Buying Guides

In a world where creativity is not just appreciated, but celebrated and actively pursued, the value of high-quality art materials cannot be overstated. From canvas and paint to brushes and sketchbooks, having access to the right materials can make all the difference in the success and satisfaction of one’s artistic endeavors. Our world heavily relies […]

So, you’re scrolling through social media, and there they are, those amazing art pieces on mirrors, rocks, glass, and wood that make you stop and think, “How did they do that?” The answer might be simpler than you think: Acrylic Paint Pens. Now, we’re not saying these pens are the secret to instant talent, but

Creative types that love the idea of making their own shirts, decals, cards, or fabric projects will find their money’s worth investing in a Cricut machine. Cricut machines create custom-designed shirts, bags, invitations, decals, and anything in between by cutting materials to be added to different surfaces. The best Cricut machines enable artists to create

The best markers for coloring finer details like coloring books, graphic design illustrations, or artwork don’t have to break the bank. Before buying a set of colored markers a few criteria to factor in are– the number of markers that come in the set, the tip style, and whether they’re permanent or can be washed.

Oil paints are pigment mixed with an oil base that is usually cold-pressed linseed oil due to its ability to dry faster than most other oils. Due to its oil base, oil paint usually takes longer to dry than other painting mediums, thus special care must be taken not to smear artwork even after several

Gel pens have come a long way since the 80s when they first appeared. Gel pens are different from ballpoint pens in that their powdered pigments are mixed in a water-based gel and they tend to flow much smoother than a ballpoint pen. The best gel pens for coloring have a nice selection of colors,

Watercolor paintings have an otherworldly beauty unique to this medium that you won’t find with oil or acrylic paints. The best watercolor paints don’t necessarily have to break the bank to showcase their quality and vibrant colors, but selecting watercolor paints that are from top watercolor brands does help. Buying paint is straightforward, and some

This article is a complete guide to help artists choose the acrylic paint brands and sets that work best for their work, keeping in mind what aspects they need to explore before choosing the right acrylic paint.  The main selection criteria for how to choose acrylic paint include pigment, quality, viscosity, and permanence.  We will

Transfer tape, my friеnds, is the unsung hеro of the vinyl crafting world. It’s that trusty sidеkick that makes surе your meticulously weeded and cut designs make it onto your project intact, looking as fabulous as you wanted. Choosing the right transfer tape can makе a world of difference, it can be the difference between

If you’re looking to increase your skills with watercolor painting but don’t want to learn dozens of detail and wash techniques, watercolor markers could be a great addition to your art supplies. While choosing a set of watercolor markers can seem daunting, we will discuss the best markers based on the follow: Pigment or dye-based

Watercolor painting is morе than just a hobby. It’s a form of sеlf-еxprеssion, a way to rеlax, and a mеans to create somеthing truly bеautiful, but, like any nеw advеnturе, thе first stеp is oftеn thе most daunting. What paints should you usе? Which brand is better for me? How do you choosе from thе

Selling your crafts at an art show involves a lot of preparation. You need to display your work so it catches customers’ eyes, but you want to prevent sun and rain exposure. The best canopy for art shows will protect your work without hiding your talent from others. To compile this list, I tested how

In Artlex, wе lоvе to share new mediums and ideas for artists of all ages and levels, and today, we’re going to explore a medium that has gainеd lots of popularity among thе creative community – alcohol markers.  Now, you might be wondеring, Why alcohol markеrs? Well, thеy arеn’t just your ordinary markеrs. They’re like

An artist’s website is one of the easiest ways to build and keep in touch with their following, but most aren’t web designers. For those who need a little help in the website building department, there’s a whole world of website builders to choose from. However, not all of them are suitable for the websites

  The right sketchbook can capture a quick sketch or beautiful watercolor landscape, depending on the paper quality and sketchbook type. The best sketchbook has the right GSM for your project, doesn’t bleed through, has the right color paper, is acid-free, and is the perfect size for your use. Fun fact: Some of the most

Good acrylic paint brush sets can make a big difference when painting with acrylic paints. When shopping for the best acrylic paint brushes, look for the type of bristles each brush has, how many acrylic paint brushes come in the set, the shapes included, and whether the handle is long or short. Fun fact: Paint

