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Art, Materials, Create! Part Two. 2018.8.

Following on from last week’s post here on Art Kits and more today’s post is photo-heavy and words added to help with both description of how I use the materials and what I make. Suppliers I have used are listed at the end of the post with links to their websites.

What I use to ‘make my marks’.

: Unipin Pens & another marker. My most used items.

: Prisma coloured pencils. Other good brands: Derwent, Faber Castell.

: Gel-type pens. White ones are used on black. Signo brand.

: Two ends: brush & chisel: Copic Ciao Markers

: Water colours in sets. Good quality paintbrushes.

: Different sized markers: chisel & point.

: Zig Paint Pens. Expensive but I love using these!

: Water-soluble crayons: Neocolours 11. Water brush brings colours to bright!

: Pencils which react to water for effects: Derwent Inktense & Watercolours

Did that ‘whet your appetite?’

Let me tell you it has taken quite a lot of money AND time to make the collection I now have. I have purchased small quantities first (cost effective too) and then seen how much I like using them and to what effect. Neocolour 11 crayons were in that category. I now have a large collection but started in 2013 with 10. Copic pens are ace and they come in sets at Officeworks or you can buy singly from some supplier below. Zig Paint Pens are awesome. BUT very expensive initially. However, I got a set first to see how they worked for me and then added as years went by. I am never without my black unipin markers and they are at Officeworks too. More and more, Officeworks (not sponsored!!) is building a decent supply of artist* materials.

*Artist?

Well. here is what I have learned. As adults we need to see ourselves as artists and use materials for artists. Not ‘student’ and that is because you will become frustrated with the poor quality of materials over time. It is WORTH spending more as the artist quality materials last well.

Painting:

Yes I do a lot of this with two brands of paint and types. I have watercolours and gouache. I use artist-brands: Winsor and Newton and Caran D’Arche. Gouache is a more dense version of watercolour. I use the best brushes I can afford and places like Riot Art and Eckersleys can advise you.

Some More:

: Washi tape is fun!

: Washi tape, marker and zigs in my book.

: 5 different sizes of art books. Most from Officeworks.

: White on Black. Unipin pen.

: Start of some art in watercolour. Added marker design later.

: End product: mandala. Zig pens. A3 size.

: Start of art! Large circles & paint.

: Black paper books for white & gel pen art.

Now…if you want to know more, of course ask me in the comments.

I am happy to do more posts later in the year but would also love to know what you are up to if art has become part of your life. Lots of colouring books are available in so many shops that you are spoiled for choice and cost. Big W has quite a range. The only rider for me is beware of books which have a pattern on the back of another as some markers will go through. Another thing I do too is place a piece of A4 paper behind the work I am doing with a marker.

The A3 and A4 and A5 art books I used have at least a GSM (thickness) of 110 or more. Anything less can tear easily and paint/materials may go through. Oh and if you are using any gelly-type pens (and the real ones Gellyrolls if you can afford them) make sure you let them dry before closing your page.

Websites to explore: I have used products from all of these.

https://www.artscene.com.au/

https://www.craftonline.com.au/

https://www.mangaarts.com.au/home/

https://www.officeworks.com.au/

http://riotstores.com.au/

https://www.eckersleys.com.au/

https://www.luluart.com.au/

REMEMBER to have FUN. It is about the process NOT the product!