All about art materials and tools used by artists includes buyer guides
One of the most popular and I believe best non-toxic solvents for oil painting is Gamsol. I have covered Gamsol to death in many other articles but in summary, this odorless, nontoxic solvent is a great choice for thinning paints and other media. Gamsol is available in variety of sizes from 4.2 fluid ounces to…
I am going to take you through everything you need to know about primed canvas vs unprimed canvas. I will discuss the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of both types of canvases. This way, you can make an informed decision about which one suits your needs or painting style best. Primed Canvas A primed canvas has…
I prefer Gamsol over Sansodor because it is more affordable and easier to obtain. Sansodor does offer a great low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content, which makes it better for the environment. Sansodor also has less of an odor than Gamsol, but the difference in odor is so small you will not notice. I am…
Ever wondered if you could make an oil painting without medium? The short answer ‘yes’, but there is more you should know about this answer because there is medium already added to most commercially purchased oil paints. This is so that the powder pigment used to make oil paint is ready to use from the…
A drafting table provides an ideal working surface with plenty of storage compartments and adjustable angles and you can place them on a table or desk, making them perfect for tasks like sketching, drawing, and painting. On the other hand, an easel provides a sturdy, stationary surface for painting and is best suited to tasks…
There’s a lot of confusion about dip pen vs fountain pen. You might think they’re the same thing, but they have several differences. When comparing dip pens with fountain pens these are the key summarized differences: Scenarios When To Use Each When I’m practicing my cartooning techniques, I prefer a dip pen. It allows me…
The best paper for dip pens needs to be smooth, or the dip pen nibs will scratch and rip any rough papers that have ‘tooth’ or rough fibers. When we need to find the best paper for dip pens, no matter what brand it is, the paper needs to be smooth. Smooth Bristol Paper Bristol…
In my experience, the best glue for watercolor paper is the same stuff you would use for making collage art. This would be a heavy acrylic gel medium. These are usually acid free. Heavy Acrylic Gel Medium: this gives me the best results when mounting my finished watercolor paper on an art board or wood…
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…
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…
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…
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,…