Jackman's Art Materials Blog

Understanding Colour Theory in Art: A Guide for Artists Colour is one of the most powerful tools in an artist’s toolkit. Whether you’re painting landscapes, abstracts, or portraits, understanding colour theory can elevate your work, helping you create emotion, harmony, contrast, and depth. This guide explores the fundamentals of colour theory and how to apply it in your art practice. What Is Colour Theory? Colour theory is the science and art of using colour. It explains how colours interact, how they can be combined harmoniously, and how they affect mood and composition. Rooted in centuries of artistic and scientific study,...

Graphite: History, Properties & Uses in Art & Tech - Jackman's Art Materials Everything You Need to Know About Graphite **Graphite** is one of the most familiar materials to artists, engineers, and scientists alike. Known primarily for its use in pencils, graphite is a naturally occurring form of crystalline carbon with a fascinating history, unique properties, and a wide array of applications in both traditional and high-tech industries. --- What Is Graphite? Graphite is an **allotrope of carbon**, meaning it’s one of the structural forms that the element carbon can take. Unlike diamond, which has a tightly bonded tetrahedral structure,...

How Vegetable Glycerin Works in Paint Making Vegetable glycerin is used in paint as a humectant to retain moisture and a plasticizer to improve flexibility. It prevents watercolours from drying out too quickly and helps them remain easy to rewet. It softens gum Arabic, reducing brittleness and preventing paint from flaking off the paper. It helps maintain paint consistency, ensuring smooth application and long-lasting quality. The correct balance is essential: Too much glycerin makes the paint sticky and slow to dry. Too little glycerin makes the paint hard and difficult to rewet. Proper formulation ensures stable, high-performance paint.

The Fascinating World of Cobalt Pigments: Colors, History, and Uses

Cobalt pigments are a group of vibrant, highly durable colourants that have been prized by artists, designers, and manufacturers for centuries. Known for their stunning hues and exceptional lightfastness, cobalt pigments have a rich history and continue to be an important part of modern pigment applications, especially in art and industry.

Green Gold P.Y. 129: The Vibrant Yellow Pigment Every Artist Needs Pigments are at the heart of every artist's palette, and Green Gold P.Y. 129 (also known as PY129) stands out for its vibrant, durable, and versatile color. Whether you’re a watercolor artist, an acrylic painter, or work in oils, this high-performance yellow pigment offers unmatched brightness and longevity. In this blog, we’ll explore the features, uses, and benefits of Green Gold P.Y. 129 to help you understand why it should be a staple in your art supplies. What is Green Gold P.Y. 129? Green Gold P.Y. 129 is a...