Let's talk about pencil sharpeners! I must sharpen 50 or more pencils a day and most sharpeners break 3 months into the school year! Students get frustrated when their pencil lead is dull or the lead just falls! This electric pencil sharpener I have found to be the best but, buy the office depot warranty so at any time you can exchange for a new one! There have been a few problems with sharpener just stopping mid-way through. I have brought it back and exchanged for a brand new one. It is worth the extra $10.00! When it does work (which is 90% of the time) it is amazing!
Pros Cons
Sharpens to a point Sometimes sharpener does not sharpen all the way
Quietly sharpens
Stops when sharpened
Easy to clean
My choice of paintbrushes for Elementary students are the Royal Langnickel Big Kid's choice gripper. The red flats are comfortable to handle and have high quality Taklon brushes. These brushes are used for acrylic paints. They come in 3 sizes. The green rounds we love for watercolors or glazing pottery. Easy to handle, sharp point for details and again good quality of hair. These brushes if washed properly have lasted us for three years with 300+ students! I purchase these brushes from Dick Blick art supplies http://www.dickblick.com/products/royal-langnickel-big-kids-choice-72-piece-class-packs/ or at Molly Hawkins Discount art supplies http://www.mollyhawkins.com
Pros Cons
High quality bristles
Short handle easy for child use
Bristles do not separate or fall out
Maintains shape over time
Soft grip Over time the grip will peel off
Acrylic paint washes out of brush
Strong ferrule
Drawing paper and watercolor paper is made at Molly Hawkins Wholesale www.mollyhawkins.com. They have good quality drawing paper in a variety of weights and sizes. Watercolor paper has a nice tooth and weight. I have included some pictures where students used oil and soft pastels on one paper and drawing pencil on another. In reviewing the drawing paper here are a few pros and cons:
Pros Cons
9" x 12" 117b draw paper is only $28.40-500 ream
Available in different weights and sizes
Discount on 6+ reams no bid orders this is the discount
Sends samples in catalog
Takes different kinds of mediums
Soft pastels and oil pastels glide on and stay
Value is able to be achieved with pencil (not too slick)
In a pinch was used for watercolor and acrylic some curling not bad.
Aah watercolors! Students love to use them! Some could be very bright others dark and opaque. Over the years I have moved from one product to the next but, have always come back to Crayola washable watercolors. Crayola is used for everything except for opaque coverage then we use Prang. Here are the differences between both palettes:
Crayola Washable Prang WC pan sets
$1.99 8 ct pan- Target $3.99 8 ct pan- Dick Blick
Semi-opaque Opaque
Works well with resist techniques Too much coverage on resist
Medium quality on paint durability and last Excellent quality
Vibrant colors 8 and 16 colors Dark colors not too vibrant
 |
| Crayola washable watercolors |
 |
| Crayola washable watercolors |
 |
| Prang watercolors |
No comments:
Post a Comment