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 like to start sketching with a simple 6B pencil or a blue pencil, sometimes I use markers, sometimes I sketch directly on Photoshop with a tablet (I have one of those Wacom Bamboo).

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 and on my mood! But I like to try different tools a lot.

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

I use those Sakura Micron pens a lot, and sometimes I use Tombow’s brush pens, they have a lot of colors. Sometimes I use white ink Uni-ball Signo Gel Pens to do some details as well.

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

It depends! I’ve been trying acrylics diluted on water on canvas lately… it looks like watercolors. Talens gouaches are fun to use too!

On my sketchbook I use a lot of markers and sometimes colored pencils too.

But mostly I color with Photoshop.

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 travel set for watercolors that I almost haven’t used yet! I need to practice some watercolors! As for inks, simple India ink and a nice Rembrandt number 2 brush.

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 sketchbooks, with lots of types of paper! For a simple experimental sketch, anything works. For watercolors or any watery paint its better to use Fabriano papers.

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

Yes. I do it a lot! I mostly use Photoshop to adjust levels, colors and to put pieces together when I’m not directly drawing or coloring with it already.

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’m always looking for tips on what kind of material it’s best to use! And I love to try new materials or medias.

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

Hmmm, lately I’ve been sewing up some details on canvas… just an experiment! :D

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

Mostly Photoshop, sometimes Painter and sometimes I like to sketch a little bit on ArtRage or Open Canvas.

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 do more digital work. Mostly because it’s more practical for the kinds of jobs I do. But I like to balance it and try to do non-digital work whenever I can.

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 nowadays it’s more than helpful for me, it’s a necessity! But you need to be careful not to be too distracted with that bunch of information you have in front of you.

Thanks Amanda!

You can find Amanda Grazini online at her weblog amandagrazini.blogspot.com and on Flickr (amandagrazini). Amanda also has some work available for purchase in her Etsy Shop.

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

Pen and ink…

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

It just kind of depends on the mood I’m in or how much coffee I drank… deadlines kind of determine my day-to-day also… if it was up to me I’d probably play with inks and watercolors all day, on enormous paper after enormous paper… but sometimes I actually have to finish a piece, or do some computer work… so things will get a little bit more intricate or digital.

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

Uni-Ball Black Vision Exact Micro pens and stupid Gelly Rollers (love)

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

Acrylic ink for life.

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 only buy the colors I’m attracted to… full sets tend to be a waste of color…

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

God- Bristol Vellum paper to work small- usually 9 x 12” packs- and huge 140 lb. hot pressed Fabriano watercolor paper- as big as they got.

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

Nah- I hate em all.

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

Only for commercial jobs. But yes, Photoshop and Illustrator.

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

I dunno… sometimes I go off a recommendation, but I usually stick to what I know.

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

Like baby blood and tears?? All the 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?

I’m pretty 50/50- it just depends on commercial vs. fine art projects that I’m engaged in.

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)?

Hells yes. Necessary. Whether I like it or not I spend most of my time on the computer.

Thanks Hannah!

Hannah Stouffer’s illustration website is located at hannahstouffer.com, her personal art site is grandarray.com, and her weblog is grandarray.blogspot.com. You can also find Hannah on Flickr (grandarray) and Twitter (grandarray). Some of Hannah’s work is available for purchase on her Etsy store.

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

Charcoal has to be one of my favourites; not always practical because it’s quite messy, so I would use it in the studio or on a day out sketching where getting dirty didn’t matter - not on a day out with family :>)

I also like mechanical pencils with an eraser on the end - really simple and accessible, biro on occassion, Conte pencils. charcoal pencils. coloured pencils, Caran d’Ache Neocolor II with water, but only very occasionally ink,

I like painterly drawing media rather than the graphic lines of an ink drawing for the way I work (though I love them in other peoples work). I do like those double ended Tombo pens with water soluble ink (mid grey is a favourite) as you can get lovely washes - again it’s the painterly feel that attracts me. I really don’t like the scratchy feel of most dip pen nibs. I like bamboo pens and twigs because of the changes in line as the ink dries and the slight unpredictability but am more inclined to use them with watercolour.

