There's a wide range of how-to and inspirational magazines for painters and artists available, whether you paint with acrylics, oils, watercolors, or pastels, used mixed media, draw, or do collage. There are magazines for artists at all levels, from complete beginners to artists wanting to improve their skills to professionals. I read several each month for a boost of inspiration and sheer enjoyment of the subject matter.
1. International Artist: The Magazine for Artists by Artists From Around the World
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This is my all-time favorite painting magazine. Most of the magazine showcases practicing artists from around the world working in different mediums (painting, drawing, and printmaking), with a gallery of their work and, usually, a step-by-step demo. The emphasis is on the artist describing their approach and working process, rather than how-to descriptions. There's a themed competition in each issue (which you can enter on-line), and photos of previous winners and runner's up with information on the artists' inspiration, design strategy, and working process. It's a bi-monthly magazine, giving you plenty of time to read through each issue.
2. The Artist: The Practical Magazine For Artists by Artists
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This British magazine is the best how-to magazine available, in my opinion, ideal for both beginners and artists wanting to expand their skills. Each month professional artists tackle both drawing and painting subjects, and specific techniques. There usually also a profile of a famous artist or painting, a roundup of events and competitions in the UK, and reviews of art materials.
3. The Artist's Magazine
An American magazine, not to be confused with the UK’s "The Artist" (see no 2), though still an inspiring and helpful publication. The focus is practical and how-to; it includes all painting mediums, some drawing-related features, an "ask the experts" Q&A, exhibitions information, and pages of listings of workshops (including some outside the USA).
4. American Artist
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This magazine got taken over by Interweave Press in mid-2008 and seems the better for it. The print quality is nice (paper white enough to make the photos bright), the mixture of articles covering various professional artists, styles, and mediums (with a list on the contents page so it's easy to find medium-specific info). There's also career-related tips and a technical Q&A. The articles are lengthy, making for a satisfying read (you can't "read" the article from the photo captions which are limited to title, medium, size).
5. American Artist Watercolor
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This magazine was also bought by Interweave in mid-2008. It's a quarterly magazine featuring profiles of professional watercolorists, plus a small section on exhibitions, workshops, and competitions. Some profiles include step-by-step demonstrations; all contain lists of the artist's materials. The articles are intended to be satisfying reads, not glanced-over snippets. Something to savor during a break from painting with a cup of coffee.
6. The Pastel Journal
If you're a devoted pastel artist, this is the magazine for you. If you're only an occasional pastel users, you'll find it encouraging you to pick up your pastels. Articles include artist profiles and how-tos. The downside is that it's a relatively expensive magazine, especially for overseas subscriptions (it's published in America), and it comes out only six times a year.7. Artists & Illustrators
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A&I is a colorful, large format magazine that labels itself as "For everyone inspired by art". It combines profiles and interviews of professional articles with career-related advice, product reviews, and technical tips. The focus is on the UK artists and events. It's not a how-to magazine.
8. Australian Artist
Australia’s practical, how-to magazine, produced by the same publisher as "International Artist" (see no 1), but not in the same league. It’s aimed more at amateurs than semi-professionals. While the info is useful and well presented, there may not be enough to satisfy you every month.9. Leisure Painter
UK’s magazine for the painting hobbyist, produced by the publisher of "The Artist" (see no 2). The pages are packed with how-to information and technique tips aimed at developing artists, plus reviews of art materials and exhibition listings. If you are a total beginner, you'll likely enjoy the level of the projects which are set to challenge you but not be unachievable. If you're not a beginner whose just started to learn to paint, you'll likely find the information too basic.10. Watercolor Magic
A magazine featuring water-based mediums (acrylic and gouache, not just watercolor), from the publishers of the USA Artist magazine (see no 3). Six issues a year.11. American Artist Workshop
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Aimed at painters using oils and acrylics, this is a quarterly magazine showcasing artists who run workshops. Produced by Interweave, it's focused on American artists, and is a bit like looking over the shoulder of someone presenting a class.
12. Cloth Paper Scissors
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If mixed media and/or collage is your thing, then you'll likely enjoy this magazine which is focused on "artistic discovery" through projects that can use anything and everything. If you like art journaling and pushing the boundaries of where art and craft techniques meet, take a closer look. If you're a fine-art purist who likes only traditional-style painting on canvas, stay away.
