What are some of your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?

My favorite drawing tools are basically digitals: drawing tablet, digital brushes… I only use graphite pencils (Staedler 2HB, Faber-Castell 5HB) to plan a comic, doodle some ideas and concepts.

If you have a wide collection, how do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?

For a comic story, I usually start drawing with graphite pencils, however, I use a vectorial brush for lineal drawings, or working directly with Photoshop if the textures predominate over the outline.

How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers?

I occasionally do the color with watercolor pencils and gouache, using brushes and a sponge, looking for finishes like I get in digital form.

I also use markers, specifically Touch markers with two points. I use them over pencil, but only in small areas and no more than two tones mixed in the same drawing.

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?

My favorites are the Photoshop dry brushes. Long live!

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 small Moleskine just for writing because I hardly draw by hand. For comic, I prefer an old notebook that constantly loses pages.

But my favorite is one with horizontal guides, decorated by Adrian Tomine, I only get to do some drawings on this one, perhaps because I don’t have to face the full white.

Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your drawings?

I normally start drawing with the vectorial brush of Flash, then I model forms vividly, I love the flexibility of this program. The result is exported to Photoshop to reduce coldness and finally I use Photoshop brushes, mostly the application defaults, dry and wet.

If you create purely-digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?

I usually work with Flash, Freehand, Illustrator, Painter and finally Photoshop, my star program, with which I get (almost) everything I want.

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?

Before I start drawing I was an art director for an ad agency, but my designs derived increasingly toward illustration, so I ended up doing drawings. I started drawing in a very unorthodox way, with the computer mouse and later, at last, with the drawing tablet. So I find digital work so convenient, a way wich I’m very accustomed to and which I feel more comfortable when I have to face certain projects.

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)?

In my particular case, the computer has been a key factor in many ways to use certain resources such as textures, patterns, fonts…, I don’t have my own bank but I used to look for resources on the network every time I need them. I think the internet is really useful with the promotion of your work and let more people know it. You can get notoriety, of course, despite all the time that this entails.

Thanks Ana!

You can find Ana Galvañ online at her portfolio website anagalvan.com, her weblog, and on Flickr (elmyraduff).

What are some of your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet, all of the above)?

I always start with graphite pencil. It is the base of my work and, for me, the fundamental step in all the illustrations I make (no matter if they will end up being digital or traditional). Then, on my canvas paintings, I like to work with acrylics, on my works on paper, watercolour pencils and markers and if I choose to go digital, Photoshop is the one and only for me.

If you have a wide collection, how do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?

Usually it depends on the time I’m planning to spend working on the illustration. Most frequently I choose to colour it digitally. I don’t have a large space to work at home so, making it in the computer turns out to be a lot easier. Also, another big reason for me to take the digital way is that I’m so lazy. One doesn’t have to clean and wash all the brushes and paint stuff after a digital work session.

For more elaborated works or those in which I have a special interest, I usually go with acrylics, sometimes watercolour pencils. This doesn’t mean that the digital ones are less important to me, it’s more about my mood in each moment.

If you prefer pens, is there any particular brand, color, or type of ink you like best?

I have a huge collection of Stabilo point 88. They are available in a lot of colours and they are so cheap too (about 0,60€ ? each). Most of the Moleskine sketches I did during my college years were done with them. It has been a long time since the last time I used them for an illustration, but I don’t think this is a permanent situation. I’m sure someday in a near future my interest in them will reawaken.

How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers?

Acrylics, undoubtedly. Since I found them, while I was a student, it has been a true love relationship. I can do anything I imagine with them. They have bright colours, dry fast, are water-soluble, and they don’t have that intense smell of oil painting. Also, they allow me to work fast and, if needed, to make a lot of corrections during the process.

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?

In acrylics, I like Amsterdam. They have a great price/quality relation. I use them with synthetic fiber round brushes.

If we talk about pencils, I adore the Faber-Castells, both graphite and colouring ones.

In graphite, I like the Grip series. I use the regular ones, not too hard, not too soft.

In colours, I choose always the watercolour ones, even If I’m not going to use water with them. In my experience, I found out that they are softer and give more vivid colours.

Is there any particular type of notebook or drawing pad you prefer? Or does any scrap of decent-sized paper work in a pinch?

