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. 😁

[@helencryer]

That's so nice - thanks!!

[@SharBeing]

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

[@helencryer]

That sounds scary but fun!! Thanks!

[@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. 😅

[@alinatr2693]

I watched a video on a hahnemühle paper block with different papers in it,to know wich paper works for what medium.... never used It😅

[@helencryer]

I offer you both the challenge to crack them open this week!!!!

[@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.

[@helencryer]

I believe you! My husband would like us to visit Japan, and I know straight where I'd be heading!!

[@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.

[@helencryer]

If not heard of those ones, thanks! Daler Rowney do empty acrylic ink markers in other sizes too, as well as spare nibs.

[@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!

[@helencryer]

I'm glad you like the books too! Yes - the Isaro paints are lovely. Thanks ever so much!

[@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!

[@helencryer]

I'm very glad! Thanks!

[@FaithAnnNB]

So fun to see everything again after a year… love seeing how much has been used up or hearing if anything wasn’t what you expected.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@helencryer]

I'm really pleased you liked my recommendations! I don't buy art/craft books any more without being able to see inside - some were a bit disappointing - I find KZbin really useful for this!

[@SKYsLOUNGE]

I love love haul revisits! Absolutely informative

[@helencryer]

Great!

[@alinatr2693]

I love to hunt down art supplies for good money,I unpack them,swatch them and rarely use them😢 I already sold a few of my watercolor sets. For the next year I want to pick out projects on the weekends to really take time and make art,so I use my stuff. I love to organize my art supplies,maybe I'm just a collector🥲

[@helencryer]

I always say it's two different hobbies: collecting/organising art materials, and using them. I've decided it's absolutely fine to enjoy either/both! I hope you enjoy a bit of both when you get the chance!

[@kfrost6036]

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

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@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!

[@riverAmazonNZ]

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

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@jude6752]

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

[@helencryer]

Great!

[@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.

[@helencryer]

I'm really glad - thanks!

[@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. 😅

[@helencryer]

I'm so tempted to make about 3 million different mixes!!!

[@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 😊

[@helencryer]

That's great!! I like the Stillman & Birn Beta paper - just have a little A6 pad!

[@char3474]

I like your reviews, not just showing purchases. After a year you have gotten to know the materials. Thank you for sharing what you learned. I want to try mixing the acrylic inks in the refillable containers. What a great idea! Very enjoyable video, i learned a lot!

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much! I'm glad!

[@nattyw495]

Enjoyed the video found it interesting and informative i think im gonna try your daly rowen. Big nib brushes and the inks in the future thanks for the idea your pink chouces are lovely thank you again fir review video.🎨🖌🖍💙🇺🇲

[@helencryer]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it - thank you!

[@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

[@alinatr2693]

Happy Birthday😊

[@helencryer]

HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! I'm sad you're in bed for it, but glad you'll get to enjoy new supplies!

[@beedee4427]

@@alinatr2693 thank you very much! Much appreciated 😊. Wishing you a lovely festive season 👍🏻

[@beedee4427]

@@helencryer Cheers! Lots of expensive soft pastels etc this year. Diane Townsend - v lux 😃. Little lumps of absolute fabulousness. V happy. Hope your run-up to Christmas going smoothly x

[@helencryer]

@@beedee4427 Ooooh, nice! I need to take a look at those! It's been a bit hectic and not very Christmassy yet (all my sons' birthdays are in December, plus I had Coastguard assessments last week etc), but as of today I can start to relax and enjoy Christmas!

[@isabellalucia7820]

I love your reviews but the best part of this is seeing into your sketchbook and getting a sense of where those lovely pairings and prints come from. I too need a new calendar, but unfortunately I can’t see any in your shop - something to think about?

[@isabellalucia7820]

Afterthought about calendars - maybe a financial year one to market to summer tourists?

[@helencryer]

Thanks for your encouragement! I guess I feel like I don't have 12 cohesive enough looking paintings yet! I also don't have an online shop!

[@InnerMagpie]

Oh wow! This is amazing! I always wonder about these.

[@helencryer]

Which are the things you wondered about?

[@InnerMagpie]

@@helencryerthe art book by talens. A lot of people have mentioned that they were good, but never showed how the pages held up.

[@InnerMagpie]

Also, when people get art hauls how their choices panned out for them. That was really interesting to hear.

[@helencryer]

@@InnerMagpie Thanks! Oh, the Art Creations sketchbooks - yes, I mean they're not watercolour paper, or super thick or anything, but because they're a decent price and a pleasant texture, and stand up to most mediums pretty well, they're just really enjoyable and stress free to use.

[@InnerMagpie]

@ ty so much for sharing that! I’m wrestling with my hoarding nature and am buying supplies for me to not “be precious with it”. Just for practice and fun.

[@SylviaCostello-lu1bu]

Merry Christmas tfs sylvi🎉🎉❤

[@helencryer]

Oooo - Merry Christmas!!!

[@beccascraps8141]

I really love your work with the acrylic ink!

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@Shells1968]

Thank you for doing these videos! Very interesting!

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@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

[@helencryer]

I didn't realise so many companies made them! (Someone else was saying Schmincke did too.) The watercolour tins was an exceptionally fun project, and I've really loved having my watercolours all in one place (except for whichever ones I take out for travel palettes).

[@juliart5]

@@helencryer Molotow is also selling empty markers and refills. (Soo expensive, but a lovely colour range :)) I also always wanted to try to refill my Liquitex Markers with Liquitex ink. But never did so far. Apart from Posca Markers one can refill all the acrylic markers..

[@dustydesert1674]

I love putting granulation medium on top of acrylic inks. It’s unpredictable and a bit messy cause you have to work fast before the ink dries, but the results are fun. I don’t think it works with alcohol or dye inks, but I haven’t tried that.

[@helencryer]

Oh no - I got rid of my Granulation Medium! (Didn't like it with watercolours!)

[@dustydesert1674]

I agree. I haven’t found it does much on watercolors. But acrylic inks will do some dramatic things. Usually!

[@sandjune2753]

just a note, Gouache are very rarely colourfast as they are meant for illustrations that are photographed for printed work, books etc.

[@helencryer]

Yes, traditionally gouache has been for designers and reproduction work, but nowadays artist's gouache is for artists, and most are lightfast. Even Winsor and Newton's Designer's Gouache mainly has very good lightfast ratings and are marketed to artists as well as designers.

[@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.

[@helencryer]

I didn't use any fixative - if it's blended well enough media stick to it fine. You might want to experiment with fixative though, because it could still transfer, especially if you're pressing hard on subsequent pages.

[@sandjune2753]

Hi Helen , is the Isaro Nordmann Green like Harbour Blue by A.Gallo ?

[@helencryer]

They're of similar value, but Harbour Blue is more blue leaning with an almost black undertone, and Nordmann Green is more green leaning, with a purple undertone.

[@awatercolourist]

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

[@helencryer]

Companies seem to use it to describe anything from blue to green and everything in between, just as long as it's pale! The paint didn't show very well in the video, but it does have a green tint to it. It's PB36.

[@awatercolourist]

@ Thanks!