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From the Hollow
Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities—a collection of gothic history, strange traditions, haunted places, forgotten folklore, dark symbolism, and the stories hidden behind art and books.
Here you’ll find ancient festivals, eerie legends, Victorian oddities, supernatural inspiration, book reviews, collector features, and the beautifully strange details that shape my worlds. From haunted Pittsburgh to poisonous gardens, from ravens and roses to old rituals and whispered ghost stories, this is where mystery, history, and art meet.
If you love gothic atmosphere, dark fiction, and the allure of the unusual, you’re in the right place.
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Mastering Dark Shadows and Lighting for Halloween-Themed Portraits
Halloween presents the perfect opportunity for photographers and artists to experiment with moody, dramatic lighting techniques that...
Oct 7, 20244 min read
Portrait Painting for the Changing Seasons: Capturing Fall Ambience
Portrait painting is an art form that allows us to freeze a moment in time, capturing the essence of a person’s expression, mood, and...
Sep 30, 20244 min read
Expressing Mood Through Background Elements in Portraits
When creating a portrait, the subject’s face often takes center stage. However, the background elements of a portrait can play an equally...
Sep 23, 20244 min read
Adding Layers of Emotion in Portrait Painting: A Guide to Capturing Depth Beyond the Surface
Portrait painting is more than simply replicating someone's physical appearance; it’s about capturing the inner essence, emotion, and...
Sep 16, 20245 min read
Exploring Texture in Portrait Painting: A Journey Through Surface and Sensation
Portrait painting is a captivating art form that transcends mere likeness, delving into the essence of the subject's character and...
Sep 10, 20243 min read
Exploring Autumnal Tones: A Comparative Study of Mediums in Traditional Portrait Painting
Autumn, with its vibrant colors, provides plenty of inspiration for artists with its rich hues. As traditional portrait painters,...
Sep 2, 20242 min read
How to Choose the Right Color Palette for Your Portraits
Choosing the right color palette is one of the most important steps in creating a compelling portrait. The colors you select will set the...
Aug 26, 20243 min read
Portraits in Ancient Art: Capturing the Essence of Humanity
Portraiture is one of the most compelling genres in the history of art. It has been used for millennia to capture the essence, likeness,...
Aug 5, 20243 min read
Techniques for Painting Realistic Skin Tones
Choosing the right medium for painting realistic skin tones depends on your personal preferences, working style, & the specific requirements
Jul 29, 20243 min read
Creating Depth in Portraits with Layers
Portraiture is an art form that has captivated audiences for centuries, not only by capturing the likeness of individuals but by...
Jul 22, 20243 min read
The Importance of Light and Shadow in Portrait Painting
Portrait painting is an art form that has fascinated and captivated artists and audiences for centuries. One of the critical elements...
Jul 8, 20243 min read
Modern Art Techniques Decoded: Unleashing Your Creative Potential
Art has a way of transcending boundaries, and in our fast-paced world, exploring modern art techniques can be a gateway to unlocking your...
May 26, 20241 min read
Adapting the Flemish 7-Step Painting Style: My Modern Approach
The Flemish 7-step painting style, with its meticulous layering process, has inspired countless artists, including myself. While I deeply...
May 24, 20242 min read
In the Eye of the Beholder: Dragon Tamer by Jen Sequel
For the past two years I have been focused primarily on my writing. I really can’t complain because for decades I focused primarily on my...
Apr 8, 20243 min read
Exploring the Mystical Canvas: The Intersection of Art and the Supernatural
Art has long been a conduit for expressing the ineffable, the mysterious, and the supernatural. From ancient cave paintings depicting...
Mar 28, 20242 min read
Exploring Horror in Art Across History
Horror has always held a curious fascination for humanity, permeating various forms of expression, including literature, film, and,...
Mar 22, 20242 min read
Exploring the Impact of Light Refraction and Color on Paintings
Art has always been a medium through which humanity expresses its perceptions of the world. Central to this expression is the intricate...
Feb 18, 20242 min read
Evolution of Traditional Portrait Painting: A Journey Through Artistic Ages
Portrait painting, a timeless and revered art form, has captivated audiences throughout the ages. From the classical masterpieces of the...
Jan 13, 20243 min read
Unveiling the Canvas: Redefining the "Real" Artist in a Changing Artistic Landscape
What criteria truly defines a "real" artist, and how has the evolution of tools shaped the artistic narrative?
Dec 27, 20232 min read
The Enduring Allure of Traditional Portraiture in a Digital Age
In an era dominated by digital art and technological advancements, the allure of traditional portraiture remains unwavering.
Dec 9, 20232 min read
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