Lovely Relaxing Jackson's & Amazon Art Haul! Roman Szmal, Schmincke Watercolours, Charcoals, Books +

Some beautiful books and products which I wanted to try out!
Lucy Salmon Website:
lucysalmon.co.uk/
Ann Cowan Art:
...
Derwent XL Charcoal tin:
amzn.to/3ZqTzJD
Clairefontaine Pastelmat (the different coloured pads vary in price):
amzn.to/3Psnb4I
Jackson's Art Vine Charcoal sticks:
www.jacksonsar...
Faber-Castell Pitt Compressed Charcoal:
www.jacksonsar...
Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Crayons:
www.jacksonsar...
General's Charcoal Pencils
Hard:
www.jacksonsar...
Medium:
www.jacksonsar...
Soft:
www.jacksonsar...
White:
www.jacksonsar...
Conté à Paris Charcoal Pencils:
www.jacksonsar...
Jackson's Art Putty Rubber:
www.jacksonsar...
Roman Szmal Aquarius Watercolours at Jackson's Art:
www.jacksonsar...
Schmincke Horadam Watercolours at Jackson's Art:
www.jacksonsar...
Princeton Neptune Round 8 Brush from this set:
amzn.to/3PLMwYX
Strathmore Toned Tan Pad:
amzn.to/3PorFcK
'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron:
amzn.to/3t2DfTv
__________________________________________________
LINKS
INSTAGRAM: helen_cryer_art
/ helen_cryer_art
(As an Amazon & Jackson's Art Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases, which doesn't affect the price for you. I'm very grateful when you purchase anything via my links, thank you!)

[@cynmalin5728]

your book choices are interesting. i have reserved a few at my library to peruse

[@helencryer]

That's great!

[@NAVYWhistleblowerAssassin]

I am in love with Ann Cowan & Lucy Jones works too.! Mesmerizing 😊

[@terrilyon6825]

Charcoal is fab on newsprint paper. It's very freeing and loosens you up. I imagine the chunky blocks would aid that even further

[@helencryer]

That sounds brilliant - thanks for the tip!

[@elvenham1]

I second this. I usually work very small and tight, but I've got a huge pad of newsprint I use with charcoal when I want to just be loose and gestural. It's quite freeing, and the charcoal feels really good going onto the newsprint.

[@helencryer]

Wonderful! Thanks!

[@laurabarnes5283]

oooh that's interesting...will have to try it!

[@dianecharest8365]

I love how she throws pink in all her pieces. Nice

[@helencryer]

Yes - she does it perfectly!

[@KittehNow]

Very nice video. I LOVE my Canson XL paper, better than my higher quality papers. The pastels are lovely❤

[@helencryer]

Thanks! It just shows some paints off best, though not as well suited when you want to layer.

[@riverAmazonNZ]

My favourite Schmincke colour is Perylene Violet. It’s wonderful with greens for botanicals, and for autumn scenes.

[@helencryer]

Mmm... It's a gorgeous one!

[@Drachi.comicartist]

Hi, this is my first video of you. And i must say that i really love how you presented other artist and tools as well. You seem a nice calm person and i like watching your video. Keep on ❤🌷

[@helencryer]

Welcome! Thank you so much!

[@moshoswirls5863]

wonderful video as always! i love watching your first reactions to supplies, and i envy your collection of art supplies! years of hobby i suppose, haha! love seeing your videos !

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much! Some of my supplies are over 30 years old now, but I feel very lucky that I'm making some money from my art now, and am able to buy supplies that take my fancy!

[@lynnconroy8]

I could watch you paint watercolor circles all day, lol. I’m amazed at how perfect they are, they look like colorful moons. Curious, did someone make you sit and do circles for hours? How did you get so good at it? They’re even all the same size. 😊

[@helencryer]

Haha, thanks! I'm inordinately happy at this compliment for some reason! No - the only thing I've been made to do is many lines saying I won't hand my maths homework in late again...

