MY FAV MATERIALS
Updated: Apr 22, 2021
Many of you have asked me what materials do I use. The list can be long because with time, taking online classes, has helped test, discover and narrow down what I use to my top favorite materials. Today I will talk about my favorite tools when sketching since we have our Emma Goes Gardening Bundle class live - and is my very first class. But will include some other of my top tools I use for other work. I am old school and believe in sketching by hand. In reality any paper, pencil (and sharpener if you use a conventional pencil) and eraser will do; but for me, since I sketch in a small scale, my tools are the following:
FOR SKETCHING -
Moleskine notebooks are ideal because, well first, I thing they are pretty and that make me somehow, treasure them, hence I do not tear any page out. I am very picky and I carry them in a Chic Sparrow notebook journal where I keep 4 “active” sketchbooks. I have also done some of my own sketchbooks that fit my Chic Sparrow journals with graph paper as well as with isometric paper, which is the one I use in my online class.
PENCILS -
I used to use 0.7mm and 0.5mm mechanical pencils. I still have them but rarely use them. Nowadays I and stuck with my 2 0.3mm mechanical pencils. One is a 0.3mm Uniball Mechanical pencil which is light to the hand and affordable. The other one is my baby boy, Rotring 0.3mm - a bit pricier but have to the hand which I love!
For mark making and larger scale sketches I use Blackwig Palomino pencils. They are soft and have a cool bit eraser on its top. Erasers I use any brand that has a fine tip. As long as it is soft, I am happy.
https://blackwing602.com/ https://www.rotring.com/en/
OTHERS MARKERS PENS -
I use Micron pens of different tips. I LOVE these because once what you’ve drawn is dry, you can apply wet media and the line will not bleed For mix media I turn to Staedtler fine point pens. I love these because they are somewhat watersoluble and its effects are awesome!
PAPER -
For watercolor my all time favorite is one that used to be sold at our local art supply store which is a thinner than usual ARCHES hot press paper, but they ran out and I have not been able to find it online - buhu! My pick now is, curiously, cold press ARCHES paper. I have tried many brands and this one is the one that makes me happier with the final results. For some reason I feel colors tend to be brighter on its surface.
WATERCOLOR -
I have, and use my Winsor & Newton artist grade watercolor, but these, Schmincke Horadam Aquarell are my go to 99.9% of the time! Super rich! And yes, they are pricey, as well as the W&N, but I have had them for years and they are still going. They go a very long way!
https://www.rosemaryandco.com/ https://www.schmincke.de/en.html
BRUSHES -
For fine work I use spotters I found online via Rosemary & Co. For my large paintings I use all sorts of brushes since my style is very expressive. And paints, I have some that are artist grade, but mostly I use the intermediate for all the larger pieces and go in with the artist grades for when I am finishing up.