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 A practical starting palette includes a warm and a cool option in the main…

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.…

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.…

•Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks

Using Palette Knives for Mixing and Expressive Marks Understand the two main roles A shallow angle can spread paint across a surface, while a steeper angle may leave a narrower mark. Pressure affects how much paint transfers and how clearly the edge appears. This turns an…

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. Neither finish is universally better; choose the surface that supports…

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. This approach keeps your kit portable and makes each tool easier…

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 Canvas and rigid panels offer different working experiences. A flexible surface may move slightly under pressure, while a rigid support can feel more…

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. Squinting at a reference or viewing a small study from a…

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider?

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider? Compare the way each surface feels If possible, try mixing a few familiar colors on each type. Observe whether the paint beads, spreads, stains, or cleans up in…

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. A simple arrangement makes it easier to locate a color and reduces the chance of turning a useful mixture muddy. Keep unmixed paint…

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting›

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting Build a palette around subjects Close and pack the tin according to its design, keeping it away from items that could press on the palette or contaminate it. Carry paper and brushes so they remain protected and dry where needed. After a trip, check for…

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…

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. Let damp brushes dry in a way that allows airflow. This prevents a storage solution from becoming a source of mess or damage. Empty and…

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…