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

I think it all really depends on what I’m doing. I’m in love with my brushpen, but it’s totally balls for penciling roughs. Balls. But really, I’d have to say my red Col-Erase pencils, my Pentel Brush pen, and my Pentel RSVP ballpoint are my daily heroes.

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

I sit at my desk and ask myself this question while staring at the array of pens and pencils and brushes and god knows what else. I painted with a feather once. Not like the end they make quills from, but the fluffy part. I guess what I end up doing is really thinking about what kind of line I want to achieve, and which one of these damn things is going to give me that. Sometimes I trace over drawings a few times with different pens to see what I like best for that particular project. Mostly I get really frustrated and just use a ballpoint.

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

I use acrylics pretty much exclusively right now. Although I’m considering getting back on the gouache horse that I fell off after art school. Such bright, creamy, vibrant colours. I’m also feeling a lot of nostalgia for crayons and pencil crayons. I feel a hefty need to play with them again.

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?

Anything cheap. I buy SO many paints in crazy different colours that if they weren’t cheap, I’d be bankrupt. Or ten grand in debt to a loan shark in order to feed my colour addiction. For acrylic I usually end up buying the Liquitex Basics, and I use Golden mediums with them.

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

As long as the paper is smooth as butter and completely toothless. I hate HATE textured paper. With a fiery passion. yuck. I also prefer that sketchbooks be hardbound, I don’t like spiral ones because the pages slip around and rub against each other and everything ends up all smudged.

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

Canvas is balls. I hate the regular texture to it. I prefer to work on paper for my illustration work, and wood or masonite boards for fine art. Or as I just did the other day, I spread light acrylic modeling paste all over the canvas, like icing a cake, and when it dries it has this look of old plaster. A great texture to work on.

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

I do go the digital route sometimes. Usually when I’m in a hurry, or I want something really smooth and uniform. In which case I usually colour my linework in Photoshop, and then drop in flat colours. I’m no good at digital painting though.

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

Yes, actually. I was hearing all this buzz on the interwebs about the Pentel brush pen, and I was looking for a good brush pen anyways. I hate the felt tip kind, the tip gets all fuzzy and gross after 1 drawing, and there isn’t as much control over the line weight. If you can’t tell already, I’m really anal about my drawings, but I also like a little bit of messiness. Sadly I’m incapable of actually letting myself be messy. I found the Pentel pocket brush gives me the perfect amount of control vs. chaos. Plus it fits in my purse so I take it everywhere!

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’ve found myself slowly moving closer and closer to working digitally, which I have always steered clear from up until now. I LOVE the physical act of painting, of getting it all over my fingers and in my hair and on the sleeves of my favourite sweater that I forgot I was wearing again. But I’m also an illustrator, and there is often a big time issue, I can work faster digitally, mostly because when working digitally I simplify myself a lot. Even more so than that, I’m a starving artist with a terrible, old and shitty scanner and lately it’s just not worth fighting with it, or paying someone to scan it for me.

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 have a huge internet presence, probably too much so. I have two blogs, a website, way too many email addresses, and I’m on Twitter 24-7. My entire fan base (tiny as it is) is online, so without the computer and internet, I’d be even poorer (hard to imagine). I also have a catalogue of work I find inspiring in a folder on my computer. Anytime someone on one of the many blogs I follow does something mind boggling, I drag it into the folder and look at it for hours.

Sadly it is also SUPER distracting, and I’m starting to learn that I have to shut everything off and buckle down, or I can waste entire days playing around on the internet making dick jokes on twitter and chatting, and trolling through other people’s awesome work that they can do because they are not addicted to the internet.

Thanks Britt!

You can find Britt Wilson online on her portfolio website brittwilson.com, her weblog Britt, a Wilson, on Twitter (@Britterson), Flickr (batamarang), and on a weblog she shares with Vicki Nerino: Uterus Parade.

