The Runaway. Oil painting for Post cover, September 1958.

Girl At The Mirror. Oil painting for Post cover, March 1954

After The Prom. Oil painting for Post cover, May 1957.

The Tatooist. Painting for Post cover, March 1944.

Browse the Norman Rockwell Collection (both paintings and photographs) online at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Artist Guido Daniele uses paint to transform human hands into animal shapes:

See more of Mr. Daniele’s work HERE

A young man named Leon turned 21 years old and for his birthday party, his father built a detailed replica of Hogwart’s Great Hall using mostly styrofoam, cardboard, recycled wood and paint. These unbelievably simple and inexpensive creations are documented step by step on his website for all to learn:

The Harry Potter Potions Light Box was made from a simple box holding a flourescent light bulb. The recycled bottles were filled with water and food coloring.

The Floating Candles and the Enchanted Ceiling were made from thrifted queen size bed sheets, toilet paper rolls, and inexpensive flickering electronic lights.

The wands were made from sticks found at the park and varnish. The wand cases were made from styrofoam and a bit of velvet.

The books for the library were made from foam and paint.

The Great Hall Banquet Table was made extra long with a simple construction of recycled wood.

The Nimbus 2000 was made of wood, palm tree fronds, glue, and a bit of aluminum.

The Hour Glass was made with 2 liter plastic bottles, styrofoam, aluminum rods, sand, and gold paint.

The Owl Lecturn was made of foam, wood, a cardboard roll and gold paint.

The Monster Book Of Monsters was made of foam, a cardboard roll, fur fabric and gold puffy paint.

See all Harry Potter tutorials HERE

Worth1000 hosts a variety of photography and art contests that challenge users to think outside of the box. Their Superhero Modern Renaissance Contest is no exception. The Challenge: Incorporate at least one superhero into a classical fine art piece. Here are a few favorites:

See all of the entries HERE

One traveler’s account: “On my recent travels to China I visited Dafen painting village; A small village near the Guangzou district that produces an estimated 60 percent of the world’s cheap oil paintings. The village exports about five million paintings every year; with artists producing on average around 30 paintings a day. The majority of these paintings are copies of the old masters, just produced faster, cheaper and, in many ways better. The streets are crammed with Van Goughs, Monets and Mona Lisas, most of which will set you back a mere 50 Euros. It has to be seen to be believed.”

More Photos Here
[via Katonah]

Molly Rausch paints the extended scenes around the edges of postage stamps:

“Each stamp painting begins with an actual postage stamp that is glued down to the paper. Then Rausch paints around the stamp, extending the scene, with watercolor and gouache. As a result, the paintings are quite small – usually around 3 inches tall. Everything is done freehand with a brush; she does not use pens or pencils. She does not paint on the stamp itself. And she does not research the subject, so the extension is completely invented and should not be tested for accuracy.”