Tools
I use wood glue most of the time but when I want to make sure objects are held firmly in place, especially small objects, I use epoxy. I have used several brands of epoxy over the years and this is by far my favorite. It is easy to dispense and mix.
Back in the late 70s, 1977 I believe, when I was attending Ricks College (now known as BYU Idaho), I bought this nice tackle box to use as an art tool box. 46 years later I still have and use it and it contains much of the original paraphernalia I put in it back in those days.
I purchased a jeweler's saw with some extra blades, bench v-block, and a sanding jig from Micromark. Since I don’t have the space or the use of my scroll saw the jeweler's saw is welcome tool. The sanding jig will help me to keep cut edges true. The bench v-block will aid in cutting small intricate pieces.
I used the jeweler's saw to cut the circle of MDF at the top of the picture. It was smooth cutting and I was able to follow along the line with not much trouble. I was able to clean up the edges and smooth them with a sanding block.
Not really a tool but I use this stuff to fill nail holes and gaps in wood. It dries fairly quick and is easy to sand smooth. A piece of I’m working on slipped out of my grip and fell to the floor and smashed one of the corners so I’m using some of this stuff to try and rebuild the corner.
The lids of these cans of wood filler are always upside down from the label.
I like to use the Natural color since I mostly use poplar and pine.
I got this old hunk of metal from my father-law. When I’m laminating small pieces of paper I use this bar to as a weight to keep the lamination flat. I also use it as a clamp when I’m gluing small pieces together or needing to straighten slightly bend wood while the glue is setting. I also use it to hold small sheets and pieces of MDF in place when I’m cutting with a hand saw.
6.75 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches (17 x 5.7 x 5.7 cm) | 9.7 lb (4.4 kg)
Google keep is one of the handiest tools I have in my art tool box. It makes it easy for me to keep track of ideas for art projects, tool settings, things I want to look up and research, idea sketches, art techniques I find in publication and even art supply shopping lists. For example I have running lists of art project and title ideas that I can quickly record as I think of them. I can either key them in or use my S-pen to jot them down or record them by voice.
I use this brush when I want to achieve smooth painting on small objects. I use my other rough brushes when I want to achieve more textured and sloppy work. This brush is also the one brush that is the easiest to clean. I don’t remember where I got this brush from. I think it was given to me.
#10 Protege 546 Flat(Extra Long)
Fine bristles and easy to clean.
Salt Lake County has a great library system as does the Salt Lake City Library system. I checked out a few books to read and look at. Since I don’t have an opportunity to see much art in person that I am interested in this will have to be the next best thing as well as what is available online.
All these books in the picture below are inspiring in various areas. The one titled Hand-In-Hand is particularly inspiring in that a married couple who were faithful and devoted to each other were able to work together successfully and stay married. And they produced fabulous products.
The older books about Robert Motherwell, Frank Stella, and Sonia Delaunay are from the Salt Lake City main library. The one titled Hand-in-Hand is from the Salt Lake County Library system and is one I requested be purchased.
When it comes to digital work I use a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 tablet with S-Pen. I use Infinite Painter for Android by Infinite Studio. I also have a vector app called Infinite Designer also by Infinite Studio but I don’t use it much these days except for the occasional quick idea drawing.
Galaxy Tab S7 with S-Pen. I have the Infinite Painter launch screen open that allows me to choose current and recent projects I have been working on. From here I can also see past projects and create a new project.
Over 40 years later this pencil is one of the most used tools in my art toolbox. I have a nifty sharpener that quickly gives the graphite rod a fine sharp point. An extra bonus is the graphite dust left behind without any wood shavings. I have used the dust as a shading medium. Many years ago I used the dust as a painting medium mixed with rubber cement thinner. I was given the idea by one of my college instructors Richard Bird. When brushed on paper the rubber cement thinner evaporates quickly leaving the dry graphite dust which needs to be fixed to the surface with some kind of fixative. You end up with a wash and water color effect.
Gramercy all metal graphite holder. Pushing the button on the opposite end releases the graphite rod so it can be sharpened.
Castell 42 sharpener.
Graphite dust on the left and a smudge on the right made by dipping a piece of paper towel in the dust and rubbing it into the wood.
This orbital sander is a hand saver. Sanding small items by hand with a sanding block works well but this device is much faster when working on larger surfaces like this panel from an older piece I decided to rework.
Here is a picture of paint spreaders and scrapers I use. They are mostly bits of card stock from discarded boxes that my pump supplies come. I can cut them to any width and shape. Simple but effective. There is also a plastic card that serves more purpose now as a spreader/scraper than what it was originally intended for.
