I'm gradually shifting to a mindset of letting go. While I don’t have many art supplies I don’t use, for those I don’t, I’m learning to stop making excuses for keeping them and let them go. There may have been a time when I needed them, but things have changed-and that's perfectly okay.
I get a lot of use out of watercolor pencils! I use my museum aquarelle watercolor pencils to add subtle details and shading to my watercolor paintings. The great thing about watercolor pencils is that you can use a wet brush to subtly erase and soften the lines in a way that you can’t do with normal colored pencils. They work very well for nature studies when you want to add small amounts of detail and pattern but don’t want to be too obvious.
I find that using watercolor pencils is a plus when I'm sketching in the field where I don't necessarily want to carry water with me. I can do quick sketches and/or layers of the pencils and add water with a brush when I get home. Of course, practice with them beforehand is mandatory since the colors change when water is added and unpleasant surprises can be avoided once you get home by becoming very familiar with the watercolor pencils color changes, especially if you use layers of different colors which can easily turn to mud.
Although I've decluttered, I wouldn't part with my Caran D'ache Prismalo watercolour pencils. They are soft, subtle to use whether blended dry with a blending pencil or a wet brush. Beautiful pencils of excellent quality with a wide range of colours.
@@nancyfox64 Yes! Coming from America, I was SHOCKED at how beautiful the Caran d’ache watercolor pencils are. I love that I can use them for anything from a landscape sketch to a very detailed scientific illustration, and if/when I do add water, I don’t have to worry how they’ll react.
Yep. I’m sure most of us have a stash of art supplies we bought with bright eyed dreams of all the amazing art we would make with them, and years later, still find ourselves looking at them with a huge sigh of regret. I know I have! Inktense Blocks, Semmelier oil pastels - the whole set!!!! (Which I adore because they seem so creamy, but I have never, ever used to this day!) Charcoal - too messy. Soft pastels - too messy. (There is a theme here lol.) I’m getting better, but I love art supplies so much, I’m sure I’ll continue to trip up every now and again. So YES - another video on your art supply regrets would be very helpful! Many thanks.
Haha I love my oil and soft pastels both, soft even more than oil I think. Can't fathom not using these beautiful pieces! I have the sennelier soft pastel paris set 😊 My Ohuhu alcohol markers though...I lent them to a friend because I never use them!
Please do continue with another art supply regret video. You explanations of why you don’t use supplies really resonate with my tastes and preferences and so will help me avoid purchase regrets🙏 For example, I also purchased beautiful soft pastels but do not like the mess!!!
I also have supplies I don’t use but if I hadn’t bought them I wouldn’t know if I liked them or not, so I don’t regret it! You’ve reminded me to have a clear out and pass them on to someone else!
Soft Pastels: I can't stand the dust and the fixatives, but I've found I absolutely love using soft pastels like pan watercolors. Applied wet, the pastels give a lovely fresco-like matte finish. Water activates the pastel's binding agent, so the color adheres to the paper without dusting and without mandatory fixative. I usually just take the color off the stick with a wet brush, but if I want more paint, I grind the pastel in water on a stone, like a Chinese ink stick. If anyone wants to try this method, be aware you can't layer wet pastel because it won't adhere to itself as well as it adheres to the paper. And it doesn't flow like watercolor, so you can't do wet in wet painting. But you can get good opaque and transparent color and good washes with practice. Best of all, you get far more usage out of each pastel stick using it as a paint, which makes this pricey art supply much more economical. Derwent Inktense Blocks: I've been on the fence about these. I was thinking they'd make an economical way to resupply my favorite pan colors (I'm all about saving money), but for some reason, Derwent doesn't offer the same colors in all their formats, which is annoying. I have the yellow I like in the pans, but I'd have to approximate it in the sticks. Why, Derwent, why? Watercolor Pencils: Good for detailing and outdoor painting or a travel palette. In general, though, I just use two or three colors for details, line work, or white highlights. Block Printing Supplies: Oh, yes, me too. Also, leather working for some reason I don't even remember, jewelry making, and I still have a whole bunch of plaster I haven't touched in years.
I think everyone who dabbles in art has made the same mistakes with art supplies that don’t “cut it” for us. I’m in the process of clearing out those mistakes and putting together a box to pass them on to our “re-use” shoppe so they can donate to student groups who can explore and learn.
That's a great idea, Linda! I think we all have a desire to experiment with different materials, and you never know where it will lead - I've discovered some wonderful materials that I love along the way alongside the ones I just don't use!
I have donated art supplies to a school that I work at so they have more for students to try different types of mediums and have the selection to do it in.
I belong to an art group and we get together once in a while and try media that other artists might use to see if they suit our own way of doing art. That way we try before we buy. I'm so glad I tried alcohol inks before investing in them as I found them fascinating and interesting, but not compatible with my art style at all. On the other hand, the person who let me try them loves them and they are very useful for her.
Lovely video❤ If it helps with the watercolour pencils: I dip the lead all the way into water, wait till the surface of the lead is soft and mushy but not soft enough to break and use it to draw strong marks on top of a painting. I use a box cutter to chip the wood from around the led for about 1-2cm lenght so the wood doesn’t get damaged when dipping. I also shave dust and flakes from the lead when it is dry and sprinkle them on a wet surface. Little like diy brusho powder.
I use my watercolour pencils in my sketchbook to add shadows, background details, and just because they are more portable and less messy. They were also my gateway art supply so they have a special place in my heart.
Soft pastels, check. Oil pastels, check. Linoleum printing, check! Watercolour pencils, check! You took the words out of my mouth, Natasha! This video actually gives me courage to donate these regretful purchases to my favourite neighbourhood charity shop.
I feel sad that you have not used those art supplies! I have, and they are all fun ways to express yourself, and each one gives you a very unique perspective on your creativity and how to translate your ideas into a real thing. I think a great exercise is to choose a subject, and run with it using all the different types of art supplies that you have. (I don't mean each and every art supply color, just each type of art supply). I love mammals and birds, mermaids, botanicals, sea life, architecture, portraiture, futuristic scenarios, SF and fantasy art... 😘🎨 I have realized after looking at art I've done over the years, that when I'm experimenting with new art products or just keeping up with using what I have, I have done a variety of mermaids. 🧜🏼♀️ I have done them in pen & ink, watercolor, sculpy (as a figurine), color pencil, markers, linoleum cut to make prints, wood block cut to make prints, and screen printing using a fabric screen hand stretched and mounted, plus traditional acrylic paint (not too fond of acrylics), and soft pastels (those have the richest, most beautiful colors)! ❤❤❤ Soft pastels!
This video was so helpful for a few reasons… 1) There were some supplies I had been curious about, and hearing your perspective has given me a much better idea of whether they might work for me. 2) It’s comforting to hear that other people with much more experience than me have art supply regrets sometimes! 3) It’s reinforcing my current attempt to de-stash my art room of things I don’t like / don’t use. Thanks for sharing, and I would definitely watch another video like this!
Oh I'm so happy I'm not the only one who's tempted by all the pretty things and end up finding they sit in a drawer or get used once then never again. I'm trying so hard NOT to buy some soft pastels because I know I won't use them, but they are so lovely-looking and I've seen other people do beautiful things with them... i mean I'm sitting here looking at those big chunky ones in your video and feeling the temptation tugging at me... And yup, I am with you re: the lino cutting. Maybe I will get round to doing more of it and using my expensive supplies!
I bought soft pastels and I don't regret it at all. They are a little bit like magic to me, I feel like every painting turns out at least decent and many very good (for me)!
Yay! It’s good to know that others have regrets about buying art supplies too. I dont ever reach for my pastels yet I hold onto them ‘just in case.’ I tend to buy art supplies, use them for a week, get bored and move on. 😢🤦🏻♀️ This year I want to put in the effort of using what I already have and not purchasing any more art supplies.
I've been eyeballing that brass palette ever since I first saw it. It's good to know about how it actually works. Nobody has ever posted anything about it. I am guessing because it has to be embarrassing to admit that expensive doesn't mean better. So thank you for posting! It is now off my "someday" list. I bought a Whisky palette last year for around $85 usd (I think) and it had the same slanting mixing spaces. Fortunately, the seller refunded my money because I was so disappointed in the functionality that I returned it after using it one time. I came so close to buying the brass palette after I received my refund, but I decided to hold off until I could get more info. So instead, I bought a different travel palette, one that can attach to a tripod. It has its issues as well, but they were mostly overcome while I learned how to better use it. The big thing is that the mixing palette lays flat!
I agree the whiskey palette is a total fail. I expected more from schmincke. Unfortunately I bought as a gift and didn’t inspect it before giving it. I’m much happier with my brass box but it’s a bit of a novelty as I mentioned in other comments. Travel palettes can be tricky.On one hand so cute on the other less practical. Happy mark making to all!
@@nancyfox64 I have one of those as well, but it has the Cotman line. My intentions were to use the Cotmans up with practice pieces and replace them with better paints. However, I have rarely used them in practice. I think its more about the functionality of the WN field box than anything. It's fine if you are sitting at a table or have some sort of surface to put the field box on. I find that I prefer to have either an easel or something to clip on to my sketchbook. I am just not coordinated enough to hold both a paint palette and a sketchbook. I need one more hand! lol. But I totally get feeling a lack of confidence over precious supplies. I think it happens to us all at one time or another.
