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

For my sketchbook drawings, I use a Pilot Precise Rollingball V7 (fine tip) Pen..in colors black and red. For my commercial work I use the Wacom Tablet. I also ink my commercial pieces digitally. For Spot coloring and some full page coloring in my sketchbook, I use watercolor brush pens.

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

Trial and Error is the most honest answer. I have tried every pen… every tool on the market. And while I don’t believe that the ones listed above are the best of the best in general, they are the best for me. Everyone needs to find their tool of choice..and sometimes it might take years of experimentation and quite a bit of failure. However, the proper tool can not only make drawing and/or painting easier..but also better looking.

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

Pilot Precise Rollingball V7 (fine tip) Pen- They flow beautifully on the Moleskine paper of my sketchbook. The “FINE” thickness is perfect for me, because the thinner the pen, the more it slows me down. I use the color black for my main drawings, and accent details and fill negative space with a red pen.

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

For my sketchbooks, watercolor mainly…rarely acrylics.

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?

There are rare occasions where I find myself traveling and working on sketch journals. In those instances, I prefer to use the watercolor brush pens…not any kind of sets, because I prefer to limit my color palette.

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 always use the Moleskine sketchbooks. I use the 100-page one with slightly thicker paper to reduce transparency and support watercolor and/or paint application. The feel of my ink pen flowing on the Moleskine paper alone is reason enough for me to use this sketchbook.

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

Have not painted since college :(

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

My commercial work has gone full digital now. However, I do find myself fixing up, adjusting and adding digital touch-ups to my sketchbook pages. Pretty much every sketch page that I scan is carefully fixed up in Photoshop… even if it is the simple addition of the white color in some spots.

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

Everyone has been praising the pen that James Jean uses. Once I got a hold of a box… I realized that it is nothing more than a very think ball-point pen that has a tendency to smear and is too thin for my taste. But that just goes to show that there is a specific tool for everyone.

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

My sketchbooks are the most experimental works that I have. My recent experimentation was playing with transfer markers and xerox copies…nothing out of the ordinary, though.

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

It’s all Adobe Photoshop. On very, very rare cases, I use Adobe Illustrator…and even more rare cases Corel Painter.

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 tool. As long as the artist keeps that in mind, it is extremely helpful. Most people these days misuse the computer, causing endless circular debates whether it is good or bad. If you cannot draw..any tool is useless and cannot be used to your advantage. if you can’t paint, oils are us eless too. The only bad thing about the computer is that it allows those without skill to cheat..and those people are the only ones creating the problems in the first place.

Thanks Tin!

You can find Tin Salamunic online at his portfolio website salamunicart.com, on his weblog, on Twitter (@Salamunic), and he also contributes to the group weblog Urban Sketchers.

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

I prefer using Faber-Castell indian ink artist pens/markers for most of my work because they just have incredible quality, great colors, and last a super long time. I have recently purchased a few Pantone Universe markers, which are extremely permanent, and have fine line and brush tips. Yet, they are overly potent, and kind of difficult to hold due to their square shape. Micron pens and Pilot pens are another favorite of mine for tiny details (lines, triangles, etc.), as well as white gel pens. When it comes to using graphite, I tend to use lead/graphite sticks housed within a metal holder for more control. I also frequently use powdered graphite to cover larger areas, create smudges, and build upon the page.

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

Everything (including my media/tool choices) usually just evolves in itself. I suppose it just depends on what I am creating and what kind of effect is occurring at the time.

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

I use a lot of Faber-Castell watercolors, in addition to Acryla gouache paints. Recently, I began working on a larger oil painting, which is very strange due to the change in media and size.

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 work in 9.5” x 7” Moleskine sketchbooks/notebooks, as well as various scraps of paper. I’m currently working on a bookmaking project to create another sketchbook for myself. I like that it has a more DIY/hand-made feel, especially since I can make use of all the random paper just lying around.

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

No way! I am very passionate about working on everything with my very own two hands. I try not to dwell and over-analyze/work on anything too deeply, and feel like that would probably happen if I began relying on a computer to “edit” my work.

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

A friend of mine told me about those Pantone Universe markers, and although they have a huge array of colors…I’m just not too thrilled about them. Other than that, I haven’t really experimented with any new brand/company of art supplies.

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 really depends on what kind of art work one creates. Corporate graphic designers tend to strictly rely on computers to make logos, etc., but I love designers that have more of a DIY/hand-made aesthetic (such as Martin Venezky). Tumblr is a great tool that I regularly use for displaying work and discovering inspiring imagery. I keep up with various art/design blogs (such as designformankind.com and booooooom.com while drinking my morning coffee, too.

Thanks Rebecca!

You can find Rebecca Volynsky online at her personal art weblog, and she has some work for sale in her Etsy shop.

