If you’re new to canvas panels, you may have a number of questions about what they are and how to use them. In this post, I’m going to explain all of the various aspects of painting on canvas panels. What Is a Canvas Panel? Canvas panels are rigid boards with a layer of canvas glued to them, they’re a good …
How to Make Acrylics Thicker – Gels & DIY Solutions
You could buy another set of paints when you need thicker acrylic paint, but that’s expensive. A much more economical solution is to thicken the paints you already have. How do you make acrylics thicker? Select an acrylic gel that’s thicker than the paint you’re using and mix it into the paint. You can also use molding paste, or thickening …
Do You Need to Stretch Acrylic Paper?
If you’re new to acrylics, you may be wondering if you have to stretch acrylic paper before painting on it. Do you need to stretch acrylic paper? You don’t have to stretch the acrylic papers that I mention in this post. You can begin painting on them without any preparation because they’re extra thick and contain enough sizing to prevent …
What Colors Make Brown? The Ultimate Guide to Mixing Brown
In this post, I demonstrate how to mix brown, dark brown, and light brown. I include a video demonstration and a free PDF that contains all of the recipes for mixing brown. These formulas will provide similar results in acrylics, oils, watercolor, and gouache. How do you mix brown? Brown is basically dark red or dark orange so the easiest …
Can You Paint on Both Sides of Watercolor Paper?
There are a number of reasons why you may want to paint on the back of a sheet of watercolor paper. For example, it’s a good way to make use of failed paintings, or perhaps you just prefer the texture. Painting a double page spread with watercolor in a sketchbook is another instance where you have to to paint on …
What Is a Watercolor Block?
If you’re new to watercolor painting then you may be wondering what a watercolor block is and how to use it. I first saw a watercolor block when I was in high school. I couldn’t figure out why it was glued on all four edges until my art teacher demonstrated how to use it. What is a watercolor block? A …
3 Ways to Frame a Canvas Panel
I like painting on canvas panels because they’re convenient and the wood board makes them resistant to damage. They’re great for painting outside because they’re thinner than regular canvases. The one downside is that you can’t hang them on a wall unless you frame them. Some artists aren’t sure about how to go about framing them. How Do You Frame …
Why Is Watercolor Paint So Expensive?
If you’re new to watercolor, you may be wondering why artist grade watercolor paint is so expensive. Not only is it more expensive than student grade watercolor, it’s more expensive than oils and acrylics, if you compare the price by volume. Why is watercolor paint so expensive? Artist grade watercolor paints are more expensive than the student grade variety because …
How to Remove Dry Acrylic Paint From Brushes: NO Solvents!
I do my best to take care of my brushes, but I occasionally I forget to wash one out. Every artist eventually makes this mistake. When it happens to you, don’t throw the brush away because there’s an easy way to restore it. Acrylic paint is considered to be permanent when dry, however there’s a non toxic and odorless brush …
Why Is My Watercolor Grainy?
The grainy look isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a watercolor painting. In fact, I often choose pigments that are granulating so that I can create interesting textures in my paintings. However, some subjects don’t benefit from granulating colors. Glass objects, for example, may look more realistic if you use pigments that are more transparent and smooth. Why do my …
