Journey Art Supplies Blog
Tips, Tricks, Thoughts, and inspiration from across the art spectrum.
Why Every Artist Needs Both Paintbrushes and Pa...
So many times, when artists are starting out, they may opt to forego certain painting tools to save a dollar here or there. Now granted, there are occasions where that can work. Artists don't NEED 25 brushes to produce confident, compelling works of art. It can be more fun with a glorious table full of art supplies (such as watercolor pencils or fancy paint pens), but again, it’s not a must. However, some power pairings can make any artist's working life better. One that artists often overlook is simply having at least one good artist painting knife in their collection. Yes, even for watercolor painting…you watercolorists aren't getting away that easy. As we all know, artists' paintbrushes can be daunting to shop for and are often a hefty investment. That's why seeing so many people treat their supplies with very little care is confounding. Being kind, especially to your paint brushes, is not only "penny wise" but also a great way to keep from having to retrain yourself with new materials that had to replace damaged ones. Read our words carefully, and take heed; we are only trying to help! How You’re Damaging Your Paintbrushes (Without Even Knowing!) One of the tasks that paint brushes are forced into that is the hardest on them is mixing paint on the palette. Often a couple of very damaging things are happening that can gravely shorten the lifespan of your favorite paintbrush. When mixing large quantities of paint in your artist palette, it is common to use the paintbrush in your hand and start blending volumes of color. What happens is that the brush head gets bent or crushed under the added weight of so much scrubbing. Also, when the brush head becomes overfilled with color, that color can migrate up the brush head and settle at the base of the ferrule. When that paint (oil paint, acrylic paint, even watercolor paint) isn't cleaned out regularly, it can dry, distort the brush head, and compromise the longevity of that brush. Save Your Brushes; Use a Painting Knife The best thing you can do for your fine artist brushes is to invest just a couple extra dollars in at least one good painting knife. By leaving the heavy lifting to be done with a painting knife instead of a brush, you lengthen the lifespan of your brushes. The painting knife can mix, move, and relocate large quantities of paint easily and efficiently without damaging a thing. Even using a painting knife to add gesso onto a canvas or paint panel and saving the brush to smooth out the surface will prevent tremendous damage to your brushes that can simply be avoided. Yes, artist friends…find yourself a really good artist painting knife! Choose a larger knife if you are using heavy body paint, especially in large volumes. A painting knife with a smaller blade will work well for watercolor paint, gouache, or when the paint mixing volume is small. By making this small change to your arsenal of painting tools, you will preserve and extend the life of your favorite artist brushes and we are sure they will thank you. Find The Best Supplies from Cheap Joe’s Here at Cheap Joe’s, we simplify your shopping experience by offering all the highest-quality supplies in one place, so you can get back to doing what you really love – creating beautiful artwork! Whether you’re looking for acrylic paints, painting knives, or watercolor paper (Arches Watercolor Pads are an excellent choice!), we guarantee we have what you’re looking for. Shop our extensive selection of paints, papers, and brushes today.
Why Every Artist Needs Both Paintbrushes and Pa...
So many times, when artists are starting out, they may opt to forego certain painting tools to save a dollar here or there. Now granted, there are occasions where that...
Acrylic Painting: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques ...
Acrylic painting is a versatile and popular medium used by artists worldwide. It is known (and loved) for its fast-drying properties, water solubility, and flexibility, as it’s able to be manipulated in color, texture, and thickness. Additionally, many artists prefer working with this medium due to the safety benefits – unlike oils, acrylics do not require harsh solvents, making them a safer and more accessible option for artists of all levels. Today, we’re going to explore the basics of the versatile art medium. In this blog post, we’ll review the properties of acrylics, teach you the most common techniques, and share a few of our tips to help you get started. Whether you’re brand-new to acrylics or you’re just looking to brush up on your skills, this guide will help you become more familiar with this beloved medium. Painting by John Hairston Properties of Acrylic Paint Acrylic paint is made from pigment particles suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion. The polymer acts as a binder, holding the pigment particles together and adhering them to the surface. Acrylic paint is water-soluble when wet, but dries quickly to a water-resistant finish. One of the main advantages of acrylic painting is the paint's versatility. It can be used on many types of surfaces, including paper, canvas, wood, and even glass. It can also be mixed with a wide range of acrylic mediums to achieve any working properties you can imagine. Additionally, acrylic is ideal for mixed media applications with watercolor, pastels, collage, ink, and more to create unique effects that truly make your piece stand out from the rest. Acrylic paints are also known for their opacity – the paint can be applied thickly to create texture and depth, or thinned with water or medium to create a translucent wash. Finally, acrylics are resistant to cracking and yellowing, making them a durable option for artists, especially artists who like to paint thick. Types of Acrylic Paint Based on the properties of this medium alone, you can probably see why so many artists enjoy acrylic painting. But there are other benefits to acrylics that make them extremely accessible to artists of all skill levels. Acrylic paints come in a range of types and qualities, including artists' acrylics, student-grade acrylics, and craft acrylics. Here is a quick breakdown of the different types: Artist AcrylicsArtists' acrylics are the highest quality acrylic paints available. They are made with high levels of high-quality pigment and less filler, resulting in cleaner color mixtures. Artists' acrylics are available in a wide range of lightfast colors and are perfect for professional artists who require a high level of control versatility, and longevity in their paintings. We offer a wide variety of artists’ acrylics here at Cheap Joes, from individual paints to acrylic painting sets – our American Journey Artists’ Acrylic Sets are an excellent choice for experienced painters. Student Grade AcrylicsStudent-grade acrylics are a more affordable option than artists' acrylics. Although they may contain the same quality pigments as artist acrylics, they have a lower pigment load, more filler, and can be made of less lightfast pigments They are available in a limited range of colors but are ideal for students or hobbyists who are still learning the basics of painting with acrylics. Craft AcrylicsCraft acrylics are lower quality acrylic paint that is designed for use in crafts and home decor projects where lightfastness is not a concern. They have a low pigment load and a thin consistency, which makes them easy to use for a variety of applications, such as painting on surfaces like wood or glass. Craft acrylics are available in numerous different colors and are great for casual crafters. In addition to these types of acrylic paints, there are also other variations, such as heavy-body acrylics, fluid acrylics, and acrylic inks. Heavy body acrylics have a thick consistency and are ideal for impasto and other techniques that require a lot of texture. Fluid acrylics are thinner and have a higher pigment load, which makes them great for pouring and other techniques that require a smooth, even finish. Acrylic inks are highly concentrated, fluid acrylics that are meant for use in drawing, calligraphy, and other applications where a fine, precise line or wash is required. Acrylic Painting Techniques Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, there are a variety of techniques for this kind of painting that you can use to achieve different effects, from creating texture and depth to blending and layering colors. In this section, we'll explore some of the most popular and effective acrylic painting techniques, including wet-on-wet, glazing, dry-brushing, impasto, and stippling. With these techniques in your toolkit, you'll be able to take your acrylic paintings to the next level and create stunning, unique works of art. Technique #1: Wet-On-Wet The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint onto a wet surface. This technique allows the colors to blend seamlessly, creating a soft and dreamy effect. The wet surface also makes it easier to create smooth transitions between colors and blend them. Here are the steps for using this technique: Prepare your painting surface: Start by priming your surface with gesso and allowing it to dry completely. You can also spray/mist the surface with water to keep it moist and ready for painting. Choose your colors: Select the colors you want to use for your painting and squeeze them onto your palette. When blending acrylics, it’s best to work in small areas at a time so you may only need a few colors mixed at a time. Wet your brush: Dip your brush into water and blot it on a paper towel to remove any excess water. Load your brush with paint: Dip your brush into one of the colors and load it with a good generous amount of paint - the thicker your paint, the slower it will dry. Apply the paint, working in small sections to keep ahead of the drying paint: Using a gentle, sweeping motion, apply the paint to