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

Good old F and H pencils are what I’ve been using lately. Col-erase pencils are fun as well. For sketching I quite like brush pens that you can cut up and cheap ballpoint pens that leak and do funny things are great.

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

Depends how I’m feeling. Some mediums are more forgiving that others and things either lends themselves to good drawing days or not.

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

I found these really cheap, almost poorly made black dollar store pens made by a brand called Menji. They’re not really good writing pens per say but great to sketch with. I find pens that do sometimes unexpected things are more satisfying to sketch with and things turn out to be a bit spontaneous.

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

I really like watercolour and gouache, though I don’t consider myself very proficient with either medium. Coupled with pencil crayons and Photoshop, the mix is interesting to work my colour with. I have a love/hate relationship with Acrylics. Sometimes they do what I want and other times they drive me up the wall as I’m not the fastest worker. I’d really like to get back into oil painting like my early art school days.

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?

Paints, I generally stick to Winsor & Newton and Golden, but I haven’t branched out much. I’m ashamed to say I bought a pocket watercolour set recently, but have yet to put it to any good use yet.

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 sketch mostly in my Moleskine sketchbook, but any heavyweight drawing paper is good. Bond paper is okay too.

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 heavyweight paper (140-300 lbs watercolour paper block is nice) or cheap scraps of masonite.

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

I use Photoshop quite often in terms of applying colours or tweaking, but not exclusively. Lots of the foundation work is done in gray scale with traditional media, with colour applied afterward.

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

Sometimes. Much more satisfying to experiment and muck about on your own.

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

Nope, can’t say that I do.

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 it’s been half and half, but I find myself pushing towards traditional methods more and more. With no undo key, it keeps you on your toes and at the end of the day feels more fulfilling to 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 don’t think it’s necessary at all really. Walk into an art museum and look at a masterwork on the wall and that’ll say enough. If anything it’s been bad and good. Bad in the sense that it can be a crutch, where you can come to rely too much on simple tricks, smoke and mirrors and what not. Things can look mechanical or devoid of any personal human touch. Really depends on the industry you work in too. They’re indispensable when it comes to things like concept art where you can quickly make edits and pump out variations of pieces in relatively short time.

I’d have to say they sometimes help take the edge off my short comings as an artist, but I find them convenient at the same time. In saying that though, I make more of an effort these days to use the computer as a post processing tool because I really prefer putting real media to whatever canvas I choose. That’s fundamental.

Thanks Ed!

Ed Kwong can be found online at his portfolio website edkwong.com and on his weblog.

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

My favourite drawing tools are Faber Castell PITT Artist pens, Pilot Super Grip pencils, Pentel brush pens and my Montblanc fountain pen.

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

I carry my drawing tools in a small Muji Pencil box. It means I can only carry 4 pens at a time, I like the fact that I have relatively few choices and don’t really have to decide what pen to use at any time. Saying that I have tried lots of different type of pens from Rotring, Edding, Staedtler to Pigma Microns but for the moment I like drawing with brown ink as it throws the line back a bit and makes it a bit less dominant than a black line. I carry the Pentel brush pen and fountain pen as sometimes its good to have a looser approach and using a fountain pen or brush stops you be too precise and tight.

The other kit I carry around with me is another Muji Pencil box (large) in it are 2 pencils 2b and 4b, a pencil sharpener, a rubber (or for Americans an eraser) and 2 Pentel water brush pens a medium and a large. The box is padded with tissue to stop them rattling about.

All thats left is a small Winsor & Newton travel watercolour kit. I’m in the middle of trying to simplify the colours I use, but I like to replace some of the pans with colours I prefer such as Permanent Sap Green, Neural Grey, Permanent Mauve and Cerulean Blue. Typing this out I realise that maybe its colours suited to the Scotland’s landscape and light?

It’s all really basic. If I just want to draw on the way to work I take the small Muji box. If I want to paint I take the larger one with the watercolour set - no thinking involved at all! :)

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

Apart from Faber-Castell PITT artist pens I like to use Noodler’s Bulletproof ink in my fountain pen. It’s a total lifesaver as you can work over the top of it with watercolour.

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

I use watercolour pretty much all the time in Moleskine sketchbooks. They react pretty strangely to watercolour almost repelling the paint so you have to work in washes almost scrubbing the paint into the page. From what is kind of a negative thing, I’ve got into painting this way and enjoy the results. So, now I’m trying to do watercolour on proper paper and finding it really difficult.

You recently posted a weblog entry with the kit you carry around. If and when you work at home, or in an office, do you use the same types of tools, or do you have a larger set of colors, pens, brushes, etc.?

