review

Best Soft Pastels to Buy in 2020 (Reviews and Buyer’s Guide)

Published: May 21, 2020
Updated: May 27, 2020 by Wayne Crossland Leave a Comment

Attention all newbie and veteran artists! Are you looking to expand your expertise by trying your hand at working with soft pastels? Or do you already dabble in drawing with soft pastels and want to upgrade your equipment?

Best Choice

Colour Block Soft Pastel Art Set (100 Pack)

Best Soft Pastels

This set has the best range of colors. Others often neglect the neutral tones but this one certainly doesn’t disappoint. Colour Block is a smaller lesser-known brand but their pastels are fantastic.

Read Verified Customer Reviews

Soft pastels are usually sold as sticks or pencils and are chalkier compared to oil pastels. They are great if you want your artworks to have a smoother texture and a more polished appearance without having to sacrifice color vibrancy. [Read more…] about Best Soft Pastels to Buy in 2020 (Reviews and Buyer’s Guide)

5 Best Gouache Paints in 2020 (Reviews and Buyer’s Guide)

Published: March 4, 2020
Updated: May 18, 2020 by Wayne Crossland 6 Comments

Gouache has become much more popular over the past few years and for good reason. It has the unique water-soluble characteristics of watercolor with the opacity of an acrylic, making it the best of both worlds.

Best Choice

M. Graham 1/2-Ounce Gouache Paint Primary Set

Best Gouache Paint Set

M. Graham is known for its high-quality paints, pigments, and use of traditional binders like blackberry honey and gum arabic. This means that their gouache is very similar in texture and consistency to their popular watercolors and is well-loved among gouache artists.

Read Verified Customer Reviews

This makes it a unique and versatile medium that is great for illustration, painting on-the-go and makes cleanup fast and easy. Whether you are an experienced watercolorist or prefer acrylics, gouache is a medium that you should consider trying. [Read more…] about 5 Best Gouache Paints in 2020 (Reviews and Buyer’s Guide)

Best Paper for Copic Markers: Bleedproof, Durable and Cheap

Published: February 25, 2020
Updated: April 15, 2020 by Wayne Crossland 5 Comments

Copics are the creme de la creme of alcohol markers. They are known for their smooth blending capabilities and rich color in a huge variety of shades. In order to get the most out of your Copic markers, you need to use the right paper for your needs.

Using the correct paper is important for a number of reasons. The most important is that your markers won’t perform to their best abilities if the paper isn’t designed for use with them. This wastes your time and valuable ink.

Best Choice

X-Press It Blending Card

Best Paper for Copic Markers

This cardstock is excellent for use with Copics. If you create any commissioned works or like to draw on a sturdy paper that won't pill and protects your work, XPBC will be the perfect product for you.

Read Verified Customer Reviews

Low-quality papers will also bleed through, creating a permanent mess on the surface underneath the page and will use more ink than necessary. They can also dry the ink too quickly, which will limit your ability to blend them. Since this is the huge selling point on alcohol markers, this is a big deal. [Read more…] about Best Paper for Copic Markers: Bleedproof, Durable and Cheap

Best Copic Markers Alternatives − Cheaper, Better, Stronger

Published: November 29, 2019
Updated: May 29, 2020 by Wayne Crossland Leave a Comment

Copics markers are widely considered among the best art markers for professional artists and illustrators. On the downside, they are very pricey. Each Copic costs between $6 and $8. For amateurs and aspiring artists, this can put Copics out of your price range.

The good news is that there are a growing number of Copic alternatives on the market that may meet your needs without breaking the bank. In this buyer’s guide, we will review five of the best Copic alternatives and why they may be a great fit for you.

Best Choice

Winsor and Newton Promarkers

Best Copic Alternative

These markers are beautiful and affordable. Whether you are a beginner or professional, you will appreciate the beautiful application and ease of use that the ProMarkers offer.

Read Verified Customer Reviews

[Read more…]

Best Watercolor Paints − Reviews & Buying Guide

Published: November 26, 2019
Updated: May 4, 2020 by Wayne Crossland Leave a Comment

It seems like there are new watercolor paints that ate released every day. This can make it difficult for a professional or new artist to find the right paints for their budget and advancing their skill level. In the following buyer’s guide, we will help you weed through all of the watercolor paints available to find the best for your specific needs.

Best Choice

Daniel Smith Extrafine Watercolor

Best Watercolor Paints

The paints are of exceptional quality and are fun to work with. They blend beautifully and dry smooth without granulation. Most of the pigments are vegan and contain only high-quality ingredients.

Read Verified Customer Reviews

Whether you are searching for lightfastness or vegan-friendly formulas, there is a watercolor paint out there for you and the following reviews will help you find it. [Read more…] about Best Watercolor Paints − Reviews & Buying Guide

Best Paint for Glass (Reviews & Buying Guide)

Published: November 19, 2019
Updated: April 15, 2020 by Wayne Crossland Leave a Comment

Glass can be a great canvas to use for painting. It provides a smooth surface to work with and can produce some beautiful visuals, especially when illuminated by natural light shining through the glass. If you’re looking to paint on glass, it is important to have the right materials, especially when it comes to paints. While there are a lot of paints that work well with glass, it’s important to first plan out what kind of glass you’ll be painting and where your painting will be displayed.

Best Choice

FolkArt Enamel Glass Painting Set

Best Paint for Glass

It's easy to work with and doesn't need to be bake cured so there is less work involved with making a finished piece. The durability of the paint is what makes them great for glass jars thanks to the scratch-resistant seal that forms once the paint dries.

Read Verified Customer Reviews

[Read more…]