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In Context: Last Year I Watched a Lot of Cooking Shows
This is Paul—a contestant on the Great British Baking Show Holiday Edition, season not noted down. Yep, the woman who takes notes on everything relaxed her standards last year. Didn’t seem to be any point, I was watching so many cooking shows. I couldn’t get out because I couldn’t drive (post-cataract vision effects). I […]
In Context: Downsizing My Book Collection
If you click on today’s image you’ll be able to read the text, but depending on your screen size it may be difficult so I’ve transcribed it here, a little “in context leisure reading” for today. (Brush pen warm ups in a Hahnemühle Travel Journal.) My musing ended as you see it, with no conclusions. […]
Draw the Same Person Over and Over, Especially if He Makes You Laugh
I’ve been thinking a lot about humor lately, and the need for it in daily life. I try to get as much humor in my life as possible. Sometimes the only way it is possible is to find it on TV. Everyone knows I love improv. I watch and rewatch episodes of “Whose Line Is […]
Review: New Toned Watercolor Paper Sketchbooks From Hahnemühle
Spoiler Alert, I really enjoyed working on this paper. If that’s all you need to know I understand that Wet Paint has received a shipment. Contact them to purchase a book. (I’m going to go buy my copies at curbside tomorrow! Call them at 651-698-6431 and they’ll explain all that to you.) In the video […]
Accepting Changes in Your Process
I’ve written quite a bit about accepting changes in your process throughout the 11 years of this blog. It is a common theme in my teaching. One of the things that seems to hang students up the most is the notion that there must be one “right” way to do something. I’m constantly telling crop […]
Review: Stencil Revolution Stencils
Today’s post is a video review of Stencil Revolution’s stencils. If the above video doesn’t show up in the post please use this direct link. Months ago they contacted me to test and review their stencils. Unfortunately I was out of the studio longer than anticipated after cataract surgery. Photographer Tom Nelson shot the overhead […]
I Test the Ultra-fine Tipped Pentel Artists Brush Sign Pen
This ultra-fine brush tipped pen from Pentel—I don’t know what it’s called…The barrel reads: “Brush Sign Pen Artist.” It’s one of their Sign Pens in that it has dye-based, fugitive, water-soluble ink, but unlike their other “sign pen” it doesn’t have a solid fiber tip—it has an ultra thin, ultra fine, brush with individual […]
I Test the COLOR Ink Tombow Fudensuke Pens
In November an email blast from Jet Pens mentioned Tombow Fudenosuke pens were available in COLORS!!!! I ordered a set of 10 (which includes a black—you can see the list of colors on my test page at the right. Click on the image and you can cycle through enlargements.) I’ve done several sketches […]
Review: Clairefontaine Watercolor Sketchbook
Background on the Testing of This Sketchbook Earlier this year a Clairfontaine representative wrote and asked if I would like to test one of their new watercolor sketchbooks. Typically I buy all materials that I test and review on my website. This time, because I use many Clairfontaine notebooks and love them all I […]
Different Watercolor Papers Take Paint Differently
Different watercolor papers take paint differently. The higher the quality of the paper the better the fibers and sizing used to make it will interact with your paints (which need also to be quality artist paints). If you’re having an issue, like the one I was on this spread (read my handwritten comments), and on […]