Art zines are self-published journals with a focus on a specific medium or area of the art world. They can range from family-friendly to X-rated and are created by anyone using digital platforms. They are a source of inspiration for artists and can have both print and online versions.
An art magazine is a self-published journal that typically has a specific focus on a particular medium or area of the art world. Zines are traditionally collections of drawings, written works, photos, and other works of art that are printed and distributed to like-minded people. Some magazines have developed devoted fan followings and are as polished as any professional art magazine. The internet has brought the art zine into the digital realm and any artist or art lover can easily create a zine with the potential to reach millions of online readers.
Unlike most art books that you find in stores, art zines are self-published works. Their creators may or may not be professional artists, and some zines have open requests for anyone to submit unique material. The idea behind these art magazines is that everyone has something of value to give. Some popular art media covered in fanzines include photography, mixed media, sculpture, and design crafts. Art magazines can also range from family-friendly to X-rated, and their material can be as varied as the ideas of different artists.
The tools for creating a DIY (Do It Yourself) zine are no longer limited to supplies and a copier. Even beginner art zine publishers take advantage of digital creation platforms, including software for illustration, image editing, and web publishing. Some online art zine issues also include digital animation works. Several web-based publishing platforms allow magazine publishers to build each stage of an issue and make it immediately available for distribution.
One of the most popular formats for art magazines is that of an art comic. Many of these fanzines focus on the Japanese animation style known as anime. Artists hoping to publish anime graphic novels can gain exposure by submitting installments of their stories to a well-known anime art fanzine. Feedback from other zine readers and contributors can be just as valuable as that of a traditional editor.
Well-executed zines have earned a reputation as good sources of inspiration for artists of all skill levels. Many digital art magazines include images or templates that readers are free to modify and use in their own creations. These readers are then encouraged to share how they have used the original work with the rest of the art zine readers.
Some art magazines have been around for years, growing enough to have both print and online versions. These fanzines often place equal emphasis on the art and writing, with different material published in the two versions. These types of zines may also focus more on the local art scene of certain cities or regions.
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