Hi Lucy Thanks for the comments. I'm unable to make a video at the moment but when I can I will. I did use solder although it isn't really necessary. The gap is important and I did use one of those giant paperclips but any wire of a similar diameter would be OK.
Thanks, John. I am illustrative, and go years trying to give the touch to the drawings that I would like it, and I end of realizing that the water-color would be the ideal way .. always it has been the way that less I liked, but I believe that it owes, not to being able to use her correctly.
It's amazing that you are sharing such a useful-looking tool! I will definitely make one, for the benefit of my endeavours in watercolour. Thank-you! I love your watercolours!!!
This is great! I used the cap of a travel sized hair spray--about an inch and a 1/4 deep and about a quarter sized around. i bent a paperclip in a Z and stuck the smaller curved end in a "hunk" of gummed eraser, I LOVE this!!!
+Andrea Davis Hi Andrea, I know this is going to sound dumb but how did you bend your paperclip into a 'Z' while still keeping a gap for the water to be drawn up into??
Thanks D She, I tried droppers, syringes, sponges and all sorts but found them unsuitable because it took too long and I couldn't control the amount of water very well. That's what lead me to making these chargers. Fairly easy to make (see easier version link in description) and very fast to use. As you know with watercolour you can't afford to hang around with some washes.
I'm sorry Ravi, I really wouldn't be able to give instructions over the internet. There are many Tuotorials on TH-cam which will help you to get going. Then maybe take an art class near where you live. Thanks for your comments though.
This is easier to recreate compared to the hamster drinking bottle. I can work on this immediately. Thankfully I have plenty of small plastic pots that I saved from my skin care products :) I only need wash it several times to remove the oils. Yehey!!! Now I'm more excited to paint. Thanks for this post and I'll let you know how it goes :) You're awesome!
That should get you up and running Isabella Modellatura After about a week the paper clip will rust but you can clean it up. I've since made a plastic version which I'll eventually make a video of when I get time.
Clever idea! I get a similar result by adding clean water beside the ferrule with an eye dropper as I go, but this looks much more convenient as it doesn't require two hands. Thank you..
+Kronik Shade +mindnumbling As long as the water container is kept topped up, capillary action will form a meniscus of water and pull it up and along the charging cradle. Thanks for asking.
Hi - I'm in the USA, I tried finding a blanking cap; the best I can find is a PVC cap which has a rounded bottom and no lip. Is there anything else that would work that I would have access to? Thanks!
Wonderful ! I was thinking about the problem of loosing paint when dipping my brush and how I could put water on the bristles an other way. A pipette isn't a conclusive way :/ I need to look up your website ! (And read about the evolution of this contraption)
Thanks Jenny. I went down the pipette route and found it was too slow and cumbersome using both hands and not very controllable. Hopefully you'll find my notes interesting and of value to you. Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated.
Yes :) I found your notes. I need to look around the house for supplies then take time for the painting exercises you provided. It's really nice of you to share ! Thank you
Sir, I would like to learn good watercolour painting. However I am not a beginner but I certainly need expert guide like you. Help me if you can and I will send my first painting as I feel "Expert kind" to you as a token of teaching... Regards Ravi (India)
Great idea!! I notice on your website there is a more sophisticated version of a charger. Other than having to fill it less often - when comparing the two versions are there any advantages/limitations you can share? Thanks!
Hi Paul, thanks for your response to my video. I made the simpler versions of the charger because the manufacturer of the Biba bottle stopped making them and people couldn't get them any more. The sophisticated version is superior in that you don't have to refill very often but the copper charging cradle needs cleaning frequently if you are in a hard water area due to a build up of limescale. (About once each month). Once it is set up properly it is really nice to use. Anyone with basic DIY or crafting skills should be able to make any of my designs and even use another style of bottle with a little ingenuity. I ended up using the plastic material for the charging cradle because it's relatively easy, there's no soldering and it doesn't rust or oxidise. Thanks again.
Water is a polar substance. Meaning, it's attracted to it's opposite charge, right? So basically this thing called a meniscus forms when water is placed in anything. The water become attracted to the sides of it's container and actually is pulls upwards on the sides of the walls. So this metal wire actually pulls and attracts water up into it's little cradle and you can then use it to your desire. It's all about chemistry and and chemical charges.
***** Thanks for explaining that so well, chemistry wasn't my best subject...so is there a specific reason why the uploader choose to use copper wire, or does the type of metal really matter?