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

It will depend on the subject matter and what will give me the vocabulary of marks that I need. Also on whether I’m out ‘seriously’ sketching with lots of choices with me or on a trip with family or friends where I can only carry a little, can only draw quickly in order not to hold everyone up and need to keep clean! I’m inclined to use fingers to smudge or drip paint or ink onto clothes or dip sleeves in paint so that is an important factor!

A current long term project on local waterways has work in charcoal, watercolour, coloured pencils, mixed media. linoprints. pencil, Caran d’Ache neocolor II, Inktense - I don’t think I’ve done any oil sketches yet which is unusual as that is usually my first choice at the coast.

How do you like your color? Watercolor? Acrylics? Oil? Colored pencils? Markers? All of the above?

Oil first usually, also watercolour, often with oil pastel or coloured pencil. coloured pencil. pastel - acrylic in the studio but not plein air and markers not for colour but occasionally as drawing tools. Studio work in acrylics is usually finished in oils as the oils work so well glazed or scumbled or scratched through, over underlying acrylic marks put in very very loosely. Most of my work is mixed media as I pick up whatever will give me the marks I want and so a combination of materials is often involved.

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 or do you need a full set of colors?

As a colourist painter I like to have a lot of blues, yellows and reds to choose from and a range of other colours. I mainly mix colours, not using them straight from the tube or pan and though a painting will only use a limited range of them. I want the specific blue or whatever to achieve the results I want to catch the light, mood and colour of the day.

I don’t use sets but have a collection, bought individually over time, of colours that I like to use.

I use Winsor & Newton and Daler-Rowney Artists watercolours but also have a box of White Knights that I’m fond of. Oils are a mix of brands, mainly artists colours but not all. I also like the quick drying Griffin Alkyds. In pastels I like Unison - luscious and velvety and they don’t break into tiny shards like some soft pastels.

If you have a different set of tools for working in your studio (or office, or home, or on the couch) and out in public (at the park, or a coffee shop), what are the differences?

I answered this one earlier really - it depends on the subject, the situation - do I need to stay clean and tidy without smudges or paint on clothes or face, how long have I got to work? am I with friends with all day to paint and so getting paint splattered doesn’t matter and I have all the time I need? then the bag of materials gets heavy as I can’t resist all the stuff I may need - and if I don’t take it will be certain to want!

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

A wide variety. I like heavy weight cartridge paper as you can use it with any medium, watercolour paper - Arches, Fabriano hot pressed, not Bockingford very much, hand made paper, moleskine for pencils, large A3 sketchbooks in a landscape format that open out to about 3 feet across. I’ve also made my own books recently but I’m no expert at this like Nina. In a pinch - anything.

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

I like deep sided canvasses as I never frame them, I prefer the look of them as they are without imprisoning the work. Plein air I do oil sketches on Cryla primed paper and frame as if for watercolours. I also sketch straight into sketch books of cartridge paper without any priming as I like the way the oil paint behaves - not archivally friendly but ok in a sketch book. Occasionally I’ve painted on hardboard (masonite) and like the firm surface but don’t like the fact that it has to be framed.

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

I do use Photoshop to create images that exist in their own right and play with ideas - it’s a great tool. You can see examples on my blog and website.

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 had been using coloured pencils in mixed media work but wanted some better quality ones and had great advice from Katherine and others. They advised Polychromos for the way I work and they were right - I love them.

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

The way I mix media probably. I like the variety of marks possible by combining for instance watercolour, oil pastel as a resist and coloured pencil to subtly enhance or overlay colour. Again on my blog you’ll see lots of mixed media pieces - recently lino prints, printed non-traditionally with oil paints and then worked into with oil pastel and coloured pencils.

If you create collages, where do you get the materials and objects you use in your pieces?

I prefer to paint the papers myself if it is going to be a finished piece and then cut and tear them - recently I learned to marble to create some different papers for beach sketches - so far these are just in sketchbooks. I will also use hand made papers and elements that won’t fade or tarnish.

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

Photoshop mostly and occasionally Corel Photopaint to manipulate and change elements fed in.

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 the hands on of ‘real’ materials and the happy accidents and ‘language’ of marks. I don’t paint digitally but manipulate elements to create something very very different from the starting point.

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)?

Very helpful for playing around with ideas, creating work that exists in its own right - and very distracting, eating up time if I’m not careful Very useful for research, for talking to fellow bloggers, critique, exchanging ideas, selling a little and learning a lot. So for me an essential.

Thanks Vivien!

