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 Choosing watercolor paint is easier when you begin with your habits rather than a…

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. No single characteristic is best for every task. Choose based on whether you need to spread paint, preserve a mark, blend…

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 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;…

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 A drawing kit should support the kinds of images you actually create. Begin with a small set that covers your regular activities, then…

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace›

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace Think about where you work Remove paint residue before it accumulates around adjustment points and follow the product's care instructions. A stable, clean setup protects the work and…

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. Do not assume that…

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 Before combining paints, decide what the mixture needs to do: match a reference, create a shadow, soften a bright hue, or connect two areas of a painting. It is easier to adjust…

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 Plan a compact color selection When painting outside or in a shared space, light, temperature, and available water can change how comfortable the session feels. Work in small sections and pause to assess whether the mixture…

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. Revisit it when you replace or add a color, since new combinations may change how the palette works. Add selected mixtures and label them clearly.…

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…

Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space

Choosing a Brush Holder for a Small Art Space Measure the space first Paint residue can collect at the base and around dividers. Empty and clean the holder periodically according to its material, and return only brushes that are ready for storage. Let damp brushes dry in a…

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. Clean tools using…

•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…