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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
Recent Articles
Browse the article collection through a easy to follow editorial index that keeps the original writing close at hand.
How to Store and Protect Art Supplies Between Sessions
How to Store and Protect Art Supplies Between Sessions Create simple storage zones Remove paint from brushes and palette knives using methods appropriate to the medium. Reshape brush heads and allow tools to dry as needed. Do not close damp tools in airtight containers unless their instructions specifically allow it. Routine cleaning helps…
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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 A practical starting palette includes a warm and a cool option in the main…
Read the Full Post›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. Organize these items before opening paint. You need paint, suitable brushes, a surface prepared for oil painting, a palette, and…
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…
View Full ArticleBrushes
How to Choose Watercolor Brushes by Shape and Purpose↗
Selecting Brushes for Oil and Acrylic Painting Begin with the painting surface Some painters reserve particular brushes for broad coverage, detail, blending, or specific colors. If you use the same brush for several purposes, clean it thoroughly when changing paint type or when residue would affect the…
Organization
How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use
How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use Organize around workflow The tip and edge of a brush are working parts, so storage should keep them…
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…
Continue ReadingHow to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting
How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting Match paper to the medium Keep unused sheets flat, clean, and away from excessive moisture and direct sunlight. Store small offcuts for color tests and technique trials. A…
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 An easel lets you step back and see the whole image, which can reveal proportion and balance problems that are less obvious at…
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. Do not assume that every canvas or panel can be used with every paint without preparation.…
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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 Follow the care instructions for the palette material and the paint you use. Check that the palette remains stable and comfortable to…
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…
Read the Full Post↗Organization
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. Add selected mixtures and label them clearly. Revisit it when you replace or add a color, since new combinations may change how the palette works.…
Continue Reading16
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 the Full Post17Supplies
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. Choose a location where you can work without spilling materials into public spaces or natural areas. Follow the instructions for…
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. Measure the area where it will sit and consider the length of the brushes you use most. A tall 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 When a mixture seems wrong, identify the kind of difference you see. Is it too light, too dark, too vivid, or too warm…
Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration
Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration List the materials in your process Try erasing, adding a second layer, and applying the amount of moisture you expect to use. These tests are especially…
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. Read the relevant care instructions and avoid assuming that a cleaner suitable for one material will be safe for another. Water-based paints, oil…