[@jessbutterfly1934]

Just letting you know that charcoal is another form of soft pastel whatever you wanna call it so you’re best off using pastel paper for it. You won’t get so much dust.

[@helencryer]

That makes sense, thanks!

[@gabbywilliamson76]

That charcoal looks so soft. I really like the colors too.

[@helencryer]

Yes, they're pretty nice!

[@wendycoyne2899]

I love watching your art hauls, you ‘made’ me buy Schmincke granulating watercolours even though I usually use acrylic 🤣🤣🤪

[@helencryer]

Sorry about that!! Hope you're enjoying them though!

[@AFAskygoddess]

You can easily make your own supergranulatigranulated paint. Just add PBk11 (Mars black) or DS sodalite or transparent iron oxide watercolor paint to any other paint to make it granulate. That's basically how Schmincke makes theirs. You'll save a bundle of money.

[@cj_kirby]

I wasn't as strong as you when it came to the new Roman Szmal colors. I had been waiting for quite a while for the Aquarius Violet to be released as I had seen Elisabetta swatch it a couple months ago. And of course, then I saw other new colors that made their way into my cart. (?) I had also been waiting for the Khadi Fat Book to come back in stock at Jacksons since I had seen you use that sketch book. It finally came back in stock. All reasons good enough for me to place an order (like I really needed a reason). Here I am, waiting for my Jackson's order to arrive. What can I say, my will power is weak when it comes to art supplies. 😊

[@helencryer]

Haha! I hope you really enjoy them!! I also hope you'll love the Fat Book as much as I do!

[@thatswhatitsmadefor]

You will love the artist's way. I've done it twice now. Great to do morning pages everyday but when it wanes its amazing to start them up again when life feels overwhelming. It helps finding your voice and get the "one step in front of the other" feeling back 🎨🌞🧘

[@helencryer]

This is lovely to hear - thanks so much!

[@Lacroix999]

I will admit when you tried the General’s hard pencil and tried to get it to be less scratchy, I knew that wasn’t going to happen since it’s not a paper issue, but what type of pencil it is. They all pretty much do this and it’s like nails on a chalkboard 😂 and I hated having to use them in drawing class back in art school! Needless to say, I haven’t picked up one since then which was nearly 20 years ago😂 One thing I don’t need more of is more paint (I even have a whole set up to be able to make my own colors completely from scratch), but I still refuse to have it be the one thing I won’t ever stop buying! 😂 Those paint colors are gorgeous! Especially the quinacridone purple! I love this book! I bought it years ago and got the 3-books-in-one collector’s set! Puts a lot of things into perspective for you as an artist!

[@helencryer]

Haha! Good to know! I can just use them as needed for fine details. Love your paint attitude, and happy to hear about the book, thanks!

[@TjVoelkerArt]

You might have discovered this already, but, in my opinion, the very best putty eraser is by Faber Castell and it's gray. I like the large one. It's fantastic with pastels.

[@helencryer]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@melc23]

Lovely chilled video 😊 The last thing I need is more watercolours but I have got to get that Cobalt Green Deep now. You're such an enabler! 😅

[@helencryer]

Haha! Sorry about that!

[@FaithAnnNB]

So fun to see all the lovely new things (especially the watercolours)!! Enjoy!!

[@helencryer]

Thanks! I'm hoping to have a charcoal day tomorrow!

[@FaithAnnNB]

@@helencryer That sounds Ike a fun day!! I’m interested to hear how you assess your art journey after diving into your new book. I’m intrigued!

[@helencryer]

Well, I have to have a load of blood tests done at the doctors first, but AFTER that it will be fun 🤣 I feel like I've been having a good time flitting around all the different mediums, but am wondering if it's time to actually put some work in, and try and improve in a specific way, or figure out if I actually have my own style, or will ever be able to produce things I'm really pleased with. I'm hoping the book will at least give my thinking some pointers.

