What is a watercolor stick?

See supplies below as well as the blog post that has more info and pinnable images: bit.ly/44FCo8w
Watercolor Butterflies Class: bit.ly/3JN9ds3
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B L O G : sandyallnock.com
C L A S S E S : art-classes.com
A R T V E N T U R E N E T W O R K : artventure.mn.co
A R T S U P P L I E S : sandyallnock.com/studiosnacks/
B O O K : biblejournalingmadesimple.com
F I N E A R T : sandyallnockfineart.com
C O L O R C H A R T S : art-classes.com/charts
═╬════════ S O C I A L ════════╬═
A R T V E N T U R E : artventure.mn.co
I N S T A G R A M 1 : / sandyallnock
I N S T A G R A M 2 : / sandyallnockfineart
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T W I T T E R: / sandyallnock
═╬════════ S U P P L I E S ════════╬═
Some product may be provided by manufacturers for review and use. Compensated affiliate links may be used, but this video was not sponsored or requested by any manufacturer. For affiliate and product disclosure, visit sandyallnock.com/faq - My trusted partners in art: sandyallnock.com/partners
Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks: bit.ly/46L8hi6
Arches Rough Paper: bit.ly/3qZly1q
Hardbord: bit.ly/3fdDSz3
Artist tape 3/4" amzn.to/3rF90MT
═╬════════ N O T E S ════════╬═
My Sony A7iii camera is mounted on a DSLR stand: bit.ly/3uChLbb
For 20% discount on any purchase at arkon.com use coupon code sandyallnock
Details on how I produce video: bit.ly/37DttJ5

[@dorothyminor7581]

I’m pretty sure I hear Angels sing when I open the doors of a Blick store!

[@SandyAllnock1]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@amyprince2081]

Me too!! I just drift around with a smile on my face and wind up spending way too much,!! But, if you are going to use it, is it REALLY TOO expensive?

[@maryzefo3801]

Me too 🤣🤣😊

[@createartmarxs7705]

I know I do. Blick is the love of my life. Or idk maybe my dope dealer. ❤😂😂😂

[@starr-starr]

I love sticks. One of DS’s ambassadors puts up to 15 sticks in between his fingers on his left hand, and picks up paint with his right hand. I’ve done this for urban sketching and its great. That butterfly is gorgeous

[@anapetty]

That is the coolest way to make a color chart! 🤩

[@marlbboro8091]

People like to hate on Daniel Smith but I really love them. Not only are they local to me ( support local businesses) but also coming out with these sticks that do not compromise on pigment or quality with these. Hats off ! I just bought my first stick so this video is very helpful. Tubes stress me out for the problem you mentioned- the paint being stuck in that difficult space.

[@christinelatham5973]

This painting is beautiful and with only a few colors, too! Thank you for sharing with us, Sandy!

[@bj6656]

I love the chart. It was helpful to decide which color to get.

[@helencarter3666]

I love the way you’ve made the colour chart into a shell it’s really beautiful

[@ljsquare1]

You are amazing. Your voice is lovely, and your candid approach is refreshing. Thank you for sharing.

[@donnahelzer8381]

I can’t wait to get better so I can take a butterfly class,!!💜

[@lynnephelps2370]

Great video! Sticks are my favorite way to refill pans for less, just cut off the right length and wedge it into the pan! I cut mine bigger than you showed so it's tightly wedged and doesn't move around or fall out!

[@valariemagnus508]

You should make copies to sell. It’s beautiful and I’m sure the Daniel Smith Company would LOVE a copy. I know I would!!

[@ClaudiaMartinez-pj5xd]

Thank you for creating a watercolor butterfly class! I love watercolors and butterflies! Excellent combo!

[@SandyAllnock1]

You are so welcome!

[@annewatman677]

This is great. A local art store was selling their sticks for 40% off, so I bought every color they had left. I’m not sure how many I have, but a lot. Ive mostly just used a wet brush to get the paint directly off the stick, but I love how you swirled the stick in water!

[@SandyAllnock1]

It works so great to do that❤️❤️❤️

[@annamarielewis7078]

These do seem very easy and fun to use.

