Blick Art Materials

It’s not magic. It’s encaustic ✨

This ancient technique involves melting and fusing pigmented beeswax 🐝 🤯 As the wax cools, it solidifies, creating layers of shiny, luminous color. The Fayum mummy portraits, painted over 2,000 years ago, prove just how enduring encaustic art can be⚱️

Almost lost to time, today encaustic is back and better than ever thanks to generations of diligent artists and innovative companies like R&F Handmade Paints—their incredible, full-spectrum line of contemporary encaustics make it easier than ever for artists of all levels to discover this amazing artform.

Questions? Tips? Tell us below! ⬇️

👩🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Morgan from our Merchandising team
🤗 Thanks to our vendor partner R&F Paints for the featured footage
🫶🏽 Special thanks to artist Alicia Tormey Studios whose work we included here
🎥 Filmed at Blick Studios in Chicago, Illinois.

Drawing Pads vs. Sketch Pads: Is there REALLY a difference? 🤔

Blick Studio Drawing Pads:
🥇 Heavier weight paper for final artwork
🤲🏼‍ Medium-grain texture grips and holds media
🫧 Super clean erasing
🙌 Great for ALL drawing media and light ink washes

Blick Studio Sketch Pads:
🥈Lighter weight paper for practice and studies
✌🏼Light-grain texture for graphite, charcoal, and pastel
🫧 Super clean erasing
😌 Great for DRY drawing media, including colored pencil

BOTH PADS:
✔️ Micro-perforated for easy removal
✔️Naturally white and acid-free
✔️ By BLICK, so you KNOW you’re getting the BEST quality at the BEST PRICE 💰 🎉

Shop Blick Studio Drawing Pads now: https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-sketch-pads/
Shop Blick Studio Sketch Pads now: https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-sketch-pads/
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The Federal Art Project of the WPA proved that even in times of austerity, art is no mere luxury for the wealthy, that art is work, and it is necessary work. ✅

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed millions of people who became jobless in the depths of the Great Depression on projects that made dramatic improvements in infrastructure and quality of life. This workforce also included thousands of visual artists, and their art became a lasting cultural legacy.

Nature called, and artists answered ☀️

…with easels that could conquer any terrain! Join us on a journey from the studio to the field as we explore how the evolution of easels changed the art world forever.

What’s your plein air set-up? Tell us in the comments ⬇️

👨🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Todd from our Outreach Team
🫶🏽 Special thanks to artists Troy Kilgore & Kelly Foss, whose work we included here
🎥 Filmed at Blick Studios in Chicago, Illinois.

MASK IT ➡️ PAINT IT ➡️ PEEL IT! 🍊✨

Work with watercolor or gouache? Then you NEED Blick Liquid Frisket! Here’s why:

🧼 Masks painting surfaces to keep white spaces WHITE and edges crisp and clean
👀 Neon orange so you can’t miss it, but won’t stain your surface
💧 Latex-based for easy removal on hard-sized watercolor paper, photos, and more!
💰 Same stellar quality as the big-name brands at a super value!

Shop now: https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-liquid-frisket/
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🎃 FALL vibes ahead! Follow along with artist Steph Fizer Coleman as she demonstrates how to make a beautifully layered pumpkin illustration in a just few easy steps using gouache, colored pencils, and oil pastels from Caran d’Ache . See the full instructions, materials list, and longer video here: https://www.dickblick.com/project-ideas/how-to-Illustrate-pumpkins-caran-dache/

Artist's Instagram: stephfizercoleman
Materials: Caran d’Ache Gouache, Caran d’Ache Luminance Colored Pencils, Caran d’Ache Neopastels, Caran d’Ache Palette, Princeton Select Series 3750 Synthetic Brush – Flat Shader #20, Blick Pure White Tissue Paper

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What’s the best way to sharpen a pencil?

Pencil sharpeners have a surprisingly wild history ✏️ Some early designs are still with us. Others were downright dangerous ⚙️ Luckily, innovation prevailed. Today there are options for every need—from the good old classroom crank to super engineered tools for fine artists. Bottom line? A sharp point makes all the difference.

What's your go-to sharpener? Drop your pointers (🤭) below ⬇️

👩🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Bri from our SEO Team
🤗 Thanks to our vendor partners at Colart and Blackwing
🫶🏽 Special thanks to artist Maria Deely, whose work we included here
🎥 Filmed at BLICK Studios in Chicago, IL

Hear that? 🐚✨ It’s world’s softest synthetic watercolor brush, calling you to create! 🧜🏼‍♀️🖌️ The Princeton Neptune is one of our ⭐️top-rated⭐️ brushes for water media. Sponsored by our friends at Princeton, find out why:

🌊 Unmatched Thirst: Holds an ocean of color, releasing it evenly for intense, undiluted washes
☁️ Soft as Seafoam: So supple, you’ll forget they're not the real deal
⚓️ Fine Points: Superb shape retention lets you create stunning details with ease
🧜🏾‍♂️ Beauty & Brawn: Durable nickel-plated brass ferrules, elegant sea glass handles

From intricate details to sweeping washes, dive into a world of color with shapes and sizes for every technique!

