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Art Supplies, Books, Videos
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items I've always loved book illustrations, whether for children or those such as found in the Audubon books. Now I'm teaching myself to watercolor, which is different from every other medium I've worked in. Here are some of my favorite items found so far.
Sections
4
Watercolor Supplies
Those Glorious Pencils
Art Books that Teach and Inspire
YouTubers Who Instruct and Motivate
Watercolor Supplies
Essential tools for watercolor
This easel has quickly become one of my favorite purchases. Great for drawing and painting and also great for holding a book open to a picture I'm using for reference.
MEEDEN PRO A3 Tabletop Easel with Clips
After struggling with cheap pan sets, I bought the Winsor & Newton “Cotman” student-grade set. The colors are perfect for the learning period and beyond.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set, 20x5ml
I wanted a brush holder that didn't require fiddling with top and bottom holes, but it didn't seem to exist, so I made one with a block of wood and much sawing, drilling, sanding, & finishing. Only afterward did I find pretty much the same thing ...
Handmade Paint Brush or Pen Pencil Holder Unfinished or Stained Rustic Farmhouse Country Primitive Simple Paintbrush Chunky
I first saw Kuretake Gansai Tambi, Japanese watercolor paints on YouTube and was entranced. I now own the basic collection and can say they're smooth, intense, delicious.
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paint Pans and Sets
They may cost more than craft brushes, but Princeton brushes behave themselves. I currently own two of the basic round brushes, one is the size 12 and the other is size 8. I reach for one or the other consistently.
Princeton Aqua Elite 4850 Round 12 Brush
The other Princeton brush I own is the Neptune size 1 liner. There's absolutely nothing like it for painting the thinnest of lines, be they plant stems, grass, or bonnet strings.
Princeton Neptune 4750 Synthetic Squirrel Script Liner Brush, Size 1
These Meeden brushes are the love of my painting life. Even the fattest brush can be used for a large wash, while its pointed tip can create a delicate line. I couldn't resist and recently bought the full set of 9, giving the duplicates to my son. He...
MEEDEN Watercolor Brushes 4 Pack Set
A lot of watercolorists have switched to using washi tape for masking the borders of their paper. I've used artist's tape that's been around for years, and I can say that washi is better. And fun to look at.
Washi Tape Set 16 Rolls 15mm Wide Cute
I've been using kneaded erasers for decades. There's nothing like them. They pick up pencil without harming the paper and without leaving eraser crumbs. (They're also fun to play with.)
PRISMACOLOR Design Kneaded Eraser 3 Pack
If you use tube paints, you need a palette. I went for the inexpensive Mr. Pen, figuring I'd eventually find something “better.” It turns out this one by Mr. Pen serves me well for a long time.
Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Watercolor Palette
Professionals tout the benefits of Arches paper, but it's expensive. Try Baohong or Meeden 100 % cotton paper--they're the same company and are excellent. Choose the size you prefer and either cold (textured) or hot (smooth) press. I'm currently usin...
Amazon.com : Meeden watercolor paper
If you work with watercolors and don't have a hair dryer handy, you're often waiting for the paint to dry. The heck with your hair--blow dry your painting and get on with it. You need spend only a minimum on this handy tool.
REVLON Travel Hair Dryer 1875W Lightweight
Pigma Micron pens are bestsellers for good reasons: The ink is permanent and quick drying. The nibs (in 10 sizes) remain firm, unlike felt tips, and then pens are inexpensive.
SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Archival Ink
The TWSBI Eco fountain pen has earned the hearts of many sketch artists. It has a large ink tank, is easy to clean, has a choice of nibs (I recommend Fine or Extra Fine), and performs like a champ on various types of paper. Made by a precision engine...
TWSBI ECO T Clear Fountain Pen F nib
Yes, there are less expensive light pads, but this one I can vouch for, having used it for years without a hiccup. Mine is 12" x 17", but you have a choice of sizes.
Artograph LED LightPad
This heavy ceramic washbowl for watercolor brushes has solved the klutz problem: spilling water across a half-done painting. When it's time for fresh water, it's easily dumped in the sink, rinsed, and filled back up. I seem to be in love with all thi...
MEEDEN Paint Brush Wash Bowl
Those Glorious Pencils
It's likely a rare artist who didn't begin with the lowly, yet glorious pencil. I started very young and, in spite of using paint, I still love using pencils, all kinds of pencils.
I love my 4 clutch pencils that hold leads from hard to ultra-soft. They're handy and so easy to us.
Staedtler Mars Technico 780 Lead Holder | BLICK Art Materials
These are the 2 B pencils, but Staedtler has a full range.
STAEDTLER Mars Carbon Lead, 2mm, 2B
This is a great lead pointer, but it has no instructions. Here are two videos showing how simple it actually is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgyFnf2QoqI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlhItTXPf6k
STAEDTLER Mars Rotary 2mm Lead Sharpener
These are inexpensive lead pointers. You get five of them because, being tiny, they're easy to lose. So far, I still have all five.
Portable 2.0 Mini 2mm Leads Sharpeners
I've used General's charcoal pencils almost exclusively forever. They're made exclusively in the U.S., which is a bonus. Visit https://generalpencil.com/ to see their wonderful variety.
General's Charcoal Pencils - Kit of 5
I have one of these pencils but am hankering for all of them. The kit isn't too expensive, so the purchase will be soon.
