Dollar Tree Art Supplies!

Hello Everyone!
こんにちは、皆さん!

Today I have some things I have found at Dollar Tree, which I use as art supplies. 

Unless you are doing something professional, like an art commission where you need to ensure things have light-fastness or something like that, you do not need to always use expensive art supplies. 

Even then, there are ways to stay economical as much as possible. 

I went to Dollar Tree for some other items and found these things which help me in my artwork! 

The best thing is, everything is $1 at Dollar Tree! 

Small Containers

These containers are about an inch wide and about two inches long. You can get ten of these in a pack! They are in with the kitchen stuff at the store I went to, I use these for storing all of the small pieces of my action figures, my pen nibs, and other small items. You can stack them as well! 

http://shrsl.com/x90i

Receipt and Sales Order Books 

I have two different receipt books, which I use for any art commissions I get. These are each only $1 and they contain 50 sheets. They make one copy. These are very useful and a lot less expensive than the ones at office supply stores! 

Pencil Grips

Dollar Tree has various kinds of pencils grips! I like these foam ones because they fit many kinds of pencils and are comfortable for long hours of coloring and drawing. 

Gel Pens

These gel pens are really nice! I have not had any problems with them skipping or anything. You get four in a package. They are a very glittery water based ink. They do take a bit to dry, They contain a lot of ink in them and are very vibrant in color. 

http://shrsl.com/x8zu

10 Color Pen

This pen is really nice! You get ten colors in one pen! I have seen the four and six color versions, but a ten color one caught my eye. There is quite a variety of colors and they are fun to use. Some of the colors are really light, but overall this is a nice pen too! If you want to change colors, press down the button at the top. This is a little stiff at first, but once you get it to go through all of the pens, it will work fine. 

I will continue to look for useful things at Dollar Tree, so if you love Dollar Tree, keep watching this post from time to time as it will be updated! 

I am now an affiliate of Dollar Tree. By using these links and making a purchase, you can support the blog! Thank you for your support! 

Prismacolor Premier 72 set Unboxing and Review

Hello Everyone!

こんいちは、皆さん。

Today, I am going to show you and unboxing and share a review of the Prismacolor Premier 72 colored pencil set. 

I have had this set for a while, but as many of you may know, I like to actually use the products for a while before sharing them with you in order to give an honest review.

Here are a list of the colors contained in this set along with a page I've done of a color swatch. I will put the corresponding numbers with the color names as these are easier to identify for some people.

"One each of: Cream, Ginger Root, Lemon Yellow, Canary Yellow, Yellowed Orange, Yellow Ochre, Spanish Orange, Goldenrod, Sunburst Yellow, Sand, Orange, Pale Vermilion, Poppy Red, Carmine Red, Crimson Red, Crimson Lake, Magenta, Process Red, Mulberry, Pink, Blush Pink, Light Peach, Beige, Peach, Dark Purple, Lilac, Parma Violet, Violet, Imperial Violet, Violet Blue, Ultramarine, Copenhagen Blue, True Blue, Lt. Cerulean Blue, Peacock Blue, Cloud Blue, Indigo Blue, Light Aqua, Aquamarine, Parrot Green, Yellow Chartreuse, Chartreuse, Lime Peel, Spring Green, Apple Green, True Green, Grass Green, Olive Green, Dark Green, Sepia, Jade Green, Putty Beige, Light Umber, Burnt Ochre, Sienna Brown, Terra Cotta, Tuscan Red, Dark Umber, Dark Brown, Warm Grey 20%, Warm Grey 50%, Warm Grey 70%, Cool Grey 20%, Cool Grey 50%, Cool Grey 70%, Black, French Grey 20%, French Grey 50%, French Grey 70%, White, Metallic Silver & Metallic Gold coloring pencils"

Color list taken from description at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Prismacolor-3599TN-Premier-Colored-72-Count/dp/B000E23RSQ

Prismacolor Premiere Pencils have a buttery texture. The leads are really soft and can lay down a lot of pigment very quickly. I personally find that this can be a good and bad thing. It is good in the sense that the pigment is high quality, but not so good when you want something really light. I find it difficult to use the pencil in a lighter shade with these pencils as opposed to other ones where you can vary the pressure used, in an easier way. This is because these pencils also have a very high wax content which allows for this intense pigment saturation.