[@IslandGirl755]

I love DS watercolours and use them for most of my art projects. I will definitely replace any new colour or used up colour with sticks instead of tubes just for the ease of use, no waste, and not as messy as tubes. Thank you Sandy this video was informative and useful to me. Love the Butterflies 🦋.

[@sandrasantacruz7964]

Beautiful I love watercolor sticks!

[@myrawillis6829]

You read my mind. I was thinking about watercolor sticks and wondering why I hadn't seen too much about them. And there you were! Thank you. You answered my questions.

[@soulart1225]

It's amazing to draw such a pretty artwork with simple colors!❤

[@dorothyminor7581]

You are an incredible teacher! Thanks once again!

[@allywhitecat]

I feel I am way behind. So many new things. Thanks for sharing❤

[@createartmarxs7705]

Absolutely hang it in your studio space! It’s gorgeous. ❤

[@mwGoosman]

Your watercolor chart is more than pretty- it’s beautiful! Of course I may want “all the colors” in stick form, but I have so many lovely colors in the tube. I love your butterfly… I might have to try one on my own.

[@consueloyoung4484]

Thank you for showing us what a paint stick can do!. ❤

[@Lindas5811]

Thank you for the information about the stick, sounds like something I would enjoy using.

[@LoriF25403]

I LOVE the watercolor sticks! They take the place of 3 pans.

[@usernametooshort8036]

I knew about watercolor pencils, had some in the past, but I never knew about these! They kind of remind me of pastels or oil crayons (I despise them, they never work with me! 😆)

[@jinnygibbons4376]

Your color chart that you made.. If it was me I'd turn it into snail. Lovely. Jinny from New Zealand 2023.❤

[@marlenejones6266]

I only bought a few colors about 3 years ago I think and the they had 52 colors. So Im going to find out about what's new. Maybe invest in 10 or 12 more. I'm 74 and I'm still learning to paint. Its certainly fun. I'm trying to figure out what colors to buy since I have a very limited income. Thank you for the absolutely stunning painting of a wonderful butterfly. I enjoyed it tremendously

[@letymon]

Hi! There are 11 new watercolors stick that have been released in 2022, so now the available range is of 62 sticks. The new 11 colors are: Neutral Tint, Lavender, Iridescent Electric Blue, Pearlescent White, Ivory Black, Prussian Blue, Spring Green, Olive Green, Burnt Yellow Ochre, Mayan Orange and Carmine. ☺

[@christinehinds3370]

I loved what you shared on the watercolor sticks. They look wonderful and easy to work with!

[@we4r119]

😮❤ Fabulous painting and thankyou for demonstrating and explaining how to use the watercolour sticks. I would have ignored them completely without seeing this video.

[@glittergrandma]

Great video. Watercolor sticks look good for traveling too.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Unless it’s warm. They can get a little gooey if my hand sweats🤣

[@patriciatolliver4057]

Patty-I've always wondered how to use paint sticks. Thank you for showing us how to use them. I love butterflies 🦋. You have some very beautiful pictures of them.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@colorcrazy2944]

I love butterflies, who doesn't? This is so pretty & I am really tempted by your class!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thanks🤣

[@BarryOnness]

I purchased about a dozen of these and loved them. Had no clue there were so many colors available! Thanks, Sandy

[@SandyAllnock1]

You are so welcome!

[@mkbuike7895]

Staff at the Daniel Smith store said in a demo that the sticks are equivalent to 3 tubes of paint. That was a few years ago. I had no idea the number of colors had increased since I no longer see all of them in one place (I’m still mourning the store closure). I sometimes “palettize” cerulean blue with the stick because the tube paint takes forever to dry and even when I think it is, it goes and crawls out of the pan, making a mess. Great bonus tip to get all the paint out of a tube. Thanks!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Three 5ml tubes….