the wet surface. Be sure to work quickly and avoid overworking the paint. Blend the colors: Repeat steps 4 and 5 with your other colors, blending them as you go. You can use a clean brush to help blend the colors without adding extra paint. A fan brush is ideal for this. Continue painting: Once you've covered the area you want to paint, continue to work on other sections of the painting, keeping the surface wet as you go. TIP: Mix your acrylic colors with a retarder medium that will slow the drying time. Or use Golden Open Acrylic Paint which stays wet much longer than normal acrylics, allowing easy blending without feeling rushed. Technique #2: Glazing The glazing technique involves a process of layering thin, transparent coats of paint over a base layer to create depth and luminosity in the artwork. This technique is commonly used in oil painting, but it can also be done successfully with acrylics. Glazing is a rich and beautiful way to build unique layered colors and values. To use the glazing technique, follow these steps: Choose your colors: Select the colors you want to use for your painting and squeeze them onto your palette. You'll need a base color and one or more transparent colors for glazing. Apply the base layer: Using a brush or roller, apply the base color to the entire surface you want to paint. Allow it to dry completely. Mix the glaze: Mix your color with a glazing medium. This is a clear acrylic medium that extends the drying time of the paint and makes it more transparent. The amount of glaze you use will depend on the effect you want to achieve. More medium equals more transparency. Choose from gloss, satin, or matte finishes. Apply the glaze: Using a soft brush, apply the glaze to the surface in thin, transparent layers. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next layer. Build up the layers: Continue to apply thin layers of glaze until you achieve the desired depth and luminosity. Be patient and allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next layer. Finish the painting: Once you've built up the layers, you can add final details and highlights to complete the painting. Detail of Painting by Julie Davis Technique #3: Dry-brushing Dry-brushing involves using a dry brush with a small amount of paint to create a textured, rough, and scratchy effect on the surface of the painting. This technique is used to create the appearance of textures like grass, hair, fur, or wood grain. Here’s how to do it: Choose your brush: Select a stiff-bristled brush, such as a hog-bristle brush or a dry-brush brush. Whatever brush you choose should have firm bristles that can hold the paint without becoming too soft or floppy. Dip the brush into the paint: Dip the brush into the paint, but make sure to remove any excess paint by wiping it off on a paper towel. The brush should have only a small amount of paint on the tips of the bristles. Test the brush: Test the brush on a scrap piece of paper or canvas to see how the paint looks when applied with a dry brush. You can also adjust the amount of paint on the brush by adding more or wiping off excess paint. Apply the paint: Using a light touch, drag the dry brush over the surface of the painting in the direction of the texture you want to create. This will create a textured, scratchy effect that mimics the appearance of the texture. Layer the paint: For a more pronounced effect, layer the paint by applying additional dry brush strokes over the same area. Each layer should have only a small amount of paint on the brush. In this way, colors can build up in layers, peeking through the texture of each subsequent layer to create interesting optical color mixing. Technique #4: Impasto This option involves applying thick layers of paint to create a three-dimensional texture on the surface of the canvas. Impasto is used to create a sense of depth, luminosity, and movement in the artwork. To use the impasto technique with acrylics, follow these steps: Choose your paint: Select high-quality acrylic paint with a thick consistency, such as heavy body acrylics. These paints have a high pigment load and are perfect for creating thick layers of paint. Or you can mix an acrylic gel medium into any viscosity of acrylic paint to give it thickness. Prepare the canvas: Choose a canvas or a painting surface that can support the weight of the thick paint. Apply a layer of gesso or acrylic medium to prime the canvas, and allow it to dry completely. Load the paint: Squeeze a generous amount of paint onto your palette or mixing surface. Use a palette knife or a brush to mix the paint and achieve the desired consistency. Apply the paint: Using a palette knife, spatula, or a brush, apply the paint in thick, textured layers to create the desired effect. Build up the layers to create a sense of depth and movement. If using a brush, choose a stiff-bristled brush, not a soft one. Create texture: While the paint is still wet, use different tools such as sponges, brushes, or palette knives to create texture on the surface of the paint. You can create ridges, bumps, or grooves to create interest and variation in the surface. Allow the paint to dry: Impasto painting requires time to dry completely, and the drying time may vary depending on the thickness of the paint. It's essential to allow each layer to dry completely before adding additional layers. Technique #5: Stippling The last technique we’re going to discuss is stippling. This one involves applying tiny dots or stippled marks of paint to create a textured, pointillist effect on the surface of the canvas, creating the appearance of texture, light, and shadow in the artwork. To achieve the stippling technique with your acrylics, follow these steps: Choose your brush: Select a small, stiff-bristled brush, such as a round or flat brush. The brush should have firm bristles that can hold the paint without becoming too soft or floppy. Load the brush: Dip the brush into the paint, making sure to remove any excess paint by wiping it off on a paper towel. The brush should have only a small amount of paint on the tips of the bristles. Apply the paint: Using a light touch, apply the paint to the canvas in small, dotted marks or stippled patterns. Vary the pressure and the density of the dots to create a textured, pointillist effect. Layer the paint: For a more pronounced effect, layer the paint by applying additional stippled marks over the same area. Each layer should have only a small amount of paint on the brush. Adding lots of stippled layers is the key to success with this technique. Create texture: Use different brush sizes, shapes, and colors to create variation in the texture and the color of the paint. Experiment with different techniques to create effects. Detail of Painting by Jan Toorop Acrylic Painting Tips and Tricks Looking for some more tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your acrylic painting experience? Here are 9 additional aspects to consider when you’re working with acrylics: Keep your brushes clean: Acrylic paint dries quickly, so it's important to keep your brushes clean. Make sure to regularly clean your brushes with warm water as you’re working, and do a deep clean afterward, using warm water and a small amount of mild soap. Use a palette knife: Palette knives are useful for applying thick layers of paint, creating texture, and scraping away mistakes. Experiment with different shapes and sizes to see what works best for you. They can also preserve your brush bristles longer by mixing colors on your palette instead of using your brush. Layering: Acrylics dry quickly, so layering is key to building up depth and complexity in your painting. Start with thin layers and gradually build up thicker layers as you go. Experiment with mediums: Acrylics can be mixed with a variety of mediums to alter their properties. For example, adding a matte medium can give your paint a satin finish, while adding a gloss medium can make it shiny. Experiment with different mediums to see how they affect your paint. Use a spray bottle: If you're working on a large canvas and want to keep your paint wet, use a spray bottle to mist the surface with water. This will help prevent the paint from drying out too quickly. Don't be afraid to mix colors: Acrylics are very forgiving when it comes to mixing colors. So get adventurous – try out different combinations to create unique hues and shades. You can always paint over it later if you don’t like it! Work from dark to light: As you’re painting, you’ll want to start with darker colors and gradually work towards lighter ones. This will help you build up depth and create a more realistic-looking painting. Use a white gesso base: Applying a layer of white gesso to your surface before painting can help your colors appear brighter and more vibrant. Alternatively, use a colored gesso to create instant color interest from the beginning. Use a limited color palette: Limiting your color palette can help you create more cohesive and harmonious artwork. Choose a few colors that work well together and stick with them as the main colors of your painting. Elevate Your Work with Cheap Joe’s By following these tips and tricks, you can improve your painting skills and create acrylic artwork that you're truly proud of. Just remember, the most important thing is to experiment, have fun, and never stop learning! Don’t forget to shop Cheap Joe’s for all your art supply needs – we offer high-quality products for artists of all skill levels. And if you need inspiration, check out the Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff YouTube channel. We’re always posting sample clips, instructional videos, and even art lessons so you can improve your craft anywhere, anytime.
Acrylic Painting: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques ...
Acrylic painting is a versatile and popular medium used by artists worldwide. It is known (and loved) for its fast-drying properties, water solubility, and flexibility, as it’s able to be...
