Pastel paper, which is specially designed to hold pastel dust, can be pricey. One way to cut costs is to make your own by coating papers in a premixed primer, which adds rough texture to their surface. The process can be relatively quick, and it gives you control over the coarseness of your surface—perfect for […] Continue reading
Acrylics, because they are water-based, can be thinned with water to create transparent washes. But the pigments don’t tend to adhere very well once this is done, which is where glazing media come in. These additives are fluid, but they are also slightly adhesive so they stick to painting supports like panel and canvas, as […] Continue reading
Acrylic paint is extremely versatile thanks to its compatibility with a variety of other media that serve myriad purposes. Among these add-ins are flow enhancers, also known as flow aids, which thin acrylic paint without affecting its color or finish. While acrylics, being water based, can be thinned with water, this may weaken the paint’s […] Continue reading
Want to make your own decals for your office, car, or brand? Self-adhesive vinyl sheets are perfect for creating signs and logos, indoor or outdoor advertising graphics, and wall and window decor. Self-adhesive vinyl can be cut into a variety of shapes and can stick to most flat and curved surfaces including plastic, metal, glass, […] Continue reading
Watercolor pencils are the perfect hybrid of drawing and painting. They allow artists to draw with a dry pencil and use water, before or after, for a variety of shimmering watercolor effects. The core of a watercolor pencil is composed of pigment with a water-soluble binder. It acts like a colored pencil but is activated […] Continue reading
On its own, oil paint takes an eon to dry. To speed drying time and increase paint viscosity, mix drying oils into your pigments. There’s a wide range of drying oils on the market. Options include refined linseed oil, cold pressed linseed oil, poppy oil, and refined safflower oil. Let us help you find the […] Continue reading
Black chalkboards reigned for centuries as an essential feature of the classroom, but after having first appeared on the market in the 1960s, whiteboards were in wide use by the 1990s. These days, whiteboards stand at the front of most classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices. Magnetic whiteboards are especially versatile: store your dry-erase markers and […] Continue reading
Painters need not only excellent paints in a variety of hues, they also need a full selection of brushes to create a variety of paint strokes and surfaces. And all painters have their favorite paintbrush—their go-to brush that’s used in every painting, the brush that ushers them into their creative painting zone. One brush, however, […] Continue reading
Colored pencils are an essential tool for artists, illustrators, and coloring-book devotees alike. An immediate source of mess-free color in a wide range of hues, they’re an ideal medium for everything from preliminary sketches to finished drawings and from pattern design to interior decorating. Our picks below will help you find the best brand for […] Continue reading
The humble highlighter—unheralded and often underutilized—exists to help. They are a powerful aid to studying, helping readers distill and remember information. And their bright neons can add a fun pop of color to any artwork or craft. Browse our roundup of highlighters to choose the proper addition to your office, studio, or classroom. Continue reading
What’s blue and black and red all over? Pens! But they don’t have to be. No need to limit yourself to stock ballpoint pen or Sharpie colors—liven up your planners, architectural drawings, illustrations, journals, and calendars with splashy color, thanks to colored fine-tipped pens! Artists, illustrators, educators, fashion designers, architects, and doodlers alike can choose […] Continue reading