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

I enjoy both traditional and digital processes and try to practice both. For my professional work though, I often go digitally. I’m more comfortable with, and it’s faster for me. I can come back on any step of my process, and I love the technical possibilities that digital provides. I use a Wacom tablet and Photoshop CS4. I start from zero in Photoshop, so my digital work is 100% digital. But I also love drawing with good old pens and pencils. Recently my favorite pencil is a Conté Pierre Noire, I love it because it makes really deep blacks. My friend Victoria Maderna also gave me a wonderful little pencil: Schwarz Black soft, by Faber Castell. It’s soft and oily, but not greasy. Sometimes I draw with pens as well. For the colors, I’m an addict of watercolors.

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

I do not prefer pen rather than other medium, but sometimes I feel like drawing with them. My favorites are Pilots, I have several of that brand. I try to use different sizes in the same drawing, but depends, sometimes I start doodling with a ball pen and I end up filling a full page. Another one that I find very useful, is this Japanese ink pen, with a brush: Pentel GFKP. The brush is really good, allowing to vary the line density, and easier to carry on than an ink bottle.

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

As I said, my favorites are watercolors. These are awesome and also frustrating to use, but I love it. I have two boxes of Winsor & Newton watercolors, had them for ages, and they still feel kind of magic. Plus you can take them anywhere, they fit in any pocket! It happens that I use color pencils as well, or acrylics, but I’m not that good with paint. I never trieds oils, and I feel quite ashamed about that haha! In the near future I would like to practice more painting though.

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 quite difficult about paper. For exemple, I don’t like Moleskine paper much, because it’s yellow and you can’t really add water on it. They are good for pens though. I often prefer watercolor paper, or Canson. About sketchbooks, a friend of mine who is an artist too, Jens Claessens, always buy these A4 and A5 books for me, in a little art store of his town. They don’t have any particular brand I guess, they are only huge books with an hard cover, black or blue, with nothing on it, and the paper is perfect for me. That said, depending of the context, I draw on anything, like on a paper napkin, wood, stones, or the walls of my bedroom…

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

I don’t recall this happened, except maybe in school, trying out my schoolmates’s tools. I like being inspired by others but I try not to “copy” other artists process too much. I would be afraid of losing my own personality by trying the tricks of other artists. That said, most of the mediums I use are pretty common. I think it’s how an artist uses a tool that makes it unique, more than the tool itself.

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

I only use Photoshop. I used to mess around a little bit in Illustrator and Painter few years ago, but not seriously. I’m a bit of a noob!

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 work digitally for my commission work (for press, graphic novels, illustrations for clients), because it’s easier. I love the freedom that digital process provides me. For quite a long time I didn’t had a scanner, so I learned to draw everything digitally, without traditional sketching. It was more a constraint at the beginning, but in the end it made things easier. I developed my style this way and I can work quite fast now. For my own pleasure I still draw traditionally though, but less than digitally. I sell original artworks on Etsy. I do some when I have time to produce stuff just for fun. No pressure. It seems more difficult for me to work traditionally for a client. I’m not confident enough with it, less practice.

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 would be crazy to say that it’s not helpful. Not especially for creating art, there is tons of full traditional artists that don’t really need a computer as a tool of creation. But for creating a network, contacts in the industry, for job seeking, to have a website, to communicate with clients, to find reference, for inspiration, etc. Computers and the internet are obviously a huge resource.

Like mostly everything else, it also can be a huge distraction and a tool of procrastination. It’s up to people to use it in a clever way. I’m still trying to figure it out!

Thanks Aurélie!

Aurélie Neyret can be found online at her weblog Clo! and on Twitter (@ZeuClo). Prints of her work can be found at INPRNT and some originals are available on Etsy.

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

Well, It’s hard to say. I used to work mainly with a black marker and then scan it and work on the computer. But lately I’m using more and more black pencil and sometimes acrylics. I still use a lot the computer, which I think is a great tool. I always draw by hand.

I only have been an illustrator for 3 years so I consider I’m still learning and experimenting. I don’t know yet whether this is going to be like that always. I’ll tell you again in a couple of years.

