Something you said about using supplies in different ways (“wrongly” to some) resinated with me. 10 years ago I started teaching myself to paint and draw after a lifetime of not being the “artistic one” in my family. There’s something to my very first attempts with cheap art material that looked freer, looser, and had a quality that all the learning I’ve done, has undone. Interesting…..As always, thanks for sharing this medium and how you use it!
I have all of your classes and LOVE them! I cannot express how awesome it is to hear your internal dialogue! Hearing another artist work out the how and why is so valuable to me! I highly recommend all of your classes! I loved the bonus of going along on your trip to Santa Fe -- one of my favorite artist-soaked destinations!!!
@@christinefisher5716 It is good to hear your endorsement of these, and of the Santa Fe one! I think that is the one I am finally going to buy. The travel content is what pushed it over the top! I think Sandi’s England videos are probably my favorite videos of hers, and easily could have been paid content.
Awesome tips, thank you Sandi. I've gone stick mad too of late 😃 and something I've been having fun with, is submerging your sheet of paper in water then towel off. Apply stick to fluffy, damp/wet art paper. Watch the color explode. Control dampness to suit. Use a water sprayer to do select areas. Keep painting All, regards, M.
I CANNOT wait til the Friday when it’s Sandi’s video day! It’s something I always look forward to! I grab my coffee, my notebook, and settle down into my favorite chair to take notes! You and your channel provide so much inspiration! Thank you for everything that you provide to the artist community! My wish is that someday you’ll have an in person meet up or local retreat!!!
I'm always thankful when it's a "Sandi Friday!!" Can't wait to watch later this afternoon... it's going to be my reward for finishing my next focused work session. 🤗
I have a bunch of these sticks I received as a gift, but wasn’t using them because I wasn’t really sure how to incorporate them into my work. I don’t really need more watercolors. The marks Sandi gets here with her approach are so appealing! I agree with her advice to start out with one stick (and I’d suggest that even if the cost is not a concern.) I did want to mention that although I don’t know if these ever really soften in the way that Neocolor II can, they do soften somewhat. I received mine during the winter and they were very hard, but after watching this video I went to try mine again, and was surprised to find that a few of them were soft enough that they were bending. This also meant that the quality of the marks were different. I have mine stored in the little plastic containers Daniel Smith sells specifically for these sticks, and I wonder if that has something to do with it. It’s been more humid here (though not extremely so) and we do not have AC/dehumidifier running yet and the plastic sheaths inhibit air circulation. I also used a paper with a harder external sizing and found that my marks completely activated with water, so the results were just different from what Sandi gets.
Sandi I always love your videos, as do so many people, but I am dismayed by the few negative comments. I can’t understand why people take the time to criticise things that have been shared in such a generous way. I am always so grateful for your videos and rewatch them and am inspired by them and enjoy them so much 💕💕💕
Whenever I start to play with “new to me “ art supplies , I intentionally don’t look up how to work with it. Once I learn how to properly use something I tend to put myself in a box. I eventually get good enough to get out of that box again., but I find that it takes longer when I learn how I’m supposed to use things first. Great video!
The DS Watercolor Sticks have always baffled me (we don't sell them in store), so thank you for sharing the many ways you use them. It's neat how you can lay down sketch marks then blow them out with water to a level with which you're pleased in certain areas (or not!) As for people who say "you aren't using it right" --- BYEEEEE!
I had to stop the video right in the middle because i was so excited!! You gave me the heads up a few weeks ago that you would be using these sticks in ‘a future video’….i bought your last landscapes class and saw you using them and was so happy! And then today your video came out and I almost choked on my dinner!!! A WHOLE VIDEO FOR ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ART SUPPLIES!!! I am so excited to see how YOU use them and it is already so inspiring! Thank you for such a thorough video! (And PS, I know you’re not necessarily a neat freak like me, but i found they would smudge together when i stuck them back in a container after use because they are still damp….so i bought these containers which separates them and I LOVE them! I tried to add a link but it blocked it. Just search ‘Daniel smith watercolor stick box’. Each box holds, separately….keeps them safe from breaking too!
I'm so glad you were so excited about the video! and yes, when I put them back in my bag damp they make a little mess but I don't really mind - lot's of my materials make a mess in my bag at times. but the containers are nice for those not wanting them to smudge on anything
I just love your art studio every time I look at your show I look at your art studio you got a beautiful art studio very down-home very nice studio well laid out
Thank you ☺️ thank you ☺️ for another brilliant video Sandhi 👏👏👏 I always look forward to my fortnightly totally inspirational Friday evenings with you xx
Thank you so much, Sandy, for this. I love Daniel Smith watercolors, but don't have any of the sticks. It makes perfect sense to me that they would be SO great for sketching and painting with, especially on the go. Thank you so much, and I hope you LOVE using them on your Italy trip. I am on the waiting list, and who knows! Or maybe I can join you on a future trip too! Love your art, love all you do! Thank you, Paula
I don't think I've ever used a material as it is "supposed" to be used. I'm interested in what the material can do that others are not doing with it. That's why I just love your videos. You push different media in all sorts of directions in service to your creative plan and don't let the material dictate what that plan should be. Also, just listened to your art wank podcast today which was a wonderful listen. i'm so excited to find an Australian podcast that I actually like.
