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)?

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 prefer traditional drawing tools: pens, pencils, colored pencils and markers. I’m less good with a drawing tablet, but I use it when the project calls for it. I have much respect for the simple pencil; it can be very rich and colorful in skilled hands. I also love to draw with ink because of its variable lines and spontaneity. I can’t resist not mixing all those tools together.

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 project, of course. Although I have periods of favorites: sometime I fall in love with colored pencils, other time I try out the set of new pens that I just bought.

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

I’m not a fan of a particular brand. When I’m passing by an art tools shop, I can’t help not buying some new pens to try out. If there is one brand that I’m loyal to maybe it is Stabilo’s pens.

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

I love watercolor … it’s the hardest technique, because you can’t undo it; but that’s why it’s so beautiful. Recently I’m using more and more acrylic. It’s very convenient, because it dries very quickly. I don’t have time for oil, but I’m still missing its smell, pace, and texture. I’m also crazy about fancy colored pencil because they remind me of kids’ drawings.

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 my Talens Van Gogh Plastic set. It isn’t too big for traveling. But usually I have limited amounts of colored pencils and pens for coloring in my bag. Sometimes the limitation is good.

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 discovered Moleskine sketchbooks a year and half ago and since then am addicted to them. My favorite is Large Sketchbook with heavy paper, which is good with almost every tool from plain pencil to acrylic. Its paper is good with all kinds of collages that I love to paste onto my sketches like napkins from restaurants, pieces of maps, parts of packages and so on. But on the other hand I love cheaper Cahiers with which I feel freer and not afraid to spoil its pages. I’m usually carrying two or three sketchbooks in my bag. It depends on the site or how much time I have, which one I use. I also use Watercolour Large notebook for watercolors (obviously!), and I love its horizontal format. I’m participating in some moly_x - an International Moleskine Sketchbook Exchanges, for which I’m using Pocket Japanese book. It’s a perfect fit for this kind of project, where several artists are continuing one other’s drawing. Of course, I’m not only using Moleskine kind of sketchbooks. For example, I have various Mead sketchbooks.

I love to draw on found papers and cupboards. I have a habit of keeping papers with interesting textures, packages, wrapping paper, etc.

I use them in my works as drawing pads or part of collages.

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

Similar to drawing, I have “stage fear” … I feel freer painting on cupboards or paper. I feel obligated to a make “nice” painting when I have good quality canvas opposite me. I need to work this out, because some of my best paintings are on the poorer paper. It just seems to me fun to paint on flattened boxes, furniture and walls (in my studio and my kids’ rooms).

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

I experiment on coloring and adding textures to my drawings in Photoshop. It can get cool results, but I need to be careful not to use effects too much. Sometimes I’m scanning preparation drawings for some work and playing with them in Photoshop to find the best composition, and afterwards drawing it manually.

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

It’s always nice to discover new tools from other artists. Unfortunately here in Israel we don’t have such vide varieties of brands as in the US or Europe. Many times I didn’t find the specific brand that I read about at some artists’ page. When I have to use the exact tool, I order it from the web.

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

I always have a scrap of paper under my keyboard. After a while it fills up with very strange and interesting subconscious drawings. I’m using them in my works as kind of ideas generators.

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

I work in the Graphic Design and Web Design areas, so I’m friendly with Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash. I would like to increase my Illustrator skills. I love Flash for its simplicity, and many times prefer it to Illustrator for quick sketches and drawings; though, it’s not proper illustration software.

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 more non-digitally. Maybe I’m a little bit old fashioned and I love the feeling of the real material. Though, you can get very real feeling on today’s graphic software. Of course, I don’t reject digital tools, I’m using them, and they’re very helpful. Maybe I’ll love them more when I’ll know them better.

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)?

As I said above, the computer is my friend. I’m using it for post-processing and also for making art from zero. But the biggest benefit the computer gives me is being a huge source of inspiration. I can’t imagine working without it. It’s like a part of me with all my precious bookmarks, like endless boxes of surprises. I joined Flickr a year ago, and I feel that I’m part of a community of friends interested in my art. It forces me to work more and as I have already mentioned, it’s a great source for inspiration and learning from others. It allows me to participate in cool on-line projects, like Moly_x, or Urban Sketchers - another amazing web project.

Thanks Marina!

Marina Grechanik can be found online at her portfolio, on Flickr, and on Twitter (@marin71). Marina has also participated in the Moleskine Exchange exchanges #18, #29, and Portraits #1, and has contributed to Urban Sketchers.

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

I like to use pens, I enjoy using traditional tools. I use a drawing tablet everyday, but I seldom use it to do drawings.

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

I use pens in black (for comics and travel sketches), but I also use watercolor pencils and more pens of different colors when I make my travel sketches.

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

Rotring Rapidograph — mainly black, and sometimes I add colored ink (Winsor & Newton) to it.

Pentel hybrid gel pen — silver and gold. And the Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment pens.

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

I like the color of oil painting, but the material is so complicated for me, and it’s messy, so now I seldom use it.

Now I mainly use colored ink and watercolor 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 think my favorite are watercolor pencils, because they are convenient and simple.

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

My favorites are Il Papiro paper (made in Italy) and Moleskines. But the paper of new Moleskine Japanese Album is different, and I don’t like the new paper, it’s too smooth (not rough enough) for me, so now I’ve stopped using 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 only like to draw on books.

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

Sometimes. Like recently I used Photoshop to cut a shape from my original drawing, that I’ll use to make T-shirts.

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 found the Moleskines via a Flickr group.

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

Once I tinted with a tea bag, and sometimes I’ll use my fingers.

