How to Store and Protect Art Supplies Between Sessions - art supply storage & paper protection

How to Choose Watercolor Paints for Your Practice

How to Choose Watercolor Paints for Your Practice Start with the way you paint Make a small chart with each color shown at full strength and diluted with…

Selecting Brushes for Oil and Acrylic Painting Begin with the painting surface The surface and the way you apply paint influence which brush feels right. Consider the scale of the work too: large areas are easier to cover with broader tools, while small forms need greater control.…

How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use

How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use Organize around workflow Before leaving the studio, return clean, dry brushes to their places and remove residue from…

•Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks

Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks Understand the two main roles Remove paint before it hardens and follow the relevant cleaning instructions for your medium. Inspect the tool before use and avoid using a damaged blade that could affect control. Handle the edge carefully,…

How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting

How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting Match paper to the medium Paper affects how marks appear and how a work develops. Before choosing a sheet, consider the materials you intend to use, the amount…

Building a Practical Drawing and Illustration Kit

Building a Practical Drawing and Illustration Kit Start with the work you want to make A basic kit may combine a primary drawing tool, an eraser suited to your approach, paper, and a way to keep tools organized.…

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace›

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace Think about where you work The right easel depends on whether you paint at a fixed studio station, move between rooms, or work outdoors. An easel that fits…

Canvas or Painting Panel: How to Choose a Surface

Canvas or Painting Panel: How to Choose a Surface Decide how you want the surface to respond Canvas and rigid panels offer different working experiences. A flexible surface may move slightly under pressure, while a rigid support can feel more…

A Better Way to Mix Colors on an Artist’s Palette

A Better Way to Mix Colors on an Artist’s Palette Arrange colors for a clear workflow A palette becomes easier to use when colors have consistent positions and mixed colors have their own space. The exact arrangement is personal, but keeping it stable helps you recognize colors quickly…

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider?

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider? Compare the way each surface feels Follow the care instructions for the palette material and the paint you use. Some dried residues may be easier to remove when…

How to Set Up a Folding Palette for Painting Away from Home Plan a compact color selection A folding palette is most useful when its contents are planned for the session. A smaller selection is easier to monitor and leaves room for practical mixtures. Choose colors that can…

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting›

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting Build a palette around subjects A compact watercolor tin works best when the selected colors fit the subjects you paint. Landscapes may call for a different balance from portraits or urban sketches, but there is no universal list. Choose colors you know how to mix…

When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting

When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose A disposable paper palette can provide a temporary surface for mixing paint and may simplify cleanup when used with compatible materials. Check the product guidance and consider whether the surface holds the paint in a way that allows…

Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space

Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space Measure the space first In a compact workspace, a holder should improve access without taking over the desk. Measure the area where it will sit and consider the length of the brushes you use most. A tall holder may…

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting↗

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting Set up the palette clearly Leave room between the colors you place on the palette and reserve a separate area for mixtures. Use small amounts at first, especially…

•Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration

Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration List the materials in your process A surface that works well for one drawing tool may not behave the same way with another. Consider the order…