Every Day in May - 5
EDM Challenge #222: My Favorite Art Tool
I love Niji Waterbrushes! I started playing with watercolor paints approximately 5 years ago and bought a series of round brushes from size 00 to 12. I learned how NOT to spill my water containers, but never felt completely confident that I could paint in my sketchbooks in the living room, bedroom, or friends homes. I was an "early" convert to the Niji waterbrushes and now even use them with watercolor pencils in the museum - where only pencils are allowed. This year I found the large flat one which is perfect for painting large areas - and not getting too fussy in small areas.
I'm so nervous that I might lose one, that I have a new set of 4 waiting for me with my art supplies at all times!
Comments
So funny! I spilled my minuscule sketching water container on myself while the kids were playing in the park this afternoon... and I had a waterbrush with me, but have not yet learned to love it.
I love the fact that you always have your reserve set of Niji brushes. I UNDERSTAND! Somewhere in the house (I hope!) four of my H (2H, 4H, 6H, 8H) graphite woodless pencils have disappeared. After looking a fair bit, I decided that the right thing to do was replace them NOW and when they show up, I'll have a backup set. Well, I WOULD have had a backup set, but the Art Store didn't have any H-series woodless graphite pencils. Need to trek out to the far distant corner of the universe (known as Henrietta) to the other art store...
I will look at / for the Niji brushes while I'm at it!
Posted by: Gwendolyn | May 5, 2009 11:13 PM
I would love to try some of these one day. They just look so practical and you can pretty much bring them EVERYWHERE! I have not seen them here in Germany...yet
Nice sketch!
Posted by: Alex Tan | May 6, 2009 12:14 AM
Great sketch and post! I've just discovered the joys of the larger waterbrushes myself and can't understand why I didn't like them the first time I tried them. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes to have backups of their favourite art tools! :-)
Posted by: Sarah | May 6, 2009 1:59 AM
This is great. i was just thinking today that it may be my favourite - or perhaps an ink pen . I will have to decide soon.
You are lucky to have the whole set to play with. It is frustrating to go out with my little sketch pack only to find I have left the brush at home. There is something about the immediacy of adding the paint colour on the spot.
Posted by: alissa | May 6, 2009 4:09 AM
Oh boy, wouldn't I love a set of these too. Maybe I can talk the team into something for father's day ;-) Glad you are enjoying EDiM. Keep enjoying the art-play.
Posted by: Owen | May 6, 2009 11:00 AM
Wonderful sketch! I like my Niji waterbrush too and the flat one is on my list.
Posted by: Ann | May 6, 2009 11:35 AM
Perfect, those brushes are Wonderful - at least for journal work - I am never with out mine and have extras for sure! I cannot pick a favorite yet, will have to decide soon.
Posted by: sandy | May 6, 2009 2:18 PM
I love the drawing of the niji brushes! I'm glad to hear someone else admit to buying backup supplies for just in case. I did that with my waterbrushes and fave paint box (ok and way too many other things).
Posted by: ffyrebird | May 6, 2009 3:18 PM
These are my favorites, too.... what a miracle to have such inexpensive brushes do such a commendable job. I would not use them for large work but they are perfect for my moleskin journal pages.
Posted by: Elizabeth Merriman | May 6, 2009 6:51 PM
I love those too! But a lot of the knockoffs don't work as well, I find. You sketched them beautifully.
Posted by: Casey | May 7, 2009 11:19 AM
I love these waterbrushes too, but I've only been able to find one size and that was at Michaels, or Hobby Lobby. Where are you finding all these wonderful sizes?
Posted by: Sharon | May 7, 2009 11:23 AM
I use my flat a lot, too, Shirley! Glad you enjoy them, you use them well!
Posted by: Cathy (Kate) Johnson | May 7, 2009 12:03 PM
Can I ask you a question? I see you use waterbrushes, you talk about moleskin and watercolor paper and the paints you use, however, can I ask how you make your lines? OH, I know you also use pit pens however, many of your line seam to be very fine and light is that becuase it's graphite? Also, so you have a flickr?
Lindielee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindielee/
Posted by: LindieLee | May 22, 2009 12:41 PM