Cotman Watercolor Field Set Plus by Winsor & Newton
The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook, by Gordon MacKenzie
This year has a bit of a watercolor theme going. The last thing I do before going to bed is to paint, which I believe has made it a lot easier for me to fall asleep now that I'm not thinking about all the things I could have done wrong at werk.
I've made some experimental dabs with my new field set. It opens up to reveal lots of mixing trays, 12 tubs, a water bottle, two deep wash wells and a little brush. When I ever do go out to paint something en plein aire, all I'll need is this, a block of paper, and my No. 3 round brush and I'm all set.
The book is on every list of "required reading" for watercolor artists. I've read a few of the chapters and have already learned a few things.
The easel is really nice considering my previous setup (I was painting on a folding dinner tray table). I feel like I've gone from a piece of floating driftwood to the Queen Elizabeth II. The nice thing is that it can completely fold up (sort of like a camera tripod) and comes with a carrying case. I also like the fact that it will easily go from absolute vertical to absolute horizontal -- a must for watercolor.
I've been off my regular pattern for the Christmas holiday, but can hardly wait to get painting again with all of my new stuff!
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