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 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…

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 A palette knife can mix paint on a palette and, when suitable for the medium and surface, apply paint directly to a painting. Mixing is usually about combining colors evenly and managing consistency;…

How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting

How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting Match paper to the medium Paper weight can influence how a sheet feels and how it responds to handling, but weight alone does not tell you everything about…

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 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 Some artists prefer to sketch directly on the surface, while others make a preliminary drawing elsewhere. Keep the surface clean and avoid touching…

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 If possible, try mixing a few familiar colors on each type. Observe whether the paint beads, spreads, stains, or cleans up in…

How to Set Up a Folding Palette for Painting Away from Home Plan a compact color selection When painting outside or in a shared space, light, temperature, and available water can change how comfortable the session feels. Work in small sections and pause to assess whether the mixture…

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting›

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting Build a palette around subjects Paint a small chart showing each color at full strength and in a diluted wash. Keep the chart with your supplies so you can make choices quickly without repeatedly testing every color. Revisit it when you replace or add a…

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 Paint residue can collect at the base and around dividers. This prevents a storage solution from becoming a source of mess or damage. Empty and clean the holder periodically according to its material, and return…

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 Fine linework often benefits from a surface that allows the tool to move predictably, while textured paper can add character…