The best art newsletters

A weekly newsletter from the author of Steal Like an Artist, mixing curated lists of links and quotations with typewriter interviews of artists and writers conducted by mail. Readers get creative inspiration, book and art recommendations, and a personal view of a working creative life.

An artist shares behind-the-scenes looks at how his paintings were made, including the Dinotopia series, covering preliminary sketches, maquettes, model posing and art-historical influences. Posts are free to read and draw on his own experience and on illustrators such as Rockwell and Lovell.

Thisispaper is a weekly newsletter covering contemporary art, design and architecture, with each issue profiling several recent projects and installations worldwide. Readers get concise, visually oriented accounts of what the work is, where it sits, and the ideas behind it.

A literary newsletter by novelist Elif Shafak that pairs paintings, anecdotes and storytelling traditions with reflections on reading, love and cultural exchange between East and West. Readers get personal literary musings drawn from her unpublished notebooks, plus glimpses into her writing and new novel.

A podcast-style newsletter from musician Ben Lee and actress Ione Skye covering music, nightlife, art, culture and politics, with episode recaps, guest interviews and tour updates. Readers get candid conversations, behind-the-scenes stories from touring and Tokyo trips, and links to watch or listen to new episodes.

Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes publishes political cartoons with short commentary on current events. Issues pair a cartoon with a brief personal take on topics like abortion policy, the Supreme Court, and US foreign policy.

A cartoonist's personal letters from his studio in São Paulo, covering his work drawing Archie comics, sketches and process, and reflections on creative life. Occasional issues in Portuguese touch on Brazilian politics and the role of comics and voice in society.

A newsletter by art historian Katy Hessel celebrating women artists, with guides to art fairs and exhibitions and short profiles of artists from different countries. Readers get curated lists of what to see in major art weeks alongside historical context on overlooked figures.

Weekly drawing lessons and assignments from illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, mixing art history, personal reflection and hands-on prompts. Paying members get full assignments plus access to a creative community and gallery.

Dada Drummer Almanach mixes literary prose poems with essays on music and art. Its recent issues argue against generative AI in music and critique the financial bubble around AI, with a strong personal voice.

Patti Smith's personal newsletter shares short, informal notes and photos from her daily life, travels, and literary and art-historical interests, such as visits to libraries, museums, and cafes. Readers get a diary-like glimpse into her creative world, with reflections on art, Franciscan history, and French literature.

A weekly personal newsletter from writer and artist Anna Brones that blends reflections on creativity, art, books and daily life, from a Susan O'Malley art book to tech politics and sheep on her property. Readers get essay-style writing, book and art recommendations, and occasional promotion of her calendars and writing group.

Essays on the roots of Chinese thought, tracing how concepts like divination, aesthetics and Daoism developed through history, language and art. Each issue pairs etymology and historical context with a reframing of common Western assumptions about China.

A Dutch Substack newsletter exploring history, art and faith, with long-form essays on pilgrimage, church history, and reflections on technology and nature. Readers get weekly deep-dive articles that connect historical and religious stories to broader questions about meaning and the modern world.

Personal essays and pep talks aimed at creative people, mixing anecdotes about making art, live drawing sessions and pets. Readers get reflective, humorous stories about creative failure, play and keeping art as a low-pressure companion.

A biweekly newsletter from the author of Daily Rituals that draws on interviews and books by novelists, poets, painters and other artists to show how they get creative work done. It also runs community features for paid subscribers, including a book club and a virtual coworking group.

Essays by composer and singer Gabriel Kahane on music, literature and politics, moving from the genesis of a new song cycle to reflections on American art's reception in Europe and the nature of creative play. The writing is personal and literate, weaving historical reference (Martin Luther King Jr.) with concrete travel and family anecdotes.

A Substack community newsletter for African art lovers, featuring artist spotlights, artwork analyses, and cultural reflections such as Nigerian Independence Day. Readers get profiles of African artists, close readings of individual pieces, and commentary on culture and the diaspora.

Illustrated, personal essays by artist Amy Jean Porter about encounters with local wildlife, from warblers and turtles to cormorants, mixed with reflections on seasons and nature. Readers get gentle natural history and a reminder to notice the animals around them.

A newsletter from Jason Logan, author of Make Ink, mixing essayistic writing on foraged colour, natural pigments and making with cultural references from fashion and film. Issues range from personal narrative to reflections on work, clothing and seasons.

A weekday newsletter that profiles one artwork or artist per issue, covering attribution stories, biography and stylistic development. Each issue pairs images with accessible narrative commentary on art history.

GUAP is an independent media platform covering emerging creative talent across music, film, fashion, art, sport and culture. This newsletter offers event coverage, interviews with artists and DJs, essays, and paid opportunities for members.

A serialized art-history newsletter that retells the stories behind famous artworks, such as a female Impressionist's hidden history and the mystery of the Venus de Milo's missing arms. Each issue is a narrative preview with paywalled full stories and promotional calls to subscribe.

