Inspire your Creativity

Searching for some creative inspiration this holiday season? Look no further! The Art Shed team has combed through Mont Marte’s crafty archives to hand-pick our 12 favourite crafts just for you. Get ready to embrace your festive spirit with these top DIY ideas! 1. Santa Handprint Ornament Image: @thebeigebabe These adorable handprint ornaments are the perfect way to add a sentimental touch to your Christmas tree. By pressing a little artist’s hand into clay, you can transform a simple print into a festive keepsake. With just a bit of paint and a cotton ball, that handprint becomes a cheerful Santa...

Are you ready to take your Halloween costume to the next level? Discover how you can create a one-of-a-kind mask for your spooky festivities using NEOCOLOR® II water-soluble pastels. With their high pigment concentration and excellent lightfastness, these pastels will bring your Halloween mask to life in vibrant colors. What are NEOCOLOR® II Pastels? NEOCOLOR® II pastels are water-soluble wax pastels that offer a wide range of 84 colors, including 3 metallic shades. Their high pigment concentration ensures bright and opaque colors, perfect for creating eye-catching Halloween masks. The uniform shades of these pastels make it easy to achieve homogenous...

Discover the Magic of Derwent Inktense: 5 Inspiring Project Starters Ready to dive into the vibrant world of Derwent Inktense? These remarkable paints offer the intensity of watercolour with the unique ability to layer beautifully once dry. Whether you're just starting your artistic journey or looking to expand your techniques, these five project starters will spark your creativity and help you master this versatile medium. Drawing a Goldfish with Metallic Paint Add some serious sparkle to your artwork with this stunning goldfish project led by artist Kerry Bennett. This tutorial combines the brilliant colour saturation of Inktense with the luxurious...

Discover the enchanting world of watercolour portraiture with renowned artist Joanna Barnum as she demonstrates her signature techniques using premium Daniel Smith watercolours. This comprehensive tutorial showcases the creation of "Fae," a captivating portrait that perfectly captures the magic of watercolour painting. The Inspiration Behind "Fae" This beautiful portrait began with a spontaneous moment ; a photo of Joanna's friend Amy, a dancer and professional fairy, captured during an impromptu photo shoot at a festival. Joanna was drawn to Amy's wistful expression and fanciful costuming, which became the perfect inspiration for exploring the ethereal qualities that watercolour can achieve. The...

Ever wondered about the versatility of water mixable oil paints? Join talented artist Katerina Lyutova as she explores the quality and techniques of Cobra Water Mixable Oils through a beautiful sea landscape painting. In this captivating demonstration, Katerina puts Cobra's water mixable oil paints to the test, showcasing their unique properties and how they handle compared to traditional oils. These innovative paints offer the rich, vibrant colours and blendability of conventional oil paints, but with the added convenience of water cleanup ; perfect for artists working in shared spaces or those seeking a more environmentally friendly option. What Makes Cobra...

Whether you're just starting your polymer clay journey or you're a seasoned sculptor looking for fresh inspiration, these carefully curated Sculpey tutorials will spark your creativity. From delicate jewellery pieces to functional home decor, each project offers something unique for artists of all skill levels. Liquid Sculpey® Balloon Dog Pendant Designed by Amy Koranek, this charming pendant tutorial demonstrates how to create wearable art with Liquid Sculpey®. The project focuses on proper techniques for attaching findings to molded pieces, making it perfect for those wanting to venture into polymer clay jewellery making. Tutorial Link   Liquid Sculpey® Potted Mini Succulents...

Transform your indoor garden into a whimsical wonderland with this absolutely delightful terra cotta mushroom gnome! This charming little fellow is the perfect guardian for your beloved houseplants, bringing personality and magic to any plant collection. A Charming Plant Guardian There's something wonderfully enchanting about garden gnomes, and this clever little chap combines the earthy appeal of terra cotta with the whimsical nature of mushroom-dwelling garden trolls. Whether nestled amongst your succulents or standing sentinel beside your favourite fern, this gnome adds character and charm to any indoor space. Perfect for Developing Sculpting Skills This project offers an excellent opportunity...

