The best of them consist of carefully sourced, top-quality pigments that are milled, typically by hand, into consistent batches of paint that aren't boosted by a bunch of additives, whether fillers…
Buttery and vibrant, soft pastels are a sheer delight to draw with. But these colorful sticks can be pricey. If you’re new to pastels and unsure where to start, uncertain if you’ll like the medium…
Birch plywood is a popular choice for hobbyists, artists, and crafters when something sturdier than balsa wood is needed. It is strong, durable, and fine grained, yet more affordable than many other…
No office, classroom, or studio is complete without a tub of tacks. The humble thumbtack was invented in 1904 as a drawing aid by a German clockmaker named Johann Kirsten. Kirsten simply flattened…
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Marbling is a fun and relaxing printmaking method, a rewarding process that yields unique and mesmerizing compositions. It’s an ancient art, historically associated with bookmaking. The practice…
For many, easels are an essential part of the painting process. They allow you to face your canvas straight on, whether you’re working on your largest masterpiece or a small sketch. This helps…
Flat files are essential for artists, architects, engineers, and anyone else who creates work on paper. Sheets of paper are easily damaged, and flat files protect them from wrinkles, folds, tears…
Once limited to dip pens and, by the 1960s, to beautiful but finicky refillable pens (like the Rapidograph) or cartridge pens (like the Staedtler Mars), artists, architects, and illustrators can now
Not all watercolors are made equal. Depending on the kinds of pigments used and how they’re processed and formulated, the quality of watercolors can range from paints designed for kids to those…
Soft pastels not only are more powdery than hard pastels but because they contain less binder they also contain more pigment. The very best of them are formulated with an incredibly high ratio of