After over two decades of sketching and filling piles of sketchbooks, I've dealt with many smudged drawings. So how do you keep drawings in your sketchbook from smudging and smearing? The most effective way to prevent smudges is to spray your drawings with a fixative spray once they are completed. Other methods include hairspray, using […]
Oil paint is expensive. Letting paint dry on your palette is like throwing money away. There are different methods available for how to store used oil paints, but which ones are the best? The best way for artists to store used oil paints and keep them from drying out is to place them on a […]
When I started drawing, I benefited greatly from certain sketching exercises that not only improved my dexterity but most importantly increased my powers of observation. Below are some sketching exercises that will help you improve your drawing skills. Rapid Line Sketching Exercises There are many versions of this type of exercise, below we will cover […]
Many artists and painters like to sketch their ideas onto canvas prior to painting. But what medium should you use for sketching on canvas? We will talk about some different options below. To retain a detailed sketch throughout the painting process use an H-grade pencil and seal it with a fixative spray. Use charcoal if […]
Using the right drawing pencil can make a big difference in how your sketches or drawings turn out. We will talk about the different grades of drawing pencils and how to best use them. For graphite drawing pencils on the market, the lightest is 6H, while the darkest available is 8B. The higher the number […]
Whether you just started or have been sketching for some time, it can be challenging for artists to keep up their sketchbooks. Here are some sketchbook ideas: 10 great ideas to maintain your artistic inspiration so you never run out of ideas on what to sketch. Change Your Sketching Environment Getting into a different environment […]
Closed galleries, canceled shows, shelter in place orders. While it may look grim, below is some advice for artists during a pandemic.
There are a number of steps that go into planning a complex oil painting. Here I describe the process I went through to arrive at my latest large painting.
Overcoming doubts about your art may be one of the most difficult aspects on the road to being a successful artist. Nothing can cripple your creative ability like self-doubt. This is my story on how I overcame my doubts.
How to sell art at fine art exhibitions is a question that I have often thought about, especially when sales were down. While I've done plein air events which are slightly different than the traditional exhibition, my main experience has been with wildlife and historical art. Here are some things I've learned over the years […]