|
 Art Supplies
• Center For Yoga Drawing and Painting is proud to recommend the following art supply list. Kirsten has compiled this list of tried and true materials over the past twenty years.
• The Yoga Drawing and Painting practice focuses on the least amount of toxicity possible. This means we use water-based media only, i.e., no paints that require a chemical solvent.
• We try to use art products derived from the most sustainable crops and from recycled materials whenever possible. Most importantly, we offer gratitude to the environmental source of our art supplies!
• Note: Each material is provided with a direct link to where it may be purchased at Dick Blick. The Rublev Watercolors link directly to the Natural Pigment Company. Have fun shopping!
|
Frequently asked question:
Why begin Yoga Drawings and Paintings with a dark medium such as graphite or charcoal on white paper?
One of the principles that Center for Yoga Drawing and Painting is founded on is that there is “something” beyond dark and light. White is the vibration of all colors. Black is the vibration of the absence of color. Thus, when a piece of white paper is activated with dark marks the union of opposites occurs. Out of this union something new is born -- something beyond words and beyond our five senses.
Yoga Drawing and Painting nourishes our ability to sense what is beyond dark and light and this leads to a whole new path of inspiration. Out of this inspiration a whole new relationship to color is revealed!
Check out the following piece entitled Sacrum Sacred. It began as a charcoal drawing where the union of light and dark took place. Then the colorful spiraling movement (casein milk paint), revealed itself with values of mango and lavender.
With all this said, there is no better way to learn how to cultivate a sense of light within a drawing or painting than by using graphite and or charcoal on white paper. Some folks wish to take their Yoga Drawing and Painting experiences into the realms of observational drawing and painting. Cultivating a range of dark to light marks is important in order to truly cultivate the shapes and forms that we observe. Check out this drawing entitled Man Sleeps. It was created with a variety of charcoals from large chunks to fine pointed pencils -- all listed on this art supply list.
|
Graphite and Charcoal
Note on Graphite and Charcoal: Some folks like to use both graphite and charcoal. Some prefer one or the other. It is best to browse these links and notice what calls to you. Invite your creative instinct to respond to a few materials and begin there!
Graphite
(listed in a range from large chunks for bold strokes -- to fine pointed pencils for detail work.)
General's Graphite Chunks
Derwent Graphic Pencils
(A few pencils from the “H” or hard series are recommended for detail work)
Conté Classic Sketch Set:
During the French Revolution, French inventor Nicolas Jacques Conté invented the modern pencil by developing a process to combine graphite with clay. The Conté Classic Sketch Set comes with the amazing materials to cultivate detail lines. The smoothness of a Conté pencil encourages consistent contact with the flow of a line during its creation. These pencils are a Yoga Drawing favorite!
Charcoal
(listed in a range from large chunks for bold strokes -- to fine pointed pencils for detail work.)
General's Charcoal Chunks
Cretacolor Chunky Charcoal
This is a very seductive charcoal due to the way it glides on paper and creates dramatic, intense, dark, black lines. Also comes in earthy colors. Black recommended to begin with.
Coates Premium Artist Willow Charcoal
(Willow charcoal is black. All five sizes recommended)
Winsor & Newton Vine Charcoal
(Vine charcoal is dark gray. Soft, Medium and Hard Recommended)
Derwent Charcoal Pencils
(Light, Medium and Dark recommended for detail work)
Erasers
Note on Erasers: Yoga Drawing and Painting views drawing erasers not as tools to remove “mistakes” but as tools to move media around and to bring out the radiant qualities of the paper. Erasers can be magical means to draw and paint with luminous, translucent light. Various types of erasers are recommended on this list. Plan to begin with at least four different types so you can experience the subtle differences. Having a good set of erasers is as important as having a good set of paintbrushes!
Design Kneaded Rubber Eraser
A must have. This popular eraser kneads easily into any shape, erases cleanly, and picks up all residue. It's excellent for removing or highlighting pencil, chalk, charcoal, and pastel.
Sanford Magic Rub Eraser
A must have. It erases delicate drawings cleanly, without smudging.
Sanford Magic Rub Peel-Off Eraser Pencil
A must have. Same as the Sanford Magic Rub Eraser, but in paper-wrapped stick form. Great for detail work. Peel or sharpen with a pencil sharpener.
General's Factis Gum Eraser
This oval shaped white eraser is an all-purpose gum eraser that won't crumble or crack.
