This is the Winsor and Newton pad that I have used for most of the challenge drawings. The sticker says it is an A4 case bound sketch book, 160 pages, 100gsm. Before this, and for years, I used to do my portraits on A3 Daler Rowney 130gsm cartridge pads.
Around about 1997, I decided to give up trying to work larger to do smaller drawings more often and came across this lovely little pad. I wanted everything it to be perfect (there, I said it!), to pass on to my children, blah blah blah. Big mistake. Lovely paper though and it has a slightly creamy colour that I used to like for portraits. It's a Daler Rowney, hard cover, 150gsm acid free cartridge paper.
There aren't any really exciting art supply shops here, they tend to stock the same old things every year. A new shop opened a couple of years ago and has quite a good selection although still a bit limited. I really like the Winsor and Newton pad (top photo) but the paper is a bit thin but then this suddenly appeared - now my favourite pad - it's a Winsor and Newton 'Wire-O Sketch Book', 150gsm - almost the same but heavier. The paper is perfect! Give me a soft pencil and I'm in heaven! (Should I seek help?) Oh, nearly forgot -pencils. My favourites have always been the Berol Venus (top picture, right). They are not easy to find so I also use Faber Castells (Catell 9000). The reason I like the Berol Venus pencils is that they have the least amount of grit - really bad for the concentration, having to keep sharpening - and compared to the Rexel Derwents, they are a warmer grey which I prefer for portraits (although that could be a figment of my imagination!) I haven't found any erasers I like better than the Staedtler Mars Plastic (top). I cut them up to make sharp clean points and to take away any unwanted smudges around the edges.
I've included a 6" ruler in the photos to show the size of the drawings. I've beaten myself up for years thinking I should work larger but apart from the fact that this is not natural for me, I think it's unimportant now we can scan and enlarge. (So far, no-one has come to arrest me!)
Anyone still awake? Hello?
8 comments:
Felicity -- that is interesting. I like to work in the same size sketchbook (A4), spiral bound, and hard cover. I usually get the Canson drawing book, but noticed yesterday when I was working in a new one that the paper had a slight "meshy" pattern in it that showed through my pencil. I don't know what the deal is with that, unless they've changed the paper! It may be time to start looking for another book, so it is good to know what you like!
GRAND idea, FElicity! I'll join you -- I'll sketch my small collection of materials and post this weekend ... LOVE how you've shown yours -- it's really FUN to know what other artists are using!
Felicity, I love your sense of humor!
I find your art supplies very interesting and will be looking for them next time I am in the art store. Now if I could just find the same store and buy as much talent as you have :)
I will also join you in showing what I use sometime this week. Right after I go shopping again. I am becoming like the rest of us--buying a journal because there is something I like about it. Then buying another.............
Of course I was awake at the end! That was interesting!
Well, I'm just picking up all kinds of tips from this, thank you! What a great idea to cut the eraser to make it more manageable. I had no idea that you worked so small. It is even more impressive that you are able to get those precise little details in that area - a testimony to your talent, steady hand and good eyes.
lovely to see what you use. I'll try to do the same!
That's so interesting-I love that eraser idea too. I always envisioned those drawings taking up a whole page--it is neat to see the whole page in relation to your drawings!
Very interesting post, really shows the size of your drawings, which I've been curious about
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