Sketching Tools Pt 4

I love this pencil sharpener!
It's easy to carry with me when I travel
or hike. And the point it creates is awesome!!!
Available in a rainbow of colours

Basic sharpeners I always have on hand.
Easily found in most craft/hobby and art stores.

I really like the point covers that General's
sharpener offers
in this package deal.
Especially when I take my sketching on
the road with me,
it's nice to cover my graphite or coloured pencils.

This was my first love...and I've had this for several years.

As you can see the inside of
this sharpener has been used a
great deal.
I use this mostly with coloured pencils now.

A cheapie sharpener I buy at local
dollar stores.
It works with my
#2 school pencils
I use allot for woodworking, tracing on cardboard
or using in 'alternative' projects.

Oh and the decorative sharpeners
I keep just for fun...

I rarely use these.

I remember at first I use to think 'why use something like this?'
Wow, have a I learned a few things since then.
I always have a bit of sandpaper or
sharpening board on hand now.

Not pictured are my multiple
electric sharpens I have throughout
my loft. I think I own four.
:)

Sketching Tools Pt. 3

Blending stumps are very useful
for shading and adding value in graphite drawings.
A clean stump can also lift off graphite
in small bits from a drawing as well.

The tips tend to wear down quickly
with over use
but can brought back to
a point by
rubbing them on an emery board.

I especially like using these when making Zentangles.
A useful site regarding shading and Zentangles

Click Here for a great little video on how to use blending stumps

Sketching Tools Pt. 2

I own many different types of erasers.
Because
I own many different types of pencils!
Fun Facts About Erasers

I love the corners of this General's eraser!
Works really well, but leaves bits and pieces
of itself all over :/

Click Link to see more products by Maped

My favourite eraser sits on my desk 24/7
and is my 'go to' tool for doodling in pencil.
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Eraser Technology

An essential tool in my sketch kit using soft pencils.
I love the modeling aspect of this eraser!
Some fun facts about kneaded erasers

This eraser I love for working with india inks!
Prismacolor site and more information about the Magic Rub

Another one of those tools
I have in many areas of
my art studio!
This is great for removing 'sticky bits'
from drawing surfaces.
I also love to use it with my Zig 2 Way Glues.
It is designed to be used with Rubber Cement
but I use it in many different ways!
Usual information about this eraser

This is my least favourite eraser.
Link to Staedtler

Sketching Tools Pt.1

Soft pencils are messy
and oh so much fun to sketch with.
They blend really nicely,
but you will definitely
need a fixative spray
on most work.

A fresh collection of soft pencils.

Medium pencils are my favourite!
I like how cleanly they are.
They blend nicely too.

Mediums

Hard tip pencils
are not my fav
but they do come in hand for the fine,
detailed work.
One must be very careful not
to press to hard with these babies
or else you'll imprint your paper or surface.

Hard

Sketch Kit

I like taking this set outdoors
and when I travel.
They are a great multipurpose kit!

Another fav of mine to travel with...

These pencils get allot
of use. I replace single pencils as I use
them up, but keep
all the collection
in the tin box
on my art table.

When working with specific pencils,
while drawing
I like to flip the pencils in use
that way I can grab them quickly.

My most fav pencils here are B, 2B, and 2H

These are just a few of the pencils I use
when sketching, drawing or
designing projects...

Knit Cording Gadget

From a simple ball
of yarn...

treaded through this
wicked cool
craft gadget...

Joann's has it one sell right now...

comes this nifty knit cord!

There are so many things
that can be made from this...

Click here for Pt.1 of a video on how to use
Click here for Pt.2 of video on how to use

A Shelf Full Of Buttons

I like to keep most of my buttons
in recycled glass jars
on a shelf in my
sewing area
of the loft.

I keep several jars with button still attached
to the cardboard too.

This way when I'm in need of
some inspiration
I can simply walk over and
look at all the pretty buttons on
the shelf...

Buttons in Birdie Bowl

Pretty flower buttons
in my birdie bowl
 for upcoming projects...

I like to pull out
the supplies I aim to use
and have them available,
to help inspire me.

Plus I really just love this birdie bowl!

Polka dot, cheery colourful buttons!

They almost look
like colourful candies.