General's Factis Soft Black Eraser
A must have. General's Factis Soft Black Eraser is super-soft and easy to use. The difference is that it's colored black especially for erasing charcoal and graphite
Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser
This superior quality soft white eraser removes graphite marks cleanly and completely from paper.
Sharpeners, Tape and Fixatif:
Alvin Hand-Held Sharpener
A must have. Alvin makes this all-metal sharpener with two holes, one for standard size pencils (8 mm), and the other for large size pencils (10.5 mm). The larger hole is handy for careful sharpening of charcoal, pastels, and colored pencils.
X-Acto #2 Knife
Recommended to sharpen or shape interesting points and edges on drawing charcoals, graphite and their subsequent pencil forms. Number 2 knife and blade recommended to begin with.
Drafting Tape
A must have. Attach drawings to drawing boards. Repositionable, acid free, and easily removed. 60 yard roll on a 3" core.
Notes on Fixatif: The Yoga Drawing and Painting Philosophy is to only use fixatif when it is absolutely necessary. Always use outdoors – never inside! And please use sparingly both for the environment’s sake as well as not to destroy your art piece.
For the most part, it is recommended to tape newsprint to the fronts of drawings and paintings that could smear if touched or rubbed. Fixatif is important if you are getting a piece framed but otherwise taping clean newsprint to the front of your piece should do the trick. Here is a link for Canson 100% Recycled Newsprint
And here is a recommendation for fixatif:
Blue Label Reworkable Fixatif -- conforms to ASTM D 4236
Blue Label is a water-clear fixative prepared expressly for use on pastel and charcoal drawings. It gives maximum durability with the least change in tonal values. Blue Label dries to a matte finish that can be reworked.
Sketchpads and Artist’s Papers
and Drawing Boards:
Canson 100% Recycled Heavyweight Sketch Pad
18 inches by 24 inches recommended as a drawing pad. In addition the 14 inch by 11 inch size is recommended for use as a sketchbook/journal
Strathmore 400 Series Premium Recycled Paper Pads
Another recycled paper option. 18 inches by 24 inches recommended as a drawing pad. In addition the 14 inch by 11 inch size is recommended for use as a sketchbook/journal
Rives Papers – made from cotton
Any of the papers made by Rives are highly recommended and the favorite paper of for Yoga Drawing and Painting. Rives BFK is particularly amazing and can take much erasing and many layers of media. Great for drawings and paintings that are worked on for more than one day -- and up till many months.
Stonehenge Paper – made from cotton
Any of the papers made by Stonehenge are also highly recommended for Yoga Drawing and Painting. This paper has a smoother surface than Rives. Only experimentation will tell you if you like some texture and or smoothness to your paper. Stonehenge is also great for drawings and paintings that are worked on for more than one day and up till many months.
Mulberry Paper -- handmade from the inner fiber of the Mulberry
Mulberry is a translucent paper, delicate to the touch, yet very durable. It is a special treat to work with, particularly with fine graphite marks and water-media. Highly recommended to explore!
Notes on Drawing Boards:
If you choose to work with the Rives, Stonehenge or the Mulberry paper listed above you will need a drawing board to tape your paper to.
Drawing Board
Masonite is the Yoga Drawing and Painting surface of choice. The largest Masonite panel carried by Dick Blick is 24 inches x 30 inches. You can certainly have good results with this size board.
Otherwise your local home improvement center can provide and cut Masonite. If you go this route an approximately 29 inch x 36 inch board is recommended to begin with. You will most likely purchase a sheet of Masonite that will yield four of these boards. It is great to have four boards!
Tear Bars
You may also want a straight edge, i.e. a clean metal yardstick that you can use as a Tear Bar. A Tear Bar is used instead of cutting paper so that you get a softly frayed natural-looking deckle edge. Many people like to tear artist’s paper with a bar when they want to make smaller size sheets out of one sheet. You simply hold the Tear Bar down securely on the paper and then tear along the edge.
Fairgate Aluminum Straightedge – 36 inch length recommended to begin with as a Tear Bar.
Ink, Paint and Pastels
Note on Ink, Paint and Pastels:
Though there is never a “right” or “wrong” way to begin a drawing or painting the Yoga Drawing and Painting practice often begins with lines or strokes initiated with graphite or charcoal. Then water-media such as India ink or luminous casein milk paint is integrated. Some folks prefer to integrate soft powdered pastels. All these supplies are listed here for your convenience. Again, it is REALLY important to notice what art materials call out to you and begin there.
Pastels:
Prismacolor Soft Pastels
Good quality and very affordable. Any set recommended – see what calls to you.