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

I’m quite extremist. And normally I like to go from something to its opposite, so if I do a computer drawing, I tend to be doing something with acrylic. But of course It depends on the project. Newspaper illustration normally is more simple and more graphic.

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

I like black, and few colours within an illustration.

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

Either acrylic or computer. I love a simple black pencil.

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?

I prefer a full set, although I don’t tend to use many 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?

I like Muji notebooks. Any of them.

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

I like canvas. Although I’ve just started.

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

With illustrations almost always. With paintings on canvas I leave them as they are.

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

Not really. Maybe the way it’s used.

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

Not that I can recall.

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

I always use Photoshop. I think Illustrator is a great program but I’ve never used it for that yet.

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?

Digital normally. It allows you to change quicker and test whether It works before changing the layout, and if there are any changes from the client, It’s easier to change them.

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 it’s totally necessary. The main point is to use it as a tool and not the final objective. That’s what I think. That’s why I always draw by hand. I like that the computer has this human touch that is so personal and make your work more unique. To look for inspiration and reference is great too. Before making an illustration I need to have a lot of references, and now this is really simple with Google. If you need to see how a van looks like you can do it like that and It saves you a lot of time. Also to promote your work is very helpul. Most people I work with I’ve never seen. I only know them in the digital world.

Thanks Luciano!

You can find Luciano Lozano online at his website/weblog ilustrista.com and on Flickr.

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

My favorite thing to draw with is col-erase pencils - red. But generally, I love grab-bag art supplies. I have boxes and cases of old markers, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, graphite pencils, charcoal pencils, pens that I’ve scavenged over the years. If I’m in an experimental mood I like switching mediums. It can help get you out of a rut too.

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

It depends on my purpose- though I rarely finish drawings traditionally anymore. Mostly I just doodle- my choices of drawing utensil are dictated by my whims.

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

Haven’t found one that I’ve stuck with yet. I usually get what’s on sale.

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

I need to learn watercolor… Now I just play around with markers and colored pencils - Prismacolor.

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 don’t usually get sketchbooks larger than 8.5 x 11 inches, or less than 65 pound weight paper. Beyond that, again, it’s whatever’s on sale. My favorite sketchbook is the one I made myself out of animation bond packaging cardboard. I call it my Crapbook- its a really low-tech, low-pressure kind of sketchbook. I never feel like I’m ruining a perfectly good blank sheet of paper by drawing in it.

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

I use Photoshop - nothing fancy, just to add a little color to my sketches.

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

I’ve wanted to get a Moleskine for a long time, but I can’t bring myself to buy one. They’re so expensive! Have you noticed yet that I’m cheap? ;o)

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 draw traditionally, and finish digitally if I finish at all. I just can’t get the freedom of traditional drawing on paper with a tablet, and as for finishing digitally, its just easier to experiment with color that way.

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)?

A computer is a terrific tool! For all the reasons you stated and more. The only problem arises is when it becomes more of a crutch than a tool. Thats why I need to kick my own butt and work traditionally again.

Thanks Joanna!

You can find Joanna Davidovich online at her portfolio website cupojo.net and her weblog Cup O’ Jo.

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

My all time favorite tools (for now) : Pentel pocket brush, Pilot G-Tec C4 (0.4), Pilot Hi-tec point V5 (0.5), Any technical pencils, Wacom Tablet.

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

Depending on what I’m working on, I’ll choose the most suitable tool to use. When I’m doodling or sketching I like using my ink pens and colored inks. For roughs or defined roughs I usually use a pencil. I used to use pens for my roughs, but recently I’ve been using pencils and have been pretty happy with the results.

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

I absolutely love pens, especially of the black ink variety. The main pens that I use, and have used for years are: Pilot G-Tec C4 (0.4) and the Pilot Hi-tecpoint V5 (0.5). I have tried dozens and dozens of pens, but these seem the most reliable to me. The G-Tec is water resistant so it’s nice to add watercolor on top. The Hi-tecpoint is not, but when added with water makes a nice effect. The G-Tec is also very nice for cross hatching.