Drawing gloves are a must-have for digital artists who use a graphic tablet to draw. An artist glove for drawing is made of high-quality material to reduce friction and palm rejection between the tablet’s surface and the hand while leaving the index finger and thumb free to hold the stylus. This ingenious design increases workflow,

A beginner entering the world of pastels might wonder what the best pastel pencils to use are, which we will cover, and why price, color variety, and consistency are the primary factors to consider when choosing pastel pencils. We will also cover how to choose the best pastel pencils for beginners, drawing, and the best

Hey there, artists and color enthusiasts! Let’s cut to the chase: You’re here because you care about your art, and so do I. I’ve spent years honing my craft with coloring pencils, and I’ve learned a thing or two about what separates the great pencils from the good, and the good from the utterly forgettable.

Graffiti art has been discovered dating back to the 1970s when artists began carving images into the walls of churches and other public buildings. Depending on who you ask, street art can either be seen as a threat or as something beautiful and important. Nowadays, most street artists employ aerosol paints made of oil or

When I started my watercolor journey back then, I did it with off-brand watercolor tubes and the cheapest brushes from the dollar store. Thinking about it now, it’s kind of sad, but as an absolute beginner (and a kid at that), I didn’t know any better. And guess what? This is the case for many

A pottery wheel makes it easy to create a perfectly symmetrical ceramic object, and while learning how to throw accurately is essential, a wheel can get you started right away. When it comes to picking the best pottery wheel, however, professionals require a bit more power and speed regulation than novices. The craft of pottery

The right easel can improve your posture and provide you with a comfortable place to work on your paintings. In addition to providing a fixed location in which to work, art easels can improve productivity by letting you adjust the height and angle at which you produce art, as well as provide easy storage for

An artist or crafter that spends a lot of time searching for art materials in an unorganized art room may find it’s time to invest in a quality craft cart. Shopping for the perfect storage cart for your craft collection is fun and exciting when you keep your specific craft needs in mind. Below we’ve

Binding machines can help busy offices, homeschoolers, or crafters bind a large number of documents quickly and effectively. The best binding machines have either manual or electric inserters, depending on the number of documents bound daily. It also serves as a hole punching machine. Some criteria to keep in mind when purchasing a quality machine

Using charcoal for drawing, sketching, shading, or blending has long been done during the ancient times. It is one of the oldest known creative expressions in history. Before purchasing a charcoal pencil set or another type of charcoal, knowing how many pieces are included, the type of charcoal in the set, what it’s best used

Hot glue guns are one of the most essential tools for arts and crafts, and a mini hot glue gun that can handle small projects like DIY crafts is especially useful.  They are perfect tools for tasks such as making picture frames, Christmas or other holiday decorations, and different home projects that use delicate materials.

While it may seem challenging to shop for your favorite artist and find great gift ideas for a birthday, upcoming holiday, or just because gift, it doesn’t have to be stressful or break the bank. The finest gifts for artists get their creative juices flowing and are tailored for either the budding artist or experienced

Choosing the right painting surface for each specific medium is just as important as the types of paint brushes and the quality of paint used. Doing so ensures the best piece of art possible. Before investing in the best painting surface for acrylic painting, look for the following criteria – the material it’s made from,

A proper artist chair is an essential part of an artist’s workflow. The chair an artist buys needs to be perfect in comfort, usefulness and durability. Office chairs and drafting chairs, along with your regular old desk chair, may fit the bill and be perfectly fine, but it can be hard to tell. That’s where

Experienced artists usually prefer to have control over the colors and hues they use. Making their own paint gives them just that, and even allows them to save some money in the process.  But how do they do it, you ask? Dry pigment powders along with different binders can give you a wide range of

Adult coloring books provide stress relief when feeling overwhelmed in our overly busy lives. Offering relaxing patterns such as flowers, mandalas, mazes, or animals helps one relax and unleash their creativity. When buying a coloring book for adults, look for the quality of the paper to prevent bleeding, the type of patterns available, and if

When looking for the best mechanical pencil for drawing, choosing a high-quality mechanical pencil that fits your needs is essential. Whether using the mechanical pencil for drawing, sketching, or drafting, picking the best pencil for the job is important. Unlike a wooden pencil, mechanical pencils come in a range of options and are more versatile.