@@nancyfox64 Just get those paints out and go! That's the way to build that confidence. If you don't know what to paint then just do colour studies. It's fun, low stress and a great way to get to know your materials. You've got nice professional paints so the paint won't get in your way, which is a great start. Make sure you have some good paper (a cellulose/cotton mix should do) for your colour studies and experiments and some really nice paper, like Arches or Fabriano, for doing more complete pieces. Sure, art materials can feel expensive, but think about what it costs to go to the theatre, or a movie, or a restaurant and by comparison, art materials provide many more hours of stimulation and entertainment than any of those.
The reason why you regret buying the bronze watercolor travel palette was the same reason why I was hesitant to buy it. So thank you for sharing your thoughts. I had a gut feeling the mixing surface would leak and would only see myself using this as a travel palette so now I know it's not for me.
I think you can get some one to adjust the hinges because this is what other new purchasers have said but my uncle has had his for twenty years and it doesn’t do that / and yes he stores his upside down because he uses hand made colors made with hunny and yes they do stick if he’s not careful 😅
@@maggiegregory8399 good to know! They look really nice and compact and that was one of the reasons I was interested. I may look more into it someday. 😊
I woukd LOVE to see a part 2! Thank you for sharing, it inspired me to take a look at my supplies and make a realistic determination on whether to hang on for the off chance of one day using them or letting them go and making space for what i do truly use.
i personally really like watercolor pencils. the stuff i draw is mostly fanart of anime characters, and i really like that i can just lay them down dry and use water to set accents, without the need of switching between normal colored pencils and watercolor. i basically dont activate all of the pigment i lay down to create the "illusion" of mixed media
For the soft pastels I’d really recommend experimenting with making them into watercolours! If you combine gum arabic with some honey and crush the sticks into powder you can use a palette knife to mix the liquid with the pigment to be transferred into a pan. I’ve tried it with my Sennelier soft pastels and find I like using them more this way than as pastels 🤍 I think it’s worth mentioning too - please don’t feel disheartened or guilty about having bought materials to find that you don’t like them or use them often! You can’t know beforehand if something is going to be worthwhile unless you try it first…or even a few times! As a side note, I took a break from my patreon subscription the past couple of months as I’ve been unwell, but I’ve been trying to keep up with the youtube uploads. As I start to manage a little better I’m slowly finding the energy to get back to painting. I can’t wait to rejoin to see what you and the other lovely members have been sharing 🤍
Hi Holly, that's a good tip! Thank you. I'm so sorry to hear that you've been unwell, and hope you're back to your normal self very soon! No rush re: Patreon. It would be great to see you over there again whenever you're up to it. xx
I just took a whole bag of crafts supplies and a huge box of art supplies to a school and an adult care facility. I have to be honest with myself in what I truly enjoy using and working with. The bag of yarn just about unhinged me but I did it!
This was such an informative and honest review and I so appreciate that. I often grapple with the temptation to buy all sorts of art supplies but am reeling it in after de-cluttering and moving a three storey house! I came across art supplies more than 50 years old. Some that had never or rarely been used. This process of letting go was one of the most freeing things I've ever done. I would love another video on regret buys ... it is very helpful indeed!
Thank you for sharing! I don't really use watercolour pencils except to sketching before painting. I don't like having graphite marks behind my paintings so this fixes the problem. As for the other supplies I don't really like, I use them very loosely for experimenting abstract drawing/painting. I try to use colours that are not in my usual palette. In this case, I like using all sorts of cheap papers so no guilt and a lot of interesting discoveries!
Such an interesting video! I have lusted after that Frasier Price box since seeing it on your channel despite the fact I almost never paint plein air! I was thinking about it last week again so this video was very timely! 😬 I also have a set of Inktense pencils and watercolour pencils that have been barely used, some soft and Neo pastels and ditto all the Lino cutting gear which at least came in useful for my daughter when she was doing her Graphics A level! Watercolour paint remains my favourite but the fomo after watching a good art haul is real! Thanks for sharing 😁
I think we sometimes have great ideas for trying new things in our art,and get a kind of creative wanderlust so buy all the new mediums etc,but somehow we lose momentum and the idea gets shelved along with the materials as well.But a positive side effect is it makes us appreciate the mediums etc that we do use and love a bit more (Matt)P s selling them on is a good thing as it means you have money to buy more of what you know you will use and also re-homing art materials gives someone a chance to try something new
The beauty of Derwent blocks is that they cannot be reactivated by water. That makes them perfect for the first layer underpainting. Also they make excellent tiny flower color additions to a painting for the same reason... they wont smear.
If you apply them first, lin washes...you can glaze over them with watercolours, they DO NOT LIFT...and it is beautiful...the luminousity that comes through to the top of the watercolour wash...I also layer them over themselves, after each layer dries, in thin washes, and the transparency of say 3 colours of the derwent intense with more water colour layers on top is satisfying...don't scrub...they might lift then. I much prefer the pans or blocks...to use with a brush and water....not keen on the pencils as they leave hard edges behind after being wetted....Janis
thank you for your honesty! i've almost stopped watching reviews because "how can one say something is bad when it is gift?" and "how can one admit spending money on poor quality products" ? i only watch reviews that show a product along side a similar product and compare them.
I love lino printing and especially the combination of them (using waterproof black ink) and watercolour! Itös such an interesting contrast of the rigid and the flow I think - and your equipment is just amazing! But of course I understand that it’s not possible to do everything - and you already have so many glorious art related hobbies! So have great fun with them!🎨❤️
I think, the biggest lesson here is when trying a new art supply, start with only a few colours and see if it works for you... Rather than buying sets or large quantities... Then, if it didn't work out, it's only a few. And if it is right for you, you can always get more later..
Ugh honestly this is how I feel about oil paint… it’s just so messy for me with the solvent, the waste towels, etc! I have a whole box of paint tubes just sitting in a box. Ironically, I do like oil pastels even though those are messy as well but it’s a manageable messy for me! Thanks for the video!
My brass box mixing flaps don’t slope down yet. If the box is often stored without the plastic pan insert the mixing flaps will slump inwards weakening the hinges thereby eventually hanging more downward. Difficult for me to explain☺️. I do agree the box is a bit of a novelty and I would only recommend with that in mind. I used it while traveling once and that was a less than excellent painting experience. It’s very attractive and does spark conversations. Thanks for your honest review
Great video! I made a regrets video too and can totally relate to the feelings you shared, I find them super helpful ❤ Thankfully I don’t have many regrets but reflecting on them is a great way to make better decisions next time and pick the supplies that are right for me x
Thank you for sharing your experience its really helpful. Please also show some of your work with various supplies and in general. Always nice to see artists work.
Thank you for sharing this....I gasped when you opened the wooden box with all your lino cutting supplies. I've done the same thing and realized early on that the risk of doing myself an injury took all the possible fun away. Time to pass them on to someone who might really enjoy doing it! Then I'll move on to my pencils and tubes of watercolors. This video is such a help for me to letting go.
It’s an artist’s nature to be experimental. I have a lot of things I don’t reach for frequently, but every now and again I get a mixed media itch and make small works with art supplies I have laid aside for a while. This quells the urge to go to the art supply store when i already have things!…moral of the story…shop at home first!
One of my regrets is markers. I should have known cause basically I don’t like the immediate permanence of them, the visual stroke marks, the brash colors. Whatever I create with them looks childish. I never use them. They annoy me like trash that’s not been taken out. Edit Addendum: Part of my problem is I swoon over color while ignoring the medium.
I attend a free multi media art class for older women, which I love, and I’ve donated unused art materials to the class, including tubes of acrylics and watercolour palettes. And I’m not the only one. Several of us do that. It’s a great way of giving back to the two artists who run the class and who also supply the materials. So I would recommend looking around your local community to se what’s available.
I find it so interesting to see what works for people and what doesn't. I love the Inktense range and soft pastels are one of my favourite mediums to work with. I do need to work out how to protect the carpet in my craft room though.
I too have problems with messy stick media. When I’m using them (eventually) I love it alot. I just keep reaching for my pens 🖊 or acrylics or watercolour. But mainly pens and thick mechanical pencils. I have quite a lot of unused supplies too. My worst one being Chinese ink bars. I’ve never used them I got them 20 years ago 😅
Regarding the Schminke super-granulating - it's been my experience that granulating/super granulating colors don't rewet well, and are best used fresh from the tube. I have a set of "evolving" watercolors from Rockwell art in Canada that are gorgeous, but the difference in performance between using fresh-squeezed paint from the tube and the bits that I've put into pans for convenience is staggering. Given the cost, I won't buy them anymore either, and will just admire them from afar. :) I do like watercolor pencils in a travel kit, especially if I want to sketch out quick, abstract landscapes. I've used them to sketch /paint florals at a nearby garden estate -- much easier to get a more detailed flower when drawing with the watercolor pencil while standing with people milling about, and using a waterbrush to activate. I'm jealous of your pastels. If I were in the UK I'd offer to purchase them from you! Unisons are a 'treat' purchase for me here in the US.
