Doodle-tober?

This year instead of participating in Inktober, where I try and use different inks during the month, I decided to do my own “Doodle-tober.” So I took all the supplies I had at hand (more about those below) and started playing. I took lots of inspiration from Instagram, and I’m hoping to develop my own…

Marker Review: Pilot Juice Paint Markers (set of 8)

Review by Tina Koyama For the past couple of years, my favorite everyday-carry sketchbooks have been colorful Uglybooks (my review at the Desk is here. Uglybooks now also offers perfect-bound editions; see my personal blog for a review of those). I’ve experimented with various media, and one of the best is acrylic paint markers. You…

White Party: Acrylic and Other Markers

Review by Tina Koyama Opaque white pens: The bane of my sketching existence.  Intermittently during my 13 years of sketching, I’ve tried various white gel pens for those infrequent occasions when I want to make white lettering on a sketch or draw thin highlights. Though not without its faults, the Sakura Gelly Roll has long…

Marker Review: SHARPIE Creative Markers (Set of 12)

Marker Review: SHARPIE Creative Markers (Set of 12)

SHARPIE Creative Markers are water-based acrylic markers and feature a felt brush tip. The set I purchased includes all 12 colors ($17.99) in a standard mass market blister pack. The packaging is not reusable or functional so be prepared to have a place to store these markers once you’ve had to destroy the packaging to…

Art Supply Review: Kokuyo Pasta Solid Markers

Art Supply Review: Kokuyo Pasta Solid Markers

Review by Tina Koyama I’m always curious about art materials with unique properties, and Kokuyo Pasta Solid Markers (30/$82.50; smaller sets available) certainly fill the bill on many counts. (And Pasta – what a curious name!) First, let’s talk about the packaging and design – both of the product set and the product itself. The…

Art Supply Review: Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Set

Art Supply Review: Derwent Inktense Paint Pan Set

I wandered into my local art supply store recently to get a couple very specific pencils. But of course I had to browse. I wandered down the watercolor aisle muttering to myself, “I do not need anymore watercolor palettes.” So of course, I bought a new palette. But it’s different!!!! It’s the Derwent Inktense Paint…

Watercolor Review: Boku-Undo Gansai Aurora Palette

Review by Tina Koyama I always say (to myself and others) that I’m not a sheeny, shiny, glittery gal (I’ve only ever purchased one bottle of shimmery ink, and I gave it away soon after). Obviously a liar, I recently found myself craving some sheeny, shiny, glittery watercolors. The Boku-Undo Gansai Watercolor Palette in the…