Blog Posts

  Turquoise is a colour that bridges the earth and the sky, the ancient and the modern, the spiritual and the scientific. Its unique blue-green hue has been revered across cultures for centuries, carrying meanings of protection, renewal and transformation. From sacred jewellery to futuristic design, turquoise has remained a colour of power ...

Our newest concertina sketchbooks have landed and they’re inspired by a format with a long and fascinating creative history. Far from being a modern novelty, the concertina (or leporello) structure has been used for centuries to tell stories, preserve knowledge and support artistic expression in a uniquely fluid way.Designed to expand, ...

Screen printing is such a versatile and rewarding process, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your artistic journey. From bold, graphic designs to delicate, layered textures, the possibilities are endless, but a few simple tips can make a huge difference in the quality of your prints.One of the first things is that consistency is ...

  Green is the colour of nature, renewal and life. It evokes balance and calm, growth and vitality. Yet behind its serene symbolism lies one of the most unsettling stories in the history of art. Some of the most admired greens ever created, those that coloured the walls of Victorian homes and the masterpieces of great painters, were also ...

  A practical, confidence-boosting guide for art teachersIf your art department has a printing press, you’re already sitting on one of the most powerful creative tools a school can own. The problem is that presses are often inherited, underused, or quietly intimidating. They can feel technical, time-consuming, or “too ...

Following an incredible response to our 2025 Specialist Crafts Catalogue Competition, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the 30 talented runners-up whose artwork moved, inspired and delighted our judging panel.This year’s entries reminded us of something powerful: when young people are given the space, materials and encouragement to ...

  We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our 2025 Specialist Crafts Catalogue Competition, a celebration of creativity, imagination and the incredible talent found in classrooms across the globe.This year’s competition invited art students to design artwork that captures the joy and power of creativity in education. The ...

  The Importance of White in Art   White may seem simple at first glance, but it has played a vital role in art for centuries. From subtle highlights that give paintings depth to brilliant strokes that make a canvas shine, white is far more than a neutral tone, it is the foundation of painting:   - Creating highlights that give ...

While Winchester greeted us with grey skies and a steady drizzle, inside The Arc the atmosphere was bright, creative and full of energy. Yesterday Specialist Crafts joined 12 art teachers and technicians for an uplifting workshop led by Berkshire Printmakers’ brilliant duo, Sarah Martinez and Cipriano Martínez. What could have been an ...

    Why Screen Printing MattersThere’s something magical about that first pull of a squeegee, the hush before the reveal, when the image appears bold against the paper. Screen printing is one of those techniques that never fails to capture attention. It’s immediate, playful and deeply satisfying; it teaches students that art ...