Before starting I bought a set on Amazon, for a great price, that included the nail tools, the clay tools and a wood handled set with sizes different to the others. A ball tip will dot the same way regardless of size, which is why I chose those blue tools. I have arthritis and believe needing to be perfectly vertical with a flat tool might be challenging. The rounded tips seem more forgiving and where the clay tools are so large, I figure I'll use them less frequently so the weight shouldn't be fatiguing. Before investing $48 (the holder looks helpful) I might try a wooden dowel to see if vertical works for me. I did appreciate your demonstration though keeping the hand slip wasn't entirely fair lol.
Honestly, when I first learned it was always taught it was essential to go vertical, but as you grow you learn and you get into a rhythm all your own you will find that it is not the death of you if you don't. If you have your tool loaded up enough, the paint touches the surface not the tool. Gravity will pull the paint from the tool onto the surface and bring it down in a round dot. :) Sometimes it is hard to verbally explain these things so hopefully that makes sense.
Quality does make a difference. I have heard the acrylic rods do disintegrate overtime, by chipping. I decided to finally invest in a decent set of the small dotting tool set. Those coming out of Asia and are very cheap, can't be relied upon to be consistency on their performance. The silver plating in some climates doesn't wear well.
It's true that acrylic rods wear so easily! It's a shame and people like me do get nervous about spending money on a good upgrade, but they are well worth it!! Thanks for your feedback. 🌸
Brilliant. I've been contemplating buying these and now I will. Glad you said the round ones are for clay as I was having a hard time with them haha!!! X
Oh absolutely! When I bought my first set I was clueless. I had no idea that the tools they sent in the kit were not all dot art specific so I too was super confused. It’s not said anywhere and most sets simply don’t come with instructions or size guides so you are left dangling. Hope you enjoy these, have fun!
On her Etsy site, she has a photo of the S2 and S4. S2 is a 2mm stylus, the S4 a 4MM stylus. Same idea with the ellipse the number is the mm of the tool.
It is nice! The only thing I will say is that for the largest sizes, the head of the tool is ever so slightly wider than the triangular handle, thus they do roll.
I was just wondering do you feel that the barrel angle would hurt your fingers over time? i have at times arthritis in fingers and was wondering if these barrel shapes would make my fingers hurt due to traingle type shape ?this is why ive been humming and hyming whether to purschase these but i would like more sizes but the unknown of the barrels would make my fingers a bit more sensitive for gripping have held me back..Not alot of artist really talk about these issues but i saw you stated the weight and not rolling was great concept..could you do a possible follow up video on the barrel shape and if you still like this set..💛🇺🇲🇨🇦✍🎨
Honestly, I tend to swap out tool’s often. I don’t for example work on large pieces where I am using the same tool repetitively over hours. Although, I have worked with these tools almost exclusively for a year with no issues. Very light tools, comfortable to grip. The grip gets smaller/rounder the larger the tool so the biggest sizes still roll on my desk though, but comfort has not been an issue at all. Thank you btw, welcome!
I’m a newbie to this art form. But I do my research and watch a lot of videos. Nice video. I would have done more close ups of dots so we could see the results better. Heres some food for thought. First, dotting with acrylic paint isn’t meant to be done on paper. Second, the type of paint you use gives you various results. Third, the surface you’re dotting on determines how you dot. I believe all of this needs to be taken into consideration because they all affect the results of your dotting. Also, wouldn’t the flat tool E4 & E3 tool be used to wipe off mistakes?
He @deliatvp43. Welcome! You are correct, paper is not the ideal surface but beginner artists don't often wish to “waste” canvas for example, and it works for my point. 🎨However, yes I cover these details about practice surfaces, paint, and techniques in other videos on my channel, like my beginner series, etc. Thanks for touching on them. They are important!! The E4 and E3 are made to place the elongated dot. They are the same material as the others. The shape might be deceiving though, they look a lot like the soft silicone tools often used to correct mistakes. Thanks for stopping by! Appreciated.
There definitely is not a “should” in my opinion. Keep in mind that round headed tools are going to be much larger in diameter (and possibly heavier) than flat to obtain that same size dot, based on its method of measurement. For that reason I like the flat headed tools, like these.
So long as your paint is the right consistency, yes it will dry flat. If it is too thick it may even have a small point, or nipple to it after drying. If you get ridges then there is not enough paint on your tool, and/or you have touched the surface and squashed the paint and it may dry with the ridges, again given its consistency. The paint I used here isn’t top quality (can you tell? Trying to use leftovers), but still dries alright without a dome.
ok, thanks! I am wanting to put polka dots on wood items and this seems to be the perfect tool I am looking for. Will test out on scrap wood. @@SilvenmystDesigns
I bought a set of the HD and you are absolutely right, the tools makes our doting easy and fun to work with🤗👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Absolutely a game changer. :)
I've had these for awhile now and I just love them.
They are great, right?! They have replaced all my others.
Nice video. Thank you. I love to make flower petals with oval tools. I use a pencil eraser and like it.
The flowers seem like the most obvious choice for that tool, right? Maybe I’ll find some other cool things to do with it!
