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 Keep containers closed when not in use and avoid contaminating paint with a dirty…

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 brush holder is most useful when it supports the way you paint. Avoid overcrowding…

•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 Paper weight can influence how a sheet feels and how it responds to handling, but weight alone does not tell you everything about…

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 Before beginning, place the easel on a stable floor and check that its moving parts are secured. Keep the area around the base…

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. Your…

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 palette becomes easier to use when colors have consistent positions and mixed colors have their own space. The exact arrangement is personal, but keeping it stable helps you recognize colors quickly…

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider?

Porcelain or Plastic Palette: What Should You Consider? Compare the way each surface feels Separate wells can help keep colors apart, while a broad open area gives more room for larger mixtures. Choose a layout that…

How to Set Up a Folding Palette for Painting Away from Home Plan a compact color selection Before closing the palette, check whether paint is wet and whether the design is intended to close with paint inside. Follow its use instructions rather than assuming every palette can be…

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting›

Organizing a Watercolor Tin for Efficient Painting Build a palette around subjects Avoid contaminating one well with another color. If a surface becomes messy, clean it gently and allow it to dry as appropriate. Do not force a brush into a small well in a way that damages its tip. Organize colors…

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 Open holders make it easy to identify tools quickly, while compartments can separate brushes by size or purpose. The brush heads should not be pressed against one another or against a lid. If a holder…

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting↗

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting Set up the palette clearly When a mixture seems wrong, identify the kind of difference you see. Compare the mixture against the reference and neighboring colors rather than…

•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…