Recent ARTdiscount Blog Articles
Explore a range of interesting art-related features written by our in-house artists, including inspiration how-to guides, fascinating interviews, exciting introductions to new product ranges, and much more.
ART HELPING SAVE LIVES AT SEA
EVENTS & FEATURES We take a look at two very different projects that show how art is used to shine a spotlight and gain valuable support for charities within our own communities.
Art and Craft Supplies for Schools
As a teacher it is vitally important to always have the right equipment to hand to assist with the ever evolving process of teaching the next generation.
What is Gesso, Size and Ground?
Traditionally Gesso was a mixture of gypsum plaster and chalk mixed with water and other binders to make a white slurry that creates an absorbent surface for painting on.
System 3 Acrylic Paints – Not Just for Painting!
All 36 colours and 3 mediums of System 3 acrylic paints can now be used for Block Printing! What’s not to love about these highly versatile paints!
Artist Interview: Alex Fleming
We recently met Alex Fleming, a Wildlife, pet & equine artist. Alex creates incredible realism using pencils and pastel and became a finalist for SAA Artist of the Year 2021.
Artist Interview: Joe Holbrook
Our Artist Interview for this purposeful month of September is with Joe Holbrook. Joe offers an insight into his multi discipline practice, a social commentary on youth culture. This young talent moves from London to our home town of Blackpool, where he will open his own studio!
Stretching Your Own Canvas: A Beginner’s Guide
A short article explaining techniques and methods of how to stretch your own canvas. A useful money saving technique.
Water buckets and brush cleaners
The humble bucket is an indispensable piece of equipment for any painter. Whether you are painting in acrylics or oils, artists have always needed a convenient receptacle for their water, thinners and mediums. Nowadays we are spoilt for choice as there is a wide range of purpose made buckets, tubs and pots.
Best Practices and Things to Know About Spray Paint
Spray paint is one of those mediums which is both simple and quite complex all at once, because there are a host of factors to consider between pressing the cap and paint hitting your painting surface. In this article we hope to inform you about some of the best practices to observe whilst using spray paints, so that next time you pick up a spray can it should be smooth sailing.
Can You Varnish a Watercolour Painting? Here’s What You Need to Know
The purists would answer that watercolour paintings should be behind museum quality, anti-reflective, conservation UV filtered glass, and confined within a frame. And most watercolour paintings are, as this used to be the only option for exhibiting your watercolour artwork. However there are many more presentation options for watercolour artists to consider once their work has a protective varnished final layer.
Artist Interviews: Charlotte Hudders
This months interview has a very special connection to us here at ARTdiscount. Charlotte Hudders is the daughter of our very own MD! Originally trained in Theatre Design, Charlotte developed a diverse set of creative skills during this time whilst growing up in a family of artists and designers!
What are the Best Acrylic Paints?
Acrylic paint is still a comparatively young medium unlike watercolours and oil which have been used by artists as far back as the 1500’s and earlier still. In this article we discuss what we consider to be the best acrylic paints to get your hands on.
Introducing the Winsor & Newton professional watercolour synthetic sable brushes
We are excited to announce the arrival of the brand-new range of Professional Watercolour Synthetic Brushes from Winsor & Newton. These brushes have been designed from the ground up to provide artists with a synthetic alternative to sable and squirrel hair brushes.
Artist Interview: Alex Kelly
With a significant a rise in sales of oil paints, we have begun researching more oil painters from across the UK and we have been lucky enough to interview contemporary oil painter Alex Kelly.
How to Varnish Acrylic Paintings
A varnished acrylic painting will have greater longevity, as varnishing will protect the surface from permanent damage from a number of airborne pollutants including dust, smoke and steam.
Artist Interview : Emma Luczyn
Emma Luczyn is a graphic designer with a sideline of "lettering". Emma discusses her love of letters and how that has lead to a growth in workshops and consultancy work.
