Fearless Friday, Organizing & Experimenting with New Supplies
It’s fun to take time to organize your supplies, experiment freely, and learn new ways to use them
I have been trying out different kinds of markers. Copic markers are supposed to be the Cadillac of markers but I have found I like the Tombow Dual End Brush Pens better
Tombow markers don’t bleed through paper, they have a brush tip and a nib tip, they are available in over 100 colors, including skin shades, gray shades, pastel and neon…
I started with this set of 10 brights, available here
You can see lots more sets, such as primary, landscape, muted, etc. here
You can also blend them like watercolor!
Making color charts is a great way to explore your supplies, get to know your colors and keep for reference
Tombow markers also work well with colored pencils and other brands of markers
I drew a butterfly in the Zentangle style, starting with the basic butterfly shape, then adding various shapes and different patterns
I used Tombow pens to add watercolor washes, blending from dark to light, adding a feeling of translucency
If you don’t have a water brush, please get one!
They aren’t expensive, and they are so handy to use, whether you are blending water based markers or pens, or traditional watercolor paints
You can find many types here
I used a black Tombow for the accents
And then went in and filled in the rest with full strength markers
I think the water blended parts really add to this fantasy butterfly
I also recently purchased a battery operated mini fan to dry the wet paper quickly
This is my Mixed Media paper sketch book, and although you can use it for watercolor, the paper will ripple slightly
Even if you are using a watercolor block or have your paper taped down to a board, sometimes you want to speed up the drying process to prevent bleeding you don’t want
The mini dryer dries the wet areas in a matter of seconds so you can proceed right away
Not only does it come in my favorite color, [it comes in black, blue and pink also] it has a handy stand to go with it!
You can find it here
It’s going to be great for our hot humid summers too!
I also recently cleaned up my watercolor box, and went through my colors…I have had many of these tubes for years but it was time to sort through, reorganize and get to know the colors
I didn’t realize I had over 40 tubes!
Most of mine are Daniel Smith and Windsor & Newton…they are pricey but last forever. The current plastic palette I’ve been using is large and cumbersome, and only has 20 wells. I was putting 2 colors in some of the wells, but eventually I lost track of what they were and it was hard not to contaminate them with the adjacent color
I found this mini palette on Amazon here
I comes it 14 other case designs and you have your choice of getting half pans or full pans
I got 40 magnetic, removable pans that you can arrange anyway you like
When the case is closed it’s not much bigger than my iPhone, great size for traveling
So now, with a water filled brush pen I can take my watercolors anywhere and be ready to paint
I like the Tombow Pens, and the set of Watercolor Brush Pens I have, for their convenience and travel ability
I still love the real thing, traditional watercolor…no intimidators can do what original watercolors can do…
I made a matching color chart for reference so I know what exactly each color is, where it is, and what it can do
I keep a list of each color and it’s location in my watercolor box for quick reference when I need to refill the pan
I haven’t gotten to paint or draw this week as I’ve been busy “backing and forthing,”
I can’t wait to get back to my routine and painting on the porch!
The Flaming Flamingo watercolor technique was so popular I will be posting another one asap!
Thank you for your visit, I hope you have a creative week
Be Fearless!
🎨 🖌 🎨 🖌 🎨 🖌
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Dishing it & Digging it, Between Naps on the Porch, Make it Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, Celebrate and Decorate,
Delicious Dishes Recipe Party Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
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Oh, I just love your butterfly!! 💕🦋
Jenna, How cute is that paint case to travel with??! I love your butterfly and I’m thinking that personal fan would be good for my hot flashes too 🙂
So in awe of your talent. I love the butterfly also, but yes, definitely more items like the flamingo. I might be fearless soon and try to “copy” some of your tutorials–just for personal creativity and fun. Thank you for sharing your talent with those of us out here who struggle with even stick people!
I continue to be in awe of your talent!
New supplies are always so much fun! Thanks for the recommendation on the Tombows. My niece is into art markers and I’ve bought her several sets of copics, but they’re so darn expensive! I’d love to get her some GOOD watercolors someday and that little travel case is perfect. Oh, and your butterfly – so lovely! I love the dreamy watercolors with the bold black. It’s really beautiful!
Jenna, I am so impressed with how organized your supplies are, you have a great technique for that. The butterfly is gorgeous, and I’ve said this before, you make it look so easy and I know it is not. Great source of information for the painter in this post. Have a great weekend, sorry we didn’t get to connect this trip…………
such fun stuff!!
Wonderful tutorial Jenna, I love working with Tombow pens, too.
I used Tombows in my stacked cups I posted today, they are super fun! Your butterfly is beautiful, Jenna! 🦋💕
I need to get new marker pens. I like Tonbow too — and I wouldn’t be without my waterbrush! Don’t you love making color charts? I do! And it feels productive, too. Love this post a lot, Jenna — except now I’m feeling an overwhelming need to go organize more art supplies!
Jenna, I love the butterfly! I am so impressed with how organized your supplies are! I am terrible at being organized. I am still searching for my white linen tablecloth, how do you lose a tablecloth?
I have never seen a paint box that tiny!! Beautiful butterfly!
You are so talented. I love everything you do! The butterfly is so beautiful! I use a hair dryer to dry my work as I go because I’m very impatient, but I may order that cool little fan too. Great idea!
Well look at you with your creative and talented pretty self! I love your butterfly! That’s so cool that you can draw like that. Girl, I can’t even draw a straight line. Oh your organization with your pens and paints is great. I have some paint brushes and paints just sitting in a box. NOPE, can’t do like you do with it. But now I need to organize them after seeing yours. Happy Easter to you and your family. Hugs and blessings, Cindy