What Art Supplies Do You Need to Start Painting?
What art supplies or materials and painting equipment do you need to start painting? Which are the best brands to buy? What art supplies can you do without? Find out here.
Review: RGM New Age Painting Knives
The New Age Painting Knives from RGM are definitely not your usual painting knives. These painting knives come in all sorts of weird and unexpected shapes, perfect for creating texture and pattern in paint.
Whether you're spreading paint, scratching into we…
The New Age Painting Knives from RGM are definitely not your usual painting knives. These painting knives come in all sorts of weird and unexpected shapes, perfect for creating texture and pattern in paint.
Whether you're spreading paint, scratching into we…
Gifts Ideas for Artists
Looking for a gift for the artist in your life or an artist friend? Here's a collection of ideas for art and painting-related gifts.
Looking for a gift for the artist in your life or an artist friend? Here's a collection of ideas for art and painting-related gifts.
Best Painting Easels
A good painting easel isn't cheap, and some are definitely at the kind of price where it's an investment. But a decent studio easel will last you a long time, possibly even your whole painting life. Here's my selection of the best painting easels available.
A good painting easel isn't cheap, and some are definitely at the kind of price where it's an investment. But a decent studio easel will last you a long time, possibly even your whole painting life. Here's my selection of the best painting easels available.
Which Brand of Acrylic Paint is Best?
Which is the best brand of acrylic paint on the market? Here's my choice of my favorite acrylic paints.
Which is the best brand of acrylic paint on the market? Here's my choice of my favorite acrylic paints.
Best Brands of Oil Paints
I believe in rather buying a few tubes of artist's colors than a whole range of cheap paints as the colors are more saturated, for starters, and you'll get better results when mixing colors. This is a list of my preferences when it comes to oil paints.
I believe in rather buying a few tubes of artist's colors than a whole range of cheap paints as the colors are more saturated, for starters, and you'll get better results when mixing colors. This is a list of my preferences when it comes to oil paints.
Best Brands of Watercolor Paint
With watercolor paints, there's not only a choice of brands, but also whether you buy it in tube or pan form. This is a list of my personal favorites when it comes to watercolor paints.
With watercolor paints, there's not only a choice of brands, but also whether you buy it in tube or pan form. This is a list of my personal favorites when it comes to watercolor paints.
Brands of Pastels. Which Pastels are Best?
Which is the best brand of pastels on the market? Here's a personal selection (and reasons why).
Which is the best brand of pastels on the market? Here's a personal selection (and reasons why).
Best Water-Soluble Pencils and Crayons
Water-soluble pencils are versatile cross-over between drawing and painting. There are numerous brands available, so which is the best?
Water-soluble pencils are versatile cross-over between drawing and painting. There are numerous brands available, so which is the best?
Best Artist's Magazines
There are magazines for artists at all levels, from complete beginners to artists wanting to improve their skills to professionals.
There are magazines for artists at all levels, from complete beginners to artists wanting to improve their skills to professionals.
Best Painting Sketchbooks
A selection of my favorite sketchbooks for painting when I'm out and about.
A selection of my favorite sketchbooks for painting when I'm out and about.
Art Materials on a Budget
Tips on how to save money on art materials and make your budget go further.
Tips on how to save money on art materials and make your budget go further.
Canvas: What You Need to Know
The term canvas serves as a generic term for any fabric that's used as a support for painting. The fabric can be cotton duck (the most common), linen (a more expensive choice regarded as superior), or a synthetic fiber (uncommon). Find out more about what your choices are when it comes to canvas for painting.
The term canvas serves as a generic term for any fabric that's used as a support for painting. The fabric can be cotton duck (the most common), linen (a more expensive choice regarded as superior), or a synthetic fiber (uncommon). Find out more about what your choices are when it comes to canvas for painting.
Photo Gallery: Inside Artists' Studios
Take a peek inside the studios of various painters in this photo gallery of artist's studios.
Take a peek inside the studios of various painters in this photo gallery of artist's studios.
Assessing a New Brand of Acrylic or Oil Paint
Tips on what to you look for when trying out a new paint brand and how to decide if it's likely to be money well spent.
Tips on what to you look for when trying out a new paint brand and how to decide if it's likely to be money well spent.
How to Decide What Paint to Use
This Q&A help you decide between the most commonly used paints: oils, acrylics, watercolours, and pastels.
This Q&A help you decide between the most commonly used paints: oils, acrylics, watercolours, and pastels.
Gifts Ideas for Artists: Stocking Fillers and Small Art Gifts
Want to buy a small and inexpensive for an artist in your life? Here's a collection of gift ideas suitable as Christmas stocking fillers, birthdays, workshop presents, or any occasion you want to say "thank you" to an artist.
