News

Adam de Coster
What Is Tenebrism? A Brief Introduction to a Baroque Painting Technique
Tenebrism describes a way of painting in which darkness plays a dominant role, learn about this technique and what makes it distinct from chiaroscuro.

Ancient Egypt
Protective Symbols in Art: Five Images Used to Ward Off Harm
Today we're looking at five iconic examples of protective imagery in art history and its lasting influence on artists and designers.

Art Techiniques
The Exquisite Corpse: The Surrealist Game Celebrating Collaboration
The Exquisite Corpse breaks the habit of over-planning and loosens the grip of authorship. It encourages participants to collaborate rather than control, to accept awkward joins, imperfections, and absurdity, and to value the process over a polished outcome.

Artist Interview
Laust Højgaard x Vault Editions: Artist Interview
Today’s interview is with Danish artist Laust Højgaard. We talk about curiosity, authenticity, and letting work unfold over time. Laust shares how his work reflects a mix of influences, contrasts, and emotions, and explains what returning to art on his own terms gave him. Let’s go!

Art History
Grisaille: How Artists Build Form Without Colour
Grisaille comes from the French gris, meaning grey. It refers to artworks made entirely in shades of black and grey, or in a narrow range of neutral tones. You’ll find the technique across manuscripts, panel paintings, and decorative schemes from the Middle Ages onward. Artists used it to imitate carved stone, to separate sculptural forms from full-colour scenes, or to map out the tonal structure of a composition before colour was added. Today, we’ll look at a few examples of this technique in practice and explore what artists can learn from it.

Japanese Art
How Japanese Woodblock Artists Used Muted Colour in Their Work
Muted colour is at the heart of Japanese woodblock printing. This article explores how artists used subtle palettes, bokashi gradients and even the paper itself to create luminous, atmospheric scenes.

Artist Interview
Emma Cheng x Vault Editions: Artist Interview
Today we’re talking to illustrator Emma Cheng. Emma originally trained as a medical doctor before making the leap into art. In this interview, Emma shares her journey from medicine to illustration, how she landed her first magazine commissions, how she found her niche in medical art, and her advice for illustrators still discovering theirs. Lets go!

Gift Guide
Best Gifts for Tattoo Artists
Searching for meaningful gift ideas for the tattoo artist or tattoo lover in your life? This guide brings together the best books and creative tools for artists who love tattoo history, flash design, lettering, and illustration. Each recommendation offers long-lasting inspiration and practical value, making it ideal for birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions.

Design
The How to Draw Manga and Anime for Beginners Book
Discover the ultimate beginner friendly guide to drawing manga and anime. Learn a clear 12 step method, master proportions and anatomy, and create expressive characters with confidence. This book gives you everything you need to start drawing today.
