So, on Friday of last week, I finished a sketch for a gift, for some friends who are getting married. Soon I realized that I didn't have the proper pens to do any inking for watercoloring after. All my pro-watercolorist buddies really recommended Microns, and since I had worked with Microns before, I knew they were good quality, and they were really what I wanted.
Husband and I set off on an adventure throughout town to find these elusive Microns. We went to to 3 different stores in town, that I knew sold different kinds of art supplies. Luckily these stores weren't completely fruitless! I had found a couple of supplies that I could use, and really wanted!
Eraser pencil, white gel pen, clicky eraser, and skinny tiny brush. Bought at Müller for $10.34 |
But, I still couldn't find these elusive Micron pens! I knew I could go with them, or Pitt pens, but I didn't really know of any others that would be suitable for the work I was planning on doing.
So I heard of a craft store (Idee) in Nuremberg (about 45 minutes away), so I made husband go with me. We traveled up to Nuremberg, found the craft store, hidden among all the stores on the shopping street in downtown Nuremberg. It was fairly large, we went inside. I couldn't spot any pens that would be suitable for inking, and then watercoloring. I was so disappointed, I almsot wanted to cry. I thought that this meaningless 45 minute trip, and kind of stressful downtown streets was going to be pointless.
I asked one of the people who worked there, if they spoke English (and Germans will always say "a little bit" or "no" whether or not they speak it fluently or not. lol). She said "a little bit" so I showed her a photo, and asked about pens that would work with watercolors, she pointed out copics, but all they had there was the brush pens, that really wasn't going to work for me. She began to get a bit frustrated and then just pointed me to another store.
At this new store (Kaut-Bullinger), which just had paper, pens, and other random school supplies. I finally found these Copics (first photo above). But I really wasn't sure if they would work out. I needed to try them out on some watercolor paper. Because you never really know how a pen is going to react to certain paper without trying it first. That and a lot of the products were in German so I didn't understand what a lot of the pens were "meant" for.
Husband and I found this small pad of Watercolor paper (Which cost me 5euro, sigh) to try out the pens on. The copics were a go, but I knew they were going to be expensive, so we kept looking a little bit to find out if there were other pens available that would work for me. No luck.
Like I said, I knew that the Copics were going to be expensive, but I had no idea that they were going to cost me nearly $50!! ($47.27). I had to purchase the pad too, I was thinking about not buying it, but, I am too honest. LOL. And that shit is expensive. Anyway, I about had a damn heart attach at the $47.27 that I had no idea I was going to be spending at that register! They were nearly $10 a piece! SIGH.
I don't know how anyone can be artists over here in Germany, I mean, really, art supplies are EXPENSIVE!!
Are you surprised at the prices of things lately? What has knocked your socks off (in a bad way, because it was more than you thought it was going to be) recently? How do you support your hobby financially?
Copics are really expensive here in Australia as well... part of the reason why I use Microns, but they are the top of the tree so i am sure you will have a great time with them... xx
ReplyDeleteOh man I know what you mean. I worked in an art supply store for 8 years. Supplies are expensive. the store I worked for offered coupons, sometimes up to 50% off one item. So that helped a lot.
ReplyDeleteMadison
atthedogparkblog.blogspot.com
I was a private contractor for Craft Warehouse, but, things were a bit cheaper then! lol.
DeleteThe price of fabric has been going up lately and it's ridiculous. Like it used to be cheaper to make your own dresses and skirts, but not anymore! You will spend $15/yard on a lot of apparel fabrics. So $45 for some skirts and $60 for some dresses. Just stupid.
ReplyDeletegirrrrl can`t you order online? though to me, as long as you use them, it is worth it! can`t wait to see what you make. (:
ReplyDeleteIt's much cheaper online. We have a Dick Blick close by, but I try to order online unless I really need something. Because even from the same company, it's cheaper online. Even so, I'm always floored but the total at the register. I keep a running tally in my head, but it always turns out my math is in denial.
ReplyDeleteACK !!! I know what you mean but at least you CAN buy stuff. I have no art supply shops here on my Greek island. I have to buy everything on line and then risk that it doesn't 'go missing' in the post :-( I must admit I am a bit of a hoarder - I must have thousands of $ worth of art stuff LoL :-D
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your new purchases :-)
IKE xx