Yes, I have a larger variety of brushes and pens to choose from. I also use Dr. Ph Martin inks as well they really add a vibrancy to watercolours. So if you want the reds and greens to really pop out of the page its amazing fun to try these out.

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

Sorry, I’m a sucker for Moleskine sketchbooks, its a little bit embarrassing how ubiquitous they are. The fact that they are expensive is quite a good thing as you’re not likely to leave them lying about, but because it takes me about a month or two to fill one they turn out to be okay value. Also I like the fact they fold flat so I draw over the two pages, its seems quite a small thing but its a rare quality in sketchbooks. Finally the proportion for the moleskine large sketch book just, well feels right.

I sound like a total fanboy!

I carry around sketchbooks around pretty much all the time, but aye if there’s a scrap of paper around I’ll use it.

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

Oh, occasionally. The Moleskine paper is quite yellow. So what I generally do in Photoshop is take a colour sample of the paper colour add a new layer and fill that layer with the colour then turn this layer off. The layer with the drawing I use auto tone, colour and levels to accentuate the tone and colours, but it takes the yellow tone away. I then turn that yellow layer back on and choose “multiply” and reduce the transparency to what looks right.

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’ve tried some new Kuretake brush pens which I read about on Meg Hunt’s site which have an amazing dark fluent line. I think they’re for Japanese calligraphy. I just wish they weren’t water soluble.

Also I’ve experimented with trying dip pens after an article by Kevin Cornell who recommended Hunt’s Speedball #102 nibs.

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

When I’m traveling abroad drawing I carry around a Fuji Pivi printer which does small polaroid type photos. Instead of carrying glue to stick all those handy exotic receipts, tickets and bags of sugar you can buy pre blobs of glue on bits of paper. I put these handy things in the back of my Moleskine.

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, all of the above! I’ve avoided doing digital colouring deliberately. I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing using watercolour but its something I really want to stick with as I’m really enjoying the process.

Building a web presence and finding like minds has been incredible! At the same time I need to get away from the computer and make things.

From your CV/folio it looks like you do more web design and layout. Do you, in a way, consider that art? I certainly do, even though I’m not very good at it. I’m more on the programming side. If so, what are your common tools for web design and graphic/art layout?

I don’t know if web design is art? I use Photoshop for layouts and Illustrator for more design logo work.

For so long though its been part of who I am as a designer who likes to sketch. I’m at a crossroads at the moment as I’ve left the BBC and I’m looking to try and spend more time doing illustration. It’s a big step for me but at the moment it feels like the right thing to do.

Thanks Wil!

Wil Freeborn can be found online at his weblog, on Flickr (ghostschool), and on Twitter (@ghostschool). Wil also participated in the 6th Moleskine Exchange.

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?

I have not reached a point yet where I can swear by my drawing tools. I like the ones I use now but I’m always trying to discover new ones that may work better. Right now I use Micron Pigma pens for my line drawings and add color with gouache paints using a Niji waterbrush.

How do you decide on which to use on a particular drawing, project, or day?

I decide based on the type of drawing or illustration I’m creating. For my urban sketching I draw directly with the Microns. For illustrations I tend to start with a 4H pencil, which I really like because of the hard nature of the graphite. In both cases I use waterbrushes to add color.

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

I prefer gouache for its opacity and because it works better on the waxy pages of the Moleskine sketchbooks. I also use watercolors for illustrations and color pencils occasionally.

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 travel set is pretty minimal so I can have it with me at all times. It consists of a small Winsor & Newton watercolor box, even though the paints inside are gouache (from tubes, also W&N brand.) I also like Prismacolor pencils but they are not handy to carry around.

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 my sketching I use the Moleskine sketchbooks. I always have the pocket size one in my jacket or coat and the regular size in my bag. I do like the panoramic format too and use it every once in a while if it fits the subject.

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

With my illustrations for the newspaper I do sometimes add color in Photoshop. It’s just faster, but I prefer coloring with the waterbrushes if I have time.

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 bought a Lamy Safari fountain pen after reading that so many people love to use it. The ink that came with it wasn’t waterproof and I stopped using, but I have refilled recently with Noodler’s Ink and I’m testing it again.

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

I sometimes spread the paint on my sketches with my fingers, if that counts.

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

I also use Adobe Illustrator to draw with my graphic pen and Wacom drawing tablet and then color the shapes in 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? Is it because of the toolsavailable in either space?

I definitely prefer to work non-digitally, but the computer allows you to be fast for some type of jobs. I like to color the drawings I do for my kids in Photoshop for example. My 3 year old daughter is already learning how to draw in the computer with the graphic tablet.

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 find computers really useful when preparing an illustration. I may sketch some pieces of an illustration on paper, scan them in and assemble them in Photoshop, sizing them they way I want, then I can go back to the drawing board with a better idea of how I want to draw the final art, which will be all done manually.

