Arts & crafts
Drawing, painting and craft projects, explained step by step with the materials listed.
IllustrationArts and crafts articles are reviewed by Muqadas Fatima.
ArtsHow to stretch watercolour paper so it dries flatSoak the sheet in clean water (about 3 to 20 minutes depending on weight), lay it on a board, tape all four edges with dampened gummed tape, half on the paper and half on the board, and leave it flat overnight.ArtsHow to mix colours from the three primaries, with a mixing chartMix neighbours: yellow and blue make green, yellow and red make orange, red and blue make purple. For bright mixes use two versions of each primary, one leaning each way. A touch of the opposite colour dulls a mix; white makes it lighter.ArtsHow to clean paint brushes: acrylic and oil paintAcrylic: never let it dry. Wipe, rinse, wash in cool water with mild soap and dry the brush head-up. Oil: wipe on a rag, loosen with a little cooking oil or brush cleaner, then use soap and water. Let rinse water settle, and keep solvent out of the drain.