Journey Art Supplies Blog
Tips, Tricks, Thoughts, and inspiration from across the art spectrum.
Top Deals for Oil Painters
Great news! You can get Black Friday Deals on many items at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff right now rather than waiting until the end of the month. We’re offering the best deals on oil paints, paint sets, supplies, and more. We are always happy to pass on the savings, and make sure you find the best gifts for everyone on your list this year. Read on to find some of our favorite brands for oil painters at the best prices.
Top Deals for Oil Painters
Great news! You can get Black Friday Deals on many items at Cheap Joe's Art Stuff right now rather than waiting until the end of the month. We’re offering the...
Why is Arches Watercolor Paper the Most Dominant
Excellence in Watercolor Paper, Why Arches Paper Is Worth It To meet the supply demands of artists, more efficient fabrication than hand-made procedures would be required. Arches turned to the cylinder mould method of manufacturing. Their expert papermakers determined the cylinder mould machine to be the best process for making a stable paper. It mimics hand-made characteristics but produces a consistent and heavy-duty paper that holds up to copious amounts of water application, giving artists more control. It works like this: The mould, covered by a wire mesh screen, churns slowly in a vat of 100% pure Egyptian cotton pulp fibers, lifts evenly distributed pulp, and with the help of wool felts, removes excess water and subtly marks the paper's finish with Arches' proprietary grain for a strong tooth, or grip, to their surface. The binding agent, a natural gelatin sizing, permeates the liquid and fibers in the vat to add strength and preserve the luster of the paper across all watercolor techniques. What is Arches paper made from? Let's take a closer look at their paper creation process. To meet the supply demands of artists, more efficient fabrication than hand-made procedures would be required. Arches turned to the cylinder mould method of manufacturing. Their expert papermakers determined the cylinder mould machine to be the best process for making a stable paper (not likely to warp when wetted). It mimics hand-made characteristics but produces a consistent and heavy-duty paper that holds up to copious amounts of water application, giving artists more control. It works like this: The mould, covered by a wire mesh screen, churns slowly in a vat of 100% pure Egyptian cotton pulp fibers, lifts evenly distributed pulp, and with the help of wool felts, removes excess water and subtly marks the paper's finish with Arches' proprietary grain for a strong tooth, or grip, to their surface. The binding agent, a natural gelatin sizing, permeates the liquid and fibers in the vat to add strength and preserve the luster of the paper across all watercolor techniques. Is Arches paper the best watercolor paper? Arches produces more surfaces, sizes, weights, and styles than any other manufacturer we're aware of. It might add to the popularity of the paper that with some 300+ different varieties for artists to choose from, Arches' offerings attempt to find something that suits the taste of any discerning watercolor artist. The downside to Arches (as we see it). While, there's not many, there are a few to take note of. Arches uses an animal gelatin as it's sizing. (Sizing is very important in keeping your colors vibrant, on top of the paper, and your paper from staining if using scrubbing or lifting techniques. Because of this the paper can have a unique smell when wet - from an ammonia-like to a wet dog-like smell. The animal sizing might be a turn off to vegans or folks with religious requirement. We're not sure if it's the application process or the animal sizing that creates inconsistencies with Arches sizing, but it seems Arches has more issue with "bad batches" than other paper manufacturers. However, they're quick to right the wrong and replace any instance of inconsistency should it arise. Maybe it's because Arches has been around so long. Or, it could be because of the variety. Or, perhaps it's because the process of the paper makes it heavy enough to let the artist work and rework the artwork. Or, feasibly, it's because Arches is the best all-around paper for its consistency and quality. But one thing is for sure: far and away, Arches is the most recommended watercolor paper for anyone attempting to master this thing called watercolor.
Why is Arches Watercolor Paper the Most Dominant
Excellence in Watercolor Paper, Why Arches Paper Is Worth It To meet the supply demands of artists, more efficient fabrication than hand-made procedures would be required. Arches turned to the...
Art Supplies For Every Studio Size
OK, not everyone who does art has a fancy studio, but everyone who does art surely has a space, no matter how small, where they can spread out and create.