Therefore, I have discovered that if I lay down my lightest colors with a pencil which has a harder lead or not as much pigment, I can then blend over it with these pencils and slowly achieve the technique and shades I want. 

These colored pencils are easy to blend, but if you want to mix a lot of colors together, you need to use a heavier paper in order to allow for more layers of color.

The leads are quite soft and can be quite delicate at times. I haven't had too much problem them breaking like some people have said, but I think it has to do with how I sharpen them and that I'm very careful with them. I can use quite a bit of pressure before they might break. 

As for the 72 set, for the price of professional quality colored pencils, the price is very good for this set. It is also a good variety of colors to start someone off or continue their collection. I bought them in order to continue collection and the price at the time was very good. 

The pencils come in a tin with three plastic trays. I recommend taking them out and putting them into a case for easier access, and I use the tin for other things. It's a very nice tin.

One unfortunate thing for Prismacolor is that they used to be made in the USA and now are made  in Mexico. I think the quality has suffered due to this outsourcing. Some of the leads are not completely centered as they should be in the wood casings. 

Overall I would rate these as a 4/5

Pros:

• Professional grade pigments for an economical price compared to other professional brands.
• Painted barrels generally match the color of the pigment.
• wax-based leads 
• Can be purchased individually or in sets.
• 150 color range - one of the largest in colored pencils. 
• Blend very easily.
• Heavily pigmented.

Cons:

• Can sometimes be rather fragile.
• You need to be careful when sharpening them.
• Difficult to color lightly when you don't want intense pigment or if you want to build up color
• Wax bloom can be a problem for some people.
• Quality might not be as consistent since the company was outsourced to Mexico from the United States. 

Overall Rating: 4/5

I hope you find this helpful and thank you for reading!

Purchase the Prismacolor 72 set:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Prismacolor-3599TN-Premier-Colored-72-Count/dp/B000E23RSQ

Hobby Lobby: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Drawing-Illustration/Colored-Pencils/Prismacolor-Premier-Pencil-72-Piece-Set/p/3872

Blick Art Materials: https://www.dickblick.com/products/prismacolor-colored-pencils-and-sets/

Heartfelt Thoughts - the difficulties of being an artist

Have any of you ever been told either directly or indirectly that you weren't what someone was looking for?

Have you ever questioned your own gifts because of certain events which have happened in your life?

I have. This is my story.

I am Sarah Prewitt. I am an artist. To get more specific, I am a musician, composer, filmmaker, and enjoy drawing and various other art mediums.

In short, I am a very creative person. The Lord God Almighty gave us all the ability to create when He created us in His Image.

We are the only beings who can create. Think about that ... we can create. Purely for the sake of being able to create. A beaver may build a dam and it is beautiful how they do this, however, it is out of a life necessity that they must do this.

We, as human beings, can create purely for the love of someone or something. Not solely out of need. This is a beautiful gift from God.

I have had various times throughout my life while in school, college and after that when people have either directly or indirectly told me that I'm not what they are looking for or other horrible things like that.

This is very frustrating to be told this. It is hard to find out where you fit in the world. To figure out what God wants you to do.

This is part of the reason I decided to write this blog.

I want people to be able to come here and learn about how to express their various forms of art and not feel that just because they don't currently have the most expensive art supplies, musical instruments or whatever that they cannot still create beautiful art.

Ever since, I have graduated college back in 2014, I have been trying to find my place in the world, What I am supposed to do with my various gifts God has given me. I have had many times where I thought I knew what He wanted and then that did not come to fruition.

I have applied to many many different kinds of jobs inside and outside of my field of which my college degree is in. All over the place.

After going to interview after interview, in most cases hearing nothing; when I did hear something back, it was usually, something like, I was not what they were looking for or that I didn't have enough experience for the job.

The thing is, how are you supposed to gain experience at something if you can't show someone what you already know? How are you supposed to learn if you are not first allowed to make mistakes?

Why does everyone in this world have to meet ridiculous expectations and be "perfect?"

