What Did I Use?! Two Art Hauls Reviewed 1 Year Later: Watercolours, Gouache, Art Books, Paper, Inks

[@Everywhere2]

I remain a HUGE fan of this series, Helen. I've said it before but I'll say it again: You've changed my orientation toward buying, using, and evaluating art supplies in ways that have reduced befuddlement and stress while increasing joy and success. Thank you so very, very much.

[@helencryer]

That really makes me happy to hear - thank you!

[@RachelVanse]

I really enjoy these art haul revisits. It’s helpful to hear your experiences after using the supplies for an extended period of time. Also, your videos are just so calm; I love having them on while I sip my morning coffee and get started with my day. 😁

[@berolinastrassmann]

Very useful re-visit of supplies. Thanks! 30:42 on empty markers. Schmincke has the Aero Liner markers (Jackson's) with interchangeable nibs of different sizes. They also come with ball bearings inside. These include bullet nibs and brush nibs, as well a wide ones. Perhaps this would be a good option for your own acrylic marker ink mix collection? The Schmincke Aero liners were originally designed for Schmincke's Aerocolor acrylic inks, for airbrush, but they work well with any other ink. Thanks for this "one year after" review. It is useful to keep track and see what we have used and enjoyed the most.

[@SharBeing]

I think you should do a calendar! Thanks for your continued insight on the products you use both practical and inspirational.

[@felicitycrowe6971]

This is a great series! It is very useful to see what items different artists are drawn to and truly use, as opposed to just seeing what is purchased.

[@lisaharner3720]

I really enjoy these art haul revisits. I’ve purchased several of these items based on your recommendations and am happy with everything. I have to restrain myself from over purchasing though! The books are intriguing. It’s so hard to choose books on line as you don’t get to see the content so I do enjoy your views. I did get the landscape book but have misplaced it. I hope it turns up! Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@twisteddyekitchenmyfiberjo4577]

So great to see your haul from the beginning of 2024. This is so helpful for us (speaking for myself) to see how well these products perform. Thanks again!

[@LeesChannel]

Regarding the deal you got on the Holbein, I recently traveled to Japan, and you wouldn't believe how much cheaper Holbein is in Japan! I bought the full 108 watercolor set, I believe for $154 USD after conversion, meanwhile I have never seen it available for less than $600 in the states. It was a stark contrast to the US and European brands next to them in the art stores, the giant gulf in price really illuminated the difference in perception locally to their domestic brand vs foreign brands, a distinction that is not so readily apparent here in the US, where the prices are more averaged between art supplies of domestic or foreign origin.

[@Hugho59]

That deal on Holbein in Japan is worth a ticket to go buy, well that’s what I am telling myself. Lol.

[@LeesChannel]

@Hugho59 No, the food is worth the admission price! But be aware, the immigration line that you have to go through in Haneda even as a visitor is brutal. They really try to make you know that they are tired of tourists with the meat factory they set up.

[@SKYsLOUNGE]

I love love haul revisits! Absolutely informative

[@jude6752]

Thanks so much Helen. I found the Daler Rowney mixed FW and empty markers soooo helpful and helped me make my decision! :)

[@riverAmazonNZ]

Such a good idea to put FW ink in a marker!! Love the gouache 26:00 that’s a really nice painting.

[@potatopirate5557]

I didn't know about the refillable daler rowney markers for FW's. Thank you for sharing. Just added to my wishlist. I'm gonna end up spending a fortune enjoying mixing up my own. 😅

[@kfrost6036]

Thanks Helen, interesting to find out what was useful or not.

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@beedee4427]

Ohhhhh, and your swatching chart was looking so lovely until those Acrylic Markers came out 😆! I think you must have known that it's my bday today Helen. A lovely long "what I loved" video is exactly what I needed this morning. Stuck in bed, brain unable to do ANY art so this is the next best thing. Arriving via the nice Amazon delivery man later today is my long awaited (as in it's been on my Amazon wish list since you first showed it, I only ordered it yesterday) copy of the Landscape Painters Handbook. So looking forward to that. Have added the "Illustrator's sketchbook" to my wishlist now. Thanks so much for such a fun vid, exactly what the doctor (neurologist) ordered 🤪 x

[@beccascraps8141]

I really love your work with the acrylic ink!

[@BeginnersMind-ArtMind]

The bird book looks great and I love the painting that you did out of it. Steal like an artist is such a good book I didn’t have the problem with the binding that you did, that’s such a shame I wonder if it would be worth writing to the publisher for another copy. The Landscape Painters Workbook is another favorite book of mine. I absolutely love Mitchell’s style of painting, and he’s such an awesome teacher. The wide variety of work that you have in your art creation sketchbooks is so inspiring. I’ve never heard of that first watercolor brand, but I love the colors. I’m going to have to look that one up. I’ve got to dash off now, but I’ve enjoyed this video and will come back to watch the rest. Happy holidays!

[@zenlife1200]

I love this series of yours, it's encouraged me to go through my art supplies to see what I'm really enjoying and what I haven't really used and ask why not. From a budget point of view it's been helpful to see which paint colors I'm not really a fan of and which ones I really love, so that I can buy a cheaper brand of professional paint for my basic colors (at the moment that's ShinHan PWC and Holbein when on a special) and only spend the extra on the Daniel Smith granulating ones that I really like. It helps the budget when some of the dearer ones come as sticks too. Doing this has enabled me to buy some of the sketchbooks I love that are a bit pricier. Right now, I'm loving the Stillman and Birn Beta sketchbooks for mixed media usually in A5 size but now I've got an 8x10 size coming from my paint savings 😊

[@Shells1968]

Thank you for doing these videos! Very interesting!

[@ladyflimflam]

I just bought the landscape painter’s workbook. I look forward to working through it after we get through the chaos of getting the house reorganized and moving mom in. I’m losing my studio and trying to reorganize the living room to accommodate a studio/office space and sitting area.

[@helencryer]

It sounds like you've got your hands full!! I really hope you'll enjoy it though!

[@potatopirate5557]

Me watching this like there isn't a long empty new sketchbook glaring at me from the shelf because I've been too precious with it to even start it. 😅

[@SylviaCostello-lu1bu]

Merry Christmas tfs sylvi🎉🎉❤

[@juliart5]

Your self mixed acrylic green is gorgeous!!!! :D I bought empty markers from Montana (I guess its a german brand) and also their refills which are quite expensive. I never thought of using the (little cheaper) FW inks to fill them...... very interesting!! :D I also love your giant water colour Boxes!! Maybe a 2025 project for me. :D

[@awatercolourist]

15:09 I thought way de Nil was a light minty green?

[@kindcreative1]

When you're using pan pastel in a mixed media piece, do you use a fixative or will the other layers hold the pastel in place. I want to incorporate pan pastel into my sketchbook but I'm not sure if it's a good idea. Thanks!

[@riverAmazonNZ]

In my experience, I put a thin layer of PP down first with a sponge. Then you can draw over it no problem. It depends on your paper of course, but I was impressed by how well it worked on paper. Gives a good coverage of colour and stays on. I was using 1264fabriano 180gsm drawing paper. I recommend a test page to see what mediums will go over it and which struggle.