Art Supplies For Every Studio Size
OK, not everyone who does art has a fancy studio, but everyone who does art surely has a space, no matter how small, where they can spread out and create.
Top Deals for Acrylic Painters
Beat the mad dash and start shopping now! Some of our best and top-tested supplies are marked down to bring you holiday deals on everything from our best acrylic paint sets to gifts that line your stockings.
Top Deals for Acrylic Painters
Beat the mad dash and start shopping now! Some of our best and top-tested supplies are marked down to bring you holiday deals on everything from our best acrylic paint...
How To Properly Care For Your Brushes
Brush care is very important to ensure the longevity of your investment. High-quality art supplies are not inexpensive, they are an investment. An investment worth making when you consider the tools you choose will determine your chances for success.
How To Properly Care For Your Brushes
Brush care is very important to ensure the longevity of your investment. High-quality art supplies are not inexpensive, they are an investment. An investment worth making when you consider the...
Tips and Tricks for Making Your Acrylic Paintin...
It makes sense that, as artists, we would assume the most important parts of our art are the colors, designs, lines, brush strokes, or even our muse. When it comes to acrylic painting, we’re talking about the finished product – the thing that everyone sees at the end and admires. What we may not pay as much attention to (but definitely should) are the beginning layer and the end layer of the piece. These features are extremely important if we want the art to last. In this blog post, I want to talk about the importance of properly prepping your surface before you begin painting, and how you can protect your artwork after you’ve completed it. After all, your painting can be destroyed by the elements from the moment you put your brush to the surface. I know it sounds intimidating, but it’s vital that you understand the importance of these steps, and that you learn how to take care of your art from start to finish, and everything in between. The Painting GroundTo start with, you need to make sure that a substrate has been properly base coated. This will allow the paints or mediums to form a secure bond to the surface, therefore resulting in a painting that will last a lifetime. To achieve this, the medium and the base coat have to be compatible. This is a very important step, because if you have incompatible aspects, then your painting can develop cracks and end up separating from the surface. Every medium has a preferred ground that you’ll want to work with, and you’ll find that not every type of paint will stick to every surface. You can still apply the paints to other surfaces, but if you want the best, longest-lasting results, you’ll want to keep the following pairings in mind: Acrylic – acrylic primed cotton canvas or wood surfacesWatercolor – 100% pure cotton rag watercolor paperOil – oil primed linen or cotton canvasPastel – sand-coated paper or textured heavyweight paperColored Pencil/Charcoal – smooth or slightly toothy heavyweight paperMarker – coated marker paperEncaustic – encaustic gessoed wooden panelsEgg Tempera – rabbit glue gessoed wood surfacesAlcohol Inks – clean, non-porous surfaces including tile, metal, glass, and Yupo Of course, the list could continue forever, but you get the idea. If you don’t take the time to prepare your substrate properly, then your paint won’t have anything to adhere to. Acrylic Paints with the Golden TouchGolden Artist Colors, Inc., also known as “Golden,” has developed multiple acrylic grounds and gessos to ensure that your colors stay where you need them to. Here at Cheap Joe’s, we offer the following Golden Acrylic Gessos: White or Black Acrylic Gesso – a ready-to-use acrylic liquid ground that’s prepared with more dry solids than acrylic paint, which provides tooth and expertly prepares a substrate for oil or acrylic application.It’s important to note that, while oil paints will stick to this ground, an oil painting ground or primer tends to make a better base coat for oils. You can also apply watercolors to an acrylic ground with minimal water content, but there are specific “watercolor gessos” that are designed to keep watercolor washes from resisting the acrylic surface. This can cause the paint to bead up and form a puddle on the surface. Hard Sandable Gesso – this gesso results in a harder surface and heavier consistency when dried and gives you the option to leave various textures on your painting surface. Acrylic Ground for Pastels – features a fine grit that offers the required tooth to hold the pastel dust