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

I love color, in my earlier ink illustrations I used very bright colorful primary colors to balance with my dark line work. Nowadays I’m experimenting with more subtle tones.

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 color on my ink works, I use mainly Dr. Ph Martin’s Transparent watercolor. I bought the full set of 36 inks, however I realized later on that I only needed 4-5 colors. The inks have a nice immediacy to them, they are bright and colorful and are really fun to play around with! I also recently bought a set of Staedtler Triplus fineliner color markers for doodling. They work really well, and have a really nice flow.

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

The Fabriano Venezia artbook is my tried and true sketchbook I’ve been using for almost 5 years. I always try to use another one, but I just have been too accustomed to the paper and set up. I find everyone has a different sketchbook that suits their style of sketching and work. There is no right sketchbook to buy but, there is a sketchbook that’s right for the artist.

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

Yes, lately I have been finishing my work with color in Photoshop. I really like the solid clean flatness you get with Photoshop colors. Even with some of my works with ink, I would scan the ink textures and line drawings to fix them within Photoshop for the final illustration.

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

Yes all the time, sometimes the results are good and some bad, but curiosity is a great ally when trying to explore new ways to express yourself. Word of mouth of new pens, inks, paper or techniques on Photoshop is a great way to learn new things.

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

In my pure digital art, I use tend to use just Photoshop.

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?

It is always a fight between digital and non-digital. The convenience of digital sometimes shadows the feeling of doing something traditionally. To me, both are equally as important to master, especially nowadays. For rough drafts and defined roughs, I usually tend to stick more to a traditional approach with pencils and pens. However I prefer to finish with Photoshop because I feel that sometimes there is a nice blend with a traditional approach finished digitally. I’m finding myself using digital a lot more lately due to tight deadlines. However in the end I would prefer traditional over digital. There is a rewarding feeling about finishing traditionally and feels nice to hold onto something after you finish a piece.

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 do believe in the present day that the computer is a very important tool people should embrace and not take for granted. The internet has been a great source for networking with other illustrators, finding a community of artists and finding inspiration through various blogs and websites. I found it enormously important to keep my blog and website up to date, to gain interest from the public and the art community. The blog is also a nice way to show your more of your personality and connect with other people. Websites have allowed work to be seen all around the world, and even allow you to create a shop to sell prints.

However I do believe a computer to be a double edged sword. I think finding inspiration and references online is great and a sure time saver, but I always try to tell myself to remember that there is inspiration out there other than my computer screen. That there are beautiful images around us that Flickr and Google images sometimes don’t have. Of course with really tight deadlines people usually do what they have to do to make sure they get a great image on time…Man life is complicated!

Thanks Juan Carlos!

Juan Carlos Solon can be found online at his portfolio website juansolon.com, on his weblog donkeyjuan.blogspot.com, Facebook, Twitter (@juansolon), and on Society6.

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

I use pencils—I always have in my case (1) a clay eraser and a .5 mechanical pencil from Faber Castell, (2) 3H, HB, 5B and 9B Pencils from Staedtler, (3) a sharpener, and lastly, (4) a shading stump, which I just discovered recently (No more dirty index fingers from smudging). I actually have more shades of pencils but always find myself using just those four in particular.

How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers? All of the above? Do you ever do any kind of post-processing (like adding color in Photoshop or similar tool) to your drawings?

The embarrassing truth is, I’m not too familiar with traditional colors. I used to just pick up any pen or pencil (I didn’t even know the shades before) then scribble like crazy the first thing that comes to mind. I had no formal art education unless you count the short-lived basic cray-pas coloring that I tried out as a kid, so I wasn’t “introduced” to the different traditional coloring media. I always do my colors digitally with a pen tablet and Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. I would really like to learn watercolor and acrylics (and I will, sooner or later). I’ve used colored pencils, that I was pretty good at, but I haven’t touched one for ages.

