Birthday Goodies

It was my birthday on Saturday and I had some very nice presents that I thought I would share with you.

1.  Spectrum 18 – £16.99

I know, a year late but better late than never. Spectrum 19 will be out in November and I hope to get that. I haven’t had much of a chance to look through it properly but from what I’ve seen I highly recommend it. I knew a fair few of the artists but there were a lot that I didn’t know and I’m looking forward to researching them more.

2. Drew Struzan: Oeuvre – £19.49

Another great book, hardback with excellent reproductions.

3. Daylight Lamp – £50

My current lamp that I use to paint with is quite old and I’m always afraid of turning it on in case it shocks me. I’ve wanted this lamp for a while but it was quite expensive and has only recently come down enough for me feel OK with asking for it as a birthday present.

I’ve used it for a about a week and I’m loving it. A good range of movement, well made with a nice heavy base. The light could do with being a fraction brighter but that’s a small quibble. The head is wide so gives great light distribution. You’ll find yourself tightening up the head a lot if you keep moving it but once I’ve got it in the right position I rarely move the head just the arms. And of course it’s a daylight bulb so none of that warm yellow light from normal bulbs that throw the colour of your painting off.

I highly recommend this if you have £50 and need a lamp for painting by.

4. Ammo Tin – £7

For my birthday we went for a trip to Harlech castle. After we’d been round the castle we went in to Harlech and found a second hand shop.  Just outside was this ammo tin… I bought it immediately. It’s just so cool! I haven’t found a worthy use for it yet. At the moment I’m keeping my painting stuff in it but I’m sure it could be better used.

4. “Loomis Figure Drawing for all its Worth” and “Drawing the Head and Hands” – £38.98 (for both)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technically I didn’t get these as a birthday presents but I did get them around my birthday. Most of Andrew Loomis’ books have been re-published now so I thought I would start buying them as they’re probably some of the best drawing reference books available. Next on my list is “Creative Illustration”

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