Thanks Gabi!

Gabi Campanario is a very busy artist! In addition to posting regularly to his weblog, Seattle Sketcher, he also started up and runs the wonderful Urban Sketchers group weblog—a necessary addition to your daily blog readings. You can also find him on Twitter (@seattlesketcher), Flickr (baconvelocity), and Facebook. Gabi’s professional portfolio can be found at gabrielcampanario.com.

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

My main tools are fountain pens and watercolors. The fountain pen I use now is a Namiki Falcon with a fine nib. I also have a Mont Blanc Meisterstück 149 but tend to use this less and less, the nib is rather wide (I’ve dropped it too many times).

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

I use American Eel from Noodler’s Ink, this ink is permanent yet works in fountain pens without clogging. The only drawback with this ink is that it takes some time to dry, when I first started using it I smudged a lot. Now I tend to wait a day until coloring my drawings.

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

I like the randomness of watercolors, it gives my drawings life, a drawback is that I found it hard to scan.

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 whole set, but with a rather limited palette.

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’ve been using Moleskine sketchbooks, I love the paper but it’s hard to scan. I’m trying to use the sketchbooks in my work but I haven’t yet worked out a perfect way of reproducing the materials in the sketchbooks.

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

I use Saunders Waterford and Arches Satin 300 gr, I prefer the Saunders Waterford but again it’s a bit to yellow to work great in reproductions.

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

No very seldomly, I have an A4 scanner so I often have to do some work in the computer. I use Linux as an operating system so I have to use a program called GIMP.

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

No, I’m rather conservative.

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

The most out of the ordinary is probably that I prefer not to use pencil but likes to go with the fountain pen directly. When I do commission works this is not always possible though.

Thanks Mattias!

Mattias Adolfsson can be found posting regularly at his weblog mattiasa.blogspot.com and on Twitter (@MattiasInk). His portfolio site/home page is at mattiasadolfsson.se, and he has many prints and original art pieces for sale at his Etsy shop.

To kick things off, I have asked the Aberystwyth, Wales artist Michael Nobbs to allow us a peek into his artistic toolbox.

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

I tend to get obsessed with a particular way or working for a while. At the moment I’m using a mixture of (very old) Wacom tablet and a Lamy Safari pen with a medium nib. My finished drawings are currently a combination of inkjet and ink.

Not so long ago I was constantly using a Rotring Art Pen and a Moleskine sketchbook.

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

The advantage of obsession is that I don’t have to make day-to-day decisions. I just pick up what I was using yesterday and carry on. Eventually I get excited about a different way of working and move on to something new. (I do have a LARGE collection of pens so it’s a good thing I’m not indecisive about what I’m working with, otherwise I’d never draw anything).

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

At the moment it’s a Lamy Safari with Lamy cartridges. I do have a converter for it and do sometimes fill it with (waterproof) Rotring drawing ink. I want to get hold of some Noodler’s Ink to try.

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

I’ve used all of the above in the past. These days I love adding colour digitally with Photoshop.

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 have a bit of a thing for Moleskines. At the moment though a lot of my work is on thick matte inkjet paper. I have a big pile in my studio. I buy in bulk.

I do always have a Moleskine in my bag, it’s probably a bit like a comfort blanket. I tend not to be able to go out without one.

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

Lots at the moment; both post and pre-processing.

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

Yep, someone just needs to whisper the name of a pen and I want it. I found out about Rotring Art Pens from the wonderful Keri Smith and the Lamy Safari from the hugely talented Swedish artist Nina Johansson. I really want to get hold of some Sharpies to try after discovering New York artist Jason Polan.

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)?

My MacBook (I’m a bit of an Apple geek) is definitely a central part of my practice. I’m very interested in recording and archiving my rather mundane life and the internet (especially blogging) is a great resource for that. I engage a lot with other artists online, Twitter is fantastic for that, and am always looking for inspiration. I mentioned Jason Polan before. I discovered his work when someone told me about him on Twitter and he has made me think a lot about my own drawing practice. It is so exciting when things like that happen, and the internet makes those kind of connections and discoveries so much more possible.

I feel very lucky to be living and working at the technological stage we are at now. I can design and publish a book for very little expense and then potentially get it see around the world. I can put a webpage together to promote a project, I can edit my own films. There are so many possibilities.

Michael Nobbs can be found online at his main website at michaelnobbs.com, and on his weblog at blog.michaelnobbs.com. Make sure and view his recent set of drawings up on Flickr called looking for the joy, and take a peek at his published illustrated journal called “The Beany”. And if you’re not following Michael on Twitter (@michaelnobbs), you’re missing out on a fantastic source of art links and inspiration.

Thanks Michael!