Where to Start When Picking Linocut Supplies for Beginners(Post)
Linocut printing is a hands-on and satisfying printmaking process that many beginners find welcoming. At first glance, the number of tools and materials might feel like a lot. But with the right lino ...
How Kids Craft Supplies Change Spring Activities(Post)
When spring settles in, everything feels lighter. The air is warmer, the days stretch a little longer, and kids seem to have extra energy they need to get out. One of the best ways to channel that re ...
Choosing Relief Printmaking Paper: Weight, Sizing, and Damping Tests(Post)
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, th ...
What to Know About Buying Printmaking Supplies in Bendigo(Post)
In and around Bendigo, printmaking has found its place in sheds, classrooms, and shared studio spaces. When stocking up for a cold-season session, many artists look close to home for their materials.
GSM and poundage anomalies (Post)
GSM and poundage are two different
ways to measure the weight of paper, and they are commonly used in different
parts of the world.GSM stands for grams per square metre,
and it is a metric measure ...
How Graphite Hardness Affects Shading Control(Post)
Graphite pencils often fly under the radar. They are modest, reliable tools that most of us have used since childhood. But hidden inside each one is a mix of clay and graphite that controls more than ...
Ever wondered what Canvas and Linen weights actually mean?(Post)
Unprimed canvas weight is often given
in ounces because historically, canvas was primarily produced and sold in the
United States, where the imperial system of measurement (ounces, pounds) is
used ...
Why Printmaking Ink Reacts Differently on Cotton vs Wood Pulp Papers(Post)
Printmaking ink can act quite differently depending on the paper used. This becomes especially clear when comparing cotton-based sheets to ones made from wood pulp. The way the ink behaves, how it si ...
Relief Printing Paper Prep: How Dampening Affects Ink Transfer and Detail(Post)
Unlock Sharper Relief Prints with Better Paper Prep
Relief printing can feel very unforgiving. You carve carefully, roll out smooth ink, print with care, then lift the paper and see patchy blacks, fu ...
Paper Sizing - what is it all about?(Post)
Sizing in papermaking is a crucial process that influences the paper's performance and characteristics. It involves treating the paper fibres with a variety of substances to control the paper's ...
What Makes Etching Ink Behave Differently on Aluminium Plates(Post)
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 wh ...
How Printmaking Equipment Affects Line Sharpness(Post)
Sharp lines make all the difference in printmaking. Whether it’s drypoint, etching or a linocut that relies on fine detail, the clarity of each pulled line can decide whether a print feels cris ...
Choosing Printmaking Paper for Drypoint Printing(Post)
Drypoint printing has a soft but bold quality coming from the way the burr holds ink and leaves a raised, velvety line on printmaking paper. It is one of the more delicate intaglio techniques, and pa ...
Steps to Prepare Aluminium Plates for Consistent Etching Results(Post)
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 bou ...
Tips for Mixing Greys Without Using Black Pigments(Post)
Some artists avoid black pigments not because they dislike them, but because they prefer a grey that feels livelier. The kind of grey that holds colour, shifts with the light, and doesn’t settl ...
Why Bendigo Artists Seek Studio Grade Inks(Post)
As spring rolls into Central Victoria, many artists in Bendigo find themselves refreshing their routines and reaching for familiar tools with renewed purpose. For those working with ink, having the r ...
A Simple Guide to Choosing Inks for Drawing Line vs Wash(Post)
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 be ...
Does Online Art Supply Shipping Affect Paper Quality?(Post)
Buying art supplies online is convenient, especially when you are not right next to a specialist shop. But when your order includes delicate materials like printmaking or watercolour paper, it is fai ...
Understanding Brush Shapes for Blended Acrylic Effects(Post)
Blending acrylic paint can be a bit of a puzzle until you get the right brush in your hand. Even with solid techniques, blending often feels awkward when the brush doesn't match the job. Whether you' ...
Finding Cotton Canvases from Online Painting Supply Stores(Post)
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 Austra ...