Review by Tina Koyama The venerable Carl Angel-5 hand-crank sharpener (also known as a “classroom-friendly” sharpener) is a popular, reliable favorite for many pencil users. With a metal body and “original quality,” it has a classic, sturdy build. I’ve had mine for several years, but sadly, I don’t love it. For one thing, its pencil…
Showing all posts in Tools
How to Pick the Right Colored Pencils
In the US, there are three major colored pencil brands that vie for the “most popular” spot in the professional/high-quality colored pencil category. They are colloquially known as the Ps: Prismacolors, Pablos and Polychromos. Prismacolors First up are Prismacolors which are currently called Prismacolor Premiers. These beloved pencils have been passed around to so many…
Brush Review: East Hill Water Brushes
Review by Tina Koyama Since I don’t do much “real” watercolor painting – my main use of brushes is with water-soluble colored pencils – convenient water brushes serve me better than traditional paint brushes. Some new water brushes hit the scene recently at JetPens, so I jumped right on them: the East Hill line of…
Notebook Review: Thinkers Notebook
Review by Laura Cameron Recently I was contacted by the people behind Thinkers Notebook ($19.95) and asked if I wanted to try their Thinkers Notebook system. I’m always game to try something new so I said yes! The Thinkers Notebook is a 6″ x 9″ landscape notebook, designed to be used in concert with an…
Review: Raymay Clam Pencase in Violet
I admit it. I am always looking for the perfect case. I must have dozens of pencil cases, pen cases, sleeves, pouches, etc. I always think the next one will be “the one.” One pen case to rule them all! I’m not alone in this, right? So, when I saw the Raymay Clam Pencase in…
Review: Kuretake Zig 2 Way Glue Pens
Review by Tina Koyama If I have a serious gluing need, such as making a collage, I pull out a gallon jug of acrylic medium. But for casual gluing needs, I want something quick, easy and, above all, not messy. I gave up on glue sticks because no matter how neatly I tried to apply…
Bag Review: Baron Fig Venture Slimline Backpack
I have been using and flip flopping between the original Baron Fig Kickstarter Minimal backpack and the second edition, the Venture Slimline Backpack ($85). Since the original model is no longer available, I will focus on the Venture Slimline model. It’s really more of a 1.5 upgrade of the original rather than massive changes. What…