to the substrate. Now that you’ve created a strong surface base coat, you can move on to the most exciting part – the painting! You can express yourself to your heart’s content, knowing that you don’t have to worry about your painting getting ruined.If you’re looking for a new set of gels, consider checking out the Golden Introductory Gel Medium Set. This set is a great way for you to sample some popular gels before buying full-sized products. We love Golden because they have the most expansive line of professional quality paints, gels, mediums, and texture mediums. Check out any of the following categories to find the highest quality products at great prices: Golden Open AcrylicsGolden Heavy Body AcrylicsGolden Fluid AcrylicsGolden GelsGolden Molding PasteGolden Specialty MediumsGolden Texture MediumsGolden Fluid Mediums Protect Your Work, Don’t Forget the Final LayerNow that you’ve created a beautiful piece of artwork, it’s time to apply the top coat. This acts as a barrier to help protect your art from various dangers, such as grime, dust, fingerprints, sand, oils, or light. While light is important when it comes to viewing the artwork, it will also immediately start working to deteriorate the piece. The longer the art is exposed to the light, the duller the colors will become. The paint can also begin to crack and separate from your substrate. This might not happen right away. It could take years for you to visibly see any damage on your painting. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen eventually, so it’s imperative that you protect your art for as long as possible. When it comes to varnishing, Golden has a pretty simple system. Here are the Golden Acrylic varnishes that we have available at Cheap Joe’s: Golden Polymer Varnishes with UVLsThis is a water-based acrylic polymer varnish that is formulated to provide extra defense from ultraviolet radiation. Designed as a topcoat for acrylic paints, this varnish offers a removable protective surface for the soft acrylic paint layer. It tends to have a harder film than most acrylic paints, allowing the surface to be less susceptible to dirt and dust. It also provides enhanced protection from any moisture, marring, or scratching that may occur. The Polymer Varnish is intended for indoor use only and is not meant to be used on furniture or other surfaces that are prone to physical contact when in use. This varnish can be removed easily because it remains soluble in alkaline solvents like ammonia. When removing the varnish, you will also simultaneously be removing any surface contamination. But don’t worry – the removal won’t cause any damage to the painting. If you’re trying to clean or restore a painting, then this could be a useful product for you. The Polymer Varnish is available in three finishes: gloss, satin, and matte. The gloss will dry to an extremely reflective finish. The satin option still offers a moderate reflection. The matte varnish is flat. You’ll want to thin this varnish before use, and it’s preferable to either spray or use a brush application with Golden varnishes. Golden Archival Spray Varnish (Mineral Spirit Acrylic Aerosol with UVLS) I like to call this the “Do It All Varnish,” because it can quite literally do it all. You can use this varnish for almost anything because it has very few limitations. The Golden Archival Varnish is formulated with 100% solvent-based, reversible acrylic polymer resins. This product was designed to produce a clear, flexible film that will protect against various environmental concerns. It targets issues such as ultraviolet light, moisture, and dirt. Better yet, the cured coating is highly resistant to yellowing. The Golden Archival Varnish will adhere well to most surfaces, as long as they aren’t oily. If you’re using it on fresh oil paint films, or if there are residual surfactants present with your water-based paint films, then the varnish may not stick very well. This varnish remains flexible and defies alterations in appearance as time goes on. Media Application Methods for Golden Archival VarnishWe know that different paints and substrates have their ideal circumstances. It’s important to abide by these circumstances when using the Golden Archival Varnish. Before you begin, you should always start by testing out the varnish on either a scrap piece or a non-visible area before proceeding to use the product on your final artwork. Listed below are general application guidelines for common substrates. For example, permeable substrates require multiple layers of gloss to seal the surface. For more detailed information regarding concerns about specific media, please review various information sources, such as artists’ handbooks. Applying