Oil painting without solvents is not a compromise — it is a genuine development in artists' materials. Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oils use the same quality pigments as traditional oils in a modified binder that thins, blends, and cleans up with water. The painting experience is substantially the same: slow drying, rich blendability, the fat over lean principle, the full range of oil techniques. In this complete guide we cover the full 40-colour Artisan range (37ml tubes at £7.35), the Artisan Linseed and Safflower Oil mediums, varnishes, the fat over lean principle, drying times, and the Water Mixable Oils book at £14.99. All stocked at Craft and Canvas.

Crochet is one of the most accessible craft skills you can learn — one hook, one ball of yarn, and a simple sequence of hand movements. In this complete beginner's guide we cover the KnitPro Zing hooks we stock from £2.95, which yarn suits beginners best (Stylecraft Special DK or Rico Organic Cotton), the four essential stitches from foundation chain through treble crochet, the UK/US terminology difference that confuses almost every beginner, how to read a crochet pattern, why the granny square is the best starting point, and the beginner crochet books we stock from £9.99 including You Will Be Able to Crochet by the End of This Book at £19.99.

Artgraf Graphite Putty is compressed water-soluble graphite you mould with your fingers — shape it broad for sweeping tonal areas, roll it fine for controlled marks, or dissolve it in water for fluid graphite washes with a characteristic silver shimmer when dry. Made by Viarco in Portugal since 1907, it is a genuinely unusual drawing material that suits tonal portraiture, expressive landscape work, mixed media, and any artist interested in what graphite can do beyond a pencil. £12.75 at Craft and Canvas, Hebden Bridge.