We don’t all have the luxury of living in a metropolitan setting. For many of us, the only way to see other artist’s work is through the Internet and through magazines. Before the Internet gave us instant access to everything, we waited for the monthly issue of our favorite magazines to be delivered by our kindly postal employee.
Today, many of the magazines we loved are available in print and also as downloads. Their articles give us a brief glimpse into the background of fellow artists, along with demonstrations of their styles and techniques. Some magazines also focus on great artists throughout history, while others report on the latest news in the art world.
Another great feature of many of the art magazines is the ability to purchase an entire year of magazines on CD. A collection of back issues doesn’t need to take up an entire bookshelf, but the entire contents are neatly tucked into a shiny plastic disc.
These are just a few of the major art magazines that have been instructing, entertaining and enlightening artists for decades. There have been recent losses in the publishing world, and a few of your favorites may not be listed here. It is sad to see that some of the magazines we have relied on for decades are no longer available.
Art In America
This long-running magazine has been published since 1913 and looks at art, not only around the United States, but also around the world. Although it has a tendency to focus on the New York art scene, the contributing writers submit artist profiles and critical essays from the far reaches of the art world.
Focusing on contemporary art, artists and events, Art In America conducts interview with artsy types like curators, collectors as well as working artists.
The magazine also looks at gallery and museum installations, and it reviews new art books of note.
The Artist’s Magazine
This monthly F & W Publications magazine has something for everyone. You’ll find tutorials on still life, portraiture and landscape. Whether you’re an oil painter, watercolorist, pastel artist or focus on acrylics, you’ll find something in your chosen medium to inspire and instruct.
The Artist’s Magazine showcases mainly figurative and realist art and artists, and it includes interviews, discussions, exhibit and event information. Along with tips and tricks, you’ll keep up to date on the latest issues relating to the art scene. The publication also hosts contests, which include cash awards and publication in their magazine.
Artists & Illustrators
Published in the UK for nearly 25 years, Artists & Illustrators is ranked as one of the best-selling UK art magazines.
This highly regarded magazine features painting advice and tips from experts in various mediums, profiles of working artists and reviews of products.
It’s a great magazine for those serious about their art and you may learn a cool trick or two.
ARTnews Magazine
ARTnews Magazine is the granddaddy of art magazines. It began life back in 1902 and has a worldwide readership that spans 123 countries. Its readership includes art dealers, collectors, museum curators, artists, connoisseurs and aficionados.
With 11 issues a year, ARTnews has a broad appeal. Experts and neophytes will both find this magazine full of news, trends, events and issues that focus on the world of art. Reporters tackle investigative reports as well as entertaining art news and submit opinion pieces as well as critiques.
The focus has recently broadened to include the art market scene, the world of design and profiles of prominent art scholars, collectors and museum directors.
International Artist
Launched in 1998, this bi-monthly magazine features working artists from around the world. The articles include the artist’s techniques, methods and examples of their work. Learn how an artist views his work, his subject and his medium.
This magazine appeals to both novice artists and professionals with articles on many different methods, materials and styles of art. You get to look over the shoulders of artists from all parts of the world to see what they are painting.
Major art competition winners are also featured. You’ll get a glimpse of what kind of art, medium and style is grabbing the jurors’ attention in the current art show circuit.
Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine
This entry in art world publishing has been around since 1994. It’s based in San Francisco and looks at the fresh, outside-the-box art that’s not your daddy’s realism or impressionism.
One of its stated, basic tenets is ‘to define and celebrate urban alternative and underground contemporary art.’
This mission has expanded in the last few years to include other genres of art, which has increased the circulation of this subculture publication into the largest of any art magazine published in the United States.
Leisure Painter
Published in the UK, Leisure Painter focuses on the beginning and amateur artist. Articles include demonstrations of both painting and drawing techniques for all media, and feature colorful, systematic illustrations. There are also articles with encouraging advice to inspire beginning artists, as well as information on competitions, exhibits and art workshops.
Highlights of art materials, books and supplies keep you up to date on the latest products, and there’s also a regular question and answer feature.
Niche Publications
If you’re like most artists, you focus on one medium. There are magazines for every type of artist, so you can subscribe to publications that concentrate on one type of medium. If it’s in your starving artist budget, subscribe to a general art magazine as well as a niche magazine. You never know when an artist working in another medium may inspire you.
Watercolor Artist
This magazine covers all water media.
Whether you’re a watercolorist, an acrylic artist or work with gouache, this publication runs the gamut of all water-based painting mediums.
From inspirational articles, techniques, reviews of paints and paper to artists and the manner in which they create, Watercolor Artist brings the latest in tips and artists to watch.
The Pastel Journal
Pastel artists of all levels will appreciate this publication devoted to their particular medium. With colorful illustrations and plenty of how-to advice, this bi-monthly magazine brings insightful interviews with top pastel artists, their working methods and recommendations about various products and materials.
Since dabblers in pastel are less common among artists, this magazine allows a student to see the style and approach needed to become a successful pastel artist.
As on-line magazine venues proliferate, it becomes more difficult to find actual printed-on-glossy-paper magazines. Art, like life, must change in order to grow, and the magazines we have loved for decades must adapt or die.
If you live in a city with a national chain bookstore, check out their magazine section for selections that aren’t listed here. Use your favorite search engine to hunt out publications that feature the kind of art that is near and dear to your heart. On the other hand, if you’ve been thoroughly absorbed by the digital age, download your favorite magazine to your tablet.
The important thing is that you can broaden your horizons by viewing and reading about what other artists are doing, and for a great many of us this is only available through the pages of magazines.