Everlasting Star Paint Brushes

This set of brushes from Everlasting Star comes with 15 brushes of various sizes plus a carrying case with a pop up stand to help with drying. These brushes have long handles. I tested them with Acrylics and Watercolors. The coating on the bristles was easily removed after soaking in water, but the case absolutely reeked. I washed it twice with soap and water and let it dry thoroughly and I can still smell it from across the room.

The brush types include:

- Filbert Brush - Sizes 9, 4

- Angle Brush - Sizes 12, 10, 5, 2

- Round Brush - Sizes 8, 7, 3, 1, 1/0

- Flat Brush - Sizes 11, 6

- Fan Brush - Size 0

- Rigger Brush - Size 3/0

The handles were very comfortable to hold. The brushes held paint well, and laid the paint down nicely. I enjoying using them. I usually use much smaller brushes, but I kept reaching for these. The didn't lose any fibers and didn't tear up my paper. They were also easy to clean. 

I would recommend these brushes for artists, students, crafters, and kids. I would give these brushes 4 out of 5 stars. I love them and they work nicely, but the case still smells awful.

Grab a set here.

I received this product at a discount. This review is 100% honest, unbiased, and my own. 

~Crystal Vicious

Acrylics For Days!

I have been arting like crazy this past month. Even though Acrylics are one of my least favorite mediums, I have been using a ton of them. I've been trying out a bunch of awesome supplies from U.S. Art Supply. I honestly haven't stopped painting! Today I am going to talk about a spiral pad of 9" x 12" Extra Heavy-Weight 246 Pound Acrylic Painting Paper. These 12 pages come on a spiral notebook.

I loved that I could flip the cover over, and sketch right inside the book. The paper has a nice smooth texture and I enjoyed drawing on it. The pages are an off white color. It held up to an eraser better than other papers.

I was unable to tear the page out because the paper is so thick. I had to use scissors to cut the page out after I was done sketching. I usually prefer paper that has perforated edges so I can tear my paper off easily. The spiral is a pro and a con at the same time. I love the thickness of this paper. It is stiff and strong and held a lot of paint. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it for students, artists, and crafters. It is a great value.

Time Lapse of Painting with Acrylic.

Grab this on Amazon.

I received this product at a discount. This review is 100% honest, unbiased, and my own. 

~Crystal Vicious

A Week of Watercolor!

Watercolors are one of my favorite mediums, but I haven't worked with actual Watercolor paper for a long time. U.S. Art Supply has all types of paper, this one being a 9" x 12" Heavy-Weight (140 lb) Watercolor Paper Pad. Let's get painting!

I started small and painted a birthday card for my friend. I tend to be heavy handed and will take up a lot of fibers because I ALWAYS manage to use too much water and too much force in ONE spot. This paper was pretty tough and held up well. 

It absorbed colors nicely and I liked the thickness and tooth of the paper. Two of the four edges were a bit ragged. This must be from how the pages are cut. It's not a deal breaker for me, since the stuff I paint will be matted and framed, so the edges will not be seen.

For quite some time I have been wanting to use masking fluid. I was excited to try it out on a paper that would be able to hold up through the process. The masking fluid went down smoothly. I took a video when I removed it. I was surprised at how well it worked out being my first time and all. I couple parts of the paper came up, but I was being rough...and didn't have all the correct tools.

Time lapse of removing masking fluid from watercolor paper. 

I was able to touch up all the spots that came up with the masking fluid. I am very pleased with how well this worked out, so I will definitely experiment more with this technique. I give this paper 4 out of 5 stars. It's good quality paper and a good value as well. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to try new paper.

Grab some on Amazon.

I received this item at a discount. This review is 100% honest, unbiased, and my own. 

~Crystal Vicious