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

Yes, definitely. I try to find tips and inspirations everywhere, especially art exhibits/museums and the internet. Every now and then, I try and search for a new artist’s weblogs/sketchdump. I also frequent DeviantArt, CGSociety, and PencilJack.

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

Yes, I basically use anything to make illustrations and other stuff. You can ask my mom, who was a little unsupportive after seeing some of my “art pieces” when I was experimenting as a kid (e.g. drawings on the floor using her flower pots, “sculptures” I would make with my food instead of eating them, etc.). I know curiosity killed the cat, but I always feel a little victorious after discovering new ways to make art or conquering a specific medium, so I just keep on experimenting.

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

I use Photoshop, Illustrator and 3D applications such as Maya, Blender, and Google Sketchup. I use mostly Photoshop—I would die without it. For a time I even stopped using pencils and did my sketches directly in the PC with a pen tablet. The 3D applications are there for support when dealing with difficult perspectives and shadows. I also make some 3D-rendered pieces from time to time.

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?

To be honest, I prefer to be working digitally—less dirtier and much much easier. Although recently, I have been trying to get back to using traditional pencils. Working digitally has lots of advantages, but it spoils you….a lot (think layers, undo, etc). At some point, if you’re not careful, it even pulls you down. I believe you should master traditional tools and techniques first. The computer should only aid—you shouldn’t be dependent on it.

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 would say all of the above. Ever since I found out about the internet, I was glued to it, addicted to the endless information it provided. Now that I’ve picked up the pen (and the Wacom tablet) again, I find myself constantly looking for information and inspiration on how to become a genuine, solid artist. I used to be shy and kept my artworks to myself, but I have seen people grow unbelievably fast by participating in art communities and hearing out other artists’ comments. These I think are the true benefits of the web—the accessibility and the interactivity. For a long time, I was stagnant because I had closed doors, but I’m slowly throwing my artworks to the lions (pride, shame, and other feelings aside) to grow as an artist. While the web is not a substitute, a lot of people like me who did not have formal art education can learn a lot from artists all over the world. Distraction? Yes, I love computer games and they make it so hard to focus, so I got a laptop solely for working and use my desktop for games.

Thanks Paolo!

You can find Paolo Lazatin online at The Six Thirty, a shared art weblog with Alex Lapa, and at paolaz.deviantart.com.

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

When I began working as illustrator I always used Van Gogh watercolors, but now I prefer to use acrylics and pencils and I use a drawing tablet for the final details or to fill big surfaces.

I use 2B and HB pencils to sketch and sometimes I try to colour with watercolors or coloured pencils.

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

I don’t have a very wide collection, so it’s not a difficult decision. If I use a product and I like it then I don’t need to look for another.

I start sketching with a graphite pencil and after that I try different tools.

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

I don’t use pens very often but I like to ink using my Rotring 0.5.

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

I started using watercolors but now I use acrylics and colored pencils. It depends on the project.

Lately I love to sketch with a red Col-Erase and colour with Da Vinci gouache.

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?

I have a Winsor & Newton watercolor travel set. I use it to paint my sketches. At the moment I am really enjoying using a set of colored pencils by Lyra.

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

With the years I’ve become more and more neurotic about the notebooks. I need one where I write and do my sketches. I was overwhelmed having scraps of paper everywhere with notes and sketches. But I don’t have a preferred brand. The most important thing for me is that the paper is smooth. I think that for writing, the best brand is Clairefontaine. I’ve never tried a Moleskine, maybe I should!

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

I like to paint on wood and on canvas. But I don’t have any preferences. Most of my work is on paper. When I buy paper it has to be minimum 180 grs and smooth.

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

Well, I try to avoid digital post processing but sometimes I make some changes using it. It helps very much.

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

Yes, I read about the Rapidograph in Danny Gregory’s blog Everyday Matters. I tried it but I’m not comfortable with it. But he does wonderful drawings with it.

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

No, I don’t think so. I use paper when I do collages. Toothbrushes to add color and sometimes I make my own stamp to create a pattern in an illustration. And I use fabrics, too.

