Sandra Strait

YInMn Blue – what is it and what’s so exciting about it? And how do I pronounce it without spraining my tongue? Why is it exciting? It’s the first new inorganic blue in over 200 years! In 2009, Dr. Mas Subramanian and his team at Oregon State University accidentally discovered this color pigment. It’s made of Yttrium(Y), Indium (In) and […]

Faber-Castell has a wide range of art supplies, including their Creative Studio line. Aimed at college students and young adults who don’t need professional supplies, this line provides quality for the beginner to intermediate artist.  I’m reviewing the 48-color set, a great set for those who want the convenience of portability and a full range of colors. Specs Size: 1 x 7.5 x 7 […]

What if you could find watercolor markers that are non-toxic, and odorless, with ink that doesn’t bleed through the paper? Now add in professional quality and high to maximum lightfastness.  Yes, I was thrilled to have the chance to review these Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Artists’ Watercolour Markers, because they are exactly that!

The latest set of products from Hahnemühle is The Collection, Watercolour blocks in two weights and three surfaces, as well as Sketch pads and Ingress Pastel paper. I’m reviewing the watercolour blocks and the sketch pads. I don’t work in pastel so that paper won’t be included here. Specs Watercolour Blocks Size: 24 x 32 cm / 9.4 x 12.6 […]

Hahnemühle’s new toned Watercolour Books have lightly tinted beige or grey paper.  I love working on toned paper, and these fit my style so well, great flow for the paint, ease of color-lifting and brightness of the paint.  I’m enthralled with these books. But preferences vary, so I’ll try to give you the information you need, and let you decide if these […]

In her own words, Maria Coryell-Martin is “an expeditionary artist with a focus on polar and glacier science, and to inspire environmental awareness in audiences of all ages.” Along the way, she’s developed an art toolkit, a rugged cover that holds all the necessary items, including a palette of her own devising. Maria has given me one of her demi-palettes and […]

More Tangle Starts is the seventh book in Alice Hendon’s Artangleology series, books designed to be planners, workbooks, tangle collections and juice to jump start your creativity. Alice’s books are a delight to work in, so when she contacted me about reviewing her latest, I was saying ‘Yes!’ before she even finished her request.  She not only sent me a […]

If you are like me, this scene is all too familiar. I’ve got a trip planned and I want to take all of this but … uh … how to organize it?  

Since 1584, Hahnemühle has used experience, innovation and high-quality materials to create art papers. They have introduced a Stationery FineArt product line and this year’s offering is the Hahnemühle 1584 notebook. The textured, cloth-bound hardcovers, three color-coordinated marker ribbons and elastic bands make it a beautiful book. Filled with both dot-grid and plain colored paper, it’s a pleasure to work […]

Today, I’m here to review one of Mary Roff’s handmade watercolor sketchbooks. Mary makes so many different handmade sketchbooks with different papers, sizes, and bindings that I was truly torn over the decision – each of her sketchbooks is unique.  How to choose which to buy! Finally, I settled on one. I loved the beautiful birch design covers, and I […]

It’s the time of year when people are looking for good deals on art supplies and everybody’s making lists of possible gifts. Here’s mine. Many of these are items I’ve reviewed for Doodlewash, because that is how I get many of my art supplies. Some were gifts or items I bought. The thing they all have in common is that […]

Tangle All Around the World is Book 6 in Alice Hendon’s Artangleology Series.  The previous books have been activity books and planners, but this time around she has collected 453 tangle patterns created by a total of 50 different tangle artists.  About a year ago, Alice asked the members of her Facebook group Tangle All Around to submit tangle patterns to […]