Saturday, September 18, 2010

A Few of My Favorite Things

When  I  was  reading  the  comments  from  my  giveaway  post (directly  below  this  one,  if  you  haven't  entered  your  name  yet),  Sue  from  Scribble-n-Paint  had  asked  me  to  post  photos  of  the  pitt  pens  and  neocolor  crayons  that  I  like  to  use.  So  I  decided  to  show  you  some  other  supplies  that  I  have  that  I  would  want  with  me  if  I  happened  to  be  deserted  on   an  island.   Keep  in  my  mind--these  are  my  favorites--but  there are  many  many  more  that  I  have  and  use.

So  I'll  start  with  the  pitt  pens  and  Caran d'Ache  neocolor  crayons--

I  also  want  to  mention  that  everything  that  I  show  you here,  I  purchased  from  Dick  Blick  online--they  really  do  have  the  best  prices--even  better  than  their  own  store.  I  compared  prices  when  I  was there,  and  it's  cheaper  to order  online  even  with  the shipping.   The  crayons  I  usually  order  individually--there  are SO  many  colors  to  choose  from,   and  they  come  in  the  soluble  and  non-soluble.  I  love  these.  When  you  combine  the  non-soluble  crayons  with   acrylics  you  get  such  a  cool  effect.

And  these  are  the  Faber-Castell  brush  tip  pitt pens--I'm  telling you--every  color  of  the  rainbow  and  then  some.  These  are  permanent  when  dry,  but  I  like  them  because  they'll   smudge with  your  finger  or wet  brush  when  you  first  apply them,  which  I  like.  I  don't  like  a  clean  line  when  I  outline--I  like  that  imperfect  look,  but  if  you  like  the clean  line,  then  they're  great  for  that  too.



These  are  the  prisma  pencils--I  have  to  admit  that  I  don't  use  these  that  much.  This  is  how  I  first  learned  to  color  faces  from  my  Suzi  Blu  class,  and  the  way  I  like  to  use  them  is  by using  many  LIGHT  layers of them, which   takes  time (something  that  I  don't  have  right  now),  but  I'm  planning  on  playing  with  them  when  I  DO  have  the  time.  And  also,  do  you  see that  brush  in  with  them?  Well  that's  a  Loew-Cornell scrub  brush.  I  found  it  in  the  fabric  paint  dept.  at  Michael's.  When  you  dry  brush  over  your  colored  pencil  art--it  gives   a  very  soft  effect  to  the  piece--try  it--you'll see what  I  mean.
The  one  thing  that  I've  had  a  problem  with  concerning  these  pencils,  is  that  I  can  never  get  them  sharp  enough  without  breaking  them--but  no  more--  thanks  to  Katherine  from  Sleep  and  Her  Sisters.  She  showed  this  sharpener  on  her  blog--


It  really  works!!  It  opens  in  the  middle,  and  it  has  a  universal  sharpener (big  and  small  hole)  on  the  bottom  part,  and  the  top  part  has  a  color  grip  sharpener,  and  that's  the  one  that  I  use  for  the prisma  pencils--works  like  a  charm!

And  here  are  my  absolute  favorite  paints--

I  know,  I  know--the  Golden  paints  are expensive-and  worth  every  penny.  You  really don't  need  a lot  of  colors   though--you  can  mix  them  to  make  your  own   unique  color  palette.  I  get  a  few  at  a  time,  because  they  last  forever.  The  fluid  acrylics  are  my  favorite.  And  of  course  there  are  the  metallic  paints  there  too--wonderful!
Some  of  the  mediums  that  I  like  to  use--



and  some  tools  other  than  paintbrushes--my  latest  discovery--the  woodless graphite  pencil  blended  with  a  paper stump--LOVE  it!!  I use an 8B pencil--it's very dark, almost like charcoal, but not as messy.

And  I  never  make  art  without  some  kind  of  paper  involved--anywhere  from  my  own  painted  papers,  handmade   speciality  papers,  ephemera,   old   book   pages  and  sheet  music,  and  without  a  doubt--scrapbook  paper.  This  is  my  latest  purchase  from  Scrapbook.com--Graphic  45  Steampunk  Debutante  paper pad--I  know  this  post  is  long,  but  I'm  so  excited  about  these  papers.  I'll   just  show  you  some  of  the  pages,  and  I'll  shut up.


And  they're  double--sided  too--just  to  add  to  the  confusion,  and  the  last  2  pages  have  these  die-cut  punch  out  tags  and  images--
These  are  all  so  gorgeous  I  don't  even  want  to  use  them--I  just  like  to  look  at  them...but  I  have  some  ideas  going  around  in  my  head..... 

So  sorry  this post  was  so long--but  when  I  get  going  about  art  supplies,  I  just  can't  stop.  So  you  might  want  to  think  twice  when  you  ask  me  to  show  you  something  ; )  (but  ask  anyway!!!)

