2019 Top Ten Favorites
It's a bit belated, but after much thought, I compiled a list of my favorite art products and services for 2019! Some are new and some are just new to me, but I think there's plenty for yall to enjoy.
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Sponsor a review by buying something from my wishlist
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Most of the products on this list have already been reviewed or have tutorials that utilize them. Artnerds received these videos awhile back, and they're currently being queued to go live. Join the Artnerd community on Patreon to gain early access to video reviews and tutorials!
Strathmore Colored Mixed Media Papers
Toned Tan
Black
Working on a colored base makes illustrations in opaque media pop off the paper! I even love using alcohol markers and gouache on the Strathmore Toned Tan mixed media paper.
Strathmore's colored drawing papers have been around for awhile, but the mixed media equivalents are very new to Strathmore's paper lineup. The black mixed media paper is the newest addition, and is great with color pencils like Polychromos.
Faber-Castell's Albrecht Durer watercolor markers
There're a lot of watercolor markers on the market, but most are dye based. Faber-Castell's Albrecht Durer watercolor markers are water soluble India ink, so not only are they going to move easily with water, but your art will be lightfast for years to come.
Stonehenge Legion Aqua watercolor papers
Coldpress
Hotpress
Black
The coldpress is a great workhorse cottonrag watercolor paper- sturdy and easy to use- not a fussy paper.
The hot press is the best hotpress I've ever used- smooth texture that's great for inking, but can take layers and layers of watercolor.
The black watercolor paper is just as nice as the hotpress and coldpress, and the dyes used in the manufacturing process seem to be quite stable. This paper is amazing for opaque watercolor techniques.
Zenpop Stationary Box
I've been disappointed by subscription art boxes in the past, but the Zenpop Stationery boxes really deliver! Cute stickers, notebooks, washi tapes, pencils, and more, delivered to your door each month!
I had a sub from January until May, and was thrilled with the contents of my five boxes.
Check out the unboxing streams on Youtube!
January 2019
February 2019
April 2019
May 2019
July 2019
Pentel Tradio Stylo Sketch Pen
I've reviewed a LOT of pens over the years- technical pens, brush pens, fountain pens, and the Tradio Stylo offers something unique! A plastic nibbed fountain pen that's fun for sketching and handlettering! Refillable with rich black ink, inkflow is consistent and immediate.
Shizen pre cut watercolor paper
Hot Press
Cold Press
Inexpensive cottonrag watercolor paper that's amazing for wet into wet techniques. A bit softer than standard mould-made paper and doesn't contain much sizing, so it takes getting used to. If you enjoy coldpress watercolor paper, I recommend going with the hot press for this one.
Molotov Chrome Marker
There's a lot of metallic markers out there, but this one really delivers the chrome! If you use it on a non porous surface, you'll get a shiny, mirror like effect! Even on porous surfaces, it still stands out well. Molotov Chrome markers utilize an alcohol solvent, so are not marker proof, but are indelible to water. Can be removed with rubbing alcohol.
Tombow Adhesive Tape Runners
Not just for crafters, adhesive tape runners are great for artists and stationery fans! Your paper won't buckle, and Tombow's runners are available in both
Permanent
and
Removable
versions! I love using these for mixed media marker art!
Tombow Fudenosuke Color Brushpens (Discord Suggestion)
I love adding a pop of color to the inked linework in my illustrations, and Tombow Fudenosuke brushpens are alcohol marker safe! The smaller brushes on these pens are easy to use, and available in a rainbow of color!
Honorable Mentions:
Colored Pitt Pens (Twitter suggestion)
These colorful pens are lightfast, available in a huge array of colors, and available with a wide array of tip options, from fixed width felt tips to brushes and even soft chisel tips.
Stillman and Birn sketchbooks (Twitter suggestion)
These are super popular with artists! Available in several paper colors (I love the ivory!) and many paper types and finishes, Stillman and Birn has a sketchbook that's perfect for your favorite media! A bit pricy,
Other Awesome Art Supplies:
2018 Top Ten
Want to help support more reviews?
Sponsor a review by buying something from my wishlist
Sponsor a review by tipping on Ko-Fi
Help sponsor reviews and tutorials by subscribing on Patreon!
