Prismacolor portrait set (eBay)

I purchased these 22 portrait set pencils of eBay for $20 AUD.

Some colours give off a chalky look so I suggest you purchase a colourless blending pencil to soften the colours.

The top half has not been blended with the colourless pencil, but the bottom half has it's not noticeable in the lighter colours but makes a big difference in the darker shades.

My most used colour in portraits, "light peach" varies with pressure more than the other colours seem to.

Unlike Derwent/Polychromos pencils these leads are easily broken and require a lot of sharpening, the blacks seem to need to most sharpening even with the same usage as the other colours.

Overall a good set for the price and for people starting out drawing but not a wide enough range for professional artists.

Leads and fabric paint

I purchased 40 leads from Eckersleys (online art shop) they come in this smart dispenser. So much cheaper than buying small packets of leads.

Push the top down to center a lead.

After a few pushes on the top a lead will slide out.

If you decide you don't want that lead anymore place it in the hole.

And hold the top button for the lead to fall in.

I also purchased this fabric fixative medium and some black background acrylic paint.

Sofft Panpastel tools.

I was in my local art shop and they had a one of supply of Panpastel tools (Sofft tools) which in Australia is extremely rare, So I picked up this oval set for $4.90 AUD.

If your using Panpastels you definitely need the Sofft tools they are partly what makes the product so unique, eBay art products sellers stock Panpastel products but are usually expensive so head down to a local art shop or look at online shops.

Unlike the actual Panpastels the tools don't come with any storage containers or covers so I store mine in a transparent acrylic box.

Derwent Inktense 48 wooden box set.

It opens up to lay flat, which has its advantages compared to boxes that only open less than 180 degrees.

Magnetic wooden strip that holds the pencils down.

Any of last pencils need to be slid in from the top or the magnetic strip holder chips the pencils.

The pencils fit tightly into felt covered foam separators.

Painted gold clasps hold the box shut.


In a previous post I reviewed the Inktense pencils in depth and my opinion of the pencil has not changed, this is merely an update that I now own a larger set. 

Palette Knives!

eBay 5 pack of palette knives for $5(AUD)

Pebeo 100/129 palette knife.


I was actually impressed by the eBay palette knives, I was expecting them to be flimsy and poor quality but are the best palette knives I've used. Definitely goes to show that even in art price doesn't equal quality all of the time.

I mostly use palette knives for mixing paints or laying paint down for a large block colour, I still rely on brushes for detail.

Leather sketch book!

I purchased this leather sketch book from USCHA while in Western Australia. Head over to their site or look them up on Facebook.

Refillable pages you buy around 200 page insert for $10-$40 depending on the book size.

Engraved back and front with a unique design.

Press button clasp, there are other types of clasps available though.

Clothing and fabric design equipment.

SetaSkrib and Zig fabric markers are the best, around $6(AUD) each I think, but are the  best for planning out a fabric painting or naming/signing shirts.

Brush tip of Zig compared to the tip of SetaSkrib.

Zig 2mm tip compared to the same SetaSkrib tip as shown before.

Fabric dye available for $4(AUD) on eBay, I find it's easier than the more expensive Idye's available and has a good range of colours.

These silk and cotton fabric paints are great if you already have brushes but otherwise i'd recommend the fabric markers.

Kids fabric Crayola markers are great for someone thinking about fabric art but not wanting to spend a lot of money, these average for about $10(AUD) for a pack of 10.