A cartoonist shares illustrated essays on creative blocks, the drawing process and the feelings behind making art, promoting an upcoming illustrated novel-in-verse about a young artist who stops drawing. Readers get practical advice on restarting a creative practice and an inside look at how a book cover and project come together.

artplace mixes essays on art and culture, such as a review of Maurizio Cattelan's Berlin show and a piece on how artists have depicted autumn, with a paid directory of open calls, residencies, grants and art-world jobs. It suits readers who want cultural commentary and practical opportunities for working in the art world.

A weekly newsletter from Rick Rubin's Tetragrammaton world offering short reflections and practices on creativity, plus occasional longer pieces such as the New Moon Observer broadsheet. Readers get creative-process ideas alongside essays on astronomy, mythology and music.

A community-driven newsletter offering playful drawing prompts, reference images and weekly session lists for hobbyist artists. It also shares practical tips on materials and color mixing, such as working with indigo in watercolor and ink.

A weekly visual roundup of artwork by living artists across painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery and textiles, with credits and gallery links. Each issue closes with a short creative prompt inspired by one of the featured pieces.

A personal newsletter from the author of the Draw Your Day books, sharing sketchbook pages, travel memories and encouragement to draw daily life. Issues mix reflective storytelling with creative inspiration and book recommendations.

Weekly newsletter from New Yorker cartoonist Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell featuring sketchbook cartoons, rejected gag ideas, and personal commentary on her work, book tour and life. Readers get a behind-the-scenes look at how gag cartoons are conceived, alongside outspoken opinions on culture and current events.

A weekly Turkish newsletter that explores travel destinations, cultural history and art stories, such as Bruges, Michelangelo's forged antique and autumn routes. Each issue pairs a historical narrative with practical destination pointers and guide links.

Weekly posts from artist and author Scott Erickson combining visual art, poetic prayers and personal reflection on the spiritual journey. Issues cover themes such as liminality, transformation, self-love and depression, alongside occasional notes on his live show and books.

A weekly newsletter in which writer Jenny Lawson shares a hand-drawn doodle along with personal reflections on creativity, mental health, family, pets and hope. Readers get a candid, funny, diary-style note about keeping creative joy alive through hard stretches.

A creative writing professor and graphic memoirist shares short illustrated reflections on the habit of making art, writing and storytelling. Issues also include event announcements, workshop news and details of paid-subscriber Zoom hangouts.

A newsletter from The 100 Day Project community offering daily creative prompts and reflections, with recent issues covering a ten-day creative reset. Readers get event listings, giveaways and encouragement to build a sustainable creative practice.

Fran Hoepfner's personal blog covers film, art and culture in a witty, anecdotal voice, including honeymoon travel, screenings and news about her work for Vulture. Its recent issues also feature guest essays by other writers on publishing and watching movies with family.

A scientist-turned-cartoonist shares personal comics and reflections on research, creativity, grief, joy and belonging. Recent issues explore collage as an artistic practice and a way of being, alongside updates on her graphic memoir and community events.

A personal Substack from an artist who is also studying adult education, mixing reflections on life, creativity and self-awareness with updates on her art collections. Readers get candid, conversational essays and a look at her creative process.

A personal art newsletter that offers opinionated commentary on exhibitions, art history and art-world news in plain language. Each issue also includes curated links, videos, images and a list of must-see exhibitions.

A creative community newsletter sharing weekly visual journal entries, seasonal craft tutorials and live co-creating sessions. Readers get personal studio notes, step-by-step videos like gift tag making, and invitations to join group Zoom calls.

Journal comics by Edith Zimmerman, posted as short drawn pieces with occasional notes on publishing. Issues include comic installments and roundups of social media reels and memes.

A personal photography newsletter from a Madison, Wisconsin writer featuring favorite images, reflections on what makes a photograph good, and reader submissions. It invites community participation and shares poems and photographers' work.

A cartoonist's monthly newsletter featuring his latest cartoons alongside personal updates, product announcements, and a few recommendations. Readers get humor, behind-the-scenes news about tours, calendars and a comedy news podcast, and a sense of community with the author.

An artist's journal sharing new painting series, studio updates, product releases such as prints, fabrics and children's books, and free monthly downloads. Issues pair personal anecdotes about the creative process with links to shop new collections.

An artist's newsletter announcing new floral oil paintings and upcoming exhibitions at Parnell Gallery in Auckland. Issues include exhibition dates, catalogue links and personal reflections on the inspiration behind the work.

A personal creator newsletter from an illustrator sharing essays, comics, monthly wallpapers and updates on a quarterly snail mail club. Readers get a light, personal voice with art perks for paid subscribers.

A creativity newsletter built around Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way', offering weekly reflections, affirmations and prompts alongside live sessions and replays. Readers get practical creative-recovery tools such as morning pages, artist dates and vision boarding, plus a supportive community.

A Substack covering the author's claims about fraud in pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing, with current posts focused on a Dutch civil tort case over Pfizer mRNA injections. It also includes occasional posts of the author's oil paintings.

An illustrator and author shares updates on their art and book projects, with recent issues centered on a Kickstarter campaign for the book Tiny People in the Big World. Readers get personal letters, campaign progress, reward details and occasional notes on life and events in Vancouver.

A daily newsletter delivering hand-drawn flower illustrations, each paired with a brief upbeat message. Readers get a small moment of positivity and visual art in their inbox.