Best of Drawing, from the editors of Artists Magazine.

Enter now

Drawing of the Year

Prize: Total prize fund of £100,000, with £55,000 spread across six categories.
Entry Fee: Free
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide.
Closing Date: March 17, 2024

Run by architecture and design collective Archisource, Drawing of the Year recognizes excellence in drawing and image creation, celebrating imagery and creations across all styles, typologies, and across digital and physical media.

Enter now

General Art Contests

Photo: Pixabay via Pexels

Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize

Prize: Over $65,000 in cash and prizes to be won (overall winner receives $10,000 to develop their practice). Plus global exposure through Beautiful Bizarre Magazine’s 1 million+ social media community, along with website and print editorial.
Entry Fee: $40 per entry (artists can enter up to 10 times)
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide working in the representational visual arts.
Closing Date: midnight PT on July 17, 2024

The Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, now in its 7th year, is an annual non-acquisitive international art prize that celebrates diversity and excellence in the representational visual arts. It includes all static mediums including Traditional Art media, Digital Art media, and Photographic media; and all styles from realism and hyperrealism to pop surrealism and lowbrow. The Prize seeks to inspire creatives from around the world to pursue a life and career in the arts, and to help careers grow through funding and increased exposure of their work to galleries, collectors, and media, globally.

Enter now

Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition

Prize: Over $29,000 in cash prizes and publication in Artists Magazine.
Entry Fee: $40
Requirements: Open to artists over 18 worldwide working in a traditional medium.
Closing Date: Spring/Summer 2024

Artists Magazine’s Annual Art Competition celebrates traditional 2D artistic mediums such as painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, digital art, and much more. Winners will be chosen from a variety of categories including Portrait/Figure, Still Life, Landscape, Abstract, and Animal/Wildlife.

Along with generous cash prizes, this contest provides a huge opportunity to gain exposure—all winners’ work will be featured in the January/February 2025 issue of Artists Magazine.

Enter now

The Sunny Art Prize

Prize: A total cash fund of £6,000 plus a month-long art residency in China, and a solo exhibition in London.
Entry Fee: £25 for one artwork, up to £45 for four artworks.
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide age 18 and over.
Closing Date: June 30, 2024

One of the most inclusive and diverse art competitions in the UK, the Sunny Art Prize offers unique exposure for both emerging and established artists. Winners will be granted an opportunity to have their work shown in an exhibition in London, and develop their work during a month-long residency in China. A £6,000 (approximately $7,600) total cash prize will be split between the first three winning artists.

The art contest accepts entries in a diverse range of media including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramic art, printmaking, installation art, mixed media, video art, and photography.

Enter now

YICCA International Contest of Contemporary Art

Prize: €3,000 first prize and solo exhibition, €1,000 second prize and exhibition opportunity
Entry Fee: €50 per entry (up to 6 submissions possible)
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide
Closing Date: April 11, 2024

YICCA is an international call for artists, open to professionals and not only from any country in the world. All kinds of contemporary artworks are allowed in the art contest: drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, graphics, mixed media, video, installations, and performances. The jury's final decision will lead to a selection of 18 artists who will participate in the final exhibition in Venice. The overall winner will also receive a solo exhibition.

Enter now

Wildlife Artist of the Year

Prize: £10,000 for the overall winner (including a £5,000 conservation donation to a DSWF project of the winner’s choice), £2,000 for the runner-up (including a £1,000 conservation donation to a DSWF project of the winner’s choice), and category prizes of £500 each.
Entry Fee: £25 per entry (£15 per entry for youth category)
Requirements: Open to artists worldwide (age 15 and over)
Closing Date: March 11, 2024

Organized by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, this contest encourages artists to use the natural world as a source of inspiration for a piece of art and, in doing so, raise vital awareness for some of the most pressing environmental issues our planet faces. Mediums can include but are not restricted to, oil, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, mixed media, bronze, plaster, wire, collage, and textiles, with styles encompassing traditional, abstract, monochrome, and many others.

