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)?

I normally use pencils, markers, papers, cardboard, small objects I come across, wool, wood, thread, needles and even the drawing tablet when using my computer.

I consider paper and objects as drawing tools because one part of my work is collage, so I utilize these materials to “paint” with them.

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

It depends on the work. If it is a commisioned one, its character helps me make the decision. When it is free work I prefer collage, so I have a pile of scrap papers all over my table, and I play with them until I find an association that catches my eye and serves as a starting point. If I have no papers nearby, my choice is to draw in my notebook with propelling pencil or with markers.

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

I use a propelling pencil with 0.5 leads. I love fluorescent markers too.

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

Colored pencils, markers, papers and computer colors.

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 bunch of colored pencils and markers of different kinds and origins all mixed together in a bag. I can buy them from a specialized art store to the convenience store next door. My favorite one depends on the mood of the day.

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 sketching, I prefer Moleskine and Muji notebooks, but any other notebook with a nice paper could do as well. Nevertheless, the notebook has to be small in size; the limits of the paper help me with the composition of the drawing.

For final works, my favorite is the Fabriano paper.

And of course, for collages all kind of old and used papers are great, and sometimes I even rip off pieces of paper from worn-out posters I find in the streets. I also do some scavenging in the paper recycling bins I happen to pass by.

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

I apply color and texture to some of my pencil drawings with Photoshop. In the case of collage, I post-process them very few times on my computer.

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

Yes, for example reciently I saw an artist friend of mine using felt markers and I wanted to try them instantly. Also books and the internet are an inspiration for new tools.

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

Maybe the cardboard and found objects, but I don’t know if I can say they are out of the ordinary. Lots of people work with them.

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?

The starting point is always non-digital. I feel freer and closer to the work, when I touch the paper with my hands. Another reason is that I love the warm, imperfect look of the non-digital materials. But I need most of the time the digital tool to finish the work.

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 fundamental for all the reasons above, but it is also a big distraction. You know; checking your e-mail, browsing the internet, chatting with friends, one can’t decide when the work ends and the fun begins. Time flies.

Thanks Blanca!

You can find Blanca Helga online at Flickr (blancahelga), her profile at Studio Banana (the arts collective she belongs to), and her Etsy shop. Blanca Helga’s latest video, called “The story of a little blue horse”, can be seen on Vimeo.

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

I love to work with all kind of drawing tools. I tend to work within the same color palettes. The most interesting for me is to explore all kinds of different textures and styles. I mix them all together.

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

I used to use a variety of drawing tools and paints … but now I use almost the same colored markers and pencils. In my most recent series I use the same markers but focus on the sketches and content of the drawings. A wide variety is less important to me.

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

In pens I like bright and fluid colors to allow faster gestures. I don’t prefer a specific brand, it all depends of the type of papers.

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

I used to work a lot with acrylics on canvas for painting. Currently I work in smaller paper formats. Since i work in my room and it is too small, I use pencils, markers and sometimes watercolor. The focus is more on illustration.

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?

To be honest, I use whatever is available around me, the best tools I can get my hands on were other people’s pens.

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 to have a few of different sizes of drawing pad. I prefer cream and white. Mostly I like to use watercolor pads, even if I’m not using watercolor. I like the texture of the paper, and the way the ink responds to 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 used to paint over all kids of materials. Now I’m more focused on paper, but, maybe tomorrow I will use wood again. I don’t want rules when I want to create something I follow my ideas and let the idea dictate the materials.

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

Some of my illustrations are done just using Photoshop. I have a Wacom tablet and I like to draw with it. It depends on the drawing, some are just hand rendered, and some are a mix of both.

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

Not yet.

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

Sometimes glitter to brighten areas.

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

I use Photoshop of course, and I’ve recently been working on giving life to my characters and illustrations through animation using AfterEffects and Flash. I believe that it is really interesting to explore technology if it allows you to express ideas and emotions in a better way.

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?

These are two different sensibilities. I think my best work comes from starting non-digitally, and then making it digital. It gives me freedom. But sometimes it’s the other way around. I like to work with both, it depends on the day, the project or even my mood.

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 another tool for expression … for my fine art projects I prefer non-digital but then I often upload and manipulate them digitally depending on the idea. The Internet allows me to share my work through my blog. Likewise, I look at other artist’s work and keep up to date with exhibitions and lectures.

Thanks Paola!

Paola Guimerans can be found online at her website asintomatic.net, Flickr (paolaguimerans), and on her Tumblr weblog paolaguimerans.tumblr.com.