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When it comes to painting, especially with oil colours, a good set of brushes are an essential tool in any artist’s arsenal & keeping them clean is key to maintaining consistency in your work.

Oil paints, as beautiful as they are, can negatively affect brushes by causing their bristles to stiffen, discolour or dry out.  This is why it’s so important for every artist working in (or adopting) oil paints to understand how best to clean, maintain and monitor their brushes.

Whilst solvents like white spirit or turpentine are traditionally the go-to for this, nowadays, there are an exciting variety of modern, less harsh options available to artists.

This handy guide will walk you through the cleaning process of your oil paint brushes, discussing the benefits of different methods and materials, to ensure you can clean with confidence.

From the earliest cave paintings to modern surrealism, artists have long explored the universal themes of death, loss, and transformation.  Through brush, pigment and emotion, they’ve turned life’s most profound mystery into lasting visual language.

In this feature, we’re delving into four powerful examples from masters like Salvador Dalí, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edvard Munch, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder to explore how artists have used composition, colour, and symbolism to face mortality head-on.

Whether you’re working with oils, acrylics or pastels, there’s inspiration here to bring greater emotion and depth to your own creative practice.

Mixing the right tone is as essential as applying it & colour mixing is itself an artform.

Whether you’re creating landscapes, portraits, or abstract works, knowing how to blend acrylic paints and understanding colour relationships ensures you maintain full control over your palette.

In this brief guide, we’ll dip into:

• Colour theory essentials
• Simple formula “cheatsheet” mixes
• How to adjust tones (light, dark, muted)
• Creative tips and advanced tricks

Feel free to bookmark this page as a convenient, go-to reference whenever your project calls for precision, consistency, or expressive colour blending (or if you’d simply like a refresher).

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.