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 Choosing watercolor paint is easier when you begin with your habits rather than a…

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 A brush holder is most useful when it supports the way you paint. Grouping by…

•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…

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 The surface changes the character of a line and the way shading builds. Choose paper based on the marks you make most often…

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace›

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace Think about where you work Remove paint residue before it accumulates around adjustment points and follow the product's care instructions. Check fasteners and supports regularly, particularly before using…

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…

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. Place frequently used colors where they are easy to reach, leaving a clear central…

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider?

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider? Compare the way each surface feels Palette material can influence how paint spreads, how easy it is to see mixtures, and how the surface feels during cleanup. Actual…

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. For an unfamiliar subject, test likely combinations before leaving. A smaller selection is easier to monitor and…

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. A familiar limited palette can be more versatile than a crowded selection. Landscapes may call for a different balance from portraits or urban sketches, but…

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. If you work with many mixtures, use a fresh area rather than repeatedly scraping through old paint. This helps prevent the…

Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space

Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space Measure the space first Paint residue can collect at the base and around dividers. Empty and clean the holder periodically according to its material, and return only brushes that are ready for storage. Let damp brushes dry in a…

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting↗

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting Set up the palette clearly When a mixture seems wrong, identify the kind of difference you see. Changing one quality at a time helps you avoid endless additions.…

•Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration

Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration List the materials in your process Think about how the finished work will be stored, scanned, displayed, or transported. A delicate surface may need more protection…