Art equipment for artists' studios and working plein air
This site is for visual artists. It provides links to:
Additional information about specific media are available in the featured lenses at the end of this lens.
Two of my other 'resources for artists' sites also provide detailed information about suppliers of art equipment - see Art Supplies in the UK - Resources for Artists and Art Supplies in the USA - Resources for Artists
This is a work in progress. New links are being added added on a regular basis. Create a bookmark or link to be able to check back to this site - see the "save and share" section and options in the left hand column.
Do you have a friend who is interested in art equipment? If you do why not e-mail this lens to them - click on the e-mail icon in the left hand column
You can find out about.................
- Making a Mark reviews......
- Drawing Boards
- Drawing Aids
- Pencils
- Mechanical pencils
- Pencil Sharpeners
- Erasers
- Waterbrushes
- Brush, pen and pencil cases and containers
- Fixatives
- UK Art Suppliers - Drawing Accessories
- USA Art Suppliers - Drawing Accessories
- Pastels
- Easels
- Art Fair - Print Racks / Showcases
- Print Racks
- Watercolour aids
- Palettes
- Daylight Bulbs and Studio Lighting - suppliers
- Head Magnifiers
- Mat Cutters
- ArtBins
- Travels with a Sketchbook in......
- Plein Air Toolkits
- Folding Chairs and Stools - for plein air work
- Bags, Backpacks, Totes and Trollies
- Making A Mark - Resources for Artists
- Reader Feedback: Comments and Suggestions
Bookmark This Site
New links are being added to this site on a regular basis.
Making a Mark reviews......
a consumer's guide to quality and value in art books, art supplies and services to artists
This blog highlights:
- reviews of art media, art materials and art equipment
- reviews of places where you buy (art shops, online art suppliers and art bookshops)
- book reviews (art instruction and art history)
- reviews of other products or services used by artists
- summaries of good quality and relevant reviews by other practising artists
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byDrawing Boards
- Drawing board - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- A drawing board (also drawing table, drafting table or architect's table) is, in its antique form, a kind of multipurpose desk which can be used for any ...
- Drawing Boards - BLICK art materials
- From Dick Blick Art Materials - Find all types of drawing boards, including cardboard drawing surfaces, watercolor paper stretching boards, and drafting ...
- Guerrilla Painter - Watercolor Board
- A high quality precision device designed to tightly stretch watercolor paper. As the screws on the edge of the board are tightened, tension is placed on the outside edges of the paper. After the paper has dried, the paper will stay flat and buckle-free during wet washes. Holds 140 lb. - 300 lb. paper. Universal tripod mount on base allows you to attach this set up to a tripod. Comfortable carrying handle. Extruded aluminum and hard board.
- Faber Castell - TK System Drawing Boards
- TK-System Drawing Boards made of high-impact plastic materials and are light weight and extra stable
- Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > Drawing Boards
- Art shop with online purchase of art materials and art supplies. A variety of drawing boards
- Ester Roi - Fine Art - Introducing the Icarus drawing Board
- The Icarus Drawing Board is a portable drawing with two temperature zones - a warm zone and a cool zone
Drawing Boards
available on Amazon
SKETCH BOARD, 23.5 x 26in
ALVIN Artist Sketch BoardsMade of extra rigid 4mm tempered Masonite with cutout handle, smooth edges and firm spring clips. Rubber band is included with each to hold paper securely in place.
BRD W/PARALLEL STR EDGE 16X21
A compact, portable unit
* Warp-free white Melamine laminated board offers a smooth drawing surface that wipes clean with a damp cloth
* equipped with a convenient carrying handle
* non-slip tractor feet designed to grip the table edge at the perfect drawing angle
* Foldaway back legs with Non-slip rubber Grip-Track feet are unbreakable and enable you to use the board in either the flat or angled position,
* Precision-made straightedge with rubberized grip
* Shipped fully assembled.
Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Mayline ProKit 24"x36" Drawing Board
The Drawing Board features scratch-resistant surface, padded carrying handle, folding tilt legs, no-mar bumpers, work surface "grippers", and a transparent parallel rule. White Melamine Top.
Usually ships in 4-5 business days
Drawing Aids
- The Color Wheel Company: Gray Scale and Value Finder
- Manufacturer of Color Wheels from RBY to CMYK to web safe colors. Colot Theory tools. ViewCatcher, Watercolor Wheels, Grayscale & Value Finder, Web Wheel, and other educational materials and color mixing guides for artists, crafters, and designers.
- Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > Colour Shapers
- An artists' tool, like a brush but with a rubber silicone tip Choice of firm or soft tip. Useful in watercolour for moving colour around precisely, also for applying masking fluid accurately (the firm tipped shaper is favoured for this). Durable and cleaned easily and quickly.
- Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > Stumps and Tortillons
- Disposable rolled paper tools for blending pastel, charcoal and pencil work. Stumps are densely rolled, tortillions loosely.
- Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > Colour Shaper Pastel Blending Tool
- Ffor good control in blending, shaping and smudging. Double-ended tool, one end chisel tip shaper, the other a spongy blender. Silicon tips simply wipe clean.
- T N Lawrence & Son Ltd - Lascaux and Sennelier Fixative and spray diffuser
- Lascaux and Sennelier Fixative and spray diffuser
- GreatArt : drafting brush / drawing broom
- Drawing Broom - Lathed wooden handle, with finest goat hair bristles. Trusted for many years and excellent value for money.
- Great Art - Drawing Accessories,
- Cappelletto Drawing Board, Derwent Pencil Wrap, Cretacolor Graphite Powder, Transportation Tube, Drawing Broom, Blending Sticks, Clip Compasses
- Blackmouse - Variscaler
- Use variscaler to improve your drawing skills, scale objects or images to fit and ensure your perspective is correct
Pencils
- The Cult Pens Guide to Mechanical Pencils
- Cult Pens - The Knowledge - Mechanical Pencils
- The Cult Pens Guide to Lead Hardness
- Cult Pens Pencyclopedia Lead Hardness
Mechanical pencils
available on Amazon
Pentel e-Sharp Mechanical Pencil, 0.50 mm, Sky Blue Barrel, 12- Count (AZ125S)
This is absolutely my favourite mechanical pencil for drawing with on my travels with a sketchbook. It has great leads which don't break. I get a great range of values from their HB lead but also substitute with softer leads from time to time. It also has a great big eraser on the end which gives a nice clean erase and doesn't wear away to nothing in no time at all.
I try other pencils but I always keep coming back to this one. I now have hordes of these pencils stashed away against the time when I can't find them any more! That's not including all those which are already present in all my pencil tubs, pencil cases, backpacks which I take out sketching.....etc etc
Pencil Sharpeners
- Making a Mark: Two new electric sharpeners
- My Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener is Model 5151(V-8). Its quite big and heavy with dimensions of 3.3" x 4.3" x 6.5" and a weight of 2.5lb or 1.1kg.
- Making a Mark: Two new sharpeners - from Prismacolor and Panasonic
- I'd like to share the two new sharpeners I got while visiting the USA
- Making a Mark: The isharpener - a USB powered pencil sharpener
- When you insert a pencil, it emits flashing LEDs - yes folks, that's flashing lights - in three different colours - while you sharpen your pencil in a sharpener plugged into a USB plugged into your computer
- Making a Mark: Art Equipment - and more Pencil Sharpeners
- More on the subject of pencil sharpeners - a subject which absorbs many artists who use coloured pencils. I'm including this post - and any others relating to my studio/plein air tools and equipment in my new squidoo lens Art Equipment - Resources for Artists.
This post covers Faber Castell pencil sharpeners - Faber Castell - Grip system
- The Faber Castell Grip pencil Sharpener has holes for fat pencils, normal pencils and coloured pencils. I use it all the time for sketching outside my home.
- Artifolk - Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener
- Jakar Electric Pencil Sharpener - This electric pencil sharpener from Jakar is mains powered with an automatic stop to prevent over-sharpening and pencil waste. It is suitable for graphite and all good quality coloured pencils up to a maximum thickness of 8mm. For safety, the electric sharpener will
- Artifolk - Jakar Spare Cutter Blade for Electric and Large Desktop Sharpeners
- Jakar Spare Cutter Blade for Electric and Large Desktop Sharpeners - This spare cutter is for the Jakar mains powered pencil sharpener and the Jakar desktop sharpener.
- Faber Castell Green Pencil Sharpening Machine
- Faber Castell Green Pencil Sharpening Machine - This traditional pencil sharpener from Faber Castell comes with a desk clamp and a large receptacle for catching all the pencil shavings.
- UKCPS - Sharpening Tools
- This is a list of some sharpening tools that you might or might not find useful, with hopefully some indication of how they might be used and where to get them. Please bear in mind that the views expressed here are the personal views of the UKCPS webmaster, Bob Ebdon, or other named artists, and should not be attributed to the UKCPS. If you have anything you wish to add here, or correct, please contact Bob.
