Colored Pencil Review: Camel 36-Color Mini Pencil Set with Elastic Case

Colored Pencil Review: Camel 36-Color Mini Pencil Set with Elastic Case

The Camel 36-Color Mini Pencil Set with Elastic Case ($40) is a tiny package full of cute, colorful sticks of fun. By fun, I mean colored pencils. These colored pencils are rounded square shaped and arrive in a paperboard box that closes with an elastic strap. The box, when closed, is about the same size…

Ask The Desk: Digital Drawing Tablets,  Typing Paper, & Astrobrights

Ask The Desk: Digital Drawing Tablets, Typing Paper, & Astrobrights

Joe asks: I need your advice on the purchase of a drawing table for my 10 year old granddaughter. She really is very good and I wish I could attach one of her drawings for you to see. She draws constantly and learns from books that I and her parents have bought her. She also…

Pen Review: Zig Clean Color Dot Double Sided Markers

I was absolutely tickled to find the Kuretake Zig Clean Color Dot Double Sided Markers recently. There are 12 different colors available (available in a set for $35 or individually for $3.30 each). I decided to just try a few colors to start. Usually, I’m inclined to get the whole set, every color, but this…

Sharpener Showdown: Hand Cranks

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…

Ask The Desk: Muting Ink & Sheening Ink Colors

Ask The Desk: Muting Ink & Sheening Ink Colors

Carol asks: I wrote Brad Dowdy this question and he didn’t know however thought you might be able to help me understand. I am looking to find a way to desaturate some of my fountain pen inks. As an artist I’m looking to add ink lines, marks by drawing on top of my watercolor washes.…