[@everartokelli]

From a tour at the DS store 4 or 5 years ago, I hazily recall they showed us that they did start out with a lot of paint for the sticks so maybe 3 tubes worth is correct (it looked like a hot dog sized amount). Then the paints go into a food dehydrator, and appox 30 days later (depending on the pigment) the sticks are hardened and ready to wrap with labels. I know they can be cut and put into approx 3 full sized pans (that's how I usually use the DS sticks). @mkbuike, I also mourn the loss of the DS store, I met many great artists and took many classes there, remember Sandy doing a wonderfully useful demo there :)

[@ZealousZest]

what a great demo, as usual, Sandy!! and not only do you educate us on the Daniel Smith paint stick properties AND so many ways to use them . . . but how cool to learn about the butterfly, too!! You are truly a "giver" -- in so many ways!!!! and you are a FAVE ARTIST of mine!! I didn't find anything with Amazon prime day "deals" (blah) . . . so I'd love to use what I saved to sign up for this course! And, perhaps a few DS sticks!!?? seems we don't need many to start out gorgeous watercolors!! PS: I'll probably be on a "spending freeze" after this ... LOL! ... but I'd consider buying your pretty color swatch!! Would you sell? Sincerely, Lori

[@SandyAllnock1]

LOL! Spending freezes are real! If you'd really want that shellshapedswatch I'd sell it, I can't figure out what I'd do with it - ha!

[@umachandel9356]

So glad I came across your video today. ❤ Made my day when I checked out your channel. Love how you speak while painting. No airs and talking for effect and wasting time. Thanks for the trouble you take.😊🙏🌹

[@TracieWho]

Love watercolor sticks! I've been only using them as pans. Who knew there were so many different ways to use them! I absolutely am going to be taking that class soon. Those butterflies are divine!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@missinkyart]

This is gorgeous! 😊Love to paint butterfles I have a bush in my garden that they love to feed on so i get a good close look when i paint them 😊

[@danielleraymond9336]

Thank you for the tutorial, really loved it.

[@kathynoll4634]

Oh Boy!!! I can't wait to do some butterflies!!! I'm a new subscriber!!! Yey 👍

[@SandyAllnock1]

Welcome!!

[@herbalannie7707]

First time here. I learned a lot! Was going to criticize you for not showing the use of the dry stick on wet paper until you showed that in the butterfly body. Thanks for the tip on using the two blacks. Loved the swatching . Using the shell form was genious and didn't bore me with too much information. Your video filming was excellent!! I have been doing watercolors about 3 years and mostly like very wet and abstract but am looking to discipline myself with more realism and less water. Your splatter blotches were right up my alley. I like the look of a combination of realism and abstract. Ill be looking into your class offerings.

[@brandikellerscraftcorner2325]

Blick is my favorite art store. I live in Indiana and my store is in Tampa. I go 3to 4 times a year❤

[@helencarter3666]

You could give it a gold metallic background

[@trudievick2359]

Beautiful. Thanks for tip re: watercolor sticks.

[@pamgrover9910]

Excellent information and you have a great teaching style.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Aw thanks so much!

[@michaelfiore1023]

Thanks a ton! Plan to use them in plein air.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Have fun!

[@Jackjonesis]

This was a great help to me and I came back several days after viewing it to thank you, I have several sticks that I bought just because Blick was out of my color in the bigger tubes. I did not think of all the different ways you shared to use them. I had only been cutting off bits and sticking them down with water. This video was very clear and I have used my sticks in several different ways since. THANKS

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad it was so helpful for you! :) :) :)

[@Saahrish]

Maybe put a granulating background behind those gorgeous swatches. Maybe a mixture of 2 or 3 granulating colors

[@sassafrasinspired2029]

Love your beautiful chart! And the butterfly is magnificent. Your talent and patience are both amazing.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank you so much!

[@rgrdesigns]

Love all the helpful content in this video Sandy. I will definitely consider the sticks the next time I add colors to my DS collection.

[@christinebehrenwald7455]

Beautiful butterfly!!!! Thanks for sharing the watercolor sticks.

[@letymon]

Well done!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@annsowers4591]

This is the best review I have ever watched. Daniel Smith has beautiful colors. I will use these.

[@rebeccaharrison947]

Beautiful

[@chantalp.146]

Beautiful butterflies! I am in!