Enter now

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 15 of the Best Art Competitions To Enter in 2024

The universe is so vast that it would be impossible to map all of it. However, with 383,620 galaxies under its belt, the Siena Galaxy Atlas (SGA) covers a significant portion. The online archive uses data from three Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument Legacy Surveys collected between 2014 and 2017 (known as the DESI Legacy Surveys) to present images and detailed information about what lies in outer space.

The SGA is free for anyone to browse online, but is geared more towards astronomers and scientists due to the technical content. Users of the atlas can find locations, shapes, and sizes of thousands of large galaxies that are close to our own. “Nearby large galaxies are important because we can study them in more detail than any other galaxies in the universe; they are our cosmic neighbors,” John Moustakas, SGA project leader and a physics professor at Siena College, said in a statement. “Not only are they strikingly beautiful, but they also hold the key to understanding how galaxies form and evolve, including our very own Milky Way galaxy.”

The DESI Legacy survey data has helped make the SGA extremely accurate, ensuring that it will become an invaluable resource, especially for those who are seeking to observe specific parts of the galaxy or study samples from across several galaxies. “The public release of these spectacular data contained in the atlas will have a real impact not only on astronomical research, but also on the public’s ability to view and identify relatively nearby galaxies,” says Chris Davis, NSF Program Director for NOIRLab. “Dedicated amateur astronomers will particularly love this as a go-to resource for learning more about some of the celestial targets they observe.”

While it is definitely a data-heavy resource, anyone can enjoy the images. NOIRLab astronomer Arjun Dey remarks about the SGA: “In addition to its scientific utility, it has a lot of pictures of beautiful galaxies!”

You can browse the Siena Galaxy Atlas here.

The Siena Galaxy Atlas compiles data from three Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument Legacy Surveys so people online can explore over 380,000 galaxies.

The SGA is free for anyone to browse online, but is geared more towards astronomers and scientists due to the technical content.

“Not only are [large nearby galaxies] strikingly beautiful, but they also hold the key to understanding how galaxies form and evolve, including our very own Milky Way galaxy.”

Siena Galaxy Atlas: Website
h/t: [Open Culture]

All images via Siena Galaxy Atlas.

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Photo: Stock Photos from RossHelen/Shutterstock

When it comes to painting, everyone starts out on an even playing field—those that paint well have built their skills over time. Doing so, however, requires patience, and for you to put brush to canvas (or paper) and increase your aptitude stroke by stroke. We’ve seen this happen in a drawing; just a few years of drawing practice can mean the difference between a sketch that’s just okay and one that shows extraordinary talent.

We've put together a list of painting ideas that anyone can try.

Photo: Stock Photos from Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

What type of paint should you choose?

Choosing a type of paint for your work can be quite overwhelming at times given all the varieties out there. Some paint types can be more durable than others or can completely change the look of your final work of art. The right paint choice can be very important in accomplishing your artistic goal, depending on what you are creating. The different paint types vary in style and properties making a big impact on your next painting quest. Some popular types of paint are watercolor, acrylic, oil, and gouache. Read our comprehensive list of types of paint to get a better idea of which one is right for you and your project.

What supplies will you need?

Once you choose the paint type you want to work with, you can focus on other supplies. Outside of your paint set, you will need brushes, possibly a canvas or painting paper, and maybe even an easel if you're feeling fancy. We have recommendations for three of the most popular types of paint. Check out our guides for the best watercolor paint sets, top acrylic paint, and best oil paints that beginners and pros will love. Although these paints are the most popular, you can go beyond a brush and pick up a paint marker. We even have a guide for the best paint markers, too.

Once you’ve got your watercolor, acrylic, or even oil paint, you can get started right away on honing your craft. But even having all the right supplies can’t save you from the dreaded creative block; sometimes, you just can’t think of anything to paint! Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of prompts that are jumping-off points for your work. The easy painting ideas are divided into two lists—one is inspired by life while the other challenges you to use your imagination.

When looking through the list, consider the following: what sounds like fun to paint? What will challenge you to get better? Are there certain techniques you’d like to try? A leafy tree, for instance, gives you the opportunity to experiment with texture, while imagining these subjects in monochrome is a great exercise in understanding tonality, light, and shadow.

