August 12th, 2011 at 12:41PM
I like a notebook that accepts the rigors of watercolor and fountain pen and the best one I’ve found is the Hand•Book Journal. Unfortunately my usual haunts for these notebooks have either closed or discontinued selling them so last night I ventured to Play Time in Arlington, Massachusetts.¹ But Play Time is art store nirvana. The place - what I assume was previously a small grocery store - is packed to the gills with art supplies.² I recently injured my back and it took every fiber of my being to resist excitedly skipping my way back to the car after I left. Long story short³ I finally found a Koi Waterbrush (pictured above, on top). When I first heard of waterbrushes I looked for a Koi but could not find one and went with the Niji waterbrush (pictured above, on bottom). The Koi is approximately 4” and disassembles into two for even more compact travel needs. The water bladder is about one-half the size of the Niji brush but still suitable for travel needs. I have been experimenting with using inks instead of water in these brushes and the Koi will be much easier to fill than the Niji. For years I presumed Play Time was some kind of DIY pottery place where you go and glaze a pre-made pot with a bunch of little kids. For a glimpse (and glowing review) of what it’s like inside see this picture by Urban Spinner. too late!

I like a notebook that accepts the rigors of watercolor and fountain pen and the best one I’ve found is the Hand•Book Journal. Unfortunately my usual haunts for these notebooks have either closed or discontinued selling them so last night I ventured to Play Time in Arlington, Massachusetts.¹

But Play Time is art store nirvana. The place - what I assume was previously a small grocery store - is packed to the gills with art supplies.² I recently injured my back and it took every fiber of my being to resist excitedly skipping my way back to the car after I left.

Long story short³ I finally found a Koi Waterbrush (pictured above, on top). When I first heard of waterbrushes I looked for a Koi but could not find one and went with the Niji waterbrush (pictured above, on bottom). The Koi is approximately 4” and disassembles into two for even more compact travel needs. The water bladder is about one-half the size of the Niji brush but still suitable for travel needs. I have been experimenting with using inks instead of water in these brushes and the Koi will be much easier to fill than the Niji.

  1. For years I presumed Play Time was some kind of DIY pottery place where you go and glaze a pre-made pot with a bunch of little kids.
  2. For a glimpse (and glowing review) of what it’s like inside see this picture by Urban Spinner.
  3. too late!
13 notes #waterbrush#watercolor#hardware
September 10th, 2010 at 1:43PM
I love to discover other people use the same tools I do. My urban sketching kit (by Gabriel Campanario)

I love to discover other people use the same tools I do.

My urban sketching kit (by Gabriel Campanario)

Source: Flickr / baconvelocity #gouache#technical pen#tools#travel kit#waterbrush#Gabriel Campanario
August 29th, 2010 at 8:28PM
notebook waterbrush watercolor tray pen pencil eraser iPad More portable and modular than a laptop, this has become my portable desk layout lately. It fits perfectly on our ottoman as well as on my lap in the car. I carry this (as well as a few more pens, pencils, and a few odd items – a magnifying glass, a monocular lens, and a cleaning cloth) around each day. If I want more portability I can take the notebook and iPad and stuff the rest of the items depicted here into my pockets. My Desk Setup (by Erik Mallinson)
  • notebook
  • waterbrush
  • watercolor tray
  • pen
  • pencil
  • eraser
  • iPad

More portable and modular than a laptop, this has become my portable desk layout lately. It fits perfectly on our ottoman as well as on my lap in the car. I carry this (as well as a few more pens, pencils, and a few odd items – a magnifying glass, a monocular lens, and a cleaning cloth) around each day. If I want more portability I can take the notebook and iPad and stuff the rest of the items depicted here into my pockets.

My Desk Setup (by Erik Mallinson)

#desk#home#iPad#notebook#tools#waterbrush#watercolor#recent work
October 16th, 2009 at 4:02PM
Niji Waterbrush: I love my Niji Waterbrush. The water is stored in the handle, so much easier to manage than carrying around water containers and brushes.

Niji Waterbrush:

I love my Niji Waterbrush. The water is stored in the handle, so much easier to manage than carrying around water containers and brushes.

2 notes #waterbrush#hardware#watercolor