New Mont Marte Quill Brush size 8

     A few years back I was able to get my hands on these  affordable brushes, which has been my constant painting companion ever since. I wrote about them here.
 

These were sizes 0,2 and 4

     Before when I just usually work small, the available sizes were good enough. Later, there is a need for larger washes and size 4 isn't up to the task.  Good thing a size 8 is now available.

Top to bottom: Princeton mop #8, Mont Marte #8, #4, #2, #0

     I've been using it for a while now. I compared the load capacity with another brush of similar size. You can also see me using it on some of my videos in this link.

Paper is 12" wide cotton paper, Both washes were single full load.

 
For the price I think it's a nice addition to anybody's watercolor tool set.

I got mine from Lazada here

DIY Pochade Box

Mini quest Complete!

   Sometime in January 2016, I decided to make a multi-purpose pochade box that I can use with oil, acrylic or gouache. I estimated I would be able to finish it within a year and even started documenting the process. Sometimes life happens and goals are met with resistance, priorities took over and the project was temporarily set aside. Fast forward to today, with some elbow grease and perseverance, I was able to finish the box and am now writing this article.

     This box is mostly inspired by existing designs from all over the net, especially the Alla Prima Pochade Box.

DIY Watercolor Easel Update

     Sometime in 2014 when I was just starting my art journey, I've made a post regarding a DIY watercolor easel. It served me well for my purpose, and it is still being used up until now. 
     As preferences and style of working became clearer, I realized that it is still possible to make the setup lighter by getting rid of the plywood board and replacing it with something to hold my support board which in most cases I always bring. Let me share with you the updated version  of the ease

The old board was replaced with a wooden arm and the tray is made of aluminum sheet that is lighter and easier to remove.

16-Slot Plastic Palette with Gasket

     A friend recently gave me a plastic palette similar to Mijello palette. Though it doesn't come with a brand logo or a mark to indicate where it is from, the palette has a feel of good quality. I haven't used a similar palette before so I'm very curious about its unique feature, the gasket. The main selling point of these kind of palette is that there is less evaporation and it will keep the paint fresh longer. 

Coron Sketches

     Just recently I was able to take a break and go on vacation with my friends. It was mostly raining during this trip so I was able to come up with only a few sketches in my sketchbook that I'm sharing here.

Warm up exercises in pen and ink before boarding

Watercolor Empty Full Pans Available at Fully Booked

     For the longest time I've been looking for "emtpy pans" for watercolor. Most the ones available locally through online stores are half pans, and if possible, a physical store where I can see the product is preferable.
 

Ahh .. the joy of filling empty pans with fresh paint! These empty pan fits perfectly with the Schmincke and Rembrandt tin

    Why full pans? I usually dip my brush at an angle in order to protect its tip instead of stabbing into the paint. With full pans I don't have to be as careful in getting paint especially when painting outside when there is much urgency to apply the next stroke.

     Having spare full pans allow me to test new tubes of paint without having to consume the existing paint in the pan. It's as fast as replacing the pan in the watercolor box.

      These full pans are available in 6 pcs. packaging for the price of Php 180.00. Half pans are also available as Php 180.00 for 12 pcs.

First Sketchwalk of 2017 (Escolta)

    Its has been a while since I have posted. My day job and research related to it is taking up most of my time these days. The best I could come up with if I could afford to practice drawing are figure drawing exercises from Pinterest search, or from QuickPoses, which I squeeze in  before going to sleep as a sort of cool down from my daily grind. But that didn't happen as often as I wished either. So, I just had to really make time to join last Saturday's sketchwalk just to change the daily routine. For most of us, weekend is spent on time cleaning the house, doing groceries, some errands not possible on weekdays or just recharging. I have to exchange some of that time to be able to join. Because this sketching thing makes me happy.

First sketch of the day. Not sure what the name of the building was. This kid assisted me in taking this picture and asked to have a posed picture of him to be taken.