How-To Guides

  Andy Warhol didn't just paint, he industrialised art, turning everyday objects into cultural commentary through mechanical repetition.   If you want to capture bold, graphic energy with the unique texture of a handmade print, this is your next project. We're breaking down the process of carving and printing a Warhol inspired cupcake ...

  Photorealism is all about capturing the world with incredible detail, making your painting look almost like a photograph. It’s a style that challenges you to observe colours, textures and light with precision and the results can be strikingly realistic.   In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a photorealistic ...

Screen Printing - IntroductionAs a way of transferring designs onto fabric, screen printing originated in China (around AD 221). The Japanese soon followed this and began using simple stencilling techniques to create imagery. Stencils were cut out of paper at this time and human hair was woven to create the mesh. They used stiff brushes to ...

Simple Enamelling - IntroductionPrecise records of where and when enamelling first began are unavailable, however, it is thought that the craft originated in one of the western European civilizations. Egypt and China, too, have contributed greatly to the enamelling knowledge over the centuries. Most of the enamelling executed before the middle of ...

Weaving - IntroductionThe use of card and board looms forms an interesting introduction to the early stages of hand weaving. With this simple apparatus it is possible to study the fundamentals of design, use of colour in textiles and to produce an extensive range of articles which will be of great value to both the home craftworker and needlework ...

Cold Enamelling - IntroductionCold enamel is a great product for many reasons. The finish is as attractive and resilient as traditional enamelling, however there is no need for a kiln. This make it affordable and the process extremely simple. Once mastered, you will be able to produce items for yourself and beautiful gifts for friends.ContentsWhat ...

Mod Roc, short for modelling rock, is a versatile sculptural material widely used in art, design, and education. Made from gauze coated with plaster of Paris, it becomes pliable when dipped in water, then hardens as it dries. This unique quality allows artists to quickly build form, texture, and structure, making it ideal for creating masks, ...

  Discover the vibrant world of X2 Free Flow Acrylic Paint Pouring, a fun, expressive technique perfect for studios and classrooms alike.    This guide shows you how to balance colour, movement, and texture to create captivating, fluid artworks, using Specialist Crafts X2 Free Flow Acrylics, pouring mediums and silicone oils, ...

Make Your Own Paper - IntroductionYou handle paper in all sorts of different forms every day. You probably know that it has been made on huge and complicated machinery, yet you can make it yourself by hand in your own kitchen, back yard or classroom, using waste paper as raw material. What’s more, you can do it successfully from the outset ...

Batik is a traditional art form that transforms plain fabric into a vivid tapestry of patterns and color using wax-resist dyeing techniques. Originating from Indonesia and practiced across various cultures in Asia and Africa, batik is both a practical craft and a form of creative expression. Whether you're inspired by intricate heritage motifs or ...