Enjoyed this video. Will try some paint sticks. Try wetting your finger , rubbing the paint stick and putting the color on the paper wrapping to help distinguish the color of the stick. 😊❤️
Great video Sandi. I’m a huge fan of these watercolor sticks! I bought 3 to start with (Sodalite Genuine, French Ultramarine and New Gamboge) to just play around. I went back pretty quickly for more. Some of the colors I have are repeats of what are in my watercolor pallet, but most of them are different, so they extend my color range. They aren’t cheap, but they last for a really long time. I use mine constantly and have hardly worn them down at all. I totally agree about the dark colors being difficult to tell apart!
Nice! Thank you. I have a few of those and made certain one was the Quin Burnt Orange. You do you, and use whatever art tool in any way you want. There is no wrong! It's art. 😊
Thank you. I am not an artist by any means, but I do like painting with my grandchildren. Got some cheap watercolor crayons. Tried using them how you did the paint sticks, worked great.
I can see making the purchase...especially when working in Italy as you did and not wanting your materials to melt. My daughter went to Italy to sing a few years back and she said the sun in Italy was brutal! And she loved it! Thank you, Sandi!!
I didn't know these sticks existed and couldn't resist buying a few after watching your video. I love them!!! What a beuatiful marks ans textures you can make with them. And they invite you (or at least your way of using them) to work with your fingers. Tanks again for an inspiring video.
Thanks for another great video! As for the one negative: you could just tape a tiny swatch to the wrapper of the dark colors so you can easily distinguish them? Would that solve it?
Thank you for showing me how you use these. I have an off brand of water soluable pastels. I use them like watercolors most of the time. I have used the dry stick over the painted area for texture. I am so happy you showed me your techniques. I have been trying to observe your process with these sticks. Great ideas!
Ive had a set of these sticks for years and have not used them!! This has really inspired me to get them out again and use them in this way - your sketch at the end was so vibrant with all the different marks ❤❤
I like using the sticks and drawing on them on the actual pallet lid, then I use my finger with the water to mix and get a new color and use my finger to apply the color to the painting. ❤
Amazon sells Washi tape sets at a good price. Maybe you can wrap some of your dark paint sticks with the base color you are unsure of. To make faster decision making? Hope this makes sense. Loved the video. ❤️
Thank you for the class Sandi! I really appreciate watching you (and others) try out different mediums and brands. It gives me an idea of whether they might be something I would like to try. Art materials are a real investment, so this helps a lot!
I wonder if you could offer some advice on your transition from realistic painting to your new loose style. What was the trigger? What was missing that you are getting now? I feel like I’m going through a similar issue but I can’t seem to get over the hump. Where did you start? What was your inspiration to change? Thanks in advance ☺️
When it comes to watercolour I think paper is everything. The paper's composition ie cellulose , cotton etc and manufactured process and amount and type of sizing makes the same watercolour paints do totally differing things. It would be interesting to see how a high quality hot press cotton rag paper would perform when using these Daniel Smith watercolour sticks with your technique. Also you wont have a high quality cotton paper doing "something weird" = pilling up. For a reasonable quality affordable cotton paper Baohong is not bad from aliexpress. They sell in rolls which is handy for making your own sketch books in larger sizes.
Oh I love these already! Definitely going to check them out ❤ Definitely want to invest! I love how you are unafraid to experiment with different supplies and mediums Sandi. The artist's equivalent of pushing the envelope 😁😊 as always your colour swatches are beautiful in themselves ❤
I think my experimenting helps yall who watch - plus it is just my nature to say "wonder what happens if I do this..." I think it's the best part of making art. Once I figure it out I get kind of bored 😂
Enjoyed this video! Was considering Neo Pastels for my next purchase but definitely buying these watercolor sticks. Really nice the way they work. Thank You so much! You always share a lot of information and is much appreciated!❤
Thank you for such a fun and inspiring video Sandi, it’s just what I needed❤️ I received some of these sticks for Christmas but haven’t used them much/wasn’t really sure how to incorporate them. You have once again reminded me that it’s ok to play, experiment and just have fun with new materials. I spent the afternoon swatching and experimenting and I think these might just be one of my ‘new’ favourite things☺️
So inspiring Sandi! I was looking for the info on your gouache palette and don’t see it in your links. I know you’ve shared about it in previous videos. I think I’m ready to make the purchase!
