Inspire your Creativity

2025 Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize: $30,000 in Prizes for Stories Told Through Art The Royal Queensland Art Society (RQAS), in partnership with Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and The Star Brisbane, proudly presents the 2025 Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize (QWBAP), a celebration of place, creativity, and local storytelling through visual art. Running from 4 September to 28 September 2025, this highly anticipated exhibition invites artists to explore and reflect on what makes Brisbane and its surrounds so unique. Whether it’s an iconic location, a personal memory, or a cultural insight, the challenge is to tell the story of Brisbane through...

Galkyd Neo Megilp Repackaged as Galkyd Lite Gel – Same Formula, New Name Gamblin’s much-loved Neo Megilp has not been discontinued; it’s simply been repackaged and rebranded as Galkyd Lite Gel. You’ll find the exact same silky-smooth formula, just with a new name and updated packaging. This means you can keep enjoying all the beautiful handling qualities you know and love – from building up glazes and textures to holding brushstrokes with ease. Galkyd Lite Gel stays workable for hours and dries to a soft, shimmery finish in about four to five days. It’s designed as a painting medium (not...

Make a Magiclay Easter Bunny – A Fun DIY for Kids! Looking for a fun and easy Easter activity to keep little hands busy? Try making this adorable Magiclay Easter Bunny! It's a great project for kids (and grown-ups!) that doubles as a cute little egg holder. All you need is some Magiclay, a pair of scissors, and a little creativity. Watch the full tutorial below, then follow the step-by-step instructions to create your own:   How to Make a Magiclay Bunny Step 1:Start by rolling your Magiclay into an egg shape. Once you're happy with the shape, use scissors...

April 2025 Colouring-In Fun for Little Artists Celebrate the school holidays with our April colouring activity, perfect for kids aged 12 and under! Pick up a sheet in-store or download it here to print at home. Once your little artist has finished their masterpiece, bring it back to our West End store to be featured in our Little Artist Gallery and receive a free creative gift. It’s free to join and a great way to keep creativity flowing these school holidays.Available until 30 April 2025.

Find Your Perfect Acrylic Paint Match Not sure which acrylic paint suits your style? Here's your cheat sheet to choosing the right one, based on how you love to paint: Smooth Consistency + Vibrant Colour Try: Matisse Flow or Langridge Fluid Matisse Flow is a premium artist-quality acrylic, ideal for everything from murals to detailed portrait work. Its smooth consistency makes it perfect for photo realism, geometric art, and watercolour-style techniques. It’s designed for artists who need intense, clean colour with an effortless flow. Langridge Fluid acrylics are Australian-made and deliver rich, saturated colour with exceptional clarity. With a professional-grade...

Understanding Gloss, Satin and Matt Varnish Finishes When it comes to finishing a painting or creative project, varnish is more than just a protective coat – it can completely change the look and feel of your work. One of the most common questions we get in-store is about the difference between gloss, satin and matt varnishes. So, here’s a quick guide to help you pick the finish that best suits your style. Gloss Finish Gloss varnish gives your artwork a bold, shiny finish that really brings colours to life. It reflects light, which can make details and textures pop –...

Mud 2 Mug and More is a vibrant, family-friendly pottery studio located in Carina, Brisbane. Offering a warm and welcoming environment for people of all ages and skill levels, the studio invites families, couples, groups and individuals to relax, unwind and get creative with clay. With a combination of pottery painting, immersive courses, and playful workshops, Mud 2 Mug has built a space where creativity comes alive. The studio has been thoughtfully designed to encourage creativity and connection, whether visitors are painting ceramics, trying their hand at wheel throwing, or just enjoying a fun day out.   Why Visit Mud...

The Lethbridge 20000 Small-Scale Art Award is back for 2025 and calling for entries from artists across Australia and around the globe. With a $20,000 top prize on offer, this prestigious award celebrates creativity in compact form. Now in its 15th year, this award is dedicated to small-scale artworks, showcasing both 2D and 3D pieces no larger than 61cm (24 inches) in any direction. Open to emerging and established artists alike, the competition is judged equally on creativity, originality, and technical skill. What’s in it for artists? Major Prize: $20,000 Highly Commended Prize: $1,000 cash (sponsored by Bienarté) Commended Prizes include:...

One of Australia’s most exciting contemporary art awards is back. The 2025 Sunshine Coast National Art Prize is now open for entries, welcoming Australian artists working in 2D and new media. Since 2006, this prestigious acquisitive award has showcased the diversity and excellence of Australian contemporary art. Each year, 40 finalist works are selected for a high-profile exhibition at Caloundra Regional Gallery, drawing attention from collectors, curators and the public alike. Open to all Australian residents, this national award celebrates bold and thought-provoking work in painting, drawing, printmaking, digital, video and other new media formats. The winner of the Major Prize...

The Royal Queensland Art Society (RQAS) is proud to present its 135th Members Annual Art Exhibition in 2025 – a celebration of artistic excellence and community spirit spanning more than a century. This annual event is a showcase of creativity and talent from across our membership, featuring artwork in seven diverse categories. From painting and drawing to sculpture, photography and mixed media, members are invited to submit original works exploring a theme of their own choice. To accommodate the wide range of submissions, this year’s exhibition will be presented in two parts. Each part will run for three weeks and...

