Keeping a Colour Bible - A swatch haven

We as artists are true collectors of art supplies, in all various forms and shades. I can honestly tell you Ive gone into a supply store picked several new pencils feeling really pleased with myself coming home and finding out that I already have most of these colours already. This has happened more than I want to admit publicly.

With a little inspiration from the lovely Jane Davenport, I decided it was time I created a common place where I had all my supplies with their corresponding colour codes so that when I skipped into an art supply store I knew exactly what I already had at home! and no doubles were bought unless needed.

I decided to pick a book that was easily transportable so that it would fit into most handbags I carry.

I tried my supplies on different papers till I found how they looked best then used that book. I ruled my pages in a grid format and sorted my supplies into a semi rainbow formation. I then started shading each square along with a colour code. Each brand has their own labeling system and I just used their codes to label my squares.

This has been such a useful thing to do, I haven't even really fully filled my book and I have already used it to help me purchase new colours I don't already have.

I have more markers than I know what to do with, from my vibrant and bright Mepxy markers, to my lush watercolour markers, so this book will become a haven for me and will be used for many years to come.

 

So if you are a complete supply junkie like myself, I highly suggest creating one of these hand little books for your supplies, not only as a colour reference but also to know what you have and what you don't have in way of colour palettes and shades.

I'll see you next week with a tutorial!

Courtney Diaz