January 15 – April 10, 2022

There is great beauty in the Japanese Zen garden – but also hidden truths

Why Robert Eggers' violent epic is unsatisfying

How a starry new historical drama gives presidential wives the spotlight

How a 2018 film is timelier than ever

How the things people have worn can stir powerful emotions

How ultra-escapist retreats around the world offer sanctuary from everyday life

Our review of 'unintentionally hilarious' Netflix thriller Anatomy of a Scandal

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While many graphic designers work largely on computers these days, markers remain a must-have tool in the profession. Ideal for sketching ideas and working through challenges, markers are easy to use and are remarkably capable. Armed with the right set, you can achieve incredible detail and depth. Also, they’re easy to slip into a pocket or bag and whip out to capture those spontaneous ideas. Whether you’re looking for your first set or searching for something new, our picks below will help you make a good choice.

ARTnews RECOMMENDS
Prismacolor Premier Double-Ended Markers, Set of 12
Prismacolor’s markers strike the right balance between performance and affordability. Suitable for professional use, these implements feature super-vibrant alcohol ink that flows with ease. The ink is very blendable, and you can layer colors to create lifelike effects. Each marker is double-ended, providing both a fine tip and a chunky chisel tip that glide across the page. Markers also feature a single ink reservoir for color consistency when switching tips. These beloved tools are sold in sets from six colors up to 200, so you can always find—or create—the exact shade you envision.

WE ALSO LIKE
Tombow Dual Brush Pens and Sets
Suitable for artists of all skill levels, Tombow’s brushes are excellent everyday pens, whether you intend to use them alone for illustrations, for hand lettering, or with watercolors. The nylon fiber brush on one end balances firmness with flexibility, offering control to produce crisp lines or cover larger areas with ease. On the other end there’s a fine bullet tip that is ideal for writing. Each pen comes with water-based ink that you can use to create watercolor effects; they are also very blendable and can be layered to achieve darker shades. We like that you can buy individual colors or choose from precurated sets, including a handy palette of grays.

PROFESSIONALS’ CHOICE
Chartpak Ad Marker Sets
If you’re not a fan of flipping markers to use different nib types, consider these smartly designed, alcohol-ink markers from Chartpak. They feature a single nib that can yield a fine, medium, or broad stroke by carefully adjusting its angle. The control you get with this single tip is pretty much unparalleled—and does wonders for professional illustrators who depend on precision. They also glide on the page like magic while laying colors down evenly. Though Chartpak sells blenders, you don’t really need one to blend colors with ease. While you can’t buy individual colors, the color variety in the custom sets—ranging from flesh tone to pastel to portrait—is impressively wide ranging. These markers are also remarkably long-lasting. Our only gripe is that they do have a strong smell.

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Behind every great canvas is a set of seriously tough stretcher bars—at least, that’s the hope. Flimsy bars and poor construction can doom an artwork the minute it’s mounted. Avoid that nightmare with stretcher bars made of wood—a traditional material that offers strength without breaking the bank. Rounded up below are our favorites, which all land somewhere on the Venn diagram of quality, ease of assembly, and affordability.

ARTnews RECOMMENDS
Utrecht Heavy-Duty Canvas Stretcher Bars and Keys
Solid and consistent, these stretcher bars fit squarely and are a great choice for artists of all skill levels. Made of ponderosa pine and hem fir, and seasoned and kiln-dried to resist warping, each measures 2¼ inches wide and features double-mortised and slotted corners to ensure a tight joint every time. These bars are solid enough to handle tension well yet take staples easily. They also come in more than a dozen sizes, from 10 to 85 inches, so you’ll almost always be satisfied. Plus, they are properly packaged to prevent damage while in transit, and they come with keys so you can tighten your canvas once fitted.

WE ALSO LIKE
Frank A. Edmunds Canvas Stretcher Bars
Can’t make up your mind on which sizes to buy? Grab a sample pack of bars. With this option, you get nine pairs of basswood bars in lengths from six inches to 18 inches, plus a nylon bag to store them. These sets can be used for painting, but they’re also designed with textile artists in mind: This is a fine choice for needlepoint and cross stitch projects, as the bars feature eased (aka rounded) edges, which helps to better distribute stretch while allowing you to skip the step of blocking. The basswood is pleasantly soft, splinter-free, and extremely lightweight.

Buy: Frank A. Edmunds Canvas Stretcher Bars $42.09

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Modeling dough is a malleable material meant for tactile, exploratory play. A preferred sculptural material for young children, most doughs are nontoxic and made out of a flour-based mixture that is soft and easy for small hands to shape. Best for temporary creations, modeling dough is meant not to be dried out but to be reused and reformed for hours of play. Our picks below will help you find the best modeling dough for the young ones in your life. 

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Pottery wheels are essential if you’re looking to create a piece that has a consistent, rounded shape. Be it a mug, a vase, a plate, or something more abstract, the spinning wheel allows you to make a symmetrical piece of pottery without fuss. Throwing is certainly a skill to be honed, but a wheel allows for a foot in the door. That said, professionals are certainly looking for a little more power and speed control than a beginner when it comes to choosing the right pottery wheel. Ahead, find portable pottery wheels that are suitable for beginners and well-seasoned potters alike, all ARTNews approved.

ARTnews RECOMMENDS
Brent Models B and C Power Wheels
Dependable, heavy-duty, and user-friendly, Brent wheels are a staple of studios and classrooms. If you can spring for one, make these wheels your first pick—you’ll get a powerful machine that can handle heavy loads of clay. Each features a belt-driven motor, steel legs, and a hardy splash pan. Blick offers the B and C models, whose largest difference is horsepower: the former has a ½ HP motor; the latter, a ¾ HP motor that can turn steadily with more than 200 pounds of clay. Both have a speed of 0 to 240 rpm.

WE ALSO LIKE
Nidec Shimpo VL-Whisper Potter’s Wheel
If you live in an apartment, noise might be a major factor in your decision. Nidec Shimpo boasts what might likely be the most quiet wheel on the market. Built with a beltless and brushless direct drive motor, its mechanisms are electronically controlled through a magnet system; as you work the pedal, you’ll be able to immediately feel the seamless maneuvering of hardware. Capable of centering up to 100 pounds of clay and with a speed range of 0 to 250 rpm, the ½ HP motor has good torque, but some potters might find it limiting. Another great feature of the Shimpo is its legs, which are removable for easy portability and storage and adjustable to accommodate all throwing positions.

STUDENTS’ CHOICE
Speedball Clay Boss Potter’s Wheel
Another wheel equipped with a ½ HP motor, Speedball’s Clay Boss is ideal for hobby potters. This is a relatively budget-friendly wheel—it’s a touch cheaper than our other picks—and is great for home use as it’s pretty quiet. It will accommodate up to 100 pounds of clay; as you approach heavier weights, you’ll notice the motor will slow a little. Still, this is an excellent wheel that moves smoothly and consistently, and whose speed you can control easily, from 0 to 240 rpm.

January 22 – March 27, 2022

February 12 – March 6, 2022