Sometimes the melody whispers while the words steal the show. In Doug Swinton’s latest article, “Design Before Execution,” he dives into the balance between structure and spontaneity — how design lays the foundation, but composition decides who takes the spotlight. Whether it’s a street scene or a still life, it all starts with a solid plan…

Strategy before execution. Get the design right first, then add the magic juice on top. Just like in music. Just like in painting.

The 60/30/10 Split. This is a great technique to capture balance and visual interest in a colour scheme. This can be used not only for paintings but also logos, brands, interiors, graphic design, websites and more.

Get your creative juices flowing when you're stuck in painter's block with these 10 tips and exercises.

Sometimes a fresh start in the same location doesn't cut it. A: you need to start over, B: you need to move your location.

Explore the dynamic relationship between figures and landscapes through 10 insightful observations.

Unlock the secrets of painting edges with these 10 expert tips!

The five dominations of painting. Learn what makes a painting interesting to look at.

The setup, the climax and the resolution. Every play or sitcom has a three-act play in it. So does artwork.

Critiquing your own work can be hard. Understanding how to critique yourself can make things easier and end in a better result.

See, the full meal deal is; You want to have a funky painting with lots of eye-popping creativity, and yet you want harmony in there too.