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. 

DIY WaterColor Easel

      Sketching outside is already a challenge in itself. Add the distractions, weather, insects, fatigue. I've decided that I could reduce that challenge by introducing something that I can control. Comfort. In line with this, I have decided to make a portable and lightweight watercolor easel. The tripod that I used was bought from CDR-King. Unfortunately tripods with round leg was not available during that time so I settled for the one with square legs.

DIY watercolor easel

     To make this easel, I've used a quarter inch plywood, a T-nut (1/4" 20 tpi), and a cheap tripod. The screenshots below show how the wood was cut and assembled but feel free to make adjustments based on your requirement.

T_Nut  assembly

       The piece that will hold the water-bottle and paint was not successfully cut, I had to scrap the first one and cut another.

These are the two configuration I mostly see on the internet. I thought that the pattern on the left would be much easier to execute. I believe that the pattern on the right would provide the best grip and would experiment on  making another one.

Sketch Kit Mark V

     For the techniques that I want to achieve, the Canson 200gsm watercolor paper wasn't doing it for me. Well, actually its not that bad. I was able to get pretty decent sketches with it until I've tried Saunders Waterford! Where have you been all this time? My watercolor life has never been the same again. The cold-pressed 300gsm paper is everything my usual paper is not. Unfortunately it was the last block available from NBS. Upon contacting the importer in Binondo I was informed that they no longer import that paper. That is sad news.

Saunders Waterford 300gsm CP

    

First painting with a 300gsm paper, Saunders Waterford

      Desperate for more 300gsm goodness I’ve inspected two more store’s inventory, The Oil Paint Store and Deovir Art supplies. Deovir carries Hahnemühle watercolor papers but the variety of their product line requires much exploration. I’ve tried the Britannia and the Multimedia bamboo. They are not so bad but the behavior I’m looking does not come close to the Waterford. Maybe I’ll try the Tiepolo and Cezanne next time. The Oil Paint Store carries Arches paper which I reluctantly tried since “rough” is the only available texture at the moment. I was also offered to try the Stonehenge brand which was a little cheaper than the Arches.The Stonehenge is not bad. As much as it readily absorbs the first wash creating hard edges, smooth washes are not impossible to achieve. It just requires a little experimentation and timing.I think its more suitable for other media such as gouache or acrylics. Still not the one I’m looking for. Finally I’ve come to test the Arches. Hmm…well..yes. this is it! I’ll let the sample wash speak for itself.

      I’m still looking for the Saunders experience. Probably it was just the first impression. probably it was just me. :) So its decided. My new sketchbook will be filled with arches paper. Its easy to source, cheaper than a similar sized Moleskine, performs better and is handmade by me!

How the paper was divided to yield 2 signatures with 4 folios. the dotted lines represent the fold and the final sketchbooks measures 5.5”x 7.5”

A single section is made up of four pages.

      Again as with my previous sketch book the sections were coptic stitched and inserted into the new leather cover. The leather that I bought was quite ugly so I distressed it with sandpaper and alcohol and dyed the raw edges with ink. Ideally it should be 4 sections per booklet but since I only bought one sheet for testing I was only able to complete 3 sections.

I've made the new watercolor notebook bigger than the precious one

     I thought that the quest for tiny watercolor box has come to an end. Until my office mate presented me with a super thin, enamel coated card case from Fullybooked.

Size Comparison

The new tin card case slides open with the interior already painted white

Sketch Kit Mark IV!

     Here it is. The new and improved sketch kit!

Addition of  MDF board from a clipboard, binder clips, and a piece of magnet.

An elastic band with velcro holds everything in place.

Mark IV in action. The MDF provides a sturdy backing and makes everything comfortable to hold. The magnet attached to the clip holds the watercolor tin in place.

Manila Zoo Sketchwalk

     I haven't been in Manila Zoo since grade school so I thought now is the time to revisit the place. It was just an impulsive move since I have the free time after visiting my dentist. Fortunately I have my sketch kit with me, Sketch Kit Mark III! 

Sketch kit Mark III.  Mark II didn't even made it to the field test. After weeks of effort in painting the Altoids tin, I was disappointed the it just easily chipped off on the slightest bump. Besides, it is still a little too big and thick for my taste.

My office mate who is also a watercolor enthusiast gave me a small candy tin. Notice the manly color. It was very small though that it fits comfortably in my pocket. Now that’s stealth sketching.

    

      I was amazed at the number of people visiting, I guess it has something to do with the new animals they have acquired. I just hope they are properly taken care of.