[@user-sd2jb1gg4w]

I recently purchased sticks for my small palette used plein air and have been very impressed with the quality and price for Daniel Smith paints. But your demonstration will really expanded my use in the future. Thank you so much!

[@salliealston175]

beautiful and thank you so much !!

[@slateportraichu5416]

Thank you for a fun video.these are lovely shticks and pretty colours=3

[@currylover0]

Thank you Daniel Smith for your generosity. Wonderful ideas for future reference, These look to be a really versatile and quality medium. Super butterfly picture quite pleasing and inspiring.

[@joconnor6346]

Fabulous - so inspiring, Thank you. Definitely going to get some of those sticks!

[@jillpontiere1814]

So information and I love it all. Great tips/video. Thank you

[@charlotteminichiello6260]

Beautiful work

[@thewritejohansen8054]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! It looks like color sticks are less messy;) (I am SUCH as messy painter).

[@angelaadams9806]

So so pretty

[@cheri6905]

LOVE your butterflies, Sandy! I thoroughly enjoy your videos & learn so much, too! I've never been in a Blick STORE, but I do shop on their website - after you mentioned it several years ago.

[@angb1923]

I need these paint sticks! Love your butterfly! Hey I live in the PNW too! Thank you for the video!

[@annehebert6959]

I had not heard of these - but are they similar to NeoColor II? I have used those - but these watercolour stick are so pigmented - WOW.

[@SandyAllnock1]

I’d have to go buy some to see.

[@robinsartsandcrafts6500]

The Neocolor are creamier, not very similar in texture.

[@starr-starr]

Neocolor II are wax pastels. They are creamy and opaque. The DS watercolor sticks are pure pigment and binder and a few other additives, so you are not paying for the water in the tube. They have the properties of whatever pigment it is. Not all pigments can be made into sticks.

[@teresalewelling7318]

I want to say thank you for sharing this with me. I’ve always wanted to learn how to watercolor.

[@SandyAllnock1]

My pleasure 😊

[@annierodenberg2327]

fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

[@ankejacobs4649]

Thanks Sandy, that was great!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patriciajung9157]

Thank you for the demo. You make it look easy. I have done afew butterflies and the details on the wings is a real challenge. I am getting a new brush and hope to use it on my buttergly paintings. Blessings and peace

[@pamelaavery2483]

I think it needs to be a print…the color shell. I loved going to Daniel smith back in the 90s. Now not so fond of going to Seattle. I’m from Stanwood. I enjoy the sticks.

[@pattycyr8662]

Excellent video - thanks so much for so clearly explaining amd demonstrating the sticks.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mridulascreatives]

Beautiful✨

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@susanholden6861]

Oooooh, these are just what I was wanting! I tried the Tim Holtz Distress watercolor pencils and wasn't a big fan.

[@clearwater7000]

Amaaazing! Thank you for information!❤

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad you liked it!

[@OmaStudioArt]

Super helpful video. Thanks so much for doing this.

[@SandyAllnock1]

You are so welcome!

[@leenb.7936]

Absolutely loved your painting, both the butterfly and the swatches and all the tips. I am still hoping that my local art school with pick up the sticks for their shops. It’s not easy to get in Belgium. In the meantime I’m saving up to order on Jacksons

[@bcottle51]

I learned something new today. Thanks for this video!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad to hear it!

[@annedodd1912]

Your butterfly is amazing! It is so beautiful.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@janeedwards2266]

I am not an Artist but I like the look of those Art sticks

[@andreataft8374]

You should be a guest on Craft Roulette.

[@susanhamilton1822]

I have to try these. I hate how the caps on tubes get stuck because of dried paint although I do dip the tube in water to loosen them up. Also don't like it when the binder comes out first in a big flood. New subscriber.

[@SandyAllnock1]

Glad you found this helpful! It IS always hard to lose even a little paint in a tube, huh,

[@RowhouseGreetings]

Thanks!

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank YOU! :)

[@plove523]

Would be interesting to see a side by side search of tube vs sticks. I don't think they compare to Gelatos or watercolor crayons at all.

