Written by When it comes to my favorite brush, I love my Escoda Versatil travel brushes. I actually rarely paint on the go, but I just adore the compact nature of them, since I don’t have a dedicated studio and still paint on the edge of my kitchen counter each day. And, well, they just look really cool! Though this isn’t something that contributes to the technical function of the brush, it definitely contributes to the emotional appeal and makes me happy to reach for them each day. I think that’s an important and sometimes overlooked aspect when choosing art supplies. You’re more likely to use them regularly if they just make you happy. This is not my current case, however, as I have the 6 piece set with case that Philippe bought for me. I sketched instead the case I want for Christmas (in 2 colors) since I really only use sizes 2-6 regularly and would like a case for just those three. But since I reach for the size 6 most of all, and have even bought a replacement once (I’m terribly rough with my brushes and will often kill the point), that’s the one that I guess would qualify as my current favorite.
I should note for anyone interested in the 3-pack case of these brushes, it’s a nice choice and includes a juicer Size 10 in the mix along with my coveted Size 6. I never paint very large so my current 10 doesn’t get much use, but for others it would be a perfect choice. That said, these brushes are excellent, but pricey, so for anyone just starting out, I always recommend Princeton Snap! brushes as they have the same cool factor and emotional appeal, great quality, at a very affordable price. For me, I just love the function of travel brushes and even if I’m not setting off across the country, I tend to always choose them first. There’s currently an awesome thread going in Doodlewash Club on travel brushes that you should definitely check out! One of the options shown is an Italian set in a wooden box, that might also be on my holiday list this season. Jessica reviewed another great travel brush option from Cheap Joe’s here. There are many technical aspects that others are better explaining with brushes, but I can say that if you love the tools you use, you’ll be more likely to use them. And that’s really the most important thing of all!
And if you’re looking for some new art supplies to love today, you’ve come to the right place. For this post, I’m giving away 9″x12″ blocks of Stonehenge Aqua from Legion Paper (this one is for U.S. residents only) to the first 10 artists who haven’t yet gotten one of these! Simply reply below with “I Love Art Supplies!” and let me know what style of paper you’d prefer, hot or cold pressed. Also, if you commented on the last post for these, it’s possible you might have won one, but I haven’t received your address yet, so please remember to check my responses on these, and let me know where to send it! It’s so much fun to get new art supplies. I still have a little stack of ones that I’ve yet to use. They’re sitting there like little gifts, waiting to be unwrapped. One day, when I have more time, they’ll get the attention they deserve. Until then, I’m quite content sitting down each evening for my little routine, and happily reaching for my favorite brush.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book. |
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I love art supplies! Cold, please
Yay to that, Ann! 😃💕 I’ll have some sent your way!
“I LOVE ART SUPPLIES!!” Love these brushes also. They are my favorite!
Cold please!
Yay! Glad you’re a fan as well, Terresa! And I’ll have some paper sent your way! 😃💕
I love art supplies! Charlie, I am still looking at your posts daily, and I find great hope in realizing your have only been painting with watercolors for two years. However, my hope is tempered with by the belief you must have “done” art in some fashion before picking up your brush and paints!
Jakki
Thanks so much, Jakki! 😃💕 And yes, I actually have an art degree, but it was for computer animation of all things. I’ve only taken one painting class in my life, in acrylics, and I was rubbish at it! So put down my brush in college and didn’t pick one up again until 2 years ago. And yay! I’ll have some hot press paper sent your way!
Whoops, forgot to say, Hot Press please!
I love art supplies. Hot please.
Yes to that, Frieda!! 😃💕 And yay! Just send me a note at the following link with your full name and address and I’ll have some paper sent your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Love to follow all the great artists on Doodle! Thanks for all the great info … I have loads of fun reading you blog!
Thanks so much, Becky! So thrilled you’re enjoying Doodlewash!! 😃💕
I think i am already on your list for the paper but like to say, I love art supplies too. That is a really a
nice looking set of brushes you have. You really know how to shadow to get just the right look and make your paintings look so real. Love it.
Aww thanks so much, June! 😃💕 I love trying to add a lot of dimension to my sketches. (or at least the illusion of it! hehe). And yep! I have on you on the list!
I love art supplies!
PS Cold press please and thank you for all you do for this community!
Thanks so much, Laura!! 😃💕 It’s my pleasure! And I’ll have some paper sent your way!
I love art supplies – cold press – or anything you send! And I love you! 🙂 <3
Aww love ya back!! 😉💕 And yay! I’ll have some paper sent your way!
Woohoo. I l
I love winning!! Thank you!!!!
PS I love that you are working on your Christmas list already – LOL! It is a beautiful case – right Philippe – and Mom???!!! 🙂
Lol… yeah, it’s best to always start early with these things. I can’t seem to find the case by itself here in America, so I might be sending suggestions to my family overseas. 😊😉
“I Love Art Supplies!”
I forgot to add I would like cold pressed.
Yay to that, Sharon! 😃💕 And I’ll have some paper sent your way!
How fun that you would talk about these today, Charlie! I just ordered two sets this morning because of your recommendation I had read (somewhere here from you) a few weeks ago! 😃
I can’t travel very well so I will content myself with these … for now. lol
Aww cool! That’s awesome, Von! I know you’ll love them! hehe… and yeah, it’s like virtual travel just to use them, so that’s great too! 😃💕
I love art supplies! Prefer cold press, but would be happy with either! Thanks!
