I thought it might be helpful if I wrote a little price alert post for those of you looking to buy prezzies for an artist in your life (or yourself for that matter!). This wishlist encompasses all the stuff that I would love to see under my Christmas tree. They’re all great products at great prices. I’ve tried to check the prices and do a little comparative shopping to make your list easier to finish. So let’s get started!
Sketchbooks & Journals:
I’ve tried several kinds of sketchbooks and I now have three kinds going. I’m just getting to know my new Hahnemühle Watercolor Journal, I have a color book that I swatch all my paint and other media, that’s in a Stillman & Birn Softcover and finally I am about half way though a watercolor Moleskine. I have used a Strathmore hardcover journal in the past and even used a Strathmore visual journal (although I did remove the paper from the wire binding, left handed can be a problem with wire bound)
Hahnemühle Watercolor Book
Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″ (A5 Landscape)
Paper Weight: 200gsm
Paper Color: Natural White, Fine Grain
Binding: Hardbound, Sewn
Stillman & Birn Zeta Sketchbook
Size: 8″ x 10″ (Portrait)
Paper Weight: Extra Heavyweight 180lb
Paper Color: White, Smooth
Binding: Softcover, Sewn
Stillman & Birn Alpha Sketchbook
Size: 8″ x 10″ (Portrait)
Paper Weight: Heavyweight 100lb
Paper Color: White, Medium Grain
Binding: Softcover, Sewn
Strathmore Visual Journal
Size: 9″ x 12″ (Portrait)
Paper Weight: 190gsm (500 series, mixed media)
Paper Color: White, Vellum
Binding: Wire Bound
Strathmore Mixed Media Journal
Size: 8.5″ x 11″ (Portrait)
Paper Weight: 190gsm (500 series)
Paper Color: White, Vellum
Binding: Hardbound
Moleskine Watercolor Journal
Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″ (Landscape)
Paper Weight: 200gsm
Paper Color: White, Cold Pressed
Binding: Hardbound
Pens & Pencils etc.
I have been branching out lately to other things other than just tubes of paint. I’ve taken up learning Brush Lettering, Hyper-realism using Pencil Crayons and for those of you who are loyal to your paint, I’ve gone from having only one palette a few months ago, to having a total of SIX as of today!! They seem to be breeding when I sleep. ;o)
Here’s what I’ve been using lately, they would ALL be on my Christmas List:
Tombow Dual Brush Pens
Size: 9 colors, 1 blender
Ideal For: Art & Bullet Journaling, Lettering, illustration & artwork
Other: Colors are bendable
Faber Castell Watercolor Pencils
Kind: Albrecht Dürer, fully liquefiable with water
Number: Set Of 60
Other: Highly Pigmented, Erganomic (won’t roll off your art table)
Prismacolor Pencil Crayons
Kind: Softcore, easy blending
Number: 72
Other: Saturated Pigment, Lightfast
Meeden Watercolor Palette (empty)
Size: 4.5″L x 2.5″W x 1″H
Holds: 12 half pans (they come with the palette)
Properties: Metal tin with fold out mixing tray, Rolled edges
Other: Lift out Tray
Watercolor Brushes
I have a favorite brush, it’s my travel Da Vinci 1503’s. I love that the brush head stores away in the handle so I don’t have to worry about them getting damaged. They truly changed my painting when I invested in them. Isn’t Christmas time the time to splurge? I’ve also heard good things about Escoda brushes so I added a link for those too.
Da Vinci 1503 Travel Brushes
Brush Sizes: 4, 6 & 8
Made Of: Kolinsky Sable hair
Extras: Comes with travel case
*There is a 20% off coupon that you can check for these right now!*
Escoda Versatil Travel Brush Set of 6 (1548)
Brush Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 12
Made Of: Synthetic Kolinsky
Extras: Leather Case
Watercolor Paint
And last but not least, the paint. OH THE PAINT!!! I never get enough colors. In fact, I’ll be taking Anna Mason’s courses starting in the new year, it’s part of my Christmas present. I have filled an entire 24 half pan palette last week with the suggested colors. Mmmm, all that color, thank GOD I had an old Schmincke palette that just happened to be the right size. I started using good paint about five years ago when I purchased a custom palette made by Wet Paint and filled with Schmicke watercolors. They do have a new one that they’re awaiting to arrive in store, I’ll leave the link below.
I use Schmincke, Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton professional watercolors. My palette is about one third of each. If you want to know more about my palette go here.
Wet Paint Custom Schmincke Palette
Learn about the colors here
Link: Daniel Smith Watercolors
Link: Winsor & Newton Watercolors
Link: Schmincke Watercolors
Jackie P Neal
Thanks for the shopping list… there are a few things on there I would want for myself! LOL
Jackie “)
victoria
Fantastic list Jenn! So many goodies and treasures to feast on..wonderful for any art lover.
Wishing you a magical day
Victoria
Susan Cuss
Great list! If I hadn’t already bought my Christmas present, this would be a good resource. Hope you and yours have a Blessed Christmas Season!