An Expert Guide to Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of writing decoratively and artistically, and it has been used for centuries to create everything from religious texts to artwork. It’s a form of handwriting that involves using a pen or brush to create beautifully stylized lettering – and it requires skill, patience, precision, and lots of practice! Seems kind of intimidating at first, right? But don’t worry; our amazing team of professional artists and teachers is here to help guide you through the process of mastering this beautiful art form. Whether you’re looking to improve your handwriting, create unique artwork, or simply enjoy the art of calligraphy, you can benefit from learning more about the craft! In this blog post, we’ll be sharing 6 helpful tips for mastering calligraphy, as well as discussing the importance of selecting the best calligraphy pens for your needs. Learning calligraphy is a process, but by implementing these tips while you’re practicing, you’ll be an expert in no time. Trust us – the results are well worth the effort. Let’s get started, so you can start creating! Tip 1: Choose the Right Pen As you can imagine, calligraphy pens are an essential tool for anyone interested in learning the art form. But what makes these pens different from regular ones? Well, calligraphy pens are specially designed to provide a smooth and even flow of ink, allowing for precise and controlled strokes. A good calligraphy pen can make all the difference in the quality of your work, so you can create beautiful letters and designs with ease. There are several important factors to consider when selecting a pen, and one of those is the nib type. The nib is the part of the pen that comes into contact with the paper. There are several types of nibs available, including round, chisel, and pointed nibs. Round nibs are great for beginners because they are easy to control and produce consistent lines. Chisel nibs are ideal for creating thick and thin strokes, while pointed nibs are perfect for creating fine lines and intricate designs. The nib you end up choosing will depend on your technique and the results you’d like to achieve. Another essential factor for calligraphy pens is their ink flow. A pen with a consistent ink flow will produce smoother and more stable lines. If you’re using a pen with a variable ink flow, you may end up with irregular lines or blotches. Not good when you’re trying to master the art of beautiful handwriting, right? No matter which pen you choose, you’ll want to make sure it has a smooth, steady ink flow, so you can create the gorgeous calligraphy of your dreams. The last aspect we recommend you consider is the comfort of the pen. Pens that are too heavy or too light may cause hand fatigue or cramping, which is the last thing you want in this situation. Pens with a comfortable grip and balanced weight distribution are ideal for extended use. Since calligraphy requires many hours of practice to master, it’s important that you choose a pen that’s designed for prolonged use. Now that we’ve explained the key factors to watch for, let’s look at the different types of calligraphy pens. There are a wide variety of options to choose from, each with its own unique features and benefits. Some of the most popular types include dip pens, fountain pens, and brush pens. Let’s review each of these choices: Dip PensDip pens are one of the oldest and most traditional types of pens used for this art form. They consist of a holder and a nib, which is dipped into ink before each use. Dip pens are highly customizable, as you can choose from a variety of nibs with different shapes and sizes to create a range of strokes and styles. Fountain PensFountain pens are another popular option for calligraphy. They are similar to dip pens in that they use a nib to apply ink to the paper, but they have a built-in reservoir of ink that eliminates the need to constantly dip the pen into an inkwell. Fountain pens are easy to use and provide a consistent flow of ink, making them a great choice for beginners. Brush PensBrush pens are a newer type of calligraphy pen that has gained popularity in recent years. They are similar to traditional paintbrushes, but with a narrow tip that allows for precise control. Brush pens are great for creating bold, expressive strokes, and are often used for modern calligraphy styles. Calligraphy Pens for Beginners and Professionals As you can see, there are a wide variety of calligraphy pens available, and each option has its own benefits. Ultimately, the pen you choose will depend on your skill level and personal preference. For beginners, we recommend starting with fountain pens to get the hang of the lettering process. Once you’ve had some practice, you can move on to working with dip pens and brush pens. For those who already understand the basics of calligraphy, continue experimenting with different types of pens until you find the one that works best for you! Understanding the difference between calligraphy pen types is one thing, but shopping for them is a whole other process. Luckily, we do have a few recommendations for some of the top calligraphy pens on the market. If you need some guidance, you can’t go wrong with any of these options. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, these pens are a great choice! Pilot Parallel Calligraphy PensThe Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pen is a popular choice for beginners and professionals alike. It features a chisel nib that can create thick and thin strokes with ease. The pen also has a convenient ink cartridge system that makes refilling easy. Tombow Fudenosuke Brush PenThe Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen is an excellent choice for creating fine lines and delicate designs. The pen has a flexible brush tip that can produce thin or thick lines depending on the pressure applied. The ink is water-based and does not bleed or smudge. Manuscript Classic Calligraphy SetThe Manuscript Classic Calligraphy Set is a comprehensive set that includes everything you need to get started with calligraphy. The set includes three nibs of varying sizes, a pen holder, and four ink cartridges, and comes in a convenient storage tin. (We do not currently carry this product.) Lamy Safari Fountain PenThe Lamy Safari Fountain Pen is a great choice for calligraphers who prefer a fountain pen. The pen has a medium nib that produces smooth and consistent lines. The pen is also comfortable to hold and features a convenient ink cartridge system. (We do not currently carry this product.) Tip 2: Practice Regularly Our second tip for mastering calligraphy is to practice regularly. Calligraphy requires patience and accuracy, so it's important to set aside time each day to practice your lettering. The benefits of regular practice go beyond improving your writing skills – it can also provide a sense of relaxation and mindfulness! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced calligrapher, frequent practice is key to improving your skills and enjoying the benefits of this timeless art form. Practicing regularly allows you to develop muscle memory, which makes it easier to produce consistent strokes and shapes. The more you practice, the more natural and effortless your writing will become. Regular practice can also help you develop a personal style, as it allows you to experiment with techniques to find the one that reflects your personality and artistic vision. Another benefit to regular practice is enhanced creativity. Calligraphy is a creative art form that allows you to express yourself through your writing. Regular practice can help you develop your creativity by encouraging you to experiment with new styles, colors, and techniques. It can also help you to improve your visual problem-solving skills, which can be applied to other areas of your life. Additionally, practicing calligraphy can be a relaxing and meditative practice, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. The repetitive motion of writing can be soothing, and the focus required to produce each stroke can help to clear your mind and reduce mental clutter. Tip 3: Start with The Basics Before diving into complex lettering and designs, it's important to learn the basics of calligraphy, such as proper grip and posture. Understanding these fundamentals is essential for developing good techniques and achieving consistent, high-quality results in your work. Calligraphy is all about precision and accuracy, and proper grip and posture can help you achieve that. Holding the pen correctly and sitting with good posture allows you to produce consistent strokes and shapes, which is key to achieving the clean, polished look that calligraphy is known for. Calligraphy can also be a physically demanding art form, and this is especially true if you're not using the right grip or posture. Having poor grip can cause strain on your fingers and hand, leading to fatigue and discomfort. Good posture can help you maintain a comfortable, relaxed position, reducing the risk of muscle strain or injury. Conquering the basics of calligraphy is like building a strong foundation for your art. Once you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals, you can build on that knowledge to explore more advanced techniques and styles. Without a solid foundation, you may struggle to achieve the results you're looking for, no matter how advanced your techniques may be. Tip 4: Use Guidelines Guidelines are an essential tool for calligraphers, as they help to ensure consistent lettering size, spacing, and alignment. There are many types of guidelines available, including pre-printed paper, guide sheets, and rulers. Choose the type that works best for you and your practice by considering the size and spacing of the letters you want to create. Select guidelines that are appropriate for the size of your letters, and make sure the spacing between each line is consistent. When working with guidelines, it's important to use a light touch when marking your paper. Heavy pressure can leave indents or grooves on your paper, which can affect the quality of your work. Use a pencil or light pen to mark your guidelines and be gentle when applying pressure. If you're creating straight lines, use a ruler to ensure that they are even and consistent. A ruler can also help you create parallel lines, which is important for certain calligraphy styles. While guidelines are an important tool for calligraphy, they should be used as a guide rather than a strict rule. Don't be afraid to experiment with different letter sizes, spacing, and alignment, and use your judgment to determine what looks best. Just don’t forget to remove the guidelines when you’re finished with your calligraphy! Use an eraser to carefully remove any visible lines, taking care not to damage your paper or linework by using a light touch and erasing gently. Tip 5: Experiment with Different Styles There are many different calligraphy styles to choose from, so don't be afraid to experiment and find the one that works best for you. Trying out various styles is one of the most vital parts of developing your skills and creating unique, personalized pieces, as it helps you become a more versatile calligrapher. Each style has its unique challenges and techniques, so practicing different styles can help you to master different strokes, shapes, and letterforms. As you experiment, you'll build up a portfolio of work that showcases your skills and creativity. This portfolio can be an important tool for attracting clients, applying for jobs or internships, or showcasing your work to potential collaborators. By trying different styles, you'll begin to develop your unique calligraphy voice. You may find that you're drawn to certain styles or techniques, or that you're naturally talented in a particular area. By exploring different varieties, you'll begin to develop your sense of style and aesthetic. Trying new things is an important part of expanding your creativity and developing new ideas. By experimenting with different calligraphy styles, you'll be able to explore new ideas and techniques and find inspiration in unexpected places. Tip 6: Study the Work of Other Calligraphers Studying the work of other calligraphers can help you learn new techniques and gain inspiration for your own work. By studying the work of other calligraphers, you can learn new techniques and approaches that you may not have discovered on your own. You may find new ways of holding your pen, creating certain strokes, or using different tools or materials. By analyzing the work of other calligraphers, you can improve your skills and refine your techniques. You may notice areas where you can improve your letter spacing, consistency, or line weight, or identify new ways of creating certain letterforms or flourishes. The work of other calligraphers can also be a great source of inspiration for your work. You may be inspired by the way they use color, texture, or layout, or by their style and approach to lettering. By observing the work of other calligraphers, you can begin developing your own ideas and creative vision. Studying other calligraphers’ work can help you build your understanding of different calligraphy styles and traditions. You may learn about historical calligraphers, regional styles, or contemporary trends that can inform your work and provide context for your practice. Observing the work of other calligraphers can also be a great way to connect with other members of the calligraphy community. You may discover new artists to follow, find mentors or collaborators, or connect with other calligraphers through workshops or online forums. Calligraphy is a beautiful and rewarding art form that requires patience, practice, and the right tools. By selecting the best calligraphy pen for your needs and following these tips for mastering calligraphy, you can create beautiful letters and designs that are sure to impress. So why not invest in a good calligraphy pen today and start honing your skills? Check out the complete collection of calligraphy pens from Cheap Joe’s today, either online or in-store. We can’t wait to see what you create!
An Expert Guide to Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of writing decoratively and artistically, and it has been used for centuries to create everything from religious texts to artwork. It’s a form of handwriting that...