Depends on brands I guess, I find my Kusakabe granulating watercolours rewet perfectly well, same with the couple of Daniel Smith ones I have. I've had no issues at all rewetting either brand. But that's why UA-cam is great! We can see supplies in use and share knowledge before purchase 😊
@@lucys.artchat Daniel Smith is better than most, I agree. For me, the colors that tend to granulate but are more common (say, Ultramarine Blue) rewet better than some of their primatek pigments that granulate. I can't speak to the Kusakabe, but now I have a new brand to research, lol. I feel like there's been a recent push to market "super-granulating" watercolors at a very premium price, (Not Daniel Smith, but other brands such as Schminke). And the higher the price, the more difficulty I've had getting them to work as advertised when I've made them into pans, vs using fresh squeezed paint. Could be a matter of climate as well, although on average, where I live is not super dry most months of the year.
@staceg2003 I haven't tried all the primatek colours but I think anything using real earth pigments is more difficult to rewet usually which strikes me as more about specific pigments and how they have to bind them then just granulation per se, but it's just a theory. The Kusakabe ones are from Japan and very reasonable prices for me here in Australia. I've not tried the Schminke granulating ones, and I've heard this about those, and only a few of the Daniel Smith. I think it just goes to show that it's worth doing research before you jump in and pay a lot of money!!
I keep my primateks and also Lunar colors in the tube and use as needed. The difference in performance straight out of the tube is night and day. It's really a waste of paint to pan them.
Hi Natasha, great video, a little tip with watercolour pencils. I use them sometimes with my watercolour paintings by applying detail work on dry paper, but also when the paper is damp, the watercolour pencils are great to use creating a soft effect. I hope this helps. Thank you for sharing your videos. 💕
Oh Natasha, your voice sounds so nice and flowing in this video. I laughed out loud at some of your honest comments and It is refreshing as you think along the same lines as me, in some of the regrets. I didnt like the pastels because of the dangers with dust and the rough way. I only use for clouds over watercolours. Thank you so much for your honest regrets, with Art supplies being SO expensive and so many people saying this is good, that is good, you get drawn into it. Please do another one for us. Looking forward to your regret video number 2. 🙂
I feel you with the watercolour pencils! It took me ages to discover how useful they can be, and now I reach for them quite a lot, especially for drawing and sketching. They are very nice to use for sketches under watercolours because they disappear without trace as soon as I add watercolours. I also like to use them as the first layer before adding regular coloured pencils, it saves me quite a lot of time because that first „watercolour“ layer adds depth to the drawing . And they can be used with alcohol markers, too. (I only reach for alcohol markers in sketchbooks due to their poor lighfastness). Sometimes, when a finished watercolour needs more depth and umph, watercolour pencils can provide those missing lines that will give the painting that special something, especially when it comes to details on faces or hair. That brass box is so, so pretty, but I’m really glad I didn’t cave in and refrained from buying it. Thank you for pointing our all its flaws, it makes me really happy that I didn’t spend the money on it. Oil pastels are a new discovery, I regard them as replacement for oil colours that I don’t use precisely because of their odour. I use them with bigger formats for rather loose drawing, and I must say that I grew to like them quite a lot. Thank you for another interesting and thought provoking video. :D
I sold my Inktense blocks, and rarely use any of my watercolour pencils (though the Albrecht Durer ones are absolutely lovely), I managed to resist the Schmincke paints thankfully, but my biggest agreement was with the Schmincke dot card!! I made a video swatching it, and had some negative comments that I hadn't shown the paints off at their best - hardly a surprise when they were so hard to rewet and so tiny! Thanks Natasha - fun video!
I bought the Daniel Smith version and their dots were pretty generous for sampling the colors. DS were not all granulating, though. Sorry yours were a disappointment.
Hi Natasha, you can actually fix oil pastels with an acrylic glazing medium. Usually the satin is what I use. I apply it with a brush over the oil pastels and it works like a charm. I am also not interested in using sprays and chemicals so this is the perfect fix. Hope that helps you because oil pest cells are so rich and beautiful. It’s a shamenot to add them to your artwork. I also use a lot of watercolor pencils because they are a great base for colored pencils you basically color the area mostly on one side and when you activate it creates a natural gradient so you leave a lot of weight before you activate. Then you can use regular pencils on top and it’s fantastic.
I so relate to your failed purchase stories. Mine have been palettes, brushes, paint manufactures, spritzers, table top easels, uncle Tom Cobley and all! At 76 I should know better😕. My wife still loves me though🙂 Thank you for your amusing take on it all!
I love regrets videos, and would love to see more. It helps me be honest with myself and avoid some regret purchases myself. I really enjoy my watercolor pencils, and use them for sketchy details in landscapes *on wet paper.* Or, to sketch before watercoloring so the lines will disappear. (The idea of drawing anything in detail dry with them, then wetting it, is just silly in my mind). On the other hand I really don't enjoy regular colored pencils, and just last night I wondered why I bought a set of pastel colored ones in addition to the regular ones that I almost never use. But, I am a very loose and expressive painter. I happen to also enjoy soft pastels and oil pastels. Everyone has their own taste, and it's best to be honest with oneself.
Hi. Thank you for posting your regrets. I have drawers full. I do love the Faber Castell water soluble pencils and use them often. They are wonderful for on the go sketch-booking especially on planes, where having a cup of water for your travel palette could end up on your lap, or worse your seat mate’s. I will pack a bunch of them in a pouch, a pencil sharpener and a water brush and I’m good to go. I also use them to add definition and details to watercolor illustrations. ❤
I use watercolor pencils for lineart. I paint base colors, then outline in watercolor pencils, then smooth out the pencil by activating the watercolor with a similar colored Pitt artist pen.
Thank you for a wonderful and honest video on supplies that you’ve bought that you just don’t use or like as well. I too have been tempted by soft pastels and have bought a few but I really don’t like the mess. Oil pastels are another thing that I like the idea of but the mess and having to deal with is too much. This year I am focused on really using the supplies that I know I love which are watercolor neo, color and color pencils. If I could only choose one medium or supply, it would be my watercolors in a sketchbook.
I’m the kind of person who thinks that buying art products is a different hobbie than using them, so I would be incredibly happy having those treasures on my desk even though I never use them 😅
Very enjoyable, straight to the point video! 😄 my biggest art supply regret is probably the 320 set of Ohuhu Alcohol markers. An impulse ask for Christmas one year. I loved them at first but then I learned that they can even fade in your sketchbooks and that’s just a no for me. I also got so overwhelmed by the amount of colours in the set that I couldn’t even face them anymore. It makes me feel ashamed in one way but at least I’ve learned a lesson!
Like you, I like the idea of soft pastels, but I know that messy media are not for me. I don't mind oil pastel because I can keep a cloth with some vegetable oil on it to clean my fingers. As for watercolour pencils, just use them without water. Those albrecht durers will serve you well even if used without water.
@@kookatsoonjan Baby oil will work, but I hate that stuff. Olive oil, walnut oil, macadamia oil, almond oil, or just plain old cheapish sunflower oil all do a great job and leave your skin feeling nice.
Thank you so much for your honesty regarding art supplies. I too am seduced by boxes of beautiful coloured pastels (both chalk and oil) as well as other types of medium even though I know deep in my heart that they would stay unused, gathering dust. So I shall be content with my W&N 12 half pan water colour set and Caran D'ache watercolour pencils acknowledging that after many years' experimenting, these, and only these, suit my hobbyist art work. I'd love to see a part 2 .
I love this video, please keep making them as you find supplies that don't fit you. I'd love to buy some of the lino cutting from you, I'm just starting to get into it and thinking of upgrading some of the tools I have
I too fell for the brass box. And it sits there entirely unused. I did see someone once using it in the wild and to be honest it looked a mess when actually in use. I also regret the Winsor and Newton travel palette - again just unused. though the little flat water bottle is quite handy. Then there was the brass Schmincke box - too heavy, and worse of all it buckled and I have seen others have the same issue. The mixing surface also dropped down, so like the brass one it did not get used. The cheaper standard small metal palettes are for me, and the Art Toolkit ones too work when out and about. But oh, the amount I bought before that ...... Great video though - made me smile when you kept trying the same supplies that hadn't worked for you before. Made me feel so much better about my own mistakes.
That's so interesting, Jan - thank you for sharing! I don't feel so bad now. And I don't know why I keep trying things I've already tried (that didn't work out) before! What's wrong with me?! 😅
Lovely video, over the years I have accumulated so many art supplies but realised for the stuff I don’t use many charity places will take them or if not they can make lovely gifts for friends and family I know will use them. Especially when u purchase a media and find out it’s not for you or doesn’t personally fit maybe your art style . 💕💕
I think we all have something 😂 I have a large collection of soft pastels - I love them, and used them a lot years ago, but these days it's the mess that's off putting. I am planning to give them one more try... I always wanted some of the Diane Townsend, but perhaps fortunately, never bought them- I found myself eyeingbyour set rather covetously though 😂😂😂 Watercolour pencils: I use these dry, as you would coloured pencils. I love the slightly different finish they give. I particularly like them on Ingres paper - the texture gives them a slightly vintage look, but they also work nicely on smooth papers too. Because I use them like this, my coloured pencils are languishing though!
This was so helpful! I have soft pastels sitting in my cart for over 2 weeks. I am going to wait, sometimes the allure of new is so strong, but restraint is important as well!
I love the Faber Castell watercolor pencils. I carry them out for Urban Sketching. They are very helpful in museums or for very thin lines on a sketch.
Thank you for this and showing all those beautiful regrets. Pass them on to others who think they will love them, too. Seeing a product performing perfectly in a video draws me in and I want it. Showing us the reality of using it successfully or not calms my impulse to buy. All of the items you presented do seem lovely to view. Your reviews of them are from your perspective and I appreciate that. What doesn’t work for you could be great for me.
