What do old detective novels, beautiful women, and great painting composition have in common? Quite a lot, actually. Doug takes a closer look at the remarkable cover art of Robert McGinnis. From bold diagonals and dramatic lighting to clever composition, these wonderfully over-the-top illustrations have a few valuable lessons to teach painters.

90% of paintings fail in the first five minutes. These 6 reminders will help you start strong.

You’ve already got two verticals and two horizontals. They’re called the edges of your canvas. So why keep adding more? - Kevin Beilfuss

Trust your instincts. They won’t always be right — but the more you use them, the more right they become

You can have all the brush skills in the world—but if the design isn’t there, the painting won’t stand. Here’s why planning matters more than you think.