Acrylic Paint Isolation CoatsWith acrylic paints, isolation coats need to be applied per the MSA Varnish directions. You can find these directions in the main Golden Varnish document. You’ll want to give the varnish 24 hours to cure the final isolation coat layer. Once that’s finished, you can continue to build layers of the Archival Varnish if necessary. When working with acrylic paints, you’ll want to consider using an isolation coat. This is something that is only used on acrylic paintings; it should never be used on oil paintings. An isolation coat is a permanent coating that works to separate the removable varnish from the paint surface. It aids in the protection of your surface in case the varnish is ever removed. So, if you’re going to be working on any conservation or varnish removal projects in the future, using an isolation coat before varnishing can be very beneficial. If you’re wanting to use a brush application, you can alter the isolation to the right medium by diluting the Golden Soft Gel Gloss with some water. You’ll want to use two parts by volume of the Soft Gel Gloss to one part of water. If you prefer a spray application, use a two-to-one mixture of Golden GAC-500 to the Transparent Airbrush Extender. This product can be applied with a touch-up spray unit, an airbrush, or any kind of commercial spray equipment. You might have to increase the number of isolation layers you put on your surface, depending on how absorbent it ends up being. For most non-absorbent surfaces, you should be fine with one or two coats of isolation. For more absorbent surfaces, you could end up using two or more brush application coats, or three or more if you’re using a spray application. You want the final result to have a satin sheen to it, so you’ll need to make adjustments accordingly. Oil/Water Soluble Oils or Alkyd PaintsFor oil/water soluble oils or Alkyd paints, you’ll want to account for a minimum curing time of 6-12 months (if you’re using the isolation coat as a final varnish). If it’s just a temporary varnish, make sure the painting is dry to the touch before using anything on it. Having substantial layers of oil paint that isn’t dry will hinder oxidation development, causing the varnish to fail. The number of layers you’ll need will vary, so just apply layers of the Archival Varnish with UVLs as you see fit for your artwork. Graphite/Pastels/Colored Pencil/Marker/Watercolor/GouacheResults of using the Archival Spray Varnish over these mediums have varied drastically, so it’s extremely important that you do not use the product to top coat, varnish, or fix your artwork without running extensive tests beforehand. We’ve found that the varnish can cause an overall darkening of the artwork, which could potentially be avoided, but should be noted anyway. After all, you don’t want to ruin your piece! If you decide to use the varnish after testing it first, make sure you begin by applying light coats of gloss varnish. When dried, these light layers will eventually form a glossy film. Once you’ve accomplished that, you can move on to applying layers of whatever sheen you want. Applying Varnish with Inkjet PrintsWith inkjet prints, you can usually put the Golden Archival Varnish with UVLs directly onto the print, but you’ll still want to take the substrate absorbency and your desired protection level into consideration. Multiple thin coats will work for moisture resistance, but you’ll want to do some testing if you’re going to be applying any gels that are water-based on top of the varnish. Special Uses for VarnishesThere are a few other special finishes that the varnishes can be used with. These finishes are watercolor and alcohol ink. In the past, it wasn’t very common for artists to apply varnish to their watercolor paintings due to the fear of potential alteration of the piece. However, some current artists have ventured out and sealed their watercolor paintings with a varnish, and are okay with the changes that will occur. If you’re interested in trying out this technique, it’s a good idea to test it out on a smaller watercolor first before moving on to a large piece. When you’re ready to begin the application, you’ll want to spray the piece with the Golden Archival Gloss Spray Varnish, applying three light coats. Make sure you allow each coat to dry before going in with the next one. Then you can go in with additional coats of either a matte or satin finish. You can see the difference between the two watercolor paintings in this image. The top tile was sprayed with a satin varnish, and the bottom was not sprayed at all. For anything made with an alcohol ink finish, you don’t necessarily need to use a varnish at all. Dried ink tends to