Purchasing a stamp set can be an investment if you are on a budget. It is helpful if it can be used for different occasions or holidays. This Sweet Snowman by Penny Black is a great example of versatility. I created these as Christmas cards but this little guy can also be used for a winter birthday, anniversary or congratulations. Or if you know someone who just loves snowman, he can easily be used all year. So next time you pull out a stamp set or consider purchasing one, consider what types of cards, occasions or even mixed media art they might be used in. An old artist caveat is>>>>if you can use it at least 3 different ways it is probably a good purchase.
I will endeavor over the course of the next year to provide ideas for using what you have, shopping your stash, stretching your dollars and thinking outside of the creative box. You don’t have to always purchase the latest/greatest new or most expensive art supply on the market. Believe it or not, I enjoy using my Crayola Pencils just as much as my Prismacolors. One is very affordable, one is on the pricey side but I can usually get similar results with both. These snowmen were colored with a Crayola Pencil Set. My secret to colored pencils is to have a good blender pencil on hand to smooth out my strokes. Easily makes my Prismacolors & Crayolas look surprisingly similar in results.
I have often heard it said to buy the best you can afford. After a lifetime of creating, I am not convinced that’s a good statement. I can often get similar results from all price points of art supplies. There are some cheap supplies that are truly cheap & you can’t do much with them. But there are some that produce fabulous results for little money. Now if I was a fine artist I might be more concerned about pigment levels & quality. But I’m not Picasso nor do I exhibit in galleries. I create for the joy of creating & blessing others.
Stay tuned in the weeks ahead for more Budget & Stash Stretcher ideas.
Find some time to be creative this week.
I love that little snowman. Where can I get him? What blending pencil did you use and where can I find it?
You can find the snowman at http://shop.pennyblackinc.com/p/sweet-snowman. You can find Prismacolor blenders at Hobby Lobby in the art department near the colored pencils. They come in a package of 2. The package will say Prismacolor Blender Pencil Colorless.