On Connecting Physically ¦ & Artistically, & Putting Together an Art Package

If you get lost in my lengthy explanations there is a simple list of the supplies necessary for you to create your own “art set” – located near the end of this post (“a quick recap”).

I recently put together an art package for a fellow blogger. It has since been mailed and received. Who was the recipient you may ask? Jeremy, over at A Boy with Shoes. I am happy to report that he was more than pleased!

     So I was expecting a couple pencils and a pad of paper. What I received is truly amazing. So much stuff, and some things I have to go Google to figure out exactly what they are or at least how they are used. Namely the blending tortillions.

Many, many thanks.
- Jeremy 

Hopefully I can help fill you in on a few of those items with this post if you have yet to deduce their use with Google. (lol) & I can’t wait to see what you can come up with using all of this stuff!

As for everyone else, I saw this as a good time for a “How To: Art Set”, of sorts. Enjoy!

#1 – Sketchbook

Any size, any style; there are many different types! My main suggestion is to look at the paper: Do you want “smooth” or “toothed”; thick or thin? Otherwise, think about size and spine. Working smaller is sometimes not as intimidating; while having a sketchbook with a spine that opens flat (or can even be “closed behind itself” like the ringed sketchbook above) is certainly helpful and can even save some anger. Some don’t mind at all, others, like myself, are quite the opposite. It is all your preference.

Just remember to have fun choosing your sketchbook as it is where all of your creative juices will be flowing!

& if you get overwhelmed in the craft store “paper isle” while in search of your sketchbook, maybe start with which one you like the look of the most – then go from there. Sounds odd, but you will see – you want classic? you want fabric? you want leather-bound? Anything; you decide.

I also picked up a small set of my favorite brand of watercolors as well as a pad of watercolor paper.

Prang Watercolors – This “cheap” “school brand” set of watercolors is my absolute favorite of all time! They can provide such solid colors – different for watercolor but it’s the way I like to work with mine.

I figured why not share the love? 

#2 – Pencils

As with sketchbooks, there are many types of pencils to choose from. I chose these because they aren’t made with rainforest wood; pretty awesome – as you can see. My only recommendation is to pick up a set that has a few different pencil lead hardness’ (hardnesses?). I’m an artist, not a “grammarist” – clearly.

A set of 6B-6H (6B, 4B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 4H, & 6H) is recommended. However, a set of 2B, HB, & 2H would probably suffice nicely. Especially for beginning. You can’t create if you are hung up on supplies now can you.

FUN FACT: An HB artist pencil uses the same graphite as the #2 pencil.
You have been an artist this whole time! 

p.s. I may do another post about artists pencils. There is more to note, but not here.

#3 – Sharpener

Any sharpener will do but metal one seen above is the most widely recommended. But it can be messy, so I recommend the Prismacolor pencil sharpener – it is enclosed, small, and fits well in the hand. Plus, Prismacolor Pencils are sharpened in a different manner than most. They are more, elongated so to speak. Some artists like this for all of their pencils; I don’t mind either way but it is definitely nice.

#4 – Eraser(s)

Are you trying to tell me that there are different types of erasers? Why yes, yes I am!

& I recommend purchasing all three of them! Each provides for a different purpose. Otherwise, it is based on your personal preference. As they all really do work similarly in the end; they’re erasers, after all.

[1] Kneaded – Named perfectly, this eraser is one of my favorites as it has numerous uses. Mainly because it can be formed into any shape, specifically a small one – for detail work and editing. However, this eraser will eventually lose its ability to, well, erase; it picks up what is erased and there it stays. [Most kneaded erasers are "flat" & a light bluish color - likely so you can keep track of how much graphite is already in your eraser, however this one is black. Interesting. Good luck, Jeremy!]

But, I have discovered a wonderful trick. Don’t use the entire eraser! It sounds simple but really – only take off about a 4th or even a 6th of the eraser and use it until it erases no more. I will say, I have never once “killed” an entire kneaded eraser yet. 

[2] Art Gum – This eraser is made of a soft, coarse rubber & is often used for removing large areas; as it does not damage the paper due to its “crumbly” nature. It is because of the mess that this eraser can produce that it is my least favorite. [Most art gum erasers are small & brown or tan in color.]

It starts out small and gets smaller fast.

