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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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Highlights
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 Different paints and tools have different storage needs. Close containers securely, follow the label instructions, and avoid extreme conditions that could affect the materials. Keep supplies away from direct heat and out of reach of children and pets. Do not…
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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…
Open Article›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. Avoid food and drink in the painting area, and keep materials away from children and pets. Keep the area ventilated and follow the safety…
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…
Read the Full PostBrushes
How to Choose Watercolor Brushes by Shape and Purpose↗
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. A smooth surface may reward controlled strokes, while a textured surface may call for a brush that can move paint across raised…
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 brush holder is most useful when it supports the way you paint. Grouping by…
Continue ReadingMixing
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks Understand the two main roles A shallow angle can spread paint across a surface, while a steeper angle may leave a narrower mark. Pressure affects how much paint transfers and how clearly the edge appears. Practice with a…
Open 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 A drawing kit should support the kinds of images you actually create. This approach keeps your kit portable and makes each tool easier…
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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 The right easel depends on whether you paint at a fixed studio station, move between rooms, or work outdoors. An easel that fits…
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. Try both on a small study if you are unsure which response you prefer. A…
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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 Before combining paints, decide what the mixture needs to do: match a reference, create a shadow, soften a bright hue, or connect two areas of a painting. Add small amounts gradually and…
Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider?
Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider? Compare the way each surface feels If you paint in different locations, the weight and shape of a palette may matter as much as its mixing area. A…
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. For an unfamiliar subject, test likely combinations before leaving. Choose colors that can be combined into the…
Read the Full Post↗Organization
Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting
Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting Build a palette around subjects Close and pack the tin according to its design, keeping it away from items that could press on the palette or contaminate it. Carry paper and brushes so they remain protected and dry where needed. After a trip, check for…
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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. If you work with many mixtures, use a fresh area rather than repeatedly scraping through old paint. This helps prevent the…
Read Article17Supplies
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting Choose a purpose before packing A portable kit should support a specific kind of session. Decide what you want to make, then select the tools required for that activity. A quick drawing walk, a color study, and a longer painting outing need…
Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space
Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space Measure the space first Open holders make it easy to identify tools quickly, while compartments can separate brushes by size or purpose. The brush heads should not be pressed against one another or against a lid. If a holder…
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools Prepare a small practice sheet Keep the practice sheet and write a short note about water amount, brush, and paper. Once the wash feels predictable, use the same method in a small painting where the result has a…
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 Combine a little of one color with another and test the mixture before making a larger quantity. If the mixture becomes too strong,…
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 Cleaning should begin with the materials involved. When uncertain, test a gentle method on a small area first. Water-based paints, oil paints, and different palette surfaces may require different methods.…