[@camsmyth101]

Thank you! I'm livingmy love of art materials through your content :)

[@helencryer]

Haha, thanks!

[@moppeliini6614]

22 years ago. I had a Aupair girl for 6 months . She had that book with her. She gave it to me when she returned back to her country. I have went back to that book many times over the years. It has help me to grow a lot. Writing morning pages. Now 4 years every day . So important tool. That book started something on me. And have literally carry me on at the hard times... It have help me a lot. After i did the next book from her "Gold vein". And now I have the third one about "seeking wisdom"😊 Art have become for me a inner child playground. And I'm happy and fine with that.

[@helencryer]

Oh wow, I really love this - thank you for sharing ❤️

[@franny3995]

A lovely haul, I’m from Bath so it was lovely to see some sketches of it in that book.

[@helencryer]

Oh lovely - I think Bath is such a beautiful place!

[@liliax9147]

I love the Derwent XL charcoals, they are so fun!

[@helencryer]

Great to hear!

[@denisephilley4843]

Well done, enjoyed watching your video.🎉

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@sueberry1727]

Lovely art haul Helen something nice to watch whilst I am in bed ill with Covid

[@trestarichardson406]

I don't know you Sue. However, I pray you get well soon.

[@helencryer]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear it Sue!! I hope you're not feeling too poorly with it! 💐

[@terrilyon6825]

Im itching to get my hands on a set of those XL blocks. I have to wait until payday though !

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

Always a pleasure Helen! Greetings on this beautiful day!😊

[@helencryer]

Hi! Thanks so much!

[@impish22]

how fun, but first I must get the coffee going so I can sit down and enjoy, thanks for posting Helen

[@helencryer]

Thank you for watching!

[@susih.7210]

if you put the watercolor pans in the freezer for a few minutes you can remove the "lid" very easily

[@helencryer]

Thank you! I've heard of this tip, but so far been too lazy to do it!

[@scoiataeli]

I am curious to hear what you think of the book. I dropped it around 10-15% percent in. It was recommended to me so it was actually a double disappointment, I would say.

[@helencryer]

I haven't got past the introduction yet, but am sure I'll mention it if it turns out to be useful. Why did you stop reading?

[@oxheysarah]

Derwent do a pastels pencil sharpener works better than a regular one. Have fun 😊

[@helencryer]

Oh, I didn't know that - thank you!

[@racechick2033]

Beautiful water colours (tubes) ('turkish jewels' is my name for those). The pans are lovely as well. I liked the giant, non-scratchy charcoals they were cute colours too. 😍

[@helencryer]

I can't get over how much I love the purples though!!

[@rebeccahesser8057]

I just started the artists way also!! It’s helpful.

[@helencryer]

I'm still in the introduction - that's good to hear!

[@karenirving7088]

Put the Roman Szmal in the freezer 5 minutes. I love his paints.

[@helencryer]

Good tip!

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

Lovely art haul and I really enjoyed seeing the watercolor swatches.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@terrilyon6825]

I was thinking of your prodigal son manganese brown when Helen was saying she wanted nice browns!

[@helencryer]

This sounds like something I need to go and explore!

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

@@terrilyon6825 oh yes, it's lovely!

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

@@helencryerit's a very special brown. Expensive, but special.

[@zenandink3531]

Fun stuff! I just got a portuguese graphite disc…it’s like watercolor-you add water and use like paint-really fun to use-very smooth …my favorite schmincke super granulating water color is glacier green (I think! Lol-I’m not in my art room right now so all of this is from memory!) Love the sketch books!

[@helencryer]

Oooo, interesting - not heard of that before!

[@zenandink3531]

@@helencryer it is an “ArtGraf” viarco portuguese pencil factory Graphite block…water soluble…reminds me of Japanese Sumi-e ink…you can look up to see a photo I’m sure…👍🏼

[@helencryer]

Oh yes, I've heard of Artgraf! I've seen it on Jackson's Art! Thanks!

