raw materials

We have the larger sizes of the new Canson Art Boards in stock for quite a while, but we recently brought in assortments of the packs of three 8" × 10" boards with various surfaces. And like their larger siblings, these boards are 40% off for a limited time.

Canson Art Boards feature a range of best-selling Canson and
Arches papers on rigid, archival backing that provide the benefits of a stiff, strong working surface – with quality paper on top. It’s an exciting innovation to add performance to Canson’s most popular papers – a complete range of boards for a variety of media and techniques, from illustration and comic art to drawing, watercolor and pastel. Each board is as rugged as it is beautiful, created to withstand the rigors of repeated watercolor washes or the pressure of building up pastel. Because Canson Art Boards are mounted on white, acid-free, lignin-free, archival conservation board, they are both durable and enduring.

Canson Art Boards are ready for framing without mounting, eliminating a step as well as the added expense. The art finished on acid free paper is displayed and protected on two-ply, archival Canson conservation board, making self-preservation simple. Buffered, without optical brighteners, and treated to resist mold, the board is compliant to ISO 9706, the standard for permanent paper.

Perfect for travel, special studies, workshops or classes, or as note book and sketch diary, this book is yours to personalize. Its flexible paper cover makes it easy to slip in a bag or pocket and it is capable of handling just about any media you choose to use – pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, pastel, markers, light washes and multi-media techniques. Each staple-bound book contains twenty-four sheets (giving you 48 pages) and can be opened flat or folded over when working. The acid- and chlorine-free bright white 130gsm (90 lb.) sized paper is sourced from sustainably managed forests.

These books are 25% off for a limited time.

Pebeo Studio Acrylics were developed with precision for the student of art or high volume user. These acrylic colors feature deep and rich pigments and dry to a satin matte finish with good lightfastness. They are very adherent and indelible once dry and they are suitable for most surfaces and can be easily mixed and blended. It has a thick consistency and retains the brush or painting knife mark, making it particularly suited to work in dimension.

We are excited to bring in this line, and for a limited time you can Buy 1, Get 1 Free of both the 100ml or 250ml tube sizes.

Check out our canvas in the window that shows some of the unique colors in this line, including fluorescents and some spectacular iridescents.

(And keep your eyes open for the Pebeo Studio XL Oil Colors that we’ll have in stock soon.)

This new Introductory Acrylic Grounds Set from Golden Artist Colors contained six different grounds that are perfect for wet or dry media. The set includes 2oz containers of Fine Pumice Gel, Crackle Paste, Fiber Paste, Coarse Molding Paste, Acrylic Grounds for Pastels, and Silverpoint Drawing Ground. Available for a special price of just $10.49 (which is 30% off the list price of $14.99) for a limited time, this is the perfect way to experiment with some new acrylic mediums.

It’s not just Facebook where you can find information from the manufacturers of various artist materials. YouTube is home to great resources like the YouTube channel for Golden Artist Colors.

This doesn’t compare to an in-person experience like our regular workshops with Amy Shawley, but they can be a good way to get an introduction to particular techniques and mediums. Our next workshop is June 16 on Exploring Iridescent and Interference Colors.

Check out this video that explains the difference between the various gel mediums that Golden makes (and we have in stock):

The North American importer for Holbein, makers of many fine paint lines including the professional-grade water-soluble DUO Aqua Oil Colors that we carry in the store, are one of the many art materials manufacturers with a presence on Facebook. HK Holbein’s Facebook page recently featured a series of posts about how to choose from among their different formulations of white:

Probably the most popular white is Titanium White. This is a very permanent, opaque white that has a strong tinting power. It dries at a medium speed, is non-toxic and non reactive under normal conditions. Its only short coming is that it yellows slightly with age.

Permanent White is a great choice as well. This is also Titanium pigment but with the addition of Barium Sulphate. This inhibits yellowing, reduces tinting power and increases transparency. This is an excellent choice for glazing.

Ceramic White is a product exclusive to Holbein. It incorporates all of best qualities of other white pigments. It contains Titanium and Strontium pigments which make it highly permanent, resistant to sulphur and non-toxic. It has superior tinting strength and covering power but in glazes has good transparency. Its drying time is fast compared to other whites and it is the brightest white.

