PAINTS AND BRUSHES

Christian writes in with the following query:

“Just found your site searching for La Tourette images. I was wondering what materials you use and in what order? I’ve been using a water brush and fountain pen to do some transparent shading on drawings. I also recently tried watercolor pencils but was not impressed. I’m trying to get to the point where I can control the color of things like you do in your work!”

Of course this is an excellent question.  You would think that after nearly two years, I would have offered what watercolor tools I use.  What follows below is what the New York Institute of Technology students bought, so we know this works!

WATERCOLORS
Watercolor sets are inherently cool.  There are three versions that I recommend.  Each of them are small, which allows you to do your drawings just about anywhere.  I have never used watercolors from tubes.   All I know is that these sets are a good value, convenient, and lasts forever.

This link is to Dick Blick’s Windsor and Newton Watercolor Sets page,  where various sets are offered.  Also, I have found the Blick website to be a responsive shopping and buying experience.

-Black Box Half Pan set $82.19.  Item # 00319-2012.

-Watercolor Compact Set for $71.05.  Item # 00319-0009.

-I have owned the Windsor and Newton Field Box Set for decades.  $86.27.  Item # 00319-0004.

BRUSH
All of these sets come with a small travel brush.  The small brush is great, as you can accomplish quite alot with it.  The small brush is especially handy for accents and lines.  However, when I am making my early morning drawings at my desk, I use  pointed round brush.  With the larger brush, I am able to make quick, even and broad tones.  I use the #7 Windsor and Newton Pointed Round.  Link to the Blick Windsor and Newton Watercolor Brush Page.  While just about any brush will work, the #7 brush holds a nice amount of water to get a reasonable tone.  And then with the point of the brush, you can quickly put in accent tones and lines.

PAPER
I use the Moleskine Watercolor sketchbook.  I use the 5 x 8 1/2″ size, item number 10159-1058.  Of course, there are all sorts of watercolor sketchbooks / pads.

PENCILS
-Something soft like a 4B.  For what it’s worth, I have been enjoying the Staedtler Mars and the Prismacolor Ebony.

FELT TIPS
I enjoy using pencils.  There is a great feeling of the lead on the paper that I particularly enjoy.  Felt tips also work great.

-The Sakura Pigma Microns do not run when water is applied to them.

-If you want a more runny look to the lines, the Pentel EnerGels work great.  The drawing at the top of the page was done with this felt tip.

So you might say, gee, this is kind of expensive.  Put together say $80 for the watercolors, then $21 for the brush, then $19 for the sketchbook, and you are at around $120.  All I can say is that each of my watercolor colors (the half pans) lasts I am guessing around 4-6 months.  And that is me using them every single day.  I think any of these or other tools is a great investment.

So that’s my run down of materials and tools.  This is simply what I have become very comfortable with.  You may have other favorites.  You may have some sort of watercolor set that you have not used for years;  if so, get it out and see what it does.  If you have an old pad of watercolor paper, get that out.  Whatever works for you is the right combination.

The key is to draw with the comfort of an old pair of shoes.

In a day or two, I will answer the other half of Christian’s question regarding the general order that I put things to paper.