Watercolor Sticks & Markers

[BeaSue]

Hi, guys,

I am looking for fun new (and easy) techniques in watercolor for the workshop I'll be teaching in March 2019. I need to come up with a supply list and purchase my supplies during the church's 2018 budget year. I've been wondering about Winsor & Newton's watercolor sticks and watercolor markers, but have never used either of these. I like that one can purchase individual colors, since I'm trying to stick to a simple, limited palette.

Does anyone have experience with watercolor sticks or markers?

Thanks!

[MaryAnne Long]

Oh, Susan, this sounds like a delightful experience for you.  Good that you have a budget for supplies and are planning in advance.  I always buy the product for me first and get familiar with it before I order anything for my class.  Have had to scrap a couple things because they would just not be workable with my seniors and/or the facility we use.

I have no experience with the watercolor sticks or markers so cannot advise.  It is good that you can buy them in individual colors because I have found that when I buy "sets," certain colors get used up quickly and I am left with lots of undesirable colors.

Please post what you decide on and how it works.  I may try some with my senior citizens class.  I bought the Dr. PH Martin India Ink s for them and they love them for doing abstracts.

They also like using the ARTEZA WOODLESS watercolor pencils.  The 24-pack has some great colors.  Because they are woodless, the entire pencil is usable color.  Very economical.  Love their denim blue color.

Good luck with this. 

Aloha

MaryAnne

[BeaSue]

Thanks, Mea. (Or do you prefer Mary Anne now?)

I agree that it's a good idea to buy some individual items and test them out first. I've been watching YouTube videos on several types of products, which is a helpful start.

[Val]

This is probably late, but thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

I haven't used any markers and have extremely limited knowledge of the sticks. I bought a small set of  Daniel Smith w/c a couple of years ago. With the purchase the shop gave me a couple of the Daniel Smith sticks to try. It could have been due to the environment I was in, but they turned hard as rock and one of them actually went moldy after about one month. The tube paints were fine. I did throw out the sticks, but even while in a usable state I can't say I was at all thrilled with them. Anyway, take it with a grain of salt as I said it may just have been an environment thing.
I did have a few bits of W&N w/c sticks given to me while in Roatan and found them interesting to use, but doubt I would ever buy any. I gave them to a young cruising girl. I'm just happy with my W&N tubes. Geez.... does that make me old fashioned?       

[njnjgirl]

I have watercolor markers but have only used them in a mixed media painting, using them like I would a regular marker.  If you plan to use them for small art projects they might be fun.