I love glimpsing into other artists palettes and art supplies. When I see an artist I admire using a new material, I get an overwhelming urge to run out and buy the same thing so I can be just like them. It feels like if only I had this unusual pigment/special pencil, I would be able to paint just like my idol.
Of course, that is not how it works. Sometimes I love the new materials and sometimes I hate them. However, no materials have ever made me paint like anyone but myself.
One of my best friends and I went through a phase where we both watched a lot of James Gurney videos. Who am I kidding, we’re still doing that… We’ve been inspired to buy all sorts of art supplies – he bought a huge collection of casein paints, and I bought flat paintbrushes and a bijou box so I could have an ultra-portable sketch kit. Then we went out to do some plein air painting. We painted just like ourselves. Now, we have a catchphrase. Every time we buy some art supplies to be like another artist, we’ll look over our work and say “Nope. Still not James Gurney”.
On this blog, I love to post reviews and comparisons of art materials. I go into detail about the paints in my palettes and other materials I’ve tried. Experimenting with new materials is a fun way practice. In the end, though, practicing is what makes me improve as an artist.
When I find material I really like, I’m excited to share them with the world. Have I mentioned I loove nickel azo yellow (PY150)? Once or twice? I’m thrilled when other artists come to me for advice on supplies. But remember, no supplies will turn you into a different artist!