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’m always doodling in my notebooks and they’re sometimes a very useful resource when nothing comes to my mind. I start sketching with pencils and I try to maintain this type of line. For other work I try to use not line at all, so I work with the computer a little more. But I work mostly non-digitally. I find that it’s more fun and it’s very relaxing.

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. It saves a lot time and effort to try colors on the computer. It’s very helpful for me.

The computer and being online it’s a very fast and useful way to be in contact with other artists, to get to know and to see things in places where I wouldn’t be able to go.

Working alone at home it’s become a very important tool to promote my work and to share ideas with other artists.

Thanks Natascha!

You can find Natascha Rosenberg online at her portfolio website natascharosenberg.com and on her weblog: Natascha’s Blog.

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

I have to admit, being a girl first and nerd second, I spend all of my money on art supplies, video games and shoes. I love my Wacom tablet… one day it will be a Cintiq. Dr. P.H. Martin Concentrated Watercolors are great and last a lifetime. Any old mechanical pencil will do, Prismacolor Pencils (always True Blue and Crimson Red). Any and all paper, the stranger the size and texture, the better. Gray Tombow markers, Copic Markers, Winsor & Newton sable brushes (the Rolls Royce of brushes), acrylic gesso, extra fine sand paper, and Guitar Hero for when I can’t think of anything to do with all those art supplies.

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

I honestly can’t! I go crazy when I walk into an art store, buying everything I see, and then I put it all away in my closet never to be seen again! HAhaha! I usually open it up whenever I feel inspired, get overwhelmed, close the door and walk away. My little sketchbook from my bag and my laptop are usually where all my ideas end up.

If there is a project that can’t be done digitally, like painting a vinyl or a canvas, I usually pull out my P.H. Martin watercolors and some acrylic paint. The two blend well and are incredibly vibrant!

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

I like warm gray Tombow markers, gel pens and Pigma Microns. Also, dried up Sharpie markers are fun to play with, especially when you take out the felt from the inside and ball it up to use as an underpainting.

My friend, Stephane Kardos taught me that. Merci!

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

I usually color everything digitally because it’s 100% forgiving. Plus you can quickly reference textures and photo elements with ease and apply those bad boys to your painting directly.

I think using Photoshop automatically makes you a p*ssy. HAHah! You don’t chose to be, you just become one unwillingly!

I like to think that Photoshop is like a kind, nurturing mother who feeds you three well balanced, delicious meals a day… reads you a bed time story and then tucks you in at night until you realize that you’re thirty years old, have a flabby backside and you haven’t seen the sun in 6 years! So then one day you leave home, finding that the world is a terrifying place and you’re a hot mess!

Traditional media is the reality that’s harsh and unforgiving and it’s tough going to that from something so predictable and forgiving.

Not for me man, I’m sticking with Photoshop…. and maybe acrylics and watercolors if I’m feeling craaazy!

I really admire artists like Travis Louie, who can achieve what us digital artists can with just their hands and a canvas.

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?

I love cheapy mini watercolor sets. The color’s usually aren’t too saturated which is great for subtle sketching and quick tonal gestures under any ink or pencil drawings. It’s really fun and not too permanent.

Sakura Koi watercolor sketch boxes are my personal favorite. It’s refillable so you can swap out the little color cakes for any color you choose, which is great because pre-determined watercolor sets usually have a lot of “blah” colors.

And did I mention it comes with a refillable water brush! Sha! Awesome!!

Also Escoda travel brushes are great for field paintings and are gorgeous.

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 sketchbooks.

As artists, I think we’re a little disorganized by nature, so we have to be extra attentive to our collective selves to keep us from tripping over stacks of papers and spending hours looking for something in a cluttered office. I don’t mind the size or the type, as long as it’s recognizable and in some way bound together.

On that note, I love Kunst & Papier sketchbooks. They have a great variety of sizes and won’t fall apart if they get wet or when you’ve schlepped them around with you for a while!

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 series paintings so if I can find a canvas or material that’s an interesting shape with a couple different variations to match, then that’s what I’ll get!