Silver White as known as our flake white is a time-honoured pigment. It has great handling qualities, opacity and surface strength but nonetheless it is toxic. While having good permanency, it is sensitive to sulphur so care must be given when painting.

Zinc White is a very transparent pigment. It’s a bright white with a brittle surface and a slow drying time but is very permanent, non-toxic, and non-reactive to sulphur.

Quick Drying White is a great tool for the painter. It is a mat under-painting white made from Titanium, Calcium Carbonate, Poppy Oil, Alkyd Resin and Petroleum Solvent which dries in as little as 4 to 6 hours. Non-yellowing and non-reactive to sulphur with great adhesion and it can be carved. A super tool for the painter who loves the look of thick impasto.

There are only three whites in the DUO Aqua Oil Colors line: Titanium, Permanent and Ceramic White.

Obviously, sometimes when we write about “new” products, we just mean that they are new to the store and not new in general. It was more than 3,000 years ago that Asian artisans first found how to turn the residue from burnt wood into one of the most important and lasting vehicles of human expression: ink. We’ve carried pre-made sumi inks for nearly as long as we’ve been open (as well as a wide selection of sumi brushes), but we just recently brought in some man-made suzuri stones and sumi ink sticks.

The suzuri is a flat grinding stone used to make sumi ink. It has a sloping indentation which forms a small well at one end. A sumi ink stick is ground on the stone surface with plain water to produce liquid ink. To avoid unevenness, indentations and grooves, you should grind the ink over the entire surface of the stone. Never leave the ink stick on the wet stone surface: it will adhere and damage the stone’s surface. Wash the stone in plain water after each use; to preserve the surface of the stone, it is recommended that you wash the stone with your fingers.

Check out this video demonstration of grinding sumi ink:

Pencil-Line Transfer Spray from Bernini was one of the coolest things we saw at this spring’s Art Materials World trade show, and we finally have some cans in the store. This fast-drying spray makes most papers work like carbon paper without the mess. Simply spray the back of a drawing, print or photograph and allow it to dry. Flip it over and place it sprayed side down on the surface the design will be transferred to, then trace the design and the carbon-like surface will leave a very soft gray line on the desired surface. It works with most papers and transfers to most surfaces including canvas, walls, primed wood and cloth. It is ideal for a variety of projects no matter the size and great for artists, hobbyists, craft projects, muralists, sign painters, stained glass artists and urban artists.

Krylon Leafing Pens have a premium metallic finish that resembles actual metal plating. You can creatively detail all types of surfaces from lampshades to ceramic mugs with this dazzling opaque metallic leafing pen. The paint dispenses in a smooth, controlled flow from the unique patented valve system with a chiseled tip that allows both thick and thin lines. The paint is acid-free and designed for use on a variety of surfaces including fabric, ceramic wood and more. The pens are available in five colors: 18kt gold, silver, copper, pale gold, and red shimmer.

We get asked all the time what the difference is between the old formula of the Montana Gold line and the new formula (and what the deal is with the Montana Black and Montana White lines). The main difference is that the old Montana Gold used what’s called a “nitro-combi” base (or lacquer), which is a combination of nitrocellulose and an alkyd resin. The new formula uses an acrylic base, which is an acrylic resin similar to what is found in acrylic paints. Both formulas dry rapidly due to the rapid evaporation time of the solvents used.

The Montana Black line still uses a nitro-combi base, and the Montana White line uses what they call a “synthetic” base, which is an alkyd resin that oxidises (dries) by reacting with oxygen, which translates to a longer drying time.

The new Montana Gold cans are also low-pressure and have a slightly longer drying time than the old formula cans. Both the White and Black lines are considered high-pressure cans. The Black line has a drying time similar to the Gold.

Compared to the Black and White lines, the Gold line is more highly pigmented, and White is the least. Both the Gold and Black lines dry to a matte finish (except for some specific colors such as the fluorescents and chrome colors), and the White line colors all dry to a glossy finish. All three lines can be used together, but if you are using Montana White, you’ll need to allow sufficient time for those layers to dry before layering Gold or Black on top, or the layers may crack.

All of the caps work with all of the cans, but the new Level caps are specially optimized to be the best caps for the low-pressure Gold cans.

While supplies last, old formula Montana Gold cans are only $4.95. Colors are limited and going fast!