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...
Oh that would be a very big group!!! I’ve never tried Acryla. Is it different from Winsor and Newton? I think it’s easier for me to make things work with mixed media. I challenge you to pick one colour in one neglected material and use it somehow. I’ll do the same!
Ugh. OK. I'll pick oil pastels. Acryla is permanent when dry which I like. I've also found a medium (yet to buy) that is supposed to turn any acrylic paint matt when it dries, like gouache so I might give that a go too. Do Winsor & Newton do acrylic gouache?
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.
Thanks so much Nanette! I have had that watercolour palette for years too but have never used it. I must try it again. Would love to know how you’re making it work. With mixed media?
I really enjoyed reading about your favourite materials. I’m inspired to try some of them, although I do have quite a lot of things to use up first. I keep going back to thick black pens and coloured pencils. I’m trying out some polychromos but I just bought my 6 favourite colours. Finally got myself a concertina sketchbook too but I’m struggling with the urge to save it “for best”.
Thanks Dan. Polychromos are lovely. I have a couple of those and have friends who really love them. Yes I have a sketchbook that I’ve been putting off using! Maybe a theme might help you use it? I made a strawberry picking themed concertina sketchbook last year as I knew I’d be returning there and it helped me justify using it.
That’s a great suggestion. My first two sketches in it are of people going about their day. One lady with dogs in a pram who caught my eye in town, and another of a person watching tv. So I appear to have set my theme. I would like to get quicker at sketching though because people move so fast! I need to not get caught up in detail but still capture a likeness of the person and place.
Wow-eee...what a great list! I've been considering some pan pastels so this may have tipped me over the edge in my decision making!! I like the Neocolour 1 pastels because they layer over each other (but they're not water-soluble like the Neocolour 2). Someone else mentioned Acryla gouache which is so creamy and buttery - looks like a gouache but dries like an acrylic. I also love using some inks like Rohrer & Klingner which gives a good translucent base or wash and Daler-Rowney acrylic inks. My latest obsession though are the Faber Castell Gelatos - I've never used a medium like it. They're creamy and bendable and water soluble but almost look like a pastel once dried. I go through cycles with my art supplies and this post reminded me that I need to pull out my inktense pencils again as they're so lovely. Thank you for another inspiring and engaging post - I really love your work and always feel creatively boosted when I read your articles! Cheers bec
That’s such a lovely thing to say! Thank you Bec. I haven’t tried gelatos but have so many paint sticks that I’ve been avoiding researching them! But I’ve heard great things about them. Hooray for rediscovering Inktense!
This is such a great list! I’m loving pan pastels, I bought just a couple of colors and I adore the way other things layer on top. I really appreciate that you included in your list other things that we may have in our stash!
Oh thank you! I really like PanPastels but they are so expensive and I really should remember to use my soft pastels. Glad the similar to other materials bit was helpful.
A great post, Charlotte! I think I need to set myself a 3-materials challenge because I'm always spending way too much time packing (and not using) a million things at once! I think I feel stressed when I've bought something expensive and am not using it. I like your idea of swapping materials for a shorter period of time--brilliant!
Ahh thanks Claire. Yes it’s the expensive materials that I target for my ‘let’s make it work’ challenges! Always keen to do a materials swap for a week on a Wednesday if you’re around. I’m definitely going to go back to three materials. It really makes you focus on the different marks you can make with them and how they layer.
Loved reading all about your materials, it is so tempting to keep buying more and more! As a newbie illustrator, after many years in Design Industry, I dug out my 30 year old art school Winsor & Newton travel watercolor set, added one gorgeous new brush and a mix of 4 tubes and pans. I cant say that I have been as economical with paper purchases unfortunately, but have now hopefully found what suits me best.
That’s so great to hear. You’re the second person to mention that watercolour set - I really must try using mine again. Taking some tubes too is a great idea.
Ooh lovely read for a Sunday morning Charlotte- when you come to Manchester I’m going to take you to Mr Clark’s shop display shop, it’s like stepping back into the 70’s and he has lots of stickers!
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...
Oh that would be a very big group!!! I’ve never tried Acryla. Is it different from Winsor and Newton? I think it’s easier for me to make things work with mixed media. I challenge you to pick one colour in one neglected material and use it somehow. I’ll do the same!
