Time for a Wishful Wednesday, and this week, I'm wishin' for some cool new art supplies. The problem with art (or craft) supplies is that you can never get caught up--they always need to be replaced!
Sometimes it's cool to run out of something though, because that gives you a chance to try something new. Here are a few things I've been researching for my next big artsy shopping binge. Tell me in the comments, have you used any of these, and do you love them?
1. ACEO Blanks
In this post, I blurbed about creating my first attempt at an artist's trading card, using an index card for the experiment.
It didn't turn out very pretty at all, with lots of bleed through and accidental smudges. Therefore, I'm looking at blank, pre-cut ACEO cards. I could sit down and cut my own from cardstock I already own, but I have this thing called a life, and I don't want to waste it on such a tedious job, and I doubt I could get them straight.
Blanks sound like a good idea both because they are easy, and because if by some miracle a drawing turned out to be a miniature masterpiece, I could actually trade, sell, or give it as a gift.
It didn't turn out very pretty at all, with lots of bleed through and accidental smudges. Therefore, I'm looking at blank, pre-cut ACEO cards. I could sit down and cut my own from cardstock I already own, but I have this thing called a life, and I don't want to waste it on such a tedious job, and I doubt I could get them straight.
Blanks sound like a good idea both because they are easy, and because if by some miracle a drawing turned out to be a miniature masterpiece, I could actually trade, sell, or give it as a gift.
2. Collector Album
So many little cards will need a home (not in the basket of scrap doodles on my desk). Naturally an album is a must if you collect cards from other artists, because it keeps them protected. But I also think its a splendid way to have a small portfolio that can be shown to potential victims--er, customers.
A pretty album can make its home on a coffee table (if you have one, unlike me), and can be toted around to family reunions so you can remind your relatives that they are obligated by genetics to buy at least one of your prints.
I'm sure I read that somewhere.
I love this gorgeous 3-ring binder. It would look great anywhere and would hold a lot of cards. Of course, protector sheets are a must too.
For a small collection or a porfolio, a small photo album would probably work well enough.
A pretty album can make its home on a coffee table (if you have one, unlike me), and can be toted around to family reunions so you can remind your relatives that they are obligated by genetics to buy at least one of your prints.
I'm sure I read that somewhere.
I love this gorgeous 3-ring binder. It would look great anywhere and would hold a lot of cards. Of course, protector sheets are a must too.
For a small collection or a porfolio, a small photo album would probably work well enough.
3. Brush Tip Pens (and Markers)
I had one of these in a set of Prisma pens I bought, and I never opened it until last week.
Then I promptly fell in love and now refuse to use it because I am hoarding it's precious ink and protecting the amazing sharp point.
Seriously though, if you haven't tried one of these for art or calligraphy, give it a shot. It makes some amazing sketch lines and you can rotate it to vary the line weight. I really want to try some of these colored brush tip markers now.
Anybody have a great recommendation for markers? I haven't really experimented much beyond *blush* Crayolas.
Then I promptly fell in love and now refuse to use it because I am hoarding it's precious ink and protecting the amazing sharp point.
Seriously though, if you haven't tried one of these for art or calligraphy, give it a shot. It makes some amazing sketch lines and you can rotate it to vary the line weight. I really want to try some of these colored brush tip markers now.
Anybody have a great recommendation for markers? I haven't really experimented much beyond *blush* Crayolas.
4. Mini Canvases
So, a million months ago, or back in February, my husband saw some teeny tiny canvases at Walmart and bought a handful for me (because he thinks anything miniature is just too cool.)
I told him in my most threatening Darth Vader voice that I was going to paint enough of them to cover all the walls...
And he thought that idea was awesome, which completely killed my fun.
I'm not going to commit to a project of that magnitude (or multitude?) because I am not insane. But tiny stretched canvases are just too cute. So cute that I haven't yet risked messing them up. Like I said with the art card, miniature work is sorta new for me, BUT, if I practice a bit, I could see these making great Christmas gifts.
If you are even a tiny bit artistic, I recommend going with little paintings or collages for Christmas gifts too, because:
1. They are cost effective
2. The recipient doesn't have to empty a whole wall for a massive painting
3. They can be used as ornaments
4. They might become valuable someday and then you automatically get promoted to favorite child/grandchild/sibling/cousin/whatever
Check out themini display easels too, because there is no logical way to hang a 2 inch canvas on a nail.
I told him in my most threatening Darth Vader voice that I was going to paint enough of them to cover all the walls...
And he thought that idea was awesome, which completely killed my fun.
I'm not going to commit to a project of that magnitude (or multitude?) because I am not insane. But tiny stretched canvases are just too cute. So cute that I haven't yet risked messing them up. Like I said with the art card, miniature work is sorta new for me, BUT, if I practice a bit, I could see these making great Christmas gifts.
If you are even a tiny bit artistic, I recommend going with little paintings or collages for Christmas gifts too, because:
1. They are cost effective
2. The recipient doesn't have to empty a whole wall for a massive painting
3. They can be used as ornaments
4. They might become valuable someday and then you automatically get promoted to favorite child/grandchild/sibling/cousin/whatever
Check out themini display easels too, because there is no logical way to hang a 2 inch canvas on a nail.
5. Desktop Easel/Drawing Board
According to the pros, you are supposed to position your paper/canvas just so in front of you. Normally, I do this using my incredibly old and well-loved pocket clipboard. But sometimes I forget and my drawings sort of list to port.
Which is really just a good excuse to try this incredibly beautiful looking toy. There are several styles, but I like this desktop easel because its solid, so it will work for painting or drawing. (some are only frames to hold canvases.)
It's also pretty cool that it has a drawer and a wooden paint palette. I get put on the spot sometimes at family functions to show kids how to draw something--this would be a nice way to tote some supplies and have a decent workspace wherever I was.
But my clipboard still holds the number one special place in my heart. ;) Let's just say we have a history together.
Which is really just a good excuse to try this incredibly beautiful looking toy. There are several styles, but I like this desktop easel because its solid, so it will work for painting or drawing. (some are only frames to hold canvases.)
It's also pretty cool that it has a drawer and a wooden paint palette. I get put on the spot sometimes at family functions to show kids how to draw something--this would be a nice way to tote some supplies and have a decent workspace wherever I was.
But my clipboard still holds the number one special place in my heart. ;) Let's just say we have a history together.
6. Drawing Tablet
Bestill my doodling heart. I would actually trade body parts (nothing important--maybe an appendix or a toe) for a Wacom or a Slate right now. I'm sure there is a bit of a learning curve with the Wacom tablet, but it has to be better than attempting anything remotely serious with a mouse.
The Slate actually seems cooler, since you can use any paper or pen, and I've made sure that I've mentioned that at least a dozen times to everyone I know who might have me on their holiday gift list.
Then again, it would be totally embarrassing to actually get one and never be able to create more than some shaky stick men.
Hmmm...
Oh well. Its Wishful Wednesday, so anything goes!
The Slate actually seems cooler, since you can use any paper or pen, and I've made sure that I've mentioned that at least a dozen times to everyone I know who might have me on their holiday gift list.
Then again, it would be totally embarrassing to actually get one and never be able to create more than some shaky stick men.
Hmmm...
Oh well. Its Wishful Wednesday, so anything goes!
Sharesies: What are wishing for this Wednesday?
*This post may contain affiliate links. When you buy or sign up through my links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.*
RSS Feed