- Great Art - Sharpeners
- Aluminium Double Drum Sharpener, Elliptic Line Sharpener, Dux Graphite Pencil Sharpener, Dahle Sharpening Machine, Traditional Metal Sharpener
Electric Pencil Sharpeners
available on Amazon
Panasonic KP380-BK Classic Electric Pencil Sharpener, Black, One Unit
This sharpener has
* a hardened steel cutting wheel that promises a perfect 16-degree point every time
* Auto-Stop technology that saves time and prevents pencil waste,
* a heavy-duty, sealed motor which ensures that this sharpener performs reliably
* is held in place by non-skid suction cup feet
* has a semi-transparent receptacle displays pencil shavings, so you always know when it's time to clean out this sharpener.
Usually ships in 24 hours
X-Acto School Pro Heavy-Duty Electric Sharpener (1670)
This sharpener is:
* made to withstand constant sharpeningis
* designed with an X-ACTO steel cutter to provide a quick point without oversharpening
* suitable for different sizes of pencils throught the use of an adjustable dial
* backed by a 2-year warranty.
Usually ships in 24 hours
X-Acto Powerhouse Electric Heavy Duty Pencil Sharpener
* Compact footprint fits in anywhere.
* Pencil-Saver feature prevents oversharpening.
* X-Acto precision steel cutters.
* Auto Reset protects motor from overheating.
* non-skid feet
* Manufacturer's 2-year warranty.
Erasers
aka "rubbers" in the UK
- Making a Mark: My electric eraser
- Using an electric eraser for the first time is rather startling - one never knew that a small stub of eraser could move so fast - then it starts to be rather satisfying as you begin to realise that erasing marks will now become a totally different experience. No more frustration with smearing. No more holes in the paper. From now on it's clean living...........
- UKCPS - Tools - Erasers
- This is a list of some erasing tools that you might or might not find useful, with hopefully some indication of how they might be used and where to get them.
- Staedtler - Erasers
- Discover the STAEDTLER erasers with an improved formula for superb results when erasing graphite, ink and drawing ink on matt drafting film and overhead transparancies
- Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser
- Premium quality - 65 x 23 x 13 mm
* For graphite on paper and matt drafting film
* For OHP pen on overhead film
* Practically residue-free erasing
* Easy to remove eraser waste thanks to minimal crumbling
* Slide sleeve for convenient handling - Cult Pens Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser Holder
- Cult Pens Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser Holder
An eraser in pen style. High-quality Mars plastic eraser core in a plastic holder, fully-retractable on a simple ratchet mechanism. Easy, convenient and precise erasing. Replacement eraser cores also available. - Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser - BLICK art materials
- This superior quality soft white eraser removes graphite marks cleanly and completely from paper, vellum, and drafting film. Includes eraser sleeve for easy handling.
- Paper Mate - Tuff Stuff
- Small diameter tuff stuff mechanical pencil eraser for precision erasing. Soft & pliable - won't tear paper. For clean and precise erasing!
This is the eraser which can erase pastel on abrasive paper - recommended to me by Dianna Ponting. - Faber Castell - Erasers
- High-quality erasers from Faber-Castell - including classic, combination and dust-free erasers
- Artifolk - Blutak
- Bostik Blu Tack is the original re-useable adhesive is the innnovative way for the artist to erase very, very precisely, moulding a fine point to dab at pastel and pencil work. Use the same technique to clean up mistakes, dirty marks and so on. The list of uses is endless.
Use it as a permanent or temporary alternative to sticky tape and drawing pins. - Erasers - BLICK art materials
- An excellent range of erasing tools and materials
- Great Art - Rubbers
- Maped Natural India Rubber, Faber-Castell Perfection Eraser Pencil, Dust Free Eraser, Cretacolor Kneadable Eraser, Maped Kneadable Rubber, Soft Drawing Eraser
- Making a Mark reviews......: Product Review: Jakar Battery Operated Eraser Pen
- One of my favourite pieces of art equipment is my Jakar Battery Operated Eraser Pen. In fact I'd go as far as saying this is an essential piece of kit for me. I know I can't stop myself from stockpiling reserves against the awful day when it finally disappears from view.
Erasers
available on Amazon
Magic Rub Eraser, Large, 3/PK, White, Sold as 1 pack
Vinyl smudge-free eraser
Quint Graphics Mini Dusting Brush 10"
Mini Dusting Brush with 10" wooden comfort fitting handle that is perfect for the drafting room, home studio or portable drafting kits.
Pentel ZE22S, Clic Eraser Grip, Retractable Eraser, Sky Blue Barrel, Box of 12
One of my favourite erasers for larger areas. It's shaped like a pen and contains a long strip of eraser which makes it easy to keep mine in with my tubs of pencils or in a pencil wrap on in a pencil case. The 'clic' control how much eraser shows at the end. Not always easy to find in the shops.