Photo: Stock Photos from Kuznetcov_Konstantin/Shutterstock

Easy painting ideas inspired by real life:

Your favorite coffee mug

Photo: olies/Depositphotos

A prickly pear cactus

Photo: AndreYanush/Depositphotos

Your furry friend

Photo: yakimenko/Depositphotos

A tranquil lake scene

Photo: Max5799/Depositphotos

Your eye and eyebrow (try observing from real life)

Photo: Nataliass/Depositphotos

A leafy tree

Photo: borojoint/Depositphotos

Your childhood home

Photo: Max5799/Depositphotos

Someone sitting on a chair

Photo: vad_1/Depositphotos

Fluffy clouds

Photo: cat_arch_angel/Depositphotos

A bouquet of flowers in a vase

Photo: Marinka/Depositphotos

A small bird on a branch

Photo: borojoint/Depositphotos

A wise owl

Photo: brita.seifert@googlemail.com/Depositphotos

A curling ocean wave (check out Ray Collins’ wave photographs for inspiration!)

Photo: balaikin/Depositphotos

Copy a masterpiece painting of an artist you admire

Photo: Rawpixel/Depositphotos

A bowl of fruit

Photo: natalia88/Depositphotos

Fish under water

Photo: VitalikRadko/Depositphotos

A portrait of yourself when you were a kid

Photo: re_bekka/Depositphotos

Your hand or foot

Photo: vad_1/Depositphotos

Your favorite collection of things

Photo: Alexis84/Depositphotos

A building façade you’ve always admired

Photo: segun007/Depositphotos

Someone standing under an umbrella while it’s raining

Photo: Max5799/Depositphotos

A streetlamp illuminating a dark street

Photo: Marsea/Depositphotos

A peacock’s colorful plumage

Photo: DeepGreen/Depositphotos

The Eiffel tower, or any other memorable landmark

Photo: martinm303/Depositphotos

An avocado cut in half

Photo: AntonMatyukha/Depositphotos

Your mode of transportation (car, bike, scooter, skateboard…)

Photo: samot/Depositphotos

A reflective object such as a vase or glass

Photo: Wirestock/Depositphotos

Your favorite insect

Photo: DeepGreen/Depositphotos

A collection of seashells

Photo: Viktoria_Karpunina/Depositphotos

A pair of shoes

Photo: vad_1/Depositphotos

Take your art supplies outdoors and paint a park en plein air

Photo: Afonskaya/Depositphotos

Different athletes

Photo: 7slonov/Depositphotos

The night sky

Photo: KostyaKlimenko/Depositphotos

Mountain landscape

Photo: Elinacious/Depositphotos

The moon

Photo: svetas/Depositphotos

The beach

Photo: itmuryn/Depositphotos

A butterfly

Photo: sun_tiger/Depositphotos

A cherry blossom tree (with q-tips instead of a brush)

Photo: Marinka/Depositphotos

A pumpkin

Photo: shoshina/Depositphotos

The sunset sky

Photo: samillustration/Depositphotos

Paint on rocks instead of on canvas

Photo: Wirestock/Depositphotos

What did you have for lunch or dinner?

Photo: suslik83/Depositphotos

A shiny balloon

Photo: OlhaArt/Depositphotos

Someone who is doing an everyday activity such as sleeping, cooking, putting on makeup

Photo: Leonid_Eremeychuk/Depositphotos

Go big: show peonies blooming on a giant canvas or piece of paper

Photo: Valenty/Depositphotos

A snowy landscape

Photo: vad_1/Depositphotos

Good painting ideas inspired by the imagination:

A person with flowers growing from their head

Photo:Nongkran_ch/Depositphotos

An image inspired by your favorite song

Photo: agsandrew/Depositphotos

A majestic unicorn with a rainbow-colored mane

Photo: milanawork@mail.ru/Depositphotos

A self-portrait in a Cubist style (try using a limited color palette)

Juan Gris, “Portrait of Pablo Picasso,” 1912. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Reimagine a scene from your favorite Disney film

Photo: Liuzishan/Depositphotos

Imagine a dog could walk and talk like a human. What would they say and do?

