#004 My Most Used Materials
Favourite materials, always being tempted to buy more and setting up a materials swap with friends.
Hello. I’ve been meaning to make a post about my favourite materials for a while. One thing I’m mindful of is that whenever I read posts like this, I usually feel the need to go out and buy more materials. I’m always convinced that I really need that pastel/pen/crayon and it means that I use my existing materials less which is a waste.
I’m going to talk about my top 10 but will also try to compare them to others that are similar that you might already have.
Here we go. My top 10 materials from the last year and how I’ve used them.
Pilot pintor markers
These remind me of summer. I used them so much in the 3 materials challenge on Instagram (see story highlights on my IG page) as they are brilliant to use on location. I love that they have the matt texture of gouache and the peach one is probably the pen I used the most last year.
Similar to: Posca markers, Liquitex pens
Origami paper
I use this for collage and buy packs of it from Muji. The colours in their packs always inspire vintage colour palettes. The khaki, mustard and peach are my favourite.
Similar to: any coloured paper for collaging. I also buy cheap coloured file dividers which are good value for cutting up.
Tombow brush pens
I like the way they layer and I’ve started to use them to plan how a Riso print might look. I like using the fine liner over a patch of colour made by the brush tip.
Similar to: Ecoline pens, crayola markers /felt-tip pens.
Stickers
I love using stickers for collage and always look for them in the stationery section of any shop. I’ve found great ones in dusty old boxes in post offices.
Stampers
I love buying wooden stampers as it really encourages me to play and see what I can create.
Similar to: foam stampers that you could make yourself out of foam on a cardboard base like those in the picture below:
Studio gouache tin
A new purchase. I’m really enjoying experimenting with the Caran d’Ache studio gouache tin and I really like that it comes with a tube of white gouache which thickens the consistency. You can see the tin in the sketchbook peek picture at the end of this newsletter.
Similar to: a home made gouache tin with paint squeezed from tubes you might have.
Luminance pencils
These are my favourite pencils and probably my favourite material. They are really soft and the colours are beautiful. They are expensive so I buy the colours I really want rather than a pack. Deep sap green is my current favourite.
Similar to: Prismalo, Inktense when used dry.
Inktense pencils
These are great for texture and are very creamy. I like using them on a wet page as they give a lovely feathery line.
Similar to: other watercolour pencils but I haven’t found another water soluable pencil like it yet that is as soft and glides on the page so easily.
Neocolor2
I really like using these crayons on top of Tombow markers or gouache to add texture. They are great to use and can be used with water although I haven’t really used them in that way. Unless I’m using an Inktense pencil on top, I use these last in my drawing as most things won’t layer over them.
Similar to: Stabilo woody pencils, crayons
Soft pastels
I love the texture of soft pastels. I bought individual ones from different brands and then started reading lots of great reviews of PanPastels which come in a pan like an eyeshadow and are much more practical to use on location. I have resisted buying lots as I have so many soft pastels but if you’re new to pastels it might be worth buying a PanPastel and traditional soft pastel and seeing what you prefer.
Using what I have
It’s a really good challenge for me to try to use something I have bought that has been sitting around on my desk. These materials are usually an impulse purchase after seeing someone use them. Sometimes I choose a material like this and challenge myself to make it work. This always makes me be more playful and adventurous with colour.
3 materials challenge
Last summer I joined the 3 materials challenge set up by Kathryn Boyt on Instagram. Every day of the school holidays I drew from life using 3 materials. The limitation made me be much more creative. I really had to think about the balance of tone, wet and dry materials and textures. Occasionally I broke the rules and added a couple more materials when my drawing really needed it. It felt like such a luxury! I was really pleased with the drawings I did last summer as I felt I was learning a lot with each drawing. You can see them in my Instagram story highlights.
Materials swap
I like the idea of swapping materials I don’t use but I also think that there’s potential for every material and one day I may find a way to use it. It’s the feeling of not wanting to throw something away in case you might need it. So an idea I’ve had is to lend a set of materials to a friend for a week. It’s early days. I’ve swapped inks with Naomi Tipping and am still working on using them in a way that I like.
Subscribers’ sketchbook peek
Painting on the train with my studio gouache tin and water in a brush pen.
A picture book I love
I love this book by Suzy Lee about a girl on the beach. With each page turn, the tide comes in.
Thanks for reading. What’s your top material? Are there any that you have that you’ve never used? I’d love to hear and it might inspire me to try using them!
Speak soon,
Charlotte
Ugh I have an entire ROOM of things I've bought and haven't gotten into. The materials you mention are ones I love too, although I'd add I have Acryla gouache in handfuls too which is a big love of mine. I packed up the things I never used to give away, but... y'know... what IF that becomes my favourite material one day? *rolls eyes* yeah, so maybe there's an Artist Anonymous group we could set up - hello, my name is Debbie and I'm addicted to art materials...
Thank you for this thoughtful post Charlotte. I love that you included similar materials, it can be so easy to get swept up in other people’s recommendations!
I’ve recently fallen in love with a small Windsor and Newton travel watercolour palette used with a brush pen full of water. It was given to me second hand and it’s been in my desk drawer for about a decade! I can’t believe I overlooked it so long! You are so right about exploring materials you already have.