What Paper and Mediums do I use for some of my paintings?
I had someone ask me what supplies do I use and recommend for painting my Pen and Inks?
For the Ink………..I use both ink & brush- India waterproof ink and Pens. The pens I prefer are the “Sakura’s Pigma Micron Pen“ with permanent, waterproof, pigmented ink, in sizes 005 and 01 and for finer work, the “Copic Multiliner” 0.03 Pen. Thay can be used dry or wet, on the paper or with a brush. Once the ink is dry, you can do wet watercolor washes over the painting without the fear of picking up the black ink and ruining your painting.
The best watercolor pencils I have used to date are the “Derwent Watercolour Pencils”. I use my Derwent watercolor pencils like you would a Cake of traditonal watercolor.
Have found many people become discouraged when the paper they use is not suited for the art they do. It falls apart, fuzzes or peels when they try to put more than one layer of ink or color on it.
So, Paper is just important, maybe even more important than the mediums one uses. When I first started out, I used cold press watercolor paper which did not always hold up well. Then someone recommended to me to try a good quality Hot Press paper. Lets just say, I will never go back to cold press.
I found the best paper for the many layers of ink and watercolor pencil wash I do, is the “Fabriano Artistico” and I prefer their “Bright White Hot Press Watercolor Block”. Is a nice super smooth 140lb paper and gives me no problems.
For my Derwent watercolor pencil storage, I tossed the tins they came in and bought some nice pencils cases. Makes it so much easier to store and use.
Paint brushes..I use mostly sizes 00, 01, 02, 06. Believe or not my favorite brush is the one that came in the Derwent watercolor pencil set. Princeton’s are a cheap brush but hold up very well and are nice to use.
I have included some photos of my instruments of creating. In one photo you can see how I set up what I need, when I am actively painting.
If anyone has some favorites they like to paint with and why, please feel free to add a comment.
Tags: brushes, hot press, Ink, pencils cases, pens, Watercolor paper, watercolor pencils
Posted on October 19th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Hey Shari, good call, especially about the paper. I can remember waaaaay back to grade school trying to use cheap watercolor set on the wrong paper, wrinkly and it runs, no fun. I can equally remember watching with wonder as someone who knew what they were doing took that same cheap watercolor set and good paper and created something lovely. And a block of good paper is so portable too, when i used to hike and paint. I just found my old favorite number 6 sable brush in the closet, worn down to about half it’s length. Good times!
Posted on October 19th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Thank you Syd for your wonderful comments!
That is neat you found one of your old brushes.
LOL I have some Sable brushes that are about 35 years old now and they sure don’t make them like they used to. OK well.. the affordable ones that is. How time flys. VBG
I was suprised how well the Princeton’s brushes are working and they are holding up very well. While I have killed some of the newer cheaper (but still more spendy than the Princeton) Sable brushes within a month.