Austin Gallery
The Journal
Deep-dive buying guides, Austin stories, collector advice, and editorials on the art of living well — 642+ articles, browsable by topic below.
Every article642 posts
Best Books on Color Theory & Visual Aesthetics (2026)
The best books on color theory and visual aesthetics for artists and designers: Albers, Itten, Gurney, Arnheim and Betty Edwards, ranked by what each teaches.
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Best Brayers and Block Printing Inks (2026): Soft vs Hard, Water vs Oil
The best brayers and block printing inks for linocut in 2026: Speedball and Essdee soft and hard rollers, Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash and Speedball inks.
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.
Best Christmas Gifts for Artists (2026): $20 to $400
Christmas gifts for painters, illustrators, ceramicists, printmakers, and photographers, from $20 to $400, chosen by a gallery that watches what artists use.
Best Clay Extruders (2026)
September 18, 2026 · 3 minOtherHow to Make Money Selling Art Online: The Artist's Guide to Starting a Real Business
July 8, 2026 · 17 minHow-ToBest Drafting Chairs (2026): Tall Chairs with Foot Rings
September 18, 2026 · 10 minHow-ToBest Embroidery Machines (2026): Picks by Hoop Size
September 18, 2026 · 12 minAustinBest Art Supply Stores in Austin: Where Locals Actually Shop (2026)
June 19, 2026 · 9 min
Best Flat File Cabinets for Artists (2026): Sizes for 18x24, 24x36, and 30x42
The best flat file cabinets for prints, drawings, and paper, from the $663 AdirOffice 24x36 to Safco's 10-drawer: steel vs wood, 5 vs 10 drawers, and sizing.
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Best Gel Printing Plates (2026): Gel Press vs Gelli Arts vs Speedball
The best gel printing plates of 2026: Gel Press, Gelli Arts, and Speedball plates from 5 x 7 to 12 x 14, plus the brayer and ink to start, verified on Amazon.
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 Gifts for Printmakers (2026)
Gifts for printmakers at every budget: Speedball cutters and brayers, a Pfeil gouge, a Gelli plate, the Deluxe kit, a Woodzilla press, and a real etching press.
Best Gifts for Woodworkers (2026)
September 18, 2026 · 12 minHome & LivingCustom Framing Cost in 2026: Real Prices by Size
June 12, 2026 · 5 minHow-ToBest Kiln Furniture & Shelves (2026)
September 18, 2026 · 10 minHow-ToBest Monitor Calibrators (2026): Calibrite and Datacolor Spyder for Artists
September 18, 2026 · 10 minHome & LivingCan You Hang Framed Art in a Bathroom? What Humidity Does
June 12, 2026 · 3 min
Best Paper for Printmaking (2026)
The best printmaking papers of 2026 compared by weight, sizing, and when to dampen: Stonehenge, Rives BFK, Arches 88, Lenox 100, Awagami kozo, and a budget pad.
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Best Pen Displays (2026): Drawing Monitors from Huion, XPPen, and Wacom
The best pen displays and drawing monitors of 2026, from the $210 Huion Kamvas 13 Gen 3 to the Wacom Cintiq 24: size, resolution, color, and pen tech compared.
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.
Best Point Drivers & Framing Tools (2026)
Point drivers and fitting tools for picture framing: the Logan F500-2 Dual Drive, Fletcher FrameMaster and FlexiMaster, flexi and rigid points, backing paper, and D-ring wire kits.
