Offering kids endless creativity, Strathmore® Artist Papers™ announces the introduction of new Art Journal Kits designed especially for kids. The program is another example of Strathmore’s commitment to develop innovative new products that help grow the market and create in-store news and excitement for retailers. Market research shows that “artists are clamoring for high-quality, creative products for all kinds of artwork”, and that “kids’ art supplies” are a “growth category” for retailers.* The Strathmore® Art Journal Kit is a place where kids can explore their creativity, learn fun drawing and collage techniques and use artist quality materials. Heavy duty covers in fun colors have a durable, matte finish to encourage young artists to personalize their journals.  Project pages offer easy-to-follow instructions and inspiring artwork and ideas. Gorgeous handmade decorative papers…

Black canvas is hot and it’s hitting the MacPherson’s warehouses now!  Reno and Elgin have both received their orders and have begun shipping.  Atlanta’s inventory is scheduled to arrive late next week and the line will be featured in the October What’s New, posting Wed., Oct 5th. Til then, you can download the sell sheet below. Don’t miss out on the special promotional pricing during the launch period now through the end of November! Made with the same natural, unbleached medium-weight 100% cotton duck and kiln-dried stretcher bars as our Studio and Gallery canvases; the surface is primed with acid-free black acrylic gesso, providing a dark rich background for traditional paints and techniques…

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has a new exhibition up chronicling the the Restoration of Van Gogh’s “The Bedroom” using Gamblin materials. Painted in Arles, it is one of the paintings Van Gogh was most proud of and among the most beloved of his works. The Van Gogh Museum says: “Old gaps in the painting, caused mainly by water damage in Van Gogh’s studio, were carefully repaired using stable materials…The colours have gained a new intensity and the painting looks much clearer. It is now a much better reflection of the artist’s original intentions and can once more be admired by the public.” Check out the timelapse video of…

Prismacolor will launch 18 additional colors in early November of 2011. Once the colors launch fine art dealers will be able to offer their customers a total of 150 colors in the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil line! These colors were selected based upon specific feedback received by Prismacolor from artists throughout the United States concerning gaps in Prismacolor color offering. It is critical that Prismacolor research color trends in order to ensure that the fine art dealer can offer their customers a large, relevant color range of professional grade colored pencils. Prismacolor just concluded an Artist Advisory Council event and will share findings from that event in future editions of…

Recently Letraset AquaMarkers have been getting excellent reviews on the Craft Critique website! Read the entire review here: Craftcritique AquaMarker They love the super reasonable price point, the blendability, the twin tips, and the portability of the sets packaging.  They also made a great “How-To” video available on Youtube: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JjAOLBIThY One complaint they do have is that the AquaMarkers are not easy to find – so that means retailers are going to want to get ahead on this one and stock this product that is quickly gaining consumer demand!  Get on board with this hot product now while it’s on What’s New promotion for 60% off the assortment! Click here for the AquaMarker Deal…