I also had issues with storing oil pastels paintings and fixative...I found that royal talens has a varnish for oil pastels that works great for me, and it doesnt smell. but yeah oil pastels are super messy in general 😅
I subbed beca?, the last thing i need to do today - is to be influenced to shop for more art toys after watching another YT video. Honestly! I have some many supplies I rushed to buy after watching them work well for someone else! So thank you. I loved that brass box too. Its an eye catcher. Grateful you obtained it w points from Jacksons.
Brilliant video Natasha! Thank you for sharing all of this! Regarding to watercolour pencils - maybe you can use them just as regulars without adding water? :) All the best to you! I think my biggest regret regarding to art supplies is to buy something too much because I am really into that particular thing at that moment thinking that I am going to use all the time and ending up being fascinated about something else and getting too much of that art supply as well :D
I have always fun with dot cards. Sometimes there are little give aways at my local art store. My tip for using them is to activate the dots with a waterdrop. After seconds to a Minute they are ready to get brushed 🙃 (specially for the effect of the high granulation colours)
Hello Natasha. I enjoyed watching this video and your commentary about your purchasing habits since I fall into the same patterns as you. I think we all have a fantasy version of ourselves doing certain tasks or attaining certain skills and a lot of does not get implemented. For instance, I like the idea of plain aire panting and have watched countless videos and read books about this practice. I’ve spent a lot of money on different gears for plain aire over the years (fancy chairs, tripods, easels, etc) and never really pursue it. I’ll try it many once or twice, don’t enjoy the experience and then return to my desk practice. I always enjoy the research and purchasing aspects but not the actual practice. Maybe someday I will, but for now I will not purchase any more plain aire products. Thanks so much and Happy new year! 🎆
I do use watercolor pencils dry, because how soft they are. I found they go easier on top of watercolor than oil pencils and also look mat, not glossy which I prefer on watercolor. Recently I bought sketch journal from Hamemule it looked great, but soon I found out it hates colored pencils, but work better with watercolor pencils allow more layers and color pay off. I have never tried Arber Durrer I have a set of Staedtler and several Carandache Super Soft watercolor in the colors I mostly use and I love them so much that I want yo buy a whole set. 😅
I love soft pastels. Thought I would love oil pastels, but didn’t get on with them, so sold my box of over 100 Senneliers on eBay, unregretfully. Love w/c pencils, the Caran d'ache museum have some lovely natural colours, great for botanical and natural history drawing. Also , they make a palette of white plastic that is smooth on one side and rough on the other, for these pencils. Rub the pencil on the rough side and add water, use it like a w/c wash, nice and smooth. I’ve got the Cd'A and the Faber castell sets, as well as the Inktense, and use them all. It's so easy to be suckered into buying all this stuff (guilty as charged!), and having complete set syndrome, but after clearing out my late brother's house I decided to get rid of stuff I don't use.
Lovely video and nice to discover such a great UA-camr! I would love to buy your lino supplies if you decide to sell them but no worries if not. Can't wait to watch more of your videos! Cheers friend!!!❤
Hi Natasha, thank you for sharing your perplexities with some art supplies, as I'm sure many of your followers and fellow artists can relate (I can also speak for myself!) Can I ask you a question: where do you usually sell them? Which platforms do you think are best for rehoming 2nd hand art supplies with various degrees of usage? TYSM!
I tend to sell them for greatly reduced prices to my Patreon members - that way I make a little bit of money back (art supplies are expensive and I'm not making so much money that I'm able to just give everything away!), and my members can try art supplies that may have previously been out of their budget.
I've not really regrets about art supplies themselves but more about the fact that I spend so much and only have a limited time to practise my art. There has been a sleight disappointment with the Etchr cold pressed sketchbook, I've found out that I do not like the texture of the paper inside it.The other thing about this sketch book is that the white cover gets dirty with cathair from my cats.
I hate the Etchr cold press sketchbook. There's something about the paper that it sucks the vibrancy out of any medium you use on it. Everything dries to a dull meh, and gouache gets this weird shiny appearance. Biggest waste of money ever.
I love my watercolor pencils when I’m sick and need an easy painting setup. I also like to use the watercolor pencils to add texture when I’m on the go and I don’t have regular color pencils with me.
i use watercolor pencils mostly for details and i usually 'fix' them on the surface with alcohol rather than water. it does not warp the paper as much and dissolves the pencil binder enough to let the pigment soak the paper. if i want to continue with light over dark i rub the water brush tip on the pencil 'lead' and then apply the brush on the paper for intense color effect.
I too went down the lino cutting path and have two boxes of supplies sitting around unusued. Earlier this week, I threw away the tubes of ink as they had been leaking away for two years. I couldn't get kitchen lithography to work for me, so those supplies have gone in the bin also. I am sticking to watercolour painting.
Thank you. This was very helpful, in more ways than one. I need to remember that I'll get more long term happiness from regular practice with the lovely supplies I already have.
I like how most art supplies can be resold. I once saw a Craigslist ad for oil paints and brushes from a man who used to be a painter but passed away. Those were months and years old but probably still in good condition.
This was an enjoyable video. Id love to see part 2. Inktense blocks never worked for me and ive given away my soft pastels. Water colour pencils are a great quick sketching tool and looks lovely when softened with water.
I like to use a grey or sepia watercolor pencil for rough sketches when painting so my lines blend in as I paint rather than using graphite and worrying about lines showing under more translucent/lighter colors
Great video. I am not an artist but i play around. I use inktense for fabric art. I made the mistake of getting the pencils, not the blocks. For fabric i really like inktense. I can paint a lovely background and stitch away. Thanks for sharing❤
I enjoyed this very much Natasha! I too fell foul of the complete setup for linocut that only ever was used once or twice, and the press never made its way out of the box… Maybe that’s what it’s all about, learning about new materials and processes even if we settle on the a few we like. My New Year’s resolution is to try do more and buy less! J
For a hundred pounds, any tool should be perfection in all things. Good lord. I’m surprised by your news about the Schminke paints, thank you for that information. I’ve got a set of 24 watercolor pencils that I don’t use either. I am glad to know the Inktense blocks are fragile, I’ve been looking at them. Linocut is great fun but it’s hell on the hands. Try stenciling instead; you can cut them from gallon milk jug plastic, and sponge paint over them. 😁💖 I appreciate the information on the Neopastels, too. Thank you for all the information!
I love the FB Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils, they are a really good product. The inktense? Not a fan of them, I found them dusty and grainy, especially when dry. Plus they weren’t like inks as they would blend with successive layers of colour 🤨
Not me drooling at the linosupplies box 😅😂 I'm deep into it and love to explore the possibilities of it. I also don't know what to do with soft pastels. I can't really put into words what it is, but it's just never becoming what I want it to be
Hi Natasha, for the Schmincke watercolours "granulating" is the term for the colour flowing more uncontrolled. They are designed for people who love those spontaneous effects. They explain that on their website. I am sorry you did not hear that before buying them. Granulating is a trend also with other manufacturers. Hopefully you can sell them to someone who wants just that messy spotty effect. I dont like it myself.😊
I am so grateful for the art supply store nearby that takes used art supplies to resell. They give me store credit to make up for my regrets.
That's brilliant!
That's amazing! I should ask my 2 local shops!!
That's a fantastic shop to have close by.
@@amyklinke1553 what an excellent shop!
Amazing !😮
I'm gradually shifting to a mindset of letting go. While I don’t have many art supplies I don’t use, for those I don’t, I’m learning to stop making excuses for keeping them and let them go. There may have been a time when I needed them, but things have changed-and that's perfectly okay.
Love this.
Such a powerful attitude and decision!!
This is beautiful, and I need to adopt this mindset.
This is excellent advise, and not only for art supplies!
I get a lot of use out of watercolor pencils! I use my museum aquarelle watercolor pencils to add subtle details and shading to my watercolor paintings. The great thing about watercolor pencils is that you can use a wet brush to subtly erase and soften the lines in a way that you can’t do with normal colored pencils. They work very well for nature studies when you want to add small amounts of detail and pattern but don’t want to be too obvious.
I find that using watercolor pencils is a plus when I'm sketching in the field where I don't necessarily want to carry water with me. I can do quick sketches and/or layers of the pencils and add water with a brush when I get home. Of course, practice with them beforehand is mandatory since the colors change when water is added and unpleasant surprises can be avoided once you get home by becoming very familiar with the watercolor pencils color changes, especially if you use layers of different colors which can easily turn to mud.
@@r.mucklin1703- I do the same thing at times. A water brush can be helpful, especially in the field.
Although I've decluttered, I wouldn't part with my Caran D'ache Prismalo watercolour pencils. They are soft, subtle to use whether blended dry with a blending pencil or a wet brush. Beautiful pencils of excellent quality with a wide range of colours.
@@nancyfox64 Yes! Coming from America, I was SHOCKED at how beautiful the Caran d’ache watercolor pencils are. I love that I can use them for anything from a landscape sketch to a very detailed scientific illustration, and if/when I do add water, I don’t have to worry how they’ll react.
You can also use them dry like normal coloured pencils.