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

Photoshop, more than Illustrator.

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 prefer to do non-digital drawings. It’s more comfortable and I enjoy it. And I don’t want to carry a computer everywhere I go, but I am happy to carry a sketchbook. I do like to use the computer and the internet, but not for drawing.

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)?

Yes, the computers are so helpful, they are my slaves :)

I think the ruler is hard to use, but the computer is easy to use. I use the computer to make my comic books. I’ve made homepages for the last 10 years. And I’ve found that Flickr is a nice place to show my drawings.

Thanks Ying-Chieh!

Ying-Chieh Liu can be found online at her website liuyingchieh.com/imagination/, and posting regularly on Flickr (imagenation). Some of Ying-Chieh’s comics, art prints, and decorated wallets can be found on her Etsy shop.

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

I use a size .35 Rapidograph for most of my drawings and I love it. Graphite pencils are also great. I love ink washes over graphite. When sketching from life, I carry a refillable brush pen filled with an ink/water mix for washes. A drawing tablet and Photoshop are important for when I’m doing any digital work. I have a cute little Wacom Bamboo tablet that I often bring around with my laptop.

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

I use a Rapidograph, so the ink I use is almost always black Rapidograph ink.

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

Most of my color is done in Photoshop. I love the quickness and economy of digital color. Watercolors are also great and I have been using them more frequently. I use Winsor Newton.

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 am currently alternating between a Moleskine and a Global Art journal (sketchbook). Those are the two main sketchbooks I use. I love the richer and more textured feel of the Global art paper, but it tends to be rougher on a Rapidograph nib. I also do a good amount of drawing on copy paper and bristol paper when I have it.

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

Yes, I use Photoshop for most of my color.

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

Yes, sometimes I pick up things by talking to artists/friends or seeing how they work. New tools and methods are fun to experiment with, but only very occasionally do they become integral to the way I work. The Rapidograph, which I first tried after seeing a friend using one, is now a tool that I really trust.

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 all of those things. It’s mostly up to me whether it’s more helpful than it is necessary or distracting. It has been infinitely helpful in self-promotion and as a source of information.

Thanks Vikki!

Vikki Chu’s illustration portfolio can be found at vikkichu.com and her weblog is at vikkichu.blogspot.com. Vikki can also be found on Flickr (vikki-chu).

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.

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

Let’s see… I have a lot of tools that I use for different things— I love brushes and ink for drawing, along with pencil (either Col-erase or mechanical). When I screenprint, I prepare drawings with ink and carve out Rubylith for separations with an X-acto knife. I also really like using sumi ink, acrylic gouache, and random pens and charcoal for doodling. For coloring my illustrations, my drawing tablet and Photoshop are pretty key.

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

I have a lot of tools (a lot of which I don’t use right now), but I’ve grown used to a small set of them and it depends really on what I’m working on— I’m used to drawing my illustrations on bristol board using ink and Kolinsky sable brushes— I use handmade designer’s brushes from Rosemary & Co. After I ink in black, I add in white details with either a dip pen (G nib) or a brush or an Ackerman pump pen. I’ll also sometimes use a light-box to ink other color separations, textures, etc to layer in on Photoshop when I color later. If I’m working on a screenprint, I carve out separations largely with Rubylith and an X-Acto knife— it’s more time consuming than perhaps doing it digitally but I like the old-school method and working in reverse like relief printing.

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

I use a few different inks but largely the brand I favor is Dr. Ph Martin’s — the brands I am mentioning here are theirs. For drawing screenprinting separations, I use Black Star HI-Carb ink. For white ink I use Pen-White, and for drawing on bristol I use Bombay black ink.

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

I like color either in screenprinting-using custom mixed inks with pure pigments-or using 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 use Acryla gouache — I just started learning a few months ago and have been really getting into it lately. I have a mixed set of 18 or so paints— it’s enough to get a wide range of color but not too many that it’d overwhelm me.

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 lot of random sketchbooks-though I couldn’t tell you their brands offhand-I usually just aim for as smooth paper as I can find as possible. As long as it doesn’t bleed I’m fine! I doodle on random paper here and there too— or on margins in my bristol board too…

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

Yup, I use Photoshop all the time to color my illustrations-I scan the lineart and color on lower layers, knocking out certain outlines and coloring the rest so it’s not heavily outlined.

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

All the time! Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it doesn’t. The Ackerman pump pen is a new acquisition that I picked up after seeing Michael Cho mentioning it on Twitter. Most of my supplies are picked up from word of mouth.

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

I think the Rubylith isn’t that ordinary anymore just because it’s rather archaic. I sometimes will make marks using twigs and q-tips and sponges and toothbrushes and anything I can make texture with.

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 use them both about 50-50— I’d probably go nuts if I worked totally digitally, but due to time constraints I know I’ll probably have to use digital just so I can make quick edits and get things done. I like mixing both— I often get comments that people don’t know how much is digital and how much is analog, so it’s always a good challenge to push both.

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)?

Necessary hardly, but it’s definitely useful. I’d be kind of lost without a computer now, but it’s invaluable having the internet to research and promote and make connections with my peers, and making art is greatly aided by having a computer and drawing tablet (for me, anyway). It can be really distracting though, what with all the stuff out there— but it’s just a matter of self-control.

Thanks Meg!

Meg Hunt’s personal/professional website is at meghunt.com, and her weblog is located at www.meghunt.com/blog/. She can also be found on Twitter (@meghunt) and Flickr (crossedfingers).

Meg is also currently running a offer where she’ll paint you an original (an animal of your choice) if you suggest/pass along her name to an industry contact. More details on the offer can be found on her weblog.