be quite durable, so you most likely won’t need any extra protection. If you find that you do need an added layer (like if you aren’t planning on framing the piece) then you can seal it with a spray varnish. If you need further protection, apply a brush-on coat afterward. You’ll want to make sure that the product is fully dry, so allow it to do so overnight, and then you can proceed with applying one or two coats of the gloss. Follow that up with either a satin or matte layer; this will alter the sheen. Note: When using the satin and matte finishes, make sure you consider their solids matting agents. These agents help to reduce the sheen of your artwork. This is imperative when you decide to apply these to darker, more saturated colors (like alcohol inks) because heavy coats will end up giving you a dull, cloudy finish. For more thorough information on these varnish products, please visit Golden’s website. Things To Remember When Applying VarnishBefore using any of the varnishes, don’t forget to shake your spray varnish can. It’s recommended that you do this for at least two minutes. This is a very important step, so don’t forget! It doesn’t matter how you shake it, just that you do so for the entire recommended duration. Check out this video that Golden made, where they demonstrate various ways to shake a varnish can: It’s also super important that you take your time during the application process. You want to apply the varnish correctly the first time, to avoid any damage to your painting. The following video is a demonstration of the right way to apply the spray to achieve the best results: When you use products from Golden Artist Colors, Inc., you can create with confidence that you’re working with some of the best materials on the market. This company is very well-known in the world of acrylic painting materials, and for good reason. They’ve spent many years perfecting their products! If you find yourself needing more in-depth information about any of Golden’s products, you can head on over to their website. They have a great site that has tons of educational and instructional materials. They also have several tutorial videos that can show you how to use their products. If you still have questions after viewing their website, you can contact their representatives. They have plenty of artists and employees who will be happy to assist you! If you’re looking for more art inspiration, make sure to browse around our blog page. You’ll find tons of posts on all sorts of topics. Also, don’t forget to check out Cheap Joe’s Facebook page, where you’ll find the most recent updates on our best deals, as well as other information about our Art Stuff. After reading through this blog post, we hope we’ve been successful in helping you recognize the importance of protecting your artwork. When you put so much time and effort into making something beautiful, you want it to last a lifetime. So, the next time you find yourself wanting to start a new acrylic painting, refer back to these tips and tricks for protecting your piece. A solid defense begins with proper preparation and ends with the right protective coat. We’ve given you the best tools for the beginning and end, but the middle (the best part!) is up to you. So what are you waiting for? Get those creative juices flowing and start on your next painting today. We’re sure it’ll be the best one yet, and you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come thanks to these preservation techniques.
Tips and Tricks for Making Your Acrylic Paintin...
It makes sense that, as artists, we would assume the most important parts of our art are the colors, designs, lines, brush strokes, or even our muse. When it comes...
How To Achieve A Spray Paint Marble Effect
A couple of months ago, I heard about using nail polish in water to marble paper and other items, but it wasn’t until a few days ago that I learned you could use something a bit more economical: spray paint!
How To Achieve A Spray Paint Marble Effect
A couple of months ago, I heard about using nail polish in water to marble paper and other items, but it wasn’t until a few days ago that I learned...
Go-Go Gadget! Useful Art Tools
Like the retro cartoon character Inspector Gadget, are you fond of doodads and gizmos, gadgets, and handy tools that make creating your art easier? Do you have a collection of tools of the trade and are you continually seeking new and improved ways to create your pieces?
Go-Go Gadget! Useful Art Tools
Like the retro cartoon character Inspector Gadget, are you fond of doodads and gizmos, gadgets, and handy tools that make creating your art easier? Do you have a collection of...
Acrylic Gouache or Watercolor Gouache? What's t...
