Tutorials, videos, tips & techniques
Learn techniques from professional artists, follow art tutorials, watch videos, and more.
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
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.
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.
Painting on panel: Cradling and supports
Only Ampersand builds their cradles by hand with premium grade 13-ply birch plywood for maximum stability and a clean, finished look from edge to edge.
Priming wood panels with acrylic gesso or oil grounds
Commonly, artists ask us if unprimed wood panels need to be sealed. Except for encaustics, the answer is Yes.
Read more … Priming wood panels with acrylic gesso or oil grounds
Painting on panel: The difference between HDF and MDF
Many artists ask about the differences between HDF (High-density fiberboard) and MDF (Medium-density fiberboard). We have compiled some information below that helps to explain these differences.
Read more … Painting on panel: The difference between HDF and MDF
What is Masonite?
The word "Masonite" is a brand name for hardboard. Ampersand uses a tempered hardboard as the base for its Museum Series panels. After extensive research and testing, we chose a hardboard that is made through the Wet/Dry method.
Hanging hardware options for wood panels
Ampersand Floaterframes are the perfect solution for displaying artwork. However, if you prefer to display your panel without a frame, we have some helpful tips.