Ugh. OK. I'll pick oil pastels. Acryla is permanent when dry which I like. I've also found a medium (yet to buy) that is supposed to turn any acrylic paint matt when it dries, like gouache so I might give that a go too. Do Winsor & Newton do acrylic gouache?
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.
Thanks so much Nanette! I have had that watercolour palette for years too but have never used it. I must try it again. Would love to know how you’re making it work. With mixed media?
I really enjoyed reading about your favourite materials. I’m inspired to try some of them, although I do have quite a lot of things to use up first. I keep going back to thick black pens and coloured pencils. I’m trying out some polychromos but I just bought my 6 favourite colours. Finally got myself a concertina sketchbook too but I’m struggling with the urge to save it “for best”.
Thanks Dan. Polychromos are lovely. I have a couple of those and have friends who really love them. Yes I have a sketchbook that I’ve been putting off using! Maybe a theme might help you use it? I made a strawberry picking themed concertina sketchbook last year as I knew I’d be returning there and it helped me justify using it.
That’s a great suggestion. My first two sketches in it are of people going about their day. One lady with dogs in a pram who caught my eye in town, and another of a person watching tv. So I appear to have set my theme. I would like to get quicker at sketching though because people move so fast! I need to not get caught up in detail but still capture a likeness of the person and place.
That’s a great theme! People do move quickly so I draw them quite small or use more than one person as reference if they have similar figure.
Wow-eee...what a great list! I've been considering some pan pastels so this may have tipped me over the edge in my decision making!! I like the Neocolour 1 pastels because they layer over each other (but they're not water-soluble like the Neocolour 2). Someone else mentioned Acryla gouache which is so creamy and buttery - looks like a gouache but dries like an acrylic. I also love using some inks like Rohrer & Klingner which gives a good translucent base or wash and Daler-Rowney acrylic inks. My latest obsession though are the Faber Castell Gelatos - I've never used a medium like it. They're creamy and bendable and water soluble but almost look like a pastel once dried. I go through cycles with my art supplies and this post reminded me that I need to pull out my inktense pencils again as they're so lovely. Thank you for another inspiring and engaging post - I really love your work and always feel creatively boosted when I read your articles! Cheers bec
That’s such a lovely thing to say! Thank you Bec. I haven’t tried gelatos but have so many paint sticks that I’ve been avoiding researching them! But I’ve heard great things about them. Hooray for rediscovering Inktense!
This is such a great list! I’m loving pan pastels, I bought just a couple of colors and I adore the way other things layer on top. I really appreciate that you included in your list other things that we may have in our stash!
Oh thank you! I really like PanPastels but they are so expensive and I really should remember to use my soft pastels. Glad the similar to other materials bit was helpful.
A great post, Charlotte! I think I need to set myself a 3-materials challenge because I'm always spending way too much time packing (and not using) a million things at once! I think I feel stressed when I've bought something expensive and am not using it. I like your idea of swapping materials for a shorter period of time--brilliant!
Ahh thanks Claire. Yes it’s the expensive materials that I target for my ‘let’s make it work’ challenges! Always keen to do a materials swap for a week on a Wednesday if you’re around. I’m definitely going to go back to three materials. It really makes you focus on the different marks you can make with them and how they layer.
Loved reading all about your materials, it is so tempting to keep buying more and more! As a newbie illustrator, after many years in Design Industry, I dug out my 30 year old art school Winsor & Newton travel watercolor set, added one gorgeous new brush and a mix of 4 tubes and pans. I cant say that I have been as economical with paper purchases unfortunately, but have now hopefully found what suits me best.
That’s so great to hear. You’re the second person to mention that watercolour set - I really must try using mine again. Taking some tubes too is a great idea.
Ooh lovely read for a Sunday morning Charlotte- when you come to Manchester I’m going to take you to Mr Clark’s shop display shop, it’s like stepping back into the 70’s and he has lots of stickers!
Thanks Sam. Let’s put a date in the diary very soon!!!!!!!
Great newsletter Charlotte. I haven’t tried inktense pencils, I think I need to treat myself!
Definitely try them out, they are rich and dreamy! I carry a "Sepia Ink" one with me everywhere.
Ooh I wonder if I have that one? Will have a look. Good tip Claire!
Thanks so much Helen! I really like them and used the black one for line in my Folktale week pictures.
Wait. The inktense pencils work on top of neocolor? Now I really need to try them.. thanks for sharing!