In this photo you can see a variety of brushes. I really like the two sash brushes and actually have another between the size of these two. I mainly like flat brushes and use a couple of sizes of those. Is this a hold over from my other career? No, interior designers don't get into actual application they just pull together the fruits of other's labors for the most part. I also love my spatulas - the two on the right are actually for cake decorating and the one non-palette knife is used for plaster. Of course, tape and water bottles (filled from a gallon of distilled water) are oh so helpful. I know I use acrylics and a palette should be in this photograph, but I really prefer one of the butcher pans watercolor artist use. I have those in 2 sizes and use this one a great deal. Maybe I like it because it helps keep me from making a bigger mess! I have quite a few other brushes and tools and use my hands and chopsticks a lot, too.
Now these are just fun little toys for me. I can imagine they would be great for people who work with detailed small paintings. As you can see they are small plastic bottles (rather soft plastic). There are stainless steel tips of various opening sizes which fit over the top you can see on the one filled with red paint. That tip slips out of the little bottle for filling. They can be a little fiddly and I have just gotten them, so can't address the clean up. What I can address is how much fun they are to play with! Very freeing...
So another day I will share what my tiny bedroom studio looks like. I have written the Chelsea College of Art in London asking about that easel I had asked about here. I am just waiting to hear back from them...fingers crossed. I will let you know what they say.
Todays questions??? What are your favorite studio tools? Do you use them in a different way than how they were designed to be used? I can't wait to hear from you.
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12 comments:
As always, interesting post!
Love seeing all the stuff people creat with,,,,and can't wait to see your studio.
About the MOST unusual thing I use to create is a large piece of vinyl/rubbery thing,,,,when I'm working on really big pieces. It's made to be used when applying Bondo to cars,getting them ready for primer. I use it as a palette knife,,,it's about 6x4 inches,,,,and it can be cut to any size you want.I also use large 3 to 6 inch natural house painting brushes on those really large canvases.
Oh Babs! I am a bit reluctant to show my studio! It is so small and so messy. I kind of just plopped myself down in there as it was the last unclaimed space in the house (and you would think it a small house - not really). But I will show it.
Is Bondo like a putty? The only thing I know about cars is you put fuel in them, they move and cause pollution. But maybe I should visit an auto supply shop, uh? This sounds like an interesting product, though. And you can cut it the way you need it! Cool!
I have used those sponge type rollers used for painting house walls for the large canvases when I wanted a singularly large color, but not the large brushes. I normally want kind of a blend so rarely use those.
Thanks for sharing here...I think it is so intersting. Maybe I should keep a list of what people suggest in this posting. That might be fun!
I bought my "tool" in the automotive department at Target.
Bondo is a product used to repair body damage to cars. I think it's some kind of fiberglass stuff, but like a putty, yes. Bet Lynnie knows about this, as her husband is into cars a lot.
I've used those small rollers too, for underpainting, they're great.
Yes, I bet you are right, Lynnette would know or could find out. I will have to check Target's automotive department the next time I am in there (although I try to get out as fast as I can when I go). My husband used to be into model trains...still is, but just doesn't have the time to deal with them. Poor guy had built and taken apart more layouts with our moves. I think he just doesn't have it in him right now.
Yes, I do love those rollers.
So fascinating - an artist's tools of the trade - particularly their favorites. We all have them - those odd little objects we have picked up and squirreled away that we use in such a fashion that no one would know by looking at our creation the strange air of our ways. Thank you for sharing this. Good luck with your "easel" - hopefully it was meant to be.
Hi Cleveland, it is good to see you back here. I think the little odd things are the best...like how about Bab's tool from the auto department! Way too cool. I know your tools are probably a lot different from mine...although I have my fair share of sewing supplies and even a little backstrap loom. :)
Thank you for reminding me...the easel will be if it is meant to be! I must remember that! So far, I have not heard from CCA, yet! But you know how that goes...when you least expect it...
Are you heading north tomorrow? Be Safe!
Thanks again for stopping by.
very cool post! i really like those little containers with the stainless steel tips. i've gotta find some of those! :-)
hmm, my favorite studio tools would be my painting knives, my brushes, and all my fun papers.
Hi Leah,
Thanks for visiting and glad you like the post. The squeezy bottles I purchased from Art Supply Warehouse. They are great fun.
Ah yes, paper! I also love paper! Just the feel of it in your hand!
I hope you are feeling better, Leah!
Hi Kim,
Great post! I also love your website. I found you through the arts marketing forum.
i have those small bottles with the different steel tips too. I got mine at Cheap Joe's art supply. i use various water bottles and spray bottles too. I paint with watercolors and pastels(just learning with the pastels) One thing I am going to try using with the pastels are disposable eye shadow applicators. Also, foundations sponges. I have this craft box that I have filled with Mary Kay cosmetics(used to sell it), and am going to use it to store various art supplies. There is a space in the top that can hold various supports, papers and panels and individual areas for other supplys. It also has these little trays that would make great palettes. just some thoughts. I got this in the organizer/storage section at target. I will be back here often as I think you have some great advice and suggestions! Thanks!
Great post! Always interesting to see different tools others use! I think I need to check out the cake decorating section next time I am near a Michaels. namaste Elis.
Hello Sara! Thank you so much for your very kind comments and welcome to my blog! I just joined the art marketing forum last night, so you are fast! Wow!
And thank you so much for your helpful suggestions about tools! I have done a bit of work with pastels, and they are great fun to be sure. Watercolors are also wonderful, but mainly I hang out with acrylics. Your suggestions are quite wonderful. My son does some fairly serious model building and finds using makeup applicators for the pastel application on models to be excellent.
I am sure some of the readers here will be glad to know Cheap Joe's also carries these little bottles. I think they are so much fun to play around with and have a little idea for another future project where I will use them.
I look forward to you returning to visit again, Sara.
Elis it is lovely to see you here! Thanks for stopping by. I agree it is great to see the tools people use. You are very generous with help on your blog, so I was inspired when reading there recently.
It is amazing what you might find in the kitchen supply shops to use for painting...or in department stores. I also go straight for the dud or sales bins to see if there is anything of painting value. :)
Talk Soon!
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