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 Flat brushes are useful for broad strokes, blocky shapes, and defined edges. Round brushes can create lines and smaller marks. Test a brush by making several kinds of marks instead of judging it from one…

How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use

How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use Organize around workflow The tip and edge of a brush are working parts, so storage should keep them…

•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 Keep unused sheets flat, clean, and away from excessive moisture and direct sunlight. Store small offcuts for color tests and technique trials. A…

Building a Practical Drawing and Illustration Kit

Building a Practical Drawing and Illustration Kit Start with the work you want to make Keep tools that you use together in one place and protect delicate tips from pressure. Separate clean supplies from materials that could transfer…

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace›

How to Choose an Easel for Your Workspace Think about where you work Before beginning, place the easel on a stable floor and check that its moving parts are secured. Make adjustments while supporting the work…

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. Try both on a small study if you are unsure which response you prefer. A…

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 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 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. This makes the small palette feel more predictable and helps prevent accidental blooms…

When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting

When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose Squeeze out smaller quantities and replenish them when necessary. Keep useful mixtures separate from unwanted residue, and avoid discarding paint simply because the palette looks untidy. At the same time, do not keep paint that has changed in…

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…

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting↗

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting Set up the palette clearly Wipe the mixing tool when moving between unrelated colors and avoid dragging residue through clean paint. Clean color is not always necessary for…

•Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration

Selecting a Surface for Mixed Drawing and Illustration List the materials in your process Think about how the finished work will be stored, scanned, displayed, or transported. A delicate surface may need more protection…