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  Gouache vs Watercolor: The Key Differences Artists have been using different types of paints for centuries to create art. Two of the most popular types of paint in modern times are gouache and watercolor. While both are water-based paints, they have distinct differences that artists should understand before choosing which medium to use. In this article, we will explore the key differences between gouache and watercolor. 1. Opacity The first (and most obvious) difference between Gouache and Watercolor is the opacity. Opacity, for our sake, is the ability of a layer of paint to completely cover another. Watercolor is known  for its transparency. When you use watercolor, one layer can still be seen under another. This is often responsible for that unique quality that watercolor paintings have. On the other hand, gouache can be used both transparently and opaquely depending on how much water is used. Because gouache can be used opaquely, mistakes can easily be covered up by pai...

 5 SIGNS YOUR PAINTING IS DONE Although a lot of people think it is hard to get a painting started, what most artists really struggle with is bringing themselves to stop painting. This article will cover five ways to recognize when you can call it quits.  1. You keep repainting the same areas One thing you'll begin to notice when you start coming to the end of a painting is that you keep going back to rework the same areas. Whether it is that one clump of grass in the corner, or the left nostril, if you continually find that you just keep going back to one area, it may be time to stop. There is a difference between working until you get an area perfect and going back to repaint an area just because you don't know what else to do.  2. You can't tell if the painting is getting better or worse You've been painting for hours on end, and you start to realize that the more you paint the less you even know what you're looking at. This is a great sign that you should stop p...

 Highest ROI Activities for Artists  If you are unfamiliar with the term ROI let me explain. ROI stands for return on investment. When the word investment is brought up, most people think of money, but it this case, time and effort are your investments. Before any responsible investor is willing to give their money (or in this case time and effort) they want to be sure that their investment will have a worthwhile return. In this article, I'll outline some activities for artists that are sure to be worthwhile in improving art skill in the long-term.  1. Drawing As a painter with a weak drawing base, I can honestly say that the one thing that I wish I put more time into learning is drawing. Drawing is the foundation upon which all visual arts are built. Drawing is the single most important skill for a fine artist to have. And the best part is that there are so many ways that you can improve your drawing. Still life drawings, self-portraits, and even figure sketching are all...

 I Want To Paint But I Don't Know What     So you've finally got the time to paint, your supplies are out, and then...blank. You can't think of what to paint. This list will give you some tips for working out of this mental block that so many artists deal with.      1.  Just Get Started Although this is harder said than done, it's still some of the best advice I can give. If you sit around and wonder what to paint, eventually time will pass you by and you won't even be in the mood to paint anymore. So, it's best to just get started. The first idea wont be good, the second probably won't be much better, but eventually (after you get the bad ideas out of the way) at least one good idea will come to you. And when it does, capitalize on it.     2. Look Through Old Art One way to get yourself over the mental block of not knowing what to paint is to take a look through old artwork that you have already finished. Looking back through your artwork ca...