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Staedtler Pigment Brush Pens with Color Ink: A Brief Review
Since the internet and phone are always paying attention to everything I do sometimes they suggest things they think might be of interest. Typically what is suggested isn’t what I’m interested in at all, because I am interested in what I’m interested in and usually nothing tangentially related. But the other day the internet suggested […]
Planners—It’s Already Time to Plan for Next Year’s Planner
For a decade I used a certain planner which was the right size—and well the right everything else: layout and paper quality. When that company stopped making planners (or datebooks) a friend told me her search led her to Hemlock & Oak and she thought I might like them too. So I checked them out. […]
Neocolor II or KingArt Artist Mixed Media Gel Sticks?
If you’ve been following along this past few weeks you’ll know that I used some “stick” media in my 2026 International Fake Journal Month Journal. And that led to questions, which led to a discussion, which led to me making some videos about Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Water-soluble Wax Pastels (CANII) here. And also this […]
Sketching with Neocolor II Water-soluble Wax Pastels—Doodle of a Chicken
Today’s post is all contained in the video below. In this video I discuss how to transfer a drawing using graphite transfer paper; build up a color sketch from my transferred doodle using Neocolor II water-soluble wax pastels; discuss different ways I use this art material; and provide a lightfastness chart. I’ve come back to […]
Addendum: International Fake Journal Month Supplies 2026
A question about the supplies I used for my 2026 International Fake Journal Month journal in the comments section of a previous post made me realize I had not included the supply photos. They were supposed to be in a separate post before the main fake journal post! (I simply forgot to post that post! […]
A Short Review of Tonic Watercolors from Federal Color
“Why do you do this to yourself Roz?” you may be wondering? Sometimes I wonder too why I feel so compelled to test watercolor brands. I love my Schmincke Pan watercolors and I love my Daniel Smith Tube watercolors. I hope they never change the formula or quality of those paints. But because change happens […]
Kuretake Ai Liner Brush—Sepia Brush Pen
I’ve reviewed the original Kuretake Ai Liner brush with black pigmented ink before on my blog. Recently I saw there is now a sepia version. Who doesn’t like sketching in sepia ink now and then? I ordered up a sepia Kuretake Ai Liner pen from JetPens. (They run around $7.50 and I typically buy enough […]
New York Central Watercolor Paper: Review
In the summer of 2024 I purchased several packages of New York Central Watercolor paper from Jerry’s Artarama. (I’m not connected to them in any way except as a paying customer.) Decades ago New York Central Art Supply (NYCAS) was a store in New York that had been open for over 100 years. They sold […]
One More Look at the Kuretake Ai Liner Ultra Fine Brush Pen
We have been looking at what the Kuretake Ai Liner Ultra Fine Brush Pen (KAL) can do. Here’s a portrait of Matty from “The Great British Baking Show.” (Season 11 Episode 9) This was done with the KAL on Strathmore 500 series Mixed Media paper. This paper has as a slight tooth so fully saturated […]
Kuretake Ai Liner Ultra Fine Brush Pen: Review
I’ve been using the Kuretake Ai Liner Ultra Fine Brush Pen for about a year now. (KAL for the remainder of this post.) I’ve commented glibly, at the end of at least one post carrying artwork made with that tool, that I haven’t made my mind up about the pen. I still haven’t made up […]