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Coloring Books I'm loving in June

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Coloring Books I'm loving in June Well winter is here in Australia and it seemed to come in fits and starts althroughout Autumn - so none of us were suprised! I'm not typically someone who colors based on season but the inside time, staying out of the rain is a great excuse to color. Below is a quick run down of what I've been drawn to in June for adult coloring purposes and why I love them. All of these books are available now on Amazon and other great bookstores and outlets. To purchase any of these books, just click the picture and you will be taken straight to amazon.com (NOTE: these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase - at no cost to you of course. If you're an Australian click HERE)  and search for your favourite titles) Rooms of Wonder by Johanna Basford CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE Johanna Basford is a mainstay in the adult coloring book world and her most recent book (but not that recent; it was released in November 2022) is a...

Arrtx 126 Artist Grade Colored Pencils - Pencil Review

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  Pencil Review Arrtx Artist Colored Pencils 126 Set Arrtx 126 Colored Pencils Set  In the pencil world, like the real world, it's safe to say that primarily you get what you pay for and I am a huge advocate of this mantra. Typically, if you invest in a good set of colored pencils you will be rewarded with righ pigments, tight quality control and consistent results.  So imagine my surprise when Arrtx came on the scene - a company offering pencils at lower prices that are also marketed as 'artist grade' and rumoured to be a pretty even match for a PRISMACOLOR Premier.  Like a lot of artists I did a double take and because I'm not a fan of hype, I waited until they were on sale before I bought the Arrtx 72 set.  Needless to say I was incredibly impressed and in the 12 months I've been using my 72 set, I have recommended them to everyone who asks. Today I'm going to take you through the reasons I love Arrtx pencils, the drawbacks I've found and the colors avail...

The History of the Humble Pencil

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The History of Pencil Manufacturing  - and Why You Should Care. The history of pencil manufacturing dates back to ancient civilizations, where the Egyptians and Romans used metal styluses to write on papyrus and wax tablets. However, it was not until the 16th century that the first wooden pencil was created. In 1565, a huge deposit of graphite was discovered in Cumberland, England. Graphite, a naturally occurring form of carbon, was ideal for writing because it left a darker mark than lead or other metals. Lumps of graphite were sawn into sticks, wrapped in string or sheepskin, and used as a writing instrument. In the 18th century, the French chemist, Nicholas-Jacques Conte, discovered that mixing ground graphite with clay could create a more uniform and durable pencil. This invention revolutionized pencil manufacturing, and the modern pencil, as we know it today, was born. Throughout the 19th century, the pencil-making industry continued to develop. In 1812, William Monroe of Mas...

My Favourite Pencils and Why

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  My 7 Favourite Colored Pencils and Why I have used and loved a lot of pencils in my journey as a colorist and even today, the most popular question I am asked is 'which pencils should I buy?'  And while there are thousands of brands and styles of pencils available in the world today, I have narrowed down my list of favourites to help you choose where to start when buying pencils. So no matter your budget or style, check out these 7 Colored Pencil Brands and find something thats just right for you. Click on the headings or pictures for accurate pricing for all sets. * Affiliate Disclaimer. This post contains amazon affiliate links and I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click on them. 1. Arrtx Artist Pencils Arrtx 72 Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring  For the price you pay for Arrtx colored pencils, they pack a whole lot of punch. Beautiful quality control so all of the pencils look the same with uniform markings and colors. The pigment lay down o...