Yep. I’m sure most of us have a stash of art supplies we bought with bright eyed dreams of all the amazing art we would make with them, and years later, still find ourselves looking at them with a huge sigh of regret. I know I have! Inktense Blocks, Semmelier oil pastels - the whole set!!!! (Which I adore because they seem so creamy, but I have never, ever used to this day!) Charcoal - too messy. Soft pastels - too messy. (There is a theme here lol.) I’m getting better, but I love art supplies so much, I’m sure I’ll continue to trip up every now and again. So YES - another video on your art supply regrets would be very helpful! Many thanks.
Haha I love my oil and soft pastels both, soft even more than oil I think. Can't fathom not using these beautiful pieces! I have the sennelier soft pastel paris set 😊
My Ohuhu alcohol markers though...I lent them to a friend because I never use them!
Please do continue with another art supply regret video. You explanations of why you don’t use supplies really resonate with my tastes and preferences and so will help me avoid purchase regrets🙏
For example, I also purchased beautiful soft pastels but do not like the mess!!!
I have to say, I'm very tempted to film a second one!
@@NatashaNewtonArt do please.
Yes please!@NatashaNewtonArt
I also have supplies I don’t use but if I hadn’t bought them I wouldn’t know if I liked them or not, so I don’t regret it! You’ve reminded me to have a clear out and pass them on to someone else!
Yes! We partly buy them for the experience. That's a good way of looking at it. :)
Soft Pastels: I can't stand the dust and the fixatives, but I've found I absolutely love using soft pastels like pan watercolors. Applied wet, the pastels give a lovely fresco-like matte finish. Water activates the pastel's binding agent, so the color adheres to the paper without dusting and without mandatory fixative. I usually just take the color off the stick with a wet brush, but if I want more paint, I grind the pastel in water on a stone, like a Chinese ink stick. If anyone wants to try this method, be aware you can't layer wet pastel because it won't adhere to itself as well as it adheres to the paper. And it doesn't flow like watercolor, so you can't do wet in wet painting. But you can get good opaque and transparent color and good washes with practice. Best of all, you get far more usage out of each pastel stick using it as a paint, which makes this pricey art supply much more economical.
Derwent Inktense Blocks: I've been on the fence about these. I was thinking they'd make an economical way to resupply my favorite pan colors (I'm all about saving money), but for some reason, Derwent doesn't offer the same colors in all their formats, which is annoying. I have the yellow I like in the pans, but I'd have to approximate it in the sticks. Why, Derwent, why?
Watercolor Pencils: Good for detailing and outdoor painting or a travel palette. In general, though, I just use two or three colors for details, line work, or white highlights.
Block Printing Supplies: Oh, yes, me too. Also, leather working for some reason I don't even remember, jewelry making, and I still have a whole bunch of plaster I haven't touched in years.
this is a very helpful post, thank you. Also ,keep in mind that inktense products are ink, not watercolor so they behave very differently
I use the Inktense Blocks like a pan water color-never actually draw w them. BTW they work great w Ampersand Aquaboard or Clayboard.
I think everyone who dabbles in art has made the same mistakes with art supplies that don’t “cut it” for us. I’m in the process of clearing out those mistakes and putting together a box to pass them on to our “re-use” shoppe so they can donate to student groups who can explore and learn.
That's a great idea, Linda! I think we all have a desire to experiment with different materials, and you never know where it will lead - I've discovered some wonderful materials that I love along the way alongside the ones I just don't use!
I have donated art supplies to a school that I work at so they have more for students to try different types of mediums and have the selection to do it in.
I belong to an art group and we get together once in a while and try media that other artists might use to see if they suit our own way of doing art. That way we try before we buy.
I'm so glad I tried alcohol inks before investing in them as I found them fascinating and interesting, but not compatible with my art style at all. On the other hand, the person who let me try them loves them and they are very useful for her.
This is a lovely idea!
Lovely video❤ If it helps with the watercolour pencils: I dip the lead all the way into water, wait till the surface of the lead is soft and mushy but not soft enough to break and use it to draw strong marks on top of a painting. I use a box cutter to chip the wood from around the led for about 1-2cm lenght so the wood doesn’t get damaged when dipping. I also shave dust and flakes from the lead when it is dry and sprinkle them on a wet surface. Little like diy brusho powder.
I use my watercolour pencils in my sketchbook to add shadows, background details, and just because they are more portable and less messy. They were also my gateway art supply so they have a special place in my heart.
Soft pastels, check. Oil pastels, check. Linoleum printing, check! Watercolour pencils, check!
You took the words out of my mouth, Natasha!
This video actually gives me courage to donate these regretful purchases to my favourite neighbourhood charity shop.
Check to see if your local library has a use for them, if don’t mind my suggestion.
Or a local art group in your community.
I feel sad that you have not used those art supplies!
I have, and they are all fun ways to express yourself, and each one gives you a very unique perspective on your creativity and how to translate your ideas into a real thing.
I think a great exercise is to choose a subject, and run with it using all the different types of art supplies that you have. (I don't mean each and every art supply color, just each type of art supply).
I love mammals and birds, mermaids, botanicals, sea life, architecture, portraiture, futuristic scenarios, SF and fantasy art... 😘🎨
I have realized after looking at art I've done over the years, that when I'm experimenting with new art products or just keeping up with using what I have, I have done a variety of mermaids. 🧜🏼♀️
I have done them in pen & ink, watercolor, sculpy (as a figurine), color pencil, markers, linoleum cut to make prints, wood block cut to make prints, and screen printing using a fabric screen hand stretched and mounted, plus traditional acrylic paint (not too fond of acrylics), and soft pastels (those have the richest, most beautiful colors)! ❤❤❤ Soft pastels!
This video was so helpful for a few reasons… 1) There were some supplies I had been curious about, and hearing your perspective has given me a much better idea of whether they might work for me. 2) It’s comforting to hear that other people with much more experience than me have art supply regrets sometimes! 3) It’s reinforcing my current attempt to de-stash my art room of things I don’t like / don’t use.
Thanks for sharing, and I would definitely watch another video like this!
Oh I'm so happy I'm not the only one who's tempted by all the pretty things and end up finding they sit in a drawer or get used once then never again. I'm trying so hard NOT to buy some soft pastels because I know I won't use them, but they are so lovely-looking and I've seen other people do beautiful things with them... i mean I'm sitting here looking at those big chunky ones in your video and feeling the temptation tugging at me... And yup, I am with you re: the lino cutting. Maybe I will get round to doing more of it and using my expensive supplies!
I bought soft pastels and I don't regret it at all. They are a little bit like magic to me, I feel like every painting turns out at least decent and many very good (for me)!
Yay! It’s good to know that others have regrets about buying art supplies too. I dont ever reach for my pastels yet I hold onto them ‘just in case.’
I tend to buy art supplies, use them for a week, get bored and move on. 😢🤦🏻♀️
This year I want to put in the effort of using what I already have and not purchasing any more art supplies.
I've been eyeballing that brass palette ever since I first saw it. It's good to know about how it actually works. Nobody has ever posted anything about it. I am guessing because it has to be embarrassing to admit that expensive doesn't mean better. So thank you for posting! It is now off my "someday" list. I bought a Whisky palette last year for around $85 usd (I think) and it had the same slanting mixing spaces. Fortunately, the seller refunded my money because I was so disappointed in the functionality that I returned it after using it one time. I came so close to buying the brass palette after I received my refund, but I decided to hold off until I could get more info. So instead, I bought a different travel palette, one that can attach to a tripod. It has its issues as well, but they were mostly overcome while I learned how to better use it. The big thing is that the mixing palette lays flat!
Re the brass palette, you would think they'd have done better product testing by actual artists before releasing such an expensive product.
I agree the whiskey palette is a total fail. I expected more from schmincke. Unfortunately I bought as a gift and didn’t inspect it before giving it. I’m much happier with my brass box but it’s a bit of a novelty as I mentioned in other comments. Travel palettes can be tricky.On one hand so cute on the other less practical.
Happy mark making to all!
@@nancyfox64 I have one of those as well, but it has the Cotman line. My intentions were to use the Cotmans up with practice pieces and replace them with better paints. However, I have rarely used them in practice. I think its more about the functionality of the WN field box than anything. It's fine if you are sitting at a table or have some sort of surface to put the field box on. I find that I prefer to have either an easel or something to clip on to my sketchbook. I am just not coordinated enough to hold both a paint palette and a sketchbook. I need one more hand! lol. But I totally get feeling a lack of confidence over precious supplies. I think it happens to us all at one time or another.
@@nancyfox64 Just get those paints out and go! That's the way to build that confidence. If you don't know what to paint then just do colour studies. It's fun, low stress and a great way to get to know your materials. You've got nice professional paints so the paint won't get in your way, which is a great start. Make sure you have some good paper (a cellulose/cotton mix should do) for your colour studies and experiments and some really nice paper, like Arches or Fabriano, for doing more complete pieces. Sure, art materials can feel expensive, but think about what it costs to go to the theatre, or a movie, or a restaurant and by comparison, art materials provide many more hours of stimulation and entertainment than any of those.
The reason why you regret buying the bronze watercolor travel palette was the same reason why I was hesitant to buy it. So thank you for sharing your thoughts. I had a gut feeling the mixing surface would leak and would only see myself using this as a travel palette so now I know it's not for me.
