Watercolour painting is all about flow, control, and softness, and the right brush makes all the difference. Unlike acrylic or oil brushes, watercolour brushes need to hold a lot of water, release pigment smoothly, and maintain a precise point. But with so many options—synthetic, natural, sable, squirrel—how do you choose? And is it really worth investing in high-quality brushes? In this post, I’ll break down the differences between watercolour brushes and other painting brushes, explain the different types of bristles, and share why investing in good brushes is a game-changer for watercolour artists. Plus, I’ll introduce the only brushes I ever use for my own paintings—a handmade, professional-quality, animal-free brush set available in my shop.
Capturing facial expressions in art is more than just drawing a smile or a frown—it’s about understanding the subtle muscle movements, emotions, and psychological cues behind them. That’s exactly what gary faigin’s “the artist’s complete guide to facial expression” sets out to teach.
In this review, I’ll break down what the book covers, how it can help improve your portraits, and why it’s a great resource for artists wanting to create more expressive, lifelike faces. If you’ve ever struggled with making your characters or portraits look truly alive, this book might be just what you need.
If you’ve ever painted with watercolours, you know how much the right paper can make or break your work. Some papers buckle, some don’t hold pigment well, and some make layering a nightmare. Enter arches watercolour paper—the gold standard in the watercolour world. But is it really worth the price?
Spoiler: Yes, absolutely. In this post, I’ll break down what makes arches so special, how it compares to cheaper alternatives, and why investing in quality paper actually saves you money in the long run.
