Materials & Supplies
WORKING WITH THE BEST| THOUGHTFULLY MADE | THOUGHTFULLY CHOSEN
Longevity, quality and enjoyment of artifacts are both important to my process, but also to how I would love my viewer to experience my world. Because of this, careful consideration was made in the artist materials and supplies in all my work that they might be preserved more easily in the hands that they land in or the walls that they may adorned. Moreover, I gain a deeper enjoyment of knowing the history and stories behind the products and brand I work with in my practice. It’s undeniable when we take a moment to consider how the history of pigments, paper and “writing” tools were there from early mankind in order to simply communicate and record; as a wielder of brushes, this is what we try to do. I primarily use handmade natural hair brushes that are ethically sourced, artists’ pigments wrapped in stories - some made from natural minerals - 100% Cotton acid-free papers and sometimes homemade inks.
Opus Art Supplies
I'm currently located in British Columbia and one of my favourite art supplies store is Opus Art Supplies. Save 10% off your next order (valid one time use per person) with code LORRAINESIMONDS
Rockwell Art Canada
PAINTRockwell Art make fabulous mineral watercolours. Their pigments work in a way that begs you to add more water, leaving gorgeous granulation and watermarks that are not easily replicated by any other brand I come across. Check my social media for examples and videos of how I use Rockwell.
Working with Rockwell, I've developed my signature palette for my award-winning work. Receive a 10% Discount with code LORRAINE at Rockwell Art.
Paper
PAPERFor archival longevity, preservation and process, I nearly always work with 100% cotton and absolutely always use archival and acid-free papers. The material and production of these papers are essential in allowing the pigment to flow and be absorbed. Moreover, the nature of cotton allows me to interact with the paper in a way where I can manipulate the pigment without damaging the surface, unlike wood pulp papers. I sometimes vary in different brands and finishes, but you can be confident that they’re fantastic papers to use and to keep. Papers I gravitate towards are Baohong, Fabriano Artistico, and Saunders Waterford, Winsor Newton. Use CODE LORRAINE to save 10% off my Lorraine Simonds Master Watercolour Block on the Rockwellart.global website.
Rosemary & Co Brushes
KOLINSKY SABLE BRUSHESI choose to work with ethically sourced Kolinsky Sable Brushes by Rosemary & Co in England. Not only does my heart warm with affection for my English childhood, but I know and can feel the quality and love in these soft and water thirsty brushes. They give a nod to the years of history and craft of brush manufacturing, but also to the grass root beginnings that I relate to. Rosemary has a fascinating story of crafting brushes and I can’t more highly recommend the life it brings to my process and to my work.
Use CODE LORRAINERO&CO to save 10% off your next brush purchase
Lebenzon Brushes
CALLIGRAPHIC BRUSHESTracy Lebenzon also knows the painstaking craft of brush making. Based in just south of me in Washington state, Lebenzon crafts his work with ethically sourced bamboos, hardwoods, natural and synthetic hairs. I choose to work with his 1.5" goat and synthetic blend of Lebenzon brushes, not only because of the lifetime quality and care of his work but also because of the incredibly organically responsive and expressive design of his brushes. Use code LORRAINE to save 20% off his brushes. (Valid until the end of this month)