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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
Latest 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 Choosing watercolor paint is easier when you begin with your habits rather than a…
View Full Article›A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies
A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies Plan a simple working setup Oil painting can involve more equipment than some water-based methods, so begin with a manageable arrangement. You need paint, suitable brushes, a surface prepared for oil painting, a palette, and a way to keep the work…
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…
Continue ReadingBrushes
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 ArticleMixing
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…
Continue ReadingHow 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. Quick sketches, precise line drawings, shaded studies, and mixed-media illustrations require…
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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. Consider the floor space…
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 Surfaces differ in preparation and intended use. A small test can reveal whether the surface absorbs paint as expected. Read the product information…
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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. Exact replication may vary with the surface and paint condition, but notes provide a…
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→
How to Set Up a Folding Palette for Painting Away from Home Plan a compact color selection Use the palette's compartments or open areas consistently. Keep unmixed paint separate from mixtures, and avoid dipping a brush loaded with one color into a clean well. A simple arrangement makes…
Continue Reading↗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. A familiar limited palette can be more versatile than a crowded selection. Choose colors you know how to mix and leave room to understand their…
Continue Reading16
Mixing
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose Paint behavior depends on the relationship between the medium and the palette surface. Test a small amount before relying on the palette for a long session. Some paints may spread or absorb differently on paper than on a…
View Full Article17Supplies
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting
Building a Compact Art Kit for Sketching and Painting Choose a purpose before packing For painting away from a studio, consider how you will manage water, used cloths, and paint residue. Follow the instructions for your medium and take waste away for suitable disposal. A small cleanup plan makes the outing…
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. A tall holder may make tools easy to see but can be unstable in a crowded area; a low holder may…
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools
Practicing Smooth Watercolor Washes with the Right Tools Prepare a small practice sheet A wash is a useful way to understand the relationship between brush, paper, paint, and water. Draw a few simple rectangles and label each attempt so you can compare the process rather than…
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…