If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. From ancient times until now, every artist has kept an assortment of necessary tools in his or her studio, and many of the objects found in contemporary work spaces would have been familiar to […] Continue reading
If you have enough clutter on your studio work table or desk, one way to neaten your space is to purchase a wireless mouse. Having fewer wires makes for a less chaotic look—and you won’t be bothered by tangled cables anymore, nor limited by their length. Wireless mice require some attention in that you have […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Acrylic medium is a versatile product for use with acrylic paint and in mixed-media projects. A liquid that’s milky when wet and translucent when dry, it can be added to acrylic to increase fluidity; […] Continue reading
Let’s not pretend: We will always have and love picture frames. But that doesn’t mean they are always the best option. Photo boards are a nice alternative, offering a decorative look, exceptional ease in changing photos, and the freedom to artfully arrange. Not only handy pieces of home decor, they can serve a purpose for […] Continue reading
Musicians and sound artists aren’t the only ones who need to amplify sound. Whether you’re a video artist, an educator, or an exhibition designer, the time will likely come when you’ll require a set of well-built speakers that offer great audio quality. A proper speaker can improve an experience or, if chosen carelessly, even ruin […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Sometimes the best, quickest remedy for creative block is to organize your studio space, turning it into an uncluttered zone where you can work without distraction. And sometimes the best, quickest way to do […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Most of us take for granted the ability to pick up a pair of scissors and cut. But the fine-motor skills needed to use scissors are learned through practice, and often children need extra […] Continue reading
Love charcoal but hate the mess? Pick up a charcoal pencil, which is composed of compressed charcoal inside a protective layer, typically wood. Suitable for drawing, sketching, or smudging, a charcoal pencil offers a familiar feel and provides you with a lot of control over your marks. Even in this more structured form, it can be manipulated […] Continue reading
Pinking shears are the scissors with the nearly mystical power to prevent fraying on raw hems by cutting fabric in a zigzag pattern. They also are useful when you need to reduce fabric bulk on seam allowances, and they make a great pattern that can add flavor to the edges of sewing or even paper […] Continue reading
A well-caffeinated studio is a well-run studio. The same goes for any creative workplace, where a freshly made pot of coffee can be just the thing to set a good mood for the day or keep you going as the hour gets late. Want to avoid quibbles over who forgot to brew the java? Pick […] Continue reading
If you’d like to make your own prints out of blocks you carve yourself, you’ll find no shortage of options. You’ll just have to decide what material you want to carve. Block printing—the process of etching a design into a flat surface, then coating the relief with ink and stamping it onto blank paper or […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. When you need a new watercolor brush, the first thing to decide is whether to go natural or synthetic. While natural fibers are more traditional than synthetics, some painters seek out the latter because […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Ah, watercolors. For many of us, they represented our first forays into the world of painting. Who can forget the soupy messes of those bygone watercolor trays? Fast-forward a few decades, and now you’re […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Delight the young artists in your life by giving them a set of creative tools. A bounty of markers, crayons, or clay can satisfy kids on rainy afternoons or long car rides—or during endless […] Continue reading
There is nothing quite like the transformative power of gold leaf, whether you are restoring an antique mirror, sprucing up your furniture, or channeling Gustav Klimt. Choices abound: You can use real gold or imitation, traditional loose leaf or the newer transfer-style products. Your pick will depend on your project—but don’t sweat it: While there […] Continue reading
Watercolor paints come in two forms: in tubes of liquid paint and in pans of dried paint that must be hydrated. Which type to use is a matter of preference, but there are a couple of instances where pans are clearly the better choice. If you like to paint en plein air—a practice ushered in […] Continue reading
If you are an artist who takes photographs for reference, or even uses them in your work, a convenient yet highly functional point-and-shoot might be just the tool you need. These cameras are intended for nonprofessional photographers who can’t be bothered with pricy add-ons like speedlights and lenses, and who prefer automatic modes than manual […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Are you procrastinating on your work by reorganizing your workspace? Or are you, in fact, procrastinating on reorganizing? Get over the hurdle with the help of a label maker. These devices make it easy […] Continue reading
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Get painting like a busy bee and try your hand at the encaustic technique. Encaustic painting, which some call hot wax painting, is the art of applying melted pigmented beeswax to a variety of […] Continue reading
People with Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia that affects memory and, in time, basic daily functioning, have the same emotional needs as everyone else. It can be intensely frustrating and disorienting to lose one’s abilities. Luckily, simple, soothing activities can offer a respite from the difficulties of navigating the world, providing both pleasure and […] Continue reading
