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  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

Recent Posts

  • Comparison between PVA, Mod Podge and Matte Medium Which Glue is the Best for CollageMod Podge, PVA, or Matte Medium? Here’s How to Choose
    In Techniques
  • Art paperclip created using handmade paper and hand drawn images by Nadine MiltonTired of Boring Paperclips? Make These Instead!
    In Projects, Techniques
  • How to make a perfect laser image transferThe Ultimate Guide to Perfect Image Transfers
    In Projects, Techniques
  • How to use Pan Pastels in an Art Journal Page to display your yearly intention
    Art Journal,  Projects,  Techniques

    Show Your New Years Intention with Pan Pastels

    January 1, 2026 /

    Are you looking to start a creative habit this year? I love January as it’s a time to explore some of the materials in my art room that I haven’t used in a while and play with some new ideas. Today I’m pulling out my Pan Pastels to show you some fun and easy techniques that anyone can do! Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. What are Pan Pastels? I’ve shared about Pan Pastels before, but if you’re not familiar with these cute little pans, they are pastel pigment in a round…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Circle Drawings Tools including Compass Helix Circle and Angle Maker and Helix Circle Ruler

    Choosing the Best Circle Tools for Drawing

    April 29, 2022
    The Ultimate Guide to Coloring Acetate

    The Ultimate Guide for Coloring Acetate

    July 7, 2023
    Creating Mixed Media Tissue Paper

    Creating Mixed Media Tissue Paper

    January 28, 2022
  • The Intuitive Collage Process | How to Get Past a Creative Block
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    The Intuitive Collage Process | How to Get Past a Creative Block

    June 12, 2023 /

    Do you ever use the intuitive collage process to get past creative blocks? If you’ve never heard of intuitive collage or don’t know how it can help you, today I’ll be sharing with you everything you need to know about this process!   Intuitive collage is a great technique for getting the creative juices flowing. It’s a great way to prevent us from overthinking the creative process. So often we get stuck because we are judging our work or feel uncertain about where to go next with our art. The intuitive collage process can help us to let go, be fully immersed in our projects, and let the creative part…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    gel plate printing for beginners

    How to Start Gel Printing with Zero Experience

    May 3, 2025
    GAMENOTE Paint Brush Cleaner and Accessories

    How to Choose the Best Paint Brush Cleaner

    March 17, 2023
    Valentines Art Journal Page

    Valentines Art Journal Page

    February 5, 2021
  • Unique Pan Pastel Techniques with Watermark Ink Peony Project on Black Art Journal
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Unique Techniques using Pan Pastels with Watermark Ink

    April 2, 2023 /

    Looking for ways to create beautiful details with Pan Pastels? Using Pan Pastels with watermark ink is a very simple way to add in interesting textures and details to your Pan Pastel creations. You can use this technique with both black and white paper to create a variety of unique effects. Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. What is Watermark Ink? Watermark ink is a translucent ink used to make watermarks on papers or creative projects. When the ink is stamped onto the surface, it creates a mark slightly darker than the…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Fall Scrapbooking Page using Gelli Prints and Wild Whisper Designs Strength of the Season Ephemera

    Too Many Gelli Prints? A Fall Project for Using Your Prints

    September 10, 2021
    How to use Pan Pastels in an Art Journal Page to display your yearly intention

    Show Your New Years Intention with Pan Pastels

    January 1, 2026
    Mixed Media Magic: Transforming Pumpkins with Decoupage

    Mixed Media Magic: Transforming Pumpkins with Decoupage

    September 16, 2023
  • Beautiful Smudge Free Pan Pastel Christmas Cards
    Projects,  Techniques

    Beautiful Smudge Free Pan Pastel Christmas Cards

    December 2, 2022 /

    Looking for smudge free results with your Pan Pastel Christmas cards? These easy Christmas cards take advantage of the beautiful blends you get with Pan Pastels without the smudging that sometimes occurs with this medium. Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Blending with Pan Pastels I love the beautiful blends that we can get with Pan Pastels. This is what makes Pan Pastels so forgiving and fun to use. If you are new to Pan Pastels, check out my How to Use Pan Pastels video where I walk you through the basics…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    15 Gift Ideas for Artists

    15 Amazing Gift Ideas for Artists and Creatives

    November 3, 2023
    How to Use Gel Prints in Your Art Journal

    Feeling Stuck? How to Use Gel Prints in Your Art Journal Projects

    July 29, 2022

    How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love

    February 27, 2026
  • Neurographic Art Blended with Pan Pastels
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Neurographic Art with Pan Pastels

    March 25, 2022 /

    If you haven’t tried neurographic art, this is a great self-care exercise for your creative practice. I was recently introduced to neurographic art by a subscriber on my YouTube channel and wanted to show you how to do this easy technique using blendable Pan Pastels. Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. If you are new to art journaling or a creative practice, knowing where to start can be half the challenge. The beauty of neurographic art is that you don’t have to have art experience to enjoy this technique. It is…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Detail of Card Live Life in Full Bloom Stamped Card Colored with Distress Crayons

    Quick Coloring Technique Using Distress Crayons

    September 24, 2021
    Finding Creativity Through Art Journaling, Art Journal Books, mixed media books

