Oil paints have been valued by artists for centuries. They are loved for their rich colours, depth and flexible working process, which allows artists to work on a painting over an extended period. Unlike watercolours or acrylics, oil paints do not require you to work quickly. Instead, they give you time to mix colours, add layers and revisit earlier decisions.
When decorating textiles and other flexible materials, it is important to remember that different surfaces behave differently when painted. Delicate, highly absorbent silk calls for different paints and techniques than leather, where paint adhesion and flexibility are especially important. In this Textile 101 post, we look at which paints to choose for silk and leather, how to use them and what to keep in mind for a lasting result.
The range of textile paints is wider than you might think. In addition to classic textile paints, there are markers, printing inks, spray paints and even products that allow you to use familiar art materials on fabric. In this Textile 101 post, we take a closer look at the different options for painting and drawing on fabric and what you should know before getting started.
The shape of a paintbrush has a greater impact on your painting than you might think. The same paint and technique can produce completely different results depending on the brush you use. Some brushes create soft, seamless blends, while others are better suited for fine details, textures, or long, decorative strokes.
Watercolour is not limited to traditional pans and tubes. Today, there are many water-soluble tools that combine the qualities of drawing and painting, allowing artists to use watercolour techniques in entirely different ways Watercolour pencils, markers, and other water-activated tools are excellent for sketching, detailed illustration, and more experimental work. They can serve as a bridge between drawing and painting while often offering more control than traditional watercolour.
Watercolour is often associated only with paint, water, and paper, but in reality there are many additives and mediums that can alter the behaviour of colour and open up new techniques. Some help achieve greater control, while others add texture, transparency, or special effects. Although mediums are not essential in watercolour painting, they can significantly expand creative possibilities and make experimenting even more exciting.
Watercolour is a light and fluid painting technique where colour, water, and paper work together. The result is transparent layers, soft transitions, and effects that are difficult to control completely. This unpredictability is one of watercolour’s greatest charms.
Lightfastness is one of the most important quality indicators of art materials, showing how well a pigment withstands the effects of light over time. When an artwork is exposed to daylight or strong artificial light, some colors may fade or shift over the years. This makes lightfastness especially important for works intended for display, sale, or long-term preservation. The marking on a paint tube, pencil, or marker is not just a technical detail, but information about how permanent your work will truly be.
In calligraphy, the nib is one of the most important tools. It directly affects the line that appears on paper, how the ink flows, and the overall feeling of writing. Different nibs are designed for different styles, line widths and working methods, and there is rarely a single nib that suits everything.
Calligraphy is the art of writing where every line, pause and curve is a conscious choice. It is a slow and focused process that offers balance to the rush of everyday life. In calligraphy, not only the final result matters, but also the rhythm and feeling of writing.
As a beginner, it may not be easy to assess which painting technique best suits your style and way of working. Acrylic and oil paints offer very different painting experiences and require slightly different skills and approaches. Let’s take a look at what this means in practice.
Cadmium paints are valued in the art world for their strong colour intensity, good opacity and excellent lightfastness. Cadmium yellows, oranges and reds are especially well known, offering intense and stable results across different techniques. At the same time, cadmium has certain characteristics that have led more and more artists and manufacturers to look for alternatives.
