Author Archives: artdragon86

Gouache: Christmas Puppy (demonstration)

Posted on November 16, 2022 by artdragon86

A friend who works in an art supply shop in Italy recently got a new German Shepherd puppy. As this this friend often sends me gifts of art supplies, I like to paint her a personalised Christmas card each year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Demonstrations, Gouache, Watercolour | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Acrylics: Water Lily Reflection (demonstration)

Posted on July 13, 2022 by artdragon86

When a friend let me know the local libraries were running a mini art competition, I decided to sign up and have a go. I was given a square canvas which posed a challenge for me as I usually paint … Continue reading →

Posted in Acrylic, Demonstrations | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sketchbooks: Stillman and Birn Nova Trio Sketchbook (review)

Posted on March 18, 2022 by artdragon86

For a long time, I’d been wanting to experiment with sketching and painting on toned backgrounds, but couldn’t decide which colour to try and was reluctant to buy a sketchbook with a particular paper colour in case I didn’t care … Continue reading →

Posted in Paper, Reviews, Sketchbooks, Surfaces | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Oil Pastels: Purple Irises (demonstration)

Posted on September 15, 2021 by artdragon86

While re-organising my art supply cabinet the other day, I found a box of Sakura Cray-Pas Specialist oil pastels that my parents had brought back from me on a trip to America many years ago and was still in its … Continue reading →

Posted in Demonstrations, Oil Pastels, Pastels | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Watercolours: Scarlet Silk Rose (demonstration)

Posted on August 28, 2021 by artdragon86

It’s been a long time since the last time I attempted to paint a rose (and that one was a disaster), so when one of my Facebook friends posted a photo of a scarlet silk rose, I decided to give … Continue reading →

Posted in Demonstrations, Watercolour | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Watercolours: Derivan Watercolours (review)

Posted on August 25, 2021 by artdragon86

Disclaimer: I was not paid to do this review, however the watercolours were provided to me for free by Derivan for the purpose of review. A few months ago, I was contacted by a representative of Derivan through my artdragon86 … Continue reading →

Posted in Materials, Reviews, Watercolour | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Pencils: Derwent Drawing Pencils (review)

Posted on June 15, 2021 by artdragon86

Derwent Drawing pencils have been around for a while, but were originally only available in six colours; black, white and some reddish earths and browns. I actually had a few of them in my old pencil jar, but most of … Continue reading →

Posted in Materials, Pencils and Blocks, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Paper: Hahnemühle Agave Watercolour Paper (review)

Posted on June 13, 2021 by artdragon86

Recently my friend who works in a little art shop in Italy sent me a parcel with some new art supplies as a gift, including a pocket-sized pad of Hahnemühle Agave watercolour paper. I was excited to try this as, … Continue reading →

Posted in Paper, Reviews, Surfaces, Watercolour | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Coloured Pencils: Collie Dog (demonstration)

Posted on June 11, 2021 by artdragon86

My friend’s dog, Maggie, recently celebrated her first birthday. One of the photos her human took was a nice shot of her sitting up and looking at the camera, and I thought it would make a nice portrait sketch, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Demonstrations, Pencils and Blocks | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Watercolours: Purple Petunias (demonstration)

Posted on June 9, 2021 by artdragon86

When I received some purple Schmincke watercolour half pans as a gift from a friend in Italy, I decided it would be fun to use them in a floral painting where I’d have an excuse to use lots of different … Continue reading →

Posted in Demonstrations, Watercolour | Tagged , | Leave a comment