Before starting I bought a set on Amazon, for a great price, that included the nail tools, the clay tools and a wood handled set with sizes different to the others. A ball tip will dot the same way regardless of size, which is why I chose those blue tools. I have arthritis and believe needing to be perfectly vertical with a flat tool might be challenging. The rounded tips seem more forgiving and where the clay tools are so large, I figure I'll use them less frequently so the weight shouldn't be fatiguing. Before investing $48 (the holder looks helpful) I might try a wooden dowel to see if vertical works for me. I did appreciate your demonstration though keeping the hand slip wasn't entirely fair lol.
Honestly, when I first learned it was always taught it was essential to go vertical, but as you grow you learn and you get into a rhythm all your own you will find that it is not the death of you if you don't.
If you have your tool loaded up enough, the paint touches the surface not the tool. Gravity will pull the paint from the tool onto the surface and bring it down in a round dot. :) Sometimes it is hard to verbally explain these things so hopefully that makes sense.
Quality does make a difference. I have heard the acrylic rods do disintegrate overtime, by chipping. I decided to finally invest in a decent set of the small dotting tool set. Those coming out of Asia and are very cheap, can't be relied upon to be consistency on their performance. The silver plating in some climates doesn't wear well.
It's true that acrylic rods wear so easily! It's a shame and people like me do get nervous about spending money on a good upgrade, but they are well worth it!! Thanks for your feedback. 🌸
Brilliant. I've been contemplating buying these and now I will. Glad you said the round ones are for clay as I was having a hard time with them haha!!! X
Oh absolutely! When I bought my first set I was clueless. I had no idea that the tools they sent in the kit were not all dot art specific so I too was super confused. It’s not said anywhere and most sets simply don’t come with instructions or size guides so you are left dangling.
Hope you enjoy these, have fun!
Thanks. This certainly helps make my decision to purchase these tools. I use a screwdriver to make an ellipse shape. Perfect for a dragon fly body. 😁
Oh my... Wow, I wouldn't have thought about a screwdriver. That's a fantastic DIY solution, though! 💜 Glad I could help w/ your decision.
I use alot of tools also i really would like this set tho..
Worth it.
If you on the fence, go for it
On her Etsy site, she has a photo of the S2 and S4. S2 is a 2mm stylus, the S4 a 4MM stylus. Same idea with the ellipse the number is the mm of the tool.
Ah! Thank you for the information! 👍👍
I dragged my ellipse tool and it was great!
Thanks for explaining the size difference. I thought it was me, but it's the tool.
Glad to help!
The triangular shape is perfect, cause they are not rolling on the table and don't slip from fingers.
It is nice! The only thing I will say is that for the largest sizes, the head of the tool is ever so slightly wider than the triangular handle, thus they do roll.
I was just wondering do you feel that the barrel angle would hurt your fingers over time? i have at times arthritis in fingers and was wondering if these barrel shapes would make my fingers hurt due to traingle type shape ?this is why ive been humming and hyming whether to purschase these but i would like more sizes but the unknown of the barrels would make my fingers a bit more sensitive for gripping have held me back..Not alot of artist really talk about these issues but i saw you stated the weight and not rolling was great concept..could you do a possible follow up video on the barrel shape and if you still like this set..💛🇺🇲🇨🇦✍🎨
Honestly, I tend to swap out tool’s often. I don’t for example work on large pieces where I am using the same tool repetitively over hours. Although, I have worked with these tools almost exclusively for a year with no issues. Very light tools, comfortable to grip. The grip gets smaller/rounder the larger the tool so the biggest sizes still roll on my desk though, but comfort has not been an issue at all.
Thank you btw, welcome!
I’m a newbie to this art form. But I do my research and watch a lot of videos. Nice video. I would have done more close ups of dots so we could see the results better. Heres some food for thought. First, dotting with acrylic paint isn’t meant to be done on paper. Second, the type of paint you use gives you various results. Third, the surface you’re dotting on determines how you dot. I believe all of this needs to be taken into consideration because they all affect the results of your dotting. Also, wouldn’t the flat tool E4 & E3 tool be used to wipe off mistakes?
He @deliatvp43. Welcome! You are correct, paper is not the ideal surface but beginner artists don't often wish to “waste” canvas for example, and it works for my point. 🎨However, yes I cover these details about practice surfaces, paint, and techniques in other videos on my channel, like my beginner series, etc. Thanks for touching on them. They are important!!
The E4 and E3 are made to place the elongated dot. They are the same material as the others. The shape might be deceiving though, they look a lot like the soft silicone tools often used to correct mistakes. Thanks for stopping by! Appreciated.
Should larger dotting tools be flat or slightly beveled on the ends?
There definitely is not a “should” in my opinion. Keep in mind that round headed tools are going to be much larger in diameter (and possibly heavier) than flat to obtain that same size dot, based on its method of measurement. For that reason I like the flat headed tools, like these.
I notice a blob of paint in the center. Does this flatten out after drying?
So long as your paint is the right consistency, yes it will dry flat. If it is too thick it may even have a small point, or nipple to it after drying. If you get ridges then there is not enough paint on your tool, and/or you have touched the surface and squashed the paint and it may dry with the ridges, again given its consistency.
The paint I used here isn’t top quality (can you tell? Trying to use leftovers), but still dries alright without a dome.
ok, thanks! I am wanting to put polka dots on wood items and this seems to be the perfect tool I am looking for. Will test out on scrap wood. @@SilvenmystDesigns
Sounds perfect!