Photo: Gastello/Depositphotos

A repeat pattern

Photo: Molesko/Depositphotos

A mandala-inspired design

Photo: outsiderzone/Depositphotos

A cat in a fancy hat

Photo: rm211171/123RF

Your dream home

Photo: luzaazure/123RF

Try painting with your fingers

Photo: golubovy/Depositphotos

The sky imagined in colorful swirls like in Van Gogh’s Starry Night

Photo: whatawin/Depositphotos

A scuba diver swimming through a galaxy instead of the ocean

 

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A post shared by ᴄ ᴏ ꜱ ᴍ ɪ ᴄ ✨ ᴀ ʀ ᴛ ɪ ꜱ ᴛ (@lanchendesigns)

A person made out of balloons

Photo: kamenuka/Depositphotos

Tiny people moving throughout a regular-sized world

Photo: Golsa Golchini

Hide a face in a repeating pattern (like Lee Wagstaff)

 

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A post shared by Lee Wagstaff (@lee_wagstaff)

A spooky scene in the woods (try painting it on a wood slice)

Photo: Melpomene Chatzipanagiotou

Animals in the place of humans

 

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A post shared by Guillermo Lorca García H. (@guillermolorcagarcia)

Salvador Dali-inspired interior

Living underwater

Paint a fantastical garden of imaginative plants

Photo: nikahgeh/123RF

Merge two of your favorite animals into one

 

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A post shared by Sujay Sanan (@sujaysanan)

Try painting in an Art Deco style (like Tamara de Lempicka)

Photo: mayaartworks/Depositphotos

Hide a person's face in an unusual way

 

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Imagine that you're a giant

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A person whose skin cracks like porcelain

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Create your own fairytale

 

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Fuse day and night into a single scene

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An easy quote

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Metallic abstract

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Geometric art

Photo: theromb/Depositphotos

Splatter art

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Animals outside of their natural habitat (look to Marina Kusraeva for inspiration)

Photo: Marina Kusraeva

A landscape inspired by an enchanted forest

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Life in the future

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Combine a realistic subject with abstract elements

Create a painting just of loops. What designs can you make with that?

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Something that slithers (doesn't have to be a snake or a slug!)

Personal self-portrait inspired by Frida Kahlo

 

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Painting Tutorials

Photo: Joanna Kosinska

If you don't have a vast knowledge of painting, any one of these ideas can be daunting to start putting pigment to canvas. Here are some painting tutorials to try which will teach you how to paint a particular subject while giving you confidence for future works of art.

Dream Your Own Abstract Floral Paintings — In this online course on My Modern Met Academy, artist Nitika Ale will walk you through painting techniques to create luscious acrylic blooms.

Dappled Light: Learn Abstract Paintings With Acrylics — Have you always admired the light as it shines through the trees? In another on-demand class on My Modern Met Academy, artist Megan Elizabeth shows you all you need to know about painting these beautiful scenes.

This Step-by-Step Tutorial Shows You How to “Grow” Watercolor Flowers on Paper — Get a supplies list and a look at all the steps involved in bringing flowers to life on the page.

Learn How to Paint a Colorful Sunset in Easy to Follow Steps — Want to recreate the beauty of the setting sun? Here's another step-by-step painting tutorial that will give you the foundation for it.

Fluid Art: How to Start Acrylic Pouring & Create Psychedelic Abstract Paintings — Pour your way into a masterpiece when you get the proper tools and practice the techniques of fluid art.

15+ YouTube Channels to Teach You How to Paint for Free — As expected, YouTube is chock-full of videos by artists who want to help you learn to paint. Here are 15 of our favorites.

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READ: 80+ Painting Ideas That Will Inspire You To Pick Up a Brush Right Now

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A blank page can be daunting. Even when you're in a creative mood, it can be hard to narrow down what you want to start making. Fortunately, we've put together a helpful list of cartoon drawing ideas that are perfect for anyone wanting to fill in their sketchbook and explore a new style.

