Paper & Paint: My current favourite Art materials
Today I thought I’d take you through some of the materials I’ve been using recently.
In no particular order…
Paper
I've used several different brands of cold and hot press paper over the years (the terms cold and hot press refer to the tooth of the paper). Hot press is better for a high level of detail although it’s less absorbent than cold press, so it really depends on what you want to use it for. Recently I've taken to using bristol board with pencil crayon. It's the smoothest surface and great for scanning work (especially book spreads) where the texture of the paper needs to be kept to a minimum. I’ve used both Starthmore and Windsor and Newton pads and both work equally well, although Strathmore has more of a cream tone than the crisp white of W&N. For toned paper I like Strathmore mixed media pad.
Paint & Palettes
I haven't spent a huge amount on paint. My watercolour set is an affordable one from Windsor and Newton. I know the pigment isn't the highest quality but I find it a decent price for the amount I use. I also keep W&N inks and they do the job just fine. For gouache I mix all of my colours from three primary tubes plus black and white. I’d recommend doing this if you’re just starting out, or if you’re wanting to test new materials before splashing out on the more expensive sets. I use Holbein Acryla gouache but I’ve heard positive reviews for both W&N and Caran d’Ache brands, so I’d say do some research and really figure out what type of paint you’re after before you buy. This video helped a lot when I was researching Holbein. The acryla goucahe definitely works more like standard acrylic, but stays liquid enough if you use it on a stay-wet palette. To make mine I lay several sheets of wet kitchen towels in a plastic container, followed by a sheet of tracing paper. This technique allows the paint to stay wet enough to use for several weeks. This video explains the basics of this type of palette.
Brushes
I love Pro ArteProlene Plus for detail as they have a decent point to them. I use Woodpecker for washes as the flat bristles are inexpensive and robust enough to stand the test of time. I also have a dozen of Daler Rowney brushes in various sizes. They’re nothing special but they do the job just fine.
Pencil Crayons
I love building my pencil crayon collection up, so I have quite the mix of brands. I love love Faber-Castell Polychromos and I use these for the bulk of my work. They aren’t too waxy and I’m able to get fine details with them, although I will say that it takes a lot of sharpening to get a thin point. For detail I use Stabilo originals which are a lot more affordable but less pigmented and the lead is not as soft. I also use Caran d'Ache Supracolor II Soft which as the name suggests, have a lovely soft lead, and recently I added some of their Museum Aquarelle pencils to my collection. Both are great for blending with water as well as being highly pigmented on their own. For graphite I stick to Stedtler.
Sketchbooks
I've used a variety of sketchbook brands over the years but I find certain papers haven’t stood the test of time as my style has evolved. I have dozens of Seawhite of Brighton sketchbooks and have used them for many years, but recently I’ve found the paper allows too much bleed for my liking. The paper is a nice cream colour, and I think they’re better suited to sketching than using anything too liquidy. I've also used Pink Pig in the past; their books are spiral bound and pretty easy to get hold of. Moleskine on the other hand is lovely for travel sketchbooks but I sometimes think the price makes me act too precious. (If anyone has any brand recommendations specifically for using pencil crayon let me know!)
Remember that making art doesn’t have to be expensive, there’s a lot of student-friendly brands out there that work well if you’re just starting out. Don’t be afraid to invest in a few tools to help you along the way but remember, art isn’t just about the quality of your materials. It’s about creating the work you want to make and over time, you’ll grow a sense of which materials you like and which ones you don’t.
Happy making!