Waterbrushes
- Making a Mark reviews......: Product review: Pentel Waterbrush
- Technical Details:
* made in Japan by Pentel
* nylon tipped brush pen with one way valve and barrel to supply water
* barrel can be filled with plain water OR a dilute solution of any water-soluble art medium (the best being artists' inks, watercolours or gouache)
* provides a constant supply of water when the brush applied to paper; squeeze the barrel to control the flow
* Pentel Aquash comes in three sizes - fine (10mm), medium (13mm) and broad (17mm) - see Heaton Cooper website for a very good photo of the different sizes of Aquash waterbrush pen
* Derwent now supply two sizes - small and medium - Russ Stutler - Observations on the Waterbrush
- Russ Stutler's observations on waterbrushes such as those made by Pentel and Kuretake, including Zig and others
- Roz Wound Up: Pentel Brush Pens: The Pocket Brush and the Color Brush
- I get a lot of questions about which Pentel brush pen I am using. Consequently I try to always be specific when I post a journal page using one of these tools on my website journal postings.
This post is my attempt to be even more crystal clear about these two pens and their attributes so that if you are interested in trying a brush pen you can know exactly what you are getting, and what results or working capabilities you can expect.
Waterbrushes
available on Amazon
Brush, pen and pencil cases and containers
- Artifolk - Pro Arte Zipped Brush Cases
- Pro Arte is a specialist brush manufacturer with years of development and experience behind it. These smart matt black zipped brush cases are ideal for storing all your brushes (not included).
- Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > Pen & Pencil Cases and Boxes
- Pen & Pencil Cases and Boxes
- Winsor Newton Signature Canvas Pencil Wrap
- The carrier is made of tan-colored heavy cotton canvas and is trimmed in chocolate leather.
- Drawing Accessories - Derwent Pencil Wrap - ArtiFolk Art & Craft ...
- Derwent Pencil Wrap - Derwent have created a quality, stylish pencil wrap for carrying and protecting up to 30 pencils and accessories. (Not included).
Fixatives
- Great Art - Fixatives
- Schmincke Aeropump, Marabu Lacquer Spray, Lascaux Fixative, Winsor & Newton Aerosol Fixative, Talens Concentrated Fixative
- Fixative - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary. A fixative is a stabilizing or preservative agent: ... Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixative" ...
- How to Apply Spray Fixative
- How to apply fixative spray - learn how to correctly apply spray fixatives to drawings - pastel, charcoal or graphite.
- Krylon #1306 Workable Matte Fixative - BLICK art materials
- Gives lasting protection to pencil, charcoal and chalk, yet erases easily. Clear, matte fixative is easy to work with. Dries in seconds, doesn't wrinkle, ...
UK Art Suppliers - Drawing Accessories
- Artifolk - Drawing accessories
- Artists' essentials - Winsor & Newton erasers, KUM pencil sharpeners, stumps and tortillions. A wide range of sketching and drawing accessories, from Jakar battery erasers to Cretacolor putty rubbers, even a choice between Derwent and Faber Castell pencil wraps.
USA Art Suppliers - Drawing Accessories
- Drawing and Illustration - BLICK art materials
- Drawing and Illustration - tools and accessories; books and videos/DVDs
- The Pastel Pointers Blog - Seeing Red
- Richar McKinley comments on value scales and the use of red plastic
Making A Mark
Katherine Tyrrell writing about: - Making marks with pastels, pencils and pen and ink - Creating new drawings and paintings - Influences on developing both artwork and art careers - Interviews with artists - Information about resources for artists and art lovers ....and best viewed in Firefox
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPastels
Equipment used by pastel artists
- Heilman Pastel box
- Available in Three sizes!
All sizes have Tripod receptors!
BACKPACK Box: 10-1/2"x13"x2-1/4", 3.25 llbs
Original Box: 12-1/2"x 16"x 3-5/8", 6.5 lbs
Large Box: 14-1/2" x 17"x 3-5/8",8.75 lbs.
Designed with input from Pastel Artists and Instructors who wanted a handy, secure box. Used and recommended by artists Albert Handell, Anita West, Richard McKinley, Maggie Price, Margaret Evans, Lorenzo Chavez, Glenna Hartmann, Stephanie Birdsall, Alan Flattmann,Richard McDaniel and many others who use it in the field and studio.
