Ask MetaFilter

Painters, help! I want to paint a large (koi fish) over a background (stars, galaxies). I know how to paint each thing separately, but I am just getting back into painting after a long hiatus and need some tips on executing it properly. [more inside]
posted by chatelaine at 3:34 PM - 4 answers

Ok, long shot here but the specs are: [more inside]
posted by Twinge at 1:37 PM - 4 answers

Another edition of What Was This Book I Read: a story of early European settlement of the midwestern United States, possibly/probably in Indiana. The few details that I remember include: [more inside]
posted by spamloaf at 10:12 AM - 3 answers

I've tried Goodreads for this with no luck, so I thought I'd ask here. I am trying to find a book my wife described, that was used/mentioned in one of her high school classes, so that means the book was published pre-1968. She does not remember the title, or author, just a description. The book presented the early Christians/apostles as great advertising guys, or PR people, or people like that, and Christianity as this great marketing campaign. If anyone has encountered this book and knows what it is, I'd really appreciate hearing from you!
posted by TimHare at 8:54 PM - 7 answers

Asking for recommendations. By nature of this question, there will be spoilers. [more inside]
posted by lesser weasel at 10:14 PM - 35 answers

Thanks to this Metatalk post I learned that I have access to Kanopy through my library. What should I watch that is not upsetting/disturbing? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 1:22 PM - 13 answers

I am looking for wildlife documentaries that would delight a 6 year old and a 9 year old. We have netflix and prime. No US- or UK-TV.
posted by Omnomnom at 5:17 AM - 4 answers

I'm looking for books (especially memoirs or personal, intimate histories) about the experience of living through a democratic or republican country becoming an authoritarian or autocratic state. Totally fine if this is very old, I'm just as interested as someone in the Roman Republic as Czeslaw Milosz. Thanks!
posted by peppercorn at 9:48 PM - 14 answers

What children’s books have progressive morals, without being too heavy-handed? I’m thinking of books like Ferdinand (just say no to toxic masculinity!), and not so much of “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” which is great but not especially subtle. What other books might be suitable? I’m looking for pre-/early reader level (toddler up to 4 or 5, I guess?) Thanks!
posted by stillmoving at 11:42 AM - 29 answers

In a few weeks (knock on many substances) I will finish a full-length musical theatre piece. I want to "get it out there" somehow. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:12 AM - 9 answers

I've been wanting to be an illustrator for most of my life. I'm at the point where I'd like to try to make that a reality. But I don't know if my art is good enough or I'm talented enough. How do I find out? Can I cold contact artists to get their feedback? Would that be creepy? [more inside]
posted by ThreeSocksToTheWind at 7:50 AM - 13 answers

I just saw a Kahl Drogo/ Daenerys Meme and immediately had to think of that insane megalomaniac speech Khal Drogo gave where he promised Daenerys to take over the world for her. What are some of the greatest and grandest (fictional) rants/ speeches/ monologues in history? One I also love, although from the opposite end of the spectrum, would be th No Cape! monologue from the Incredibles.
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 11:25 PM - 44 answers

Please tell me about kids picture books where a character goes on some kind of trip and takes multiple forms of transportation as part of that trip (e.g. bus, train, boat, plane, etc.). Whacky transportation forms (rockets, blimps, jetpacks etc. ) also acceptable. They key is that the trip involve switching between transportation methods. Tell me the book and if you know/remember, the premise, the reason for the switching etc. (I can't just get books from the library because pandemic, so the more you can tell me the better).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:04 PM - 13 answers

anyone know what movie this clip of a chorus line of blondes wearing silver outfits is from? https://youtu.be/BV1eKphHFjY?t=120
posted by ydaltak at 5:43 PM - 2 answers

It was a complicated journey but we’re finally together. I’m looking for sweet or poignant or inspirational media about people who took a complicated road but ended up happy and permanent. Thanks in advance!
posted by ftm at 3:00 PM - 11 answers

My 4th grader, who is trans/non-binary, has expressed a desire to read more books featuring LGBTQIA characters. They are a precocious and voracious reader, so all reading levels are on the table, but I think they would get the most out of books geared to YA audiences. I’d appreciate specific recommendations of titles to look for. Thanks in advance! [more inside]
posted by fancyoats at 10:22 AM - 26 answers

What are your favorite magazines that have an interesting, well-designed, or "artsy" layout? [more inside]
posted by Bunglegirl at 7:30 AM - 4 answers

I heard a song fragment on the radio today ... lyrics were something about going deep and drowning... [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 6:40 PM - 10 answers

I've seen quite a few over the years, but are there any A-class documentaries on Ytb as there are movies? Like, you have to pay for a movie these days on YouTube, and I would gladly also pay for a good documentary film. But I can't say I see many available there. Another site would be fine, I just don't know where to go. I see lotsa less professional fare there, and have viewed many. I think I'm caught up on Netflix, Hulu, etc., too. Most PBS doesn't interest me. Maybe a specialty channel somewhere? But YouTube is convenient...
posted by noelpratt2nd at 10:53 AM - 22 answers

I finally got an e-reader and I'd like to keep some nerdy publications on there that I can drop in and out of for a few minutes at a time without having to follow a plot or characters. I'm looking for free pdf/ epub format files that scratch the same itch as The Dune Encyclopedia, old issues of White Dwarf Magazine, that kind of thing.
posted by Think_Long at 9:15 AM - 4 answers