When I’m ready to begin an art project and discover that I’m out of white gouache, I make a white gouache substitute that works just as well. I’ve found that the easiest method of making a white gouache substitute is to mix white watercolor paint with ground white chalk (calcium carbonate). When painting with this…
Using charcoal in a sketchbook is a perfectly acceptable way to apply charcoal to paper. The type of paper used and treating the drawing afterwards what matter most to ensure you don’t end up with a smudgy mess. Depending on the exact specifications of the sketch and your intentions, there is no one perfect sketchbook for…
There are a few simple ways that you can dry prints effortlessly for the best result each and every time. Knowing how to go about drying prints of any and all sorts can help you save paper prints that have gotten wet, dry prints that you have completed, and anything in between. Know Your Medium’s…
Acrylic paint is a versatile medium that can be used for a variety of applications. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other media to create interesting effects. One popular technique is to use colored pencil over acrylic paint once the acrylic paint has dried. This can be done for several…
One of the common questions found online is how good is Pennelli Acrylic Paint? I used Pennelli acrylic paint quite a few years ago and found them to be quite reasonable for the price. I also owned a few of the Pennelli branded brushes. Who were they? Pennelli was a brand of acrylic paint that…
Acrylic paint does not actually need a gloss varnish as it already dries with a glossy finish due to it being an acrylic polymer-based paint (it dries with a shiny plastic film), that is unless you messed it up and it now looks matte. So maybe you should ask, “Should I varnish my acrylic painting…
Arthritis is a pain, literally and figuratively. It can hit anyone at any age and is not just for old people. For artists, drawing with arthritis can be an especially difficult thing to deal with, as it affects our ability to produce art. I have suffered from not only arthritis but also carpal tunnel syndrome…
As an artist, I have used both Lavender Spike Oil and Gamsol. I prefer to use Gamsol because of the lesser odor, but some artists prefer Spike Oil for its faster drying time. I have been told by many people that Spike Oil is better for certain things than Gamsol, but after doing my own…
GAC 100 is a 100% acrylic polymer-based clear multi-purpose liquid primer that is great for sealing surfaces such as hardboard, tempered masonite, and the like, but did you know there are other alternatives that work just as well? Read on as I detail 5 GAC 100 alternative products that are easy to find and use….
Floating Medium has a gel-like consistency and is used mostly by watercolor and folk artists to help with painting watercolors and water based paints using a technique called “Floating” to create interesting effects with highlights and shades. Floating Medium is a commercially produced additive for water based paint like watercolors and acrylics. Floating medium is…
When it comes to choosing the best glass muller alternative, there are a few things you need to consider. Some materials work better for certain types of oil paint, and others may be more affordable or easier to find. So whether you’re looking for an affordable option or something that is a little more unique,…
To put it simply, using oil paints to create your artwork is not as difficult of a process as it may seem! Oil paints remain one of the most popular types of painting medium in the world due to their versatility, lustrousness, longevity and overall color richness. As a result, they are the undisputed champion…