Most of the products on this list have already been reviewed or have tutorials that utilize them. Artnerds received these videos awhile back, and they're currently being queued to go live. Join the Artnerd community on Patreon to gain early access to video reviews and tutorials!
 |
| This piece represents several of the products on this list! Strathmore Toned Tan Mixed Media Paper, inked with Pitt Pens, colored with Albrecht Durer Watercolor Markers, Pitt Pens, and Polychromos Pencils. |
Strathmore Colored Mixed Media Papers
Toned Tan
Black
Working on a colored base makes illustrations in opaque media pop off the paper! I even love using alcohol markers and gouache on the Strathmore Toned Tan mixed media paper.
Strathmore's colored drawing papers have been around for awhile, but the mixed media equivalents are very new to Strathmore's paper lineup. The black mixed media paper is the newest addition, and is great with color pencils like Polychromos.
Faber-Castell's Albrecht Durer watercolor markers
There're a lot of watercolor markers on the market, but most are dye based. Faber-Castell's Albrecht Durer watercolor markers are water soluble India ink, so not only are they going to move easily with water, but your art will be lightfast for years to come.
Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Hotpress and Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress
Stonehenge Legion Aqua watercolor papers
Coldpress
Hotpress
Black
The coldpress is a great workhorse cottonrag watercolor paper- sturdy and easy to use- not a fussy paper.
The hot press is the best hotpress I've ever used- smooth texture that's great for inking, but can take layers and layers of watercolor.
The black watercolor paper is just as nice as the hotpress and coldpress, and the dyes used in the manufacturing process seem to be quite stable. This paper is amazing for opaque watercolor techniques.
Zenpop Stationary Box
I've been disappointed by subscription art boxes in the past, but the Zenpop Stationery boxes really deliver! Cute stickers, notebooks, washi tapes, pencils, and more, delivered to your door each month!
I had a sub from January until May, and was thrilled with the contents of my five boxes.
Check out the unboxing streams on Youtube!
January 2019
February 2019
April 2019
May 2019
July 2019
Pentel Tradio Stylo Sketch Pen
I've reviewed a LOT of pens over the years- technical pens, brush pens, fountain pens, and the Tradio Stylo offers something unique! A plastic nibbed fountain pen that's fun for sketching and handlettering! Refillable with rich black ink, inkflow is consistent and immediate.
 |
| Watercolor on Shizen Hotpress watercolor paper |
Shizen pre cut watercolor paper
Hot Press
Cold Press
Inexpensive cottonrag watercolor paper that's amazing for wet into wet techniques. A bit softer than standard mould-made paper and doesn't contain much sizing, so it takes getting used to. If you enjoy coldpress watercolor paper, I recommend going with the hot press for this one.
Molotov Chrome Marker
There's a lot of metallic markers out there, but this one really delivers the chrome! If you use it on a non porous surface, you'll get a shiny, mirror like effect! Even on porous surfaces, it still stands out well. Molotov Chrome markers utilize an alcohol solvent, so are not marker proof, but are indelible to water. Can be removed with rubbing alcohol.
 |
| This piece represents several products! Kara and papers were adhered with a Tombow Permanent taperunner, Kara was inked with Tombow Fudenosuke brushpens. |
Tombow Adhesive Tape Runners
Not just for crafters, adhesive tape runners are great for artists and stationery fans! Your paper won't buckle, and Tombow's runners are available in both
Permanent
and
Removable
versions! I love using these for mixed media marker art!
Tombow Fudenosuke Color Brushpens (Discord Suggestion)
I love adding a pop of color to the inked linework in my illustrations, and Tombow Fudenosuke brushpens are alcohol marker safe! The smaller brushes on these pens are easy to use, and available in a rainbow of color!
Honorable Mentions:
Colored Pitt Pens (Twitter suggestion)
These colorful pens are lightfast, available in a huge array of colors, and available with a wide array of tip options, from fixed width felt tips to brushes and even soft chisel tips.
Stillman and Birn sketchbooks (Twitter suggestion)
These are super popular with artists! Available in several paper colors (I love the ivory!) and many paper types and finishes, Stillman and Birn has a sketchbook that's perfect for your favorite media! A bit pricy,
Other Awesome Art Supplies:
2018 Top Ten
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