STUDIO NOTES: Artist Advice & Studio Tips
with Crystal Beshara
What color is THAT?
Have you ever been paralyzed by your paints? Not knowing what colours to mix can be a non-starter for a painting you've been longing to tackle. You may stare at your palette, completely overwhelmed... so what do you do?
Continue reading
Best Beginner Watercolour Kit: Top Tips from an Art Teacher of 25 Years
The Beginner Watercolour Kit: Stop wasting your money and learn what you REALLY need. In my 25 years of teaching watercolour, I see beginners making the exact same mistakes: fighting cheap cellulose paper that buckles and pills, brushes that shed and lose their spring, and chalky paints that yield muddy results. Here is what to actually invest in—and what you can safely skip.
Continue reading
How to pack for URBAN SKETCHING / PLEINAIRE ART KIT
How can you make a streamlined studio kit for travel? A curated list of compact, practical art supplies perfect for the urban sketcher, travel journal illustrator or pleinaire artist!
Continue reading
Photographing your artwork for prints
How to Document Your Artwork Like a Pro (Without Glare or Distortion) Capturing clear, high-resolution photographs of your artwork is essential—whether you’re selling prints, building your online portfolio, or submitting work for exhibitions. However, issues like glare from varnishes/glass, lens distortion, and blurry focus can quickly ruin a shot. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of the exact setup and camera settings I use to get crisp, print-ready photos of my paintings every time.
Continue reading
SAVE money on framing HOW to use a POINT DRIVER TOOL
Be your own framer - The $100 Secret Tool” that I use to frame it myself in 5 minutes. A great thrift store frame hack! Learn how to save money framing your own artwork using a professional point driver. Discover the exact tools, quick tips, and archival steps needed.
Continue reading
