Painting blog by Masha Eretnova
Gouache, also known as opaque watercolor, works so well on paper, yet many beginners wonder if there are other options, like canvas. I tested my Miya gouache on simple gesso-primed canvas and I’ll share what I liked and didn’t quite enjoy in the process. Spoiler: Gouache painting works better on paper, canvas pads, and canvas … Read more
Red and orange are both warm colors that are close to each other on the color spectrum. As an artist, I’m often mixing colors and I will show you my real swatches of red and orange paint. Since both red and orange are warm colors, when you mix red and orange you usually get a … Read more
Choosing acrylic vs gouache? Why not combine?! Acrylic gouache has properties of both! I’ve recently made 4 mini paintings and one portrait with Turner acryl gouache and let me share my thoughts. I also have Holbein gouache and Holbein acryla gouache and I will compare acryla to Turner’s acrylic gouache as well. Is acrylic gouache … Read more
Have you ever looked at beautiful drawings and thought, “I wish I could do that too!” But then that little voice in your head says, “I’m just not talented enough.” Well, guess what? You’re not alone! Lots of people feel that way. They believe that drawing is only for those with natural talent or special … Read more
Did you know that it is quite easy to make your own paints? Pack it in tubes and enjoy painting without paying for brands or marketing? To make acrylic paint, you will basically need 3 components: Acrylic medium or binder, Pigment and Water with a bit of alcohol. You start by adding water and a … Read more
Have you ever tried to find and match all the pieces of the sky in a puzzle? Not an easy task (I’m a puzzle lover myself!). And the same with painting the sky. There are actually a few colors we observe above us: darker blues on the top and paler blue at the horizon line, … Read more
Have you ever stumbled upon an old painting in your house or attended an art auction, wondering if the artwork you’re looking at holds any significant value? I’d like to address a few key factors that determine the worth of a painting. Whether you’re a seasoned art collector, a curious beginner in the art world, … Read more
Gesso is a classic foundation for canvas, paper or wood prep for acrylic or oil painting. Yet, many painters, especially beginners feel like most gessos on the market are quite expressive and thus, look for better gesso alternatives. Some common and effective alternatives to gesso are acrylic medium, clear gesso, primers, and grounds. Cheap alternative … Read more
Oil Pastels are one of the most unique, satisfying, and beautiful art mediums to use. Yet, there are quite a lot of poor quality, waxy sticks that make people abandon oil pastel painting quickly. On the other hand, there are sets for $100+ which no beginner will be comfortable buying. I’m on my way to … Read more
Sticky or tacky acrylic paintings can be frustrating. Have you ever stored two paintings face to face and then struggled to separate them? But don’t worry, there is probably nothing wrong with your paint and there are ways how to fix sticky acrylic paint! Your acrylic can be still wet underneath so to fix sticky … Read more