Cartoons are essentially simplified versions of real life subjects, usually based on geometric shapes. There are endless ways to draw cartoons, but usually they depend on large eyes and minimalist details.

Our list includes two categories: animals and people. With this simplified list, you can practice sketching everything from cartoon birds and bunnies to princes and basketball players. All you'll need to get started are some basic drawing supplies, like a pencil, eraser, and some paper.

Scroll down for some cartoon drawing ideas to spark your imagination and get you started on your next creative project.

We have 20 cartoon drawing ideas to jumpstart your sketchbook.

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Cartoon Animals

Cartoon Dog

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Cat

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Bird

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Rabbit

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Fox

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Elephant

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Sheep

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Unicorn

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Pegasus

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Dragon

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon People

Cartoon Superhero

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Witch

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Knight

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Mad Scientist

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Athlete

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Princess

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Prince

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Vampire

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Fairy

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Cartoon Firefighter

Photo & Art: Margherita Cole / My Modern Met

Looking for more ways to learn how to draw? Check out our illustration and drawing courses on My Modern Met Academy.

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READ: 20 Cartoon Drawing Ideas to Sketch Right Now

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Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the game, buying a piece of art is easier than ever. Gone are the days of needing to visit galleries, which can often be intimidating. Now, art is at the tip of your fingers thanks to the internet, and buying art online is a breeze.

There are platforms available for all price points and tastes. From original paintings to limited editions, posters, and canvas prints, there is unlimited choice depending on your needs. So where should you start? If you already have a favorite artist, you can always decide to buy directly by contacting them on social media or via their website. Many artists will either sell work directly from their studio or are on some of the platforms we mention below. This makes shopping from the comfort of your own home a breeze and can cut out the middleman.

But what if you don't have a particular artist in mind? That's OK as well. There are plenty of sites that allow you to browse by style or subject matter. Some even let you filter artwork based on where you'd like to hang it. This makes it easier to narrow down the field and even discover new artists that you'd like to support.

The bottom line is that in this day and age, buying art online doesn't have to be difficult. And we're making the process a bit easier by spotlighting some of our favorite places to purchase a canvas, piece of photography, or sculpture for your home. Some sites work directly with independent artists, while others are virtual homes for well-respected art galleries, which means that you don't need to jet off to Paris or New York to get your hands on top-notch art.

If you are worried about your budget, don't be. There truly is something at every price point. You can start out with a print from an up-and-coming artist or really dig deep into your savings for an original piece by an established name in the contemporary art world. It's up to you. Keep scrolling to see our recommendations, and then start building your own art collection from the comfort of your own home.

Here are 10 incredible online platforms for purchasing your next piece of art.

ArtFinder

ArtFinder focuses on selling original and limited edition artwork from independent artists around the world. All artists have their work reviewed prior to going live on the platform. ArtFinder makes it easy to discover art at any price point by helpfully breaking its catalog down into easy pricing categories.

With 5,700 five-star reviews on TrustPilot, ArtFinder is a reliable source for affordable art. Buyers like the uncomplicated, simple purchasing process and appreciate the accurate representation of the artwork on the website. If you aren't satisfied with what you receive, the platform has a 14-day return policy—return shipping costs included.

Photo: Screenshot from Artsy

Artsy

If you are looking for a high-end gallery experience from home, you'll want to check out Artsy. This highly respected platform has over 2 million pieces of art available from galleries around the world. Artsy aims to make collecting art easy and allows art lovers to buy artwork, bid in auctions, and even sell pieces from their collections.

Whether you want to buy a work on paper or an NFT, Artsy will help you. The filtering gets quite specific, so buyers can search based on the rarity of the art piece, where it's located, the artist's nationality, the medium, and the price range. Of course, it's also possible to search directly for the artist or gallery.

Due to the nature of the art on the platform, buyers will be able to either purchase, bid, make an offer, or inquire about pieces. Once you've purchased or made an offer, Artsy gives buyers 24 hours to change their minds, after which all sales are final. All bids at auction are also final, and any transactions made directly with a gallery after the initial inquiry are held to the individual gallery's refund policy.