Want to buy a small and inexpensive for an artist in your life? Here's a collection of gift ideas suitable as Christmas stocking fillers, birthdays, workshop presents, or any occasion you want to say "thank you" to an artist.
Gifts for Artists: When Money's No Object
Want to buy something extraordinary for the artist in your life? Here's a collection of gift ideas, whether it's for a birthday, a special occasion, Christmas, or simply a "I love the fact that you're an artist" present.
Want to buy something extraordinary for the artist in your life? Here's a collection of gift ideas, whether it's for a birthday, a special occasion, Christmas, or simply a "I love the fact that you're an artist" present.
Inside the Winsor & Newton Paint Factory
Photo from inside the Winsor and Newton paint factory, where watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints for artists are manufactured.
Photo from inside the Winsor and Newton paint factory, where watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints for artists are manufactured.
Camera Lucida from Ancient Magic Art Tools
A review of a camera lucida made by Ancient Magic Art Tools, which uses mirrors to make the subject appear on top of your paper so you can trace it.
A review of a camera lucida made by Ancient Magic Art Tools, which uses mirrors to make the subject appear on top of your paper so you can trace it.
Digital Art Paper
There are all sorts of digital art papers on the market from various manufacturers, designed for using with an inkjet printer to make making prints of your paintings, for printing original digital art, and more. Here's a roundup of the types of digital papers available.
There are all sorts of digital art papers on the market from various manufacturers, designed for using with an inkjet printer to make making prints of your paintings, for printing original digital art, and more. Here's a roundup of the types of digital papers available.
Printable Magnetic Paper
My impressions of the packet of printable magnetic paper I bought with a view to making fridge magnets of paintings.
My impressions of the packet of printable magnetic paper I bought with a view to making fridge magnets of paintings.
An Introduction to Art Paint Brushes
An introduction to the different types of art paint brushes that you can use for painting.
An introduction to the different types of art paint brushes that you can use for painting.
Before You Buy A Painting Easel
There's nothing to beat an easel for keeping a painting in place while you're working on it. Here are some tips on choosing the one that's right for you.
There's nothing to beat an easel for keeping a painting in place while you're working on it. Here are some tips on choosing the one that's right for you.
Painting Easel: A Plein Air Easel
An easel you use for painting outdoors, or plein air, needs to be portable, easy to set up, and not blow away in the wind.
An easel you use for painting outdoors, or plein air, needs to be portable, easy to set up, and not blow away in the wind.
How to Make a Simple Easel
A diagram showing how to make an easel requiring only basic woodworking skills.
A diagram showing how to make an easel requiring only basic woodworking skills.
Tips on Buying Acrylic Painting Supplies
Acrylics have the advantage of drying faster than oil paints and being water soluble. Find out what you need to get started in acrylics and the things you should consider before you buy acrylic painting materials.
Acrylics have the advantage of drying faster than oil paints and being water soluble. Find out what you need to get started in acrylics and the things you should consider before you buy acrylic painting materials.
Winsor & Newton Artist Acrylics
My review of Winsor and Newton's top-of-the range acrylic paints, which are called simply Artists' Acrylic.
My review of Winsor and Newton's top-of-the range acrylic paints, which are called simply Artists' Acrylic.
Golden Open Acrylics
My review of Golden Open Acrylics, which have an extended working time.
My review of Golden Open Acrylics, which have an extended working time.
Acrylic Paint Review: Atelier Interactive Artist's Acrylics
A review of Atelier Interactive Artist's Acrylics, which can be rehydrated to give a longer working time than normal.
A review of Atelier Interactive Artist's Acrylics, which can be rehydrated to give a longer working time than normal.
Acrylic Paint Review: M. Graham & Co. Acrylics
What are the acrylic paints made by M. Graham & Co. like? Find out in this review.
What are the acrylic paints made by M. Graham & Co. like? Find out in this review.
Acrylic Paint Review: Matisse Structure Formula Acrylic
A review of the Matisse structure formula acrylic paint, produced by the Derivan Matisse paint company in Australia.
A review of the Matisse structure formula acrylic paint, produced by the Derivan Matisse paint company in Australia.
Acrylic Paint Review: Atelier Interactive Artist's Acrylics
A review of Atelier Interactive Artist's Acrylics, which can be rehydrated to give a longer working time.
A review of Atelier Interactive Artist's Acrylics, which can be rehydrated to give a longer working time.
Acrylic Paint Review: Winsor & Newton Galeria Flow Formula Acrylics
A review of the Galeria Flow Formula brand of affordable or student's quality acrylic paint produced by Winsor and Newton.