10 Essential Tips for Mastering Watercolor Pain...
Welcome to the world of watercolor painting! As a professional artists and experienced teachers, we are here to give you 10 essential tips for mastering this beautiful medium. Whether you are just beginning your journey with watercolors or have been exploring its depths for years, these guidelines will help take your artistry to the next level. Watercolor painting can be intimidating at first glance – there are so many techniques, materials, and ways of working that it might seem overwhelming! But don't worry. By following our expert advice, you'll quickly get up-to-speed on all the basics needed to create stunning works of art with watercolor paints. We'll provide step-by-step instructions on how to choose supplies wisely, mix colors confidently, layer washes effectively, blend seamlessly, and more. With practice and patience, soon enough you'll feel like a watercolor master! After reading our 10 essential tips for mastering watercolor painting, you'll be ready to start creating some breathtaking artwork of your own. So, grab your brush and let's dive in! Experiment With Different Types Of Watercolor Paper Watercolor painting experts can't stress enough the importance of experimenting with different types of watercolor paper. It's crucial to understanding which paper works best for various techniques and styles. Everyone has their preferences, but there are so many types available that it pays to try them out! When choosing your paper, consider weight (thickness), texture, and absorbency as these all influence how the paint moves and dries. Paper quality seems unimportant, but it's one of the top factors that will contribute to your success or lack thereof, so it's worth getting right. We always recommend starting by experimenting with two or three varieties at first. You could start with something textured like cold-pressed paper followed by a smoother hot-pressed option - this will give you a good range in terms of texture. After that, try moving on to specialty papers such as rough, handmade, or even rice paper! Each of these will produce unique results, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you. There are also differences between brands, so try several until you find the one that fits your style. Cheap Joe’s Sample Packs are a great tool for finding just the right paper for you. No matter what type of watercolor paper you decide to try, we recommend using archival quality, so your artwork stands the test of time. Choosing acid-free paper also helps protect against fading over time due to exposure to sunlight or other elements. With careful thought and experimentation, you’ll discover the best watercolor paper to bring out the beauty in your work. Choose The Right Paintbrushes For Your Technique After you've experimented with different types of watercolor paper, it's time to choose the right paintbrushes for your technique. When selecting watercolor brushes, there are several brush types, sizes, and shapes to consider. First, let’s look at the different kinds of bristles available. You want bristles that can hold a lot of color and water, and that are soft but spring back into shape. Watercolor brushes come in a variety of sizes and shapes such as extra small to large rounds, flats, washes, riggers, ovals, and more. natural-haired brushes made from animal fur hair typically hold the most color and tend to me more expensive. Synthetic brushes are more durable than natural-haired brushes because they can hold their shape better over time - perfect for those looking for longevity out of their supplies. There are many synthetic brushes on the market that closely mimic the absorption of natural hair brushes but at a lower cost. Next, think about the size of the brush you need depending on what type of painting style you prefer. For very detailed work, smaller-sized brushes are best as they allow for more control when adding details like grass blades or facial features. On the other hand, larger-sized brushes make covering large areas faster and easier; which is great if you want to try out abstract art or loose florals! Lastly, don't forget about angled and fan brush shapes which help create interesting lines and textures when layering colors together. Due to the fluid nature of watercolor, you can get lots of different sizes and styles of marks out of every brush shape, so spend some time experimenting with what each brush can do before you start painting. Invest some time into researching quality brands so that your artwork looks its best! View our collections of watercolor brush sets and watercolor brushes for a broad selection from brands we use. From our own experience, taking time to find the perfect set of tools is well worth it in the end. The last thing any painter wants is an uneven wash due to a poorly crafted brush. Practice with a simple, balanced color palette Too many color choices can sometimes lead to confusion and “mud.” Technically, you only need the 3 primary colors - red, yellow, and blue - to mix any color you can imagine. But it’s useful to have a warm and a cool version of each of the primaries for a total of 6 colors. Limiting your palette helps you understand the mechanics of color mixing in terms of hue, intensity, value, and temperature. Spend some time trying to match the hues out your window or in a photograph. Ask yourself some questions as you zero in on the color: Does the color fall generally into a red, yellow, or blue category? Start with a puddle of its main primary. Is the color in light or shade? Areas in light tend to be warmer (warm yellow and warm red) and lighter in value. Shade will be darker in value and more muted with a complement. Is the color near or far? The further away, the less yellow and red it will have in it and the more blue it will be. Distance also reduces light-dark contrast while close-up areas have higher contrast. Is the color vibrant or muted? Vibrant colors will stay closer to pure tube colors while muted colors will have more of their complement mixed in to tone them down by degrees. Is the color warmer or cooler than the surrounding colors? For cooler colors, you’ll choose your cool primaries, for warm colors, your warm primaries. Is the color darker or lighter than it’s nearby neighbors? More water will lighten a color, less water and multiple layers can darken a color. Remember that with watercolor, you can alter a color not only by mixing it on your palette, but also by glazing transparent layers over each other. Practice mixing colors using both methods. Practice Layering And Building Up Color Gradually True mastery of watercolor painting is all about layering and building up your colors gradually. Layering and gradually building color in your paintings can take a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to create some stunningly beautiful works of art! Here are three additional tips for mastering this technique: Have patience - It takes time to learn the ins and outs of watercolor layering. Don't rush yourself; just enjoy the process as much as possible. Experiment with different techniques - There are plenty of ways to layer paint on paper or canvas. Try out a few until you find what works best for you. For example, try layering wet color over dry color, wet over wet, or dry over wet, complementary colors over each other vs. analogous colors over each other, etc. Practice makes perfect - Repetition is key when learning any new skill. Spend time every day practicing how to build up color slowly and evenly to make your work more vibrant, dynamic, and full of life! With enough practice and dedication, you'll become proficient in layering and building up watercolor in no time. Learn How To Control The Amount Of Water In Your Paint Carrying a brush full of water can be like carrying liquid gold in the world of watercolor painting. Controlling how much water you use is key to mastering this art form and creating stunning pieces. Knowing how to control the amount of water in your paint will help you create smooth, even layers for magnificent results! After experimenting with different types of watercolor paper, you may have noticed that it comes in different weights and textures which affect how it absorbs pigment and holds up while being painted on. Add just enough water to your paper to show a shimmer but not pools and not dry areas. Too much water in your brush will create pools that will likely dry with hard edges where the pigment settled. Too little water in your brush can be too streaky. Experiment with different amounts of water both on the paper and the brush until you find that ‘sweet spot.’ You can always remove too much water with a paper towel or a dry brush that can wick away moisture. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules! The key is control so that if you want streaky, you get streaky, if you want smooth you get smooth. Water control is a constant dance with lots of depending factors, so just play and have fun while you explore! Use Masking Fluid To Preserve White Areas Masking fluid is a must-have for any watercolor artist. It’s an invaluable tool that helps to preserve those hard-to-recapture white areas of your painting. It allows you to achieve greater detail without having to rely solely on the careful application of paint washes and layers - giving you more freedom to experiment with color combinations and values throughout your piece. So get creative, but remember - safety first! Here are four tips we can offer when working with masking fluid: Use an inexpensive brush dedicated to masking fluid because it can destroy brushes. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation in your studio as the fumes can be quite strong when using certain types of masking fluid. For large areas, use a wide, flat brush for even coverage and make sure it’s completely clean before dipping into the container of masking fluid. Remove the dried masking fluid after you complete your painting by rubbing gently with a rubber eraser until it pulls off easily. Following these recommendations from watercolor experts will give you better control over those tricky white spaces in your work! Use Salt Or Rubbing Alcohol To Create Interesting Textures Once you have experience using masking fluid to preserve white areas in your watercolor paintings, it's time to explore other methods for adding interesting textures. Salt can be sprinkled on wet paint and will soak up some of the colors, resulting in a crystalized effect. This method works great for creating landscape scenes with sparkly snow-capped mountains or moonlit night skies. Just remember not to use too much salt as this can make your painting look overly grainy. Rubbing alcohol creates an even more dramatic effect than salt when added to wet paint. When it is dripped on, colors separate and form beautiful blooms reminiscent of flowers or galaxies far far away. Test this method out with different amounts of drops and colors to get just the right look for your art. Don't Be Afraid To Mix Colors To Create Unique Shades When it comes to watercolor painting, mixing colors is essential. Don't be scared of the color combinations you create; rather, embrace them and use them to your advantage! Every shade has its own unique beauty that cannot be replicated by any other hue. The key to creating truly unique shades lies in understanding how different colors blend together. It's important to experiment with various combinations and get an idea of what works best for you. Start off by using just two or three colors at first, then add more as needed until you find the perfect mix. You can also try adding a few drops of one color onto another to see how they interact – this will give you insight into which colors work well together and which don’t. Spend some time just playing with mixtures in your sketchbook to learn the behavior and potential uses for each color. (Don’t forget to take notes because you will definitely forget how you made that perfect green!) Once you master basic color mixing techniques, try combining several different hues for even more variations! Consider complementary opposites like blue-orange or red-green and play around with contrasting tints like bright yellow against dark gray, or experiment with analogous tones like light pink alongside pastel violet. With practice and patience, you'll soon master the art of producing eye-catching shades AND COMBINATIONS that nobody else has seen before! Use Different Brush Strokes To Create Variety In Your Painting When it comes to watercolor painting, mastering brush strokes is essential. There are a variety of brushstroke textures and types you can use to create interesting effects in your work. It's important to truly understand the different techniques used for different brushstrokes so that you can get the desired effect from each one. One key technique is varying pressure when making brushstrokes. You will want to apply light pressure on certain areas while bearing down more firmly on others as needed. This will help give your artwork depth and dimension by highlighting some parts over others. Additionally, you'll need to be aware of the direction in which you're stroking - long smooth horizontal or vertical lines versus short jagged ones for example - as this will also produce varying results in terms of texture and feel. Another way to add visual interest is by using the fourth tip we mentioned earlier: through layering colors using multiple layers of paint and building up gradually until reaching the shade you desire. As you layer color, you can also experiment with various shapes such as circles, wavy lines, zigzags, or any other type of patterning; these details will add life and movement to your paintings! Over time, you’ll develop an instinctive understanding of what works best for achieving particular styles or outcomes within a piece. In summary, learning how to vary your brush strokes and build up layers of color is vital in creating visually appealing watercolor paintings full of dynamic, distinctive detail. By practicing different brush stroke techniques and experimenting with various patterns, textures, and shades, you’ll soon become adept at crafting unique pieces that stand out from the rest! Learn How To Lift Color And Make Corrections As You Paint Amazingly, the ability to lift color and make corrections as you paint is one of the most crucial elements in mastering watercolor painting. This skill can help you add depth to your paintings and take them from beginner-level to masterful works of art! Keep these four methods in mind for your next watercolor: Get an old toothbrush or a small stiff brush for lifting color off your paper. Use a damp sponge or cloth to gently blot up any excess moisture. Dip your brush into the CLEAN rinse water before lifting out any unwanted color on the page. Be sure not to press too hard when scrubbing so that you don't damage your paper! When it comes to making corrections while painting with watercolors, timing is key! It’s best if you catch mistakes right away because once the pigment has dried, it’s virtually impossible to fix without creating more problems down the line. Therefore, we always recommend keeping some clean water nearby when working with this medium so you can quickly wet a brush and correct any errors immediately after they occur - no matter how small they may be! The moral of this post is to play and experiment before you try to create a painting. Get to know your materials and you won’t be fighting with them! Becoming a watercolor master takes time, practice, and patience. With these 10 essential tips in your toolkit, you will be able to bring your paintings to life with vibrant colors, intricate details, and captivating textures. Through experimenting with different types of paper, carefully selecting paintbrushes for each technique, experimenting with layering and building up the color gradually, and mixing unique shades, you’ll find yourself creating colorful landscapes PAINTINGS that move beyond what was YOU ever thought possible. You’ll learn how to control the amount of water used in your paints and use salt or rubbing alcohol to create interesting textures. And when mistakes happen – don't worry! You'll also learn how to lift color so corrections are never too difficult. Once you become comfortable using these techniques, adding subtle yet powerful touches will come naturally, allowing you to create truly stunning pieces that are unique and captivating in their own way. With this knowledge at hand, achieving mastery in watercolor painting becomes incredibly achievable! So, take your time and enjoy the process! Before long, you’ll have created beautiful masterpieces that will bring a smile of satisfaction to anyone who beholds them. Need Supplies? Visit Cheap Joe’s online or in-store today!