[@E4Alabbasy]

I love pastels so much but with kids running around I don't trust they will stay safe from their hands 😅 but watching you try pastel pencils made me want to try them again! Have fun with your new supplies I can't wait to see what you will create with them 🥰

[@helencryer]

Haha - fair point!! My littlest is 6'3" now, so he'd better behave with my pastels 🤣

[@denisefrawley6734]

I really like Clairefontaine Pastelmat. I find it is fabulous for coloured pencils.

[@helencryer]

I'm going to have to try it! Everyone's been suggesting the same!

[@kyliescolouringindownunder3098]

Lovely haul thank you for sharing ❤❤❤😊😊

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@jumanas4012]

i prefer Strathmore Charcoal paper , just because its not so ruff or smooth paper , plus its not too white or too dark its creamy white . About the Book i got it its nice to read on the road

[@helencryer]

I haven't come across that one - thanks!

[@teekierudite5108]

I totally agree, the Canson paper made a big difference for the granulating paints. Another lovely video!

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@creativeartwellbeing]

You will love the Artists Way! I was given this book as a gift from a friend when my mum passed away and i was feeling lost and she knew it would bring my passion and creativity back..... and it did! So i would alway recommend it! Morning pages are a routine now for me .... Enjoy xx Also just to add , I love the look of those XL blocks, I have never used Charcoal but an artist friend of mine, uses a lot of it in her work, so I may give it a go too .... Thank you for sharing xx

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much for sharing this - it's really good to hear! xx

[@LisbethDavies]

I really enjoyed watching this, thank you! I popped into HobbyCraft this morning on my way home and found that tins of Derwent tinted XL charcoals are 25% off, so £14.25 - cheaper than Amazon and Ebay in the UK! (Also: Winsor & Newton professional watercolours are still 3 for 2; lots of other reductions on art supplies.)

[@helencryer]

Ooo - nice one! Well done!

[@jessbutterfly1934]

There are graphite sticks that our water soluble you just got the one that isn’t. I accidentally got the one that isn’t as well and did a re-order. It’s so much fun the water soluble one

[@helencryer]

Oh that's good to know, thanks!

[@laurabarnes5283]

I know that the Lyra graphite stick is water solulabe @@helencryer

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Oh wow that’s great 😃. I never thought or knew that charcoal was water soluble. That’s definitely something new to me & makes me think of giving charcoal another try! Thanks for sharing this wonderful art haul video.

[@helencryer]

I didn't till recently either!

[@brittabeningfield3472]

Another charming swatch n haul. Thank you! I'm tempted by the XL charcoal, but suspect I'll not like the feel of it on my fingers. Ive done practice sketching with the charcoal pencils on newsprint, works great for warm ups, etc. Do you know about the mini desktop vacuums? Mine is like a cute ladybug, and they are just a bit elevated off the surface to pick up crumbs and dust. I find it perfect for pastels and colored pencils...no smear and they collect all the particles. Found mine on amazon a couple years ago, still going strong. Happy arting, Helen.

[@helencryer]

Thanks! I will have to take a look at those - goodness knows I'll make enough mess!

[@natmickan]

I’ve never really understood the appeal of granulating watercolour (personally I prefer the translucents), but seeing those beautiful round swatches made them seem perfect for moons etc., & the granulation only added to the effect. Now it seems like I may have to give them another go, so thankyou for that! (My wallet will no doubt be less grateful, but that’s later-me’s problem😅)

[@helencryer]

Just in case you are interested, here's an older video I made on granulating watercolours. I love transparent watercolours, but granulation is just so delicious to me too! This video has some of my favourites. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqWVd4SIptCDnLs

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

You got all my favorite Schmincke colors! (+Potters Pink). 😄 I find the PB74 from Schminke a bit more expressive, but not sure if this is just my screen.

[@helencryer]

Excellent!! Yes, that's quite possible - it's a bit hard to tell from just the Schmincke Dot Chart.