Etsy

Since its inception in 2005, Etsy has been the go-to online marketplace for handcrafted and vintage items. Its motto, “Shop for anything from creative people anywhere,” sums it up. While many artists have migrated away from the platform as times have changed, there is no denying that there is still great art to be discovered here. Many emerging artists still use the platform, particularly for crafts, illustrations, and handmade pieces.

It can take a discerning eye to wade through the search results at times, and due to unfortunate copycats, it's always good to do due diligence and ensure that the art you are purchasing is from the original artist. Still, given the platform's reach and history, it's an incredible resource for purchasing affordable art.

Photo: Screenshot from Fine Art America

Fine Art America

Fine Art America is the world's largest online art marketplace and print-on-demand technology company. They've been in business selling wall art, tapestries, home decor, apparel, and other products since 2006. The platform is home to hundreds of thousands of artists, photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, and global brands, making it a great resource.

As they mainly focus on framed prints, canvas prints, and posters, prices are rather affordable. You can also search curated thematic collections by high-level brands like Rolling Stone, TIME, Vogue, and National Geographic. These partnerships make Fine Art America a good choice if you are looking for a print of a famous photograph. If you aren't satisfied with what you receive, the platform has a 30-day return policy, with the buyer only responsible for shipping costs.

Photo: Screenshot from LiveAuctioneers

LiveAuctioneers

Whether you are a seasoned auction participant or just want to dip your toe in the water, you'll want to bookmark LiveAuctioneers. The site allows you to search and bid at auctions taking place at over 5,000 auction houses around the globe.

From collectibles to fashion to sculpture and paintings, it's easy to search LiveAuctioneers' database to find objects of interest. You can also follow specific searches so that you'll be informed when new items appear. But if auctions seem intimidating and you don't know where to start, LiveAuctioneers will help you out with their comprehensive guide to how auctions work.

Saatchi Art

If you want to purchase from emerging and mid-career independent artists, Saatchi Art is a great option. One of the most well-known platforms for buying art online, Saatchi has original pieces and art prints ranging from under $500 to over $10,000. With over 60,000 international artists on the platform, there is plenty to choose from. All the classic filtering options are available, but buyers can also work with a Saatchi Art Curator for no additional fee to help select art that suits their needs.

Buying art can sometimes be intimidating, and knowing what you like isn't always easy, so Saatchi also has a helpful guide on how to find the perfect artwork. If you buy something and then change your mind, Saatchi has a 14-day return policy for original artwork where buyers can receive store credit, or a partial or full refund depending on the circumstance. Commissions, open editions, limited editions, and frames are all non-refundable.

Singulart

Singulart is an incredible platform that represents over 12,000 artists. All artists on the platform undergo a review process by Singulart's curatorial team to ensure that their work is top-notch. Not only will buyers find paintings, photography, and drawings on the platform, but there is also space for sculptures, textile art, and digital art. The focus here is on original art, rather than posters or prints, and the prices reflect this.

Based on what's currently available, prices start in the range of $250 and go up to $20,000. A helpful chatbot can help narrow down your choices, or you can use the easy filtering found on the sidebar. There's also a space to commission original artwork and for design professionals to source artwork for their next projects.

Singulart ships worldwide with an average delivery time of 7 to 10 business days. Returns, complete with free shipping, are available for up to one year after you receive your order.

Photo: Screenshot from Tappan Collective

Tappan Collective

The Tappan Collective‘s mission is to make it easy for collectors to buy original art from working artists and to connect artists with collectors around the world. Its curatorial team of art world veterans scouts up-and-coming artists who are making their way in the art world and mid-career artists whose practices have taken an innovative turn.

The carefully curated site has everything from collage and mixed media pieces to photography, sculpture, and paintings. If you aren't sure where to begin, there is a helpful quiz to assist you in narrowing down your options. Art Advisory services are available for individuals and, as of 2023, there is even a physical location in Los Angeles, California, that hosts in-person exhibitions.