How clever! In addition, I would imagine that you don't use as much paint, as you don't need to rinse the brush and get more (less) paint. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing!
Claire Bureau Well, I've made one, and it is quite impressive. Also, I just found your video on the "new improved" version. Will have to give that a try too.. Thanks again!
Claire Bureau Thanks for your feedback. It was good of you to take the time. This simple tool has become indispensable now and I couldn't paint without one. It's so important to control the water in the brush. Good luck using it. It may take a little while to get used to but muscle memory will kick in and you'll be flying in no time.
But every time you touch the metal part with a brush that is loaded with pigment, some pigment will transfer to the metal and any subsequent touches will contaminate the paint on the brush.
An even simpler trick is to use a feeder bottle for water that you can purchase at any pet supply store... you know... the one you would hang on the side of a cage for your pet hamster. I bought mine in the pet supply aisle at the local big box store for $1.95, no construction necessary and it works way better than this paper clip idea as I don't have to keep filling the water dish to the right level, the bottle hold 8oz of water which lasts for a number of painting sessions and can be brought on field trips without a problem... as a matter of fact it's quite convenient.
Ah! Carl, I'm one step ahead of you here. If you watch one of my earlier videos th-cam.com/video/h9sj6VdcTzM/w-d-xo.html you'll find I did indeed use a hamster type water bottle with some modifications like adding the charger cradle. If you use the bottle with the ball bearing in the outlet tube, you'll find that very often the hairs of your brush gets snagged between the ball bearing and the outlet tube. This will ruin a good brush in no time especially if using expensive sables. Also, the water glugs out uncontrollably unlike with the cradle which you can monitor more accurately the brush take up rate. The simpler version I made because many people couldn't make the one using the bottle. The simpler version is normally quite adequate regarding the amount of water it holds and can dispense. It's surprising how little water we actually use when painting and simply topping up from time to time is no problem. There's an even simpler version on the web here somewhere where I've dispensed with the metal cradle in favour of plastic so there are no rust or oxidisation problems. Thanks for your comment, it's nice to know that others are trying to improve watercolour painting techniques too.
Hi Wendy B. I've already been down that route with W&N and Daler Rowney. The problem is that if a company invests in a new product, they are very conscious of it being pirated and manufactured cheaply in places like China who do not respect International Patent Laws. That's why I went public with it and made it as simple as possible for people to make themselves. :) Thanks for your interest though.
Be my guest and try it. It takes too long to carefully measure out one or two drops at a time plus you need two hands, one for the brush the other for the bottle. Believe me I tried all sorts of pipettes and bottles and found them to be unsuitable.
this is amazing 👏👏
Thank you Shalale.
Hi Lucy Thanks for the comments. I'm unable to make a video at the moment but when I can I will. I did use solder although it isn't really necessary. The gap is important and I did use one of those giant paperclips but any wire of a similar diameter would be OK.
Thanks, John. I am illustrative, and go years trying to give the touch to the drawings that I would like it, and I end of realizing that the water-color would be the ideal way .. always it has been the way that less I liked, but I believe that it owes, not to being able to use her correctly.
It's amazing that you are sharing such a useful-looking tool! I will definitely make one, for the benefit of my endeavours in watercolour. Thank-you! I love your watercolours!!!
My pleasure, let me know how you get on with it. Thanks.
WOW!!!!! The answer to all my water color problems!!! Thank you John!!!!!
Your jobs are wonderful
Thanks for the advice John.
Thankyou. It's very kind of you to comment. Yes, please do try it and let me know how you get on. Good luck and have fun painting.
Glad you kept it just for us then and thanks for such a fab invention 🤗
Thanks
In respect to the watercolor charger. That's great. I touch my jar and then my napkin to control excess water or pigment. Thanks
This is great! I used the cap of a travel sized hair spray--about an inch and a 1/4 deep and about a quarter sized around. i bent a paperclip in a Z and stuck the smaller curved end in a "hunk" of gummed eraser, I LOVE this!!!
+Andrea Davis meant to type "kneaded" eraser :)
Well done +Andrea Davis Thanks for the heads-up. Pleased you like it. :)
+Andrea Davis Hi Andrea, I know this is going to sound dumb but how did you bend your paperclip into a 'Z' while still keeping a gap for the water to be drawn up into??