[@giespel68]

I love your art haul videos :)

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@TheYellowsun76]

Lovely watercolors! I really like the art from Lucy and Ann. Please give us an update on the book, it looks so familiar. Thanks for the video :)

[@helencryer]

Thanks! Yes - their work is gorgeous!

[@silkspinner7010]

Coloured pencils are wonderful on pastel at too

[@helencryer]

I hadn't thought about that! Does it not use up the pencils very quickly?

[@lightwavz]

You did get all the Schminkes that I would have gotten! I just love the Roman Szmals. I ordered a lot of 48 for a personal pallet a few years ago and it always feels so decadent to break it out. I put them in a very fancy empty cigar box. I would like some of the new colors, but then I would have to find a new cigar box! 😂 I haven't loved dry media yet (besides the Graphitint pencils). I think they give me some weird childhood vibe that I need to sort out. So scratchy! 😅

[@helencryer]

That's so funny! I love the sound of your Roman Szmal palette, and can relate in that I can't buy any more pencils because they all fit perfectly into cases on their shelf now!

[@Shamufrootyboots]

Putty rubbers work better if you knead them till they look like a smooth blob. It’s then easier to shape them and they pick up media better

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much! I'll do that!

[@lauriegrassiart]

The Faber-Castell kneaded eraser is so good. After trying a number of others that were just stiff, I tried it and I love it! PS This was such a fun video!

[@terrilyon6825]

Do you always have a plan for all the supplies you buy? I quite often stop myself buying things because I dont have a plan in mind

[@helencryer]

Nope! I just follow my curiosity! I will use most things initially, then any that I end up not using after a while, I just sell again on eBay or give away. I'm happy to satisfy my curiosity, and lose out a bit along the way.

[@kfrost6036]

That’s an interesting haul, thank you. I hadn’t come across those XL blocks before so might look into those further. I just use my seawhites sketchbook for charcoal, so I might experiment with pastel paper.

[@helencryer]

It sounds like people use all kinds of papers for their pastels/charcoals, so lots of experimenting to be done!

[@susanosullivan3048]

Is it any good for oil pastels?

[@kfrost6036]

@@susanosullivan3048 I haven't tried oil pastels in my sketchbook, only on a scrap of watercolour paper, I wasn't too happy with the outcome. Maybe I'll try them in my sketchbook.

[@artbysolar-theresa]

You said you’re looking for muted down greens for your plein air painting’s. Just add a little bit of purple into your green pigments or a tad bit of red. This will tone them down.

[@helencryer]

Thank you! I'm not too bad at mixing colours, but I also really enjoy collecting specific pigments too!

[@thompson_jules0]

I love your art hauls❤️ I always come away newly inspired to try different things. The Jackson's Vine Charcoal looks really interesting. I've avoided charcoal in the past due to the perceived 'mess' it might make but I think my ocd could handle this😂 Plus, I'm really trying my best to loosen up and let go of my perfectionist and ocd tendencies, so it could be a little step in the right direction! Those granulating watercolours are gorgeous, particularly the cobalt's😍

[@helencryer]

The vine charcoal was a lot less messy than I'd imagined, but the XL charcoals were definitely not a clean person's best friend!

[@ericakauffman5786]

Always interesting ... and I don't do multi-media. Seems too hard for my soft brain.

[@helencryer]

I've just done a video on why I end up doing mixed media - basically because I make a mess of the lower layers!!

[@valeriegehling4358]

As I purchased Myungos oil pastels, have on my ever lengthening list the pastel paper you now own! So really interested in your works! Now on my list are Faber Castell Pitt pastel pencils but, as I’ve Derwent watercolour pencils I would like to know what your suggestion is I should buy I only own their Polychromos! Good you get store credit from Jackson’s but, every time I click on they send me to their page in Germany & I don’t have the same offers! Sorry,I didn’t contribute to your credit! Like the charcoal blocks from Derwent especially with water! Now on to your unwrapping of Jackson’s!

