Unboxing and Gouache Painting - Cup Easel Superlite & Etchr Perfect Sketchbook

In today's video, I'm trying a bunch of new things! I purchased this Superlite Easel in hopes to improve my posture (I'm a shrimp :() and to also get out and paint this fall. The Etchr Perfect Sketchbook is something I have had on my shelf since before No Buy, but never even unwrapped. I intend to make this sketchbook focused on drawing from life - still life, urban sketching, plein air, etc. I want a dedicated sketchbook to getting out of my comfort zone and studying from around me. I'm not certain how much of it I can share here (only have one tripod), but I'm looking forward to it :)
[ Supplies ]
Cup Easel - Superlite Easel
cupeasels.com/...
Etchr Perfect Sketchbook (A5 Cold Press)
etchrlab.com/c...
Holbein and M. Graham Gouache
Princeton Neptune & Blick brushes
Vasuri Glass Brush Holder
www.etsy.com/s...
Proko Anatomical Skull
www.proko.com/...
[ My Socials ]
Instagram and Artfol: @briwidmerart
/ briwidmerart​

[@RyeMiArt]

Yes, get that easel muscle 💪 And I absolutely agree with 'fear' of finishing the sketchbook vs. starting one. The skull is fabulous 😍

[@briwidmerart]

Thank you! 💪💪I'll work on it! And I'm glad I'm not the only person who struggles at the end of the sketchbook 😅

[@amberzartwork1466]

YAS SKULL. Oh my gosh I really want a cup easel now >< That looks so useful. But yeah, painting vertically is challenging on the muscles. Love your Bob study.

[@briwidmerart]

Thanks! You need a Cup Easel for Christmas, yep *nod*. It is super nice! And made right in your area. It was meant to be.

[@ambersother9390]

I just ordered a cup easel too! Can't wait for it to arrive - and I hadn't thought about using it on my desk so thanks for that spark of an idea. I loved your skull, and actually, that was a pretty good angle to watch him emerge.

[@briwidmerart]

Thank you! I hope you get yours soon and love it! Now that the weather is getting nicer, I'm so excited about getting out with it 😁💕

[@Tizniter]

Your piece has a "classic" feel. Very nice

[@briwidmerart]

Thank you so much!

[@beckyisj]

thanks so much for this! I've been trying to do as much research on Cup Easel as possible because I've never had one, similar to your situation. Super helpful!

[@briwidmerart]

Thank you! I'm glad this was helpful! I know that Jared Cullum also has a video on these easels from last year (which is when I started craving one 🙂) and Audra Auclair had one from a few months ago (which finally drove me to take the plunge).

[@al_only_al]

Bob is the best model!

[@briwidmerart]

😂 He did good 💙

[@twicebittenthasme5545]

Very nice work! Glad Bob was available for modeling. Fyi...the easel link no longer works. Not a problem, though. The 404 page will lead to their full site. Just thought you might like to know. Excellent video. Thank you for sharing!

[@briwidmerart]

Thank you and really appreciate you letting me know! I've updated the link. It looks like they changed things up a bit since last year.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Gouache...main issues are blending smoothly nd layering

[@briwidmerart]

Gouache can be so tricky with the dry shift and reactivation. I've gotten better since way back here, but using a soft brush and working more water to more gouache (transparent to opaque) help me a lot with both layering and blending.

[@nattyw495]

Is the easle part where the sketch book sits tiltable??? Im also nervous around people and had to self quarantine due to immunity problems thanks for video could you do more video with the easle adapter for a tripod???

[@briwidmerart]

The whole top panel is tiltable and can be learned back more, but the wooden platform that my sketchbook sits on is static. I can't easily film while using the tripod, as I only have one tripod. Audra Auclair did a good video showing setting hers up and using it outdoors with a tripod, though. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJWmlnaZo61pqM0

[@BrigittevTien]

Amazing! I love the concept of the cup easel but still in doubt, I am terrible at painting upright. No steady hand, it is al over the place. Is it just practice or an age thing, I still am not sure 😂

[@briwidmerart]

I'm not great at it myself 😅 I think it's probably a training/practice thing, but I keep realizing I'm still resting my hand on my sketchbook even when it's upright (and sometimes even getting paint everywhere.. oops).

[@BrigittevTien]

@@briwidmerart yep that’s what I mean 😂

[@briwidmerart]

@@BrigittevTien 😂

[@catbraunwell6450]

Great video. Love your skull. What kind of tape did you use? Thanks for sharing. I am thinking of ordering one of these easels and it looks fabulous. I am actually coming out to Victoria in March but I don’t think I want to wait until then!

[@briwidmerart]

Thank you! The tape is just the generic artist masking tape from Jerry's Artarama. I think it comes in white and black. Ooh have fun! I've always wanted to visit Victoria. It looks absolutely beautiful!

[@sueallen952]

Was hoping this was available in the UK but after seeing the price I'm glad it's not!!!! Beautiful but way over priced I feel

[@briwidmerart]

Yeah, the price of wood has gone up a fair bit in the past year and I think it hit these small businesses hard. I know James Gurney has a tutorial available to make one like his if you have the tools (I have no woodworking tools or knowledge myself). His video is below, but the full instructions are on Gumroad. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp6UlIZpbMtja80

[@phillipstroll7385]

Well, how did it go? Did you get out and paint from life or what?

[@briwidmerart]

Uhh super embarrassing but I forgot it when I had time off and visited family for the holidays and work/life/weather/pandemic has been ultra chaotic since. I've used it at home but not out and about yet. I've actually hit the point where I'm contemplating taking vacation just to paint for a few days.

[@Angela27red]

How does the gouache stay in the wells? Any mold? Or do unwashed it out and just put out fresh each time?

[@briwidmerart]

I am afraid of mold, so I let the gouache dry out completely. Then, before using it again, I add water to rehydrate it. It's not like using it fresh from the tube, but with a bit of soaking and stirring it up, you can reconstitute the gouache and make it usable again.

[@sueholloway1406]

Want address To ordereasel😅

[@sueholloway1406]

How'd I getorder info ?

[@sueholloway1406]

Want info

[@sueholloway1406]

Let's go

[@sueholloway1406]

Please

[@briwidmerart]

The company is called Cup Easels and their website is here: cupeasels.com/ This model is called the Superlite. I believe they usually have Black Friday sales, so you may score a better deal if you wait a bit.