Wish I had a picture of that, I have had no luck getting water to flow. It just won't flow up hill.
Great idea. I've been using a little squeezy bottle with a needle tip to load brushes with water at the root, but this is even simpler.
Thanks D She, I tried droppers, syringes, sponges and all sorts but found them unsuitable because it took too long and I couldn't control the amount of water very well. That's what lead me to making these chargers. Fairly easy to make (see easier version link in description) and very fast to use. As you know with watercolour you can't afford to hang around with some washes.
I'm sorry Ravi, I really wouldn't be able to give instructions over the internet. There are many Tuotorials on TH-cam which will help you to get going. Then maybe take an art class near where you live. Thanks for your comments though.
This is easier to recreate compared to the hamster drinking bottle. I can work on this immediately. Thankfully I have plenty of small plastic pots that I saved from my skin care products :) I only need wash it several times to remove the oils. Yehey!!! Now I'm more excited to paint. Thanks for this post and I'll let you know how it goes :) You're awesome!
That should get you up and running Isabella Modellatura After about a week the paper clip will rust but you can clean it up. I've since made a plastic version which I'll eventually make a video of when I get time.
John Salmon Thanks for all your help.
Clever idea! I get a similar result by adding clean water beside the ferrule with an eye dropper as I go, but this looks much more convenient as it doesn't require two hands. Thank you..
I tried that also namtil but using two hands slows the whole process down.
Your idea is excellent. Like all the best, it is simple and very effective! Thank you
Thank you Vernon. It was kind of you to say so.
+Kronik Shade +mindnumbling As long as the water container is kept topped up, capillary action will form a meniscus of water and pull it up and along the charging cradle. Thanks for asking.
Very clever.. I'm going to try this thank you..!
great tip. thankyou
You are so wonderful.... Thank you very much for sharing... 🙏🏻 💕 😇
Thank you. Better late than never.
ThankYou John... off to your website.
Very clever. I will try it!
Thanks Elizabeth. There is another video of mine which shows another design which does not rust and you may find it better to use.
I tried it and I can see that the flat lip is crucial to the design.
You should market this it’s genius and works fabulously 👍😃
Aw, thanks a lot Wendy B, I'm pleased it works for you :)
this is very helpful thank you for sharing 🙏🏼👍🏼💗
Thanks Marie.
Hi - I'm in the USA, I tried finding a blanking cap; the best I can find is a PVC cap which has a rounded bottom and no lip. Is there anything else that would work that I would have access to? Thanks!
Any type of container should do Paula with a little bit of fiddling. Maybe a hairspray or deodorant cap?
Have you found anything yet, Paula? I also am looking and haven't come across anything yet.
Wonderful ! I was thinking about the problem of loosing paint when dipping my brush and how I could put water on the bristles an other way. A pipette isn't a conclusive way :/ I need to look up your website ! (And read about the evolution of this contraption)
Thanks Jenny. I went down the pipette route and found it was too slow and cumbersome using both hands and not very controllable. Hopefully you'll find my notes interesting and of value to you. Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated.
Yes :) I found your notes. I need to look around the house for supplies then take time for the painting exercises you provided.
It's really nice of you to share !
Thank you
Thank you, John, i try again, and i show it you
:)
Thank you, for genius idea...
My pleasure salauddeen syed. :)
Great tool.
Sir,
I would like to learn good watercolour painting. However I am not a beginner but I certainly need expert guide like you. Help me if you can and I will send my first painting as I feel "Expert kind" to you as a token of teaching...
Regards
Ravi (India)
Great idea!! I notice on your website there is a more sophisticated version of a charger. Other than having to fill it less often - when comparing the two versions are there any advantages/limitations you can share? Thanks!
Hi Paul, thanks for your response to my video. I made the simpler versions of the charger because the manufacturer of the Biba bottle stopped making them and people couldn't get them any more. The sophisticated version is superior in that you don't have to refill very often but the copper charging cradle needs cleaning frequently if you are in a hard water area due to a build up of limescale. (About once each month). Once it is set up properly it is really nice to use. Anyone with basic DIY or crafting skills should be able to make any of my designs and even use another style of bottle with a little ingenuity. I ended up using the plastic material for the charging cradle because it's relatively easy, there's no soldering and it doesn't rust or oxidise. Thanks again.