Vivien Blackburn’s website is vivienblackburn.com, her sketches can be seen at sitekreator.com/viviensketches, and she also has a shop on Etsy. She has also started a group weblog called Watermarks, which “is a small community of artists who make art from water.”

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

GRAPHITE: I love weird .3mm heavy Pentel mechanical pencils. It’s pretty hard to find a decent variety - but there’s a great Japanese book store a few blocks from my studio in Midtown that has a bunch. I usually use Pentel HB polly leads. HB leads in those German Faber Castell wooden pencils too.

INK: I use the Gillott 290 nib stuck in a crappy plastic holder. It’s a little frustrating getting one started, because half of them just don’t work. But the flexibility in the tip makes for such a beautiful line that I’ve never been able to duplicate it with anything else. When I buy them I pour out about 150 on a table and check each one to see if the tip is perfectly split down the center. If it’s a little off, because they are so sharp - the ink won’t ever flow properly.

The best black for the buck as far as ink goes is easily with Dr. Martin’s Black Star India ink. They make Hi Carb and Matte versions - but I can’t tell the difference between the two.

When drawing in my sketchbook - I used to only use Pigma Microns (005s), but I was introduced by a friend to Pilot HI-TEC pens. They come in tons of colors and sizes, have a smooth roller ball that doesn’t smear (much), and never gunks up at the tip. I have only seen these at the Japanese bookstore as well - but I think they’re sold elsewhere.

BRUSHES: I pretty much only use Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky sable brushes for watercolor.

ERASERS: Gum erasers if I’m planning on water coloring afterward on the same paper. It’s a pretty gentle rubber - and doesn’t ruin the surface on the paper which could effect the watercolor. If I’m not too pick - those plastic ones - like Mars Plastic are fine too. I use those in the click tubes as well. This Sanford Tuff Stuff eraser is pretty useful, too.

EDGES: I use a crappy $5 roller ruler, a couple heavy (French?) rubber backed aluminum rulers with an inserted steel cutting edge (good for inking and cutting paper & book board). I bought them at New York Central a long time ago and never saw them again. I love ”em. I occasionally use a couple acrylic rulers with a metal edge - but they get dirty/dinged too fast. Finally - I absolutely am in love with my 18” Incra marking rule. It’s a bit of a pain to get used to - but the zero is in the center, which makes lettering in weird spots and architectural drawings way easier (than using my dreaded MATH non-skills).

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

Depends on what the project calls for - each one is different.

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

see above

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

I’m a little crazy about my work being archival. I almost always use watercolor on paper for color - so I only use professional colors with real pigments as opposed to hues. Almost always Winsor & Newton from the tube. Any art on paper is already going have fugitive qualities - so I figure it’s the least I can do.

There’s this great little art supply store in Paris where I found a German made blue ink - and never saw it anywhere else. So when I know someone is going there - I send them this page I made along with some cash for them to buy me a bottle.

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 learned to watercolor when I studied in Europe my junior year in college - and I still use my cheap plastic palette I bought in Florence 15 years ago. I also bought a travel Windsor Newton field box that same year, which I use when I paint at home or on the road.

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 extremely anal with paper. I make my own sketchbooks out of Fabriano Artistico bright white hot press 90# paper (100% cotton, sewn with linen threads, bound with linen tape, PVA glue and vegetable tanned Nigerian goatskin). I try using Moleskine books because I’m always getting them as gifts - but the binding is total shit - and they fall apart too easily. Not to mention the paper is shitty. But still - I usually have one in my backpack just in case.

When doing non-sketchbook work - I almost always use the same paper buy in a 140# weight. I but sheets of 22” x 30” as well as 5 foot x 10 yard rolls.

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

No. Most of my stuff is made to be shown as is, live.

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

Yeah - my friend, the amazing artist Renee French, is the one who gave me a HI-TEC pen a while back. I now have a million of 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?

Digital is only a means to show the hand drawn art online, 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 usually don’t like digital stuff. It’s too sterile. Sometimes it works perfectly though - like when coloring hand drawn comics. Specifically in the works of Brunetti, Ware and Clowes.

Thanks Scott!

Scott Teplin can be found online at his main website teplin.com, and on his weblog at teplin.com/futuretrash/. His art can also be found in the Adam Baumgold Gallery in New York City, and the g-module gallery in Paris, France.