When In Manila: A Visit to Art Bar PH

Visiting Art Bar PH Manila via Happy Hands Project

A trip to Art Bar PH should definitely be on your list when you’re visiting Manila, Philippines. First, you can immerse yourself in art books and hoard art supplies. Second, there are so many things to see, eat and do around the area. Did I say eat? Yup, but that’s another story.

I was in my hometown of Manila recently, and I’m telling you, every time I step foot in its familiar soil, I always find something new. One of them is Art Bar PH at Serendra, Bonifacio Global City (more commonly known to locals as simply ‘BGC’). It was boarded up the last time I was there, but in its place now stood a smallish yet eye-catching arts and crafts supply store.

Visiting Art Bar PH Manila via Happy Hands Project

There are quite a lot of pens to choose from, and they’re actually carrying Palomino Blackwing pencils! Near the staircase and one of the shelves on the first level are a few calligraphy supplies. It’s a modest selection, but still adequate for those starting out. There are different brush pens stacked in one of the shelves as well.

Visiting Art Bar PH Manila via Happy Hands Project

For those looking for different pads, be it for watercolour or calligraphy, there is a wide selection of local products. As far as I know, you won’t find these in Singapore.

The highlight is on the second level! Oh, I loved the sunlight streaming onto the book shelves. There are huge glass display cabinets with Winsor and Newton products. They also have Arches watercolour paper in blocks.

Visiting Art Bar PH Manila via Happy Hands Project

I saw quite a lot of art books here, from hand-lettering to interior design. They also carry locally-printed titles and books by Filipino artists. Surrounded by the arched bookshelf is a cozy work table meant for workshops. I imagine it to be a great venue for a calligraphy or brush lettering class.

Visiting Art Bar PH Manila via Happy Hands Project

I can stay up on the second level for hours, browsing through the books. Aside from that, I checked out the paint brushes and got myself my first Princeton brush. There are a few other paintbrush brands as well.

Visiting Art Bar PH Manila via Happy Hands Project

Visiting Art Bar PH Manila via Happy Hands Project

So I went home with a bunch of pads and a Princeton paint brush. I’ll let you in on the pads I got next time. Overall, I’d say Art Bar PH is worth your while when you’re in Manila. You don’t really need to hoard tons of supplies—I got myself a pretty decent haul even if it’s not much. The best part is I left feeling exhilarated and inspired and looking forward to start doing something creative again.

See you again soon, Art Bar!

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6 Brush Pens For Lettering Beginners

Brush Pens For Beginners via Happy Hands Project

Are you just starting to hand-letter using a brush pen? Or are you interested in creating brush lettering pieces but don’t know where to start? Well, I’ve been there. About 3 years ago I wanted to hand-letter using a brush but was totally lost. I tried using a small brush and some paint but found it extremely tough.

After some research, I stumbled upon the first ever brush pen in my collection — the Tombow Dual Brush. Oh, I didn’t traipse into brush lettering wonderland right then, but it was a good start. For beginners in brush lettering, let me share with you 6 brush pens that you can start with. My advise is try 1 or 2 of these and practice, practice, practice. You’ll get better I promise!

Kuretake via Happy Hands Project

Kuretake Fudebiyori Pocket Color Brush Pens

I love this pen. If I will be asked to bring just one tool for lettering, this is what I will most likely bring. This nifty brush pen has the perfect bristles for lettering and will give you a good variation of thick and thin strokes. I say it’s perfect because there are brush pens that are either too soft or too stiff, but the Kuretake pen has just the right flexibility.

Tombow via Happy Hands Project

Tombow Dual Brush Pen

Aah, the pen that started it all. For me, at least. The Tombow dual brush has a great tip and is slightly softer than the Kuretake. As the name suggests, each pen has a brush tip on one end and a fine tip on the opposite end. Some letterers use this pen for blending with other colours and they work great. The ink colours are a little less saturated and will not be so vibrant especially when used on coated paper, but I don’t mind this one bit because these are really great for practice and these pens have served me well during my learning journey in brush lettering.

Pentel Touch via Happy Hands Project

Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen

The Pentel Touch has a small brush tip, and is pretty stiff. It’s great for writing small letters and is easy to use. It won’t give you drastic line variations like the first 2 pens mentioned above because if its small brush tip but if you want to practice writing small letters and strokes, this works great. It’s a small pen that can fit in your pocket, and has bright colours to choose from.