Shop now! 🎨✨ https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-neptune-series-4750-synthetic-squirrel-brushes-blick-exclusive-set-of-4/
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🖌️ Watch as artist Emily Olson demonstrates how Princeton synthetic brushes give superior color control and smooth performance as she paints a tiger in water with watercolors! 🐯 Sponsored by our friends at Princeton. 🛍️Shop here: https://www.dickblick.com/search/?q=princeton%20synthetic%20brushes

Artist's Instagram: e_olson_art
Materials: Princeton Aqua Elite & Neptune Brushes, MaimeriBlu Watercolors, Saunders Waterford Cold Press Paper

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Kiln tip: 06 ≠ 6 🫠

Cone-fused? Mazi’s dropping HOT tips on the art and alchemy of ceramic glazes.

Raw clay emerges from the kiln as vibrant, functional art. But how? 🤯 It’s a delicate dance between temperature and glaze compatibility…and there’s some surprising history in there too 👀

Secrets for getting the perfect glaze? Throw ‘em out there! ⬇️

👩🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Mazi from our Merch Team
🤗 Thanks to our vendor partners at Amaco Brent, Botz Glazes, Mayco, Speedball Ceramics
🫶🏽 Special thanks to artists, whose work we included here Maelle, Carmen Allen, Candace Fincher, & Queen Bee Pottery by Karrita

🎥 Filmed at BLICK Studios in Chicago, IL

For watercolorists who want it all: Princeton Aqua Elite 👑 Sponsored by our friends at Princeton:

💦 Craving oceans of color? Max water-holding capacity ✔️
💎 Want precise details? Fine points & tapered edges ✔️
💛 Animal lover? 100% vegan & cruelty-free ✔️
💸 Budget-friendly? Surprisingly affordable ✔️
😌 Comfort AND control? Balanced matte black handles ✔️

Available in all your go-to shapes and sizes, plus sets you’ll ONLY find at Blick. Shop here: https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-aqua-elite-series-4850-brushes-blick-exclusive-set-of-4/

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Watch as artist Candace Fincher creates some ceramic test strips with Botz Glazes! ✨ Blick is the exclusive US distributer of Botz Glazes.

Artist: Candace Fincher Art
Materials: Botz Pro Glazes, Amaco 38 White Stoneware Clay, Yasutomo Hake Brush, Mudtools Mudwires

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Ever used a Sumi brush? 🖌️

This brush has seen empires rise and fall, shaped the history of art and writing, and traveled through time and space 🌅 But what makes it so special?

👆🏽 Tapered Tip: The long, finely pointed tip lets you create both bold strokes and delicate lines with incredible precision and control

🌱 Relaxed Flex: Unlike springy Western brushes, Sumi brushes rely on the weight of your hand and the brush itself, promoting a more fluid and expressive style

✨ Versatility: Sumi brushes handle all types of ink and water-based media, making them perfect for calligraphy, hand lettering, and painting

📜 Ancient Traditions: With roots dating back to ancient China, Sumi brushes carry centuries of cultural significance and artistic tradition

Curious about the history and techniques of Sumi brush painting? Have burning questions about ink types and brush care? Ask away in the comments ⬇️

👨🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Todd from our Outreach Team
🤗 Thanks to our vendor partners at Yasutomo for the video footage
🫶🏽 Special thanks to artists Kim Knoll, Matthew Miller, Alex Hagerty, and Carlos Williams, whose work we included here
🎥 Filmed at BLICK Studios in Chicago, Illinois

Love to watercolor but hate the paper prep? Enter: Watercolor blocks.

Watercolor blocks are an easy grab-and-go solution when working in the field or studio. Unlike full sheets of watercolor paper, there’s no soaking or stretching required—you can get straight to work!

These glue-bound blocks also provide a sturdy surface to work from. Once your painting is dry, easily remove the top sheet by working a palette knife or thin blade under the edges.

