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Abstract Acrylic Painting Tips & Techniques

October 03, 2025

Acrylic paints, first introduced in 1955, have become one of the most versatile, beginner-friendly art mediums in the world.  Loved by artists for their vibrant colours, fast drying times & endless adaptability, acrylics are especially powerful when used in abstract painting.

Unlike traditional realism, abstract acrylic art focuses on emotions, shapes, colours, and textures that invite you to experience feelings and ideas in ways that transcend language, cultural boundaries or age.  Whether you’re a total newcomer to painting or a seasoned veteran artist looking for a little freedom, abstract acrylic techniques open the door to limitless creativity & exploration without limitations.

Join us as we explore the expressive world of acrylic paints and discover why they're an ideal choice for any artist looking to express themselves in unique, attractive (and often unpredictable) ways!

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PVA Glue: Uses, Benefits, and How to Get the...

September 30, 2025

Adhesives come in many shapes & forms, but few can boast being as truly versatile as PVA glue.

From school projects to crafts and even woodworking, PVA glue (AKA white glue, school glue or wood glue) has endless uses & countless applications, showing just why it remains a go-to for artists, crafters & DIY enthusiasts of all ages.

In this short guide, we’ll be exploring the benefits of PVA glue, discussing its most popular uses and how to use it effectively.  Hopefully by the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of this reliable, accessible adhesive.

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Inktober Essentials: The Best Inks and Tips for...

September 25, 2025

October is fast approaching, which means one thing (aside from spookiness!) for artists; Inktober!

Whether you’re a curious newcomer, talented professional or seasoned veteran, the 31-day challenge of Inktober is a fantastic for sparking creativity, building confidence, maintaining a workflow and openly sharing your artistic creations with a global community.

The first step to making the most of your Inktober?  Choosing the right inks, of course.

Today, we're discussing some standout inks from Daler-Rowney, Jacquard and Winsor & Newton, demonstrating how each of them uniquely helps the creative process, along with practical tips to ensure you have fun & remain inspired this Inktober.

We recently covered the Pro Acrylic Ink range from Liquitex in a previous blog, so feel free to check that out too, if you're curious!

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10 Creative Ways to Use MT Washi Tape

September 25, 2025

If you’ve ever dabbled in journaling, scrapbooking, or just love adding a creative touch to everyday things, chances are you’ve come across MT Washi Tapes in the wild.

These colourful little rolls from Japan aren’t your average tape, they’re made from washi paper, making them easy to tear, reposition and even write on.  With endless patterns, colours and quirky designs, they’re perfect for decorating notebooks, wrapping gifts, brightening up your workspace, or giving a quick makeover to just about anything.

So, whether you’re well-versed already & looking for hints, or completely new to the game, here are 10 Creative Ways to Use MT Washi Tape!

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Artists Lighting: The Daylight Company

September 18, 2025

Part two of our Artists' Lighting series, this time we're shedding light on The Daylight Company.

No matter your medium or discipline of choice, any creative endeavour can be ruined with the wrong lighting conditions.  When it comes to the "right" lighting, you can't get much better than natural sunlight.  Daylight LEDs have become the go-to choice for this very reason, which is where The Daylight Company comes in.

The Daylight Company's ever-growing catalogue of artists' lights, lamps and magnifiers seamlessly blend quality, aesthetics and a clear love of artistry for a professional-quality range of bespoke options designed for a variety of techniques, applications and scenarios.

So, whether you prefer painting with acrylics, oils and gouache, producing bold graphic pieces with markers, or illustrating intricate designs with fineliners, The Daylight Company have the lighting you need.

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Artists Lighting: Benefits of Daylight LEDs for...

September 17, 2025

Part one of our illuminating two-part Artists' Lighting series covering daylight LEDs & The Daylight Company.

If you’re an artist producing expressive sketches, penning intricate calligraphy or painting with oils, acrylics or watercolours, you know that lighting can make or break the creative process.  Having the right illumination can make all the difference to the accuracy & consistency of your work, along with ensuring a comfortable working space.

Daylight LED lamps, like the ones from The Daylight Company, have become the go-to choice for artists seeking true colour and fine detail.  Today we’ll be exploring daylight LEDs, discussing technical details, what makes them a true game-changer and recommending some lighting options for watercolourists, sketchers, calligraphers and painters.

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Safer, Cleaner, Smarter: Zest-It Mediums for...

September 11, 2025

Let's be honest - traditional solvents like turpentine or white spirit have never been anyone's favourite studio companions.  We all know how useful they are for oil painting, but the fumes, the headaches... is it worth it?

That's where Zest-It steps in, a leading innovator in eco-conscious art materials, their range of low odour mediums and additives prioritize safety above almost all else.  Enhancing artistic techniques with a zesty citrus twist, these amazing mediums make brush cleaning, blending and painting not only much safer & easier, but even more fun!

Whether you’re layering glowing oil glazes, blending coloured pencils into buttery smooth gradients, or rescuing brushes from dried masking fluid disasters, Zest-It has a solution that keeps your creativity flowing... all without the toxic cloud.

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Water-Mixable Oil Paint: A Solvent-Free Revolution

September 11, 2025

Water-mixable (or water-soluble) oil paints are a modern evolution of traditional oils.

Unlike conventional oils, which require harmful solvents like turpentine for thinning and cleanup, water-soluble oil paints are both non-toxic and specially engineered to be thinned and cleaned up with nothing but ordinary water.

A game-changer for health, safety, environmental impact and accessibility, whether you’re working a small studio, shared classroom or at home, water-mixable oils offer the same luxurious feel and rich texture of oil paints, all without exposing yourself or your workspace to hazardous chemicals or VOCs.

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The Ultimate Guide to Liquitex Professional...

September 09, 2025

Developed in collaboration with artists, the Liquitex Professional Brush range offers a versatile selection of specialist artist tools focused delivering quality, precision and durability whether you're painting tiny marks on canvas or bold, expressive strokes across a mural.

In this short guide, we’ll be exploring Liquitex Professional Brushes to understand just how these amazing professional tools function and how they can enhance your work.

So, join us as we break these down into several distinct, easily understandable categories; the Core Collection, the Large-Scale Series, and finally, Specialty Tools to discover the right brush for your next acrylic painting project!

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