Big Jackson's & Amazon Art Haul: Schmincke, Derwent Lightfast, Inktense, Roman Szmal, Sennelier etc.

[@niafer9444]

I spoiled myself with 3 Isabey brushes this week. I also made my very first order from Jacksons - their 32 well ceramic palette. So I am still glowing with the joy of retail therapy. Thank you for another great video.

[@helencryer]

Oo, I've not heard of these brushes before - I will investigate! The ceramic palette sounds marvelous!! Enjoy!

[@hollynoscar3534]

now that was an art haul. love how you compare and contrast the different brands...so helpful. you do it best girl... :)))))

[@helencryer]

That's very kind of you, thank you!!

[@willemijnkamerling4011]

Such exciting new things! I went on Dutch marketplace and found a 60bset of faber-castell pitt brush pens I really didn't need but they're in great condition and half the price of a new set 😂 the ceramic knife looks useful. Have fun, I also love all the greens 💚

[@helencryer]

It's great when that happens!!! Hope you really end up enjoying them!

[@brittabeningfield3472]

You've selected beautiful colors. Have a great time with them this summer. I made small swatch strips and taped them to the bottom end of the paper wrapper if it is different than it appears to be. They may be a bit loose so they don't get totally stuck to the pastel.

[@helencryer]

Thank you! That's pretty much what I've decided to do - along with the name 😁

[@racechick2033]

What a lovely holiday haul! I'm enjoying all the greens, very much but looking forward to seeing what you do with them whilst you're on your holidays. 😊 Excited about the upcoming swatch and Lightfast videos too. I'm not envious at all, nope. 🤥 😂❤

[@helencryer]

Haha! The problem will be that I'll want to fill the car with art stuff, rather than kids, dog, husband, clothes!!

[@delicatesseract]

Your haul-n-swatch videos are so satisfying and relaxing. Thank you for all the wonderful variety of art content you provide. I'm always lured by the rainbow gradient arrays of oil pastels, but can never seem to vibe with them. But you make them look so incredibly appealing I'm almost tempted to give them another go. 😂

[@helencryer]

Thank you! I find them irresistible in mixed media because of their opacity - and ability to cover up dodgy bits in my previous layers!!

[@agentxp0749]

Christmas came early, great haul video. Also so excited for you with the tin of 100 lightfast, hope you enjoy all those lovely greens! Looking forward to future videos featuring things from the haul, especially the pencil comparison you mentioned! 💚🎨✏️😀

[@helencryer]

Thanks! I'm working on the colour comparison!! It's taking AGES!!!!

[@dianaromig732]

Great haul 🎉 Your ink paintings are beautiful ❤ Would you please do a demonstration showing us how you create them? I’ve never seen anything like it 😊

[@helencryer]

Hi, thank you. There is a link to a video showing me making some in the video description.

[@ChantelleArts]

Those schminke tubes look lovely, great haul 😊

[@helencryer]

I'm very excited about them!

[@juststartingover2735]

The best way to identify the Sennelier oil pastels is to number them and put the corresponding number on the color swatch. I do that with all my sets of pastels and pencils. Put the number close to the top of the wrapper or pencil so as you peel away or sharpen it, the number doesnt disappear. I use Sharpie pens to avoid erasing the number. Hopefully you can place your oil pastels in a container or drawer where they can lay flat in order by number. Thats worked best for me. I love those Sennelier but they are so messy to use because they are so soft, especially if you are in a warm environment. Keep away from warmth!

[@helencryer]

Thank you for the suggestions!! I've considered getting a label maker actually, to do this (I've found that Sharpie gets too easily rubbed off the Senneliers).

[@deeanncross7674]

I love those bright Sennelier colors and the comparison of the 4 different brands. I have the Mungyo 48 set, but I haven't used them much, mainly because it's a new medium to me. Must experiment! The slicer tool was interesting.

[@helencryer]

It's definitely a fun medium to experiment with!! I'm just uploading a video on the Mungyos now, in case you are interested.

[@stephen-truthseeker]

These paints have amazing depth and the oil pastels are very rich.

[@helencryer]

Yes, I was really happy with all these materials!

