Tutorials, videos, tips & techniques
Learn techniques from professional artists, follow art tutorials, watch videos, and more.
How to connect cradled panels
If you are working with multiple Ampersand cradle panels, bolting together the panels is an inventive way to present your work.
Top 10 reasons to paint on Ampersand Unprimed Basswood panels
Ampersand Unprimed Basswood is a smooth, uncoated panel that is free from plywood seams, knots, or troublesome raised fibers. We compiled our top ten reasons and advantages of painting on this surface.
Read more … Top 10 reasons to paint on Ampersand Unprimed Basswood panels
Three recipes for egg tempera
Here are three recipes for egg tempera but there are many more. If grinding the dry pigments is not something you want to try right away, substitute gouache for the "pigment paste" in each of these recipes.
Unprimed Basswood overview
Unprimed Basswood is handcrafted using a sturdy, non-flexible 4mm basswood top, sanded perfectly smooth and ready to seal and prime with the ground of your choice. Its minimal wood grain is straight and has a fine, even texture and a moderate natural luster.
Tips for using Scratchbord
General tips and techniques on transferring images, adding color, and sealing and framing Ampersand Scratchbord
Oil on Gessobord
Gessobord’s acrylic gesso coating has just the right level of absorbency allowing you to blend oil colors and maintain their slower drying time.
Acrylic on Gessobord
Gessobord is the perfect choice for acrylic painting. Forget about the time-consuming process of applying and sanding several applications of gesso; Gessobord is ready to use, no preparation necessary.
Top 10 reasons artists should use Ampersand panels
Artists ask us why they should paint on panels and specifically why Ampersand products over other brands. We compiled our top ten reasons and advantages of painting on rigid Ampersand panels.
Read more … Top 10 reasons artists should use Ampersand panels
RISD Professors demonstrate on Scratchbord
RISD Adjunct Professor Clara Lieu and Art Prof Guest Teaching Artist Song Kang demonstrate and explain all of the art supplies and drawing techniques you need to create a detailed scratchboard drawing from beginning to end.
PanPastel Colors on Encausticbord
How to quickly apply a graduated background using PanPastel Colors on Encausticbord. The perfect base for mixed media or pastel painting.
Richey Beckett: Ink on Claybord
A quick video of Richey Beckett's pen and ink and scratchboard technique on Claybord.
Shary Bartlett: India ink and encaustic on Encausticbord
Watch this time-lapse of Shary Bartlett apply encaustic and India ink on Encausticbord. 8x8, Paisley Phrase
Read more … Shary Bartlett: India ink and encaustic on Encausticbord
Framing Pastelbord
We recommend all pastels be framed under glass. The glass protects the fragile nature of the pastels while also keeping their colors true to life.
Sealing and varnishing Ampersand panels
Sealing and varnishing finished artwork on Ampersand panels is extremely important especially when framing without glass. See our list of suggestions for sealing and varnishing popular mediums using products we have successfully tested on our panels.
Ideas for finishing cradled edges
Thinking both about the versatility of wood and the creativity of art materials, we composed a list of ways to finish the cradled edges of our panels.
How to paint, stain, or wax the cradle
See ideas and learn the best practices to paint, stain, or wax Ampersand cradles.
