Sketchbook Supplies
We're kicking off our Botanical Sketchbook Challenge very soon, so I thought I'd share the sketchbook supplies that I use. (Here's a tip: new art supplies will always brighten your day :))
You do not need to have all of these things to join in the challenge; I just know that some of you will want to know what I use! (Note: the Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that I may receive a small commission if you purchase via those links :))
Eucalyptus Sketchbook (featuring my illustrations on the cover)
I love this size and dimension. It’s not mixed media level paper, but contains heaps of pages. I love this for the hard work of sketching and playing with and capturing ideas with pencil/pen. I take one of these whenever I’m heading out the door and might have time to kill. The paper in this book can take some collage and acrylic paint. It's not ideal for watercolour, although I still do some light washes in it.
Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Hardbound Sketchbook, A4
Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Softcover Sketchbook, 8" x 10"
The Stillman & Birn sketchbooks are a bit more expensive, but have paper that is perfect for mixed media (though not as expensive as watercolour paper and therefore still has a good number of pages in each book). I have these in various sizes. I recommend these for watercolour work, but prefer not to do too much regular drawing in them (purely due to economics :))
Winsor & Newton 830852 Cotman Watercolour Metal Sketchers Box 24 Half Pans
It's well worth having some good quality watercolour paints. I have Windsor & Newton watercolour paints which tick that box nicely! This travel set is perfect for taking with you on a little drawing excursion or cafe drawing session.
Holbein acrylate La gouache 36 colors set
Last year I got this set of acrylic gouache paints for my birthday. Gouache is more opaqe than watercolour. Unlike traditional gouache, acrylic gouache can't be re-wet and re-worked, which means that you can layer it without picking up paint from the previous layer. I pull these paints out when I just want to play and have fun in my sketchbooks.
I use Blackwing pencils for all my sketching. I keep one on my sketchbook at all times in my little pencil sleeve. Having said that, a regular 2B or 4B pencil will also do the trick nicely.
Prismacolor 3599TN Premier Pencils Set 72 Coloured Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos coloured pencils
I love my colour pencils! I have both the Prismacolor and the Polychromos pencils mixed together in my pencil pot. These give a nice rich colour, and I love to use them in tandem with my watercolour paints. If you don't want to by artist pencils, regular Crayola coloured pencils are also very good.