10 Essential Tips for Mastering Watercolor Pain...
Welcome to the world of watercolor painting! As a professional artists and experienced teachers, we are here to give you 10 essential tips for mastering this beautiful medium. Whether you...
The Truth About Watercolor Tubes vs. Pans
It is not uncommon when new artists are budding and trying to learn all they can that they turn to friends and classmates for advice on all things related to art and art supplies. What is the best watercolor paper to use? What is the highest quality artist paint brushes should you choose? Am I ready for an artist easel yet? Sadly, however, some information that is afloat amongst many students in just rumor and supposition can prove to be more of a detriment than of help. Even, on occasion some art professionals find themselves misunderstanding their own artist materials. Especially in the case of many artists’ understandings regarding watercolor pans. How Watercolors Are Made One of the first things that beginners learn in their art lessons is that watercolor is essentially a two-part suspension of pigment and a binder. The binder that is most often used for artist watercolors is gum arabic. These two basic parts are combined in varying ratios to form watercolor paints as we know them. The higher the concentration of pigment in those paints, the more potent the color and coverage will be out of the tube and in your watercolor painting. After the pigments are milled together with the binder, they are usually placed into a tube. Watercolors in a tube are the format with which most artists are familiar. But watercolors can be accessible in other formats as well that are just as high quality and performance as that of a tube, whether it is a watercolor pencil, watercolor crayons, liquid watercolors, or even that of watercolor pans. Many artists who are new to watercolor may have only a passing familiarity with watercolor in this other format, watercolor pans. Far fewer artists are aware of how they are made, which leads to unhelpful misinformation that makes the process of watercolor painting even more confusing. So many new artists hear a misguided rumor about watercolor pans being of a lower quality compared to watercolor paints in a tube. Artists are led to believe that pans have lower amounts of pigment which would then result in less concentrated color and brilliance. This could not be more false. In fact, watercolor pans are made from the exact watercolor that is milled and put into tubes. Watercolor pans are actually tube paint that is manufactured by allowing the paint to air dry and then cut into small cubes. Therefore, any watercolor pan is the exact same quality as it would be if an artist put their tube watercolors in their watercolor palette to dry. Only a spritz of water is needed to activate watercolors in a palette or a pan. Armed with this information, it can make artists wiser shoppers when choosing just the right art supplies to suit their preference and situation. Knowing exactly what your art materials are made from and how they came to be can make all the difference in an artists’ journey as well as their enjoyment of the process. Information is power in all things, even in matters of a tiny watercolor pan
The Truth About Watercolor Tubes vs. Pans
It is not uncommon when new artists are budding and trying to learn all they can that they turn to friends and classmates for advice on all things related to...
Your Guide To Using Calligraphy Pens
Like any art form, calligraphy takes quite a bit of time and practice to master. Choosing the right tools and supplies is vital to your success, but checking out some art lessons can be just as important. At Cheap Joe’s, we’re always thrilled to share our expertise with our community, and we would love to be part of your journey to developing your skills. Getting Started with Calligraphy You can think of this post as a mini art lesson – today’s topic is using calligraphy pens for hand lettering. We included step by step instructions to help get you started. Step 1: Choose A Calligraphy Pen There are four types of pens that are most commonly used by calligraphy artists: felt tip pens, fountain pens, dip pens, and brush pens. It’s important to understand the differences between each pen, as they all use different types of ink. The pen you choose to use will depend on a few factors: what style of lettering you want to make, what kind of ink you prefer, how it fits in your hand, and if you’re comfortable writing with it. Let’s walk through the four types of pens in more detail: Felt tip pens: These pens are a great choice for beginners because they're easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and come in a wide range of colors and nib shapes. With felt tip pens, you don't have to prepare the ink before you use them, which makes them good for practicing lettering. However, once you get past the beginners' stage, you'll probably want to choose a higher-quality pen. Felt tip pens can run out of ink quickly and the nibs wear down over time. Fountain pens: These pens are often used by intermediate or advanced calligraphers. The ink flow takes a bit of getting used to, so they take a bit of practice. Fountain pens feature changeable ink cartridges and metal nibs - the ink is fed into the nib and then onto the page through the nib. The cartridges can be replaced when empty or changed out for a different color. Dip pens: These pens are usually used by advanced calligraphers, but they can be used by anyone who has the patience and time to practice with them. Dip pens have two parts: a nib holder/shaft and a nib. Nibs can easily be changed out and come in a wide range of point sizes and shapes for creating all manner of lettering. The ink is supplied separately by dipping the nib into a bottle of ink, so you have to replenish the ink frequently. Brush pens: These pens feature a thin round brush head for a nib, made of natural hair or synthetic bristles. The bristles are typically stiffer and come to a sharp point to allow for good control over the lines they're creating. These pens can get messy, so they aren't easy for beginners to master, but they can produce very expressive results with changes in pressure and direction. The artist simply has to learn how to control the brush, as it requires a different technique than a pen with a nib. Felt Tip Pens Fountain Pens Dip Pens Brush Pens Step 2: Put Ink In The Pen If you’re going to be using a dip pen or a brush pen, don’t forget to purchase some calligraphy ink. If you chose to use a fountain pen, it should come with ink cartridges and nibs already. Before you can use your pens, you’ll need to insert the ink. If you’re using a fountain pen, it usually consists of three parts: the cap, the nib, and the barrel. You’ll want to load the ink cartridge into the nib. Start by removing the cap and barrel from the nib, then insert the cartridge by pushing it onto the non-pointed side of the nib. You should hear a click when it attaches properly. If you’re using a dip pen or brush pen, use an eyedropper to put ink in the reservoir you'll dip your pen into, or many calligraphy inks come in a bottle that you can dip straight into. Step 3: Choose Your Paper It’s important that you use fountain pen paper for calligraphy, rather than standard office paper. Regular, low-quality paper is very thin, so if you attempt to practice your lettering on it, the ink will probably bleed all over the paper. You can find fountain pen paper at your local craft store. However, you don’t have to use the highest-quality paper if you’re just starting out and need to spend time practicing your lettering. A heavier printer paper can work for practicing purposes. Lined paper can also be beneficial for practicing basic strokes. Step 4: Practice Basic Linework Getting the hang of basic linework is key before attempting full lettering. You want to make sure you’re working on a stable writing surface, and if you’re using dip pens or brush pens, a sloped surface (easel, angled writing desk) will give you even better results. You’ll also want to secure the paper to the writing surface using tape or paper clips, so it stays flat and in place. Once everything is secure, it’s time to begin the process. Here are some basic strokes to practice: Downward stroke: With a flat-tipped nib, hold your pen tip edge so it is horizontal to the top writing line (if you’re using lined practice paper). This is called a zero-degree nib angle. Proceed to make a vertical downward stroke on the paper, keeping the nib flat on the paper as you go. Practice applying equal pressure as you make the stroke. Once you’re done, you’ll have demonstrated the thickest downstroke you can achieve with your pen. To get the thinnest stroke possible, pull the pen horizontally across the paper, moving from left to right. Using thick downward strokes and thin horizontal strokes, draw some small squares. This technique will help you learn how much pressure is required to make various-sized strokes with your pen. Make sure you’re using your arm to write with the pen, rather than your wrist. This will help you maintain a steady flow. Upward stroke: To create this stroke with a flat-tipped nib, adjust your pen tip edge so you’re holding it at a forty-five-degree angle. (Using the boxes you’ve created as a guide, cut one side of the box in half diagonally from bottom left to top right and place your nib parallel to the diagonal line. That will be 45 degrees.) Now you can begin making upward strokes at a forty-five-degree angle, starting at the bottom line of your practice paper. When creating upward strokes with brush pens, the more pressure you apply, the thicker your strokes will be. Practice applying various amounts of pressure to make strokes that vary in thickness smoothly. This will become muscle memory the more you practice and you'll see improvements over time. Sawtooth pattern: To practice angling the pen, use the lines on the paper to create a wave pattern, keeping your pen at the same forty-five-degree angle as before. Alternate back and forth between thin diagonal upstrokes and thick vertical downstrokes, which should result in a sawtooth-like pattern. Depending on whether you're using a flat-tipped nib, a brush pen, or a fine tip nib, you will see more or less variation between the upstrokes and downstrokes. Just play around and see what all the pen can do! This will get you familiar enough with each pen's characteristics so you can be creative. 0 degree Nib Angle 45 degree Nib Angle Square Practice Strokes Sawtooth Practice Strokes Step 5: Practice Lettering and Writing Styles Once you’ve spent some time working on basic linework, you can move on to working with actual letters. There are numerous calligraphy lettering practice sheets available online that you can print, which can help you get used to the movements needed for each letter and style. As a beginner, you’ll want to focus on getting these basic techniques down first. Once you master them, you can move on to creating your unique calligraphy pieces. Calligraphy Art Lessons We hope this little calligraphy art lesson was helpful for anyone looking to get started with hand lettering. For more mini lessons and recommendations, check out other posts like 6 Tips for Mastering Calligraphy and watch videos on Cheap Joe's Art Stuff - YouTube. We’re always updating our page with new videos from artists and experts!