[@Babyjohn8170]

Great video😊👍

[@SandyAllnock1]

Thank you 👍

[@carrieo3114]

Thanks for doing this demo and highlighting these watercolor sticks. Do you notice any waxing or color duller than the tubes?

[@SandyAllnock1]

Not at all, it’s actually easier to move pigment and get more dense color if needed. My tube of sodalite barely seems to wet but the stick is fabulous.

[@3534538]

I like Gelatos and I have a few but I'd say you can't really compare them to the Daniel Smith paint sticks, those seem to be of higher quality. Thanks for the info about the amount of paint being roughly the same of a tube.

[@SandyAllnock1]

I used a couple years ago- maybe I had some bad ones, but it felt like trying to paint with Chapstick🤣

[@3534538]

@@SandyAllnock1 I don't think you had bad ones, there's a reason why they're mainly for crafters 🤣

[@SandyAllnock1]

@@3534538 lol ok

[@annamarielewis7078]

You are just so lovely. New subscriber.💝

[@SandyAllnock1]

Aww thank you!

[@amandaterrio4823]

My husband hates when I see something new that I want!

[@eileensnyder7356]

Hi Sandy, Have you used any other brands besides Daniel Smith watercolor sticks.? Since they are rather pricey, I would like to find good alternatives.

[@robinsartsandcrafts6500]

I was disappointed with how these drew on dry paper. I bought favorite colors I already had in tubes. They aren’t really awesome as a crayon type art supply, but the ARE a great value as far as how much pigment you get if you want to use them like you would a dried pan. I wouldn’t suggest buying colors you already own, but any new colors yes. I love your color swatch swirl and your butterfly ❤️

[@SandyAllnock1]

They weren’t made to really draw with…

[@DavZell]

This is your first video I've seen. It was nicely presented. Just an FYI: check the backside of your mic; it needs a little cleaning. 😅

[@SandyAllnock1]

Lol! I probably should brush the back of my hair too🤣 #ificantseeititsnotthere

[@arlenehefner7261]

Tulsa does not have a Blick Store. 🙁

[@SandyAllnock1]

Bummer! Mine is in the city and I often resort to mail order to avoid the traffic chaos.

[@user-rm1lg8vt4s]

Great tutorial. I just bought some sticks on sale and have been testing. I have One bigger question. It is hard to see when you take your brush off camera if you are adding water or removing water on a cloth. I can only tell when it hits the paper again. You were doing both interchangeably. This is the hardest thing for me as a beginner to learn. Do you have any tutorials where you show why you decide to change your water control mid-drawing?

[@SandyAllnock1]

Not a video with that idea specifically, but I can add that to my list to cover….but I’m always paying attention to how wet the brush is. Not because of the sticks but just managing the amount of flow needed.

[@user-rm1lg8vt4s]

@@SandyAllnock1 exactly. It is not a stick question but a bigger question. I would love to see and hear what you are thinking about water on your brush if you are always doing it. That’s the discipline I fail at when I fail.

[@SandyAllnock1]

@@user-rm1lg8vt4s I do talk about it in my classes-a large portion of Watercolor Jumpstart especially ❤️

[@kimberlysiddons]

So how different are these from watercolor crayons? I have some Faber Castile watercolor crayons that behave exactly like these sticks. Is there a need for me to get these sticks?

[@SandyAllnock1]

I haven’t compared them so I don’t know-making a video isn’t a sign you need them, it’s just an art supply that’s an option. As far as I know FC doesn’t make watercolors so I can’t vouch for what’s in their crayons. These sticks are just like DS watercolors, all the same properties and quality.

[@maryzefo3801]

Painting 🎨 looks like a fossil I think the name of the fossil is ammonite I think the painting should be framed and hung it's beautiful and it looked like it was so fun to paint.......

[@agnesvalin3865]

❤❤

[@lauriecraig2760]

When I went to his website, I couldn't find them, can I give a link or hint? Name of them? Lost in Canada!

[@SandyAllnock1]

You aren’t able to access Blick?