A review of the Galeria Flow Formula brand of affordable or student's quality acrylic paint produced by Winsor and Newton.
Tips on Buying Pastel Art Supplies
Pastels are sticks of ground pigment mixed with chalk and gum or oil, then shaped into 'drawing sticks'. Pastels cannot be mixed on a palette like paints, but are mixed on the paper by overlaying or blending. Find out what you should consider when buying pastels and pastel paper.
Pastels are sticks of ground pigment mixed with chalk and gum or oil, then shaped into 'drawing sticks'. Pastels cannot be mixed on a palette like paints, but are mixed on the paper by overlaying or blending. Find out what you should consider when buying pastels and pastel paper.
Can I Use Hairspray to Fix Pastel?
Finally, a scientific answer to the debate about whether it's okay to hairspray to fix pastel instead of artist's fixative.
Finally, a scientific answer to the debate about whether it's okay to hairspray to fix pastel instead of artist's fixative.
Tips on Buying Oil Painting Supplies
Oil paints are very popular because they dry slowly, enabling you to work with the paint for quite a while after you've applied it to a canvas or board. Find out what you need to start painting in oils and what to consider before you buy oil painting supplies.
Oil paints are very popular because they dry slowly, enabling you to work with the paint for quite a while after you've applied it to a canvas or board. Find out what you need to start painting in oils and what to consider before you buy oil painting supplies.
Tips on Buying Watercolour Painting Supplies
If you're about to start painting with watercolours, you'll need to get a basic set of good-quality paints, a range of papers, and a few brushes. Find out what you need to consider before you buy.
If you're about to start painting with watercolours, you'll need to get a basic set of good-quality paints, a range of papers, and a few brushes. Find out what you need to consider before you buy.
Winsor & Newton Artist's Water Colour Large Pans
A review of Winsor & Newton's large pans in their artist's water color range, which come in a ceramic dish.
A review of Winsor & Newton's large pans in their artist's water color range, which come in a ceramic dish.
How to Make Paper
Step-by-step instructions on how to make paper from scrap or leftover paper. It's a great way to recycle old or rejected paintings done on paper.
Step-by-step instructions on how to make paper from scrap or leftover paper. It's a great way to recycle old or rejected paintings done on paper.
How Do I Make My Own Charcoal?
Ever wondered how you'd go about making your own charcoal? Find out here.
Ever wondered how you'd go about making your own charcoal? Find out here.
Know Your Painting Brushes: Hairs and Bristles
What types of hairs and bristles are used in painting brushes and which are the best?
What types of hairs and bristles are used in painting brushes and which are the best?
Product Review: Acrylic Gloss Varnish
A look at Winsor and Newton’s acrylic gloss varnish. It's definitely not cheap, but is it worth the money?
A look at Winsor and Newton’s acrylic gloss varnish. It's definitely not cheap, but is it worth the money?
What is a Camera Lucida and How Does it Work?
A camera lucida can't teach you how to paint or draw, but will help you get the perspective accurate very quickly
A camera lucida can't teach you how to paint or draw, but will help you get the perspective accurate very quickly
Simply Spray Fabric and Stencil Paint
My review of the Simply Spray fabric and stencil paint.
My review of the Simply Spray fabric and stencil paint.
Pastel Art Supplies: Review of Fabriano Tiziano Pastel Paper
This paper from Fabriano is a good, acid-free paper suitable for not only pastels, but also pencil, graphite, charcoal, and tempera.
This paper from Fabriano is a good, acid-free paper suitable for not only pastels, but also pencil, graphite, charcoal, and tempera.
Liquid Pencil
A review of Liquid Pencil, which as the name implies is a medium you use you would paint, except it dries to look like graphite pencil.
A review of Liquid Pencil, which as the name implies is a medium you use you would paint, except it dries to look like graphite pencil.
The Pencil Gets Reinvented
An innovative new design reinvents the ordinary pencil.
An innovative new design reinvents the ordinary pencil.
10 Essential Art Supplies for the Traditional Animator
If you're looking for a gift to buy someone who's a traditional animator, this list from About's Animation Guide Adrien-Luc Sanders will give you ideas, from paint to non-photo blue pencils.
If you're looking for a gift to buy someone who's a traditional animator, this list from About's Animation Guide Adrien-Luc Sanders will give you ideas, from paint to non-photo blue pencils.
How to Build Your Own Floor-Standing Artist's Easel
Detailed instructions on how to build your own floor-standing easel for painting.
Detailed instructions on how to build your own floor-standing easel for painting.