I hate this stigma because that is the very reason why there are people out there who are suffering from various issues like self esteem, depression, anxiety and so many other things.

I personally know people who are dealing with these kinds of problems in various ways and forms. They need our support. They need to be able to get the right help they need.

I don't know if anyone will really read what I write here or anything, but if there is any difference I can make in this world by writing this, if there is even one person who might read this and take strength from it, I am thankful for that.

I believe that there is some reason as to why I am writing this. Why I am being so honest online right now, when I am not usually.

I am not writing this to hurt or ridicule anyone. Rather, I want to help people. I genuinely love people. All of you are beautiful creations of God.

Don't you ever ever forget that. You were created in the Image of God to be able to create things which are for Him and honor and glorify Him. Please, continue to do this.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, please contact me. It would be an honor to talk to you about what the Lord has done and is doing in my life and how you can come to have a relationship with Him as well.

I wanted you to know that despite having a lot of frustrations and setbacks and feeling discouraged in my life, that I have not given up. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Even though people have directly and indirectly said horrible things to me and about me, I try not to let this get me down and feel sad. I try to get back up and keep trying.

I would like to thank You, Lord Jesus Christ for being there for me all of the time and everything you have done for the entire world by dying on the Cross for our sins and rising again to be our Savior.

I am also thankful for my family, friends and professors and teachers I have had throughout my life and the various people who continue to support me both directly and indirectly.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Sarah

Contact Me click here



In light of a recent tragedy in the music industry, I am putting up a link to a petition to stream the upcoming concerts of the band, SHINee. I had only recently discovered their music when they suddenly lost a friend, band member and musician. Kim Jonghyun had a beautiful and unique voice. I really hope that he found the Lord Jesus Christ who can love him more than any of us can. I will continue to pray for the salvation of the fellow band members; Onew, Taemin, Minho and Key and that if they do know Jesus Christ, that they draw close to Him and that they will live lives worthy of Him. I also pray for their families and friends going through this tough time.

https://www.change.org/p/sm-entertainment-sm-entertainment-to-stream-one-of-shinees-dome-concerts-in-honor-of-jonghyun

Introducing Art Techniques

Hello everyone!

In order to make this blog fun, interesting, and beneficial to you, my awesome readers, I want to not only do reviews of various art supply products, but show you how to use them as well.

As I post product reviews, I will also write posts on how to use the supplies which I review and different techniques you can do with them.

Sound cool?

If you have anything in particular, which, you would like me to review or a particular art technique you would like to know more about, please feel free to comment below. This will be very helpful to me in knowing what you all are interested in as well.

Thank you for reading!


I would also like to note that I am a member of various affiliate programs. From time to time I will be posting links to these websites as well as others where you can purchase products. I earn a small commission from purchases linked to these links at no extra cost to you. As for the other stores, like Hobby Lobby which, I am not affiliated with, I enjoy them as well and wish to promote them. I am not affiliated with them, however.

Hobby Lobby Tracing Paper Review

Master's Touch Tracing Paper

Tracing paper is something almost every artist uses for a variety of things. I use it to learn how to draw. I can place it on top of a picture and trace the lines and details to get a feel for how it is done. Then, I sometimes use graphite transfer paper to transfer the image or I draw it freehand in my sketchbook and learn from there.

Another way I have used tracing paper is to trace and later transfer an outline of an image I wish to paint.

Paper shown through natural light

Transparency of paper for tracing

It is important to have good quality tracing paper. I don't like it so thin that it tears and wrinkles easily, yet too thick and you can't easily see through it.


Another thing is, that it is smooth and has very little paper grain. This helps to obtain crisp lines.

Master's Touch tracing Paper from Hobby Lobby is an economical tracing paper, which has these qualities. It also comes in a variety of sizes.

• Acid Free paper
• Sizes: 9" X 12", 11" x 14", and 14" x 17" 
• 50 sheets each pad
• 25 LB paper
• Cover made of study heavyweight paper and the back of hard board
• Fold-over cover for easy tearing out of pages.

Cover information

Paper smoothness shown still in the pad

One thing I really like about this paper is the quality for the price.I have used this with pencils, mostly, but I have found it to accept charcoal and it helps with not allowing ink to bleed through other pages when inking a drawing. I have yet to compare this with other brands like Canson, and Bee, but for the price this is definitely worth it. 

