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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 Start with a small selection that can produce a broad range…
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Highlights
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 Store unused paper flat in a clean, dry place and keep it away from dust, moisture, and strong light. Avoid stacking items in a way that presses texture or transfers pigment between surfaces. Separate finished work with suitable protective sheets…
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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…
Continue Reading›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 Start with a small selection that can produce a broad range of mixtures. Make a color chart and label each mixture so you can reproduce it later. If a…
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 Flat brushes are useful for broad strokes, blocky shapes, and defined edges. Round brushes can create lines and smaller marks. Filbert brushes have a rounded edge that can soften transitions. These are tendencies rather than…
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 brush holder is most useful when it supports the way you paint. Place frequently…
Read ArticleMixing
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;…
Read ArticleHow 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 A drawing kit should support the kinds of images you actually create. Begin with a small set that covers your regular activities, then…
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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 Canvas and rigid panels offer different working experiences. Your choice can influence brush handling, texture, and how comfortable the work feels during long…
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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 Follow the care instructions for the palette material and the paint you use. Avoid harsh treatment that could scratch, crack, or otherwise…
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…
Read Article↗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…
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Mixing
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…
Open Article17Supplies
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. Packing for every possible situation can make the kit heavy and harder to use. A quick drawing walk, a color study, and a longer painting outing need…
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 Begin at one edge and work in connected strokes, maintaining a wet edge when the technique calls for it. Avoid repeatedly scrubbing an area that is beginning to dry, since this can disturb…
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 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 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…