Hey there, fellow creatives!
Do you hoard your expensive art supplies? I confess that I do to some extent. In my previous job (I am now self-employed), I earned a massive salary for which I am grateful even to this day. That salary allowed me to buy the best coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, and watercolour paints that I cannot afford today.
Back then, I bought the sets, and since these highest-grade materials are available in open stock, I can replace only the colours that I use up. But I haven't used up anything except acrylic paints and acrylic mediums. My acrylic paint brands are not recognised outside of this country, but we are fortunate that they still are of high quality.
I use all my art materials, but I am definitely not pulling out the Caran D'Ache museum aquarelles for group projects or sketchbook practice.
For artwork that does not need to be lightfast, I use student-grade materials, especially coloured pencils. When I use the big guns, I appreciate what they bring to my art to level it up to the highest level.
I have learned something valuable even with student-grade materials: my skills don't depend on the price of the materials. I can draw and paint with student-grade materials just as well, and maybe even better than with the best materials, because I don't rely on the materials to create but on my skills and continued practice to keep improving.
Until tomorrow!
When I get expensive supplies I guess I'm reluctant to use them because I'm used to the frugal life so it's a habit. But the things that are hard to get because of lack of supplies, I would be even more reluctant to use them. As for hoarding, apparently I do that because I thought I would use these brought supplies someday but I never get around to it and the next time I check on them, some of them had expired. So I guess hoarding is not a good as not everything can last for years.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
I totally get that. Until fairly recently I wasn't aware of that limited shelf life related to art materials, and that is a problem. I do think my pencils are okay, but it is the rest that made me stop buying so much until I finish what I have. Thank you for the reminder, Lissa. Hope you have an awesome weekend!
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