Austin Gallery
The Journal
Deep-dive buying guides, Austin stories, collector advice, and editorials on the art of living well — 593+ articles, browsable by topic below.
Every article593 posts
5 Best Oil Pastels of 2026 — Artist Grade, Ranked
Sennelier for buttery blending, Holbein for control, Pentel for practice. Five oil pastel sets ranked on softness, pigment load, and lightfastness.
Read the story
5 Best Canvas Panels & Painting Boards of 2026 — Ranked
Ampersand Gessobord for archival work, Fredrix for canvas texture and studies. Five painting panels ranked on ground, construction, and warp resistance.
Austin Weekend Getaways: 6 Trips Locals Actually Take
The best weekend getaways from Austin are Hill Country cabins, Lake Travis lake houses, New Braunfels river trips, Fredericksburg wine country, the Port Aransas coast, and the in-town staycation. Here are all six ranked, with drive times, typical costs, and when each one wins.
Arches vs Fabriano vs Strathmore Watercolor Paper (2026)
Arches lifts and forgives, Fabriano stays brighter, Strathmore costs a third as much. A head-to-head on cotton content, sizing, buckling, and who each is for.
6 Best Brush Pens of 2026 — Lettering, Ink & Colour
August 29, 2026 · 6 minOtherHow to Make Money Selling Art Online: The Artist's Guide to Starting a Real Business
July 8, 2026 · 17 minHow-To7 Best Colored Pencils of 2026 — Wax vs Oil, Ranked
August 29, 2026 · 8 minHow-To5 Best Self-Healing Cutting Mats of 2026 — Ranked
August 29, 2026 · 5 minAustinBest Art Supply Stores in Austin: Where Locals Actually Shop (2026)
June 19, 2026 · 9 min
6 Best Polymer Clays of 2026 — Sculpey vs Fimo, Ranked
Premo, Fimo Professional, Fimo Soft and Original Sculpey compared on cured strength, brittleness, conditioning effort, and colour mixing. Six clays ranked.
Read the story
Prismacolor vs Polychromos 2026: Which Should You Buy?
Prismacolor blends better; Polychromos sharpens finer, resists bloom, and rates lightfast. A head-to-head on blending, point retention, breakage, and price.
Acrylic vs Glass for Framing Art: Which Glazing Wins?
Acrylic or glass for framing art? An honest comparison of weight, shatter risk, UV protection, glare, and cost — with a verdict for every situation.
Best Office Chair Under $200 (2026): 5 Real Picks
The SIHOO M57 ($190) is the best office chair under $200 in 2026; Staples Hyken ($155) is the mesh value, SIHOO M18 ($133) best under $150. Real brands.
Best Router Table 2026: Kreg PRS2100 vs Bosch RA1181
August 23, 2026 · 7 minHome & LivingCustom Framing Cost in 2026: Real Prices by Size
June 12, 2026 · 5 minHow-ToBest Scanner for Watercolor Paintings (2026)
August 23, 2026 · 6 minHow-ToBest Scroll Saw 2026: DeWalt DW788 Wins, 4 Compared
August 23, 2026 · 6 minHome & LivingCan You Hang Framed Art in a Bathroom? What Humidity Does
June 12, 2026 · 3 min
Catan vs Ticket to Ride: Which Game to Buy First
Ticket to Ride ($40) is the better first game for families and mixed groups; Catan ($40) for 3-4 players who want trading. Players, time, expansions.
Read the story
FlexiSpot ErgoX Review: Footrest Chair, Honestly Rated
The FlexiSpot ErgoX (about $300) is the best office chair with a footrest under $350. Where it beats the SIHOO M57, where it does not, and the OC3.
What Is a Giclée Print? Definition, Process & Value
A giclée (zhee-CLAY) is a fine-art inkjet print made with pigment inks on archival paper or canvas — how it's made, how it differs, and what it's worth.
Makita vs Festool Track Saw: SP6000J vs TS 55
Makita SP6000J ($626 with rail) wins on value; Festool TS 55 ($669) on dust collection and system. Cordless and TS 60 compared. Rails interchange.
