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A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint→
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint Know the pace of the medium Acrylic paint is valued for its flexibility and its relatively quick…
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Notes
Recent Articles
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How to Store and Protect Art Supplies Between Sessions
How to Store and Protect Art Supplies Between Sessions Create simple storage zones Group supplies by use: paints and palettes together, brushes in a protected holder, paper kept flat, and drawing tools in a separate container. Keep frequently used items easy to reach while storing delicate or rarely used tools where they will…
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Mixing
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…
Read the Full Post›A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies
A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies Plan a simple working setup Use a surface intended for oil painting and follow its preparation guidance. Support it so that it does not move when you work. Keep the area ventilated and follow the safety instructions for any medium or…
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint›
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint Know the pace of the medium Acrylic paint is valued for its flexibility and its relatively quick drying time. Work in planned sections, mix only what you need, and keep the palette organized so that…
Open ArticleBrushes
How to Choose Watercolor Brushes by Shape and Purpose↗
Selecting Brushes for Oil and Acrylic Painting Begin with the painting surface Brushes differ in how firmly their bristles move and how much paint they carry. A firmer brush can push thicker paint or create visible texture; a softer brush may help smooth a layer. No single…
Organization
How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use
How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use Organize around workflow A simple division between clean brushes and those waiting to be washed can prevent confusion.…
Read the Full PostMixing
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks Understand the two main roles Place colors with space between them and draw small amounts together with the knife. Scrape and fold the mixture rather than stirring carelessly through every color on the palette. Wipe the blade between…
View Full ArticleHow 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 Keep tools that you use together in one place and protect delicate tips from pressure. A compact case or tray can help prevent…
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Setup
How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace
How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace Think about where you work An easel lets you step back and see the whole image, which can reveal proportion and balance problems that are less obvious at…
Read the Full Post→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. Your choice can influence brush handling, texture, and how comfortable the work feels during long…
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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 When you find a color that works, record the paints used and the approximate proportions in a sketchbook. A small set of tested mixtures can make a longer painting session more consistent.…
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→
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. Choose colors that can be combined into the range you expect to need, rather than filling every…
Read the Full Post↗Organization
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. A familiar limited palette can be more…
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Mixing
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose Before starting, arrange colors along an edge or in a consistent sequence, leaving open space for mixtures. This helps prevent the palette from becoming crowded and makes it easier to compare colors. If you work with many mixtures,…
Open Article17Supplies
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting Choose a purpose before packing Choose a small number of tools that can serve more than one role. A brush that creates both a broad stroke and a narrow line, or a limited paint palette with useful mixing relationships, can reduce what…
Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space
Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space Measure the space first If you use different paints, dedicate sections to different brush groups when practical. Choose the system that matches your habits rather than adding complicated labels you will not maintain. You can also group brushes by…
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools Prepare a small practice sheet Begin at one edge and work in connected strokes, maintaining a wet edge when the technique calls for it. If a wash develops a small variation, observe it rather than immediately trying to…
Mixing
Planning Layers in an Acrylic Painting
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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…
A Simple Palette-Cleaning Routine for Artists
A Simple Palette-Cleaning Routine for Artists Identify the paint and palette type After cleaning, allow the palette to dry as appropriate. Inspect the surface for scratches, stains, cracks, or residue that could affect future color mixing. Some staining may not interfere with…