Your Guide To Using Calligraphy Pens
Like any art form, calligraphy takes quite a bit of time and practice to master. Choosing the right tools and supplies is vital to your success, but checking out some...
Using Colored Pencils For Beginners
Ready for another one of our mini art lessons? Today we will be covering one of today’s most popular coloring mediums: colored pencils. These pencils are preferred by artists of all ages because they’re easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Many people also love the nostalgic feeling that they get when working with these pencils, as it reminds them of coloring as a child. However, that’s not to say that colored pencil techniques are juvenile – there are a wide variety of ways you can use these versatile tools. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a new hobby or an advanced artist, learning to work with a colored pencil properly can be a game-changer. Colored Pencil Tips For Beginners We try to make our art lessons beginner-friendly, so we’re going to focus on sharing the fundamental instructions for using these pencils. There are plenty of additional techniques you can adopt at a more advanced level, but we’re sticking to the basics today. Step 1: Sharpening The Pencils Making sure your pencils are properly sharpened is extremely important. Having sharp pencils helps you maintain light pressure while you’re coloring your base layer since you don’t have to press down as hard. This also helps you avoid breaking the tips of your pencils. To sharpen them, you have to consider their components. You shouldn’t use a regular pencil sharpener, since a colored pencil has a core made of clay, wax, or oil-based materials. This affects how you sharpen them, and what kind of sharpener you should use. Let’s take a look at two types of pencils: Soft pencils: These pencils are made of clay or wax, and they’re best for producing deep colors and blending shades. However, they’re also very fragile and can break easily if you aren’t careful. When you’re sharpening soft pencils, it’s recommended that you use a handheld sharpener. Once you stick the pencil inside the sharpener, it’s best to sharpen it by turning the sharpener and keeping the pencil still. Hard pencils: These pencils are typically made of some kind of oil-based material, which makes them more similar to traditional lead-core pencils. They’re quite tough, so they can be sharpened with electric sharpeners or even artist’s knives if you prefer. Step 2: Understanding Basic Pencil Strokes Now that your pencils are nice and sharp, it’s time to start working on your strokes. While there are many different techniques you can apply, there are three basic strokes you’ll want to master: straight strokes, circular strokes, and tapping. Straight strokes: This is the stroke that most people are already familiar with. It’s also known as the “line,” because you’re repeatedly drawing them. You continue to add lines, placing them as close together as possible so they don’t look like separate strokes, but rather one mass of color. This technique is often used to create the base layer of a piece, and there are a few variations that you can try out if you’d like. They are: Hatching – drawing lines side by side, either close together or far apartCrosshatching – drawing overlapping lines in opposite directionsBack and forth – coloring in a continuous back-and-forth motion [LABELED EXAMPLE PICS] Circular strokes: You can achieve this stroke by continuously drawing small or large circles, making sure they stay connected until you’ve filled in the desired area with color. While not as popular as straight strokes, there are definitely times when you might want to use this coloring technique. For beginners who are using coloring books, this stroke can be helpful. [EXAMPLE PIC] Tapping: This technique requires making tiny dots/marks on the paper. It seems pretty simple, but you can actually achieve very intricate designs with the tapping method. It’s useful for coloring in very tiny details on your piece, or for adding accents to an already colored area. [EXAMPLE PIC] Step 3: Creating Bold Colors Since colored pencils are semi-transparent, they can sometimes appear to produce pale or extremely light colors. But don’t worry – you can still achieve bold colors on paper with these pencils. Here are a few things to pay attention to if you’re wanting to get some vibrant hues: Pressure and Pencil Type: If you’re applying light pressure with your pencil onto your paper, then you aren’t going to get a bold color. The more pressure you add, the more vibrant your results are – but too much pressure can break the pencil’s tip. This is where the type of pencil you’re using comes into play. Soft pencils will produce deeper colors and are best for layering, so if you want to achieve rich colors, we recommend using this type of pencil. You can still use hard pencils, you’ll just have to do some layering. At Cheap Joe’s, we proudly offer a large selection of colored pencils from high-quality brands. Browse options from top manufacturers, such as PRISMACOLOR, Cretacolor, Caran d’Ache, Derwent, and Faber-Castell to find your new favorite pencils. Layering: This is a technique in which the artist continuously applies and reapplies the same color to an area until they reach their desired thickness or color result. It can be time-consuming, but it’s the best way to customize your piece and get it looking exactly how you want it. You can also create custom colors and shading by layering one color over another. Check Your Paper Quality: The last aspect you’ll want to consider is the type of paper you’re using. When you’re using these pencils, it’s best to use artist-grade white paper, as it works better with the semi-translucency of the pencils. Tinted or colored paper can be problematic because the paper color can show through. Although you can get dramatic effects by coloring on black or toned paper as long as you layer color opaquely. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using high-quality paper that’s strong enough to hold up against pressure. Also, a smoother paper with just a little tooth tends to work best to create vibrant colors and smooth transitions. [EXAMPLE PAPERS PIC] Getting Started with Colored Pencils We hope we’ve inspired you to pick up a colored pencil and start creating! Here at Cheap Joe’s, we have everything you need to get started with your new hobby. Check out our wide selection of pencils to find the highest-quality options at the best prices. We also have a great inventory of pencil cases and pouches, so you can protect, store, and transport your supplies as needed. Feel free to give us a call with any questions or concerns, and don’t forget to check out the Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff YouTube channel for product spotlights, art lessons, and more! Ready for another one of our mini art lessons? Today we will be covering one of today’s most popular coloring mediums: colored pencils. These pencils are preferred by artists of all ages because they’re easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Many people also love the nostalgic feeling that they get when working with these pencils, as it reminds them of coloring as a child. However, that’s not to say that colored pencil techniques are juvenile – there are a wide variety of ways you can use these versatile tools. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a new hobby or an advanced artist, learning to work with a colored pencil properly can be a game-changer. Colored Pencil Tips For Beginners We try to make our art lessons beginner-friendly, so we’re going to focus on sharing the fundamental instructions for using these pencils. There are plenty of additional techniques you can adopt at a more advanced level, but we’re sticking to the basics today. Step 1: Sharpening The Pencils Making sure your pencils are properly sharpened is extremely important. Having sharp pencils helps you maintain light pressure while you’re coloring your base layer since you don’t have to press down as hard. This also helps you avoid breaking the tips of your pencils. To sharpen them, you have to consider their components. You shouldn’t use a regular pencil sharpener, since a colored pencil has a core made of clay, wax, or oil-based materials. This affects how you sharpen them, and what kind of sharpener you should use. Let’s take a look at two types of pencils: Soft pencils: These pencils are made of clay or wax, and they’re best for producing deep colors and blending shades. However, they’re also very fragile and can break easily if you aren’t careful. When you’re sharpening soft pencils, it’s recommended that you use a handheld sharpener. Once you stick the pencil inside the sharpener, it’s best to sharpen it by turning the sharpener and keeping the pencil still. Hard pencils: These pencils are typically made of some kind of oil-based material, which makes them more similar to traditional lead-core pencils. They’re quite tough, so they can be sharpened with electric sharpeners or even artist’s knives if you prefer. Step 2: Understanding Basic Pencil Strokes Now that your pencils are nice and sharp, it’s time to start working on your strokes. While there are many different techniques you can apply, there are three basic strokes you’ll want to master: straight strokes, circular strokes, and tapping. Straight strokes: This is the stroke that most people are already familiar with. It’s also known as the “line,” because you’re repeatedly drawing them. You continue to add lines, placing them as close together as possible so they don’t look like separate strokes, but rather one mass of color. This technique is often used to create the base layer of a piece, and there are a few variations that you can try out if you’d like. They are: Hatching – drawing lines side by side, either close together or far apartCrosshatching – drawing overlapping lines in opposite directionsBack and forth – coloring in a continuous back-and-forth motion Circular strokes: You can achieve this stroke by continuously drawing small or large circles, making sure they stay connected until you’ve filled in the