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.

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.

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.

My favourite brushes.

The flat and round brushes I use most. Both synthetic #4.

I acrylic tube I kept from chocolates proved to be a great holder for those delicate little brushes, currently holding my to favourite large detail brushes.

My Mont Marte taklon detailer in #1 was only a few dollars yet proved to be a great brush for travelling, I use it with watercolour more than other paints. 

One of my favourite brushes for fabric painting, I use a taklon round brush in #5.

Derwent Inktense pencils.

Applying two medium pressure layers with the Inktense pencils produces a dramatic, abstract and bold effect.

 Colour swatches from the 6 pack of pencils, using Pentel water brush produce such vibrant colours. 

The thick strong cores are resistant to breaking and need less sharpening than a student grade pencil.

Colours displayed on the end of pencils allow for versatile storage as you can easily see which colour is which.

Pentel water brush in action, slightly stained brushed tip but still has a great output. 

Such a small brush but it feels like the water lasts forever! The one i was using here was the fine tip, sizes range from extra fine brush tip to a large tip.

Super flexible brush bounces straight back into shape.

Pan pastel mixed media set.

Mid last year (2013) I purchased a Pan Pastel mixed media set, this set was not the original colour combination I wanted but I was only buying it off eBay not an art shop, this set was $61(AUD) with $11(AUD) postage. I'm extremely happy with the pigment and quality all round for these pastels but due to the odd colour palette I haven't made an art piece with them, sometime this year I will purchase the 20 colour portrait set from an Australian art website http://www.seniorart.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14_480_483_486 I've been looking around for a long time for his set and this site seems to be the cheapest and most reliable. If you have never used Pan Pastel before or even pastel at all I would definitely recommend buying a 5,7 or 10 pack first.

I wouldn't recommend this to someone who hasn't tried painted, used charcoal or pastel before, but definitely good for people like me that like the appearance of a painting but hate waiting between layers and people that like pastel but hate the dust getting everywhere.

All the Sofft tools this set comes with.

Slide the cover off for cleaning, all cleaning instructions come with each pack.

The cover on for more precise lines.

I could imagine this set would last an artist half a year and the hobbyist anywhere from half a year to two years. 

I hoped this could help out someone not sure whether to splurge on these products.

Cotman watercolours.

Made my colour chart for my cotman watercolours, absolutely love how vibrant and pigmented the colours are no heavy layers needed. Such great paint hopefully buy the range in individual tubes soon.

Cotman watercolour review.

Totally love my Cotman wateroclours, purchased off eBay, I haven't cleaned the palette as i like the way it looks. Really good quality paints and great casing, As seen in the last picture you can hold the whole container up with the top lid showing how strong the closure is, 24 colours and unlike some sets all are useful no colours are similar or impractical.