Brutfuner Oily Pencils (72 colors) and Colleen (Wax-Based, 60 colors) Colored Pencils

          Just recently, I bought 2 new sets of colored pencils. I just feel like buying a few more, so they will be added to my art material collections. I'm supposed to give birth around last week of October, or first week of November. So while, I am on-leave from work, because my pregnancy is considered high-risk. Doing artwork, either by drawing, watercolor and using colored pencils, relieves my stress, and it relaxes me. In short, it makes me happy. I know when our baby arrives, my love for arts will be on-hold again so, I'm making the most of my free time now. 

I have been wanting for a long-time to buy this popular and budget friendly colored pencils, Brutfuner (made in China). They come in sets of 48/72/120/180. I bought the 72 set. I bought this on sale at Lazada online for around Php406 ($8.08). I am very satisfied with my purchase it also came with a free adult coloring book, Secret Garden by Johanna Brasford. 

Brutfuner Oily Colored Pencils comes in an envelope-like plastic case, the carton cover design was really nice, so colorful. The colored pencils comes in 3 trays. I have swatched all of the colors, and I am glad that they have vibrant colors, very pigmented, and not chalky. Also, the colored pencils were designed simply, round shape, and sharpened already. They have a somewhat odor like very mild paint, but it is tolerable. The pencils also feels smooth when applied to the paper (sketch pad).The brand name is embossed on each pencil with their color coded number. 

I would like to inform you that for every set of Brutfuner colored pencils, the colored coded number will not be the same. (For example, in my 72 set, colored pencil number 002 is white, but for another Brutfuner 72 set it can be different. I just compared through videos that I have watched online, together with my colored pencil set. Over-all I am very safisfied with my purchase. Aside from Giorgione, this brand is my next favorite.

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Next review that I will do is about Colleen colored pencils. These are wax based. This set, has 60 colors and they are wax-based. I bought this brand for 2 reasons, one is they are wax-based, I have never owned a wax colored pencils. Next is that they have special neon colors included. I like happy, pastel colors. What can I say? They don't give off a strong paint odor. Their colors are nice, bright, pastel and lively colors. They are hexagonal in shape, and also sharpened but not that much. I bought this from shopee online for around Php625 ($12.44)

You can watch the swatching and review on my YouTube channel. Just visit: Ukelei's World.

Colleen colored pencils brand originated from Japan. But now, I read that they have already closed the business in Japan, and Colleen colored pencils are now manufactured in Thailand. Colleen colored pencils was also popular before, and well-loved by a number of art enthusiasts. 

All the art materials that I wrote about were the ones that I like. I don't buy and I don't have  really expensive art materials. I just patronize the art products that I think that are budget-friendly and good. Until the next blog. Happy ARTventure! 👩‍🎨

My 'All About Chinese' Books Collection

       Most of those who knew me and also who are connected to me 'socially' online will know that I really like Chinese language, culture, arts, almost anything that is related to it. Anyway, this afternoon I collected all my Chinese books, (I put them somewhere around the house). I wanted to keep them all together, for safekeeping just like my Christian books, which are neatly arranged and safely tucked inside a small cabinet. Before, I said that this hobby of mine was my first love but I corrected it and said it is just my second love, because GOD should always be the first. :)

        Anyway, took a shot of these books, which I've been collecting since, I was a teenager (highschool days) and a few given to me by my friend and Filipino-Chinese friends/acquaintance. My collection ranges from history, novels, philosophy to language books. Also, included in my collection is the mainstream history and culture of the Filipino-Chinese, which is also a part of the Filipino culture.

          I remember my former 老師 laoshi (teacher), in mandarin language. He told me that it's a rarity to find someone like me who has a passion like this. He's also the one who encouraged me to continue doing what I love, and that someday I'll able to contribute something to the society.

        Here's a peek into one of my passion and interest. I listed the titles below. I categorized them.

History/Culture:

1. China Lonely Planet Guidebook

2. The Chinese Mestizo in Philippine History - author: Edgar Wickberg

3. The Chinese in Philippine Life (1850-1898) - author: Edgar Wickberg

4. The Ethnic-Chinese as Filipinos (part II) - edited by Teresita Ang See

Foreign Novels

1. The Good Earth - author: Pearl Buck

2. Falling Leaves - author: Adeline Yen Mah

3. The Joy Luck Club - author: Amy Tan

4. The Hundred Secret Senses - author: Amy Tan

5. The Kitchen God's Wife - author: Amy Tan

Language:

1. Say It in Chinese - Foreign Language Press Beijing

2. Learn Chinese Efficiently with Super Pinyin (phonetic) vol.I - edited by Jose Averia, English Translated by: Tinna K. Wu; Pilipino Translated by: Francisco G. Co

3. Easy Chinese Phrasebook and Dictionary - by: Wendy Tung

4. Speak Fujianwa (Fookien/Hokkien) Easy - by: Betty Lee

5. 300 by: Joaquin Sy

6. Niubi The Real Chinese You Were Never Taught in School - by: Eveline Chao; Illustrated by Chris Murphy

7.Teach Yourself Cantonese - by: Hugh Baker and Ho Pui-Kei

8. Chinese Flashcards (vol.I) - Tuttle Publishing

Local Literature:

1. Tsapsuy: Mga Sanaysay, Tula, Salin atbp. - by: Joaquin Sy

2. The Best of Tulay (Voices: Mga Tinig) - edited by: Teresita Ang See, Caroline Hau and Joaquin Sy

3. Weaving A Dream (Reflections for Chinese-Filipino Catholics Today) - author Ari Dy, S.J

Comic Book:

 1. Stories of Love - Illustrated by: Huang Qingrong; Translated by: Shen Siqin

Other books:

1. Chinese Zen - prepared, compiled and translated by Thomas Sy 

2. Love Poems from Ancient China and India - notes by Prem Jesus Jesswani, Ma.Carolina Chua and Ajit Mansukhani