Tools of the Trade

Not an particularly groundbreaking post but this sums up my particular art supplies and experiences.

• Acrylic paint is easier to clean than oils and paints like a watercolor or an oil depending on the amount of water or additives. There isn’t much time to blend but that’s what layers and foresight are for. The watercolor brushes I use with acrylics might be screaming in agony but they get they hold more paint! When painting on metal, I’ll throw down a layer of Rustoleum and carry on normally. Someday I’ll find out that that was the worst possible way to go.
• I use watercolors as loose shading or a background in combination with a drawing because I am not patient or learned enough to be detailed with watercolors on a regular basis.

• Mechanical pencils will always hold a special place in my heart because I don’t have to sharpen them and they already have an eraser attached. Someday I’ll appreciate the value of graded pencils and a kneaded eraser. Today is not that day.
• Charcoal or pastels are great for capturing the big picture rather than details, good for quick drawings or expressive moods. Plus they are a little messy which is the perfect condition for happy accidents.
• Colored pencils are like painting with a brush that takes up more time and effort. However, the results of colored pencils on dark paper are usually impressive. They work great in combination with pastels and watercolor.

• Ctrl+z is the biggest perk of digital art. Forgetting to save is the biggest downfall. With all the brushes and settings and tweaks it reaches a skill level that is just as detailed as traditional art. The tablet is our friend in all it’s pressure sensitive glory.
• My flash drive also gives me peace of mind in knowing that if/when my computer does crash (hang in there) I should at least have a few files left over!