Our art is built on the foundations laid by the masters, guiding what we create today. By learning from the past, we can explore new techniques, colours, and ways of working.
Discover how traditional methods can inspire your own art and help you develop your skills and style.
Seventeenth-century painters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Hals are famous for their dramatic use of light and rich, harmonious colours. Their carefully chosen, limited palettes shaped a visual language that still inspires artists today.
In a world with endless colour options, returning to this traditional approach can offer new insights and techniques. Nard Kwast explores this idea thoughtfully in his latest blog, showing how the lessons of the Old Masters can influence modern art.
A twentieth-century innovation, artists’ acrylics transformed the way we paint. Versatile, easy to use, and adaptable to any style or surface, they have become a favourite among contemporary artists.
In his latest blog, Jeff Olsen explores the rise and enduring appeal of acrylics. As Amsterdam celebrates fifty years of colour innovation, it’s the perfect moment to discover the history and evolution of this modern classic.
Would you like to know how to paint an eye using as few supplies as possible? You only need four colours, white, red, yellow and black, and you probably already have them.
This tutorial uses a palette inspired by the famous Swedish artist Anders Zorn, showing how a limited set of colours can create rich and expressive results.
Switch to water-mixable oil paint with Cobra Medium Mix
Inspired by the Old Masters
The influence of the Old Masters is never far away when working in a Talens Art Creation sketchbook. These hardbound sketchbooks are a community favourite and ideal for drawing, journaling, and capturing ideas wherever you are.
Cobra water-mixable linseed and safflower oils let you adjust the flow and transparency of your paint without using solvents. Linseed oil dries faster, making it ideal for the lower layers of your painting. It is strong and stable, though it can yellow slightly over time. Safflower oil stays clear, making it perfect for finishing layers.
Rembrandt is Royal Talens’ very first brand. For over a century, it has produced high-quality paints for professional artists, evolving to meet the needs of today’s creatives. From oil paints and soft pastels to watercolours and acrylics, Rembrandt materials combine traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