[@susanavenir]

My theory about the Intense block/pencil difference is that the pencil cores can be a little softer than the blocks thanks to the wood surround, so Derwent can put more pigment in the pencils. I've been using the white block for highlights, even keeping a piece of it in my Szmal set, but your experimental mix is intriguing. *Important:* Your alcohol-ink seascapes are *AMAZING ! ! !* That's a medium I haven't taken seriously at all until now. WOW. Happy travels, Helen - and thank you for sharing the haul!

[@helencryer]

With the first pair, I actually swatched a different block from the pencil 🤣 so that didn't help, but actually the proper one was still different. Your theory does make sense! Thanks ever so much!!

[@silkspinner7010]

I really understand the ‘no will power’😊

[@awatercolourist]

😂

[@helencryer]

So glad I'm not the only one 😬

[@embellishstudiosTM]

You are not alone.... You are also showing me things I might NEED! For example, we seem to have the exact same colour preferences in our sets of coloured pencils! I could make entire sets with all the reds, oranges and purple that are all practically brand new... Except I've swatched with them all 😅 Just wondered if you've used the Dr ph Martin's Bleed Proof White ink for your watercolours instead of paint pens? Or maybe that's not archival either? I just saw someone using it for highlights, it looked great! And thank you for all the videos, I love watching them!

[@nisamorin2519]

Thank you for this wonderful food for my eyes and soul! 🥰

[@helencryer]

Haha - you're welcome!!

[@claudettemiskell4839]

The forest grey looks more like a Forest “Khaki” to me! It is still a beautiful color. I’ve also been thinking of buying a set of inktense pencils and/or blocks.(not at the same time of course) I just don’t know which I should start with.😱 I’m so glad to have you trying them out! Blessings🙏🖖🤭

[@helencryer]

I love the First Grey, but I do think some of the super granulating colour names are a bit odd! I've not spent much time playing with either of the Inktense yet, so wouldn't know which to recommend, but the pencils are possibly more versatile, because you can use them as dry pencils, wet the laid down pencil, but also scribble the pencil onto a textured board off to the side and create a paint with that, for thinner washes.

[@melindastroup1844]

A very relaxing and enjoyable haul video! With the Sennelier oil pastels, I look at the numbers on the colors where the color name isn't visible. It would be easier if the labels were printed more clearly. Incidentally, Cinnabar Yellow Brown is my favorite of their colors. I've just discovered (thanks to your video) that it's PY129, also my favorite in watercolor.

[@helencryer]

Thanks! I'm just going to stick some clearer info over the top. Yes - I think it's a great colour, and decided to get it even though it was a more transparent one (for some reason, I just prefer opaque oil pastels). I like my green gold watercolours too!

[@ciznuk7]

What an interesting haul...i am getting into inkense more and more but never tried the blocks, but now i surely will. 😅 if you like schmincke granulating natural colors i would recommend the vulcano brown. It has become one of my favorite browns to use rught now.

[@helencryer]

In all honesty I think I prefer the Inktense paints more than the blocks. Thanks for the recommendation! I've seen much of the Volcano range.

[@FaithAnnNB]

Fun orders!! I’ve been looking at the Derwent pencil extenders for quite sometime and plan to include a set in an order. Glad they can handle the larger size pencil. I like that little ceramic blade as well! I’ve been curious about the lightfast pencils as well and how they compare. I have the polychromous set and probably don’t need anymore based on my limited use of pencils. Who needs will power? 😂 Not that you need anyone’s approval, but I think you are more than justified to purchase supplies since you actually make art to sell! (Or even if you didn’t, there’s nothing wrong with trying out new things and finding high quality supplies to make your art more fun.)

[@FaithAnnNB]

The lightfast might be more “my” type of pencil than the luminance since I like “creamy” pencils… that colour selection is perfect. I don’t use a lot of reds/oranges either.

[@helencryer]

I'd put off getting the extenders because I thought the metal didn't look very comfortable, so I was pleasantly surprised that they feel quite nice. I haven't tested them with lots of different pencil brands yet. The Lightfast aren't really comparable to the Polychromos, because the Polychromos are so much harder. The Lightfast lay down more like the Derwent Drawing and Prismacolors do. I would have definitely said I prefer creamy pencils, but there's still something wonderful about how the Luminance lay down - I'd definitely recommend buying just a couple of them to try out!

[@helencryer]

The problem is, all the money I make crafting, I just 'reinvest' in more art materials!

