Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff Art Blog

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

Scraping Methods

Scraping Methods

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to show you how to scrape out some areas to get trees, a fence, or rocks using a razor blade, and a little paint scraper and perhaps...

Scraping Methods

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to show you how to scrape out some areas to get trees, a fence, or rocks using a razor blade, and a little paint scraper and perhaps...

Using a Spatter Screen

Using a Spatter Screen

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to show you how to use Cheap Joe's Spatter Screens to add texture to your watercolors. Lots of fun and another way to add texture.

Using a Spatter Screen

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to show you how to use Cheap Joe's Spatter Screens to add texture to your watercolors. Lots of fun and another way to add texture.

Using Rigger Brushes

Using Rigger Brushes

CJAS Staff

The little Rigger brush is one of the most fun brushes, and one of the least expensive brushes you can buy, and it's just so much fun. I'm going to...

Using Rigger Brushes

CJAS Staff

The little Rigger brush is one of the most fun brushes, and one of the least expensive brushes you can buy, and it's just so much fun. I'm going to...

Watercolor Blocks

Watercolor Blocks

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to talk about watercolor blocks, they're such a handy way to carry color, especially if you travel.

Watercolor Blocks

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to talk about watercolor blocks, they're such a handy way to carry color, especially if you travel.

Toothbrush Spattering

Toothbrush Spattering

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to take my toothbrush and not brush my teeth with it . . . that's right, we're going to do spattering today with a toothbrush. Everyone has...

Toothbrush Spattering

CJAS Staff

Today I'm going to take my toothbrush and not brush my teeth with it . . . that's right, we're going to do spattering today with a toothbrush. Everyone has...

French Easel Comparison

French Easel Comparison

CJAS Staff

I want to talk to you just a little bit today about French Easels because there are so many you can choose from. I want to show you the ones...

French Easel Comparison

CJAS Staff

I want to talk to you just a little bit today about French Easels because there are so many you can choose from. I want to show you the ones...

Artist Tip 2: Aerial Perspective

Artist Tip 2: Aerial Perspective

CJAS Staff

If you're fairly new to painting, you may not know what the term aerial perspective means, but we'll guarantee you've seen it. It's what makes things look far away. It's...

Artist Tip 2: Aerial Perspective

CJAS Staff

If you're fairly new to painting, you may not know what the term aerial perspective means, but we'll guarantee you've seen it. It's what makes things look far away. It's...

Artist Tip 3: The Order of Attraction

Artist Tip 3: The Order of Attraction

CJAS Staff

A successful painting is not simply a well-designed depiction of a pleasant subject any more than a successful novel is a grammatically correct description of an interesting event.

Artist Tip 3: The Order of Attraction

CJAS Staff

A successful painting is not simply a well-designed depiction of a pleasant subject any more than a successful novel is a grammatically correct description of an interesting event.

Artist Tip 4: Getting Figures Into Shape

Artist Tip 4: Getting Figures Into Shape

CJAS Staff

The mere mention of getting our figures into shape makes us all a little nervous; we know we should watch our diet and get more exercise. But getting your figure...

Artist Tip 4: Getting Figures Into Shape

CJAS Staff

The mere mention of getting our figures into shape makes us all a little nervous; we know we should watch our diet and get more exercise. But getting your figure...

Artist Tip 5: This Old Barn

Artist Tip 5: This Old Barn

CJAS Staff

I've painted this old barn many times, each time for a different reason. This time I'll go from photo to sketch and work from the sketch. It's a simple subject,...

Artist Tip 5: This Old Barn

CJAS Staff

I've painted this old barn many times, each time for a different reason. This time I'll go from photo to sketch and work from the sketch. It's a simple subject,...

Artist Tip 6: Fear and Courage

Artist Tip 6: Fear and Courage

CJAS Staff

The process of painting never seems to go easily and rarely is it fun. We start each painting with great optimism, the highest of hopes, even confidence; and then, more...

Artist Tip 6: Fear and Courage

CJAS Staff

The process of painting never seems to go easily and rarely is it fun. We start each painting with great optimism, the highest of hopes, even confidence; and then, more...

Artist Tip 7: Stretching Canvas Onto A Frame From Fredrix

Artist Tip 7: Stretching Canvas Onto A Frame Fr...

CJAS Staff

Assemble frame by fitting together tongue and groove ends of stretcher strips. Check the squareness of the frame by measuring across the diagonal comers so that both are equal. Attach...

Artist Tip 7: Stretching Canvas Onto A Frame Fr...

CJAS Staff

Assemble frame by fitting together tongue and groove ends of stretcher strips. Check the squareness of the frame by measuring across the diagonal comers so that both are equal. Attach...