01
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint→
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint Know the pace of the medium Rinse brushes promptly during a session and do not let paint…
02
Features
From the Archive
Topic labels help keep nearby subjects visible.
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…
01
Mixing
How to Choose Watercolor Paints for Your Practice
How to Choose Watercolor Paints for Your Practice Start with the way you paint Keep containers closed when not in use and avoid contaminating paint with a dirty…
Open Article›A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies
A Beginner’s Guide to Oil Painting Supplies Plan a simple working setup Wipe excess paint from brushes before cleaning them, and follow the instructions for the specific paint and cleaning materials. Do not pour paint residue or solvents into a drain. Good cleanup protects both tools and workspace.…
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint›
A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Acrylic Paint Know the pace of the medium Rinse brushes promptly during a session and do not let paint dry in the bristles or around the ferrule. A few simple habits preserve brush shape and reduce the…
Continue ReadingBrushes
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 A brush holder is most useful when it supports the way you paint. Avoid overcrowding…
Read ArticleMixing
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…
Read the Full PostHow to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting
How to Choose Paper for Drawing and Painting Match paper to the medium Paper affects how marks appear and how a work develops. Before choosing a sheet, consider the materials you intend to use, the amount…
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…
10
Setup
How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace
How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace Think about where you work The size and orientation of the surface affect stability and convenience. Check the easel's stated suitability before placing a large or heavy work…
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 The size of the work affects how easy it is to store, carry, and display. Practical handling is part of choosing a surface.…
12Mixing
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 Palette care depends on the paint type and the palette material. A clean mixing surface makes color judgments more dependable. Remove residue before it interferes with fresh mixtures, and avoid tools or…
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 When painting outside or in a shared space, light, temperature, and available water can change how comfortable the session feels. Keep the palette in a stable place and avoid leaving materials…
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. Landscapes may call for a different balance from portraits or urban sketches, but there is no universal list. Choose colors you know how to mix…
Continue Reading16
Mixing
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting
When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose Paper palettes can reduce washing, but disposable supplies create waste. Consider whether a reusable palette would better suit your frequency of painting and cleanup routine. The practical choice depends on the medium, the scale of work, and how…
View Full 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 Keep the practice sheet and write a short note about water amount, brush, and paper. Once the wash feels predictable, use the same method in a small painting where the result has a…
Mixing
Planning Layers in an Acrylic Painting
21Mixing
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 Compare test samples side by side and choose the surface that best supports the intended result. The aim is not…
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…