Looking for a delightful craft project that brings the family together? This charming Sculpey spring tic tac toe game is perfect for creating lasting memories whilst making something truly special. Whether you're crafting with your little ones or enjoying a creative session with fellow adults, this project delivers both fun and functionality. What makes this project particularly appealing is its versatility. The finished game serves as an excellent gift for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion where you want to share something handmade and heartfelt. Plus, the collaborative nature of creating the game pieces makes it an ideal bonding activity between...

Creating realistic balloons with oil paint is a fantastic way to explore transparency, light effects, and colour mixing. This tutorial, inspired by techniques from Winsor & Newton, will guide you through the process of painting a glossy, translucent balloon that captures light beautifully. About the Artist Kate Brinkworth is a British painter renowned for her photorealist approach to glossy subjects, film noir scenes, and reflective surfaces. Her work demonstrates exceptional skill in manipulating focus and lighting effects ; techniques that translate perfectly to balloon painting. Materials You'll Need Oil paints in various colours White oil paint Artisan Linseed Oil Artists'...

Looking to add a pop of personality to your phone? Grab your favourite POSCA markers and get creative! Whether your case is clear, matte, or glossy, POSCA paint sticks beautifully to plastic – no fuss, just fun. What You’ll Need: Plastic phone case (clear or coloured) POSCA Paint Markers – use a mix of fine and broad tips Soft cloth or tissue Water-based spray varnish (matte or gloss) Optional: Pencil and eraser Step 1: Prep the Surface No special primer is needed – just clean your phone case with a soft cloth to remove dust or grease. A clean surface...

Want to stand out on your bike or board? Customising your helmet is a fun and creative way to show off your personal style – and it’s easier than you think! With just a few tools and a trusty POSCA marker, you can turn any plain helmet into a wearable work of art. What You’ll Need: Bike or roller helmet POSCA PC-3M Paint Marker Tracing paper Uni-Ball mechanical pencil Solvent-free spray varnish (matte, gloss or satin) Step 1: Choose & Transfer Your Design Sketch your design on tracing paper with a mechanical pencil. Flip the paper and trace the reverse...

How to Design Your Own Deck! Personalise your ride with a one-of-a-kind deck design using POSCA paint markers! Whether you're skating the streets or hanging it on your wall, a custom-painted skateboard deck is the perfect way to showcase your style. What You’ll Need: Wooden skateboard deck POSCA Markers (PC-1M, PC-1MR, PC-3M, PC-5M) uni Pin Fineliners (0.03mm – 0.8mm) Pencil Matte or Gloss Spray Sealer Optional: White acrylic paint or gesso and brushes Soft cloth Fine grit sandpaper Step 1: Prep the Deck Wipe down the area you'll paint with a damp cloth to remove any dust. If needed, sand...

Rock Your Art with POSCA! Rock painting is such a fun and creative way to personalise your space, give unique handmade gifts, or just unwind with a colourful project. With POSCA paint markers, you’ll get vibrant, opaque colour that works beautifully on stone – no mess, no fuss. What You’ll Need: Smooth, clean rocks Soft cloth or wipes POSCA Paint Markers (Recommended tips: PC-1MR, PC-1M, PC-3M, PC-5M) uni Pin Fineliner (Available in 0.03mm to 0.8mm) Spray varnish – Micador Crystal Clear or Krylon Clear Glaze Step 1: Prep Your Surface Give your rocks a quick wipe with a cloth to...

