I'll be by myself for a total of five days, while my room mate attends his twentieth year high school graduation reunion. It has been totally weird being in the apartment by myself, but I've been keeping myself busy.
I've pulled out my watercolors, but I'm missing a lot of my favorite colors, plus the portable Cotman palette that I got for Christmas several years ago has worn out of most of the paints. So I took a trip to Urtrecht's Art Supply and got some new cool stuff:
Pelikan Watercolor Paint Set, 12 colors: I like the larger pans, and the colors and mixing qualities are excellent. The palatte in the top can be removed and, when packing up at the end of a session, it is possible to put the tray into the kit so that any liquids would not be spilled onto the pans (but you do have to hold it upright until dry).
Ultrecht Artists' Watercolor, Basic Color Set: I've done ok with just the basic yellow, blue and red triad, but there is much to be said for having some pre-mixed greens and browns. The only color I don't see much use in in this kit is the black.
These are called Butcher Trays. I don't know what they were originally used for, but watercolorists use them as palettes to mix paints. I have a couple of flimsy plastic palettes with the multiple wells, but I wanted something more sturdy, and I like having wide open spaces to mix, rather than smaller squares. I bought the larger 11in X 15in, and with my 6-8 puddles of tube paint, I get a wide assortment of hues and values, many formed by accident. Plus, I won't have to use our white Corelle dishes anymore.
Aqua Flow Brush Set: These are amazing. They are water color brushes that have a water reservoir in the barrel. As you paint, when you need water, you just squeeze the barrell. I have been using them with my new Pelikan paint set, and I don't even need to bring a container of water. I don't bother rinsing between colors, I just drain the pigment remaining on the brush on a scrap piece of watercolor painting, then give it a squeeze to get fresh water then dip into another color. This would be great for plein aire painting. All I'd need are these pens, watercolor paper and a paint set (and maybe some paper towel). $6 for the set of three brushes, but there are other more expensive (and probably nicer) versions.
I also bought a new 12-round and a 1" wash brush.
A Painting: Desert Botanical Gardens
Da Vinci, Pelikan paints
Fabriano paper, Cold pressed, 9.5 x13in.
