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Graphite Pencil Grades - A Practical Guide for...

December 02, 2025

Ahh, the humble graphite pencil... many an artists’ first creative outlet.

In terms of complexity, graphite pencils may appear to be just a step above the “mud on stick” technique of our caveman ancestors, but don’t let that fool you. These versatile tools are intuitive enough to nurture the burgeoning creativity of children, yet expressive enough to capture the depth of human complexities in portraiture.

Whether you’re sketching a street scene, illustrating a book or making architectural plans, understanding graphite pencil grades is a key step. After all, knowing how an HB, 6H, 4B or F will behave offers not only better control, but a smoother workflow & the confidence to make informed choices in your artwork.

So, in this guide, we’ll be exploring graphite pencil grades, exploring what they mean, how best to use them & how they affect your work.

Sharpening Graphite Pencils - A Practical Guide...

November 18, 2025

Sharpening graphite pencils seems so simple on the surface, you may even have seen the title and thought to yourself;

“Come on now Cowling & Wilcox, I’ve been sharpening pencils for years, does it really require a whole blog?”

Well, as with all things creative & otherwise; if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.

Whether you’re sketching, drafting or rendering fine details, if you’re working in graphite then understanding the interplay between pencils and sharpeners can play a key step in the creative process. So, throughout this comprehensive artists' guide, we’ll be exploring the safest, most effective (and cleanest) methods of sharpening graphite pencils to help you achieve consistent results.

Understanding Linseed Oil: The Painter’s...

October 17, 2025

An indispensable tool for any oil painter, Linseed Oil is a versatile medium that acts as both a blender and modifier for oil paints.

Derived from the seeds of the flax plant (Linum Usitatissimum) and adopted in oil painting as early as the 12th Century, Linseed Oil is the binder used in most oil paints and seamlessly blends with oil paint pigments for smoother, more workable colours, greater technical control and expressive depth in your work.

Today we’ll be discussing Linseed Oil, its many forms, their benefits and how they can best be applied to unlock your oil painting dreams.

How To Clean Oil Paint Brushes: A Step-by-Step...

October 08, 2025

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.

Exploring Mortality in Art: Four Masterpieces...

October 07, 2025

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.

The Ultimate Acrylic Paint Colour Mixing Guide

October 06, 2025

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).

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!

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.

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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