UGallery

UGallery wants to make purchasing a work of art as simple as possible and believes that this starts with the careful curation of the artists on their platform. They pick each artist and every piece they exhibit, making all artwork exclusive to UGallery, and they focus on spotlighting emerging and mid-career artists. Buyers can easily search by medium, subject, style, and size and can even commission a bespoke piece of art. They also have a fun quiz that matches you with artwork based on your tastes, and you can search collections based on the room where you intend to hang your art.

UGallery offers free shipping in the United States and a seven-day return period. In the case of a return, shipping is free for artwork under 50 inches on the longest side.

Photo: Screenshot from Widewalls

Widewalls

Established as an online art magazine in 2013, Widewalls has quickly grown into a valuable resource to keep updated on the contemporary art market. They have an extensive database of upcoming auction, as well as past auction results so that you can keep up on current art values.

In terms of purchasing art, Widewalls works with galleries to provide a large range of options. While there are, of course, paintings and drawings, buyers will also find interesting categories like furniture, jewelry, and books. After signing up for a free account, buyers will have the ability to either purchase art instantly, bid on an item, or send a pricing inquiry to a gallery.

Widewalls is particularly strong in street art, with art available from established artists like Invader, Vhils, and Shepard Fairey. Thanks to collaborations with respected, established galleries, there are also finds by the likes of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and other historically important artists.

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READ: 10 Best Platforms To Buy Art Online Today

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Watercolor painting is one of the easiest creative activities to pick up. There are only a few supplies that you need—a set of paints, paintbrushes, paper, and water—and there are just a handful of essential techniques to know before you put pigment to paper. This brilliant simplicity means that it’s a breeze to start and finish a watercolor painting in the same day. So, what are you going to paint?

Deciding what you’ll paint can sometimes be the hardest part of the entire creative process. Do you want a subject matter that will challenge your skills? Are you looking to hone how you depict realism, or are you interested in testing the limit of your abstraction? What kinds of watercolor techniques would you like to use in your project? Making these decisions will prove vital to what you decide to paint, but they can feel overwhelming and leave you scratching your head.

If you’re in need of watercolor painting ideas, never fear! We’ve come up with a myriad of concepts that range from easy to challenging, and they all lend themselves to the carefree fluidity that’s indicative of the medium. We recommend picking a few ideas that you like and, if applicable, make a sketch of what you'd like to paint. When you’re happy with the composition, start applying color and watch the watercolor work its magic.

Check out some watercolor painting ideas below.

In need of something to paint? We’ve got 36 watercolor painting ideas you can try today that range from simple to complex concepts.

The great thing about many of these ideas is that the simpler concepts can evolve into more challenging ones. With flowers, for instance, it’s relatively easy to paint a daisy or a tulip. When you’re ready, try adding a rose to your bouquet.

Stock Photos from Ekaterina Iatcenko /Shutterstock

Easy Watercolor Painting Ideas

Experiment! Try different colors and test out a variety of watercolor painting techniques.

Photo: ChrisAt/Depositphotos

Washes that resemble the sky. Try painting the sunset with the wet-on-wet approach.

Photo: ViktoriiaDyachenko/Depositphotos

The starry night sky. Try preserving your white paper with masking fluid.

Photo: Rastan/Depositphotos

Simple landscape with hills or mountains.

Photo: gill@gillcopeland.com/Depositphotos

Put your spin on the iconic rainbow.

Photo: ibogdan/Depositphotos

A decorative pattern. Make sure you start easy and work up to more complex motifs.

Photo: oaurea/Depositphotos

A single piece of fruit such as an apple or an orange. To make your composition more interesting, try slicing it in half.

Photo: Dream79/Depositphotos

Fresh flowers (like daisies, tulips, or sunflowers).

Photo: st-design/Depositphotos

Your favorite Disney or video game character.

Photo: sobin/Depositphotos

A tranquil lake scene or a beach. (Optional: include a boat, animal, or beach umbrella.)

Photo: elenathewise/Depositphotos

A ladybug on a leaf.

Photo: monner/Depositphotos

Your favorite pairs of shoes.

Photo: drupa79/Depositphotos

An aerial view you’d see from an airplane.