Yay to that Diana! 😃💕 Send me a note a the following link with your mailing address and I’ll have some sent your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
I won one, but I love art supplies! anyway! Quit tempting me, Charlie!
haha! Yeah… if it’s not desserts, it’s art supplies… hehe… I just LOVE treats!! lol 😊
I love art supplies! Cold press is my first preference.
Yay to that, Lois!! 😃💕 Send me a note at the following link with your full name and address, and I’ll have some cold press your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
I love art supplies! Hot press please.
I may be too late to receive one but I do want to tell you how much I appreciate your site!
Aww thanks so much, Dana! Thrilled you’re enjoying Doodlewash! 😃💕 And you got my last sample for this post!! Yay! Just send me a note via the following link with your address and I’ll have some paper sent your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
L love art supplies, cold press please.
Yes to that! 😃💕 Unfortunately, I ran out of samples for this post, but keep checking back!
I Love Art Supplies – cold press … if I make the cut.
Aww you just missed it for this post, Tom. 😃💕 Unfortunately, I ran out of samples, but keep checking back and more are on the way!
I love art supplies!!!!!! Cold press. *fingers crossed that I’m number ten!*lol
Aww… just a few past 10! 😊💕 Unfortunately, I ran out of samples for this post, but keep checking back!
Well, I love art supplies too! Make mine hot press
please!
Yes to that, Cathy! 😃💕 Unfortunately, I ran out of samples for this post, but keep checking back!
I LOVE art supplies! 😀 I have never tried hot press and hear so much about the differences. One of your recent guest artists had the most amazing demo regarding the different ‘papers’! Sorry I can’t remember her name at the moment…it is in my Notes!
I ran out of samples for this post, Clelie, but keep checking back!! 😃💕 And yay! So happy you enjoyed that feature. It was from Denise Soden, if anyone else is curious. Here’s the link: https://doodlewash.com/guest-artist-in-liquid-color-by-denise-soden/
i love art supplies but I am way too late for this one. Thanks for all the info about travel brush sets, Charlie.
Did you see the eclipse yesterday? My grandson told me that he cried with the enormity of what he got to be part of on his twelfth birthday. You often write about the little things that mark our childhoods but for the grands, yesterday was a huge event and they were right at the center of it all.
Yep… just a wee bit late, but more samples coming! hehe… and yes!! I talked about seeing the eclipse in yesterday’s post, but Play-Doh was an odd illustration for it! Lol (there was an eye the day before that would have been better!) So cool your grandson got to celebrate his birthday with one! Awesome!! 😃💕
Yes, you did, and re-reading it just now, I remember reading it yesterday. My memory must have disappeared with the passing of the eclipse.
hehe! No worries! I ramble daily and even I can’t keep up with everything I say! I actually have to search my own site first to know what I’ve said. 😊
What a lovely set of brushes. I’ve not yet purchased a travel set. You’ve given me something to think about.
Thanks so much, Darlene! 😃💕 Yeah I really love these, but tried to include links to other options above… It’s just so much easier to store the brushes and if you do actually travel with them, then it makes perfect sense! hehe
I love art supplies..cold please…wonderful beginnings
Yes to that, Linda! 😃💕 Unfortunately, I ran out of samples for this post, but keep checking back!
My favourite brushes get packed away every time I turn off my computer but with all the settings intact.. I know a lot of artists say it’s not real art but ArtRage and Gimp have produced some fine work for me.
That’s the most compact set of brushes there are! 😉 I think real art is something that everyone defines a bit differently. Many wouldn’t call my little sketches true art, but illustrations, as though that’s something different. I say as long as you made it yourself… it’s art!
I love art supplies…cold please
Yes to that, Sherril! 😃💕 Unfortunately, I ran out of samples for this post, but keep checking back!
Those are lovely brushes. I have one, a size 8 I think. But my Mimik squirrels are my current favorite. 🙂
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah I really love these brushes! And that’s so wild… I’d honestly never heard of Mimik, but Robin mentioned it in her post today. And you love it too! Now I definitely want to try it!!
They hold a lot of water and glide across the paper.
I fell in love with my Da Vinci 1503 travel brushes the instant I bought them. I never would normally have splurged on such expensive sable brushes but I had noticed that all sable brushes were disappearing. I researched it and it was because there was a freeze in importing them, the animals were now endangered and import had stopped indefinitely. I panicked, I knew some day I’d upgrade to good brushes but I was afraid I’d never get them now so I jumped and bought what I wanted. Now the import has been lifted and we’re resplendent in sable brushes again but I have gorgeous brushes I probably would never have bought. It changed my painting, much improved it. Win-Win I say.
Definitely a win-win!! If you love the tools you use, you’ll make more and better things for sure!! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m pleased to see that the synthetic versions keep advancing. There are so really great options! So all won’t be lost!
I love art supplies! Cold pressed – and that paper sounds very interesting. I love your painting Charlie – you never cease to amaze me!
Aww thanks so much, Sharon!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples for this post, but keep checking back and there are more to come !
What led you to go with a synthetic rather than a sable? (I’ve got a set of daVinci travel brushes in sable that I use pretty much all the time, bought when I was still rigid about drinking the Natural Fibers Only koolaid, but have since heard a lot of compelling talk about synthetics.)
🙂