Ready to give them a try? Start with our Blick Premier Watercolor Blocks:

✅ Professional-quality, 100% cotton paper
✅ Mouldmade in France
✅ Gelatin-sized to the core
✅ Glued on all four sides—no buckling or warping!
✅ Available in a range of sizes, surfaces, and weights

Shop Here: https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-premier-watercolor-blocks/

🌹 Calling all flower fanatics! Want your rose drawings to rival the real thing? Artist Keena Gozé shares her secrets to creating stunning, realistic petals with Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils. Learn how to layer and blend color seamlessly for a realistic looking rose you can (almost) smell. See the full video, instructions, and materials list here: https://www.dickblick.com/project-ideas/draw-realistic-flower-petals-prismacolor/

Artist: Keena Gozé - I Color Dreams
Materials: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Paper Mate Profile Mech Mechanical Pencils, Strathmore 400 Series Toned Mixed Media Pad - Gray, Blick Kneaded Eraser

Respect the grind ⚙️

She may not be pretty, but in the world of paint-making, she’s a powerhouse 💅 Grinding, crushing, and colliding raw pigment until every particle is coated with vehicle for max vibrancy.

The process? Feed rollers pull in raw materials, center rollers break up clusters, and apron rollers grind everything to perfection. An internal cooling system keeps things chill, preventing the paint from cooking 😳

Of course, it's not ALL about the machine.

Creating the perfect paint requires a mix of science, tech, and artistry. Our talented team brings it all together, transforming raw pigment into the brilliant colors on your palette 🎨

Questions about how your favorite colors are made? Ask away! ⬇️ We love to chat about the magic behind the mill 🥰

👩🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Bri from our SEO Team
🎥 Filmed at Utrecht Paint in Brooklyn, NY 🗽

💦 ✏️ Watercolor Pencils… are they watercolors or are they colored pencils? 🤔 Turns out they’re a little bit of both, creating their own expressive medium! See them in action with the Caran d’Ache Supracolor Soft Aquarelle Pencil Set.

These highly pigmented, water-soluble pencils lay down broad strokes, fine lines, and gradients that transform into lush watercolor washes with a wet brush 🖌️. Layer more pigment on wet and dry areas to achieve a wide range of effects. The possibilities are endless! ✨ Shop here: https://www.dickblick.com/products/caran-dache-supracolor-soft-aquarelle-pencils/

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Looking to create neutrals by mixing watercolors? Watch as artist Sarah Simon shows some of her favorite ways to mix neutral tints.

Artist: Sarah Themintgardener
Materials: Blick Premier Cold Press Watercolor Block - 9"x12", Princeton Select Artiste Series Round 4 Brushes, Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint (Lamp Black, Raw Umber, Viridian Hue, Permanent Rose, Ultramarine, Burnt Sienna, & Payne's Grey), Winsor and Newton Professional Watercolors (Cobalt Blue, Venetian Red, & Payne's Grey)

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🏅 Did you know that between 1912 and 1948, the Olympics included a category for the arts? 🧑‍🎨 Subjects for paintings and sculptures were generally athletes in action. However, from the beginning, there was concern that arts judging might not be fully impartial, that subjective taste and personal bias might play a role. Also, most of the competitors were professional artists, breaking with the principle that Olympians should be amateurs, and that was finally the determining factor in retiring arts categories from the Olympics.

🤔So, what do you think? Can the visual arts be judged like an athletic competition? If there were an Olympics for art today, what categories would you like to see?

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🏅 Did you know that between 1912 and 1948, the Olympics included a category for the arts? 🧑‍🎨 Subjects for paintings and sculptures were generally athletes in action. However, from the beginning, there was concern that arts judging might not be fully impartial, that subjective taste and personal bias might play a role. Also, most of the competitors were professional artists, breaking with the principle that Olympians should be amateurs, and that was finally the determining factor in retiring arts categories from the Olympics.

🤔So, what do you think? Can the visual arts be judged like an athletic competition? If there were an Olympics for art today, what categories would you like to see?

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Hot take: Archival art supplies aren't everything! 🙃

We’d never say they’re not important—because they are! 💯 but NOT all your art supplies need to be archival quality. Even archival materials only last if they’re used the right way.

The real secret to art that lasts? Choosing the right materials for you—then following best practices for using them. And that’s where we come in. 😉🎨✨

Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments! ⬇️

👨🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Becca from our Merchandising Team
🫶🏽 Special thanks to artists, Blake Gore Miniature Art , Kalin Devone, Cindy Rizza, Lauren Pretorius Art, David Brazier, Annie Quigley Art whose work we included here
🎥 Filmed at Blick Studios in Chicago, Illinois.

What makes Blick Kneaded Erasers a knead-to-have? 🌚

🙌 Need a fine point for details? A broad edge for larger areas? Break off as much as you need to mold the perfect shape every time.
🏋🏽 Soft and pliable yet super strong, these babies lift graphite, charcoal, and even colored pencil with ease.
✨ Create subtle highlights, blend tones, and even add texture to your artwork.
♻️ One Blick Kneaded Eraser will outlast countless regular erasers, saving you money.

Shop here: https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-kneaded-erasers/