Sandi, have you heard of the 'pigment pens' by we R makers? I got my set off of Amazon. When you lay down a layer of color and smoosh it around with your fingers, you get the same texture I think your loving from those crayons. You should give em a look! 💚 Courtney
Please be aware that our skin is permeable, and many pigments have chemicals that may, or have been proven to, cause cancer/other health issues. That includes many brands, not only DS. The safety information is online, and luckily, quite a few products are safe for our favorite tactile tendencies. (Not criticizing-- hoping to share health info to fellow artists. 🤗) I really enjoy listening to you, and watching you share your joy. I wish I had a wee bit of your color and composition talent--just AMAZING! TY for sharing. 🐎🐅🦆🦉
Sandi, I love how you’re like: just buy one and see how you like it. Impossible! I want all the colors 😂This was a fun video, thanks for sharing these techniques!
I hadn’t even heard of these, what a great mini workshop! Ps you just keep going keeping going we don’t mind at all 😉 Happy weekend, mine started great with this ☺️
Hi. Could you find a spot on the centre of the wraping to swatch its colour on so its easier to identify. Do the water finger swatch. I loved this video thankyou.
Thanks for this video Sandy. I love the way you used these. I’m in New Zealand & there is only one stockist here for these. They are $28.95 per stick, so I will take your advice & buy one to try. But you’ve sold them to me with this show & tell. Thanks, Gay
my favourite way to use DS watercolour sticks is dry stick on wet paper. I enjoy adding marks to my work in a more free way. I also like them for paint splatters and just getting more pigment into one space. I don't think there's a wrong way to use them. I only prefer the colours that don't irk me when I colour with them. Opera Pink is horrible for my tactile sensibilities.
What if you painted little samples of the dark colors and taped them to the labels on the sticks? If I get some I think I’d try that! I have some oil pastels like that where the brown and purple are almost impossible to tell apart until you actually draw with it suddenly they are drastically different colors.
I have not tried these so it's really nice to see different ways to use them. Were you going to mention something about hot weather with these? I imagine they hold up quite well in the heat, unlike anything with wax in them. Thanks for the video, I always like seeing what you are up to.
Great video! Obviously the ability to reactivate would be a difference, but how do you think they compare to inktense blocks? I use those in the same way and they're way more affordable 🤔
I know this is directed at Sandi but I can offer my experience. The watercolor sticks are, first and foremost, for use as watercolor paint. If you don’t add any water at all (even just dipping the end in water), they don’t really draw all that well (although the surface matters and some people will like the scratchy look.) The Inktense blocks have a consistency almost like soft graphite… a little hard to explain, but almost slightly waxy, though I don’t think they contain wax. They can be used dry with pretty good results. They are technically ink and I have not observed any of them to granulate when wet, whereas the Daniel Smith sticks are actual watercolor paint in stick form and have all the same pigments as their tube paint and their dried pans. So, some have really interesting effects including granulation. I believe some are also made with toxic pigments, and I don’t think that is true of Inktense. Also, the Inktense blocks are supposedly “permanent” when dry, although I haven’t found that to be the case entirely. Some people use the Inktense blocks for painting fabric, with very interesting effects, and watercolor paint wouldn’t quite have the right permanency for that.
lots of differences. the inktense are much smaller and they are ink - I've steered away from inks because of lightfastness. the watercolor sticks are obviously watercolor and they are a high quality. you can't get the same texture that I showed you in this video as you can using the watercolor sticks dry
are you asking if the sticks are like gouche because they dont seem to spread like watercolor? if i misunderstood then ignore. so i have the sticks and the paints, they are supposedly 100% the same but i don't believe it because the sticks don't rewet as well! i actually melted some down in a water mix - a mix of water, glycerin & honey, and some synthetic ox gall they rewet & move like the tube paint now. so i believe the sticks had less glycerin and ox gall. as for the way they stick to the paper and don't move, this also seems to be depending on the paper nainly but also on the way you stick them down. straight from the stick vs put on with a brush, they will lift or spread a bit differently.
If you think of them as a drawing implement, they are definitely very expensive compared to almost any other open stock drawing implement. But, if you think of them as premium watercolor paints in stick form, the price is reasonable compared to watercolor pans and tubes. They are very versatile and last a long time. Some people only use them as readily portable watercolor paints, and some people use them in other ways (as shown here.) You can get somewhat similar results with Inktense blocks, which are less expensive.
I was thinking while watching that Inktense blocks and pencils give a very similar result whether wet or dry or a bit of both, especially if you want to add water and retain the marks.
These are equivalent to a large tube of watercolor. It's pure pigment. I don't think I'd ever use these to just play with like Sandi does, I'd use my Caran d'ache, but these last a very long time if you're using them like intended. I don't think these are for play in a sketchbook. She's laying down an extremely large amount of pigment to get just a line.
