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.

Light-fast Testing Shinhan Watercolors (PWC)

      I usually have watercolor paper trimmings lying around as leftover from making a sketchbook. Just for fun, I've decided to swatch my favorite color from Shinhan and do a light-fast test. I did this by painting a gradient wash on a strip of paper about 5" x 1.5"  then cut it lengthwise so that I have an identical strip. I then taped one strip on my window and kept the other one inside an envelope. A month has passed by and comparing the 2 strips, I was surprised that there is no difference. No fading, no discoloration. I'm aware that true light-fast testing takes a minimum of at least a year, but just the same I expected some result since my window is in direct sunlight from 11am to about 5pm.
     This encouraged me to do a test on all the Shinhan paints that I have so I made a swatch as seen below :

 Here is the swatch before it was cut and exposed. 7.5" x  5.5" 300g Arches CP

Saunders Waterford Watercolor Paper

   I'm excited to share that Artwhale is now selling Saunders Waterford by St Cuthberts Mill.

Now that is is available here, I can open my stock and start using this. I have just consumed the last pages of my smaller block. :D

     I my previous post about two years ago, I mentioned about a paper I fell in love with, Saunders Waterford which is manufactured by St Cuthberts Mill from England. Unfortunately, the importer who supplies this paper to our local bookstore no longer carries this paper. I was fortunate enough to get the last block, and recently came across, last 2 blocks of A3 size.
     Thanks to the growing interest of many to watercolor, it is now more practical than ever for art supply stores to stock different art materials.
     Saunders Waterford comes in 3 textures: hot pressed, NOT( which is their term for cold pressed, and rough. It also comes in high white, and white (creamy ). A cheaper line called Bockingford is also available. (I still have to try this one)
     Even if I wanted to say that this is the best paper, paper choice is a matter of personal preference and that is influenced by how one paints, techniques, style and desired look of the finished product.
     If you are still in search of a paper that will suit your artistic needs, or temperament, you might want to give Saunders Waterford a try.
 

First page of a newly opened block.

     Question? Comments? Feel free to drop me a message!

Holy Week Sketching

     Finally, lots of free days to sketch, and not much traffic! These are series of sketches done in two separate days with my friend. 

Quiapo Church on  9" x 12"  Saunders CP

Escolta Sketcwalk

     It has been a long time since I've posted. Lately I have been using Instagram to share my works since it is faster and convenient at the moment. For those interested, kindly see the sidebar for the Instagram link.
     I've been meaning to post updates with more tutorials and discoveries, some are on the way, so please stay tuned!
     Last Saturday was a free day for me, I was able to join some of my friends sketching along Escolta and Sta.Cruz, Manila. It was kind of challenging for the were a lot of street kids playing around, bumping into me while painting.Some even got too curious they even dip their hands on the paint. I've gotten over my uneasiness towards onlookers and they are quite welcome, but kids touching the stuff while working is a new level of challenge I have to conquer. Then again, this is just minor inconvenience, and will not take away the joy of sketching outdoors.

A view of Sta.Cruz Church from Tetuan cor. Dasmariñas Sts.

Hybrid Brushes from Mont Marte

    There is another type of watercolor brushes from Mont Marte in Fully Booked. I suspect it uses the same hair as the ones found on the Mont Marte Quills. First impressions suggest that this brush is a hybrid, though the handle says its round. It's a flat but has a belly a bit thicker than most flats of the same width, and the hairs are a bit longer. The edge form a rounded shape similar to a cats tongue/filbert.

Mont Marte brushes

Mont Marte Quill Brush

     If you have never tried Squirrel quill brushes before, I encourage you to get one and try. I mostly work on wet on wet washes so ever since I've experienced these brushes, they have been my tool of choice. A true squirrel quill is a bit pricey and hard to get hold of, unless, you have a friend going abroad, a relative or traveling yourself.
     Then there is Mont Marte and they are available here at Fully Booked.

These are currently available in sizes 0, 2, 4

Sketching at Laloma Cemetery

     The La loma Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Manila which opened in 1884 according to Wikipedia.  Until last Friday,  I've never been there and was always curious since I only see the dome of the St Pancratius Chapel from the north cemetery. I might be wrong but I have an impression the the tombs and mausoleums are more organized similar to the Chinese Cemetery than the familiar North Cemetery.
      A good thing about google is we were able to find out where to alight from LRT1. Since La loma are is so big, too much walking will just our drain energy reserved for sketching. Another good coincidence is we were able to meet up with Ian and Kuki, who has their own ride and saves us from walking. Thank you Ian and Kuki! 
    

St Pancratius Chapel

Binondo Sketchwalk

     Last Saturday's sketch walk was planned to be about El Hogar Filipino Building which most of us haven't sketched yet. I've been scouting the place for a while, and there is a good vantage point across Pasig river. 

El Hogar Filipino Building along Muelle de la Industria cor. Juan Luna

Sketching at Malate, Manila

     Today's sketching session is one of those days where you experience the challenge of outdoor sketching. It was a very humid when when Aurelio, my fellow sketcher and I arrived. It was a good thing that the meeting place is in Family Mart beside Malate Church, so we had time to cool down before heading out to sketch.
     Halfway through my penciling stage, thunderclouds suddenly hover above us with matching mini tornadoes that carries dust and dead leaves in the area. We were forced to pack up our stuffs and decided to just wait it out in the nearest convenience store. As if just teasing us, the rain did not even fell, and the dark clouds disappeared as fast as it came. Oh well, so we just resumed sketching. 

More La Cenerentola Sketches

     I was able to join more rehearsal sessions to do sketching. See my previous post here.

sketching the singers

Sketching at La Cenerentola Rehearsal

     To us sketchers, sketching as an activity is kind of exciting and relaxing. Most of the time we have a background music which further heightens the mood. What the next best thing? Sketching while listening to a live music of course!  
     On a short notice which I was lucky enough to be available, we were invited by my friend Amado to join the rehearsal of Manila Symphony Orchestra with conductor Darrell Ang for the show La Cenerentola. For those interested in the show you can get your tickets here.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra with Conductor Darrell Ang

Wetcanvas Monthly Challenge - July 2015

     For the first time I was I able to this on the second week of the month. Usually I'm able to start at the last week or two days before the end of the month due to busy schedule. 

10" x 14" arches CP

WetCanvas Monthly Challenge - June 2015

     The challenge  for June is about glass jars. It is really challenging yet fun to do. This kind of image requires a tight drawing otherwise it would destroy the illusion. I realized that I failed in the perspective of the lid and in alignment of other elements. I'm happy with the colors though.

10" x 14" Arches CP