Thankyou Imma. Try and make a Watercolour Charger and see if this helps you get better control of watercolour. Let me know how you get on please.
I'm not sure if I'm understanding correctly, but how is water coming from the container upwards into the cradle?
Water is a polar substance. Meaning, it's attracted to it's opposite charge, right? So basically this thing called a meniscus forms when water is placed in anything. The water become attracted to the sides of it's container and actually is pulls upwards on the sides of the walls. So this metal wire actually pulls and attracts water up into it's little cradle and you can then use it to your desire. It's all about chemistry and and chemical charges.
***** Thanks for explaining that so well, chemistry wasn't my best subject...so is there a specific reason why the uploader choose to use copper wire, or does the type of metal really matter?
umm, i don't think so. It's just easily bendable I suppose! You could probably use aluminum wire if you wanted or whatever is kind of in your house.
could always use distilled water for the charger, then never have to worry about mould or refilling so often.
You could +Troy Nelson but the best thing is to paint regularly so that mould isn't a problem :)
+John Salmon yes but mould will still form on palette with a lid/ plus it was that suggested to empty reservoir due to mould. but it ok
How clever! In addition, I would imagine that you don't use as much paint, as you don't need to rinse the brush and get more (less) paint. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing!
Claire Bureau Well, I've made one, and it is quite impressive. Also, I just found your video on the "new improved" version. Will have to give that a try too.. Thanks again!
Claire Bureau Thanks for your feedback. It was good of you to take the time. This simple tool has become indispensable now and I couldn't paint without one. It's so important to control the water in the brush. Good luck using it. It may take a little while to get used to but muscle memory will kick in and you'll be flying in no time.
do you sale these?
No sorry.
@@JohnSalmon ok ty
But every time you touch the metal part with a brush that is loaded with pigment, some pigment will transfer to the metal and any subsequent touches will contaminate the paint on the brush.
Only if the brush is wetter than the metal charging cradle.
An even simpler trick is to use a feeder bottle for water that you can purchase at any pet supply store... you know... the one you would hang on the side of a cage for your pet hamster. I bought mine in the pet supply aisle at the local big box store for $1.95, no construction necessary and it works way better than this paper clip idea as I don't have to keep filling the water dish to the right level, the bottle hold 8oz of water which lasts for a number of painting sessions and can be brought on field trips without a problem... as a matter of fact it's quite convenient.
Ah! Carl, I'm one step ahead of you here. If you watch one of my earlier videos th-cam.com/video/h9sj6VdcTzM/w-d-xo.html you'll find I did indeed use a hamster type water bottle with some modifications like adding the charger cradle. If you use the bottle with the ball bearing in the outlet tube, you'll find that very often the hairs of your brush gets snagged between the ball bearing and the outlet tube. This will ruin a good brush in no time especially if using expensive sables. Also, the water glugs out uncontrollably unlike with the cradle which you can monitor more accurately the brush take up rate. The simpler version I made because many people couldn't make the one using the bottle. The simpler version is normally quite adequate regarding the amount of water it holds and can dispense. It's surprising how little water we actually use when painting and simply topping up from time to time is no problem. There's an even simpler version on the web here somewhere where I've dispensed with the metal cradle in favour of plastic so there are no rust or oxidisation problems. Thanks for your comment, it's nice to know that others are trying to improve watercolour painting techniques too.
i think i like the looks of the one on ur youtube the other looks complicated and to much stuff to buy i paint on a koolaid budget lol
I have not tried this yet but he said it was 1mm wire which is 18 gauge for us Americans i am also a wraped wire jewery artist
It's 14g I'm pretty sure... closest to, at least.
I bet The SAA and ken Bromley art companies would sell them 👌
Hi Wendy B. I've already been down that route with W&N and Daler Rowney. The problem is that if a company invests in a new product, they are very conscious of it being pirated and manufactured cheaply in places like China who do not respect International Patent Laws. That's why I went public with it and made it as simple as possible for people to make themselves. :) Thanks for your interest though.
I just love slow speech with gaps
sujanith tottempudi Why thank you for your comment. 😀
Why wouldn't you just apply a little water to the root of the brush from a small, fine tipped plastic applicator bottle? Lot less bother.
Be my guest and try it. It takes too long to carefully measure out one or two drops at a time plus you need two hands, one for the brush the other for the bottle. Believe me I tried all sorts of pipettes and bottles and found them to be unsuitable.