42 comments:

rachel awes said...

what a delicious array
of art toys!
can i swing by
& make a tray of
rice krispy bars
& just touch all these
& DANCE?!
xox

Brigitte aka Scrappassie said...

Thank you for sharing your tools ! I must try those Golden Fluids ... I use Galeria acrylics, and sometimes I think they are a bit too thick. Maybe I just buy one bottle of the Golden, and compare ;-) Love the neocolors too ! And scrapbookpapers, o well, they can be very addictive ;-) Have a wonderful weekend.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

This is so informative. As someone who couldn't draw anything recognizable, I don't often have need for the pencils. I've seen the crayons, but never bought any. I know I must do so one of these days, though.

After discovering the fluid acrylics, I want to give my other paints away. I agree they are the best.

Of course, I'm not a scrapbooker and usually make my own backgrounds. In fact, I started playing with background designs after seeing a few Basic Grey papers. I simply refused to buy paper that I could emulate. Then I saw Graphic 45 paper and fell madly in love with their designs, papers, and tags. They have a look, no matter what group it's from, that can't be duplicated. Thanks for sharing your favs today.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow. I can move in with you and play with your stuff, right? ☺☺

I love the Golden fluid acylics too and I have had the four bottles I currently own for about six months. They seem to last forever!

Thank you for your wonderful and supportive comments on my blog - they mean everything! ♥

Sue J said...

Thank you so much, Diane. It's so much easier when you have some idea of what to look for. I really want to have a go at making something using that little mermaid I did. I think I'll have to start by making some papers. You are so generous to share your knowledge with us. Thank you again :)

Buffy said...

Ok the good news is I have almost everything. I thought I was going to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff. The only thing I didnt have was the new graphic 45 paper and those pitt pens, well I have the black pitt pen. I love it,its my favorite pen to journal with,oh and I don't have that pencil sharpener,I seen it but just never got it.Off to go and look for that grapic 45 paper. Thanks for sharing.

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Never apologize for long posts about favorite art supplies!!!!! I LOVE this. Thank you for sharing and for teaching. It's always best to hear about great products from artists who really use and love them. I really appreciate your tips and techniques given. Enjoy your weekend, Kathy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

This is one of my favorite posts...when an artist shares their favorite art supplies! I'll make a list! Thanks! ♥ I'm a wanna be artist! ♥

Sharon Tomlinson said...

I enjoyed this post so much. And you have some stuff that I don't but I will just prance right over to Mr. Blick's and get some of the pitt pens and that sharpener.
I only have the soluble neocolors (and love them) but you mentioned the use of the non-soluble with acrylics. Sounds interesting, I use the soluble that way and I'm wondering how it is different. Thanks

Janet Ghio said...

Oh I really like that sharpener. I have just a little plastic one and the the pencils break! thanks for showing some of the steampunk papers--I look at those tablets on line and they only show small swatches, so you don't really know what you will get! My new favorite tool is a crop a dile. You probably know about this, but it was new to me.

Debby said...

I love all your yummy supplies!!! Gotta love golden products and arent the Graphic papers awesome?
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Debby

Caterina Giglio said...

i love that sharpener and use pitt pens too, been using prismas forever and I agree about fluid acrylics, have you tried golden open paints?

Isabel said...

Love the tools you use and I will have to try the sharpener bc Im having the same problem, oooo and the papers are wonderful!! Beautiful to look at:O) Thanks for inspiring and sharing:O)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your supplies. I love to see what others are using because it helps me decide what to buy and what not to buy. Keep the posts long and informational when it comes to supplies. The more info the better.

Cathy Bueti said...

Great post Diane! Thanks for sharing these! I have black pitt artist pens that I like for outlining but I may have to get some colors! I had no idea they had those. I am mostly shopping in Michaels where they have limited stuff. And I have heard about these crayons....May have to try those too! lol

So much to learn! This was great! :)

Kelly Berkey said...

love that you are so open to share, diane. i'm drooling!

GlorV1 said...

Great post Diane! I do have to say I have 99% of these items and I too love the products very much. I just went out and got the graphite pencil and I really like it a lot. I love your stuff too and the books with the pages, I have about 6 of them and just haven't decided what to do. Oh you excited me and now I have to go start on #37. Thanks for such a great post.

Dorthe said...

Diane, what a wonderfull bunch of great and fantastic art supplyes you have shown here, I loved reading and looking, on it all. I tryed to go to scrapbooking.com -registrered -and wanted to buy, but they keep on telling me ,my account dont match any mail account--well I will try tomorrow aagin., I doo believe they send worldwide ?
Anyway thanks for the adress ,it is a great place,where to use time and money.
Hugs,Dorthe

kluless said...

