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)?

Mechanical pencils and watercolor are my main weapon, and and occasionally Prismacolor markers and Micron .005 pens make special appearances. Mechanical pencils are sort of a guilty pleasure, I put a huge priority on line quality and mechanical pencils give me the consistency I need — if I’m using a Faber-Castell graphite pencil, I can sharpen it to a nub in one sitting. I get a little overzealous with my sharpening.

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

Not so much a wide collection, but a collection to say the least. I’ve done a lot of trial and error and never seem to throw anything away — so my materials are well worn, and for the most part, pretty shabby. I still use this crappy plastic watercolor set from high school, some of my brushes and charcoal may be older than that.

As for particular projects, I rarely have a final image in mind, so what I need for tools changes as I work.

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

I’ve used Micron pens for years, although recently I’ve only been using one — the .005 red. Although the red color is a tiny bit too orange, the width of it makes every line delicate and precise, and also unforgiving. I am a glutton for punishment, I guess.

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

Watercolor has the lower-end range that I really need, it has the capability to deliver a very subtle and muted palette. I use Acryla gouache as a highlighter, which gives me the opacity and saturation that watercolors can lack. I approach oil color in a similar way, transparent colors like burnt sienna is dark and saturated when applied thickly, but when thinned with turpenoid, the color is vibrant and makes for great layering.

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’m in love with Holbein Acryla gouache, which functions more like acrylic than gouache, but their color selection is wonderful — I have a very specific palette of them, about 10, any more than that would give me too many options. I have this terrible Angora watercolor set which has 32 cakes of color, half of which are totally offensive and unusable — and I’ve used it for a year or so. I have some tubes of traditional colors that help me along the way. Everything’s a travel set with watercolor, I just throw everything into a totebag. Oil painting, not so travel-friendly.

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

Moleskines. Moleskines forever. The tone and weight of the paper are perfect, and they put up with the ridiculous abuse I put them through. But otherwise, anything flat will do, legal pads especially.

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

Buying pre-stretched canvas can be an easy option, but building and stretching your own is so much more satisfying! I also enjoy a nice panel of raw birch to scrawl on.

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

I used to use Photoshop to color linework, many moons ago — but presently everything I’m doing is purely by hand. More and more I’ve been thinking about delving more into digital work, I like the idea of flexibility, but there’s also something very significant about having something physical and absolute.

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

Other than a large collection of bones found in the desert as source material, not really.

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, and the internet, are dangerous and amazingly helpful at the same time. I think it’s safe to say that the internet has influenced my artwork a lot, for the fellow artists and the infinite resources — I think artists my age owe a lot to it — and the visibility it provides. Aside from that, I’m terribly distractible and can’t imagine a world without Netflix instant play, or Google image search. I’ll take D, “all of the above”.

Thanks Stephanie!

Stephanie Brown can be found online at her portfolio website blueskycomplex.com, her weblog, Flickr (runsmiles), and on Twitter (@feralcatbox).

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

My favorite drawing tools are pencils, ballpoint pens and brush pens. I love switching them around when I work on illustration work.

I love trying something new and making mistakes. I think this progress is essential for artists to grow.

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

I guess it really depends on what kind on project I am working on. I would have to pick materials that I can work faster if a short time is given for the project. I would probably pick something that I can take my time working with if I have extra time for the project.

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

I mainly use the pencils from Lyra (Germany) from 8B-4H. These pencils are very smooth and are very comfortable to work with.

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

I use Acrylics the most. It’s because it dries faster. I would love to start using oils when I get a chance though.

I have recently started using Colored pencils as well. They’re fun to mix with 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?

I have been using Ceramcoat paints which are very cheap like one tube for a dollar. I love them because they are really chalky and I love how they look when they’ve dried. It makes an odd texture and it’s great material to give some texture to a piece.

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 use the Moleskine. I used to use another kind of sketchbook but I guess they have stopped producing them. I have been looking for a good sketchbook but it’s really hard to find one.

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

I normally paint on Stonehenge paper and wood. I work with a lot of layers of paints, as I mentioned, so I like the material to have a harder surface so that it dries faster and I can work efficiently.

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

I often take a photo of my sketch before starting painting to check what colors would work the best. It’s hard to start painting without visualizing how it’s going to be done, so I normally try to use Photoshop to check when I paint.

When I work on illustration, I normally combine both traditional and digital, so I would say 50% of an image is done by traditional and the other is done digitally.

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

I have tried so many materials because I love to try out something new. I forget the name of the ballpoint pen Joe Morse (illustrator) uses.

He was teaching a life drawing class one day and I had a chance to see his sketchbook. I was so amazed how fine his line work was.

And I bought the same pen and tried it out. Then I figured it’s not because of the pen, Joe Morse has such an amazing control of pens. He is so amazing.

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

I often make textures out of Acrylics and scan them in.

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

Definitely Photoshop. I am not really good at other software programs to be honest.

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?

It’s hard to decide actually. I think both of them are very different from each other. I love painting because every decision you make is crucial, so it’s very adventurous. I love digital because it allows me to undo things and try many things, so it’s very adventurous as well.

I asked about post-processing on a computer, but do you think the computer is a helpful tool for making art? Whether it’s looking for inspiration online, or using it to build a weblog to promote yourself and your art, do you think a computer is necessary, helpful, or a distraction (or all of the above)?

I think it’s a helpful tool for making art. Especially when I need to reference something, it’s very accessible and time saving.