Are you just beginning your incredible journey in art? Welcome aboard to a beautiful new world! There's so much to learn and many ways to express yourself, and we're excited to have you with us! However, one thing you might be experiencing as a novice painter is trouble understanding what the different mediums are. No doubt you've heard of oil and watercolors, but what about gouache? What is that stuff, anyway? Also, how in the world do you pronounce it?First, the easy part! Gouache rhymes with squash but with a G, so it sounds like "gwash." The word gouache comes from the Italian word "guazzo," meaning water paint, or paints suspended in water. It can also refer to the technique of applying oil paint over tempera or a gouache underpainting. Gouache painting has been around for over a thousand years, and in that time, artists used this media to create historically significant, dynamic pieces of art. What is Gouache? Gouache paint consists of a mix of natural or synthetic pigments, water, and gum Arabic (sometimes yellow dextrin) that acts as a binding agent to hold the paint together. Occasionally, chalk may be used to give the paint extra heft or body, and some varieties add propylene glycol. Traditional gouache tends to become brittle when it dries, so additional additives attract water to help the paint layers stay more flexible over the long term. The most common types of gouache today are acrylic gouache and watercolor gouache. What's the Difference Between Gouache and Watercolor? On the surface, gouache and watercolor are made of the same basic materials but differ in other, more specific ways.Watercolors use tiny particle sizes so the paint can be spread thin enough to be near-transparent. Gouache has larger particles and more body to look heavier, denser, and opaquer after it dries. Like watercolor, gouache can be re-wetted and bound to the paper it is on, but gouache paints can't be watered down to look more translucent. Gouache doesn't build layers of color as well as watercolor. While gouache can be reactivated with water, it is essential to note that too much can turn it into a powder on the surface that easily rubs or crumbles away. What's the Difference Between Acrylic Gouache and Watercolor Gouache? You'll see the terms watercolor gouache and acrylic gouache and may wonder if there's anything that separates the two. Acrylic gouache is made out of acrylic paint, which dries down to a matte finish, behaves the same way as watercolor gouache, covers well, and is opaque. The key that separates acrylic from watercolor gouache is that acrylic gouache is permanent when it dries. You can attempt to lift the paint a bit, but it does not behave or react like watercolor. Additionally, acrylic gouache does not flow or spread like watercolors. Once you place acrylic gouache paint down and it dries, you can't move it. Where Can I Get Acrylic Gouache? There are two prominent creators of acrylic gouache, and Cheap Joe's is proud to be able to provide them for artists like you to create and use. Holbein Acrylic gouache and Chroma's Jo Sonja Artists' Colors. Both have excellent, creamy consistencies that can be thinned with water, and many artists adore using these for creating murals. The permanent nature of these acrylic gouache paints, high covering power, and durability, being lightfast and drying to a velvety matte finish that reflects light naturally make them highly desirable to artists around the globe. We hope when it comes time for you to experiment with gouache that we've been able to help you choose whichever suits you best, watercolor or acrylic gouache. Make sure to bookmark and visit Cheap Joe's Art Stuff Blog for helpful tips, tricks, thoughts, and advice on all sorts of artistic endeavors to help inspire and inform!
Acrylic Gouache or Watercolor Gouache? What's t...
Are you just beginning your incredible journey in art? Welcome aboard to a beautiful new world! There's so much to learn and many ways to express yourself, and we're excited...
Encaustic Painting: What is it and where did it...
Answering our phones and emails is a lot like opening a box of chocolates: we never know what we will get! We get all kinds of excellent questions here, and one of them was about encaustic painting. What is Encaustic Painting? Encaustic painting is an art form painted with pigmented wax on a substrate, such as a wood panel, and is fused or burned in through a heat source like a heat gun or propane torch. Color mixing is achieved through the application of heat to the substrate itself or a hot palette. Encaustic is a Greek word (enkaustikos) meaning "to heat or to burn." Encaustic painting is an ancient technique used by the Greeks, who used wax to caulk ship hulls. It is estimated that the style of art was also used by the Egyptians as early as 100 AD.Encaustic paint consists of natural bee wax and dammar resin (crystallized tree sap). Pigmenting the bee's wax gave rise to the decoration of warships, and the use of encaustic on panels rivaled the use of tempera in the earliest known portable easel paintings. Modern Encaustic Painting Today, you don't need a wood surface to create encaustic paintings, as heavyweight paper mounted to a hardboard works just as well, but the option to still use wood as a surface remains. Ampersand Claybord