#59K Primo® Euro Blend™ Charcoal Drawing Set
Prismacolor is probably the most popular of all colored pencils, and with good reason.
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils and Sets | BLICK Art Materials
These are wonderful pastel pencils. Remember, you can blend colors, meaning you don't need the largest set.
STABILO - CarbOthello - Chalk Pastel Pencils
The Tombow Mono pencil eraser has been an absolute godsend for everything from lights in eyes to animal whiskers to erasing tiny errors.
Tombow Mono Zero Eraser, Round 2.3mm
The Afmat erases down to the white of the paper, so expect to easily create all kinds of highlights, reflections, and even snow on tree branches. I love the dickens out of it.
Afmat Rechargeable Electric Eraser
Just a single light spray of Krylon's workable fixative is enough to keep charcoal from drifting all over the place.
Krylon Workable Matte Fixatif
Solve the problem of trying to draw with your favorite pencils that have been sharpened right down to numbs.
YOUSHARES Aluminum Pencil Lengthener 6 Pcs
Art Books that Teach and Inspire
Years ago, I tried to teach myself to watercolor using how-to books. They failed & so did I. YouTube is now my instructor, and the following books kickstart creativity on dull days.
“Animal Art” by Lorna Scobie is only the first of her books I've purchased. It's fun, it's inspiring, and you get to draw and paint directly in the book
Animal Art: 101 Creative Activities Guide
This is the next of Scobie's books I'll be buying. I've told myself I can't buy it until I've completed at least half of the animal art book. Sometimes I listen to myself and sometimes I don't.
365 Days of Art in Nature: Daily Inspiration
For each of the exercises in Leach's book, I've used the same methods but not necessarily the same image. I'm contrary that way. It's an excellent book whether you copy or not, and inspiration is to be had regardless.
Creative Abstract Watercolor: Beginner's Guide
I've owned “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” for years and cherish it because it pushed my drawing skills way beyond those I learned in art school.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, 4th Ed
I don't own this book yet, but I will in the very near future. If you love painting flowers in watercolor, this book takes you through a large variety with instructions for each.
Watercolor the Easy Way Flowers: 50 Tutorials
Drawing or painting directly from nature is impossible when it comes to many animals, plants, and minerals. I rely on my collection of Audubon Field Guides. I've linked to a page where you should be able to find whatever you're interested in.
Amazon.com : Audubon field guides
YouTubers Who Instruct and Motivate
YouTube is filled with artists of all kinds who freely give of their knowledge. This is a list of my favorites wherein you might find some of your own favorites too.
Diane was the first artist on YouTube that I found, and she's still a favorite. She advocates for “loose” painting and for ignoring rules if you so wish. She's also delightful to listen to as she creates in real time, not refilming if she makes an er...
Diane Antone Studio
Harriet de Winton paints from nature, mainly botanicals, using her uniquely delicate style. She describes what she's doing as she does it, helping people learn her specialized techniques.
Harriet de Winton
Gary Frederick is painter with a fine sense of the whimsical. His quirky houses are sure to inspire you to make a few of your own.
Gary Frederick
Michele Webber is an art instructor in “real life,” and she's excellent doing the same on video. Personable, knowledgeable, and filled with tips and tricks that you'll want to subscribe to.
In the Studio with Michele Webber
M. D. Campbell has a lot to say and a lot to show. You never quite know where he's going artistically next, but it's both fun and informative to follow his meanderings.
M.D. Campbell
Mike Sibley is simply put, a very real sort of person, and he's got all kinds of art instruction and tips and ideas to share with you.
Mike Sibley
Helen Wells if filled with enthusiasm and ideas to get you started with your journey into art. She's one of those people you can't help but like.
Helen Wells Artist: Sketchbooks + Art Ideas
I try to never miss any of Toby's videos because what he paints and the things he says inevitably inspire me to get out my pen and watercolors. By giving permission to be wobbly or crooked, he's also giving permission to relax, which is essential no ...
TobySketchLoose - Artist and Urban Sketcher
Niaz Hannan creates scenes that seem to emerge from nowhere, his loose, impressionistic street scenes inspiring you to relax and let the water do its job. You may not be into urban sketching, but watching him paint can help you understand that waterc...
Niaz Hannan Watercolors
Pete is funny, extremely informative, and is a godsend when it comes to reviewing watercolor sets. I love his videos even when I'm not looking for more watercolor supplies.
Illustrations By Pete
I think I've learned more from Leila than from anyone else. She's a superb artist and teacher who explains everything with perfect clarity while her a cat supplies periodic comic relief or background purring.
Leila Ataya - Artist
Stephanie uses her abilities as a former elementary school teacher to help simplify concepts and techniques for the beginning watercolorist. Any number of times, I've reacted with an “Aha!” while watching her.
Studio Of Steph
Steve Mitchell is a professional artist who explains things very clearly. So far, I can't paint anywhere near as well as he does, but oh how I love his watercolors and watching how he creates them.
The Mind of Watercolor
Aaron Blaise was a Disney animator, his expertise being in the realm of animals. All of his videos are excellent, in particular his animal illustration how-to's.
The Art of Aaron Blaise
This traditional-style animation created by Aaron Blaise has been taking the art community by storm, and with good reason. Take 11 minutes and 45 seconds out of your day for it. It'll be the highlight of your day, I promise.
SNOW BEAR - A Hand-Drawn Animated Short Film (4K) by Aaron Blaise