Dustin Harbin is a cartoonist and illustrator living in Charlotte, NC.
What are some of your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?
Okay here's my basic list, in order of importance, as in, if the house were on fire, what would I grab first?
- Tachikawa T-77 mapping nib. Like a firmer, better made, and all around superior Hunt 102. I draw very small, and the T-77 is firm enough for small regular lines like hatching, but with just enough flexible to give you a range between a very delicate line and one with a little bit of body--but without sacrificing control.
- Hunt 108. Super flexible nib that I use for all my "big" lines, or anywhere I want the texture of the paper to show through. At it's best it's my favorite drawing instrument, but Hunt nibs are so poorly made now that only 2 out of 3 are really usable, they are easily damaged, and bend out of shape after a fairly short time. :(
- Dr. Ph. Martin's Black Star ink (matte). Richard Thompson turned me onto this ink, and I praise his name every day. It's VERY black, to the point that you might need to thin it, especially if you're like me and forget to close your ink bottle occasionally. But somehow, improbably, it also works in technical pens, so I also use it in my larger Rapidograph pens for spotting blacks. It's totally waterproof, lightfast, and best of all, eraser-PROOF, unlike many india inks.
- Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic mechanical pencil, .5mm, 2H lead. I don't know that this pencil is any better than any other, but I've had it a million years, which must mean something. Plus it has a metal bottom, which gives it a pleasing weight in the hand. I use 2H lead for nice light lines, but not so light that you're digging into the paper. I often don't erase my pencil lines, and 2H is fairly easy to "tune" out in scanned artwork.
- Strathmore 500 bristol board, semi-smooth surface. Strathmore 500 is the only bristol I've found that reliably doesn't bleed, and is also fairly (thought not, I think, totally) archival. The semi-smooth is smooth enough to take a light pen line without bouncing, but rough enough that if you want the texture of the paper visible, it's easy to make happen. And it'll take a limited amount of watercolor/inkwash, usually about 2 or 3 touches before it starts to break down under moisture.
If you have a wide collection, how do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?
I do have a pretty wide collection, but more from being a packrat than anything else. I think the tools I listed above compose about 95% of everything I do, with the exception of paint/digital coloring, stuff like that.
If you prefer pens, is there any particular brand, color, or type of ink you like best?
I use Microns, especially the colored ones, to sketch with, but I haven't found a disposable pen yet that really sings for me. I recently got turned on to the Platinum Carbon pen, but it's too light to be pleasant to use extensively. I do like sketching with it though.
How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers?
I generally use some very simple watercolor from a 16-pan travel set by Winsor & Newton. But I'm a baby at it, so it's mainly just tinting things. I sometimes color in commissions with Copic markers too, but they don't work with my preferred ink, so they're slowly falling out of favor in my workflow. More than either, I use inkwash, usually in 2 waterbrush pens, kind of like what Dan Berry describes here, except with diluted ink wash, in 2 tones, dark and light.
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 of paints to a full set?
As I was saying above, for watercolors I use a travel set, which is fine. For markers I buy Copics in colors I like--I've gotten a good collection together over the years, but as with everything I probably only use about 5-6 of them with any frequency.
Is there any particular type of notebook or drawing pad you prefer? Or does any scrap of decent-sized paper work in a pinch?
I'm super snobby about paper, but my last three sketchbooks have been handmade by cartoonist Joe Lambert using a cream colored cardstock you can get at Kinko's. Remarkably, it takes pretty much any media. Plus Joe's sketchbooks are handsewn, lay flat, and often have covers featuring his work, or if you're like me you can get them plain and draw on them yourself. I've gotten so used to them it's hard to imagine switching back, so hopefully he'll keep making them.
Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your drawings?
I use Photoshop to color generally, but my last few projects have been colored almost entirely using Manga Studio 5 and Ray Frenden's MS5 brushset. MS5 is way more intuitive a drawing application, and for coloring there are a lot of great halftone features. Very into it lately.
Have you ever tried a new pen (or paper, etc) from reading about it, or seeing the results in another artist's work?
Paper no, but pens for sure. The aforementioned Joe Lambert and Dan Berry are pretty influential for me as a tool snob, although I'm betting neither of them are very snobby--they seem to try a lot of different tools, which is healthy. I, however, am a True Snob and prefer to let others play The Most Dangerous Game (trying different tools).
Do you have anything out of the ordinary you use for making your art?
I sure don't. Probably the only out-of-the-ordinary thing I do is draw really REALLY small, which both saves time and is easier (for me).
If you create purely-digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?
