Q: Is it possible to reuse thinner or turpentine? A: When you submerge your brush in a washer containing thinner or turpentine and wipe or scrub the bristles on the coiled wire or screen, the pigment particles will eventually sink to the bottom of the...

Q: I use an acetate film to protect my watercolors when I present them to clients and when I store them. Often, I use Windex to clean off fingerprints on the acetate. Do the chemicals in the Windex pose any problems to the pigments on the paper? A: The...

In the September issue of American Artist , our Business of Art article discussed how collectors rely on certificates of authenticity--and how some states legally require artists to supply them to consumers. Here, we explore some of the specifics regarding...

Q: What method do you recommend for protecting outdoor murals? A: A clear topcoat of protective varnish will prolong the life of a mural and protect it from the elements. However, it is also very important to use the most durable professional grade artists’...

Q: I recently bought a roll of double oil-primed linen. After stretching a couple of canvases, I noticed that the priming seemed a bit thin, and I could see many pinholes of light showing through the back of the canvas. To solve this problem, I added...

In this online exclusive gallery, view more oil landscapes by May 2008 American Artist featured artist Peter Fiore. February Meadow 2007, oil on linen, 18 x 24. Courtesy Travis Gallery, New Hope, Pennsylvania. Fiore believes beautiful skies can make even...

In the May 2008 issue of American Artist, we discussed how Nancy Switzer pushes the possibilities of surface and color to create rich and spectacular paintings. Here, we offer more of her oil paintings in this online exclusive gallery. Blue Scad Melt...

In the February 2008 issue of American Artist , we examined how English and European portraits of children changed with the coming of the Age of Enlightenment. In this online exclusive gallery, we offer more examples from the exhibition "The Changing...