desired area with color. While not as popular as straight strokes, there are definitely times when you might want to use this coloring technique. For beginners who are using coloring books, this stroke can be helpful. Tapping: This technique requires making tiny dots/marks on the paper. It seems pretty simple, but you can actually achieve very intricate designs with the tapping method. It’s useful for coloring in very tiny details on your piece, or for adding accents to an already colored area. Hatching Crosshatching Back and Forth or Scribbling Circular Tapping or Pointilism Step 3: Creating Bold Colors Since colored pencils are semi-transparent, they can sometimes appear to produce pale or extremely light colors. But don’t worry – you can still achieve bold colors on paper with these pencils. Here are a few things to pay attention to if you’re wanting to get some vibrant hues: Pressure and Pencil Type: If you’re applying light pressure with your pencil onto your paper, then you aren’t going to get a bold color. The more pressure you add, the more vibrant your results are – but too much pressure can break the pencil’s tip. This is where the type of pencil you’re using comes into play. Soft pencils will produce deeper colors and are best for layering, so if you want to achieve rich colors, we recommend using this type of pencil. You can still use hard pencils, you’ll just have to do some layering. Layering: This is a technique in which the artist continuously applies and reapplies the same color to an area until they reach their desired thickness or color result. It can be time-consuming, but it’s the best way to customize your piece and get it looking exactly how you want it. You can also create custom colors and shading by layering one color over another. Heavy Pressure on Left, Light Pressure on Right Layering the Same Color Over Itself to Get a Value Range Layering Different Colors to Mix Colors Check Your Paper Quality: The last aspect you’ll want to consider is the type of paper you’re using. When you’re using these pencils, it’s best to use artist-grade white paper, as it works better with the semi-translucency of the pencils. Tinted or colored paper can be problematic because the paper color can show through. Although you can get dramatic effects by coloring on black or toned paper as long as you layer color opaquely. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using high-quality paper that’s strong enough to hold up against pressure. Also, a smoother paper with just a little tooth tends to work best to create vibrant colors and smooth transitions. colored pencil drawing paper pads with toned, black, white, and cream drawing paper Getting Started with Colored Pencils We hope we’ve inspired you to pick up a colored pencil and start creating! Here at Cheap Joe’s, we have everything you need to get started with your new hobby. Check out our wide selection of pencils to find the highest-quality options at the best prices. We proudly offer a large selection of colored pencils from high-quality brands. Browse options from top manufacturers, such as PRISMACOLOR, Cretacolor, Caran d’Ache, Derwent, and Faber-Castell to find your new favorite pencils. We also have a great inventory of pencil cases and pouches, so you can protect, store, and transport your supplies as needed. Feel free to give us a call with any questions or concerns, and don’t forget to check out the Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff YouTube channel for product spotlights, art lessons, and more! Colored Pencil Portrait on Toned Paper by Julie Davis
Using Colored Pencils For Beginners
Ready for another one of our mini art lessons? Today we will be covering one of today’s most popular coloring mediums: colored pencils. These pencils are preferred by artists of...
Find Out How Different Watercolor Supplies Work
Numerous tools can be used to create breathtaking watercolor paintings, but if you’re new to the medium, you might be unfamiliar with some of the supplies. Tools like watercolor pencils and watercolor paper can play an important role in getting the perfect watercolor effect if you know how to use them properly. In this post, we’ll show you how these different watercolor supplies work, and explain why you should use them. Whether you’re a novice or starting your very first project, you’ll be able to take your watercolor painting to the next level with these tips. What Is Watercolor Painting? Watercolor is defined as a painting method in which the paints being used are made of pigments suspended in a water-based re-wettable binder such as gum arabic. The result is a delicate and subtle look typically created with transparent colors and thin washes. However, because this is such a fluid painting method, there is definitely a learning curve. It takes time to master the art of watercolor, and the artist must accept that there are aspects of the craft that are out of their control. Once you learn to release control and work with the freedom of watercolor, you can create some gorgeous pieces. How Do Watercolor Pencils Work? While watercolor paints are arguably the most common supply for this art form, there are other options to try out. Take watercolor pencils for example. These are unique tools that look like regular colored pencils, except that in addition to providing a traditional colored pencil performance, these pencils react to water and create a similar effect to watercolor paints. But how does this work? Well, the binding found in the pigment of these pencils is water-soluble. When water is added, the binding releases more pigment. This results in colors that resemble watercolor paints. But how do you use these pencils? To start, the process is the same as using regular colored pencils. You begin by drawing and coloring just like you would with colored pencils. Then you’ll move on to activating the color with water. Using a clean watercolor brush, go back over the shapes of your pencil marks, following in the same direction for a cohesive look. If you want to further minimize the appearance of the pencil strokes, you can work the color more with your brush. Once the piece has dried completely, you can repeat the process of coloring/drawing and adding water if you want to make the colors more vivid. Continue to repeat the two steps until you achieve your desired results, and then admire your finished piece. What Makes Watercolor Paper Different from Standard Paper? With watercolor, the paper you use is just as important as the other tools, although it's often taken for granted. To get the best results from this painting method, you’ll want to invest in quality watercolor paper. You might be wondering, how is this paper different than regular paper? The answer comes down to four characteristics: the paper’s texture, its thickness, the material it’s made of, and its sizing. If you were to hold a piece of regular paper in one hand and one meant for watercolor in another, the most obvious difference that you’ll notice is the thickness. Watercolor painting paper is much thicker than standard paper, with the most popular thickness weighing in at 140 lbs. The thickness, or weight, of the paper is important because using watercolors on paper that’s too thin can buckle and warp, disintegrate with water, or bleed through the back. Luckily, numerous brands offer paper in this weight, so you have plenty of options to choose from when you’re ready to get started on your paintings. There are also even thicker 300 lb. papers and watercolor boards that offer a sturdy painting surface that resists warping. Besides the difference in thickness, the material of these papers is also different. Watercolor paint requires paper that’s more absorbent with stronger fibers, so the best papers are 100% cotton. This helps strengthen the paper so it won’t become warped or buckled as quickly when water is added, standing up to the amounts of water required in watercolor painting. Standard paper is usually made with recycled wood shavings alone or combined with a small amount of cotton, which isn’t enough to hold up against watercolor. However, wood pulp paper made especially for watercolor can be an economical choice for beginners. Finally, you'll notice that the texture of watercolor paper can vary dramatically. The texture, also known as the "tooth" of the paper, is extremely important when choosing paper to use with watercolor. Paper can be smooth (hot-pressed), bumpy (cold-pressed), or extremely textured (rough).The smoother the paper, the easier it is to show fine detail. Cold-pressed paper is more commonly used for watercolor as its greater absorbency is suitable for many techniques and the medium physical texture creates interesting effects. Rough paper is ideal for looser techniques and the color will settle darker in the tiny valleys and lighter on the crests, creating visual texture. What truly sets watercolor paper apart from other papers is the sizing, which is a gelatin or synthetic substance added to the paper during and/or after manufacture. It works like glue to bind the paper fibers together and make it strong enough to withstand washes and scrubbing without disintegrating or pilling. It also balances the absorbency of the surface, allowing colors to be manipulated before they fully soak into the paper. This helps colors remain luminous and not lose vibrancy or go flat. Getting Started with Watercolor Art Our artist community is always prepared with recommendations for favorite watercolor paints and painting supplies, which ultimately come down to personal preferences. We typically recommend getting started with quality watercolor paper, like Arches watercolor paper and a basic palette. Once you decide you want to put a kit together, find out how to build the best watercolor painting kit in one of our previous posts. And if you have any questions about watercolor painting, or about our products in general, go ahead and give us a call!
Find Out How Different Watercolor Supplies Work
Numerous tools can be used to create breathtaking watercolor paintings, but if you’re new to the medium, you might be unfamiliar with some of the supplies. Tools like watercolor pencils...
