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' ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Understanding the Role of Tooth in Art Journal Paper(Post)
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Comparing Gesso Priming on Linen vs Cotton Canvas(Post)
We’ve all had that moment of staring at a blank canvas and wondering, “Did I pick the right one?” Choosing between linen and cotton might seem like a basic decision, but once gesso ...
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 ...