Products that Artists Love!
As an artist, I have staple (not literally) products that I simply cannot live without. Every artist has their toolbox of materials that work with their style, and their process of working. For me, I have to do line work on a physical piece of paper. Without having that physical aspect in front of me, I feel like it lacks that human touch. Color, I insist on doing digitally, mostly because it’s really complicated. I also have a habit of changing my mind suddenly, so being able to adjust the color, tone, and temperature of the color on a moment’s notice is a luxury of the modern world that I don’t take for granted. Going from start to finish, I’ll show you what products make or break my process.
Starting a new piece, I always begin with the best mechanical pencil on the market – the pentel graph gear 1000 automatic drafting pencil. Not only does this have a long lasting metal frame, but you have complete control over using a precise, small lead size for details. I have a REALLY heavy hand, so having that sturdy front of the mechanical pencil allows me to press almost as hard as I want without breaking the lead into pieces every 10 seconds. It has a comfortable grip, and even retracts the tip with a click of the button. A miniature, covered eraser on the end comes with refills. I don’t think someone has loved a pencil as much as I do, haha.
When it comes to inking, there are a few products that I use. First and foremost, I LOVE Sharpie – It’s simple, cheap, classic, and works amazingly for going over markers, watercolors, and other mediums. It’s great for quick blocking in, thumbnails, some detail, and quickly getting ideas down. Maybe it’s just a comfort thing or the satisfying feeling of opening a brand new pack, but I’m addicted!
When it comes to more details, I use a mix of ink pens. One is the Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pen. The ink is DARK and dries really clear. It’s also a fountain pen with a nib on the end for very fine details, or pressing for thicker lines. It’s amazing and precise for cleaner lines. For more expressive lines with more line variety to create a movement or more life into the drawing, I use the Pentel Arts Portable Pocket Brush Pen. It’s seriously sexy, and if you already own the pen, all you need to do is buy the refills. I’m not going to lie, I go through this ink really fast, so it’s great supplementing the sharpies for larger areas of black so I don’t have to waste any of this precious ink.
Tracing paper is another product that I simply cannot live without. Being able to throw a sheet over a drawing where you made a mistake, fixing it, scanning it in, and simply copy and past over the original. It’s a classic technique, but it’s very useful. Having that marriage of traditional and modern methods, I feel, create the best combination and time saving results. What are some of your favorite products to create with? Comment below, I’m always open for new ones!