I think you can get some one to adjust the hinges because this is what other new purchasers have said but my uncle has had his for twenty years and it doesn’t do that / and yes he stores his upside down because he uses hand made colors made with hunny and yes they do stick if he’s not careful 😅
@@maggiegregory8399 good to know! They look really nice and compact and that was one of the reasons I was interested. I may look more into it someday. 😊
I woukd LOVE to see a part 2! Thank you for sharing, it inspired me to take a look at my supplies and make a realistic determination on whether to hang on for the off chance of one day using them or letting them go and making space for what i do truly use.
So glad that you enjoyed it, Katie!
i personally really like watercolor pencils. the stuff i draw is mostly fanart of anime characters, and i really like that i can just lay them down dry and use water to set accents, without the need of switching between normal colored pencils and watercolor. i basically dont activate all of the pigment i lay down to create the "illusion" of mixed media
For the soft pastels I’d really recommend experimenting with making them into watercolours! If you combine gum arabic with some honey and crush the sticks into powder you can use a palette knife to mix the liquid with the pigment to be transferred into a pan. I’ve tried it with my Sennelier soft pastels and find I like using them more this way than as pastels 🤍 I think it’s worth mentioning too - please don’t feel disheartened or guilty about having bought materials to find that you don’t like them or use them often! You can’t know beforehand if something is going to be worthwhile unless you try it first…or even a few times!
As a side note, I took a break from my patreon subscription the past couple of months as I’ve been unwell, but I’ve been trying to keep up with the youtube uploads. As I start to manage a little better I’m slowly finding the energy to get back to painting. I can’t wait to rejoin to see what you and the other lovely members have been sharing 🤍
Hi Holly, that's a good tip! Thank you. I'm so sorry to hear that you've been unwell, and hope you're back to your normal self very soon! No rush re: Patreon. It would be great to see you over there again whenever you're up to it. xx
I just took a whole bag of crafts supplies and a huge box of art supplies to a school and an adult care facility. I have to be honest with myself in what I truly enjoy using and working with. The bag of yarn just about unhinged me but I did it!
This was such an informative and honest review and I so appreciate that. I often grapple with the temptation to buy all sorts of art supplies but am reeling it in after de-cluttering and moving a three storey house! I came across art supplies more than 50 years old. Some that had never or rarely been used. This process of letting go was one of the most freeing things I've ever done. I would love another video on regret buys ... it is very helpful indeed!
Thank you for sharing!
I don't really use watercolour pencils except to sketching before painting. I don't like having graphite marks behind my paintings so this fixes the problem.
As for the other supplies I don't really like, I use them very loosely for experimenting abstract drawing/painting. I try to use colours that are not in my usual palette. In this case, I like using all sorts of cheap papers so no guilt and a lot of interesting discoveries!
Such an interesting video! I have lusted after that Frasier Price box since seeing it on your channel despite the fact I almost never paint plein air! I was thinking about it last week again so this video was very timely! 😬 I also have a set of Inktense pencils and watercolour pencils that have been barely used, some soft and Neo pastels and ditto all the Lino cutting gear which at least came in useful for my daughter when she was doing her Graphics A level! Watercolour paint remains my favourite but the fomo after watching a good art haul is real! Thanks for sharing 😁
I would recommend the Art Toolkit palettes for in the studio and outdoors - I use them all the time and they've been great. :)
I think we sometimes have great ideas for trying new things in our art,and get a kind of creative wanderlust so buy all the new mediums etc,but somehow we lose momentum and the idea gets shelved along with the materials as well.But a positive side effect is it makes us appreciate the mediums etc that we do use and love a bit more (Matt)P s selling them on is a good thing as it means you have money to buy more of what you know you will use and also re-homing art materials gives someone a chance to try something new
This is so true, Matt! And thank you for your email the other day - I found it so fascinating. I will reply! Wishing you all the luck in the world.
I so feel this, I've got so many supplies I really should use more ☺
The beauty of Derwent blocks is that they cannot be reactivated by water. That makes them perfect for the first layer underpainting. Also they make excellent tiny flower color additions to a painting for the same reason... they wont smear.
If you apply them first, lin washes...you can glaze over them with watercolours, they DO NOT LIFT...and it is beautiful...the luminousity that comes through to the top of the watercolour wash...I also layer them over themselves, after each layer dries, in thin washes, and the transparency of say 3 colours of the derwent intense with more water colour layers on top is satisfying...don't scrub...they might lift then. I much prefer the pans or blocks...to use with a brush and water....not keen on the pencils as they leave hard edges behind after being wetted....Janis
thank you for your honesty! i've almost stopped watching reviews because "how can one say something is bad when it is gift?" and "how can one admit spending money on poor quality products" ? i only watch reviews that show a product along side a similar product and compare them.
I love lino printing and especially the combination of them (using waterproof black ink) and watercolour! Itös such an interesting contrast of the rigid and the flow I think - and your equipment is just amazing! But of course I understand that it’s not possible to do everything - and you already have so many glorious art related hobbies! So have great fun with them!🎨❤️
I think, the biggest lesson here is when trying a new art supply, start with only a few colours and see if it works for you... Rather than buying sets or large quantities... Then, if it didn't work out, it's only a few. And if it is right for you, you can always get more later..
6:32 I use watercolor pencils as the usual pencils, without water😊
This is probably how these will be used, if I'm honest! ;)
Here's hoping all that linoprinting stuff goes to a good home, I know I'd be well chuffed if I got it! Those cutting tools especially!
Ugh honestly this is how I feel about oil paint… it’s just so messy for me with the solvent, the waste towels, etc! I have a whole box of paint tubes just sitting in a box. Ironically, I do like oil pastels even though those are messy as well but it’s a manageable messy for me! Thanks for the video!
My brass box mixing flaps don’t slope down yet. If the box is often stored without the plastic pan insert the mixing flaps will slump inwards weakening the hinges thereby eventually hanging more downward. Difficult for me to explain☺️. I do agree the box is a bit of a novelty and I would only recommend with that in mind. I used it while traveling once and that was a less than excellent painting experience. It’s very attractive and does spark conversations. Thanks for your honest review
Mine is always stored intact, so I don't know why they slope down? I do love that little box, but it's not exactly practical!
Great video! I made a regrets video too and can totally relate to the feelings you shared, I find them super helpful ❤
Thankfully I don’t have many regrets but reflecting on them is a great way to make better decisions next time and pick the supplies that are right for me x
Watched yours also.
Thank you for sharing your experience its really helpful. Please also show some of your work with various supplies and in general. Always nice to see artists work.
Thank you for sharing this....I gasped when you opened the wooden box with all your lino cutting supplies. I've done the same thing and realized early on that the risk of doing myself an injury took all the possible fun away. Time to pass them on to someone who might really enjoy doing it! Then I'll move on to my pencils and tubes of watercolors. This video is such a help for me to letting go.
I hope that person makes amazing things! What a lovely idea to have art sales like you do. ❤
It’s an artist’s nature to be experimental. I have a lot of things I don’t reach for frequently, but every now and again I get a mixed media itch and make small works with art supplies I have laid aside for a while. This quells the urge to go to the art supply store when i already have things!…moral of the story…shop at home first!
One of my regrets is markers. I should have known cause basically I don’t like the immediate permanence of them, the visual stroke marks, the brash colors. Whatever I create with them looks childish. I never use them. They annoy me like trash that’s not been taken out.
Edit Addendum: Part of my problem is I swoon over color while ignoring the medium.
I attend a free multi media art class for older women, which I love, and I’ve donated unused art materials to the class, including tubes of acrylics and watercolour palettes. And I’m not the only one. Several of us do that. It’s a great way of giving back to the two artists who run the class and who also supply the materials. So I would recommend looking around your local community to se what’s available.
I find it so interesting to see what works for people and what doesn't. I love the Inktense range and soft pastels are one of my favourite mediums to work with. I do need to work out how to protect the carpet in my craft room though.
I too have problems with messy stick media.
When I’m using them (eventually) I love it alot. I just keep reaching for my pens 🖊 or acrylics or watercolour.
But mainly pens and thick mechanical pencils.
I have quite a lot of unused supplies too.
My worst one being Chinese ink bars.
I’ve never used them
I got them 20 years ago 😅
Regarding the Schminke super-granulating - it's been my experience that granulating/super granulating colors don't rewet well, and are best used fresh from the tube. I have a set of "evolving" watercolors from Rockwell art in Canada that are gorgeous, but the difference in performance between using fresh-squeezed paint from the tube and the bits that I've put into pans for convenience is staggering. Given the cost, I won't buy them anymore either, and will just admire them from afar. :)
I do like watercolor pencils in a travel kit, especially if I want to sketch out quick, abstract landscapes. I've used them to sketch /paint florals at a nearby garden estate -- much easier to get a more detailed flower when drawing with the watercolor pencil while standing with people milling about, and using a waterbrush to activate.
I'm jealous of your pastels. If I were in the UK I'd offer to purchase them from you! Unisons are a 'treat' purchase for me here in the US.
Depends on brands I guess, I find my Kusakabe granulating watercolours rewet perfectly well, same with the couple of Daniel Smith ones I have. I've had no issues at all rewetting either brand. But that's why UA-cam is great! We can see supplies in use and share knowledge before purchase 😊
@@lucys.artchat Daniel Smith is better than most, I agree. For me, the colors that tend to granulate but are more common (say, Ultramarine Blue) rewet better than some of their primatek pigments that granulate. I can't speak to the Kusakabe, but now I have a new brand to research, lol. I feel like there's been a recent push to market "super-granulating" watercolors at a very premium price, (Not Daniel Smith, but other brands such as Schminke). And the higher the price, the more difficulty I've had getting them to work as advertised when I've made them into pans, vs using fresh squeezed paint. Could be a matter of climate as well, although on average, where I live is not super dry most months of the year.