Easels
- Great Art - Easels
- Studio Easels, Tripod Easels, Portable Easels, Table & Display Easels, Storage & Display, Accessories
- Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond » Plein air easels (or “gotta-have-it-itis”)
- Plein air easels (or "gotta-have-it-itis")
If you're an artist, (or if you're married to one) you may by now be familiar with a common artist-borne affliction: ?gotta-have-it-itis?...........While in recovery, I thought I'd at least share some of my experiences with a few ?tools of the trade?. Who knows? Maybe it will help a fellow artist or two with their decision-making process.
I'll start with what can be one of the most expensive tools? the easel. As both a plein air and studio artist, I ?gotta have? at least a couple of versions of this item in order to more easily do what I need to do. - Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond » Plein air easels- the pochade box
- Picking up on my previous post about artist easels, today I'll discuss plein air easel #2; my first pochade box. The word ?pochade? comes from the French word ?pocher? meaning ?to sketch?. Popularized in 19th century by landscape painters such as the Impressionists, a pochade box was a small wooden sketch box (sometimes called a ?thumb box?) with a hinged lid that could be held in the hand, to easily take into the field for small sketches and painting studies (pochades.) Today, what we call a pochade box comes in many different sizes beyond the tiny hand-held variety.
- Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond » Soltek- the ultimate plein air easel?
- Easel #3: The Soltek. All hail and bow down to the mother of all plein air easels! Okay, my Soltek has had its problems, but I still love this easel. The Soltek is a portable easel that seems to be in a class by itself. It is both ?space age? in technical design, and extremely flexible in its configuration:
- Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond » Plein Air Easels- A pochade box for travel
- With the airline regulations being what they are, it has become more and more of a challenge trying to figure out what items to check (if any) and what items to carry on in the ever-diminishing size of the acceptable carry on bag. While I may not be able to bring all of my art supplies with me on the plane, I prefer to have my easel in my carry-on. When traveling overseas, this sometimes means carrying my bag while running to make a flight connection, so a lightweight and compact bag becomes all the more important.
Art Fair - Print Racks / Showcases
Ideal for displaying prints and unframed original artwork
- Richeson Ambrosia Print Rack - BLICK art materials
- An attractive showcase for studio, gallery, art fair - or take it anywhere. Durable and sturdy, the Richeson Ambrosia Print Rack opens to hold numerous pieces of all sizes.
The print rack is made from environmentally friendly, renewable lyptus hardwood. Assembly required. - Richeson Steel Print Rack - BLICK art materials
- For organising unframed prints, posters, and paintings
Richeson's heavy-duty black steel print rack holds a large volume of matted or mounted artwork in a minimal amount of space - suitable for studio, classroom, or at an art show or gallery.
Four casters make it a breeze to move everything from one location to another. The rack is ideal for artwork up to 30" H × 40" W. Assembly is required. - Avanti Print Rack - BLICK art materials
- Constructed of elm with a hand-rubbed linen oil finish. The platform is equipped with a ribbed/non-skid rubberized surface to prevent prints from shifting.
Print Racks
available on Amazon
Watercolour aids
- Tynedale Fine Art Products - Keba Artmates
- The Kebaartmate is a revolutionary artists' stretcher from Sweden, made from high quality lightweight anodised Aluminium, it has been carefully designed by artists' to provide an easy to use and truly practical solution to stretching all watercolour papers
Palettes
So here are a few examples of what I mean
- The Robert E. Wood Palette - BLICK art materials
- This large, lightweight, covered palette keeps colors moist. The Robert E. Wood palette is really two palettes in one - the cover with its four extra large wells doubles as a palette.
The interior palette has two large mixing areas and 24 deep, slanted pigment wells. It's made of durable, stain-resistant white plastic, and it's easy to clean. Dimensions are 12" × 16". - Richeson Lock Box - BLICK art materials
- This is an economical, virtually air-tight palette that maintains a moist environment for partially used watercolors, oils, or acrylics for days, even weeks.
- Butcher Tray Palette - BLICK art materials
- These genuine Chinese trays are authentic replicas of the original American butcher trays. They have a convex center (water will run to the edge). They may occasionally have a chip on the rim, but this will not affect the working surface for the artist. Porcelain enamel over metal.
Palettes
available on Amazon
Paint Palette Keeps Paints Fresh For Days With Airtight Lid
This is a stay-wet palette with a unique sponge and permeable paper which allows your paints to have a constant source of moisture. This prevents your water-based paints from drying our while in use or storage. Acrylics and water-colors will be easier to work with because they will stay moist for hours, even in the open air. Snap the lid on and the paint wil stay fresh for many days. The 8-1/2" X 7" X 1" high palette and lid is crafted from impact resistant plastic. It comes with 5 disposable liners, a cellulose sponge, the palette tray and lid. Included are instructions for preparation and use.
