Arts and Crafts Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
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2 answers

When working in a visual medium, how do I avoid incorrect color?

Sometimes, when working on a drawing or painting at home, the final result will look incorrect when shown outside or in different light. How can I ensure color correctness when working on my art?
Joanne C
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5 answers

How can I clean a tortillon/blending stump and still keep its point intact?

What is the "correct", or most effective way of cleaning a paper tortillon? Up the now, I have been using sand paper to clean the tip, however this often makes the tortillon rugged and lose its point, and in some cases causes it to unravel…
johnp
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2 answers

Why are the corners of my work curling?

This happens frequently. I make something like a scarf, my hook case or more recently my knight's helmet. Any place that I have something like a 90 degree corner my work curls up. Not the end of the world, but it can ruin a good effect if it is…
Matt
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2 answers

Which knitting pattern is particularly heat insulating?

I want to knit a tea cosy like shown in this picture (not affiliated; image source): I want it to give proper insulation to my tea pot to keep the contents warm for longer. Originally I planned on using the English Rib pattern (aka Patentmuster in…
Elmy
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7 answers

Low cost alternatives to resin for creating the illusion of there being an opaque fluid in a bottle or jar

I am looking for an alternative to resin to fill a series of jars with, that will harden solid. My aim is to make it appear as if the jars are filled with an opaque liquid that could pass for some kind of generic produce at a distance (milk, jam,…
Aaargh Zombies
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2 answers

Can air-drying clay projects be preserved?

My son loves making animals and monsters with Play Doh (an air-drying dough). However, his sculptures tend to crumble and deform and crack while drying, which annoys him. Is there a technique to preserve Play Doh projects that we could try? Or…
Erica
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3 answers

Can someone tell me the purpose of this multi-tool?

I just got this in the mail (see picture below). I’m just not sure if it’s a good idea to give it to my 14 year old (at the time of his next birthday) nephew. In the mean time, could someone tell me what the various pieces actually do? I think that…
Abraham Ray
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1 answer

How to carry the yarn in stripes?

So, I’m knitting a swatch with both vertical and horizontal stripes, basically a plaid that’s fully knitted and not with the third color woven in. For most multicolor patterns, I have done it by just cutting the yarn at each color change. But for…
Caters
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1 answer

What aspects of drawing should I focus on as a beginning artist?

The UK is going into a second lockdown and I've decided to try drawing as a hobby to get away from my every day job of been a programmer. I did art at school and that was the last time I did anything arty, other than my photography, so I'd consider…
John Cogan
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What is the paper cutting art called which does not involve folding?

The paper cutting craft shown here - How to cut a tiny circle in paper? does not seem to be done by folding paper (there are no wrinkles). Doesn't seem to come under origami. Since I wish to learn that kind of paper cutting art, I wish to know what…
Aquarius_Girl
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1 answer

Double-sided Eyelets?

I have some cheap eyelet pliers and aluminium eyelets. They produce reasonable attractive results on one side but an ugly mess on the other. Often this doesn't matter as you only see one side, but for cases where you'd like a more attractive result…
RedGrittyBrick
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6 answers

What tool or technique is best for cutting circles in matte board?

I am laying out a frame where I will have to cut approximately 200 aligned 35mm circles in a matte board or foam core board. I will be putting plastic coins into the holes and backing with another board (exposed foam board or something with a little…
Stephen
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2 answers

Will alcohol based paint ruin my brushes?

I have some fairly expensive brushes (Newton & Windsor series 7 with kolinsky saber). If I use alcohol based paints with these brushes, will they be ruined, or can I just clean them out with turpentine and all will be ok?
andreasnico
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9
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3 answers

How to draw human body in chest/collarbone area?

As I have found myself learning more about the human body anatomy, and less focused on the human anatomy of the face, I am struggling with the latter. I am an expressionist. I do want accuracy, and opinion of anatomy. But want more feeling into the…
Lyssagal
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6 answers

Is there a tool that will make a rounded cut in flat metal wire?

Is there a tool that can cut flat 5mm-wide aluminum jewelry wire to leave a rounded end? (An as-yet nonexistent extremely heavy duty nail clipper comes to mind). In the image below, the wire on the left is an example of what we started with. We've…
Christopher Bottoms
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