Like any artist who wanders the aisles, wood piles, junkyards, etc. You look for that canvas that inspires you.

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

Always! Photoshop is the artist’s crutch but I love it.

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 often look at Cartoonbrew, Conceptart.org, CGsociety.org, and blogs like animationbackgrounds.blogspot.com, and characterdesign.blogspot.com for inspiration.

Blogs are great for getting the artist’s perspective on the project rather than just looking at a finished piece with a limited description.

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

Well sometimes I use a chain saw and human blood but that’s only on special occasions. ….That was a bad joke, I’m totally kidding!! BAAH!

Well, honestly, I sometimes use my hands, cotton, beaver whiskers, sharpened sticks, whatever is lying around that you think might make for a nice effect. Being an artist is being an inventor and an engineer…. and in some cases a MacGyver too.

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

Well I wouldn’t say “purely” but I use a lot of different software. It all depends on the project. As an artist, it’s good to learn as many different tools as you can so you have a bigger tool box, so to speak, when a particular projects presents itself.

For me, I rely predominantly on Illustrator, ArtRage, Sketchbook Pro, Maya, Zbrush and AfterEffects.

These days, I’ve been doing a lot of digital painting so Photoshop and ArtRage are my apps of choice! ArtRage is the MOST fun and only something like $25! Also, Alias’ Sketchbook Pro is great for sketching and cartooning. They have a free trial on their site too so go check it out!

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 usually always start a project with a sketch in my sketchbook or on marker paper. Siiigh… nothing is more exciting than getting a new book of marker paper and tearing out the first page for scannage! Am I right!?? Ooh life’s simple pleasures….

Sooo, I usually start a project using just a regular mechanical pencil and some paper. Then I’ll scan it in or take a digital photo and paint on top of it in Photoshop. I’d say I rely 70% traditional, 30% digital.

I prefer sketching out my ideas before I scan them into the computer because it keeps me focused on the idea rather than the techniques and the color. Too many options can become distracting and before you know it, you have a beautifully rendered, boring idea. Kind of ironic how eliminating your options can make you more creative.

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 can be all of the above! I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent researching something for unspeakable amounts of time when I should have started the project long before. But that’s what’s so incredible! The internet is an endless recourse. I’m going to sound like a huge dork right now, but technology has brought so many ideas to life, so many questions to resolution and so many seemingly unattainable dreams to reality. I’ve met people via Facebook and LinkedIn that are freaking giants in the art world and they’ve taught me so much! Social networks and blogs have bridged generational, occupational and experiential gaps like nothing has ever done before! And online tutorials are teaching people things that us chumps paid, oooh, only about 100K for! Hahah (this is where I break into Kip’s “Technology” song from Napoleon Dynamite). Anyway, I like learning new tools and with the internet and software today, the skies the limit!

Some good sites for meeting other artists are: LinkedIn, Facebook, CGSociety, ZbrushCentral, Etsy, Artist’s Blogs, Artist’s Websites, and Google.

If you play your cards right and try not to freak anyone out (which I’ve done myself too many times to count hahaha) you can directly email your idols using these sites! Just tell them that you’re an artist looking for some feedback, blah blah blah, whatever! More often than not, you won’t hear back, but sometimes you will and that’s what makes it all worth while! One day when we’re all rich and famous artists, someone will randomly write us for guidance and we’ll be happy to help!

Thanks Whitney!

You can find Whitney Pollett online at her portfolio website whitneypollett.com, and on her weblog whitneypollett.blogspot.com.

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 like mechanical pencils because I tend to draw in a very quick scruffy style and would have to sharpen a normal pencil about every couple of seconds. Even illustrations that end up rather minimal and tight start out as a mess of lines and corrections. For that reason, I also find a putty rubber indispensable, because it can get into all the little nooks and crannies of my drawing. I get into a panic if I don’t know where my putty rubber is. It’s a bit like Dumbo’s feather.