Hand lettering has made a massive comeback in recent years – and it’s not just a trend. The beauty of it lies in how personal and expressive it can be. Whether you're jazzing up wedding invitations or creating Instagram-worthy quote art, hand lettering allows you to ditch the fonts and let your creativity shine. If you’re just getting started or want to level up your lettering skills, there are a few key techniques that will give your pieces that polished, professional look. Let’s break them down! The Foundations: Brushstrokes & Structure Before we get fancy with flourishes, let’s talk basics....

Tips for Pouring, Collage & Texture Looking to try acrylic pouring but not sure where to start? In this video tutorial, acrylic artist Marla Morrison walks you through the process of creating stunning poured paintings while combining collage and textured elements. Whether you’re brand new to fluid art or looking to take your acrylic pouring to the next level, this video is packed with practical tips for developing your technique and adding depth to your work. Acrylic Pouring Techniques to Try Marla explores several creative acrylic pouring techniques, from simple fluid pours to more controlled applications. She also shares tips...

Handmade With Heart Looking to give Mum something heartfelt, handmade, and full of creativity this Mother’s Day? You’ve come to the right place! Whether she’s a keen gardener, an avid artist, or just appreciates a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind pressie, we’ve rounded up six beautiful DIY projects you can make yourself – with love. Each idea comes with its own tutorial, so click through to get step-by-step instructions and gather your supplies from Art Shed Brisbane!

Looking for a gift as inspiring as Mum? Whether she’s a seasoned artist or just discovering her creative spark, we’ve handpicked a range of gifts to match every kind of mum. From portable paint sets to studio essentials, our Mother’s Day Gift Guide is packed with thoughtful, artful ideas; all available in-store and on our website. Read on for the full guide and make her day a masterpiece.

Easy Mother’s Day Tote Bag Project (Thanks to Mont Marte!) Looking for a sweet; handmade gift for Mum this Mother’s Day? We've got just the thing; a custom tote bag that’s heartfelt; easy; and a whole lot of fun to make. This project uses the Mont Marte Fabric Marker Art Set; and we’re following along with their brilliant tutorial (thanks Mont Marte!). What you’ll need: HB pencil Mont Marte Signature Fabric Marker Art Set 22pc The Fabric Art Set comes with everything you need: A blank canvas tote bag Fabric markers and paint sticks T-shirt markers 3D puffy paint pens...

Read on for step-by-step painting tips and tricks! Looking to add a pop of colour to your garden or home décor? Painting terracotta pots is an easy, creative DIY that lets your personality shine through. Whether you're going bold and abstract or soft and floral, here's everything you need to know to get started.   What You’ll Need: Terracotta pots (clean and dry) Fine grit sandpaper Primer or white acrylic gesso Acrylic paints or paint pens Paintbrushes (various sizes) Painter’s tape (optional, for clean lines) Outdoor varnish or sealer (matte or gloss finish) Drop cloth or newspaper to protect surfaces...

Mother’s Day DIY Gift Idea: Foil Canvas Fun! Looking for a sweet, creative gift for Mum? The Zart DIY Foil Mother’s Day Canvas is a beautiful way to make something meaningful by hand. Sold individually, each 15 x 15 cm canvas features a pre-printed “MUM” design in either gold or rainbow foil. Paint around the shimmering motif to create a unique, heartfelt gift Mum will treasure. Simple, sparkly and full of love! Personalise it your way: Use acrylic paint pens to add colourful patterns, flowers or sweet messages Create a background wash using watercolours for a soft, dreamy look Glue...

Craft a core memory for Mum with a heartfelt and creative gift you can make yourself. These DIY watercolour bookmarks are simple, meaningful, and a beautiful way to show her how much she means to you. Best part? You probably have most of the supplies already! What You’ll Need: 1 x A5 sheet of watercolour paperWe used Mont Marte Watercolour Pad (300gsm, A5) Watercolour paintsWe used Kuretake Gansai Tambi pan watercolours 1 x mop brushWe used Mont Marte Premium Watercolour Mop Brush Hole punch & ribbonFor that classic bookmark finish Fineliner penFor outlines or a personal message on the back...