Heritage Paint Palette- 33 Wells
Heritage Paint PalettesIdeal for oil watercolor and acrylic paints these palettes feature a unique rubber seal to reduce dry out between uses. Sold individually.
Mijello Artelier Airtight Peel-Off Paint Palette
* top functions as an extra mixing area
* special plastic allows acrylics to be peeled off if left to dry
* numerous mixing wells
* large center mixing area
* airtight top keeps paints moist for weeks
Daylight Bulbs and Studio Lighting - suppliers
- Bulbs & tubes - Daylight™ Art & Craft
- Daylight bulbs and tubes for Arts and Crafts
- Choosing Daylight Bulbs - (UK) Light bulbs, halogen lamps, spot lights and tubes by mail order in the UK
- Light bulbs, halogen lamps, spot lights and tubes by mail order in the UK
- High Definition Natural Daylight Lighting Systems from OTT-LITE Technology.
- OTTLITE Natural Daylight For Everything You Do.
- Broad Vs Daylight Spectrum Bulbs - Light Therapy Bulbs - Lumie
- Broad vs daylight spectrum bulbs
Broad spectrum bulbs (our standard option) include wavelengths from across the spectrum and emit a warm white light. Colour temperature of around 3500K.
Daylight spectrum bulbs mimic natural sunlight so colours are more true to life. They emit cool, blue-white light. Colour temperature of around 5400K. - Daylight Lamps - Art, Crafts & Hobbies, Low Vision, Home & Office Lighting
- The Daylight energy saving technology reduces eye strain and improves contrast so you can enjoy the true colours of your work and read for longer in optimal comfort.
Studio Lighting on Amazon
Lighting kit and tools for setting up still life or portrait subjects in the studio
Head Magnifiers
Mat Cutters
mat cutters on Amazon
Mat Cutters - heads and blades
Logan accessories available on Amazon
Mount Cutters
- Lyra Framing
- A range of Logan Mount Cutters available from a UK supplier (Lyra)
- Lyra Framing - Cutting Mats
- A range of cutting mats in different sizes
- Lyra Framing - tape and blades
- A range of tape and blades for Lyra mount cutters and other accessories
ArtBins
available on Amazon
Artbin Brush Box
When needing storage to carry brushes you need something which means that the brush will not be damaged. This ArtBin holds the brushes in a position where nothing is touching the hair or bristles
STORAGE BOX FOR ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMEN
This is a great way of storing art materials either in the home or when you want to take them with you to workshops or working plein air. You can clearly see what's in the ArtBin because the shelves hinge out.
ArtBin Sketch Pac
I bought my ArtBin for sketching in the USA and it comes out with me on a very regular basis. What I like about is the number of separate compartments which allows me to colour code and sort out pencils of different lengths
* long pencils in colours I use all the time
* shorter pencils in the hues which are variations or I use less often
& plus space for pencil sharpeners and erasers
Finally it snaps shut with a firm click and never ever comes apart in my backpack.
Travels with a Sketchbook in......
When I travel, I sketch. When I sketch on my travels I record it here. Plus information about the history and facilities of places I visit and lots of related links for those who want to know more........ and best viewed in Firefox
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPlein Air Toolkits
- handprint : plein air painting kit
- Plein air paint kit:
It took me many months of experimentation to settle on a field kit for painting outdoors and to take with me on vacation. Equipment choices are highly personal, and every painter has his or her unique outdoor working style and equipment requirements. - Landscapes Of The South: Blondheim Art Original Paintings
- Being organized will help you with plein air painting. Over the years I have had just about every brand of French easel, pochade box, and gizmo you can imagine. It is important to decide early on what sort of set up suits your personality and your physical needs. I have severe RA and so it is very important for me to go light on equipment and materials when I'm in the field. The less I have to drag around with me the better.
- Art Supplies UK the Discount Art Materials Supplier Artists umbrella at art supplies uk
- Artists umbrella at art supplies uk Discount art material supplier for business schools, creative businesses and individuals.
- daviddrawsandpaints: Painting 'En Plein Air'
- My Outdoor Easel and DIY Easel Pal - Front View: The easel is about the cheapest I have every bought, and more importantly the lightest. It is made of something like Obechi wood which feels and looks something like balsa (ha!) but is in fact quite sturdy.
Folding Chairs and Stools - for plein air work
I've included links to other products which I know other artists use or look interesting - but I can't vouch as to quality. Check the recommendations in my blog post below (first link) for people who have used particular a product.