I use a lightbox a lot, because I like to keep my pencil artwork separate and the lightbox enables me to experiment with different approaches to the same illustration.

I use a Wacom when I’m on the computer, although it’s just a little A6 tiddler, so I find it’s only useful for rough sketches and quite broad actions, like using the burn tool in Photoshop.

My favourite pen would be my Pentel brush pen.

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


It generally depends on the subject matter. How a given medium supports what you’re trying to communicate is something that really interests me. For example, I recently drew a character for a story set in the 80s so I’ve used half tones to give the illustration a kind of 80s newsprint feel. If I want to do a creepy, Victorian style illustration I’ll use dense linework and treat paper in Photoshop to make it look older. Upbeat kids stuff might be looser more expressive pencils with bright, fresh watercolours.

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


I’m forever hassling people to take up Pentel brush pens. They’re really convenient and versatile, you can use them in an expressive loose kind of way, or reign them in for nice tight graphic work. That said, I’ve recently started playing around with a mapping pen and have been really pleased with the results. 



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



Mainly watercolours and Photoshop. If I’m using watercolour I tend to make a set of swatches, scan them in and then compose the colours in Photoshop. I also colour things directly in Photoshop, and use bits of texture – old paper, metal etc. to give things a bit more depth. Photoshop is great with watercolours and pencils.

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?

I like using felt tip pens, I think because of their associations with being a kid. If I think of colouring in, I think of felt tip pens. I also like drawing with biros, for a similar reason – it reminds me doodling in exercise books in school.

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 do most of my work in A4 sketchbooks with heavy paper with a bit of a grain to it. I need heavy paper because I make such a mess, it needs to be paper that can take a bit of a battering. I like the grain because of the way it picks up the pencil and the smudges…it gives more information to Photoshop that I can play with later, burning bits in or cloning nice bits of texture etc.



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


Pretty much everything goes through Photoshop. I use curves a lot, and the burn and dodge tool. I play with the colour values and I like to use multiply layers, e.g having a bit of old paper as a multiply layer, or having my inks on a multiply layer and colouring beneath. Even the scruffiest sketch gets curved up and has some bits burned in and other bits knocked back.

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

Almost everything I use. I think it’s really important to keep experimenting and to stay clued up. Everything I’ve mentioned so far can be traced back to hearing about it or seeing it somewhere. I picked up the Pentel Brush Pen because the guy who does the concept art for the Metal Gear Solid videogames uses one. The last design studio I worked at had a really healthy culture of trying stuff out and sharing knowledge. I picked up loads of useful bits of Photoshop from the designers there. If I’m not sure how someone’s achieved a particular effect I hunt around on the Internet for a relevant tutorial.

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

Not really. After talking up the computer so much I’d like to say that I’m a big fan of the ordinary! If the audience can understand how a picture was made, then I think that’s another level to the relationship between the work and the viewer. There’s something magical about seeing an amazing piece of art that is just pencil marks on paper.

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

I’m going to continue the trend of contradicting my last answer. I really love drawing in Flash, especially the way you can grab your lines and fills and pull them around until you’re happy with them. Also, Flash and Illustrator are great for more modular pieces – loads of characters and stuff, because you can easily rearrange, resize and edit different elements.



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?


Nothing beats drawing in a sketchbook.

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)?


Well, generally I think computers are great. Especially for getting your work seen, communicating with clients, researching content for work or seeing what everyone else is up to. The danger with computers is that because they’re so clever and offer you so much choice, you can struggle to keep a focus on yourself and your work. Regarding the Internet, sometimes it can be inspiring and sometimes it can be a bit bewildering when the whole creative industry is out there for you to explore and find your place in. Regarding post-processing, it’s always a worry that by the time I’ve inked a sketch and scanned the inks and cleaned them up and moved them about and coloured them and added a texture I may have killed the spark from the original sketch stone dead. The trick with computers is using them to enhance whatever it is that makes you unique as an artist in the first place.

Thanks Chris!

You can find Chris Rodenhurst online at his weblog Sketchybeast.