    Finding Creativity Through Art Journaling

    November 19, 2019
    How to Use Watercolor Backgrounds in an Art Journal Page

    How to Use Watercolor Backgrounds in an Art Journal

    September 2, 2022
  • Stamped Background Used for Greeting Card and Softcover Book using Stampers Anonymous Stamps and Pan Pastels
    Techniques

    Stamped Background for Moving Past a Creative Block

    August 6, 2021 /

    Do you ever sit down to create a project and end up staring at a blank page? We all have moments where we struggle with how to move past the creative block. Today’s project is a stamped background technique that I use when I am struggling with inspiration. Why a Stamped Background? A stamped background is not only fun to make and a great start to a mixed media piece, but is also quick to execute. When the creative block comes, it is important not to stay in it indefinitely. By choosing art tools and materials that cover a blank page quickly, this can help get the creative juices flowing.…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Canvas of Intentions Mixed Media Canvas Class

    Looking for a Creative Start to The New Year?

    January 9, 2025
    Amazing Alcohol Ink Cards Using Hardware Store Foil

    Amazing Alcohol Ink Cards Using Hardware Store Foil

    November 25, 2022
    Restoration During A Holiday

    Restoration During A Holiday

    July 3, 2020
  • How to Blend With Pan Pastels Art Journaling Project
    Art Journal

    How to Blend Pan Pastels: A Journey in Blending and Layering Pastels

    July 23, 2021 /

    Do you ever struggle with how to layer and use Pan Pastels? Today we will be exploring how to blend Pan Pastels using Sofft tools in this art journal project. Learning to Use Art Mediums New art mediums are exciting to learn, but they can sometimes feel difficult to master. It can look so easy when you see a demonstration, but your own experience may be different. Ever new art medium takes time and patience to master. By changing our expectations towards new mediums, and accepting that there will be trial and error, the process of learning can be so much more enjoyable. Blending Pan Pastels Pan Pastels are a…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Objects that Encourage Your Self-Care Practice

    The Mindful Magic of Fountain Pens

    September 4, 2020
    GAMENOTE Paint Brush Cleaner and Accessories

    How to Choose the Best Paint Brush Cleaner

    March 17, 2023
    Struggling with Contrast when Gelli Printing? Here’s How to Fix It

    Struggling with Contrast when Gelli Printing? Here’s How to Fix It

    December 8, 2023
  • Gelli Printing with Die Cuts
    Projects

    Gelli Printing with Die Cuts

    February 26, 2021 /

    Have you ever wondered how to make those lovely Gelli print backgrounds and how to incorporate them into your projects? This week I was playing with combining Gelli printing with die cuts and Pan Pastels and had some fantastic results! Gelli Printing with Die Cuts Gelli printing with die cuts is a great way to combine and duplicate images in your art pieces, cards, and journal pages. I love using die cuts in my prints and then cutting these same images for use as focal images on my page. I find that using a repetitive pattern in my pieces bring cohesion to my art. What to do with Gelli Prints?…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    An Easy Watercolor Tutorial on Watercolor Mixing

    Intimidated by Watercolor Mixing? An Easy Watercolor Tutorial

    February 18, 2022
    Struggling with Contrast when Gelli Printing? Here’s How to Fix It

    Struggling with Contrast when Gelli Printing? Here’s How to Fix It

    December 8, 2023
    5 Napkin Hacks to Make Your Napkin Art Pop!

    5 Easy Hacks to Make Your Napkin Images POP!

    August 23, 2024
  • How to Use Pan Pastels
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    How to use Pan Pastels

    January 1, 2021 /

    Today I wanted to show you how to use Pan Pastels. Pan Pastels are a new addition to my mixed media work, and I have enjoyed using them to enhance my art. If you have never heard of Pan Pastels, these are a fun and versatile medium. So what are Pan Pastels? Pan Pastels are a soft, highly pigmented pastel that is in a pan form. These are not oil based but instead have a chalk-like feel. One of the benefits of using pan pastels is that you can apply color quickly and easily. They blend well, are highly pigmented and are created to produce very little dust. I enjoy…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    How to Create a Wine Bottle Vase Overall Project

    How to Create a Wine Bottle Flower Vase

    May 7, 2021
    gel plate printing with leaves and grasses

    Unique & Easy Gel Printing with Leaves and Grasses

    September 19, 2025
    Canvas Preparation for the Art Curious

    Canvas Preparation for the Art Curious

    March 4, 2022

Nadine Milton

Visual Storyteller & Mixed Media Artist

Welcome to Hop-A-Long Studio! I would love for you to join me in the journey of self-care through artistic expression.

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Recent Posts

  • Comparison between PVA, Mod Podge and Matte Medium Which Glue is the Best for CollageMod Podge, PVA, or Matte Medium? Here’s How to Choose
    In Techniques
  • Art paperclip created using handmade paper and hand drawn images by Nadine MiltonTired of Boring Paperclips? Make These Instead!
    In Projects, Techniques
  • How to make a perfect laser image transferThe Ultimate Guide to Perfect Image Transfers
    In Projects, Techniques
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