10 of the Best Art Sites
You may not be able to paint like Picasso, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t express yourself artistically. The World Wide Web is home to plenty of great art sites that offer something for everyone. And if you’re not exactly sure what “art” is, wellthere are sites for that, too.
1. ArtCyclopedia: This online search engine of art and artists includes 9,000 artists, many of whom have multiple works indexed. You can search by artist, artwork, or museum, or simply browse by movement, medium, subject, or another category if you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for.
2. The Fantastic in Art and Fiction: The Cornell University Institute for Digital Collections sponsors this image-bank of the weird and uncanny in visual and written works. Whether as an academic resource or simply an introduction to the dream-like (or is that nightmare-like?) powers of art, this site is well worth a look.
3. The Museum of Modern Art: While almost every museum has a website, many of them vary in quality. MOMA’s site is a great way for those unsure of just what “modern art” is to get a taste. The site also helps to put modern artists in perspective by illustrating the lineage of different mediums and subjects.
4. SwarmSketch: Certain forms of art are popular over the Internet that would be difficult or impossible otherwise. SwarmSketch, a collaborative project in which users contribute a small line to a sketch of a popular search term, is one such example. Users can also moderate the darkness of lines left by other users.
5. The Art Gallerist: This “virtual fine art gallery” is based in Laguna Beach, California, but luckily you don’t have to travel there to find amazing art for sale. All art is original and has been submitted to a jury. Accepted works are grouped into either the “Student,” “Emerging,” or “Professional” exhibits.
6. Comic Art Community: Explore a special kind of art that has evolved rapidly over the last century: comic art. Early masters like Will Eisner, legends like Jack Kirby, and modern professionals like Gabriel Ba are all exhibited.
7. ARTnews: ARTnews is an art magazine founded in 1902. At this site, you can read certain online article, as well as subscribe to the magazine in order to get full access.
8. Dick Blick: Find great discounts on a variety of art supplieseverything you need to start your own fine arts career. Dick Blick has been offering products since 1911.
9. deviantART: This online community for amateur (and some professional) artists launched in 2000 and is still going strong. Submit your own works and constructively critique others in a unique and close-knit community. As long as the Mature Content Filter is ON, the site is suitable for all ages.
10. National Geographic Photography: See some of the most amazing people, places, and animals on the planet as you explore this site’s numerous galleries. You’re likely to find a new desktop wallpaper every time you visit.