[@FaithAnnNB]

@@helencryer haha… I was the same when I made and sold jewelry. Every penny I made (and then some) went towards buying new supplies! I think you’re probably right, even though I love creamy pencils, the harder pencils definitely are the appropriate choice for many situations.

[@joloveseyart]

With the sennelier oil pastels I've found the numbers are easier to read but I am planning to add my own mini sticky label to make the number clearer.

[@helencryer]

Thanks! I'm planning on sticking something on as well!

[@justjg]

I went on a pastel and oil stick spree too. Buying colour is fun!

[@helencryer]

Haha, cool! You sum it up perfectly!!

[@templemoore3799]

Helen, you almost sounded sad when you found the Mungyo come in 120 colors…I could hear the Oh….NOOOoooooo! Should I hope you don’t like’em? 🤓. [hint there are two versions of the 120 set…the cardboard box set has more muted colors and no fluorescents…just in case] Just for play, I got the new Paul Ruben’s HAIYA 72 artists oil pastels…they are a great inexpensive Sennelier dupe…colors are lovely…at $42 I couldn’t resist. Such a fun selection you have there. Craft plastic! 🫤Dang I just put my Jackson’s order in last night. Looking forward to all the vid’s where you give these goodies a go!

[@helencryer]

Oh gosh... more supplies I'm tempted by!!!! Stop being an enabler! I didn't know that about the 120 set, thanks. (Yes, I may have been having a look for it!) Do you use alcohol inks too?!?

[@helencryer]

Just found out today that Paul Rubens are sending me the 72 Haiya Oil pastels to review!!

[@templemoore3799]

@@helencryer 🎉💜🎉YAY now I can shake my enablers guilt for you LOL. Psst…I liked them so much I used the frugalcrafter discount & ordered another🤭… for you know…backup]

[@helencryer]

Haha - you can be guilty free! That's so funny you bought a second box - I can't wait to try them!!

[@margueritegouin2621]

Interesting, I always like to see other people's experiment with art materials. Because I like the Inktense pencils so much, I bought the Inktense Blocks to complete the experience. And I was very disappointed by their performance. The colours are chalky and powdery with a texture reminiscent of dry pastels without the luminosity. The colours are flatter than the Inktenses pencils. Once wet, it doesn't get any better, the colours don't stay on the paper, they wander around without settling (you can see this very clearly when you do the swatch of yellow and green), which makes it difficult to superimpose 2 or more colours. This is the art material I love and use the least in everything I own.

[@helencryer]

Ah, that's really interesting to hear - thank you. To be honest I might like their mutedness - in some ways the pencils are a bit bright for me. It will be a fun challenge trying to find a use for them anyway!

[@sandfly60]

Thanks for that info.

[@awatercolourist]

That Derwent pencil extender looks very useful.

[@awatercolourist]

Are they made of metal?

[@helencryer]

Yes, very lightweight though.

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer i think that would be a plus for me. Are they flimsy, though? Are the metal?

[@helencryer]

Yes, metal, no, not flimsy.

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Thanks! I’ve added them to my wishlist.

[@jam4441]

Great haul. The super granulating colours will look 100% better on a 100 % cotton paper . Fabriano artistico or other good quality cotton paper would give you a better result showing the beautiful characteristics of these paints.

[@helencryer]

It depends on how you want the granulating paints to act. I actually much prefer them on cellulose paper. I did an experiment with them on numerous papers including 100% cottons in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXfbf6Svf79-sM0

[@jam4441]

@@helencryer ha I just finished watching that video... have been binge watch your channel. Great content .Yes I see that you have many outcomes on all papers ... I have never had great luck with cellulose papers for granulating water colours but have not tried several that you show... I will give them a go to see if I can make it work for me. Cheers Judy

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much!! I think art materials are such a subjective thing! We all like using them differently, and there are so many products that it's hard to try out all the different combinations! Also I only tend to use granulating paints in a couple of specific ways, which might not be to others' tastes. I guess it's just important for us to keep playing and exploring!

[@GreenSharpieScience]

For the sennelier oil pastels they have identifying numbers in addition to the names, the numbers may be easier to read to keep track of them.

[@helencryer]

Yes, thank you for the suggestion! I think I may end up taking a Swatch to the sticks, so it's even quicker.

[@juliebromfield1865]

The Mungyo pastels look lovely.

[@helencryer]

Just did a new video on them today, and I really enjoyed them!

