What Is Encaustic Art? History, Materials, Techniques & Safety

What Is Encaustic Art? History, Materials, Techniques & Safety

Ben Tiffany

Encaustic art blends beeswax, damar resin, and pigments to create luminous, durable paintings fused with heat. This beginner-friendly guide explains the origins (Fayum portraits to Jasper Johns), the essential tools and safe studio setup, how to melt, layer, and fuse wax, and creative mixed-media options like collage and Gel Press monoprints. Learn why artists love the depth, texture, and archival quality of this ancient-yet-modern medium.


How to Make Paper Mache: Easy Paste, Strong Layers, Fun Projects

How to Make Paper Mache: Easy Paste, Strong Layers, Fun Projects

Ben Tiffany

New to paper mache? This guide walks you through everything: mixing flour-or-glue paste, choosing paper, building over balloons or molds, layering for strength, and drying safely to avoid mold. You’ll learn sanding, sealing, and painting—plus a creative twist using Gel Press monoprints to decorate your final layer. Perfect for masks, bowls, sculptures, and classroom crafts.


Etching for Beginners: Tools, Techniques & Safer Alternatives

Etching for Beginners: Tools, Techniques & Safer Alternatives

Ben Tiffany

New to etching? This beginner-friendly guide explains intaglio basics, how acid “bites” a metal plate, and what sets etching apart from engraving and drypoint. Explore plates, inks, presses, line etching, aquatint, and sugar lift—then see safer, acid-free ways to mimic etched effects with Gel Press plates at home or in the classroom. Includes setup, safety, troubleshooting, and project ideas.


Cadmium Yellow Color Meaning & Uses: A Complete Guide

Cadmium Yellow Color Meaning & Uses: A Complete Guide

Ben Tiffany

Cadmium yellow is a cornerstone pigment: brilliantly vibrant, highly opaque, and renowned for its lightfastness. This guide explains its history, what sets it apart, how to choose between light, medium, and deep shades, and smart mixing tips for oils, acrylics, and gouache. You’ll also get safety best practices and classroom-friendly alternatives—plus ways to make this color sing in Gel Press monoprinting.

25+ Fun Art Ideas for All Ages (Kids, Teens & Adults)

25+ Fun Art Ideas for All Ages (Kids, Teens & Adults)

Ben Tiffany

Spark creativity with 25+ fun, low-cost art ideas for every age and skill level. From Gel Press monoprinting and watercolor-resist to recycled collages, potato stamps, and collaborative canvases, you’ll find quick wins and deeper projects to grow your skills. Includes group activities, modern DIY wall art, intermediate layering techniques, and non-toxic setup/cleanup tips so you can create safely at home, in classrooms, or workshops.


What Does the Color Blue Symbolize?

What Does the Color Blue Symbolize?

Ben Tiffany

The color blue is one of the most loved shades worldwide, symbolizing calm, trust, and stability—but it also carries ties to sadness and depth. From the clear sky to the vast ocean, blue evokes peace and reliability, while in art and culture it takes on spiritual and emotional meaning. Discover what the color blue represents across psychology, history, and creative design.

Hue: Definition, Meaning & Examples (Color Wheel Guide)

Hue: Definition, Meaning & Examples (Color Wheel Guide)

Ben Tiffany

Hue is the pure “family name” of a color—red, blue, yellow—before white, black, or gray are added. This guide explains hue vs color, tint, shade, and tone; how hue is measured in HSV/HSL; and how to read hues on the 12-part color wheel. Perfect for artists, makers, and educators, with simple examples and quick exercises to build your color-mixing confidence.


Neurographic Art for Beginners: Techniques and Tips

Neurographic Art for Beginners: Techniques and Tips

Ben Tiffany

Discover neurographic art—a simple, mindful drawing method anyone can try. Start with freeform lines, round the intersections, and add color to create calming, organic designs. This beginner-friendly guide covers the origins, step-by-step process, benefits for stress relief, and the basic supplies you need (paper, pen, a few colors). Great for solo practice or classroom workshops.

October Fall Crafts: 12 Easy DIY Ideas for Kids, Adults & Classrooms

October Fall Crafts: 12 Easy DIY Ideas for Kids, Adults & Classrooms

Ben Tiffany

Celebrate autumn with 12 easy October crafts the whole family can make. From leaf-printed Gel Press art and pumpkin-stamped totes to spooky lanterns and nature-made cards, these projects are kid-friendly, classroom-ready, and budget-wise. Get step-by-step tips, supply checklists, and cleanup/safety guidance—plus ideas to elevate your fall décor or lesson plans with monoprinting textures and seasonal color palettes.

Beginner Gel Printing Setup: Tips for Your First Print

Beginner Gel Printing Setup: Tips for Your First Print

Ben Tiffany
Key Highlights Gel printing is a simple way to do printmaking. You do not need to have many supplies to start. It is good to get your work surface ready...
Unleash Art Skills Using Gel Press for Classrooms

Unleash Art Skills Using Gel Press for Classrooms

Ben Tiffany

Looking for a hands-on art activity that excites students and sparks creativity? Gel Press classroom packs make printmaking simple, safe, and affordable for every grade level. With reusable gel plates, all you need is paint, paper, and a brayer to unlock endless possibilities for layering color, texture, and patterns. Whether students work solo or in groups, gel printing encourages experimentation and collaboration while producing bold, one-of-a-kind artwork. This guide walks teachers through choosing the right class packs, plate sizes, and essential supplies to make gel printing an unforgettable classroom art experience.

🎨 Top 10 Gel Printing Techniques You Need to Try Today

🎨 Top 10 Gel Printing Techniques You Need to Try Today

Ben Tiffany
Key Insight:Gel printing is one of the most accessible and exciting ways to bring bold color, texture, and movement into your art—whether you're brand new to printmaking or a mixed-media...