- Making a Mark reviews......: Product Review: Phillips De Luxe Folding Chair
- A high quality sketching chair which is very sturdy and very reliable. Not cheap but well worth the investment. Lightweight and easy to carry - but you need a spare hand.
- Making a Mark reviews......: Product Review: Blacks Compact Stool (for sketching)
- A robust but light folding stool which is very easy to carry by hand or in a backpack.
- Green & Stone Art Materials - folding stools and chairs
- Green and Stone stock the Phillips Folding Chair which I use for plein air work. It's travelled very many air miles with no problem at all - except for the fact that it travelled even further than me during security alerts as it always causes interest!
- Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > Seat Easels, Chairs and Stools
- Seat Easels, Chairs and Stools - including my favourite and very used Phillips De Luxe Folding Chair
- Blacks - Compact ChairBLK AW06 Chairs and Stools(BLG Base Catalog)
- This chair folds up and is made with a strong steel frame and polyester fabric.
- Open size 56x86x90cm high
- Folds to 14x14x90cm
- Weight 3kg
I bought mine with a black bag holdall which helps with carrying although it's not the easiest of chairs to carry. - Richeson Backpack/Seat Combo - BLICK art materials
- This durable, soft-sided organizer functions as both a comfy seat and an easy-to-transport backpack. The bag is 100% canvas with a vinyl waterproof lining. Four pockets are secured by heavy-duty nylon zippers. The lightweight seat frame is made from black enameled steel tubing that opens for plein air painting or just lounging, and folds flat when you're ready to hit the road. The canvas seat is wrapped around the frame and double stitched for strength. Two adjustable straps are clipped to rings on the frame.
- Artifolk - wooden tripod stool with leather seat
- Artists' Wooden Tripod Stool - A handy, authentic leather seated three leg wooden artists' stool which folds flat for transportation and storage.
This has alway struck me as fine for those who are smaller and lighter! - Artifolk - folding travel chair
- Artists' Folding Travel Chair - This well priced, lightweight metal artists' chair is designed for portability, but still offering comfort. The chair, including the back, folds down flat for storage and transportation.
This looks like a very cheap version of the one I use. Possibly less durable during air transport? - Artifolk
- Artists' Seat Bags - Great value for money, these two artists' seat bags are both lightweight and fold flat for easy storage and transportation.
- Judsons Art Outfitters - Back Pack Chair and Umbrella
- (from site) Sturdy construction and reinforced legs make this a stable option for artists and outdoor enthusiasts. Padded shoulder straps and a rear storage pouch will allow you to carry this comfortable chair on your back during day trips. Supports up to 200 lbs. Seat height is 11". Folds down to 23' x 20' x 2 1/2". Weight with umbrella is 9 lbs.
Umbrella is held on by a easy adjusting clamp that can also be used in conjunction with your pochade box or french easel (see item #912, the Umbrella Hardware Mounting Kit). The umbrella is 40" high and 32" in diameter. Folds down to 28". - Judsons Art Outfitters - Roll-A-Chair
- (from site)Roll-A-Chair is made of extremely strong 1" diameter aluminum alloy tubing. The seat is made from three layers of polyester fabric, making it extremely comfortable. 26½" high folded, 18½" high unfolded. Can support up to 250 lbs. Adjustable shoulder strap included. 1½ lbs.
- Judsons Art Outfitters - Cooler Chair and Umbrella
- (from site) The perfect answer for where to keep your lunch chilled or hot during a day of painting outdoors. The cooler may also be used to store art supplies. Supports up to 250 lbs. Seat height is 18". Folds down to 23" x 16" x 3".
Umbrella is held on by a easy adjusting clamp that can also be used in conjunction with your pochade box or french easel (see item #912, the Umbrella Hardware Mounting Kit). The umbrella is 40" high and 32" in diameter. Folds down to 28". - Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > Phillips Bag Stool
- Tubular aluminium frame, compact and easily portable with a shoulder strap.
Spacious integral bag with zipped side pocket.
Seat height 18 inch (46 cms), In green Cordura fabric - Walkstool Portable Stool - BLICK art materials
- (from site) Comfortable, portable, and strong, this lightweight stool is perfectly balanced for low angle photography or remote painting.