[@michelleh9685]

If you try the Paul urban hihya oil pastels they have a very different texture compared to the ones you are using & smooth out really well & also blend extremely well too

[@helencryer]

Noooo! Not more art materials I might need!!! 😁

[@helencryer]

I'm really happy - Paul Rubens are sending me the 72 box of these to review!!

[@michelleh9685]

@@helencryer oh that's awesome

[@michelleh9685]

@@helencryer oh you'll like them from what I've seen. Lol

[@helencryer]

Brill, thanks!

[@pastelsgirl]

Hi Helen, I almost jumped out of my socks when you said (and wrote in the description box) Derwent Inktense Lightfast pencils. I thought to myself “ohh, a new product from Derwent and I’m the last to know about it!!” But actually they are only their Lightfast line of color pencils, not Inktense Lightfast aren’t they? Anyway, I have immensely enjoyed your art haul, thank you for sharing with us. Big hugs from California ❤

[@helencryer]

I'm so sorry! Brain on autopilot! I've corrected the description now - you are correct - there are no Derwent Inktense Lightfast products!

[@lynxeyes3690]

I was fascinated with the Sennelier and how they smudged out, I couldn’t take my eyes away. Too bad about the labeling. Perhaps they’ll update it with enough reviews similar to yours. Perhaps arranging them in one of those pencil cases notebooks you got with their swatch next to the pastel.

[@lynxeyes3690]

A late and a dollar short. Perhaps you’ve already found a better scenario. 😊

[@helencryer]

Yes, they're very soft and creamy, but not my favourite because of the stodgy ones! I now store my loose ones in a Jackson's Soft Pastels case, which works quite well.

[@grahamekellermeier8280]

I spoiled myself at Xmas bought a set of 100lightfast, 100 Inktense, 72 cromaflow, set of 30 Faber castell Albrecht durer and a couple of 20 Caran de arche museum pencils.

[@helencryer]

Wow!! That's a heck of a Christmas present! I'm curious which ones are you enjoying and using the most?

[@sueberry1727]

What a lovely haul lots of lovely things - are we not going to see you for several months ? :(

[@helencryer]

Hopefully I'll still make some videos - going to Cambridgeshire for a week, then off to rural France for several weeks! Lots of scope for doing art still!

[@valeriegehling4358]

Love the alcohol inks, wish you wouldn’t introduce me to more crafting! My daughter hasn’t worked in the arts for nearly 2years as we spoke this afternoon she said she loves earning money but, she‘s missing artwork! Oh!Drat like your arrivals v.much, enjoy using them. ( How big is your workplace?) Are you like my daughter who built a house, thenrealised she needed a roomfor all her „Lego“ exhibits, & she hadn’t reckoned in a craftroom!Also like the Schmincke Forest brown looks v.Khaki?Wow! Am interested in the Derwent pencils now more so they look so… smooth! Thanks

[@helencryer]

Haha, sorry! I make some money from my art, but seem to spend most of it on more art materials! My workspace consists of a couple of big cupboards in my little dining room, plus the dining table!

[@valeriegehling4358]

@@helencryer I sit at dining table surrounded by all sorts, if we get visitors I flit round putting it all in boxes!HaHa!! For dinner I put things to on side until I‘ve eaten! Hubbyeats on his lap except Christmas! But, he likes it like that before you feel sorry for him!

[@valeriegehling4358]

Was going to ask you to judge/ give some criticism to some things I painted but can’t get them to you. Not comp. literate.

[@cj_kirby]

Have you ever shared the pieces you create to sell at the Art Market? If not, I think it would be interesting to see. Sometimes it's hard to determine what will or won't sell at an Art Market. I'll search your channel to see if you have made a video on this in the past. Thanks. A wonderful haul.

[@helencryer]

Hi, no I haven't done a video just on that - I've probably shown a lot of the designs I sell, just spread across other videos. I'll bear it in mind next time I'm doing a market!

[@cj_kirby]

@@helencryer I did find your videos on your channel on making the alcohol ink painting pieces, creating bird cards and printing / framing your linocuts. They were helpful, especially the alcohol ink pieces. Thanks.

[@helencryer]

These gouache landscape paintings sell well too - as giclee prints and cards. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKGrZGONe9KCpac

[@helencryer]

Also, prints and cards of these little granulating watercolour paintings sell well too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6PCnZmgqJmkgc0

[@madebylora]

Could you use a sharpie pen to write the colours on your pastel labels so you can more easily identify them?

