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 Some painters reserve particular brushes for broad coverage, detail, blending, or specific colors. This is not essential, but it can make a session more consistent and reduce time spent cleaning between unrelated tasks. If you…

How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use

How to Organize Brushes and Keep Them Ready to Use Organize around workflow Before leaving the studio, return clean, dry brushes to their places and remove residue from…

•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 Create a sample grid using the tools and techniques you plan to use. Try a light wash, a darker layer, erasing if relevant,…

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. Quick sketches, precise line drawings, shaded studies, and mixed-media illustrations require…

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 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. Add small amounts gradually and…

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. Some dried residues may be easier to remove when…

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…

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. A familiar limited palette can be more versatile than a crowded selection. Choose colors you know how to mix and leave room to understand their…

When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting

When Paper Palettes Are Useful for Painting Understand the purpose Paint behavior depends on the relationship between the medium and the palette surface. Some paints may spread or absorb differently on paper than on a non-absorbent palette. Test a small amount before relying on the palette for a…

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. If a holder is designed for travel, check how it protects the bristles when closed and whether…

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting↗

Managing Color Mixing in Oil Painting Set up the palette clearly Combine a little of one color with another and test the mixture before making a larger quantity. Gradual adjustments give you more control…

•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…