is another surface that is suggested for those interested in encaustic painting. It's a kaolin clay-covered hardboard that's absorbent and comes in a smooth or textured finish. Tools for Modern Encaustic Painting What sort of tools can you use today to try encaustic painting? At Cheap Joe's, you'll find that we have a wealth of tools and supplies specifically designed for modern encaustic painting. A few examples of them are: • Encaustic Paint Sets• Encaustic Mediums• Encaustic Waxes• Encaustic Paints or Hot Cakes Paint Sets• Encaustic Starter Kits• Natural Bristle Chip Brush sets, Painting, and Palette Knives• Metal palettes• Heat guns Beginner Tips for Encaustic Painting • You can't paint with beeswax alone. It's not durable enough, so it's essential to use beeswax with damar resin. • It's vital that if you use brushes, you use natural bristles. Synthetic brushes will melt.• As encaustic mediums do not deteriorate your brush, and the wax can always be remelted, you can leave your brushes without cleaning them if you want. Though if you're going to clean a brush, dip them in melted paraffin or soy wax to clear off the color, then clean them of wax by leaving them on a hot surface and wiping them clean when the wax is melted. • Encaustic is an expensive medium, so take some time to consider your budget before you begin. If you're ready to jump all in, a complete kit or starter kit is a great way to get everything in one go. • You'll need a griddle or hot plate to melt your medium; the most important aspect is to make sure it heats evenly, whichever you choose. • You will need fusing tools. When encaustic painting, you will be fusing layers of wax applied in layers. Fusing merges these layers. You'll need a tool to use heat that allows each layer to soften enough to merge with previous layers. • Choose flat bottom metal tins for melting and adding pigments to your medium. • Your ideal substrates for encaustic painting should be absorbent, rigid, and heat resistant. Substrates like: wood, untampered Masonite, canvas or linen stretched over a panel, plywood, drywall or plaster, heavyweight paper, print-making paper, and even plexiglass should you wish. At Cheap Joe’s, every day, we are amazed and humbled to learn something new about art and art mediums. Thanks to customers and passionate artists like you, we're always seeking new ways to express, create, and provide them to you! Is there a medium or technique you'd love to learn more about? Please, feel free to leave us a comment or get in touch with us. Your question might inspire our next informative blog post to encourage artists all over the globe wanting to try a new style of art!
Encaustic Painting: What is it and where did it...
Answering our phones and emails is a lot like opening a box of chocolates: we never know what we will get! We get all kinds of excellent questions here, and...
Cheap Joe's Eco-Friendly Art Stuff and Giving Back
Preserving our planet for current and future generations of artists is near and dear to us here at Cheap Joe's. Each generation brings forth hard-working, talented, driven artists who can change how we look at art and inspire the next. Yet, for our future artists to thrive and capture the world around them, there must be a world around to encourage them.To show our commitment to our world and our fellow artists, we've ensured that our extensive inventory of art supplies provides as many green and eco-friendly art products as possible. What are some of our top eco-friendly art products? We're so glad you asked! Here are just a few examples of what you can find:• Canson XL Recycled Bristol, Sketch, and Drawing pads• EcoQua Pocket Notebook Sets, by Fabriano• SavvySoap Hand and Brush Cleaner by Marvelous Marianne• Strathmore Greener Options Hemp and Bamboo cards and envelopes• Strathmore Toned Gray and Tan Sketch Journals• Mulberry paper• Bee Premium Recycled Sketch pads• Shizen Professional Grade Watercolor Paper• Awagami Shin Inbe Paper Additionally, back in 2012, we joined many other North Carolina businesses working to improve the quality of life around the country and the globe by supporting environmental initiatives, including many renewable energy projects. We're proud to have been a 100% Offset Sponsor of NC GreenPower for over a decade. NC Green Power is an independent, non-profit organization that receives funding through individual and business contributions like ours. They support the generation of renewable electricity that can power more than 2,500 homes annually and subsidize more than 250 plus renewable energy projects. At Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, providing toxin-free, eco-friendly art supplies is an essential aspect of what we do. More and more art brands are turning toward creating earth-friendly paints, recycled paper products that help reduce deforestation, and so much more. We're so excited to be able to provide these eco-friendly art supplies to all our wonderful customers. Make sure to browse and look at our premium selection of eco-friendly art products at budget-friendly prices today!If you'd love to learn more about NC GreenPower and how you too can participate, please visit their website at https://www.ncgreenpower.org/ and help us save our planet for the next generation of amazing artists.