[3] Soft Vinyl – This is another one of my favorite erasers. It is a plastic-like texture that is somewhat less-abrasive than other erasers. But it is because of this plastic texture that they are prone to smear when erasing large areas or pencil, highly “saturated” areas, and especially softer pencil weights. [Most soft vinyl erasers are approximately the same size as a "pink eraser" & are white.]

Yes; there is yet another eraser! Holy cow, I know. Widely known as the “pink eraser”, it is simply the “school grade” eraser. It works fine but not for what we really want; the soft vinyl is often used in its place.

In short, if you can’t find a set of all three of these erasers I would purchase the Kneaded &  Soft Vinyl. They will be your best friends.

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In addition to all of the necessary supplies & materials needed for watercolor I also got Jeremy a set of compressed charcoal sticks as well as some blending tortillons. I think he will really enjoy the compressed charcoal – it reminds me of his style. I really can’t wait to see what he does with these the most!

Like graphite pencils, these compressed charcoal sticks also come in a range of softness’ (softnesses?). :P

& As for the tortillons? (Also known as blending stumps.) They are a-m-a-z-i-n-g! They can be used with both the pencils and especially charcoal; as well as a few other mediums. Used for blending your color work to a smooth surface, I also like to use them to lay down color when my pencils (or charcoals) aren’t doing the trick. When I don’t have any tortillons, I just use my fingers. & Sometimes just for fun!

& what good are watercolors without paintbrushes?

Try to pick up a few different sizes.
Preferably, of the watercolorist variety.

 After I finished photographing everything to be mailed I packaged up the majority of the small items and placed them in the paintbrush container. In hopes that, mainly, the compressed charcoal sticks wouldn’t get destroyed during shipping.

Everything fit but the sharpener. He was left to fend for himself with the rest of the items.

I have not been notified of any damage. So, I’m going to have to say I succeeded here.

: ]

In other words, let me know if I didn’t, Jeremy. So that I will know for next time. Thanks!

 I also mailed Jeremy a small, handmade, leather-bound journal as well as a crochet “iPod” case. I couldn’t not send something handmade! I mean, come on!

& last, but certainly not least, I know that Jeremy goes on many, often long, walks. Crazy person. So, I sent him a simple black, canvas bag to carry everything in. Including his camera if he likes and it fits with everything. : ]

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(a little recap)

A little recap: of all the supplies necessary to create your own “art set”

[1] Sketchbook
[2] Pencils
[3] Sharpener
[4] Eraser(s)

+ Additional possibilities: like the items shown in this “art set”

- Compressed Graphite Sticks
- Blending Tortillons (Blending Stumps)
- Watercolors, Watercolor Paper, & Paintbrushes
- Small journal
- iPod/iPhone case
- A bag to carry everything! 

No local “craft store” / “hobby store” / etc.?
or
Don’t want to spend too much?

As you may have noticed, much of these items can be purchased, in some form or another, anywhere that sells children’s school supplies; grocery stores, etc.

Otherwise, you can find an awesome sweet person like me to put together a similar package for you. Maybe even set up an exchange of some sort? It’s always worth a shot!

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& Now, a small tribute to A Boy with Shoes.

      Jeremy’s latest endeavor is to photograph his local water tower(s) for a 365 project. (I believe 366 for this year.) I will say I was a little, worried, when he announced this project – in that it would be difficult to capture the same water tower(s) for so many days.
Now, granted he is only just over 40 photographs in but, I am more than surprised at the differences and amount of interesting photographs he has produced in such a short amount of time. Really, go over and check him out! Subscribe to him too; he’s pretty awesome. He can even be found in my ‘blogroll’ if you so chose not to click on the lovely links I have placed throughout this post.     : ]

Editing most of his photographs into Black & White
means this little tribute wouldn’t be, without one.

I am glad we have come to: follow each others blogs, learn from each others photographs, & even inspire each other.

I really enjoyed putting this art package together and I really hope that it sparks your interest into the wonderful world of “fine arts”! It’s a large, messy, & often hectic one, but it’s fun. Create something with these supplies soon. I have ants in my pants.

& as always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
I would be more than happy to help.

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Expect another, long overdue, post “on connecting physically” to come soon.

On Connecting Physically ¦ & Artistically, & Spiritually

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In the meantime you can go, here.

I’m telling you, click it.
Go look at photographs of water towers and hear about an individuals path to self enrichment.
This final link actually brings you to Jeremy’s (A Boy with Shoes) ‘about’.