Rembrandt Soft Pastel Sets
Highest quality pastels – half stick sets available to acquire more colors for the money. Any set recommended – see what calls to you
Inks and Ink Pens:
Bamboo Reed Pens
Durable bamboo shafts are hand carved into a shape that’s perfect for black line drawing. Each set includes 6”, 7”, and 8” size barrels with nibs that make a range of fine to heavy lines. Three pens per pack.
Sennelier India Ink
An intense black with exceptional density. Apply it with a brush, or dip pen to paper for stunning washes or precise lines.
Paint:
Rublev Watercolor:
The Rublev Watercolor line is created by the Natural Pigments company. George O'Hanlon, founder of Natural Pigments LLC has traveled the world in search of unique sources of pigment. He is an expert on the origins of pigments used by medieval and Renaissance artists as well as their revival by contemporary artists. His website is full of amazing information about the luminosity of naturally derived pigments.
Pigments that are respectively derived from nature offer Direct Experience with the elemental properties of the Earth. Not only are these pigments incredibly beautiful, they also support the artist in staying consciously connected to the Earth. Being consciously rooted to the Earth is the number one priority of Yoga Drawing and Painting!
The natural grain and stunning luminosity of the Rublev Watercolors make them an absolute favorite for Yoga Drawing and Painting! It is recommended to begin with Lapis Lazuli (the original ultramaring blue), one of the yellows and one of the reds as baseline primary colors. Please purchase any other colors that you are drawn to!
Holbein Artists' Watercolors:
Kirsten has been using Holbein Paints for 20 years. The Holbein watercolor collection contains many exceptional and brilliant colors that are not found in other watercolor lines. Regarding Yoga Drawing and Painting, the color vigor of the Holbein line is recommended as a great adjunct to the earthiness of the Rublev line. Blick Art Materials provides a color chart at the following url.
Paintbrushes:
Winsor & Newton Pointed Squirrel Mop Quill Series 250 – see notes on Raphaël Pure Squirrel Mops before purchasing) Sizes 1, 3 and 6 recommended to begin with. These brushes will last a very long time if cared for properly. These brushes perform with poetic grace regarding the water-media work done via Yoga Drawing and Painting.
Raphaël Pure Squirrel Mop Series 803 – higher quality alternate to the Winsor & Newton Brushes listed above.) These Raphaël brushes are about double the cost of the Winsor & Newton Squirrel Mops because they hold the largest amount of water and maintain the finest point. The Raphaël Squirrel Mop will point up for delicate, fine work or it may be used as a mop for broad watercolor wash strokes. Sizes 1, 3 and 6 recommended to begin with. This series also carries an 8. These brushes will last a very long time if cared for properly.
Holbein Hake Brush Series 292
1 inch and 2 inch brushes recommended to begin with.
Handmade in Japan with soft, white goat hair, these brushes are useful for blending water-media and painting bold lines via their flat edge.
Raphaël Kolinsky Red Sable Pointed Round Series 8404
Has a fantastic spring, snap, and color holding ability. Size 3 recommended to begin with. Excellent brush for fine detail work.
Palettes:
Note on Palettes: Some folks like to mix their paint on a butcher tray because it is one smooth surface with lots of room to glide the paint around. Some people need to glide their paint about to mix colors.
Other people like a water media palette to have compartments. Both types of palettes are listed out here.
P.S. Save yogurt or similar plastic containers to hold water for painting needs.
Butcher Tray Palette
These genuine Chinese trays are authentic replicas of the original American butcher trays. They have a convex center (water will run to the edge). Porcelain enamel over metal.
Masterson Super Pro Palette
Super Pro is one of Masterson's Sta-Wet Palettes, a series of palettes that are designed to help you keep your paints fresh while you are working. They're constructed of lightweight white plastic that cleans up easily.
Robert E. Wood Palette
This large, lightweight, covered palette keeps colors moist. The Robert E. Wood palette is really two palettes in one — the cover with its four extra large wells doubles as a palette.
Portfolio:
Lastly, a Portfolio to store your work so it stays well preserved! Here are two economical choices.
Folded Nylon Portfolios
32 inch by 42 inch recommended. An outstandingly cost-efficient means of protecting and transporting artwork, these quality portfolios are made with water-repellent, nylon fabric. When not in use, fold the portfolio up and store it neatly away.
Basic Portfolio
32 inch by 42 inch recommended. This basic, double zipper waterproof polypropylene portfolio was designed for the budget minded. It opens like a book and reliably transports your artwork between home and the classroom.
|