Cheap Joe's Eco-Friendly Art Stuff and Giving Back
Preserving our planet for current and future generations of artists is near and dear to us here at Cheap Joe's. Each generation brings forth hard-working, talented, driven artists who can...
Is a Cotton or Linen Canvas Best for Oil Painting?
Is there any difference in using cotton or linen for an oil painting canvas? What sort of canvas holds up well with oil paintings? Do you even have to use canvas, or can you use oil paints with other substrates, like paper, wood, or glass? If you're new to the art form, it can be difficult to pick out the best canvas material for oil painting and you may find yourself with a lot of questions. The answer is clear: a quality fabric canvas is a must for oil painting.Specialty oil painting canvas is the only material that will accept oil paints and not deteriorate over time. Oil paints are one of the art world's most challenging and limiting mediums. Oil-based products do not dry as easily as water-based products and therefore do not adhere to many surfaces. They can also bleed through when using alternative materials and damage surfaces that have not been properly prepared the way a specialty canvas is for oil painting.Now that we've determined that canvas is really the only material that can be used for oil painting, how do we choose the right kind of canvas? You’ll find many canvas material options are available—linen, cotton, jute, hemp, and poly/cotton blends. However, only two of these are truly suitable for oil painting: cotton and linen. Both are widely available at art supply stores in various size options. So, how do you choose between the two? Well, it comes down to what you prioritize as an artist. Comparing Cotton and Linen Canvas Cotton and linen canvases are differentiated by two factors: cost and durability. Canvases made from linen fibers are often the first choice for oil painters. Linen is the most durable fabric to paint on. The fibers' nature preserves the painting's integrity well because it is most receptive to oil paints and the sizing and priming processes that happen before the painting can be started. Linen may be the most durable material for oil painting, but even these fibers have to be protected from deterioration.Since linen retains its natural oils, this helps keep the fibers flexible and prevents the canvas from becoming brittle over time. So, for full-time oil artists, linen canvas is the obvious choice.The primary drawback of using linen canvas is the comparatively high cost. One linen canvas can cost twice as much as its cotton or hemp counterparts. For artists who need to take material cost into consideration, cotton fiber canvas is the way to go. It is not nearly as strong or durable as linen, but the material is still much more receptive to oil paints than other surfaces. If the canvas is properly prepared and sealed, then the painting shouldn't be in danger of deterioration in the future. How to Prepare Your Canvas for Oil Painting Before a canvas can be used, it must be properly prepared for oil paints in two ways: 1. Sizing – the application of a glue barrier that protects the linen fibers from the primer and the oil mediums. Sizing also prevents the canvas from cracking by keeping the fibers flexible. This will keep the piece safe from fluctuations in moisture. 2. Priming – this is often referred to as the ground or gesso. Gesso is an absorbent layer that encourages the oil paint to adhere to the surface of the canvas. Oil is inclined to bond with an oil-prepared canvas, so artists will have the best outcome when using canvases that have been specially prepared for oil paints. Now that we know what kind of canvas to use and how to make sure that it has been properly prepared for oil painting, the last step is to get started! Many art suppliers offer canvases that are already primed for oil painting and Cheap Joe's is happy to do the same for you. Make sure you check out the oil painting canvases we have to offer in every size from small 12" x12" frames all the way up to 60" x84"! If you need it, we've got it in stock. Every canvas is made from high-quality linen or cotton fabric and already sized and primed for easy use.As you’re selecting a canvas for your next oil painting project, consider the goal of the piece and what you value in a finished work. If you’re creating a painting to sell and want to ensure that the quality is long-lasting, then we recommend choosing a linen canvas. If the painting will be used for practice, as a chance to try out new techniques, if you’re unsure of the intent of the finished product, or if you simply can't afford high-end materials, then cotton is a perfectly suitable option for oil painting. While many artists have personal preferences here, there really is no right or wrong choice, as long as you know each material's characteristics and lifespan. Happy painting!
Is a Cotton or Linen Canvas Best for Oil Painting?
Is there any difference in using cotton or linen for an oil painting canvas? What sort of canvas holds up well with oil paintings? Do you even have to use...
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