The latest free step-by-step guides to art techniques are listed below. You can also search for specific art topics using the search box above.

Art techniques

Using masking fluid with watercolors

I’ve tried to use masking fluid many times with varying degrees of success. The best type to use is colored (usually blue) so is easier to see to peel off the paper afterwards. I decided to make an art card based on Egyptian hieroglyphics that I’d seen at the British Museum. Read more about using masking fluid with watercolors…

Egg Tempera, an introduction

Egg tempera is water soluble and is a medium that was traditionally used before oil paints up until the fifteenth century. It is fast-drying and is often used to create highly detailed paintings from the careful build up of layers. Read more about egg tempera…

Priming a panel with gesso

The term “gesso” can be something of a misnomer, as some people use this word to describe “acrylic primer”, which is completely different and doesn’t work with egg tempera paints, for example. Gesso for use as a ground for egg tempera can either be bought ready-made or mixed from rabbit skin glue and whiting.Read more about priming a panel with gesso…

Whole egg tempera recipe

The traditional recipe for egg tempera paints usually includes egg yolk as a binding agent to mix with pigments. There are alternative recipes, however, that are slower to dry and are nearer to the character of oil paints. One of these is to use a whole egg (both egg yolk and egg white) and a mixture of linseed oil. Read more about the whole egg tempera recipe…

Mixing egg yolk with pigment (egg tempera)

The most traditional way of mixing egg tempera paint is to use egg yolk. There are recipes where you use the whole egg, and some use oil as well. Here is a brief outline of the traditional egg yolk recipe. Read more about mixing egg yolk with pigment…

Grinding pigments for use with egg tempera

If you venture into the realms of using egg tempera, it is useful to have a range of pigments ground into a smooth paste and ready to be mixed with the binding agent (in this case egg yolk). You can buy pigments from reputable art shops. Most will supply lightfast pigments (ie. pigments that aren’t susceptible to fading in the daylight), but ask before you buy. Once you have purchased your pigments, you will need to prepare them for mixing with the egg yolk. Read more about grinding pigments…

Natural pigments, how lightfast are they?

I created a panel from pigments that I’d brought back from Morocco. I did a light test on the panel to see how lightfast the colours were. As you can see, most of the colours have faded after a year.Read more about pigments…

Tips for buying art supplies online

There are many benefits to shopping online. You can find great discounts on items that would sell for more in retail stores. Some art suppliers have deals and savings that they only offer online. Read more about buying art materials online…

What is a good alternative to using black paint for creating darker tones?

If you’ve ever had any art lessons, you may have been told never to use black for adding darker tones. However, you may not have been told why or what to use instead. I would never recommend that you ban any color from your palette. If you want to use it, then use it. Black does tend to suck all the light in and create a stark effect. It is a very strong color, so use it where a strong effect or contrast is wanted. However, for a more subtle option, there are alternatives to black that you can use instead.Read more about using an alternative to black paint…

The basics of color/colour theory

As a recovering course junkie, who occasionally falls off the wagon and attends the odd short course, I’ve been taught a lot about color/colour theory. Unfortunately, I haven’t always put it into practice. Read more about the basics of color theory…