By Cassie Rief in Featured Artists > Oil Paintings “Structure” and “meaning” are two words that could define any of Elizabeth Floyd’s still life paintings. A former architect, Elizabeth’s delicate use of layers of color and specifically chosen subject matter combine to form meaningful compositions which draw viewers deeper into the story of each piece. Elizabeth also has the technical ability to impart the feeling of objects through paint. One glance at Pitcher and Pomegranates below and I…

Mina dela Cruz is a talented Canadian painter (originally from the Philippines) who currently lives and works in Toronto. A full-time artist since 2004, Mina's paintings are highly realistic, emphasizing skilled draftsmanship, classical technique and a deliberate eye for composition.

Johan De Fre, a Belgian artist born in 1952, created the captivating piece titled "Three Apples on the Shelf." This oil painting on panel measures 20 by 16 inches, or 51 by 41 centimeters. Originally shared by Wall Street International, this artwork beautifully captures the simplicity and elegance of everyday objects.

The impact a painting has on the viewer often does not depend on how much detail you put in. Rather, it depends much more on how you simplify the scene in front of you using notan design. In this article I explain how I used the notan design concept to create a small, but very effective painting. Follow this idea and you too will have a lot more successful paintings. What is notan? In order to simplify your painting, you have to understand the basics of notan design. You do not need more…

Featured in The Artist's Magazine (January/February 2008), Pam Carroll paints playful still lifes using oil. Read on for a free demonstration of her painting, Well Read.

Ingrid Christensen on Instagram: "Playing on Mylar today. I love the slick feel under the brush- very appropriate for watery subjects. #beach #oilonmylar #figurativeart #figuresketch #gesture #contemporaryfigurativeart #bigman #ingridchristensen #canadianartist"

Learn the nine things artists should know when painting from photos, plus tips to maximize the use of photo references and make great paintings.