Artist's Sketchbook April 2005 Digital Download

Features

9 Women, 9 Months
Nine creative women swapped nine journals over the course of nine months, and the effects were empowering.
By Pam Baker Arena

Don't Be a Slave to Your Reference Photo
Banish your hesitation to crop, combine and delete. Learn to translate freely from photo to painting.
By Donald Patterson

The Fine Art of Poetry
Art inspires words and words inspire art in the cycle of creativity.
By Miriam Sagan

Staying in the Flow
In this interview, Dean Mitchell reveals his approach to work, artistic success and "keeping it real."
Interview by Sandra Carpenter

What's Your Sign?
Find out how your astrological sign can inform your approach to creativity in this fun exploration of the Zodiac.
Birgit O'Connor

An Insider's Guide to the National Gallery of Art
Take a guided tour of this magnificent collection of masterworks—without ever leaving home.
By Ross Merrill

Frames That Wow!
Four fun ideas for turning plain Jane frames into artful accents.
By Tonia Davenport

Inspiring Reads
Looking for inspiration? Browse this collection of great new books for your bedtime reading.
By Anne Hevener

Columns

Drawing Your Life
Discover a few "seeing" tools that will help you let go of what you think you see and translate what you do see into realistic drawings.
By Carrie Stuart Parks

Meet the Media
If you haven't tried watercolor pencils, now's your chance to discover the appeal of this very versatile medium.
By Cathy Johnson

Block Busters
Use meditative exercises to mend a muddled mind.
By Val Hunt

Departments

Editor's Journal
Gather mental power from random moments of quiet. Plus, reader-tested creativity boosters.

Inspirations
Advice for the unrewarded competitor, painting with a buddy, fun toys, and more.

Open Book
Ann DuBois's interest in her subject doesn't stop at the surface. For her botanical work, she likes to dig in deeper.

Art Smart
Brush up on your art history with a short course on Fauvism and the movement's headliner, Henri Matisse.