Massive Art Supply Haul From Blick | Nova Color | And More! Plus Swatching 

If you want more texture in your gesso there is a clear liquitex gesso that is slightly more textured. Some people say it's a big difference. Another option might be to use watercolor ground.

Pastel mess? I like to feel my colors, but I've started wearing some snug fitting disposable gloves for the soft pastels...esp with some colors containing cadmium or cobalt it's best to avoid skin contact. I also use a tabletop air filter that really helps with airborne dust. A face mask is another option, but they feel a bit annoying sometimes.

I like to use acrylic markers rather than paint bc there no leftover paint to wash down the sink or even much clean-up. I think your empty marker brand is Montana ...I have a few of their empty and paint filled ones. They're excellent.

I love Nova Color paints - they’re like the perfect texture and vibrancy.

What a fun haul! I have a couple of tips for you .... the inktense blocks have the color number embossed on one of the sides. I adore the Malabu markers. One thing I've found with using them is they are at their best on a gessoed surface. They smudge better and move better generally. Not sure why ... Love the permanence, only wish the line were as extensive as the Neocolors.

Unfortunate that shipping costs on Nova Paints are expensive. 5 paints was going to be 14.95 to ship plus taxes etc. too expensive for me

The empty paint markers are Montana brand. I love them.

Thanks for sharing! I think most artists have a weakness for buying art supplies...especially color media. It doesn't help that watercolors, for instance, look like little candies or Himi gouache? Looks like fruit & dessert flavored pudding. My last big buy was for one item...last fall when I spent $105 for the Sennelier Paris Collection of 120 soft half stick pastels for a pastel course I was taking.This was a "couldn't resist price"...some sort of a promo. Now that same set is $160! If you're into soft pastels, I can tell you these are some most gorgeous and vivid colors I've ever seen in any color medium. But there are even more expensive brands from smaller makers that I didn't think I could afford to indulge in...and I still need to complete the online course 😮And then it's best to buy the sanded paper that the pastels adhere to much better...and it's also very pricey. Yes, creating art can be an expensive habit!

I'm not much into acrylic but seeing all this paint and the swatches is just ao tempting! I was doing so well on my no buy this year until my family gifted me some "paint money" and I've been out of control since 😅💔

Loving my novacolor paints. I must order more!! I’ve been trying to find the pigment info for NovaColor and I can’t find the info anywhere. I’ve reached out to the company and haven’t heard back.

The thicker you put Inktense on the surface will move. I also found it more common with the blocks than the pencils. Personally I prefer the pencils.

I also do not like the feel of soft pastels…and clay…though there is some sort of hand cream that is supposedly to help block that…liquid gloves or something like that.

what a gorgeous haul, thank you for sharing ☺☺

I'm so curious to know if the nova colors are light fast! I'm so sad that they don't say it on the bottle :⁠'⁠(