@staceg2003 I haven't tried all the primatek colours but I think anything using real earth pigments is more difficult to rewet usually which strikes me as more about specific pigments and how they have to bind them then just granulation per se, but it's just a theory. The Kusakabe ones are from Japan and very reasonable prices for me here in Australia. I've not tried the Schminke granulating ones, and I've heard this about those, and only a few of the Daniel Smith. I think it just goes to show that it's worth doing research before you jump in and pay a lot of money!!
I keep my primateks and also Lunar colors in the tube and use as needed. The difference in performance straight out of the tube is night and day. It's really a waste of paint to pan them.
The watercolor neo caran d’Ache I think are awesome, as well as watercolor pencils. I enjoy mine!
Thank you❤
Hi Natasha, great video, a little tip with watercolour pencils. I use them sometimes with my watercolour paintings by applying detail work on dry paper, but also when the paper is damp, the watercolour pencils are great to use creating a soft effect. I hope this helps. Thank you for sharing your videos. 💕
I also use them on wet paper, I believe they are best this way!
@@jennw6809 maybe this is the way to use my Inktense pencils also...on WET PAPER.
@@kookatsoonjan I only have one Inkense pencil which I got for a special purpose (it's fluorescent yellow-green!) but I'm interested in how it goes!
Oh Natasha, your voice sounds so nice and flowing in this video. I laughed out loud at some of your honest comments and It is refreshing as you think along the same lines as me, in some of the regrets. I didnt like the pastels because of the dangers with dust and the rough way. I only use for clouds over watercolours. Thank you so much for your honest regrets, with Art supplies being SO expensive and so many people saying this is good, that is good, you get drawn into it. Please do another one for us. Looking forward to your regret video number 2. 🙂
I feel you with the watercolour pencils! It took me ages to discover how useful they can be, and now I reach for them quite a lot, especially for drawing and sketching. They are very nice to use for sketches under watercolours because they disappear without trace as soon as I add watercolours. I also like to use them as the first layer before adding regular coloured pencils, it saves me quite a lot of time because that first „watercolour“ layer adds depth to the drawing . And they can be used with alcohol markers, too. (I only reach for alcohol markers in sketchbooks due to their poor lighfastness). Sometimes, when a finished watercolour needs more depth and umph, watercolour pencils can provide those missing lines that will give the painting that special something, especially when it comes to details on faces or hair.
That brass box is so, so pretty, but I’m really glad I didn’t cave in and refrained from buying it. Thank you for pointing our all its flaws, it makes me really happy that I didn’t spend the money on it.
Oil pastels are a new discovery, I regard them as replacement for oil colours that I don’t use precisely because of their odour. I use them with bigger formats for rather loose drawing, and I must say that I grew to like them quite a lot.
Thank you for another interesting and thought provoking video. :D
I sold my Inktense blocks, and rarely use any of my watercolour pencils (though the Albrecht Durer ones are absolutely lovely), I managed to resist the Schmincke paints thankfully, but my biggest agreement was with the Schmincke dot card!! I made a video swatching it, and had some negative comments that I hadn't shown the paints off at their best - hardly a surprise when they were so hard to rewet and so tiny!
Thanks Natasha - fun video!
I bought the Daniel Smith version and their dots were pretty generous for sampling the colors. DS were not all granulating, though. Sorry yours were a disappointment.
@@lauraguilfoyle3476 Yes, my Daniel Smith dot card was more generous!
Hi Natasha, you can actually fix oil pastels with an acrylic glazing medium. Usually the satin is what I use. I apply it with a brush over the oil pastels and it works like a charm. I am also not interested in using sprays and chemicals so this is the perfect fix. Hope that helps you because oil pest cells are so rich and beautiful. It’s a shamenot to add them to your artwork. I also use a lot of watercolor pencils because they are a great base for colored pencils you basically color the area mostly on one side and when you activate it creates a natural gradient so you leave a lot of weight before you activate. Then you can use regular pencils on top and it’s fantastic.
I so relate to your failed purchase stories. Mine have been palettes, brushes, paint manufactures, spritzers, table top easels, uncle Tom Cobley and all! At 76 I should know better😕. My wife still loves me though🙂 Thank you for your amusing take on it all!
I love regrets videos, and would love to see more. It helps me be honest with myself and avoid some regret purchases myself. I really enjoy my watercolor pencils, and use them for sketchy details in landscapes *on wet paper.* Or, to sketch before watercoloring so the lines will disappear. (The idea of drawing anything in detail dry with them, then wetting it, is just silly in my mind). On the other hand I really don't enjoy regular colored pencils, and just last night I wondered why I bought a set of pastel colored ones in addition to the regular ones that I almost never use. But, I am a very loose and expressive painter. I happen to also enjoy soft pastels and oil pastels. Everyone has their own taste, and it's best to be honest with oneself.
Hi. Thank you for posting your regrets. I have drawers full. I do love the Faber Castell water soluble pencils and use them often. They are wonderful for on the go sketch-booking especially on planes, where having a cup of water for your travel palette could end up on your lap, or worse your seat mate’s. I will pack a bunch of them in a pouch, a pencil sharpener and a water brush and I’m good to go. I also use them to add definition and details to watercolor illustrations. ❤
I use watercolor pencils for lineart. I paint base colors, then outline in watercolor pencils, then smooth out the pencil by activating the watercolor with a similar colored Pitt artist pen.
Thank you for a wonderful and honest video on supplies that you’ve bought that you just don’t use or like as well. I too have been tempted by soft pastels and have bought a few but I really don’t like the mess. Oil pastels are another thing that I like the idea of but the mess and having to deal with is too much. This year I am focused on really using the supplies that I know I love which are watercolor neo, color and color pencils. If I could only choose one medium or supply, it would be my watercolors in a sketchbook.
I’m the kind of person who thinks that buying art products is a different hobbie than using them, so I would be incredibly happy having those treasures on my desk even though I never use them 😅
This was so helpful and refreshing, most artist don’t share their buy regrets but like you said these supplies are like candy.
Thank you for sharing
I'm so glad it was helpful!
Very enjoyable, straight to the point video! 😄 my biggest art supply regret is probably the 320 set of Ohuhu Alcohol markers. An impulse ask for Christmas one year. I loved them at first but then I learned that they can even fade in your sketchbooks and that’s just a no for me. I also got so overwhelmed by the amount of colours in the set that I couldn’t even face them anymore. It makes me feel ashamed in one way but at least I’ve learned a lesson!
That's so interesting and relatable - thank you for sharing!
Like you, I like the idea of soft pastels, but I know that messy media are not for me. I don't mind oil pastel because I can keep a cloth with some vegetable oil on it to clean my fingers. As for watercolour pencils, just use them without water. Those albrecht durers will serve you well even if used without water.
THANKS for the tip...a cloth with olive oil...or even baby oil might work for finger cleaning...Janis
@@kookatsoonjan Baby oil will work, but I hate that stuff. Olive oil, walnut oil, macadamia oil, almond oil, or just plain old cheapish sunflower oil all do a great job and leave your skin feeling nice.
Thank you so much for your honesty regarding art supplies. I too am seduced by boxes of beautiful coloured pastels (both chalk and oil) as well as other types of medium even though I know deep in my heart that they would stay unused, gathering dust. So I shall be content with my W&N 12 half pan water colour set and Caran D'ache watercolour pencils acknowledging that after many years' experimenting, these, and only these, suit my hobbyist art work.
I'd love to see a part 2 .
I love this video, please keep making them as you find supplies that don't fit you. I'd love to buy some of the lino cutting from you, I'm just starting to get into it and thinking of upgrading some of the tools I have
I too fell for the brass box. And it sits there entirely unused. I did see someone once using it in the wild and to be honest it looked a mess when actually in use. I also regret the Winsor and Newton travel palette - again just unused. though the little flat water bottle is quite handy. Then there was the brass Schmincke box - too heavy, and worse of all it buckled and I have seen others have the same issue. The mixing surface also dropped down, so like the brass one it did not get used. The cheaper standard small metal palettes are for me, and the Art Toolkit ones too work when out and about. But oh, the amount I bought before that ......
Great video though - made me smile when you kept trying the same supplies that hadn't worked for you before. Made me feel so much better about my own mistakes.
That's so interesting, Jan - thank you for sharing! I don't feel so bad now. And I don't know why I keep trying things I've already tried (that didn't work out) before! What's wrong with me?! 😅
Lovely video, over the years I have accumulated so many art supplies but realised for the stuff I don’t use many charity places will take them or if not they can make lovely gifts for friends and family I know will use them. Especially when u purchase a media and find out it’s not for you or doesn’t personally fit maybe your art style . 💕💕
I think we all have something 😂 I have a large collection of soft pastels - I love them, and used them a lot years ago, but these days it's the mess that's off putting. I am planning to give them one more try... I always wanted some of the Diane Townsend, but perhaps fortunately, never bought them- I found myself eyeingbyour set rather covetously though 😂😂😂
Watercolour pencils: I use these dry, as you would coloured pencils. I love the slightly different finish they give. I particularly like them on Ingres paper - the texture gives them a slightly vintage look, but they also work nicely on smooth papers too. Because I use them like this, my coloured pencils are languishing though!
