If you’d like to contribute your own interview to The Tools Artists Use, I’d be more than happy to accept it. You can also see a list of already contributed interviews.
Please go through the questions below and take the ones that apply to yourself and your art, and send them and the answers to thetoolsartistsuse@gmail.com. Feel free to combine questions or answers, and, of course, don’t bother answering anything that doesn’t apply to yourself.
This list will probably change over time, so if you see something that’s not included (asked) in this list, please let me know what you’d like to see added. I want to make sure I get a list of questions that applies to any and all kinds of artists, so please let me know if something is missing.
The questions are divided into three sections. First is for non-digital artists, the second for digital artists, and the last contains some biography & personal questions.
Non-digital tools questions:
What are your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?
If you have a wide collection, how do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?
If you prefer pens, is there any particular brand, color, or type of ink you like best?
How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers? All of the above?
If you do use paints, inks, pencils or markers for coloring, are there any in particular that are your favorites? Do you prefer travel sets or do you need a full set of colors?
If you have a different set of tools for working in your studio (or office, or home, or on the couch) and out in public (at the park, or a coffee shop), what are the differences?
Is there any particular type of notebook or drawing pad you prefer? Or does any scrap of decent-sized paper work in a pinch?
If you paint, is there any particular type of canvas you prefer? Do you like to paint on wood or other material?
Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your art?
Have you ever tried a new pen (or paper, etc) from reading about it, or seeing the results in another artist’s work?
Do you have anything you use out of the ordinary for making your art?
If you create collages, where do you get the materials and objects you use in your pieces?
Do you have any special tools you use for creating collages? A particular X-acto knife, or a certain stamp set?
Digital tools questions
When creating your digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?
If you work both digitally and non-digitally, which do you find yourself doing more? Is there a reason you would prefer one of the other? Is it because of the tools available in either space?
I asked about post-processing on a computer, but do you think the computer is a helpful tool for making art? Whether it’s looking for inspiration online, or using it to build a weblog to promote yourself and your art, do you think a computer is necessary, helpful, or a distraction (or all of the above)?
Biography questions:
I’ll include a short introduction/bio, so if there is anything you’d like to see included (or not included) there, please let me know. It would be nice to know if your art is a hobby or your full-time job (or both).
At the end of the interview, I’ll post a followup with list of links to your website, weblog, portfolio, Twitter, Flickr, or whatever else you like. And if there are any special projects or other sites you’d like a link to as well, please list it.
I’d love to include a piece or three of your art in the interview, so either include links to where I can get a copy or attach to the contribution email. I can’t guarantee I’ll use them all, but if I can I certainly will. I may even sneak in a piece of yours that I like from your collection as well.
I think that’s it! Take the questions relevant to yourself and send them—with the answers, of course—to thetoolsartistsuse@gmail.com. I may do a little editing of your answers for space or content, but if it’s something major, I’ll certainly check with you first.
Thank you so much for contributing to The Tools Artists Use!
