Coloured Pencils -

Testing Ampersand Claybord in Painting, Drawing, Printmaking and More

It seems like an impossible feat to find an artist’s surface that works with virtually all mediums, yet the Ampersand Claybord fulfills it. The ingenious surface is archival, acid-free, and warp-proof, with a highly absorbent, smooth finish that works beautifully with an array of techniques and materials. In this review, I tested the Claybord with the widest range of mediums I’ve ever used for a single review – acrylic, oil, ink, watercolour, printmaking, graphite, coloured pencil, markers, and collage. Testing Ampersand Claybord in Painting, Drawing, Printmaking and More About the Ampersand Company The invention that marked the beginning of the Ampersand company was the Claybord itself. This unique coated artists’ panel was invented by Charles Ewing, who sought to create a rigid surface for his own artworks that would allow for a combination of ink and scratchboard techniques. He was friends with Elaine Salazar, a graduate student at the University of Texas. She believed in the potential of the Claybord with her background in art history, and alongside three classmates won a national business competition with their plan for the development of the Claybord. The prize allowed them to found Ampersand with Charles and his wife, Barbara, in …

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In Conversation with Derwent

We sit down in the Jackson’s Studio with Tom Lewington, Global Sales Director, and Adam Gaskell, Technical Manager at Derwent, to hear the story behind the brand. From its roots in England’s Lake District, the historical source of the world’s richest graphite, to its modern innovations in pencil making, Derwent’s journey spans nearly two centuries of craftsmanship. In this interview, Tom and Adam share how the company’s heritage and deep connection to artists continue to shape every product they make – from raw materials to the finished pencil. Above image: Tom Lewington and Adam Gaskell of Derwent In Conversation With Derwent Contents 0:00 Introduction 1:38 Can you tell us about the very beginnings of Derwent? 2:59 What was the first Derwent Product Made, and who was it aimed at? 3:55 Derwent are a world-renowned manufacturer of Artist Pencils. Tell us more about how your brand achieved this. 6:50 Can you tell us about Derwent’s production? Walk us through the steps in producing a pencil. 12:41 How do you colour the outside of a pencil? 14:57 Can you tell us about the wood used for your pencils? 16:15 What is mixed with graphite to make a pencil lead, and …

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