F+W Media announced today that they’re launching a new subscription service for art enthusiasts.

The new service, which is part of the Artist’s Network, is going to be entirely focused on the one content niche. This is a natural expansion of the Artist’s Network, which offers numerous blogs, books, videos, and other content for every skill level from enthusiast to pro.

“Two key issues in the illustrated book space are device neutral availability and discoverability. We think our new ebook subscription sites offer a solution to both challenges. With the release of myriad devices and formats, number of online vendors, and confusing search functionality, consumers often get lost in the ebook space,” said David Nussbaum, Chairman & CEO, F+W Media.

The subscription costs $200 a year and it offers access to more than 120 full-color art instruction titles from F+W Media’s publishing imprints. You can read the eBooks in a Flash enabled web browser, and there are also Android and iOS apps in the works.

F+W Media plans to launch similar subscription services in other content areas.

Artist’s Network eBooks

A new Netflix-style eBook subscription service just came out stealth today, and it looks like it’s going to be a serious challenge to Amazon, whose service was leaked on Sunday.

Afictionado is scheduled to launch in January of 2012, and according to the site it’s only going to serve the UK market. There’s no word yet on which publishers will be participating, but at the very least you will be able to find Macmillan eBooks offered by the service.

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