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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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Briefing
Latest Articles
Begin from a recent article, then continue through related reading.
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 Watercolor is transparent by nature of how it is commonly used: light passes through…
Open Article›A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies
A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies Plan a simple working setup A modest group of colors can teach you a great deal about mixing. Select colors that let you make warm and cool versions of important hues, along with a light and a dark. This reduces waste…
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. That speed can help you build layers during one session, but it also means mixtures on…
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. Consider the scale of the work too: large areas are easier to cover with broader tools, while small forms need greater control.…
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.…
View Full ArticleMixing
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks
Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks Understand the two main roles Remove paint before it hardens and follow the relevant cleaning instructions for your medium. Handle the edge carefully, keep the knife away from the edge of the table, and store it where it…
Read the Full PostHow to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting
How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting Match paper to the medium Create a sample grid using the tools and techniques you plan to use. Try a light wash, a darker layer, erasing if relevant,…
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. Keep a few sample sheets to compare tools side by…
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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…
View Full Article→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…
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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 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 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 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…
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. Landscapes may call for a different balance from portraits or urban sketches, but…
Continue Reading16
Mixing
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose Paper palettes can reduce washing, but disposable supplies create waste. The practical choice depends on the medium, the scale of work, and how you manage waste. Consider whether a reusable palette would better suit your frequency of painting…
Continue Reading17Supplies
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. Packing for every possible situation can make the kit heavy and harder to…
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 A wash is a useful way to understand the relationship between brush, paper, paint, and water. Use a spare sheet of the same type you expect to paint on, because surface differences can…
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 After cleaning, allow the palette to dry as appropriate. Store the palette where it will not collect dust. Inspect the surface for scratches, stains, cracks, or residue that could affect…