     Having gained confidence from my previous sketching session, I felt that I’m more in control of my strokes. People doesn't distract me as much, unless they become too curious that their faces comes within one foot of mine. It was fun. I even had some kids and adults following me as I go and search for the next spot.

     Based on these experience I thought that the sketch kit still needs to be improved as to provide an even more comfortable painting experience. More on that on my next post, Sketch Kit Mark IV!

The First Plein Air Experience

     After completing my sketch kit I've decided that it's time to go out and paint. Armed with a Sakura Koi Waterbrush, Winsor and Newton Artists' Field Box, and a small Moleskine watercolor sketchbook, I went to the first place that I thought would provide me with inspiration, Intramuros.

Winsor & Newton Artists' Field Box

     Entering Intramuros from Manila City Hall side, I tried to remember how to get to Manila Cathedral. It has been years since I’ve been here. Along the way, I also tried to scout any spot that might be interesting to draw. Wow, they are really restoring this place. There are lots of buildings already renovated. New buildings are being built along the theme of the existing buildings, the guards are wearing uniforms as if they were Spanish soldiers of that time (I was later told that by my niece this has been going on a few years already). When I've finally arrived at the Manila Cathedral at 11:00 am, there were lots of people and its hard to find a spot to paint. Maybe I could just paint the fountain in front of the church. I knew its not going to be comfortable drawing and painting with all the people passing by, but I never knew I’ll feel VERY uncomfortable. I just keep telling myself that I have to draw something. I won’t go home without filling a page on my sketchbook. My hands were shaking as I lay down my first lines. What’s happening? I think It was a combination of anxiousness to get things right, excitement of the moment, and the distraction of the people.

My first attempt didn't go well, I ended up sketching a person sitting in the fountain. People keep moving so memory and speed drawing is necessary. 

     I thought that I should just go somewhere else. I remember seeing another good spot along the way so I decided to go there.

After 10 minutes into the painting, the sky began to darken so I've decided to wrap things up.

      I’m quite satisfied the way things turned up. Not bad for a first attempt, I thought. I should be doing this from now on. This is my new high! If only there is a group of people with the same interest to paint with...

It's Been A While

     I can't believe that four months have passed since I've started this blog. Between my day job and household chores, I was busy doing the actual sketching and hunting for supplies. I guess I have to backtrack a bit about what happened during the last four months.

Sailor Fude De Mannen(top) Lamy Safari (bot)

      One of the task that has occupied me is finding the right sketch pen. So Immediately after so much researching on WetCanvas and other sites, the name Lamy Safari keeps on popping up. Since its affordable and one of the most accessible pen from where I live, I got myself one. While on the pen store, I noticed a green  plastic pen is also on display. Its the Sailor Fude de Mannen! It's quite cheap Php 750.00 (about $16.00) so I guess why not give it  a try?

     After having bought these two pens I alternately used them for sketching. Luckily a friend who is a fan of Muji stores recommended a cheap blank notebook. Initially bought the A6 size which is  Php 125.00 (about $3.00). I believe that for a struggling artist/art student, this fountain pen-Muji double ring blank notebooks is a pair made in heaven :D . On my next post I will write a review on how the Sailor Fude performs with the Muji double ring blank notebook .

Welcome

     After several years of procrastination I was finally on it. Getting back to watercolor painting. The final inspiration came from a friend from work who is on the same interest, the availability of materials and tools and other ideas from Pinterest and WetCanvas.
     To meet the goal to paint everyday for fun, relaxation and to improve painting skills as well, the plan is to have a portable kit that world enable me to paint stealthily almost anywhere without getting noticed. I also wanted a sketchbook journal that is not too expensive, sustainable, and customized to my personal preference. So I made  my own. It took me a while to assemble the kit and gather the materials.

A 12" x 18" watercolor pad cut into 4.5"x 12" then folded into signatures and later stitched
together using Coptic binding

Cow leather for the exterior and pig's skin for the lining

Leather pieces for the exterior and sleeves

The finished watercolor kit. I bought the box for Php 75.00 from Muji, added .4mm polystyrene sheet used in plastic modeling. The watercolor tubes were about 15 yrs old used during my university days

After cutting the leather I realized that I lack the tools to properly do it. Not wanting to lose the enthusiasm since I'm very eager to start, I settled for a Midori style cover which I think is more practical at the moment.

Size comparison between the custom journal and a pocket-sized moleskine watercolour notebook.

That's it for now and hope to fill the pages everyday.