The artist on the go needs a good way to carry their supplies, but not all artist bags and backpacks are alike. In this guide, we go over how to choose the best artist backpack or bag for you and review the eight best artist bags and backpacks we’ve found. How to Choose an Artist

Who has not еxpеriеncеd the magic of colored pencils, whеthеr as an artist working on your nеxt mastеrpiеcе or as a kid doodling away on a lazy aftеrnoon? Coloring pencils have a certain charm that capturеd thе hеarts and hands of many artists, arе thе medium that many of us tried at the beginning of

Deciding on which watercolor set to buy can be daunting with all of the options available, but we will cover the very best watercolor pencils based on the grade and the lightfastness of the shades. We will also cover the best watercolor pencils for different use cases, like those for beginners, sketchbooks or coloring books.

The Japanese art of origami is essentially the art of paper folding. While some beginners may believe learning different folding techniques are straightforward, it does take some skill to understand the images that come with the origami book. Each origami project takes practice to master but is well worth the time and patience once the

Calligraphy sets include all materials needed for beginners to practice the ancient art of calligraphy writing. Most calligraphy sets come with different types of pen tips such as dip pens, fountain pens, or brush pens. When purchasing a set, look for the following criteria such as the types of pen tips included with the set,

Ever wondered why some of your watercolor projects turn out differently than you planned? Let me give you a hot tip: It might just be your sketchbook.  But…a sketchbook is a sketchbook, right?  Wrong! I can’t even count how many times I’ve been frustrated because my “sketchbook” couldn’t handle a simple wash or started peeling.

Buying the best oil pastel paints, especially high-quality pastels, isn’t as straightforward as one would think. While the top brands may guarantee a rich and buttery consistency, other less expensive brands may leave a waxy and hard residue behind.  This guide will help you to tell the difference between a great purchase, a good purchase,

Introducing creative kids to art kits at an early age can help their artistic skills flourish. Most kids, especially younger ones, love the idea of completing art activities under adult supervision, which then encourages their creativity and is a fun way to build fine motor skills. Some criteria to keep in mind when purchasing a

Pastels are an excellent art medium to pursue for those who are looking for the most unadulterated color, unlike acrylic paints or other art mediums. The vibrancy and purity of pastels are what draw many professional pastel artists to this art. Unlike other art mediums, pastels cannot be blended, so in order to master pastel

Fabric markers offer unlimited creativity to spruce up most fabrics from cotton to canvas shoes. A permanent fabric marker helps adults and kids alike draw on t-shirts, baby clothes, and different fabrics to personalize items for gift-giving or to wear yourself. The best fabric markers resist fading, have permanent ink, are non-toxic, and work on

Fabric paints are a fun and easy way to add your personal touch to clothes. These special paints are designed to last through several washes without losing their vibrant colors. Accessories, such as shoes and totes, may be given a unique and stylish twist with the help of fabric paints, as well.  If you frequent

Adult artists who love the meditative pastime and art therapy of painting will appreciate paint by numbers kits– one of the hottest craft trends at the moment. These handy number kits can unleash the inner artist in anyone, even those who have never lifted a paintbrush. Before buying a paint by number kit, there are

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of creating objects like animals, shapes, or figures simply by folding paper. While technically origami can be practiced with any paper, there is special origami paper that is made for the job. The difference between origami paper and kraft paper or even regular printer paper is that it makes

Diamond painting kits might be your next favorite craft if you’ve ever embroidered, completed a paint by number, or DIY painting. Similar to sand painting, diamond art takes focus, a steady hand, and patience. Ideal for kids or adults who love handcrafting and creating beautiful art, this new artform will add more sparkle to your

Bring your art studio outdoors with a plein air pochade box. Pochade boxes allow artists to capture color and detail in a natural setting similar to Van Gogh or Monet’s famous landscapes. Each box comes with storage space for art materials and a plein air easel. Pochade boxes are also fitted with the ability to