They are equivalent to 4 half pans of Daniel Smith Watercolor, so in actuality some are kind of a bargain. You aren't paying for a liquid binder, just the pigment. It's all relative.
This doesn’t apply to you just a thought that’s been coming up: I find it interesting how many people in the art community are scared of using white because of Victorian rules that got introduced into watercolour societies (before that many of the old masters used white or body colour watercolour), yet they happily use and nearly everyone has buff titanium. Titanium is simply white, and buff titanium’s pigment code is white and it’s just a contaminated white pigment basically. I do think the warmer colour of it makes more natural looking mixes but a white is a white. I was scared of white myself and of convenience colours for years because of them watercolour laws but I’m having so much more fun now I’m not scared of white; convenience colours; opaque colours (that when diluted are transparent anyway) mixing mud (usually nonsense, some of the great artists have the dirtiest palettes you can see and shades of colours look far more natural most the time than too many pure hues around) and such. I wish we could all free the white paint. I also see so many people using garish white gel pens but still being afraid of white watercolour. Shines and highlights aren’t usually pure white just as shadows aren’t pure grey. A touch of watered down transparent white watercolour is going to look far more natural than a chunk of gel pen.
it absolutely kills me to see you finger paint because I'm always so worried about the archival nature of my materials for the pieces that I paid for clients. I think that maybe water soluble oil pastels would be a good option for you that is much much less expensive than Daniel Smith watercolor sticks.
I'm afraid you have not encouraged to buy the products. Seriously a 2 yr child could have demonstrated them far better than what you have produced here. 😮
Do not leave rude comments. 😮 I don't paint like Sandi but I don't criticize because her style is different. She's showing you can use them in different ways and how SHE uses them. Not to mention the sweet person she is. We like her and her art. If you don't move along! We don't need that negativity here. This is the one place I come for no negativity
Something you said about using supplies in different ways (“wrongly” to some) resinated with me. 10 years ago I started teaching myself to paint and draw after a lifetime of not being the “artistic one” in my family. There’s something to my very first attempts with cheap art material that looked freer, looser, and had a quality that all the learning I’ve done, has undone. Interesting…..As always, thanks for sharing this medium and how you use it!
🤗
I think when we do use cheaper materials we are a bit freer for sure!
I have all of your classes and LOVE them! I cannot express how awesome it is to hear your internal dialogue! Hearing another artist work out the how and why is so valuable to me! I highly recommend all of your classes! I loved the bonus of going along on your trip to Santa Fe -- one of my favorite artist-soaked destinations!!!
Wow, thank you! I’m just thrilled you’re enjoying the classes and thank you for giving them a mention here ❤️❤️❤️❤️
@@sandihester 🥰
@@christinefisher5716 It is good to hear your endorsement of these, and of the Santa Fe one! I think that is the one I am finally going to buy. The travel content is what pushed it over the top! I think Sandi’s England videos are probably my favorite videos of hers, and easily could have been paid content.
I agree with Christine! I can attest to three of the four classes and I love each one. I learned different things in each class.
I am so happy when it is THE Friday night for your video! It definitely gives me so much joy and inspiration, thank you Sandi!
I'm so glad! 🤗
Awesome tips, thank you Sandi. I've gone stick mad too of late 😃 and something I've been having fun with, is submerging your sheet of paper in water then towel off. Apply stick to fluffy, damp/wet art paper. Watch the color explode. Control dampness to suit. Use a water sprayer to do select areas. Keep painting All, regards, M.
I CANNOT wait til the Friday when it’s Sandi’s video day! It’s something I always look forward to! I grab my coffee, my notebook, and settle down into my favorite chair to take notes! You and your channel provide so much inspiration! Thank you for everything that you provide to the artist community! My wish is that someday you’ll have an in person meet up or local retreat!!!
sooooo glad you're enjoying the videos Heather!
I'm always thankful when it's a "Sandi Friday!!" Can't wait to watch later this afternoon... it's going to be my reward for finishing my next focused work session. 🤗
I love that! hope you enjoy it!
I have a bunch of these sticks I received as a gift, but wasn’t using them because I wasn’t really sure how to incorporate them into my work. I don’t really need more watercolors. The marks Sandi gets here with her approach are so appealing! I agree with her advice to start out with one stick (and I’d suggest that even if the cost is not a concern.) I did want to mention that although I don’t know if these ever really soften in the way that Neocolor II can, they do soften somewhat. I received mine during the winter and they were very hard, but after watching this video I went to try mine again, and was surprised to find that a few of them were soft enough that they were bending. This also meant that the quality of the marks were different. I have mine stored in the little plastic containers Daniel Smith sells specifically for these sticks, and I wonder if that has something to do with it. It’s been more humid here (though not extremely so) and we do not have AC/dehumidifier running yet and the plastic sheaths inhibit air circulation. I also used a paper with a harder external sizing and found that my marks completely activated with water, so the results were just different from what Sandi gets.
Sandi I always love your videos, as do so many people, but I am dismayed by the few negative comments. I can’t understand why people take the time to criticise things that have been shared in such a generous way. I am always so grateful for your videos and rewatch them and am inspired by them and enjoy them so much 💕💕💕
Thank you for that!
Sandi I love your little boats, that painting is so cute.
Thank you!!!
Whenever I start to play with “new to me “ art supplies , I intentionally don’t look up how to work with it.
Once I learn how to properly use something I tend to put myself in a box. I eventually get good enough to get out of that box again., but I find that it takes longer when I learn how I’m supposed to use things first.
Great video!
I love using these sticks in so many different ways, they're a lot of fun. Thank for the video 👍
You bet!
The DS Watercolor Sticks have always baffled me (we don't sell them in store), so thank you for sharing the many ways you use them. It's neat how you can lay down sketch marks then blow them out with water to a level with which you're pleased in certain areas (or not!) As for people who say "you aren't using it right" --- BYEEEEE!
you're very welcome! glad it was helpful!
Hi Sandi! I love your ART and I LOVE to watch your videos! they really inspire me to make more art !!!!!
Love this! Love seeing you swatch and talk and draw an eye ball in the sky and a beautiful face with pinky cheeks. Thank you! This was inspiring!
that cracked me up "eyeball in the sky"!
I've been so curious about these. Thank you for sharing how you use them. 😊 I love the colors you chose!
I had to stop the video right in the middle because i was so excited!! You gave me the heads up a few weeks ago that you would be using these sticks in ‘a future video’….i bought your last landscapes class and saw you using them and was so happy! And then today your video came out and I almost choked on my dinner!!! A WHOLE VIDEO FOR ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ART SUPPLIES!!! I am so excited to see how YOU use them and it is already so inspiring! Thank you for such a thorough video! (And PS, I know you’re not necessarily a neat freak like me, but i found they would smudge together when i stuck them back in a container after use because they are still damp….so i bought these containers which separates them and I LOVE them! I tried to add a link but it blocked it. Just search ‘Daniel smith watercolor stick box’. Each box holds, separately….keeps them safe from breaking too!
I'm so glad you were so excited about the video! and yes, when I put them back in my bag damp they make a little mess but I don't really mind - lot's of my materials make a mess in my bag at times. but the containers are nice for those not wanting them to smudge on anything
I just love your art studio every time I look at your show I look at your art studio you got a beautiful art studio very down-home very nice studio well laid out
My weekend is always made when a new video drops! You are a gift Sandi
awe - thanks so much Jodie!
Thank you ☺️ thank you ☺️ for another brilliant video Sandhi 👏👏👏 I always look forward to my fortnightly totally inspirational Friday evenings with you xx
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much, Sandy, for this. I love Daniel Smith watercolors, but don't have any of the sticks. It makes perfect sense to me that they would be SO great for sketching and painting with, especially on the go. Thank you so much, and I hope you LOVE using them on your Italy trip. I am on the waiting list, and who knows! Or maybe I can join you on a future trip too! Love your art, love all you do! Thank you, Paula
I’ve looked at these sticks many times, thank you for showing us different ways of using them.
you're welcome!
Awesome! Those watercolor sticks look like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing all the info. 😊
You are so welcome!
You totally have inspired me!!! I have 3 daniel smith sticks I’m going to increase my collection definitely!
I don't think I've ever used a material as it is "supposed" to be used. I'm interested in what the material can do that others are not doing with it. That's why I just love your videos. You push different media in all sorts of directions in service to your creative plan and don't let the material dictate what that plan should be. Also, just listened to your art wank podcast today which was a wonderful listen. i'm so excited to find an Australian podcast that I actually like.
so glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for your tips about he sticks. 🙏💜
I didn't know these sticks! I must love them... Thanks for sharing! Wonderful video, as usual, Sandi! Love, bye
Enjoyed this video. Will try some paint sticks. Try wetting your finger , rubbing the paint stick and putting the color on the paper wrapping to help distinguish the color of the stick. 😊❤️
making me smile on Friday
I'm soooooo happy!
Great video Sandi. I’m a huge fan of these watercolor sticks! I bought 3 to start with (Sodalite Genuine, French Ultramarine and New Gamboge) to just play around. I went back pretty quickly for more. Some of the colors I have are repeats of what are in my watercolor pallet, but most of them are different, so they extend my color range. They aren’t cheap, but they last for a really long time. I use mine constantly and have hardly worn them down at all. I totally agree about the dark colors being difficult to tell apart!
That’s how I feel - they just keep on going even with a lot of use!
Nice! Thank you. I have a few of those and made certain one was the Quin Burnt Orange. You do you, and use whatever art tool in any way you want. There is no wrong! It's art. 😊
Thank you so much for sharing, I love your channel!
Thank you so much!
Great video! Loved all of the demonstrations and your process. LOVED THE SANTA FE LANDSCAPE COURSE! Thanks so much. Sondra Borrie
sooooo glad you loved the course - yahoooooo
I ordered some of these sticks because of watching this!
Thank you. I am not an artist by any means, but I do like painting with my grandchildren. Got some cheap watercolor crayons. Tried using them how you did the paint sticks, worked great.
I can see making the purchase...especially when working in Italy as you did and not wanting your materials to melt.
My daughter went to Italy to sing a few years back and she said the sun in Italy was brutal! And she loved it!
Thank you, Sandi!!
Sounds utterly awful lol
I didn't know these sticks existed and couldn't resist buying a few after watching your video. I love them!!! What a beuatiful marks ans textures you can make with them. And they invite you (or at least your way of using them) to work with your fingers. Tanks again for an inspiring video.
Glad you like them!
Thanks for another great video! As for the one negative: you could just tape a tiny swatch to the wrapper of the dark colors so you can easily distinguish them? Would that solve it?
Thank you for showing me how you use these. I have an off brand of water soluable pastels. I use them like watercolors most of the time. I have used the dry stick over the painted area for texture. I am so happy you showed me your techniques. I have been trying to observe your process with these sticks. Great ideas!
Wonderful!
Sandy, i love your videos. You always inspire me to play and try new things. Thank you 🤗🥰
I'm so glad!
Ive had a set of these sticks for years and have not used them!! This has really inspired me to get them out again and use them in this way - your sketch at the end was so vibrant with all the different marks ❤❤
Great to hear!
I like using the sticks and drawing on them on the actual pallet lid, then I use my finger with the water to mix and get a new color and use my finger to apply the color to the painting. ❤
Perfect way to start the weekend 😍
Amazon sells Washi tape sets at a good price.
Maybe you can wrap some of your dark paint sticks with the base color you are unsure of. To make faster decision making?
Hope this makes sense.
Loved the video. ❤️
good idea!
These look so cute, I love the ideas ☺☺
Glad you like them!
You’ve totally sold me on those watercolour sticks! I want to buy them immediately 🙈
same! :D
Thank you for the class Sandi! I really appreciate watching you (and others) try out different mediums and brands. It gives me an idea of whether they might be something I would like to try. Art materials are a real investment, so this helps a lot!
sooooo glad it's helpful!
I wonder if you could offer some advice on your transition from realistic painting to your new loose style. What was the trigger? What was missing that you are getting now? I feel like I’m going through a similar issue but I can’t seem to get over the hump. Where did you start? What was your inspiration to change? Thanks in advance ☺️
I've got other videos on this channel about this - look around here and I think you'll find some encouragement and advice
When it comes to watercolour I think paper is everything. The paper's composition ie cellulose , cotton etc and manufactured process and amount and type of sizing makes the same watercolour paints do totally differing things. It would be interesting to see how a high quality hot press cotton rag paper would perform when using these Daniel Smith watercolour sticks with your technique. Also you wont have a high quality cotton paper doing "something weird" = pilling up.
For a reasonable quality affordable cotton paper Baohong is not bad from aliexpress. They sell in rolls which is handy for making your own sketch books in larger sizes.
Oh I love these already! Definitely going to check them out ❤ Definitely want to invest! I love how you are unafraid to experiment with different supplies and mediums Sandi. The artist's equivalent of pushing the envelope 😁😊 as always your colour swatches are beautiful in themselves ❤
I think my experimenting helps yall who watch - plus it is just my nature to say "wonder what happens if I do this..." I think it's the best part of making art. Once I figure it out I get kind of bored 😂
@@sandihester absolutely! One of my reasons for subscribing to your channel Sandi 😊❤ for your courage in experimenting and your lovely personality 😊
You taught me how to loosen up ❤
Enjoyed this video! Was considering Neo Pastels for my next purchase but definitely buying these watercolor sticks. Really nice the way they work. Thank You so much! You always share a lot of information and is much appreciated!❤
Glad it was helpful!
I think a small damp sponge might wet the sticks how you would enjoy. Best to you 🌸
ohhhh - that's a good idea too!
Thank you for such a fun and inspiring video Sandi, it’s just what I needed❤️ I received some of these sticks for Christmas but haven’t used them much/wasn’t really sure how to incorporate them. You have once again reminded me that it’s ok to play, experiment and just have fun with new materials. I spent the afternoon swatching and experimenting and I think these might just be one of my ‘new’ favourite things☺️
that's awesome!
So inspiring Sandi! I was looking for the info on your gouache palette and don’t see it in your links. I know you’ve shared about it in previous videos. I think I’m ready to make the purchase!
I did forget to add that didn't I. I do share it in my Favorites playlist under my favorite watercolors
@@sandihester oh good. I’ll look there. Thanks
Sandi, have you heard of the 'pigment pens' by we R makers? I got my set off of Amazon. When you lay down a layer of color and smoosh it around with your fingers, you get the same texture I think your loving from those crayons. You should give em a look! 💚 Courtney
Please be aware that our skin is permeable, and many pigments have chemicals that may, or have been proven to, cause cancer/other health issues. That includes many brands, not only DS. The safety information is online, and luckily, quite a few products are safe for our favorite tactile tendencies. (Not criticizing-- hoping to share health info to fellow artists. 🤗)
I really enjoy listening to you, and watching you share your joy. I wish I had a wee bit of your color and composition talent--just AMAZING! TY for sharing. 🐎🐅🦆🦉
PS. I really appreciated when you spoke back when about Oils and a paint mix that bothered you.
Sandi, I love how you’re like: just buy one and see how you like it. Impossible! I want all the colors 😂This was a fun video, thanks for sharing these techniques!
well, I know - that was kind of a ridiculous suggestion wasn't it 😂
I hadn’t even heard of these, what a great mini workshop! Ps you just keep going keeping going we don’t mind at all 😉 Happy weekend, mine started great with this ☺️
Thanks so much! 😊
Hi. Could you find a spot on the centre of the wraping to swatch its colour on so its easier to identify. Do the water finger swatch. I loved this video thankyou.
Thanks for this video Sandy. I love the way you used these. I’m in New Zealand & there is only one stockist here for these. They are $28.95 per stick, so I will take your advice & buy one to try. But you’ve sold them to me with this show & tell. Thanks, Gay
Gay I feel sick over how expensive they are there - I'm so sorry!!!
my favourite way to use DS watercolour sticks is dry stick on wet paper. I enjoy adding marks to my work in a more free way. I also like them for paint splatters and just getting more pigment into one space.
I don't think there's a wrong way to use them. I only prefer the colours that don't irk me when I colour with them. Opera Pink is horrible for my tactile sensibilities.
my favourite colours in the sticks are buff titanium, burnt umber, moon glow (purple) and phthalo turquoise or cobalt teal blue.
I've had Moonglow since 2019 and it's still ⅔ of a new stick I recently got.
that cracked me up about Opera Pink - that was the only stick that had a weird feel about it - I thought maybe it was just my stick
@@sandihester Nope, DS Opera Pink seams to be that way in general.
Can you make a video on composition and composition change? Thanks in advance
If you go searching through her backlog you will find videos about composition. It is something she has talked about a lot.
What if you painted little samples of the dark colors and taped them to the labels on the sticks? If I get some I think I’d try that! I have some oil pastels like that where the brown and purple are almost impossible to tell apart until you actually draw with it suddenly they are drastically different colors.
I have not tried these so it's really nice to see different ways to use them. Were you going to mention something about hot weather with these? I imagine they hold up quite well in the heat, unlike anything with wax in them. Thanks for the video, I always like seeing what you are up to.
Yes, I did mention the heat in the video
@@sandihester Sorry, I found it. I must have dozed off for a few minutes last night.
Great video! Obviously the ability to reactivate would be a difference, but how do you think they compare to inktense blocks? I use those in the same way and they're way more affordable 🤔
I had someone else ask me the difference in an earlier comment
Are you doing the Richard Claremont retreat?
Can you stain the wrappers of the dark colors using a brush, atleast the white circular rims on the two sides should.
Oh I didn't like those sticks at all, but I like the way you use them... What's the difference between watercolor sticks and inktense sticks.?
I know this is directed at Sandi but I can offer my experience. The watercolor sticks are, first and foremost, for use as watercolor paint. If you don’t add any water at all (even just dipping the end in water), they don’t really draw all that well (although the surface matters and some people will like the scratchy look.) The Inktense blocks have a consistency almost like soft graphite… a little hard to explain, but almost slightly waxy, though I don’t think they contain wax. They can be used dry with pretty good results. They are technically ink and I have not observed any of them to granulate when wet, whereas the Daniel Smith sticks are actual watercolor paint in stick form and have all the same pigments as their tube paint and their dried pans. So, some have really interesting effects including granulation. I believe some are also made with toxic pigments, and I don’t think that is true of Inktense. Also, the Inktense blocks are supposedly “permanent” when dry, although I haven’t found that to be the case entirely. Some people use the Inktense blocks for painting fabric, with very interesting effects, and watercolor paint wouldn’t quite have the right permanency for that.
lots of differences. the inktense are much smaller and they are ink - I've steered away from inks because of lightfastness. the watercolor sticks are obviously watercolor and they are a high quality. you can't get the same texture that I showed you in this video as you can using the watercolor sticks dry
Thanks a lot for this inspiring video. I'm so in love with the two big paintings behind you, i guess i saw them on your instagram.
Thank you so much 🤗
Ok now i have to have these because I am all about the scratchy
yessss
I'm wondering if the watercolor sticks would be compatible with Neocolor 2s, like could you use both together?
They're the DS paint in a stick. Mix and match, have some fun!
yes - I use them together
💫💫💫💫💫
Is gouache. Waxing. It seems like it doesn't move loosely or saturate??
are you asking if the sticks are like gouche because they dont seem to spread like watercolor?
if i misunderstood then ignore.
so i have the sticks and the paints, they are supposedly 100% the same but i don't believe it because the sticks don't rewet as well! i actually melted some down in a water mix - a mix of water, glycerin & honey, and some synthetic ox gall they rewet & move like the tube paint now. so i believe the sticks had less glycerin and ox gall. as for the way they stick to the paper and don't move, this also seems to be depending on the paper nainly but also on the way you stick them down. straight from the stick vs put on with a brush, they will lift or spread a bit differently.
Create Create Create 🪷
The green may have seemed grainy because it has a good bit of granulation going on.
Surprised you didn’t use your Flashe paints.
Wanted to use paints that most people would have. Not as many people are familiar with Flashe paint. But it sits on Flashe wonderfully too!
Okay, you did just use the water to dip into and then explained why you prefer not to, lol😂
guess I was just showing that you 'could' do that - but I find it gets too much water on the end when I do that for some reason
Why not just dip the end of the crayon into the water? You wouldn't have to keep it in very long, just get a wet...thanks for sharing ❤
She literally talked about why she doesn’t usually dip them! Maybe try listening to the whole video?😊
Those sticks are expensive. I clicked the link and just 1 of the titanium white is near 10.00....no for me.
If you think of them as a drawing implement, they are definitely very expensive compared to almost any other open stock drawing implement. But, if you think of them as premium watercolor paints in stick form, the price is reasonable compared to watercolor pans and tubes. They are very versatile and last a long time. Some people only use them as readily portable watercolor paints, and some people use them in other ways (as shown here.) You can get somewhat similar results with Inktense blocks, which are less expensive.
Yes, I mentioned that they are expensive in the video but they last soooooo long! But it’s not for everyone
I was thinking while watching that Inktense blocks and pencils give a very similar result whether wet or dry or a bit of both, especially if you want to add water and retain the marks.
These are equivalent to a large tube of watercolor. It's pure pigment. I don't think I'd ever use these to just play with like Sandi does, I'd use my Caran d'ache, but these last a very long time if you're using them like intended. I don't think these are for play in a sketchbook. She's laying down an extremely large amount of pigment to get just a line.
They are equivalent to 4 half pans of Daniel Smith Watercolor, so in actuality some are kind of a bargain. You aren't paying for a liquid binder, just the pigment. It's all relative.
Fun ,but too expensive!
The weeks you tube Leslie Stroz
Far too expensive for me. Over £12 a stick in the UK
This doesn’t apply to you just a thought that’s been coming up: I find it interesting how many people in the art community are scared of using white because of Victorian rules that got introduced into watercolour societies (before that many of the old masters used white or body colour watercolour), yet they happily use and nearly everyone has buff titanium. Titanium is simply white, and buff titanium’s pigment code is white and it’s just a contaminated white pigment basically.
I do think the warmer colour of it makes more natural looking mixes but a white is a white. I was scared of white myself and of convenience colours for years because of them watercolour laws but I’m having so much more fun now I’m not scared of white; convenience colours; opaque colours (that when diluted are transparent anyway) mixing mud (usually nonsense, some of the great artists have the dirtiest palettes you can see and shades of colours look far more natural most the time than too many pure hues around) and such.
I wish we could all free the white paint. I also see so many people using garish white gel pens but still being afraid of white watercolour. Shines and highlights aren’t usually pure white just as shadows aren’t pure grey. A touch of watered down transparent white watercolour is going to look far more natural than a chunk of gel pen.
i have thought the same thing about white being so looked down on, then the same people using buff titanium! makes no sense to me
You would be better off using oil pastels on acrylic, not watercolor medium
it absolutely kills me to see you finger paint because I'm always so worried about the archival nature of my materials for the pieces that I paid for clients. I think that maybe water soluble oil pastels would be a good option for you that is much much less expensive than Daniel Smith watercolor sticks.
Using a finger to apply paint will not affect the archival quality of the art.
I'm afraid you have not encouraged to buy the products. Seriously a 2 yr child could have demonstrated them far better than what you have produced here. 😮
Honestly what motivates a person to take the trouble to make a nasty comment like that? If you don’t like her videos, just move on!
Do not leave rude comments. 😮 I don't paint like Sandi but I don't criticize because her style is different. She's showing you can use them in different ways and how SHE uses them. Not to mention the sweet person she is. We like her and her art. If you don't move along! We don't need that negativity here. This is the one place I come for no negativity