Copic Ciao via Happy Hands Project

Copic Ciao Marker

Honestly? The Copic Ciao marker is on this list mainly because of its availability here in Singapore — Art Friend has a bazillion colours of the Copic Ciao that it’s so difficult to walk away with just one. It has a thick body which gives the writer a good grip. The brush tip is on one end and a broad edge tip is on the other end. It has great colours as well, and is refillable! That’s awesome, don’t you think?

Lyra Aqua Duo via Happy Hands Project

Lyra Aqua Brush Duo

This pen is very much similar to the Tombow with a slightly smaller brush tip. This will give you good line variation, and it also has 2 tips — one with a brush and another with a fine tip. Here’s the first time I tried it, and I fell in love with it instantly! It’s very comfortable to write with and I highly recommend this for beginners.

Pentel Aquash via Happy Hands Project

Pentel Aquash Waterbrush

Now this one’s different from the rest, and slightly more challenging to use than the rest of the pens on this list. The water brush from Pentel is super convenient to use, has lettering-friendly bristles, and is lightweight. This practically replaces your jar of water when doing watercolour lettering or painting because the water will be in the pen itself, and you just give the pen a little squeeze to make the water come out. Talk about convenience! The Aquash also has a variety of brush sizes, and my favourite is the fine tip. It gives me a lot of flexibility and lets me blend colours nicely so obviously, that one’s my absolute favourite.

Where to Buy in Singapore?

Tombow Dual Brush: Overjoyed | Pentel Touch: Tokyu Hands | Copic Ciao: Art Friend | Lyra Aqua Brush: Overjoyed | Pentel Aquash: Art Friend

Unfortunately I haven’t seen the Kuretake Fudebiyori pen in any of the shops here in Singapore, but Overjoyed has several kinds worth checking out as well.

So there you have it, 6 brush pens that beginners in lettering can try. I know I’ve left out some pens that are really popular to letterers, but I guess some of those pens don’t really work for me. Do you have a favourite brush pen? Lemme know in the comments!

Craft Haul From the Singapore Craft Fair

 

Inaugural Craft Fair Singapore

I have to be honest about this. Handmade Movement Singapore‘s inaugural craft fair made me giddy with excitement from the moment I learned about it – until days after it was over. See, I’m the kind of person who loves to shop. I go to flea markets, I shop for clothes even when I tell myself I shouldn’t… you get the picture. But this was my first craft fair visit. My first!

It was dark and rainy that day, the 19th of January, 2013. My husband and I trudged among puddles and muddy patches of grass to Fort Canning Green. I was amazed at how packed the tent was. Despite the heavy downpour, a lot of people still made it!

I specially loved the paper products there, but there were so much more – jewelry, baby clothes, hair bows and bands, pet clothes, food, pens… it was packed with handmade goodness! I went around and chanced upon Momo Shamu. My favorite item? Definitely the customizable camera bag. I will order from Momo Shamu when I finally buy a new cam! Aside from the fabric items, there were also some jewelry. I bought this oversized glittery ring in mint.

Singapore Craft Fair via Happy Hands Project

I bought a couple of post cards from these artists – E’von LeAngelis S and Chong Giin Song (below, respectively). These really inspire me to paint again.

Singapore Craft Fair via Happy Hands ProjectSingapore Craft Fair via Happy Hands Project

I had a hard time choosing which post card to buy from Beatrice Ng of HodgePodge. See, she does these amazing papercut artworks. I have always been fond of Singapore shophouses, and this print in green is perfect.

Singapore Craft Fair via Happy Hands Project

One cannot have too many notebooks, don’t you think? I was looking at the paper products from Murdoodles when my husband joined me, asking what I was about to buy. With a bit of embarassment (as he knows I have a ton of notebooks at home), I answered in a small voice, ‘a notebook’. Voice trailing, with a little uncertainty. I was so glad he agreed that I had to have that notebook! It’s in A6 with a canvas hardcover, unlined cream sheets, and beautifully bound.

Singapore Craft Fair via Happy Hands Project

Singapore Craft Fair via Happy Hands Project

We spent quite a lot of time on LoveSprout‘s table. I couldn’t decide which handmade rubber stamp to buy. There we were showed a catalogue of stamps with different faces, with one that matches hubby’s features! We finally decided on a block of rubber. Bad memories from my rubber cutting exercises from my Fine Arts university days came rushing back so I had to ask, ‘Is this easy enough to carve?’. I was relieved when they said yes. So it looks like we’ll be spending an afternoon having a husband-and-wife rubber cutting competition. I’m just wondering who the judges will be. Anyone?

The craft fair was an experience that left me inspired and amazed at the very talented crafters I met. I can’t wait for next year’s craft fair! Well done, Handmade Movement SG!