Become a better artist today
Markers, Pencils and Pens
Colored pencil layering and blending is a technique that can make your art look more realistic and 3-dimensional. If you are just getting started in this medium, it’s important to lay down the right colors for layering and blending. It may seem like an intimidating process at first but it is actually quite straightforward! In…
Colored pencils are a favorite among artists for their bright and vibrant colors. However, because some pencil brands have an expiration date printed on the packaging that indicates when the pencil should be discarded it makes many people ask how long do colored pencils last. The truth is while there may be an expiration on…
In this article, I’ll cover topics related to how to use charcoal sticks for drawing such as, How do you start a charcoal drawing? What tools are needed for charcoal drawing? Can you erase a charcoal drawing? And so on. This is meant to be an introduction to working with charcoal sticks for drawing. I love…
Easy to find at any discount or department store, colored pencils are great for beginners. However, professional artists also use colored pencils to great brilliant works of art worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Whether you are a complete beginner artist or a more skilled artist who simply wants to try a new medium, colored…
You bought the colored pencils for fine artists, and you have a lovely tablet of smooth colored pencil paper. Now it is time to actually use your shiny new art supplies and create something! And you’re stuck. All of a sudden, your creative muse has deserted you! If you are stuck trying to figure out what to…
While most people think that canvas is the surface for art media like acrylics and oil paints, other kinds of media can also be used on canvas to create beautiful and interesting pieces of artwork. One such media that may be used on canvas is pastel. While traditionally, pastels are used on special pastel paper, using…
One of the oldest artist’s mediums, pastels produce vivid colored drawings with a minimum of equipment. They are perfect for taking along on a trip or just for stepping out of the studio for the day. You can get started drawing with pastels with just a handful of items that are available at low cost. …
Gel pens are like every other pen that is based on ink being pushed down to a ball by gravity except that the ‘ink’ is pigment (the stuff that makes the ink colored) suspended in water. In simpler terms, it’s pigment in water. So what you say? Well, Gel Pen ink also has a higher…
Copic markers are notorious for bleeding through standard paper. There’s nothing worse than spending ages drawing out your line art, only to find the Copic markers bleed through the edges. Not only will this affect the overall quality of your artwork, it’s incredibly annoying. Paper that isn’t suitable for use with Copic markers can also…
If you are working with colored pencils then it is essential that you are getting a sketchpad that contains the right kind of paper. This is going to allow you to see the best results and ensure that the colors will pop. Sketch pads can differ in their paper depending on what kind of materials…
Watercolor pens are an artist’s convenient dream. These pens hold both the watercolor paint and a brush at the same time. Ideal for experts and beginners alike, watercolor pens are a fun and mess-free way to get creative. But what happens when you need to find a watercolor pen set that has enough colors at…
Although many people think of coloring as an activity for children, recent studies have revealed that the act of coloring has health benefits for people of all ages! Coloring has been proven to improve focus and motor skills. It has also been linked to the practice of mindfulness, relieving anxiety. Gel pens are a great…