Materials
This page is a complete list of supplies used. Each artist material is accompanied by an affiliate purchase link, through which, I receive a small commission at no added charge.
“Helium Spring” - Drawing
This was my first time using Claire Fontaine Pastelmat and I’m officially hooked. Up to this point I’ve never used a surface so perfectly suited to my particular style of drawing. layering in several translucent layers of colored pencil. This surface has all the benefits of sanded paper without all the drawbacks. It’s textured enough to build gorgeously rich layers of pigment but it doesn’t grate my pencils down. It’s also smooth enough to give me incredibly fine detail. I don’t use any solvents or blending tools, it’s just a sharp point and listening to lots of podcasts. I should mention that since I like to keep a constant sharp point on my pencils, a good electric sharpener is essential. I use the Exacto Pro Eclectic Sharpener with different sized holes. It’s a tank and gives a great medium/long point. Link below.
“BACCARA” - Oil painting
There is a special quality to painting with oils on this beautiful panel surface that’s been coated with three coats of acrylic gesso. People do comment more than usual when I paint on this support. It gives the image a very soft 3 dimensional quality. With no canvas grain, you get an incredible translucent look. I use the 3/4” cradled boards because they’re more archival and provide extra security when framing. For paint I’ve tried the most expensive brands out there, but I always come back to M. Graham oil colors. They use Walnut oil as a binder, which dries slower than linseed oil and since a lot of my work is painted wet on wet to achieve a seamless blend I make the most out of that extended drying time. It’s not a thick, dry paint like Williamsburg or Old Holland. M. Graham has more of a soft, buttery texture. It’s easier to blend out the brush strokes, especially with added oil in the final layers. My favourite brushes for blending are Black Sable. Finally, I use two products to clean my brushes. The first is a non toxic solvent called Turpenoid Natural. But do NOT mix this with your oil paints to use this as a medium. It should only be used to clean brushes. It will do all manner of weird things if mixed in as a medium. I just use it to clean the brushes after a session if complete. The oil paint will sink to the bottom of the jar, so you can keep using it for subsequent cleanings. After my brushes have been cleaned with turpenoid, I wash them again with The Master’s Brush Cleaner. I have a big tub of it. It will keep the brushes nice and conditioned. You can also use it to keep a fine tip on the detail brushes.