Why You Should Use an Art Easel Stand
Many artists prefer using an easel for painting rather than working with a flat surface. But how do you know if an artist easel is right for you? If you’ve ever found yourself questioning the purpose of an art easel stand, and whether or not you actually need one, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re going to walk you through the history of the well-loved tool so you can understand why it’s been around for so long. We’ll also explain all of the benefits you’d be missing out on if you didn’t add one to your studio. Let’s get started! What Is An Art Easel? Let’s begin with a simple definition. An easel is a structure designed to support an artist’s canvas. You’ll also often find them being used for displaying a finished piece of artwork. Today, they’re typically used to allow artists to paint while standing, and they hold the canvas up at an angle of about 20 degrees. There are many different uses for an easel, as the invention dates pretty far back into our world’s history. Benefits Of Using An Art Easel Stand Using an easel to prop up a canvas provides many benefits. Having the surface at an angle helps avoid any distortion in the artist’s perspective. This solves the problem of accidentally creating larger figures at the top of the canvas, and smaller ones at the bottom (due to an inaccurate or distorted view). It also makes it easier to step back from your work periodically and view it from a distance. This simply can't be done when your art is laying flat on a table. Easels can also be set up in the best natural light in your studio, or positioned so that they are more easily lit by additional light sources to reduce hand shadows. Ultimately, we find easels often help give the artist confidence that they’re creating proper proportions in their art, so they can work freely and creatively without hesitation. History Of The Artist Easel Believe it or not, the history behind art easels is actually pretty complex, dating back to Ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptian hieroglyph artists pulled their skirts taut around their knees as a sturdy place to write on their tablets. Because much of their writing and art had religious implications, their finished tablets were displayed on elevated platforms now known as the bookstand. Easels are officially recorded as far back as the first century CE when Pliny the Elder (author of the book Natural History) had written about a panel being painted on by an artist. The panel had been propped up on what could have only been one of the first easels. His book was published in AD 77, so it has been assumed that the easel was invented before that date. From there, more proof of the easel’s existence was discovered in Asia’s history. An art piece from China during the 8th century entitled “A Contemplative Scholar” by artist Wang Wei seems to depict a man using an easel-like structure while studying/reading. In the 12th century, monks began using illuminated easels to ensure their written manuscripts came out as best as they could. Then, in the 13th century, the need for easels rose immensely. Canvas paintings were becoming more popular, and as the renaissance progressed, the easel became a staple tool in the art society. Easel Sizes And Style Options Like most tools, the artist easel has grown and evolved over time. In modern times, there are a variety of easel sizes and styles to choose from, depending on your specific needs. In general, there are about 10 different types of easels that artists use, each for a slightly different purpose. Today, you’ll be able to make a selection from the following styles: A-frame/lyre easels, H-frame easels, giant easels, convertible/hybrid easels, single mast easels, tabletop art easels, portable/plein air easels, bench easels/art horses, display easels, and children’s easels. Each type varies in size, style, and structure, so it all depends on what you’re wanting to use your art easel stand for. For example, many are free-standing (A-frame, H-frame, single mast, etc.) but others are designed to sit on a tabletop. Pricing can vary greatly as well, depending on the quality and type of easel you’re searching for. While some options, like giant easels, can go for a hefty $1800, other more affordable options can work just as well. It all depends on your preference! Cheap Joe’s Artist Easels Here at Cheap Joe’s, we proudly offer a large selection of the finest painters easels on the market. Here you’ll find a variety of A-frame easels, aluminum and metal easels, art horses and bench easels, convertible and hybrid easels, display and presentation easels, giant easels, H-frame easels, outdoor and plein air easels, single mast easels, table easels, wood easels, and even workstations with integrated easels. It may seem like a lot of options, and that’s because it is! But that just means you’re guaranteed to find the easel you need, right here at Cheap Joe’s. We know that choosing the right easel can seem daunting, especially when there are so many sizes and styles available. That’s why our art experts are always available to help out! If you have questions about selecting an artist easel, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Why You Should Use an Art Easel Stand
Many artists prefer using an easel for painting rather than working with a flat surface. But how do you know if an artist easel is right for you? If you’ve...
Tools You Need To Assemble The Best Watercolor ...
If you’ve ever been down the paint aisle in a craft store, then you’ve probably found yourself mesmerized by the extensive collection of beautiful watercolor paints. We know we have! This type of painting is adored by many artists, and for good reason. The fluid, transparent qualities of watercolors often result in the most beautiful pieces, even if they ended up looking different than you expected. If that sounds like something you want to try out for yourself, then you’re in the right place! In this post, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about watercolor tools, such as watercolor paper, watercolor pencils, and, of course, paint! What Is Needed for Watercolor Painting? The definition of watercolor painting is pretty simple – it’s the process of painting with pigments that have been mixed with water. In the art world, the term “watercolor” refers to both the medium and the artwork that’s produced through the process. Watercolor painting is different from other mediums because of its focus on transparent colors and thin washes. Many people who are just starting out with watercolor find it difficult to control the paint. This is due to its fluidity, making it less predictable than other mediums. While watercolor can seem challenging at first, you’ll soon find that it isn’t much more difficult than using oils or acrylics. There’s a learning curve, but with a bit of practice, you’ll get used to the different techniques and start creating beautiful watercolor artwork. For more information about this medium, techniques, and answers to frequently asked questions, visit our watercolor painting page. Types Of Watercolor Tools Since watercolor painting is so different from other mediums, there are specific tools you’ll want to use to get the best results. When you begin your watercolor journey, you’ll want to start building your own watercolor painting supply kit. A few basic supplies that you’ll need are watercolor paints, paint pans, brushes, and paper. If you want to expand your tool kit even further, you can add some special pencils as well. Let’s go over each of these in more detail: Watercolor PaintsWatercolor paint is unique because it’s made of a colored pigment in a water-soluble binder. The brand of paint you choose is up to you, and there really isn’t one that’s better than the other. If you’re just starting to learn how to paint with watercolor, you might prefer more affordable options, such as Van Gough, Grumbacher Academy, and Niji paints. But as your watercolor skills get better, you might want to branch out and test out some products from top-of-the-line brands, such as Holbein, Daniel Smith, American Journey, Brusho, and Da Vinci. The Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors are a great option for high-quality paints, as well as the Windsor & Newton Professional Watercolor. Watercolor BrushesWatercolor brushes are easy to identify because they’re usually shorter than oil and acrylic brushes. They also tend to be made with softer materials than other brushes, because watercolor painting involves creating many layers, which in turn requires a gentle touch. When you’re choosing a brush to use for your watercolor painting, it’s important that you select one that can hold a lot of paint, and has some spring to it. Watercolor PaperThis type of paper is pretty self-explanatory; it’s the kind that artists use to create their watercolor paintings. But what makes this paper different than the others? It all comes down to how absorbent it is. Paper for watercolor painting has to be more absorbent than regular paper since it’s specifically being used with water. Most standard paper is made with recycled wood shavings, but this paper has cotton intertwined with its fibers. You’ll also notice that it’s much thicker than regular paper, and the texture (or tooth) of the paper is more visible. That’s why you see all those little bumps on watercolor painting paper! Paint PansEvery watercolor artist needs at least a couple of paint pans in their painting kit. These are perfect for customizing any unique colors that you may need for your artwork, as well as keeping your workspace nice and tidy. Empty paint pans are very affordable, so make sure to grab a few! Pencils For Watercolor Painting These pencils are really cool because they combine drawing with painting, so they make a great addition to any watercolor kit. You can enjoy the look and feel of a regular watercolor painting because the pencil contains a water-soluble binder. When you add water to the pencil, it ends up looking like watercolor paint. This is a great way to experiment with different colors before jumping straight into the paints. Head over to our watercolor pencils page to browse our extensive selection of these amazing pencils! Why It’s Important To Use The Right Tools for Watercolors Now that you know which tools you should be using for watercolor painting, it’s important that you stick to them. Using the wrong products with watercolor paints can be detrimental to your final art piece. For example, if you try to use stiff oil paint brushes with watercolor paint, you’ll most likely damage the paper you’re painting on. And attempting to create a beautiful watercolor painting on regular printer paper will probably end in catastrophe because it’s way too thin. Take the time to find the right tools for the job, and you’re sure to have a stunning painting in the end!
Tools You Need To Assemble The Best Watercolor ...
If you’ve ever been down the paint aisle in a craft store, then you’ve probably found yourself mesmerized by the extensive collection of beautiful watercolor paints. We know we have!...
Floating Picture Frames: What They Are And How ...
What are floating picture frames, and how are you supposed to use them? We’ll teach you everything you need to know about these floater frames, including basic uses and how to take advantage of the optical illusion they can create.
Floating Picture Frames: What They Are And How ...
What are floating picture frames, and how are you supposed to use them? We’ll teach you everything you need to know about these floater frames, including basic uses and how...
What Is a Watermark Used For?
There are so many valuable pieces of information within the materials themselves, but if new artists don't know where to look for that info, it's not helpful to them. One of the most accessible pieces of information are "watermarks" within artists' papers.
What Is a Watermark Used For?
There are so many valuable pieces of information within the materials themselves, but if new artists don't know where to look for that info, it's not helpful to them. One...
