Tag Archives: watercolor 101

How to Draw a Happy Cat – Scrwlrbox opening & #Scrwlrchallenge

This month’s #scrawlrboxopening and #scrawlrchallenge is how to draw a Happy Cat using as many of the materials supplied in this month’s scrawlr box. Scrawler box will send you exciting new art materials to try out every month, so you can experiment with different types of materials and media. You can find out more at http://www.scrawlrbox.co.uk

In this box:
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers
Get them here in the UK: http://amzn.to/2dVL6KW
Get them here in the USA: http://amzn.to/2f62g6a
A wide selection of refillable double–ended markers that boast a broad chisel nib for large area fills and a fine bullet tip for more fine detailed work. The ergonomic, rubber gripped, hexagonal barrel also provides greater comfort whilst colouring,

Staedtler 308 Pigment Liner Pen 0.3
Get them here in the UK: http://amzn.to/2fnOfEE
Get them here in the USA: http://amzn.to/2f63cHo
A quality opaque black flneline pen with a long metal tip, for seamless use with rulers and templates. The pigment ink is indelible, lightfast, waterproof and quick drying, so no smudges.
Zig Brushables Two-Tone Brush Pen
Get them here in the UK: http://amzn.to/2fxvE87
A marker with a clever concept: one end lays down a fully pigmented colour, whilst the other applies a 50% tint of the same colour. Use the light end to work over the dark ink for a smoother, more even blend.
Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencil set
Get it here in the UK: http://amzn.to/2eNh4Z3
Get HB here in the USA: http://amzn.to/2fxwm5m
The Lumograph Pencil is a great choke of pencil for all types of drawing and sketching. The lead is super bonded, which makes it more break resistant, but it is still easy to erase and very easy to sharpen.
Staedtler Mars Rasor Eraser Pencil
Get it here in the UK: http://amzn.to/2fnQ6sX
Get it here in the USA: http://amzn.to/2f61Igz
An eraser pencil for fine point detail erasing, that also has a brush on one end for deaning your page. You can even sharpen it with any good-quality standard pencil sharpener.
Canson Bristol Paper 250gsm
Get it here in the UK: http://amzn.to/2esgXz8
This paper has an extra smooth, strong, clean white, acid-free surface perfect for using with markers.

 

 

Mudder Water Brush Review

I’m always happy to try out water brushes. They are not all the same. Mudder sent me a set to try out for review but they have not paid me to make this video.

There are six brushes in this set, making them very good value. There are three round brushes. the smallest is for very fine detail. I must admit I would like a bigger round brush and wish someone would make a really big round water brush.

However, the size ten of the flat brushes is big! Much bigger that other water brushes I’ve sen or tried great for sweeping washes.
They are well made, come in a sensibly designed pouch and are very comfortable to hold. The water barrels seem much longer that other brands, giving a really nice balance and feel.

They flow well – not too drippy like some and not to dry like others. I’m going to take the with me on vacation and and for the Wigtown Book festival where I will be the official sketchbook artist for 10 days, so I’ll really put them through their paces in a few videos to come.

Overall, I’m really pleased with them so far and think they offer great value

To get your own water brush set please follow these amazon links – I get a small commission to help fund this channel but you pay no extra.

Water brushes hold a supply of water in the handle. of necessity they are made of plastic and can put you off by looking with a bit cheap or just for kids. They are not. They are a different way of painting with watercolour paints.

Traditional brushes load up with a consistent mix of colour which you can paint on the paper until the brush runs dry.

Water brushes have a constant flow of water trickling from the barrel into the brush. This means that the intensity of the colour is always getting thinner. Not a problem – it’s different and you soon get used to it, and soon adapt to use the water flow to new advantages.

Cleaning the brush just involves a light squeeze of the barrel and a gentle dib dab of the brush on some kitchen towel.

When I first saw water brushes, I turned my nose up at them, thinking I would only ever use expensive sable brushes. I hardly use anything else now and have adapted my style accordingly.

One reasonable sized quality sable brush would cost what this whole set costs.

Cleaning is so wonderful that these brushes are excellent for kids. No dirty jam jars, no messy brushes. Just get them out and start painting straight away.

As for sketching outside or “on the run” they are fantastic. You just need brushes and a sketchbook and a small watercolour set and you are way! Have fun! See this video for a cheap starter set of watercolours: https://youtu.be/nGOPk_21CHI

or follow the amazon links below: