My current on going art-supply-craze is Caran d’Ache Neocolor ii, Turner Acryl Gouache, Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground and the newest, Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Sticks.
I love these products so much that I am finding ways to add them to my daily art routine.
I was introduced to Caran d’Ache Neocolor ii, Turner Acryl Gouache and Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground through classes by Mindy Lacefield that I took some time ago. (You can learn more about Mindy and her classes at mindylacefieldart.com or @mindylacefieldart on Instagram).
As with most new art supplies, other than the Turner Acryl Gouache, when first introduced to these supplies, I was cautious and not sure I would like them.
But after getting used to them and gradually trying them in my daily artwork, I fell in love with them!
The exception is Turner Acryl Gouache, which I fell in love with immediately!
Previously, I have used Holbein Acryl Gouache a lot and I liked painting with it but there is something different about the Turner Acryl Gouache. The colors are so vibrant and yummy!
Recently, I came across the Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Sticks and wanted to try a few daily colors before I invested in more of them. So far, I am very happy with them and would like to get more eventually.
Generally, I sharpen everything that I can. Sharpening gives me a little more control, since I tend to work small. Sometimes it can take a while to figure out the properly sized sharpener to use (which is why the white Daniel Smith Color Stick is so short, I accidentally broke it trying different sized sharpeners)
For me, a Yoobi pencil sharpener from Target works best for Neocolor ii and other small pastels.
For the Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Sticks, which are much thicker and harder than the Neocolor ii pastels, I found that a Stabilo sharpener meant for Stabilo Woodys works best. I keep the Watercolor Stick sharpenings in watercolor half pans, add water and use them as watercolors. That way, none of the expensive watercolor stick is wasted.
I also keep a Helix Duel Sharpener on hand because it fits other hard to sharpen items, such as, Faber-Castell Pastels.
I’ll talk more about the Caran d’Ache Neocolor ii, Turner Acryl Gouache, Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground and Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Sticks in up coming mini-post but if you have any questions, feel free to comment or send me a message.
Cheers!