Monday, March 14, 2011

Power Tools

Watercolour on 300gsm Bockingford Rough


As watercolour artists, we know that good tools can make the job a lot easier. Brushes that have a bad case of mange and moult all over your work are one of my pet hates. Paper too, can provide battles you never envisaged. It wasn't until I did a stint in an art supply super store did I realise just how nasty the "cheap" stuff can be. All the short cuts they take to make products "look" like the quality items, only to get them home and they are major disappoinments. Usually after hours of time and effort have been lost to them.

So I made the decision that I will save a little longer and only buy the proven tools of my trade. Making a living from illustration and art is already hard enough!

So even though top rate tools won't paint a picture by themselves, they will make the job so much easier, and a lot more fun!

11 comments:

Leen Christens said...

I am totally amazed by the details in this painting and I can relate to your post!! :) Wonderful and excellent work!

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Amazing and awesome!!! Wow look at all that fabulous detail. Great watercolor. You got it down. Great work.

June said...

Amazingly detailed painting. I actually like working on Bockingford NOT watercolour paper despite many people referring to it as a 'student grade' paper! I can't get quality Arches paper to work well for me, so I suppose everyone has different needs, likes and dislikes with their materials.

Artoholic said...

Thanks guys!

Nothing wrong with student grade if it's a reputable brand. It's the "Artist's Quality" knock-offs that are the worry!

Let me clarify with my own experience where even the packaging is made to look almost exactly the known brands. I will go so far as to say that the company in question took the packaging overseas to the cheap manufacturer to copy.....

Unknown said...

Main activities MAKITA Tools India Pvt. LTD. is to do business as a wholesaler and parts and accessories for our end users.

Unknown said...

So true! Years ago one of my teachers told us, 'You are only as good as your tools!' I really appreciate the detail and skill you rendered this illustration in. Great work.

Sophie said...

Amazing realistic painting! Beautiful!

Unknown said...

Really useful tools for painters.Some brushes will leave an evidence trail of markings where they have been. Fan Brushes are used for various things like for painting fur, grass or to produce foliage.
PPI

ezgikelesillustration said...

perfect!!

Linda Kay said...

beautiful painting! nice perspective too

Kathy Jurek said...

Beautiful illustration. I have several cups filled with brushes and I only use about 4 on a regular basis! :)