Category Archives: review

Tools: Travel Palettes (and a Review of Prima Watercolor Confections)

Posted on September 18, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I’m happy with my travel case from Sennelier. I recently cleaned it and changed out two colors. There is one little thing: It doesn’t fit into my small purse. I know, artists are always fussing, right? But it is about … Continue reading →

Posted in color, painting, process, review, sketchbook, tools, watercolor | Tagged palette, Prima Watercolor Confections, review, Sennelier, travel palette, urban sketcher | 20 Comments

Tools: Pentalic Aqua Journal Failure

Posted on August 25, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Update, before you read: Out of the blue Pentalic responded to a letter from ages ago. They worked on the books and felt the problem was solved. They comped me two books. I told them they should’ve said that they … Continue reading →

Posted in review, tools | Tagged Pentalic Aqua Journal, review | 13 Comments

Tools: Sennelier Watercolor Pan Kit and Pentalic Aqua Journal

Posted on April 8, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

It seems that when I get my watercolors in order and say “I need nothing,” I end up buying something new. Blick’s is having an amazing sale which I came across looking for a replacement tube; I had put my … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, journal, paper, review, watercolor | Tagged pan watercolors, Pentalic Aqua Journal, Sennelier | 7 Comments

Tools: Watercolors

Posted on March 21, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

Last week I was asked what my favorite watercolors were over a half-dozen times. I’m thinking it is a sign, so am using it as a prompt! I have favorite brands overall (Daniel Smith — DS — and assume a … Continue reading →

Posted in color, review, tools, watercolor | Tagged Daniel Smith watercolors, favorite, Greenleaf & Blueberry Watercolors, opaque, Primatek, QoR watercolors, Sennelier, transparent paint, watercolor | 11 Comments

Russell Stutler’s Book About Sketching

Posted on January 22, 2016 by D. Katie Powell

I found Russell Stutler’s Book About Sketching this morning in my early early early in-the-dark wishing-for-coffee (M makes ours) and joyful-that-taxes-were-done meanderings. Not all “free” books are decent. While there are dated links, Stutler’s his material is fresh. I recommend … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, class, process, review, sketchbook, watercolor | Tagged Jetpens, Russell Stutler' | Leave a comment

Fountain Pen Day! (Late)

Posted on November 12, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Happy Fountain Pen Day! (Okay it was November 6th, but this Goulet video was not out then. If it doesn’t load, click. This video is for crazy people who love pens, or want to.) The thing is, not wanting to … Continue reading →

Posted in calligraphy, drawing, india ink, pen & ink, review | Tagged De Atramentis Document ink, Goulet, Noodlers ink, Super5 ink | 6 Comments

Tools: Water-Brushes and Pigmented Brushes

Posted on October 16, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I don’t use water brushes except in two places — I keep them by the side of the bed (I am an insomniac, so also have a sketch pad and travel watercolors) and when in the field. Don’t forget, these … Continue reading →

Posted in art journal, Booby Gurl, india ink, paint brush, painting, review, sketchbook, waterbrush, watercolor | Tagged Holbein Water Brush, Kuratake's Yasutomo Niji Water Brush, Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Brush Pen No. 22, Pentel Aquash Water Brush, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Platinum Japanese Art Pocket Brush Pen | 8 Comments

Gratitude Journal: Discovering New Tools and My Old Nature

Posted on August 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

My fascination with pen and ink goes way beyond addiction to art supplies. Not that I can’t be pulled in that direction. I have used mostly acrylics for my 30 years painting as an adult. I loved them, and love … Continue reading →

Posted in calligraphy, creativity, drawing, journal, pen & ink, review, sketchbook, tools | Tagged Faber-Castel; Pitt pens, Lamy Safari pen, Metropolitan pen, Noodlers ink, Pentalic HB woodless pencil, Pilot Parallel pen, Platinum Carbon pen, Platinum Felttip pen, Platinum Preppy pen, Uniball Vision Elite, Uniball Vision Signo, white pens | 15 Comments

Favorite Waterproof Inks

Posted on July 16, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

My beloved brown inks. How did I ever live without them. I bought the De Artramentis Document (DeA Doc for short) Brown because I read that Lamy pens have problems with Noodler’s ink, but I prefer the darker Noodler’s Polar Brown … Continue reading →

Posted in color, drawing, pen & ink, review | Tagged bulletproof inks, De Atramentis Document ink, Polar Brown Noodlers ink, Super5 ink, water resistant, waterproof inks | 2 Comments

Kursuwa Stad Aluminum Pencil Caps

Posted on July 1, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

Life was not civilized before the Kursuwa Stad Aluminum Pencil Caps came into my life. No more broken tips on my pencils in my purse. No more graphite coming off my soft leads. HOW COOL IS THAT? I bought mine … Continue reading →

Posted in graphite, review | Tagged Jetpens.com, Kursuwa Stad Aluminum Pencil Caps, Pentalic 2B woodless pencil, review, USk | 5 Comments

Jinhao: Inexpensive Pens

Posted on June 27, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I wanted to like them, I really did. They are inexpensive, they are Japanese. I thought they might be like the Platinum Preppie pens, which are inexpensive, hold a good deal of ink, and will go for MILES without clogging … Continue reading →

Posted in drawing, pen & ink, review, tools | Tagged fountain pens, Jinhao | 6 Comments

Review: Pentalic Field Book

Posted on March 11, 2015 by D. Katie Powell

I did a quick sketch to try out my new Pentalic Field Book. 140lb. Acid Free; Cold Pressed; Exceptional wet strength; Professional grade watercolor paper. I love their pencils — my favorite — and they are an Oregon company: I … Continue reading →