Tutorials, videos, tips & techniques
Learn techniques from professional artists, follow art tutorials, watch videos, and more.
Introduction to Ampersand Encausticbord
Learn why artists love Encausticbord for more than encaustics. It is also perfect for image transfer, acrylic, charcoal, ink, graphite, markers, collage, and more.
Introduction to Ampersand Primed Canvas Texture
Want all of the benefits of painting on a panel, but with the familiar texture of canvas? Watch this video and learn how you can get the best of both worlds!
Introduction to Ampersand Claybord
Learn why Claybord is the ultimate multimedia panel in this informational product knowledge video.
Tips for using Claybord
While Claybord allows the use of traditional pigments, tools, and techniques, it is also an ideal surface for experimentation. You can cut into the surface and expose the white clay ground as part of the creative process. Pigments can be manipulated to vary tonal value, create detail, develop highlights, and correct mistakes.
Ampersand Floaterframe: Simply the easiest floater frame you’ll ever use
At Ampersand, we noticed that floater frames available to artists didn't properly accommodate wooden panels. So, in 2016 we began manufacturing our very own. Ampersand Floaterframes offer a complete and easy solution for displaying your artwork on panel.
Read more … Ampersand Floaterframe: Simply the easiest floater frame you’ll ever use
Scratchbord overview
Originally developed as an alternative to scratchboard paper, it is the surface of choice for most professional scratchboard artists today. Learn what makes Ampersand Scratchbord considerably more durable and easier to scratch into than traditional paper-based scratchboards.
Claybord overview
Claybord is our most versatile panel and is a favorite of both fine and graphic artists. It features a velvety-smooth and extremely absorbent clay finish to which no other surface compares. This kaolin clay ground formula is very similar to the clay gesso grounds used during the Renaissance period.
Aquabord overview
Aquabord is an acid-free, textured coated hardboard panel that gives watercolorists unprecedented freedom and control. The surface absorbs watercolors like a fine cold press paper, allowing you to create washes and stack glazes.
Ampersand Scratchbord/Claybord Inks
Scratchbord/Claybord inks are specially formulated for adding color to Ampersand Scratchbord, Claybord, and other paper scratchboards. The transparent inks leave vibrant color in only the white areas of scratchboard drawings and can easily be scratched through back to white when adding fine details and highlights.
Claybord used as Scratchboard
Claybord can be coated with inks and used like a traditional scratchboard. The advantage to using Claybord as a scratchboard is that you can control the tonal variations unlike using a traditional black scratchboard. Try this exercise and see how easy it is to do.