As mentioned above, Manga Studio 5 plus Ray Frenden's brushset. His drawing brushes are perfect, mimicking not only differing size/flexibilities of nib, but also 2 different "pencils" and a number of paintbrushes for wet/textured effects.
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 would like to work digitally more--I'm not against it at all, but for myself I find I work faster on paper, weirdly. On paper small accidents and incidental pen bounces or surprises can be assets, but on a screen I can't stop undoing everything. I'm maybe too fussy to have undo available to me during drawing. So often I will take the extra steps of scanning and compositing to get things done quickly and without a lot of preciousness on paper, then reserve the tablet for edits and last minute additions.
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)?
Definitely all of the above. It's hard to imagine living without one now, though of course all the great illustration masters seemed to do okay without one. Heck, they did all the best Disney movies without a single computer, right?
Thanks Dustin!
You can find Dustin Harbin online on Tumblr, on Twitter (@dustinharbin), on Flickr (dharbin), and prints of his work can be found on his BigCartel shop.
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Steve Scott is an animation director and illustrator based in London.
What are some of your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?
Well my favourite drawing tool is probably my computer attached to a Wacom tablet. I love the flexibility of Photoshop and Illustrator and its ability to surprise me. I love being able to grade and colour a drawing in Photoshop. The ability to try out different colourways fast and simply.
I also have sketchbooks littered around the house and tend to use either a brush pen or a clutch pencil to doodle away on, scribble ideas and draw people off the telly.
If you have a wide collection, how do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?
I usually scribble an idea into a sketchbook, before re-drawing in Photoshop.
Is there any particular type of notebook or drawing pad you prefer? Or does any scrap of decent-sized paper work in a pinch?
I'm a great believer in whatever is around. So I usually buy cheap sketchbooks. I feel less hung up about making marks if it's cheap paper. As long as it doesn't bleed when some ink hits it I'm fine.
If you create purely-digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?
I use mainly Photoshop these days. I used to use Illustrator exclusively, but over the last few years I've got bored with it. It just started to feel a bit tedious creating an image. I much prefer Photoshop for its ease of use and its directness. But they both have their uses and it really depends on what the image requires. I tend to have a batch of brushes I use over and over again. I'm also intrigued by Manga Studio. I tried a demo of this last year and it has a beautiful brush line.
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)?
I think the computer is incredibly useful. Great for showing work, and making contacts across the world. I've had emails from all over the world from clients and people who just like the work. It's obviously a great research tool. So if I need to draw an iguana, I know where to get my references from! I think in terms of dealing with clients it's essential. Being able to quickly update and react to demands or even, as I did last night, a midnight Skype call from a client in Australia while I was in my pyjamas!
Thanks Steve!
You can find Steve Scott online at his portfolio site, on his blog, on Twitter (@SteveScott2000), and some prints of his work can be bought in his online store.
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Tomislav Tomić is an artist and illustrator from Zagreb, Croatia.
What are some of your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?
Line work that reminds me of Renaissance engravings is the base of most of my illustrations. I usually use Rotring Isographs for line work and just sometimes I use pen and ink (when I need thicker lines). I tried engraving when I was a student but no client would wait for me to finish one nowdays. That is why I had to switch to faster tools.
If you have a wide collection, how do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?
I have lot of different sizes of Isographs, but to be honest, I use only two or three sizes (usually 0.1mm, 0.2mm and 0.4mm). I got used to these sizes and I know what to expect from them. I can get better control on line weight with these sizes.
If you prefer pens, is there any particular brand, color, or type of ink you like best?
For line work I use Rotring Isographs and only black Rotring drawing ink. It is waterproof and allows me to apply washes of watercolour or coloured inks over the drawing.
How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers?
When colouring the drawing I often start with coloured inks washes over the line work. Sometimes to get stronger colours or deeper tones I add watercolour to it or even acrylics. Sometimes I scan watercolour surfaces and apply it under the line drawing and adjust it digitally.
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 of paints to a full set?
For colouring I usually use Ecoline coloured inks, Winsor & Newton watercolour and Liquitex acrylics. I don't like buying full sets of colours because I use only certain colours and that is why I buy these separately.
Is there any particular type of notebook or drawing pad you prefer? Or does any scrap of decent-sized paper work in a pinch?
For sketches I like to use the Moleskine sketchbook and Watercolor notebooks. I have different sizes at home and I use certain size depending on what I would like to draw. But sometimes I grab any kind of paper that I came across and make some sketches on it.
If you paint, is there any particular type of canvas you prefer? Do you like to paint on wood or any other materials?
I don't paint very often but when I do I like to do it with acrylics on MDF boards (Mediapan), it is kind of heavy but I don't paint large formats so it doesn't matter. It allows me almost the same conditions as paper and that is why I like to use it. I don't use canvases, but sometimes I use wood If I find a good piece of it.
Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your drawings?
Sometimes I adjust colours in Photoshop after I made colouring by hand. Sometimes I colour the whole piece digitally, but I always try to make the drawing part by hand.
Have you ever tried a new pen (or paper, etc) from reading about it, or seeing the results in another artist's work?
I had some problems finding the paper that will allow me to make a line work illustration in ink with lot of details and also allow me to apply the coloured washes over it without harming the drawing a lot. I talked with some artists, illustrators and people that make comics. They gave me some advice and helped me, but I am still in the search for the perfect paper. So far the Arches Hot Press watercolor paper (300 g/m2) is something I use. It is a great paper but it is still not perfect for what I need.
Do you have anything out of the ordinary you use for making your art?
Not really.
If you create purely-digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?
I never create the art digitally from the beginning, but when I make some colouring or adjustments then I use only Adobe Photoshop. To be honest, I don't know how to use any other software. I don't like working on a computer a lot.
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 always prefer working in non-digitally way. I use computers only to save me some time and to hide mistakes if there is no time in doing it by hand.
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)?
The computer is a great tool for making art, but I am not really good in using it. Also it can help me to find some references and inspiration in other people's work. Also it can trap you with all the shiny things you can find on the web and steal your time.
Thanks Tomislav!
You can find Tomislav Tomić online at his portfolio website tomislavtomic.com.
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Alice Savage is an artist living in Italy under the watchful eye of her cat, Romeo.
What are some of your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?
My favorite tool is ink, lately used with very fine dip pens, but I also like to use Rapidographs and fountain pens.
If you prefer pens, is there any particular brand, color, or type of ink you like best?
I like black; lately I am adventuring in colored inks, too.
About brands, it depends on the pen. With fountain pens, I like the Noodler's Black ink, because it's waterproof and a nice black. With dip pens, I have two favorites: Rohrer's Black Ink, with its more shiny finish, and FW Acrylic Artists Ink, very dark and matte.
How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers?
Colored inks and watercolors. Sometimes I like to sketch with colored pencils.
Is there any particular type of notebook or drawing pad you prefer? Or does any scrap of decent-sized paper work in a pinch?
I have a thing for sketchbooks; it's very very important for me to draw in my sketchbooks, that usually are Moleskines or similar books. For the other drawings, I have some papers I prefer depending on the tools I use; since I like to work in extremely little details usually I need to pay attention to the paper I choose.
Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your drawings?
I use Instagram filters when I post daily snaps of my sketchbooks or work in progress. The final drawing is never post-processed.
Have you ever tried a new pen (or paper, etc) from reading about it, or seeing the results in another artist's work?
Of course! I am curious and always eager to try new things!
Do you have anything out of the ordinary you use for making your art?
I dont think so. The only little thing I have is to use feathers to hold the nibs (and hunting for said feathers).
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?
Lately I have not worked in digital, but it has been my only creative outlet for some years. It was a space where I felt more safe; I could make mistakes without wasting paper, and it let me paint in a way that I found comfortable. I don't like to paint with real paints, but I like to do it digitally (this does not mean a massive use of effects or layers, it's more about how the digital brush feels). Traditional media meet my needs better now; it's something that has to do with the touching, smelling, with my need of a more real contact with the world.
I come from long years of agoraphobia where the virtual was my main world, and now my breathing the outside air again is reflected in my need of "real" drawing mterials. And I so hope this makes sense.
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)?
All of the above!
As for everything else, it has its good and bad sides, and it can hurt you if you exceed. The internet allowed me to learn so much, to explore, discover, meet. It has been a giant part of my life in the last 8 years, and a great, great thing! It goes from discovering artists that you would never have heard of in your tiny town, to talking with people who share your passion, and let's not forget the shopping! I buy all of my tools online, god bless the internet! I would still be here cursing at a cheap dip pen (and wondering why I can't draw well with it) if it wasn't for the web!
Thanks Alice!
You can find Alice Savage online at her website, on Facebook, and prints of her work can be bought in her Etsy shop.
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This is just a quick note to announce I'll be taking a short break from posting up new interviews. It won't be that long of a break, but I need to let some more interviews come in and do a bit of work on the site itself.
Since bringing the site back from its deep sleep, I've posted 17 new interviews. I think that's fantastic! I'm enjoying keeping the site active again, and sticking to a somewhat steady posting schedule, but I just need a short break to catch up with some things.
In the meantime, please take a look through the interview archives to read interviews you may have missed, and join/like the new Facebook page I've set up for the site: http://www.facebook.com/TheToolsArtistsUse.
