Gen Z is becoming more interested in painting. Whether they’re joining en plein air (outdoor, real-time) painting groups across countries, applying to art school, or making social content with millions of views, young people seem to be seeking fine arts as a reprieve from their chaos. Many find painting, especially figure drawing or plein air, to be meditative—making them present with their surroundings. It also contrasts the uptick they’re seeing in AI imagery, giving them a sense of control over what they see in front of them. The trend is one historians have seen before, too: just like the “Arts and Crafts” movement during industrialization, this return to fine arts reflects discomfort with new tech encroaching on human creativity. (Smithsonian Magazine)
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