Inspired by our featured artist, whose first commissions began as a way to help a friend in need, this box celebrates the starting points that shape every creative journey. Reflect on where your own artistic story began and use those memories to inspire your artwork.
Inside the box, you’ll find ArtGraf Graphite Putty, a Derwent Graphitone Stick, a Derwent Graphic Pencil in 13B, a Pentel Clic Eraser, a cat’s tongue paintbrush and watercolour paper.
Paul (b. 1975) is an English based artist from Liverpool. With no formal qualifications besides the obligatory GCSE’s, he is a self-taught hobbyist artist. From an early age, he was always found with a pencil in hand drawing his favourite comic book characters (and still dabbles in the occasional superhero piece when the urge strikes!) Portrait work began roughly 17 years ago when his now wife asked for a drawing of her dog, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Concentrating on domestic animals and people, he has also been known, when commissioned, to create pieces of wild animals too. He works primarily with graphite but has recently branched out into pastels and charcoal. When not drawing, he spends his time looking after his various pets and playing the ukulele.
Instagram: @bainbridgedoghouseartstudio
Facebook: The Bainbridge Doghouse Art Studio
This box is inspired by our featured artist whose first commissions were portraits of beloved dogs created to help a friend in need. Every artist has a starting point, whether it’s a favourite subject, a cherished memory, or the moment they first discovered their creativity. Reflect on where your own artistic journey began and let it inspire your artwork.
ArtGraf Drawing Putty is a soft, malleable putty saturated with graphite. It can be constantly remoulded to draw in any way you like. It’s also water soluble allowing you to create a range in marks and tones. You can blend, mix with other water soluble mediums, sketch, smudge, create washes and pretty much everything in between. A great medium for encouraging freedom in creativity. RRP £10.99
These beautifully dense and versatile water-soluble graphite are available in 4 wash strengths from a light to a very dark wash. They come in a pencil form, making them easy to use just you would a traditional pencil,. They can be broken down to use for more expressive work- Peel off the wrapper to create broad and expressive sweeps of tone really quickly. It’s protective wrap simply peels away to expose as much or as little graphite as you need. And because the entire stick is 100% useable material, it’s very economical too. RRP £2.75
Derwent Graphic is a dark and smudgy 13B. Ideal for illustrations or tonal drawings, as well as expressive sketching and technical drawing techniques This pencil has hexagonal, 6.9 mm diameter barrel, with a 3.5mm core. The graphite is easy-to-sharpen and golds a point well. . It’s Highly lightfast for long-lasting artwork. RRP £1.60
This eraser is a slim shape for precision erasing. It’s from Pentel is a pen-shaped eraser with transparent protective sleeve. It comes complete with a ratchet system to pull the eraser in and out at your convenience. Also features a handy pocket clip. It’s also refillable with ZER-2 eraser refills available from Pentel. RRP £3.69
This unusual paintbrush features a three-sided, prism-shaped head that tapers towards a fine point. Each face and edge can produce a different type of mark, allowing you to move between broader strokes, crisp lines and precise details with a single brush. Experiment with rotating the brush as you work to discover a variety of expressive shapes, textures and directional marks. RRP £6.49
This hot-pressed watercolour paper has a smooth, slightly off-white surface that is ideal for seamless blending, controlled gradients and finely detailed illustrations.
The 200gsm paper pairs beautifully with watercolour and water-soluble graphite, while also accommodating other water-based media such as gouache and lightly applied acrylic. Each A5 pad contains 10 sheets ready for experimentation. RRP £3.49