After the success of its debut exhibition in 2017, Fairholme College is once again opening its doors to artists far and wide with the return of FACETS – the Fairholme Open Art Prize. Now in its eighth year, FACETS has become a highly anticipated event on the cultural calendar, showcasing a curated collection of two- and three-dimensional artworks. From painting, sculpture and drawing, to digital art, video and photography, this boutique exhibition offers artists a unique platform to connect with audiences through creativity and conversation. FACETS is more than an art prize; it’s a celebration of artistic excellence, education and community....

Celebrating one of Australia’s most iconic painters, the Doyles Art Award is back for 2025 – and entries are officially open! Named in honour of renowned artist d’Arcy Doyle, this respected award shines a spotlight on landscape art while also championing talent in portraiture, still life and youth categories. Known for its professional presentation and exceptional sales, the Doyles typically feature over 500 artworks, making it one of Queensland’s biggest and most successful art exhibitions. Award Categories & Prizes: Landscape (Major Prize – Acquisitive): 1st Prize: $20,000 2nd Prize: $5,000 3rd Prize: $1,000 Portrait / Figurative: 1st Prize: $2,000 Still...

Adapted from the original blog post by Uni Pin UK Black and white artwork doesn’t have to be plain. In fact, a touch of monochrome can bring a sleek, contemporary edge to your projects. This is particularly true when you try zentangle-style patterns on current shapes and motifs. Why not give it a go with PIN pens? Try zentangle-inspired art with PIN pens Bugs and beetle illustrations never go out of style and look amazing when paired with black and white drawing techniques. In this project, you’ll learn how to create bug-themed pieces that look incredibly professional. Don’t fret, they’re...

Art Spectrum was founded in Melbourne in the early 1960s by Gay and David Keys Snr, an artist and RMIT lecturer. Over time, it has become Australia’s leading fine art brand, producing oils, watercolours, gouache, pastels, inks, primers, mediums, varnishes, and solvents. Known for its distinctive Australian colours and traditional European manufacturing techniques, Art Spectrum offers a wide range of products to meet any artist's needs, including the innovative Colourfix pastel surface paper, professional papers and pads, Belgian linens, canvas, stretcher bars, brushes, palette knives, easels, and various studio accessories. It remains 100% Australian-made and family-owned, with David’s son, David,...

March is National Craft Month, making it the perfect time to get creative with fun and easy projects! This DIY suncatcher craft is a great way to add a colourful touch to your windows using air-dry clay, acetate, and decorative paper. Inspired by the Entertain Idea blog, we’ve put our own twist on this simple yet stunning craft. What You’ll Need: Paper Magiclay 240g White Acetate Sheet Zart Handmade Collage Shapes 500gm Mont Marte Deco Pudge Gloss Small needle (for poking holes) Zart Bakers Twine 100m Zart Budget Metal Cutters (Pack of 15) Permanent marker Step-by-Step Guide: Step 1: Prepare...

Finding your own artistic style is an exciting journey that evolves over time. It’s not about forcing a signature look but rather about discovering what feels natural, inspiring, and enjoyable to you. If you’re wondering where to start, here are some practical steps to help define your unique art style. 1. Make a Lot of Art—Even Ugly Art! One of the best ways to develop your style is simply by creating. Don’t be afraid to make “bad” art because every piece is a step toward refining your personal aesthetic. The more you create, the more patterns, themes, and techniques will...

March is National Craft Month, making it the perfect time to explore new creative projects. This week, we’re diving into the vibrant and expressive world of Henri Matisse with a simple yet striking DIY: a Matisse-inspired paper craft floral vase. This project is a fun way to bring modern abstract art into your home without needing fresh flowers. Who Was Henri Matisse? Henri Matisse was a French artist known for his bold use of colour and innovative approach to form. Influenced by artists like Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin, Matisse experimented with different styles throughout his career....

Looking to refine your graphic marker techniques or unwind with some relaxing colouring? Copic offers a fantastic collection of free line art illustrations, created by professional artists, ready to download and bring to life* Some designs even include helpful links to video tutorials or reference images to guide your creativity. Whether you’re practising blending, shading, or just having fun, these pages are perfect for artists of all levels. Be sure to check back often, as new illustrations are added regularly! Browse and Download Copic’s Free Colouring Pages Here (*Please review any terms and conditions on the download page.)

Relax and Create with Faber-Castell’s Free Colouring Templates! Colouring isn’t just a creative pastime—it’s a way to relax and refocus. Immersing yourself in colours and patterns can be as soothing as meditation, helping to relieve stress and bring a sense of calm. Faber-Castell has a collection of inspiring colouring templates designed for all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, there’s a variety of beautiful designs to spark your creativity. Click the images below to open and download your chosen colouring pages. Set aside some time, pick your favourite colours, and enjoy the mindful experience of colouring!

Take a moment to relax and get creative with Caran d’Ache’s free downloadable colouring pages. Designed by ambassador Ambre Verschaeve, these stunning illustrations celebrate the beauty of spring and summer. Celebrate Spring Bring nature-inspired scenes to life with your favourite Supracolor Soft watercolour or Pablo permanent pencils. Download here. Brighten Your Summer Add a splash of colour to beach, garden, and mountain-themed illustrations. Download here. Experiment with bold or pastel shades, using any medium you like. Share your finished artwork with #Carandache to inspire others. Happy colouring!

Looking to add a personal touch to your home décor? Customising your own cushion is a fun and easy way to get creative, and with Pébéo Setacolor Paints and 7A Fabric Markers, you can bring your designs to life on fabric! What You’ll Need: Pébéo 7A Light Fabric Markers – Water-based markers with a fine brush nib for smooth detailing A light-coloured cushion cover – Works best on fabrics like cotton, linen, or denim An iron – To set your design and make it washable