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If you've worked with aluminium plates for etching, you've probably noticed that the ink can behave differently to the way it does on copper or zinc. It can feel unpredictable at times, especially when summer humidity starts creeping into your workspace. Ink might sit unevenly, wipe too easily, or refuse to settle into your lines the way you'd expect. That's because aluminium etching brings in a few variables that don't always show up with other...

Cotton canvases are tried-and-true surfaces for many painters, giving a natural feel and steady absorbency under brush or knife. As winter edges in and the cool of winter eases across southern Australia, lots of artists start turning their focus back to their studios. It’s a common time to restock fresh surfaces and revisit painting habits. Buying your painting supplies online opens up more choices than most physical stores, but it can be t...

Get Sharper Relief Prints by Dialling in Your Paper Choice Paper choice has a bigger impact on relief printing than many people expect. The same carved block can look flat and patchy on one sheet, then rich and crisp on another. The difference often comes down to how that paper handles ink, pressure and a bit of moisture. When we press inked lino or wood into paper, the fibres respond in their own way. Some papers hug the raised lines, some resis...