No appologies needed - this was a great post! I was especially happy to hear about the sharpener since I have the same problem, I always break the tip. At the risk of asking you to show something else (your words, not mine - LOL!) I would love to see how you store your pens. I always here they should be stored flat but so far I haven't come up with a solution I really like. Thanks for sharing with us!

Createology said...

Oh Diane this is a wonderful post filled with lots of information and for me very helpful since I am not the "painting artist" type. I love seeing your supplies that help you make your beautiful art. I wonder if I buy these...if I could draw or paint...hmmm...

WrightStuff said...

What a treasure trove and thanks for sharing that sharpener! I had the same trouble with my prisma colours. I use a scalpel to sharpen them now which works much better - but this looks less likely to chop my finger off so may well be a very wise investment!!

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Oh, I really loved seeing your art stash. Thanks for sharing all the goodies you use to create your amazing works of art! :) Theresa

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing these!!! Fun, fun!!!

Dianne said...

I love how you mix all those different medias... Your art is amazing... I'm still trying to get courageous enough try all the wonderful supplies out there!

Jeanne Nelson said...

Great post, Diane, with so many awesome supply ideas. And I LOVE the Graphics 45 paper and tags ~~ awesome!

Lynn Cohen said...

WEll I had fun exploring your tools with you...some I would know how to use, other's not. Would learn. Now show what you make using them!!!

Gaby Bee said...

I too love golden products and all your wonderful stuff.

Thanks for entering my giveaway!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Gaby xo

Rebecca Anthony said...

Wow Diane, these photo are simply delicious. Art supplies are golden treasures and what a beautiful collection you have shown us here(O:

Martha Lever said...

Oh how I love seeing all the favorite things you use. I have the woodless graphite pencil but haven't figured out what to do with it. I will pick it up again and see if I can find that out. Love those papers too! I have the last one with the punch outs. Love it! Thanks for posting this!

Carrie Joy Byrnes said...

Oh wow this is great ...so much wonderful info and a feast for the eyes too! You are awesome!!!

iHanna said...

Haha, no art supplie post can be too long if you ask me. I like about the same things as you do, acrylic paints and caran d'arche crayons - yum! thanks for sharing.

Serena Lewis said...

I don't know if Golden paints are available in Australia....have never seen them in the art shops so I make do with other brands which I like. Your art supplies are cool!

Marlynn said...

Hidy Ho, Diane - Loved your post. You know, Graphic 45 is evil, very evil, I love every single page of their paper! Love the penicl sharpner. I'm always breaking my points also. Thanks for the hint about the brush in the fabric paint section of Michaels. Hugs,

sharon said...

I love my neo crayons too! Thank you for sharing all of this Diane!! It is your talent that creates those wonderful pieces you make!

Unknown said...

I am like you Diane, I use all of the stuff you do and when I pack for Spain all of the above come with me...

As for papers I have to buy 2 of whatever one I choose so that I can keep one to look at and use the other (find it easier to use them if I do that!) otherwise they get kept for "best"

wandamarie.blogspot.com said...

this is such a great post...i LOVE LOVE my lumiere paints too, Diane. i even dyed cheese cloth to make curtains out of it...it's the coolest, but this is the first time i've heard anyone mention them. i hope i never have to be on a deserted island and have to choose ANYTHING, omg. i ask my after school kids this question, a lot...my answer is bananas if it were only one thing to bring, i figured i could hone something to fish with and the bananas would keep up a good protein and potassium level for the strength to do all the other tasks at hand...including PAINT! xo

Melissa said...

Love Graphic 45 paper too! These Steampunk ones are great.
Smiles-
Melissa

Carla (Color Heals Me) said...

Great post! I am addicted to art supplies!! I could read about them all day. This post was not too long! Tell us more! Anyway, thanks. I also love the golden fluids in addition to those I have found that mixing there glazing fluid with the cheaper acrylics available at craft stores helps them spread smoothly and not dry as fast so you can work with them better. Also, this gives the paint a sheer quality I like.

Deb Harvey said...

WOW! I love art supplies and you have some great ones that I haven't tried! I think I'll be going to Dick Blick's site soon! Thank you, so much for sharing!

Lovey said...

Great idea for a post! I think I will do the same..heehee...awesome toys and goodies! Thanks for your comment too!

Becca said...

Thanks Diane! I love all this information! Your work is so inspiring to me, so I've been looking around at some of your older posts..thank you!

Unknown said...

Thank you, thank you! I was looking for a pencil sharpner that can handle everything. Especially my charcoal and Inktense pencils with out breaking the lead. Don't know why more people don't use Golden paint. It lasts forever. I mean years. It's much cheaper than anything else I've used, including craft paint. That stuff starts drying as soon as you open it. :) thanks again for the Faber-Castell shapener info!

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