Stocking up my prints (Patreon)

This week went by super duper fast for me! First, I wanna talk about some art supplies I've been using this past week. I've been liking the Strathmore 400 Series Softcover Watercolor Journal in 8"x5.5". I told you guys a couple weeks ago that I've been enjoying the landscape format of my Stillman & Birn sketchbook, and I actually bought this sketchbook at the same time as that one but have been putting off beginning it so that I could properly use up the sketchbooks that I've already started. I'm almost to the end of the Stillman & Birn sketchbook, so I've decided to crack into this Strathmore book, and it's been very interesting. I love that the cover is the soft matte type (it feels super nice to run your fingers over it), and the paper inside is a thick cold press paper. It's extremely textured, so the first time I used it, the huge blocky texture of the paper threw me off and I didn't like it too much until I saw that the paint looked really nice once it dried. I don't know if I can recommend this sketchbook just yet (I've only done a couple of pieces in it by now), but I'm loving that the paper is super thick and that allows me to paint on both sides of the paper easily. I've been making some rough still life studies in it by now, so I'll let you know if I recommend it by the time I use it all up! 

Oooo, the second supply I want to mention is this Faber-Castell Goldfaber colored pencil in the color 131? It doesn't have a color name on it, buuuut it's the most beautiful dark nudish pink, and I love it for accents or sketching! Not a big find, I just think the color is gorgeous!

Okeydokey, so this week, I'm not gonna lie, I chilled for a little bit and went thrift shopping (finally found a good jean jacket, so my basic wardrobe is growing quickly), and then I sat myself down to begin my huge print stocking. I get back to college this Friday, and I do want to keep my shop open while I am there, but it's requiring a lot of careful planning so that I can bring all my packing supplies and shop stock with me while conserving as much space as I can. I need to go buy tons more ink, but it's slowly but surely coming along. My hands are falling off.

I also finished this month's Patreon postcard, so if you would like to update your pledge, you can do so until August 31! 

I tried a technique that I haven't used for a couple of years. I started with a pretty complete pencil drawing, set it down with a good amount of fixative and then went over it with some light watercolor washes. I finished up the piece digitally for a darker, grungier look, and I'm pretty happy with it! You can check out the digital timelapse in my latest video, in which I explain some of my thoughts on YouTube and my artwork (I've already shared all these concerns with you guys, and you've been the most wonderful and understanding to me! )

MOVIES

OH MY GOD. I've found a better movie than Inception (is it possible? I think YES). If you like sort of mysterious thrillers, go watch Shutter Island RIGHT NOW (and if you've already seen it, feel free to send me a message so we can talk about how amazing this movie is). So apparently, three of my top favorite movies have Leonardo DiCaprio in them? Inception, The Departed, and now Shutter Island. OOofff, oh, if you're wondering which are some of the other movies on this list, we have The Dark Knight (of course), John Wick, The Place Beyond the Pines, and Ratatouille. My tastes are very manly, I know, but they're all amazing movies! 

Oh and I made the mistake to watch The Fault in Our Stars again last night (because it's so sweet), and of course I was sobbing for hours. It's objectively wonderful; I'm not a white girl, don't argue with me. 

MUSIC

Same as the past two weeks! Sorry for being so boring :-)

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