Art Alternatives PRO-GRADE CANVAS & MIXED-MEDIA SURFACES mean more choices for the professional artist and students, as well as crafters, urban artists and mixed media artists. Is it time to “spice up” your surfaces department with 4 new product selections that are sure to excite?   A. MDF Panels AA47000 through AA47014 B. Wood Panels Studio Profile:  AA46000 through AA46019 Gallery Profile:  AA46050 through AA46069 C. Premium Canvas Studio Profile:  AA5309 through AA5328 Gallery Profile:  AA5354 through AA5379 D. Artist Linen Canvas Studio Profile:  AA58300 through AA58310 Gallery Profile:  AA58350 through AA58359 For more information, contact your MacPherson’s Sales Representative.

No matter what you do, changing up your Walter Foster book assortment drives sales. When Foster’s sales team works with you, our art supply retailers, to make display changes, the following month generally produces a 15% or greater sales increase.  The folks at Walter Foster have found that changing a minimum of 10% of the titles twice per year is the ideal way to accomplish this sales growth. Take a look at the attached BOOK SALES ON FIRE information. It could help you and your MacPherson’s sales representative grow your book sales this back-to-school season. For more information, contact your MacPherson’s Sales Representative.

Williamsburg is proud to introduce 13 French Earth Colors from the oldest mine and pigment supplier in France. Adding the new French Earth Colors to the famous Italian Earths line reinforces Williamsburg’s commitment to truly unique color offerings for artists. The 13 new French Earth Colors will expand and provide more depth within the offerings of natural earths coming from regions with historical importance, especially in terms of European art history. They will appeal to painters seeking a broader palette of historical materials; those who want to feel more connected to specific regions and traditions. At the same time, Williamsburg believes the French Earth Colors are attractive to many modern painters who appreciate that natural earths provide a type of texture and physical presence, as well…

Check out the new video on YouTube featuring the Viarco-ArtGraf water soluble carbon disc from Global Art……very cool! httpv://youtu.be/Cb4avnrWPOc

Stillman & Birn is introducing a hard-bound edition of its Beta (white) and Delta (ivory) Series. The paper in these sketch books is 180 lb. (270 gsm), probably the heaviest paper ever offered in a commercially-made hardbound sketch book. Months of research went into the developing the process of folding such heavy weight paper and the result is a unique, multi-media hardbound art journal that opens perfectly flat. The Beta and Delta Series hardbound series will be available in two sizes:  5.5 x 8.5 and 8.5 x 11. This line extension was developed specifically in response to consumer feedback and requests for heavy-weight sketch books in a hard-bound format. Many multi-media artists…

As Back-to-School creeps closer, we’d like to remind you about a very special deal we’re offering on 2 of our best selling BTS items (as well as clarify a few questions about it.)  Through 9/22/12, receive our deepest discount ever on the 23″ x 26” Art Alternatives Tote Board (AA17701) and Strathmore‘s tape-bound  18″ x 24″ Newsprint Pad (SM307-818) when they are purchased together as assortment # AA17711 which contains 30 of each item.  To keep the cost to a minimum so that you can discount them deeply, the pads and tote boards will not ship packed together. Instead they will ship separately in their regular cartons and can be stacked…

The medium of comics has never been more popular, thanks to blockbuster film adaptations of legendary comic book heroes and the staying power of graphic novels on bestseller lists. Pacon’s Comic Sketch book is built for graphic noveling and beginning comic book creation. It offers loads of features – heavyweight drawing paper, stencils to create comic book panels and word balloons, a storage pocket and tips, expressions and classic comic book symbols. All the tools young comic book artists need to enjoy hours of fun creating their own world of imaginary characters. Fashion-focused TV reality shows have created a new generation of aspiring fashion designers. Pacon’s Fashion Sketch Book is tailor made for these young fashionistas.  Custom features include heavyweight drawing paper, dozens of stencils…

Strathmore Artist Papers™ introduces Hardbound Art Journals, offering artists the quality fine art papers they want in hardbound books. “We listened to artist comments in forums, discussion groups, blogs and other social media and discovered unmet needs”, states Sue List, Marketing Manager.  “Our new Hardbound Art Journals give artists the choice of high quality drawing, watercolor, mixed media and toned sketch papers they’ve been searching for in hardbound formats.” Artist-friendly features include a range of popular sizes, a durable Smyth-sewn binding that allows pages to lay flatter, a sophisticated lightly-textured matte cover in dark chocolate, and a color coded, removable packaging band that communicates paper information and leaves behind no residue. The offering is made with 400 Series/Best and 500 Series/Premium quality papers to provide…

At NAMTA this year, the Princeton booth was buzzing with the news of the new Catalyst line of Blades, Wedges, and Polytip™ Bristle. The full range is incorporated in a stunning 48″ retail cabinet that was awarded best POP display at the show. Designed to move more heavy-bodied paint, Catalyst Blades, Wedges, and Brushes offer fresh new way for artists to interact with many creative mediums. The tools, made of heat resistant silicone, can be used with encaustics, oils, acrylics, and even in food crafting. Catalyst Blades are mounted on artist brush handles, offering a blend of tradition and innovation. Catalyst Wedges are ergonomically designed to fit in your hand allowing a direct…

General Pencil is excited to announce 5 new Sketch & Go™ Drawing Kits, just in time for Summer trips and art classes. They are ideal for travel, nature drawing & hikes, drawing on-the-go, observational drawing and more! GENERAL’S® new Sketch & Go™ Kits are created for artists of all levels; from aspiring, beginning, intermediate and advanced artists or those who are just practicing their skills. They contain everything needed to draw anywhere, right now! Artist Pencils, Pencil Travel Bag, Drawing Journal, Artist Eraser, Sharpener, Pencil Point Protectors, and a HOW-TO-DRAW Project & Technique Booklet.  Featuring Step By Step Art Lessons with Artist Sean Dye, such as Draw A Seascape, Lighthouse, Vineyard, Cityscape,…

Strathmore Artist Papers™ announces new Toned Sketch recycled papers, designed to meet consumer demand for toned paper in pad and sketchbook formats that are suitable for sketching with light and dark media. The new line was developed in response to research Strathmore conducted that indicates that while existing toned papers are suitable for pastel paintings and finished art, they are not suitable or practical for sketching, conducting quick studies, experimenting or journaling. Strathmore 400 Series Toned Sketch provides artists with unique sketching and drawing possibilities. Toned paper eliminates a “value” that would otherwise need to be rendered. Artists create shadows and highlights using a range of light and dark drawing. Warm tan and cool gray papers are custom engineered and toned specifically for sketching with light and dark media. Kraft and…

At NAMTA in Orlando this year Gamblin offered a mini-seminar for retailers visiting their booth. Here is the outline of the compelling program they presented: Gamblin has led the industry in developing simple, compelling programs and content retailers can use to build their community of artists and build their sales. Below are some easy things you can do, right now, to build your community and your sales. Building your community | Share content. Save time. You want to talk to artists about more than just special deals, but don’t always have the time to create fresh content every day. No problem. We can help. With just a couple of clicks, you can engage and inspire your painters…and drive foot-traffic…