The Diane Townsends crumble at the slightest touch! The crumbliest brand ever. I don't have any idea how people actually use them.
@jennw6809 really? I had heard the soft pastels were very soft, but not that the Terrages were also.
I have used the Diane Townsend's a bit and mine haven't crumbled!
Thank you for the tip about watercolour pencils!
This was so helpful! I have soft pastels sitting in my cart for over 2 weeks. I am going to wait, sometimes the allure of new is so strong, but restraint is important as well!
Some people make amazing work with them, but they are 100% not for me!
What was I thinking? So glad I am not alone in this when I look at some of my past art supply purchases 😂😂😂😂
I love the inktense blocks, I grate/shave bits off and use as watercolour.
I love the Faber Castell watercolor pencils. I carry them out for Urban Sketching. They are very helpful in museums or for very thin lines on a sketch.
Watercolor pencils...Painting and Chocolate has a series on them that may kindle your interest. Her approach is helpful.
Thanks for the tip!
Thank you for this and showing all those beautiful regrets. Pass them on to others who think they will love them, too. Seeing a product performing perfectly in a video draws me in and I want it. Showing us the reality of using it successfully or not calms my impulse to buy. All of the items you presented do seem lovely to view. Your reviews of them are from your perspective and I appreciate that. What doesn’t work for you could be great for me.
I also had issues with storing oil pastels paintings and fixative...I found that royal talens has a varnish for oil pastels that works great for me, and it doesnt smell. but yeah oil pastels are super messy in general 😅
I find the messiness really distressing. 😂
@@NatashaNewtonArt i can totally relate! specially compared to watercolor 😅
I love your humility. Not always an easy thing to talk about
I subbed beca?, the last thing i need to do today - is to be influenced to shop for more art toys after watching another YT video. Honestly! I have some many supplies I rushed to buy after watching them work well for someone else! So thank you. I loved that brass box too. Its an eye catcher. Grateful you obtained it w points from Jacksons.
Super helpful! And good to know I’m not the only one, lol!
Brilliant video Natasha! Thank you for sharing all of this! Regarding to watercolour pencils - maybe you can use them just as regulars without adding water? :) All the best to you!
I think my biggest regret regarding to art supplies is to buy something too much because I am really into that particular thing at that moment thinking that I am going to use all the time and ending up being fascinated about something else and getting too much of that art supply as well :D
Me too!!!
I have always fun with dot cards. Sometimes there are little give aways at my local art store. My tip for using them is to activate the dots with a waterdrop. After seconds to a Minute they are ready to get brushed 🙃 (specially for the effect of the high granulation colours)
Hello Natasha. I enjoyed watching this video and your commentary about your purchasing habits since I fall into the same patterns as you. I think we all have a fantasy version of ourselves doing certain tasks or attaining certain skills and a lot of does not get implemented. For instance, I like the idea of plain aire panting and have watched countless videos and read books about this practice. I’ve spent a lot of money on different gears for plain aire over the years (fancy chairs, tripods, easels, etc) and never really pursue it. I’ll try it many once or twice, don’t enjoy the experience and then return to my desk practice. I always enjoy the research and purchasing aspects but not the actual practice. Maybe someday I will, but for now I will not purchase any more plain aire products. Thanks so much and Happy new year! 🎆
I'm exactly the same with soft pastels! When will I learn? They just look so delicious.
So tempting!
I do use watercolor pencils dry, because how soft they are. I found they go easier on top of watercolor than oil pencils and also look mat, not glossy which I prefer on watercolor. Recently I bought sketch journal from Hamemule it looked great, but soon I found out it hates colored pencils, but work better with watercolor pencils allow more layers and color pay off. I have never tried Arber Durrer I have a set of Staedtler and several Carandache Super Soft watercolor in the colors I mostly use and I love them so much that I want yo buy a whole set. 😅
I love soft pastels. Thought I would love oil pastels, but didn’t get on with them, so sold my box of over 100 Senneliers on eBay, unregretfully. Love w/c pencils, the Caran d'ache museum have some lovely natural colours, great for botanical and natural history drawing. Also , they make a palette of white plastic that is smooth on one side and rough on the other, for these pencils. Rub the pencil on the rough side and add water, use it like a w/c wash, nice and smooth. I’ve got the Cd'A and the Faber castell sets, as well as the Inktense, and use them all. It's so easy to be suckered into buying all this stuff (guilty as charged!), and having complete set syndrome, but after clearing out my late brother's house I decided to get rid of stuff I don't use.
a white plastic cutting board also works well for this!
Great tips, thank you!
Lovely video and nice to discover such a great UA-camr! I would love to buy your lino supplies if you decide to sell them but no worries if not. Can't wait to watch more of your videos! Cheers friend!!!❤
Hi Natasha, thank you for sharing your perplexities with some art supplies, as I'm sure many of your followers and fellow artists can relate (I can also speak for myself!)
Can I ask you a question: where do you usually sell them? Which platforms do you think are best for rehoming 2nd hand art supplies with various degrees of usage? TYSM!
I tend to sell them for greatly reduced prices to my Patreon members - that way I make a little bit of money back (art supplies are expensive and I'm not making so much money that I'm able to just give everything away!), and my members can try art supplies that may have previously been out of their budget.
I've not really regrets about art supplies themselves but more about the fact that I spend so much and only have a limited time to practise my art. There has been a sleight disappointment with the Etchr cold pressed sketchbook, I've found out that I do not like the texture of the paper inside it.The other thing about this sketch book is that the white cover gets dirty with cathair from my cats.
I hate the Etchr cold press sketchbook. There's something about the paper that it sucks the vibrancy out of any medium you use on it. Everything dries to a dull meh, and gouache gets this weird shiny appearance. Biggest waste of money ever.
I love my watercolor pencils when I’m sick and need an easy painting setup. I also like to use the watercolor pencils to add texture when I’m on the go and I don’t have regular color pencils with me.
i use watercolor pencils mostly for details and i usually 'fix' them on the surface with alcohol rather than water. it does not warp the paper as much and dissolves the pencil binder enough to let the pigment soak the paper. if i want to continue with light over dark i rub the water brush tip on the pencil 'lead' and then apply the brush on the paper for intense color effect.
4:04 Have you tried adding ox gall or synthetic ox gall to the Naturals? It might help with the streaking... I think.
I haven't tried this, but thank you for the tip!
I too went down the lino cutting path and have two boxes of supplies sitting around unusued. Earlier this week, I threw away the tubes of ink as they had been leaking away for two years. I couldn't get kitchen lithography to work for me, so those supplies have gone in the bin also. I am sticking to watercolour painting.
Thank you. This was very helpful, in more ways than one. I need to remember that I'll get more long term happiness from regular practice with the lovely supplies I already have.
So very true! I want to stick to what I love and what I know works for me.
I like how most art supplies can be resold. I once saw a Craigslist ad for oil paints and brushes from a man who used to be a painter but passed away.
Those were months and years old but probably still in good condition.
This was an enjoyable video. Id love to see part 2. Inktense blocks never worked for me and ive given away my soft pastels. Water colour pencils are a great quick sketching tool and looks lovely when softened with water.
I like to use a grey or sepia watercolor pencil for rough sketches when painting so my lines blend in as I paint rather than using graphite and worrying about lines showing under more translucent/lighter colors
Great video. I am not an artist but i play around. I use inktense for fabric art. I made the mistake of getting the pencils, not the blocks. For fabric i really like inktense. I can paint a lovely background and stitch away. Thanks for sharing❤
I enjoyed this very much Natasha! I too fell foul of the complete setup for linocut that only ever was used once or twice, and the press never made its way out of the box… Maybe that’s what it’s all about, learning about new materials and processes even if we settle on the a few we like. My New Year’s resolution is to try do more and buy less! J
For a hundred pounds, any tool should be perfection in all things. Good lord.
I’m surprised by your news about the Schminke paints, thank you for that information.
I’ve got a set of 24 watercolor pencils that I don’t use either. I am glad to know the Inktense blocks are fragile, I’ve been looking at them.
Linocut is great fun but it’s hell on the hands. Try stenciling instead; you can cut them from gallon milk jug plastic, and sponge paint over them. 😁💖
I appreciate the information on the Neopastels, too. Thank you for all the information!
I want that invention that brings me coffee and calls me beautiful.
I love the FB Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils, they are a really good product. The inktense? Not a fan of them, I found them dusty and grainy, especially when dry. Plus they weren’t like inks as they would blend with successive layers of colour 🤨
Thank you so much for the honesty in this video Natasha ❤
1:55 and probably in certain climates in other countries, you can’t use it at all.
Not me drooling at the linosupplies box 😅😂 I'm deep into it and love to explore the possibilities of it.
I also don't know what to do with soft pastels. I can't really put into words what it is, but it's just never becoming what I want it to be
Hi Natasha, for the Schmincke watercolours "granulating" is the term for the colour flowing more uncontrolled. They are designed for people who love those spontaneous effects. They explain that on their website. I am sorry you did not hear that before buying them. Granulating is a trend also with other manufacturers. Hopefully you can sell them to someone who wants just that messy spotty effect. I dont like it myself.😊