Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff Art Blog

Tips, Tricks, Thoughts, and inspiration from across the art spectrum.

drawing of Koda the bull wearing a wreath collar, and a bell harness. A greeting card version is also shown.

How to Make DIY Christmas Cards with Goof Proof...

Tory D Manning

"Ah, Christmas! It’s that magical time of year when everything sparkles—tinsel, snow, and maybe even a little glitter from your last art project. For us, it’s also the perfect season...

How to Make DIY Christmas Cards with Goof Proof...

CJAS Staff

"Ah, Christmas! It’s that magical time of year when everything sparkles—tinsel, snow, and maybe even a little glitter from your last art project. For us, it’s also the perfect season...

a drawing of a white horse and a brown horse with a white strip between its eyes down to its nose.

How to Make Christmas Greeting Cards

Tory D Manning

Sending Christmas cards is a tradition cherished since the 1840s, and for good reason—there’s something special about both giving and receiving those little notes of holiday cheer. But what if...

How to Make Christmas Greeting Cards

CJAS Staff

Sending Christmas cards is a tradition cherished since the 1840s, and for good reason—there’s something special about both giving and receiving those little notes of holiday cheer. But what if...

Marker Showdown: Copic vs Koda

Marker Showdown: Copic vs Koda

Hannah Little

Copic markers have long been considered the gold standard when it comes to alcohol-based markers – but will Cheap Joe’s brand Koda markers give them a run for their money?

Marker Showdown: Copic vs Koda

Hannah Little

Copic markers have long been considered the gold standard when it comes to alcohol-based markers – but will Cheap Joe’s brand Koda markers give them a run for their money?

Patterns with colorless blender

Better Blending with Alcohol Markers

Leslie Snipes

This step-by-step tutorial for beginners is a great place to start learning more about alcohol marker blending techniques. Even if you are familiar with the basics of using markers, if...

Better Blending with Alcohol Markers

Leslie Snipes

This step-by-step tutorial for beginners is a great place to start learning more about alcohol marker blending techniques. Even if you are familiar with the basics of using markers, if...

7 experiements of marker scribbles on different paper

What You Need to Know About Alcohol Markers

Leslie Snipes

Have you ever looked at a display of hundreds of colorful markers and thought how fun they would be to use, but you weren’t sure where to begin? We’ve got...

What You Need to Know About Alcohol Markers

Leslie Snipes

Have you ever looked at a display of hundreds of colorful markers and thought how fun they would be to use, but you weren’t sure where to begin? We’ve got...

artist sketching man's head

5 Tips to Improve Your Observational Drawing Sk...

Leslie Snipes

Observational drawing practice is about more than just making your drawing look like the subject; it’s about improving how well you see and practicing hand-eye coordination. Our eye can trick...

5 Tips to Improve Your Observational Drawing Sk...

Leslie Snipes

Observational drawing practice is about more than just making your drawing look like the subject; it’s about improving how well you see and practicing hand-eye coordination. Our eye can trick...

An Expert Guide to Calligraphy

An Expert Guide to Calligraphy

CJAS Staff

Calligraphy is the art of writing decoratively and artistically, and it has been used for centuries to create everything from religious texts to artwork. It’s a form of handwriting that...

An Expert Guide to Calligraphy

CJAS Staff

Calligraphy is the art of writing decoratively and artistically, and it has been used for centuries to create everything from religious texts to artwork. It’s a form of handwriting that...

10 Essential Tips for Mastering Watercolor Painting

10 Essential Tips for Mastering Watercolor Pain...

CJAS Staff

Welcome to the world of watercolor painting! As a professional artists and experienced teachers, we are here to give you 10 essential tips for mastering this beautiful medium. Whether you...

10 Essential Tips for Mastering Watercolor Pain...

CJAS Staff

Welcome to the world of watercolor painting! As a professional artists and experienced teachers, we are here to give you 10 essential tips for mastering this beautiful medium. Whether you...

The Truth About Watercolor Tubes vs. Pans

The Truth About Watercolor Tubes vs. Pans

CJAS Staff

It is not uncommon when new artists are budding and trying to learn all they can that they turn to friends and classmates for advice on all things related to...

The Truth About Watercolor Tubes vs. Pans

CJAS Staff

It is not uncommon when new artists are budding and trying to learn all they can that they turn to friends and classmates for advice on all things related to...

Your Guide To Using Calligraphy Pens

Your Guide To Using Calligraphy Pens

CJAS Staff

Like any art form, calligraphy takes quite a bit of time and practice to master. Choosing the right tools and supplies is vital to your success, but checking out some...

Your Guide To Using Calligraphy Pens

CJAS Staff

Like any art form, calligraphy takes quite a bit of time and practice to master. Choosing the right tools and supplies is vital to your success, but checking out some...

Using Colored Pencils For Beginners

Using Colored Pencils For Beginners

CJAS Staff

Ready for another one of our mini art lessons? Today we will be covering one of today’s most popular coloring mediums: colored pencils. These pencils are preferred by artists of...

Using Colored Pencils For Beginners

CJAS Staff

Ready for another one of our mini art lessons? Today we will be covering one of today’s most popular coloring mediums: colored pencils. These pencils are preferred by artists of...

Why You Should Use an Art Easel Stand

Why You Should Use an Art Easel Stand

CJAS Staff

Many artists prefer using an easel for painting rather than working with a flat surface. But how do you know if an artist easel is right for you? If you’ve...

Why You Should Use an Art Easel Stand

CJAS Staff

Many artists prefer using an easel for painting rather than working with a flat surface. But how do you know if an artist easel is right for you? If you’ve...