I have the 11" x 14" inch paper pad.

Thank you for reading! 

Master's Touch Tracing Paper

Art Supplies Every Beginning Artist Should Have

Good Afternoon, everyone!

Today I am going to go over a few things that every artist needs to be able to start drawing.

I know how it can be daunting and complicated to find good quality art supplies without getting too expensive. This is an especially difficult thing for beginner artists.

Many beginners buy art supply sets or boxes and many of the art supplies inside are poor quality. However, this isn't always the case, but the higher end sets still tend to be very expensive.

When I decided I wanted to try out some better quality art supplies, I purchased them individually for a few reasons.

• Better Quality
• Price (Sometimes you'll find sales)
• Choice on art supplies to purchase.

Most beginning artists start off either drawing, painting, or both. I will first go over drawing supplies and then painting supplies. I will be updating this post with links to reviews of products I personally have tried and suggest.

Paper

Paper should be of good quality and made for the Media you wish to work with. For beginner's I suggest, Canson XL Mixed Media paper. You can find it easily and you will get good quality paper for the price. For something a little more basic, I suggest Bienfeng Take-Me-Along Sketchbook. They also make good quality paper.

Pencils

As for pencils, for beginner's General Pencil Company is a good way to go. They are made in the USA and they come in a variety of degrees. Their charcoal products are also very nice. I began with General's Semi-Hex drawing pencils. I later got the Tombow Mono pencils, which are very useful for colored pencil drawings as the graphite is very dense and does not smear. Tombow is a Japanese company with some unique products. However, I still use General's for when I do want to smear it!

Erasers

There are many forms of erasers on the market right now. I have quite a few myself. I will have an article comparing the erasers I have personally used up soon. However, I will give you some basics to have.

One important thing to remember is, to try to get erasers which don't have any dye in them as this with age can come out and mark up your paper.

Rubber Eraser

Rubber erasers are the most basic form of eraser and are used for general work. They are usually the cheapest and easiest to get. Be careful as some may tear your paper. General's All Art, Papermate black Pearl, and Derwent white eraser are good choices.

Kneaded Erasers

These erasers are fun as you knead them into shapes with your hands. This allows you to lighten and lift whatever it is you are trying to erase out of the paper. They clean themselves as well when you knead them again.

Plastic Erasers

There are a lot of these out there. The ones I have personally used and found useful are, Factis Eraser,and Tombow Mono eraser.

Crayons

Good old crayons! I grew up using crayons and still love them for certain projects. I recommend Crayola and Prang crayons as these are my personal favorites and have very consistent quality. Crayola has perhaps the most colors of all crayon companies. All the colors! 

Colored Pencils

My other favorite medium to use! I will be doing a colored pencil comparison with all of the colored pencils I currently have soon as well. There are wax and oil based colored pencils. There isn't a whole lot of difference between them except that Oil based do not get a waxy film on the paper called wax bloom and you can get some different blending effects with them.

Colored Pencils are a really neat medium as you can blend them in different ways, provided you have good quality artist pencils to do so. This can be done with colorless blender pencils as well as other things like odorless paint thinner, mineral spirits and the like,

A few brands I would recommend include:

Koh-I-Noor,
Marco Raffine
Derwent
Prismacolor

I will update this review with these posts as well.

Pencil Sharpener

It is always good to have a good quality pencil sharpener.

I recommend a hand one as it is less likely to break the pencils. Pencil sharpeners for the most part are inexpensive as well.

General's All Art red sharpener is good to begin with and then later on, the Bostitch Twist N' Sharp. 

Other Accessories which are optional

Chamois - a small piece of leather or some are synthetic for shading and softening pencil, charcoal and even colored pencil

Eraser Shield - a small metal stencil-like thing, which allows you to erase smaller areas and avoid places you don't!

Tortillions and Blending Stumps - Pieces of paper wrapped very tightly to shade, blend and even move color or charcoal around. Also useful for Oil and chalk pastels!



I think that is everything! I hope you all look forward to product reviews and I have posted links to where you might purchase these products on this page.

Thank you for reading!