[@helencryer]

Thanks! I did try that, and my waxy fingers rub most the Sharpie off really easily. I think what I might do is put a swatch of the colour and name on a small slip of paper and sellotape it round the barrel.

[@fionagray9319]

I could be wrong, but i am just at the bit where you are swatching out the Derwent Inktense block and then the pencil, and i think you actually swatch the block one to the left of the mustard, not the mustard. That could be why they don't match up.

[@helencryer]

Thank you, yes, I had spotted that after and there is a note of it in the video's description.

[@scottcullen2832]

Washi tape for the pastels coordinate the washi with a corresponding colour pastel and swatch they can be removed easily if you need to read the label or adjust the washi swatch as you work through a colour and need the washi on a new one, the downside you have to have a washi for every colour 😂 Amazon do some great bundles of thin ones

[@helencryer]

That would be an awesome idea, if I could get all the right coloured washi tapes!! (And had storage space for that many!)

[@loati94]

Sennelier has a system of transparent and opaque colors, it's not inconsistency because they are made like that. Also some pigments are more transparent than others and instead of filling them with fillers to make them all opaque, they play with that system. With other mediums people don't bat an eye when it comes to the transparency and opaqueness of colors and I don't understand why oil pastels are judged on it.

[@helencryer]

Yes I understand why the Senneliers are like that, and that they have transparent colours (though they never included a colour chart with any of their sets I received, so that didn't help with working that out), but it's still fair to point out that they are not of a consistent texture across their range of colours. Also I think many people are VERY interested in the transparency and opacity of other mediums, especially watercolours and gouache, for example.

[@loati94]

​@@helencryer Yes that's why I said that people don't bat an eye when it comes to other mediums, because it's seemed as normal. But I've seen already several people complain about the same thing in oil pastels. Sennelier marks their O/T colors in their chart online Anyways it was just an observation. Some people don't know some oil pastels are meant to be transparent and they consider it poor quality, poorly pigmentated etc.

[@helencryer]

Ah, I see what you mean about transparency, yes. It comes down to preference. I prefer transparent watercolours, I prefer opaque oil pastels.

[@robinsamuelson3626]

Told you! can't just have 1 inktense block stick 😂

[@helencryer]

🤣 You are proved correct!!!

[@impish22]

how fun, but first coffee !!

[@helencryer]

🤣 Hope you enjoyed the coffee and video!

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

Wait! The blocks might match up! You didn't swatch 1700 in the blocks you swatched the one right next to it! And maybe if you scribble on the paper with the blocks it will deposit more like the pencils do. And I use that Brush and Pencil Titanium Dioxide powder too, much better alternative for a lightfast white than using gel pens or Poscas.

[@helencryer]

Haha! Thanks! Yes - I realised and mentioned it in the video description! Swatched the correct pencil out, and there's still a bit of difference, but I think that's fine! I'll have a proper play with them anyway. Good to hear you do that method of white too!

[@awatercolourist]

That touchup texture looks a lot like an opaque nail polish. 😂😂

[@helencryer]

It's exactly like a nail polish bottle and brush!

[@terrystred]

Other YT videos I have seen suggest that for health and safety reasons you should wear gloves when using oil pastels as the pigments can be harmful if absorbed through the skin. Also blowing the dust away could lead to it being inhaled which again could be harmful. For non-oil pastels, it is suggested artists also wear a mask. What are your thoughts on this? I have avoided using pastels for this reason!

[@helencryer]

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll look into it - should probably wear gloves, or a barrier cream. I've only ever done one full soft pastel painting. If I do more, I'd think about a dusk mask. I use a full respirator when using my alcohol inks.

[@poogeasaurus5684]

I would write the name on a piece of masking tape and put that on the pastel

[@helencryer]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@lark6676]

Print the name of the pastel on a label maker and attach around the bottom of the pastel.

[@helencryer]

Thanks! Don't have a label maker, but am definitely going to stick some info on.

[@lawsdraws]

Uh oh, you’re swatching lovely greens again… you’re going to have to stop this, my wallet is getting nervous 😅

[@helencryer]

Haha, sorry! The new ones *are* delectable though!

[@awatercolourist]

First!

[@helencryer]

Morning!

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Morning!