[@valeriegehling4358]

Liked v.much the compressed charcoal & my thoughts were as yours as you tried the charcoal pencils. I bought the eraser in UK & like mine a lot especially on Aquarell paper, we did a little charcoal work on a card like white paper can’t remember if we also used it on Aquarell too. But was fascinated to see you use water with the F.C. compressed charcoal. In fact am very envious of your haul not really, as enjoy you unpacking your treasures & your filming of them. Look forward to your painting videos with your new colours! Or your charcoal videos! Thanks

[@helencryer]

I don't think I'd use oil pastels on Pastelmat, personally, because I think they stick pretty well on other (cheaper surfaces), and I think the oil pastels would get used up pretty quickly on such textured paper. I haven't used Pitt Pastel Pencils before, just the Derwent ones, but my understanding is that Caran D'Ache pastel pencils are the best, then Pitt and Carbothello pastel pencils are also well regarded. I think some people don't like the Derwent ones as much, but I've got nothing to compare them too. Edit: Just to add - I've seen artists use Pastelmat for oil pastels, so it does work really well with them.

[@helencryer]

And yes! I'm excited about using water with the compressed charcoal! Almost like ink!

[@valeriegehling4358]

@@helencryer Look forward to examples in your works.

[@valeriegehling4358]

Thanks for your recommendations. I guess I’m a creature of habit & as I like Derwent & Schmincke, especially the granulating paints you’ve showed us, I stick to same but, will look at CaranD’Ache too. Thanks

[@weekend_art]

Oooh, I’m hoping you will enjoy pastelmat as much as I do, it is so satisfying to draw on (I can’t stand pastels though, I use colour pencils with it)

[@helencryer]

Thanks! Does it not wear out coloured pencils super fast though?

[@weekend_art]

@@helencryer oh it does! But I have so many art supplies that it feels good using them really :)

[@nixda5077]

@@helencryer I use it for coloured pencils as well. The trick is not to sharpen them basically until you got some layers and put details in. Works fine for me. Please be safe, the dust from pastels and the charcoal is not exactly healthy (which is why I work with coloured pencils and not pastel). Gorgous haul though!

[@helencryer]

​@@weekend_art That's a good point! I'm not really short on pencils! (Though maybe I'll save my Luminance for other things!)

[@helencryer]

​​@@nixda5077Thank you so much for both pointers! I have a respirator that I use for alcohol inks, so I could use that for pastels xx

[@racechick2033]

Fingers in ears "la la la la la la la la la la". Those scratchy butt pencils will never be on my 'want' list. I would say that charcoal is not my jam.

[@helencryer]

🤣

[@pesto12601]

Stop the madness!!! no more supplies.. no more stuff... use what we already own until it is gone and THEN buy more... Stop the Madness!!!

[@Lia13_]

No she can do as she pleases! It's her life and her money, who are you to say this crap?! If you don't like it then don't watch.

[@helencryer]

@@Lia13_ Thank you!

[@helencryer]

In general I'm inclined to agree with you, and live fairly frugally in most areas of my life. However, I derive enormous joy from following my curiosity about art materials, and with limited space, I re-sell or give away the things that become less used. I've always made my hobbies pay for themselves and art is no exception, but ultimately... each to their own!

[@cj_kirby]

My love of art supplies is also my hobby. As a bonus I get to crate with them. People have all kinds of hobbies that bring them joy. If I couldn't afford it, that would be a different story. This might sound weird but my art room has a certain scent which I know emanates from all the supplies I have in that space. I love that scent and just sitting in that room basking in it. It's like aroma therapy (IMO). My happy place. As you said, to each their own. @helencryer

[@dustydesert1674]

I, for one, have no intention of stopping the “madness”. It’s better than spending a paycheck on a case cheap bourbon every few days. (Yes, I’ve had relatives with that unfortunate affliction.)