Photo: lyulka.86/Depositphotos

An interesting tree you saw on a recent hike.

Photo: Kannap/Depositphotos

Your morning cup of tea or coffee. Use the fluidity of the watercolor to capture the steam coming off the hot beverage.

Photo: Subbotina/Depositphotos

Balloons and confetti. Learn how to make vibrant hues with the pigment.

Photo: IrenLo/Depositphotos

A fluffy cat or dog using smudgy watercolor washes.

Photo: OlezzoSimona/Depositphotos

Once you've completed all of the easy ideas, you can step up the difficulty level!

Stock Photos from sashafolly/Shutterstock

Challenging Watercolor Painting Ideas

Recreate an old family photograph.

Photo: zurijeta/Depositphotos

A collection of your favorite glass bottles. The more you add, the more challenging the painting will be.

Photo: tsyb.oleg.gmail.com/Depositphotos

A smattering of spoons, knives, and forks. Be sure to pay attention to the reflections in them!

Photo: VadimVasenin/Depositphotos

A bouquet of flowers—roses are some of the most challenging blooms you can paint.

Photo: VadimVasenin/Depositphotos

The plumage on a peacock.

Photo: Hintau_Aliaksey/Depositphotos

Pet portraits—these make great gifts!

Photo: Photoboyko/Depositphotos

A fire-breathing dragon.

Photo: FairytaleDesign/Depositphotos

Go outside! Sketch a building on location. Can you capture the people around there, too?

Photo: VIAVAL/Depositphotos

A beetle with an iridescent shell. Try to recreate all of the gorgeous colors you see.

Photo: bornin54/Depositphotos

Part of the human body. An entire face is the hardest to paint. For something a little easier (but still challenging), try rendering the hands or feet.

Photo: NatashaFedorova/Depositphotos

Your favorite room in your home.

Photo: iofoto/Depositphotos

What you see from your bedroom window.

Photo: romantiche/Depositphotos

Paint the monsters living under a bed.

Photo: innovatedcaptures/Depositphotos

Crashing waves on a shore.

Photo: irisphoto11/Depositphotos

A magical unicorn.

Photo: CoreyFord/Depositphotos

Venture into Surrealism by merging two things into one—such as a bird with leaves in place of its feathers.

Photo: cranach2/Depositphotos

Your main mode of transportation, whether that is a bike, car, scooter, or public transit. Try showing them in an environment.

Photo: anyaivanova@gmail.com/Depositphotos

A bustling underwater scene.

Photo: GraphicsMonarch/Depositphotos

Need more art ideas? Check out our drawing ideas, acrylic painting ideas, and sketchbook ideas.

Once you’re done painting, be sure to share your work in our Art, Design, Photography, and Drawing Club on Facebook!

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READ: 36 Watercolor Painting Ideas for Beginning Artists and Seasoned Professionals

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Whether you're a concert fan or know someone who is, there's an online archive where music lovers can enjoy thousands of performances from different bands. The Live Music Archive is part of the Internet Archive and boasts over 250,000 recordings of live concerts. This incredible collection has been in the works for 20 years and is a collaborative effort between the Internet Archive and countless volunteers.

Within the archive are thousands of bands, ranging from The Grateful Dead to lesser-known bands who are just starting out. “It's a huge victory for the open web,” says Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle. “Fans have helped build it. Bands have supported it. And the Internet Archive has continued to scale it to be able to meet the demand.” Not only has the project helped preserve music files, but they've helped make them accessible to anyone who loves music.

Over 8,000 musicians have given permission to the Live Music Archive to have their recordings added to the collection. This has helped many grow their fanbase and share their music on a larger platform. “Music is universal—it's cross-cultural and across time,” adds Jonathan Aizen, who helped build the Live Music Archive. “To be able to create access, in a world where everything is so commercialized, and just having music be freely accessible, with no ads—that is also something that's really just special.”

Browse all of the recordings via the Live Music Archive's website.

Internet Archive: Website
h/t: [Open Culture]

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READ: 250,000+ Concert Recordings Are Free to Download Through Live Music Archive