Well, I like the plain Moleskines a lot (and I have a shelf loaded with them), but there is a problem with “Molleys”: they are a little too expensive. Fortunately, a lot of brands are starting to make their own version of the famous black notebooks, and I’ve found a few models with the same good quality at more affordable prices.

If you paint, is there any particular type of canvas you prefer? Do you like to paint on wood or any other materials?

I love to paint on wood. My home is full of plankets and wood pieces that I collect from everywere (furniture parts, boxes, etc). If it has a clean surface with no marks and it is made with natural wood, I mean, the one that has those beautiful tree streaks, then, it’s perfect for me. I just prepare it with sandpaper, and, sometimes, a thin layer of gesso.

Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your drawings?

Yes. As I said above, I like the digital process as much as the traditional. It allows infinite possibilities of colour adjustments, retouching and effects, plus the advantage that you can step back and choose from different versions of the same work.

Sometimes, when I am making a non-digital work and I make a mistake, I have to think twice to realize that I can’t type “ctrl+z” to fix it. I know it sounds stupid, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who has suffered this silly syndrome at one moment.

Have you ever tried a new pen (or paper, etc) from reading about it, or seeing the results in another artist’s work?

Yes, of course. I am always looking for inspiration on the internet or in the portfolios of other artists, and yes, sometimes I’ve tried by myself some of the techniques and tools I’ve seen there. The issue is that, in my case, very rarely I adopt the working method of someone else, or the use of a new material, as mine. I guess the pure copy is not for me, I have to adapt everything to my style and if it just doesn’t work, I soon forget it and carry on.

If you create purely-digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?

I use Photoshop more than any other. It has everything I need to make a good work so I don’t waste time trying other programs. The only exception is when I need to make a vector illustration (usually for web and graphic designs), then I use Freehand and Adobe Illustrator. I enjoy vector illustrations very much. I’m not sure why I don’t use them more often.

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)?

It is once and for all a help for me. As a tool, as a way of self promoting and of course as an infinite resource of inspiration and knowledge. Maybe a few years ago there were still some doubts about this subject, but I don’t think there’s still anyone that thinks the computers are not useful in the artists work nowadays.

Thanks Verónica!

You can visit Verónica Navarro Castillo online at her website and portfolio poorsailor.es, her weblog Sailing Sailing, or on Flickr (poorsailor).

Verónica also shares an Etsy shop with her boyfriend, Corcoise, where they sell prints of their work among other handmade stuff.

What are your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, drawing tablet)?

This is such a complicated question. I love pens, pencils, markers, the computer, the drawing tablet… everything can be used for something interesting… There is a pen I absolutely love, the Pentel Brush Pen.

If you have a wide collection, how do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?

If I can choose in a personal project, some days I feel in the mood for painting and other ones I feel in the mood of drawing or making watercolors… and if there is a briefing for the project, I try to work with the technique and the tools that allow me to transmit the thing I want to say.

If you prefer pens, is there any particular brand, color, or type of ink you like best?

The Pentel Brush Pen. I think that it’s absolutely yummy.

How do you like your color? Watercolour? Acrylics? Oil?

I love everything, but watercolors are the most difficult technique for me. I would love to paint again with oils, like at the university, but I don’t have a place to do it right now because it smells a lot.

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 like Moleskines, they are nice. The quality and the variety of the paper are great.

Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your drawings?

Mostly. I always make some little changes alter scan my works, maybe just to adjust brightness and contrast, and to fix some colors.

Have you ever tried a new pen (or paper, etc) from reading about it, or seeing the results in another artist’s work?

Yeah, I think that everyone does… no? :D

Do you have anything you use out of the ordinary for making your art?

I like to add beer to my watercolors. Someone told me that in the university. It makes the colors look more brilliant.

When creating your digital art, what are the software programs you use? Is one used more than another?

I mainly use Freehand and Photoshop.

Do you approach making art on the computer differently than you do with pen, inks, paper, and paint?

Not too much, I think it’s the same with different tools. Well, with the computer I can be more precise, but look at Charley Harper’s work. He never used a computer.

Since 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 love both, so I can’t decide. I love my computer, but I never stop drawing 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)?

For me it is a powerful tool. You choose how to use it, indeed.

Thanks Mar!

Mar Hernández can be found online at MalotaProjects, and her online shop, MalotaShop. She also posts regularly to her Flickr account (malota) and occasionally on LiveJournal (h2okt).

And quite recently, some of Mar’s illustrations/characters were featured in a television commercial for Greek ION TV.