Inspire your Creativity

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

Get ready for a highlight on the regional arts calendar – the 2025 Aspects Art Show is officially open for entries! Held alongside the annual Goondiwindi P+A Society Show, this long-running event offers artists a fantastic platform to showcase their work across a variety of mediums and genres. With over $15,000 in prizes and acquisitions on offer, it's a brilliant opportunity for both emerging and established artists to gain recognition and potentially have their work acquired. Open to artists across Australia and internationally, the Aspects Art Show includes categories for 2D and 3D works, as well as dedicated awards for...

The 2025 Milburn Art Prize is now open for entries, inviting artists from across Australia to explore the theme ‘Landscape as a space of creative discovery’. Hosted by the Brisbane Institute of Art (BIA), this prize continues to honour the legacy of the late Paul Milburn – a beloved and respected tutor at BIA from 1989 until his passing in 2011. Reflecting BIA’s evolving creative direction, the Milburn Art Prize encourages both emerging and established artists to push the boundaries of landscape art. It’s an opportunity to surprise, challenge and inspire through personal interpretations of landscape – not just as...

These paints are real oil paints, but with one key difference—they’re made with modified oils that can mix with water. This means you can thin them and clean up without needing harsh solvents like turpentine.

A Tribute to Historic Colours Winsor & Newton has reintroduced a stunning range of historical colours with their Revival Collection. These shades, once favoured by master artists, have been carefully reformulated to maintain their original vibrancy while offering improved permanence and safety for modern creatives. The Revival Collection brings the rich heritage of classic pigments into today’s studios, ensuring artists can continue to create with the same depth and brilliance as the greats of the past. Discover the collection and add a touch of history to your palette!

Get ready, Brisbane! The Brisbane Illustration Fair is back for another incredible weekend celebrating all things illustration. Whether you're an artist, collector, or just love creative vibes, this is an event you won’t want to miss! 📅 When? Saturday, 12 April 2025🕚 Time? 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM📍 Where? Superordinary, 175 MacArthur Ave, Hamilton With 170+ talented artists showcasing and selling their work, this is your chance to discover and support amazing local illustrators, comic artists, printmakers, and zine creators. Meet the artists behind the work, browse unique prints, and soak in the inspiring atmosphere. Make a day of it!...

Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter about Bluethumb, so we thought we’d break it down for you. Bluethumb is Australia’s largest online art marketplace, connecting art lovers with original Australian-made artwork. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced collector, Bluethumb makes it easy to discover and purchase unique pieces directly from artists.   How Does Bluethumb Work? Founded in 2012, Bluethumb has grown into a thriving digital gallery, representing over 30,000 emerging and established Australian artists. The platform showcases everything from paintings and drawings to fine art prints, sculptures, and even work from remote Aboriginal Art Centres. With...

Learn how to properly clean synthetic and natural hair paintbrushes to extend their lifespan and keep them in top shape. Cleaning your paintbrushes properly is essential if you want them to last. But did you know that different types of brushes—synthetic and natural hair (like sable or hog bristle)—need different cleaning methods? If you’ve ever wondered whether you should be scrubbing your synthetic brushes the same way you treat your delicate sable ones, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your brushes in top shape!   Do Synthetic and Natural Hair Paintbrushes Need Different...

5 Ideas for Creative Self-Love Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all roses, candlelit dinners, and heart-shaped sweets with someone else—it can just as easily be an opportunity to celebrate you. This year, why not spoil yourself with some homemade creativity? Embrace self-love and unleash your inner artist with these five solo art project ideas. After all, who says you can’t be your own perfect Valentine? 1. Self-Portrait Power Left: “Self Portrait with Palette” by Pablo Picasso (1906), 81 cm x 60.5 cm, on display at the National Gallery, Washington D.C. Right: Image by @mandi_antonucci Why do it: Nothing says...

As an artist, using solvents, paints, and other chemicals is part of the creative process. However, disposing of these materials safely is crucial to protect both the environment and your health. Improper disposal can lead to contamination of water sources, harm to wildlife, and risks to human safety. Understanding Hazardous Waste Household hazardous waste includes items that are corrosive, flammable, toxic, or otherwise dangerous. Common examples in an artist’s studio include: Oil-based paints and solvents (e.g., turpentine, mineral spirits) Acrylic and water-based paints Spray paints and aerosol cans Adhesives and resins How to Safely Dispose of Solvents and Paint General...

Step-by-Step Guide: Creative DIY Projects with Leftover Art Supplies Got some dried-up markers, broken crayons, or old pastels lying around? Don’t toss them just yet! These simple DIY projects will give your old art supplies a new lease on life, helping you save money and reduce waste while unleashing your creativity. Let’s dive into these step-by-step guides! 1. DIY Watercolour Paints with Dried-Up Markers What You Need: Dried-up water-based markers Small jars or containers Water Steps: Remove the caps from your dried-up markers. Place each marker (tip down) into a small jar or container filled with a small amount of...

1. Can I paint with oils and acrylics in a sketchbook? Yes, you can! However, you’ll need to prepare your sketchbook properly to protect the paper and ensure your paints work well.   2. What kind of sketchbook is best? Choose a sketchbook with heavyweight paper (at least 300gsm) to handle the weight of the paint and preparation. Paper composition: 100% cotton or a cotton/linen blend works best. Texture: Cold press paper (textured) gives a bit of grip for your paints, while hot press paper (smooth) allows for finer details.   3. Why do I need to seal the paper...

Unleash the magic of sunlight with SolarFast Dyes! These light-sensitive dyes let you create photograms, shadow prints, and even permanent photographs on fabric and paper. Whether you're into painting, tie-dyeing, screen printing, or batik, SolarFast makes it easy to craft unique, sun-developed designs.     Simply apply the dye, expose it to sunlight while damp, and watch the colour appear! Use objects or film negatives to block areas from developing and create striking prints. Once exposed, wash with SolarFast Wash and hot water to reveal the final masterpiece. Perfect for cotton, linen, silk, hemp, wood, and artist papers, SolarFast is...

Get Creative with Crayola! Looking for a fun, creative activity for all ages? Crayola offers free printable colouring pages for both kids and adults! Whether you’re a Star Wars fan, love Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, or prefer intricate designs to unwind, there’s something for everyone. Colouring is a fantastic way to relax, boost creativity, and spend quality time with family. Simply download, print, and start adding your own artistic flair. Explore Crayola’s new colouring pages here or check out their adult colouring pages here. Get your favourite colours ready and let your imagination run wild!

Add a Pop of Elegance to Your Watercolour Toolkit Upgrade your watercolour toolkit with the Da Vinci Pretty Pink Brush! Part of the exclusive Pretty Pink Edition, this size 2 round wash brush is perfect for detailed and fluid watercolour techniques. Crafted with precision, it features: Extra soft, wavy, white synthetic fibres for exceptional elasticity and colour absorption A sleek, vegan-friendly wooden handle for comfort and style Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this brush offers the perfect blend of elegance and functionality. Don’t miss out—add this stunning tool to your collection today!