Blog

When picking a new art journal book, most of us think about the cover, size, or how thick the pages are. But there’s something else hiding in plain sight that makes a big difference to how your tools behave on the page. That’s the paper tooth. Tooth is what we call the texture of the paper. Some sheets feel rough, others smooth. That might not seem like a big deal at first, but it changes how colour sticks, how lines sit, and how easy...

Aluminium etching is a familiar process in printmaking circles, but like most hands-on work, the small steps can make the biggest difference. If a plate isn’t prepped the right way, you are bound to run into problems. Lines can break up, tones might look patchy, and worse still, you might have to toss the whole thing and start again. Prep work becomes even more important in summer. Hot days and high humidity can speed up drying times in odd...

Inks behave differently depending on how you use them. Some are made for sharp, clean lines that stay fixed in place. Others are better for soft washes that move with water and leave gentle shades behind. When you pick inks for drawing, it helps to know how they work with your tools and your paper. If you're focused on detail, the wrong ink can cause smudges. If you're going for a broad wash, the wrong ink might stay too thick or dry too fast. To...