Artists Illustrators – October 2026

Summary

Alvaro Castagnet paints the 500th-issue cover of Artists & Illustrators October 2026, with a bespoke watercolour created to mark four decades of the UK's leading practical art magazine — and a prize draw worth 2,500 pounds across five art brands.

Artists & Illustrators October 2026 celebrates its 500th issue with Castagnet's watercolour cover and a step-by-step feature where he demonstrates his technique. Rob Ryan gives The Big Interview on a career spent creating paper-cut art about nature and interconnectedness. The L.S. Lowry exhibition The Theatre of Life is reviewed, covering more than 140 works that reveal his lesser-known side beyond the matchstick figures. Jo Baring, art historian and curator, contributes a think piece on what the art world will look like 100 years from now. The Studio covers portrait artist Tom Mead on capturing personalities. Six step-by-step tutorials span acrylic (Julia Rigby creates a lake scene), seascape (Naomi Jenkins on drama and energy in oil), portraits (Morag Caister paints a married couple in oil and pastel), still life (Terence Clarke works fast in acrylic on board), oil (Jane French on thoughtful expression), and watercolour (Castagnet's 500th-issue celebration). The Sketchbook section includes the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award, British Art Fair, and Art in Arcadia.

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Content Guide

Inspiration

p.18 · In the Studio: Tom Mead
The figurative and portrait artist on capturing personalities. Mead discusses his palette choices and the specific lighting setup he uses for live sittings. Portrait painters should note the single north-facing window he prefers.

p.30 · The Big Interview: Rob Ryan
The illustrator and print-maker on a career spent creating art focused on nature and interconnectedness. He names the exact paper stock and blade type he uses for his cut-paper works. His advice on building a consistent visual language applies across any medium.

p.38 · Future of Art
Jo Baring on what the art world will look like 100 years from now. The piece considers climate impact on galleries, digital permanence, and the shifting definition of authorship. The auction house projections are the most concrete data points.

p.40 · L.S. Lowry: The Theatre of Life
A new show revealing the lesser-known side of Lowry beyond his iconic landscapes, with more than 140 works. The review highlights the paintings that never left private collections before. Go for the industrial scenes; stay for the portraits he rarely exhibited.

Step-by-Step Studio

p.50 · Acrylic: Julia Rigby
Creating a striking lake scene with layered washes. Rigby names the exact brand of fluid acrylic she uses for the base wash.

p.56 · Seascape: Naomi Jenkins
Creating drama and energy in oil. Jenkins demonstrates her palette knife technique for wave crests. The specific cold wax medium ratio is given.

p.62 · Portraits: Morag Caister
Painting a married couple relaxing on the sofa in oil and pastel. Caister explains how she handles two subjects in one composition without losing individual likeness.

p.68 · Still Life: Terence Clarke
Working free and fast in acrylic on board. Clarke paints from life rather than photographs and explains why the still life genre improves observational speed. Try his 30-minute timer method.

p.74 · Oil: Jane French
Capturing thoughtful expression in a portrait. French demonstrates how she builds up translucent layers to achieve skin tones.

p.80 · Watercolour: Alvaro Castagnet
The cover artist demonstrates his approach to watercolour in celebration of 500 issues. Castagnet names his preferred paper brand and the specific brush that produces his signature loose washes.

Regulars

p.14 · Prize Draw
A special 500th-issue giveaway worth 2,500 pounds across five art brands. Entry details are on the page.

p.98 · Picture This
Hannah Linfoot shares why her floral piece is special. The sentimental value of the subject matter is balanced with the technical decisions in composition.

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Editor's Take

A 500th issue has to justify the milestone, and this one largely does. The Rob Ryan interview is genuinely generous with technical detail — paper type, blade type, framing choices — which makes it useful rather than merely celebratory. Castagnet's watercolour tutorial earns the cover placement because he shares specific brush and paper choices rather than vague philosophy. The six-step tutorial section gives the issue exceptional practical value for amateur and intermediate painters. Weaknesses: Jo Baring's future-of-art essay is well-intentioned but speculative in ways that lack the concrete detail of the tutorial section — 100-year predictions in a practical art magazine feel out of place. The prize draw takes up a full page that could have hosted a seventh tutorial. The Lowry exhibition review does not include any ticketing or catalogue information.

Strengths
• Rob Ryan interview with specific material recommendations
• Castagnet watercolour tutorial justifies the 500th-issue cover
• Six step-by-step tutorials deliver exceptional practical density

Weaknesses
• Future of Art essay lacks the issue's usual practical focus
• Lowry exhibition review omits practical visiting details

Verdict: Essential — The 500th-issue milestone and the tutorial density make this a collector's copy for any practising artist.