When you want to get into painting, it can confusing to know where to start, especially when it comes to the medium you use! A medium is the type of material you work with, so your medium of choice could be oil paint, pastels, watercolor, etc. However, when starting your painting journey, we recommend choosing acrylic paint over any other kind. Acrylic is a water-based paint that is such a joy to work with no matter your subject matter. Let's get into why!

You can also get soft-body acrylic paint for a more seamless, blendable look, perfect for more graphic or realistic art! We use soft body for all our painting kits here at The Sketching Pad because it's easy to blend, and it's easy to fix mistakes! ​

Get a great look at how acrylic paint works and exactly what makes it great in a stress-free way with our canvas painting kits! You'll have everything you need to make a masterpiece.

Be sure to read the descriptions and uses for any products like these before you purchase to make sure they're suitable for what you need. If you need any guidance, we'll be happy to help, just email [email protected].

Want to learn some tips and techniques for using your new acrylic paint? Get free access to our library of video tutorials and canvas painting tips here!

You've decided to make a mosaic; that's awesome! Now for the fun but challenging part: where do you begin choosing your tiles? There are so many kinds of tiles to choose from, which can make it all too easy to make the wrong choice if you're unsure what to look for! That's why we created this post; we've worked (sometimes through trial and error) to determine what makes them great for each project! 

First, let's cover what you probably want to avoid getting and why! ​You might want to avoid plastic tiles, which won't be able to stand up to regular use. Durability is important when creating a functional project, like a trivet or tabletop. We don't want your beautiful mosaic trivet melting when you put a pot on it because your tiles are plastic! You may also want to avoid tiles with designs etched into the top. While these tiles can be gorgeous, it can be hard to get grout out of all the indentions when you finish your project.

Now it's time to cover what tiles you should use! Glass and Ceramic tiles are beautiful and functional, making them our top choice and the types we include in our mosaic kits.  They're great in many ways, but one of my favorite things about them is that they can withstand heat, so they're great for making things like trivets or coasters. You can also use them outside without the sun bleaching them like it would with plastic tiles. There are loads of stunning options for glass and ceramic tiles on Etsy! Glass is particularly great to work with because you can purchase sheets of glass and cut out your own tiles in the exact shapes you need! You can watch this great video from Bonnie Fitzgerald & Kim Wozniak on YouTube to learn everything you need to know about the glass cutting process! 

​Now you understand all the tile options at your disposal, but what about the other supplies you'll need for mosaics? Check out Our Guide To An Absolutely Stunning Mosaic to learn everything you need to know about mosaic making from surfaces, grout, tile adhesive, and more!

​If you're ready to get a feel for mosaic making, check out our mosaic kits for a great project that won't have you stressing about supplies!

Whether it's just you and your BOO, a large group of family and friends, or something in-between, we have loads of inspiration for a spooktacular Halloween painting party, so get on your costume and let's get into it!

​This guide will give you ideas for snacks, drinks, decorations, and of course, painting kits! We offer loads of fall painting options that will get you PUMPED for Halloween. And if you're looking for something more spooky to paint than our examples, you can always get a custom kit! We can sketch anything you'd like on a canvas and give you paint, brushes, and tips on how to paint! And don't worry if you need a little more guidance; you can always email [email protected], and we'll offer you guidance and techniques to execute your specific vision!

(No cauldron necessary!) We love fall so much, which is why we have so many seasonal fall painting kits and we add more almost every year! You'll be sure to find something that LEAVES you in awe!

Want to be known for throwing flawless painting parties among your loved ones? Look no further than this guide that gives you everything you need to know to do just that with no added stress!