Aluminum construction with a large mesh seat provides outstanding comfort for long periods of time. Telescopic legs make the stool easy to collapse or extend. The stool can support up to 440 lb (200 kg), with large rubber feet that prevent it from sinking into soft surfaces. It also includes a handy carrying/storage pouch and a belt loop for easy transport. It comes in three sizes offering three different heights. - Making a Mark: In praise of my sketching chairs
- This post is about my two sketching chairs - I recommend both of them. People who have commented on this post also recommend some alternatives
Bags, Backpacks, Totes and Trollies
The one bag which will carry all you need for plein air work
- The Guerrilla Painter Web Site
- Guerrilla Painter - Boxes; Guerrilla Box Accessories; Setup for Oils; Setup for Watermedia
- Guerrilla Painter - FAQS
- Explanation with pictures of set-ups for painting plein air
- ArtBin Studio Pak Art Backpack - BLICK art materials
- The backpack is made of durable, black polyester with padded back straps for comfort and has an easy grip handle on top. Compartments abound for brushes, markers, and other tools of the trade. Specially designed pockets stow away the essential water bottle and an iPod or MP3 player. There's even an opening to pull through the earphone cord.
- Folding Chairs and Stools - BLICK art materials
- Choice of 3
- Artist Backpack And Seat
- Artist Backpack And Seat - ARTIST BACKPACK AND SEAT
- Tran Rolling Art Cart - BLICK art materials
- A rolling studio to go, with places for everything and everything in its place! Four outside pouches have zippers for easy access to your most frequently used items. Inside are two removable holders that will accommodate brushes, pencils, markers, scissors, and more.
- Heaton Cooper Studio Ltd > 'PastelTote' from Artbin
- Made from hard wearing water-resistant dark grey nylon, 19cm wide, 22cms high, 11cms deep. Zipped front and top, containing six pastel boxes with foam inserts. Could hold up to 150 standard size pastel sticks. Carrying handle and strap.
Plein Air Stuff on CafePress
Making A Mark - Resources for Artists
Art Media Lenses
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Coloured Pencils - Resources for Artists
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Find out about coloured pencils. This leading resource has information for everybody from experienced artists to beginners wanting to learn all they can. Topics include - tips and techniques for working with coloured pencils, - information about col...
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Paper and Non-Canvas Supports - Resources for Artists
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This resource is for visual artists who draw and paint. It provides information about and links to suppliers of different brands of fine art paper and other non-canvas supports. Plus information about how to make paper. The lens covers...
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Pastels - Resources for Artists
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Want to know more about brands of hard and soft pastels or how to use pastels? Experienced pastel artists and those new to creating art using pastels will find interesting information and helpful advice provided below
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Drawing and Sketching - Resources for Artists
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Find out about drawing and sketching. This site shares advice and information about drawing and sketching - materials, drawing communities and forums, instruction books and other resources which support the development of drawings and sketches.
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Egg Tempera - Resources for Artists
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This lens is about egg tempera and provides links to all sorts of websites associated with egg tempera - other websites providing information about egg tempera, artists, supports and grounds, pigments and pigment suppliers in the UK Europe and...
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Reply
- lois ludwig,creative interiors lois ludwig,creative interiors Jul 14, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
- Can you please let me know where I can get the folding canvas art holder I see at many showes.The canvas is usually black and is around an aluminum frame. their are 4 legs and folds flat.The carrier hold approz 24 plus matted art.I have tried with no success,I need to get info as I represent a watercolorist and will be doing a show in Indiana in 3 weeks. Thanks, lois ludwig
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- makingamark makingamark Feb 25, 2009 @ 7:27 am
- Essential or beginning tools for what? You need to be specific about what you want to do
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- I need help! I need help! Feb 24, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
- Do you know any other websites where the have all the essential and beginning tools checklist? If you do, email the link or the checklist to alex.mendez254@hotmail.com please and thank you!
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Reply
- makingamark makingamark Sep 5, 2008 @ 10:31 am
- Lamoine - you don't say where you live now - but if you're still in North America why not try the online suppliers?
How about QuicKomp Artist's Drawing Tool?
I took a look at Currys but they don't seem to offer anything in this line.
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Reply
- makingamark makingamark Sep 5, 2008 @ 10:31 am
- Lamoine - you don't say where you live now - but if you're still in North America why not try the online suppliers?
How about QuicKomp Artist's Drawing Tool?
I took a look at Currys but they don't seem to offer anything in this line.
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Reply
- LAMOINE DIONNE LAMOINE DIONNE Sep 4, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
- Hi There. I have long been an admireer of your work, and, I have seen much of it on WC. I am from Canada, and need to know where to fins a View Finder for Scale. I could use one desparately as it seems my perspectives never are "right on". I have used the pencil approach, but goes only so far. Glad to be acceped on this site. Sincerely, Lamoine Dionne ddionne@xplornet.com
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- bdkz bdkz Mar 20, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
- I love this lens! Great resources here. 5 Stars and a Squid Angel Blessing!






