ABOUT ME,  watercolor

Modus Operandi

I have been asked a lot about tools I use to create drawings. What type of pencil, what type of brush, medium, paper and what not. So, I am introducing you to my tools. Tools, meet my friends. Friends, meet tools.

 

My main tools are mechanical pencil (with 0.5 2B lead), Micron pen (0.3mm line width), watercolor, round (sometimes rigger) brushes and watercolor/acrylic pad or sketchbook/folio. I use two types of drawing pads and a watercolor folio; Mori, UA and Moleskine respectively. I like to use Campap previously but nowadays it’s very hard to find it. Here are the details:

Mori
– Paper texture – Smooth (acid-free hot press)
– Type: Acrylic
– Weight: 360gsm
– Size: 9″ x 12″
– Price: around RM12
– Sheets: 12

The texture is even and smooth and makes a nice surface for drawings. The paper has a slicker finish that you can use to create some interesting results. The sheets are glued together on the edges and has the advantage that the paper doesn’t have to be stretched before you start painting.

UA
– Paper texture – bumpy (acid-free cold press)
– Type: Watercolor
– Weight: 200gsm
– Size: A4 and A3
– Price: around RM12
– Sheets: 18

This bumpy texture is the most popular texture for watercolorists. The texture allows paint to settle into the texture pockets or sit on top and skip over the pockets, creating some different painting technique options.

Moleskine
– Paper texture: Slightly bumpy (acid-free cotton-fiber cold press)
– Type: Watercolor
– Weight: 200gsm
– Size: A4
– Price: RM124
– Extra features: It came in a folio with hard-back leather cover with pocket inside back cover
– Pages: 60 (can draw on both sides)

Where to buy these pads? As I am living in the vicinity of Ampang, I buy Mori and UA from The Art Shop in Taman Melawati. I can spend hours in there browsing for art materials. As for Moleskine, I buy from CZipLee Plus in Bangsar. Oooh, I can spend hours and hours here too.

And one last question, that I have always been asked is, “Where did you study art?” Frankly, I only have basics from school. I love to draw so much that I spent a lot of time practicing. I read a lot of art books and magazines to keep up with art news and techniques. I always keep a sketchbook, a pen and pencil in my bag and when I have free time, I will draw.

And why I use mechanical pencil? I hate the smudges that 3B, or 4B or 6B do to my papers and rubbing them is quite hard. I hate to sharpen them all the time. Maybe this is not professional but mechanical pencil is what I am comfortable with.

 

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