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 Watercolor is transparent by nature of how it is commonly used: light passes through…

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…

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…

•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…

How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting

How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting Match paper to the medium A smoother surface can make fine lines and small details easier to control. A more textured surface may catch dry media and create…

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…

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 Surfaces differ in preparation and intended use. Do not assume that every canvas or panel can be used with every paint without preparation.…

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 color can have the right hue but still look wrong if it is too light or dark for its surroundings. Make a small value scale to compare the mixture with neighboring…

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 Plan a compact color selection A folding palette is most useful when its contents are planned for the session. Choose colors that can be combined into the range you expect to need, rather than filling every…

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting›

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting Build a palette around subjects The same paint can create very different effects depending on water content. Notice how quickly the brush releases water and how the paint behaves on your paper. Practice a pale wash, a middle-value stroke, and a concentrated mark with each…

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. This helps prevent the palette from becoming crowded and makes it easier to compare colors. If you work with many mixtures,…

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…

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting↗

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting Set up the palette clearly Follow the paint and medium instructions, keep the workspace ventilated as appropriate, and keep materials away from food and drink. A consistent routine…

•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. Record which methods work…