It’s a distraction sometimes though. It makes me procrastinate.

Thanks Yuta!

You can find Yuta Onoda online at his portfolio website yutaonoda.com, his weblog, and he is beginning to sell prints of his work at inPRNT.

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

I always have a 9” x 12” sketchbook going but have not drawn too much recently which bums me out. In that I work with Sakura Micron pens and Sharpies.

I also always try to have a softbound small Moleskine in my pocket and a black ballpoint pen so I can sketch on the go.

The watercolor Moleskine and a Waterbrush are a lot of fun.

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

Just depends on the mood I am in. Whether I want color or not, whether I feel like painting or drawing.

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

Sakura Microns are great since they are waterproof and come in so many sizes and colors.

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

Acrylic is my main medium. I used to use Liquitex Concentrated in bottles exclusively since they had so many opaque colors but more recently been using Golden fluid acrylics as well.

Daler Rowney FW Acrylic Artists Ink is pretty awesome. You can get so many “watercolor” effects but once it dries stays put.

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

Paper bag is generally what I paint on. I like the tooth, the folds and the way opaque acrylics “pop” off the surface. I have started branching out with Arches watercolor paper and Okiwara paper for the acrylic ink and wash effects.

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

No. I scan all my paintings or have them photographed. The only Photoshop action is sometimes tiling together multiple scans of larger pieces.

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

The water brush I got from seeing a friend use it and how handy it seemed (water filled handle allows for water to slowly flow out of brush tip). Great for traveling.

The acrylic ink I picked up on a tip from Robert Hardgrave.

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

Besides the bag, not really. My original bag paintings all had the drawings inked in with a bamboo pen, but now everything is pretty standard.

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)?

Not necessarily a necessity, but the computer has certainly made the process faster for me. I am able to adjust images’ contrast so that they work better for my limited palette style. I also like the fact that I can scan my images and that is about the cheapest, easiest and almost best method of documenting for me. Websites I think are pretty critical for an artists exposure. Sites like Flickr help as well. It sure does become a distraction having a computer in the studio. Hearing the email incoming or just thinking about checking the weather or other online nonsense.

Thanks Chris!

You can find Chris Crites online at his portfolio website bagpainter.com and on Flickr.

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

My favorite tools are pencils, ballpoint pens and the Pentel brush pens with permanent ink in them, which I purchased while I was living in Japan, god, eight years ago. The Pentel permanent ink is so nice and heavily pigmented that it is really permanent. I made our address sign for the placard at our apartment door with it, and it sat in the full blaze of the Japanese summer sun for two years without a sign of fading.

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

The project is usually going to dictate the medium. If the deadline is tight you need something that’s going to be dry and finished fast, especially when working with paints. For the drawing tools, it depends on what kind of mood you’re going to evoke. If I need a more uniform line weight, I’ll reach for the ball points, if I need verve, power and snap, I’m going to go with the brush pen. If I need some subtlety and variation in tone, it’ll be the pencil.

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

For pens, I usually use Papermate pens. The ink comes out of them pretty readily and heavily, and I can get a wide variation out of the line/tone quality. If the ink comes out meagerly or is too liquid, you lose that play and option in the linework. You don’t need those SKG-whatevers that James Jean uses, you just need a ball point where the ink comes out easily but not too liquid. Then you can get all of that lovely “dry-pen” look that he gets.

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

I work a lot in oils, which are a very forgiving medium. Watercolors are also a favorite, but to work opaquely over them, I use gouache, which is some of the most unforgiving stuff out there. Mainly because the amount of color and value shift from the wet to dry paint varies widely from color to color, and when you’ve got a mix of them going on, well, you’re never perfectly sure what you’re going to end up with. But I use them anyway, and I’m getting better at predicting how they’ll curveball on me.

Do you prefer travel sets or do you need a full set of colors? 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 have a very portable kit that I take with me for sketching. It consists of a cloth fold-over wallet that holds several pens and pencils of different uses, and then a tin that contains a water brush pen and a small watercolor pan set. With those items I can make notations of almost anything I need to out in the field. The only difference between field work water colors and studio watercolors is that in the studio I have a wider selection of tubed gouache paints. In the field, I just mix the watercolors with Chinese White, which is just white gouache.

For plein air oil painting, I use the standard french easel and my full palette, which is a modified version of Richard Schmid’s palette. From left to right on my palette, I lay out: Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue Deep, Viridian, Transparent French Red Ochre, Pyrrolo Ruby (looks like Alizarin but permanent), Cad Red Light, Yellow Ochre, Cad Yellow Deep, Cadmium Primrose (a greenish yellow) and Titanium White. (I’ll use Flake or Zinc white for special effects some times, but Titanium is the workhorse.)

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 have a Moleskine with me, mainly because it’s small and takes pen and pencil well. I don’t use the sketchbook version, just the plain (I get more paper that way!) For bigger sketchbooks, my wife makes them for me out of selections of nicer paper that I buy in sheets and she binds together with covers and coptic binding, which allows the pages to lie nice and flat.

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

I prefer to make my own canvases, because the mass-produced ones are just generally crap: the weave of the fabric is skewed or wavy or the primer is acrylic, which is like sandpaper and can kill nice oil brushes. (I have a nice bristle bright that I used to scrub in some shadows on a 18x24” canvas and when I was done, at least two-thirds of the length was worn away.)

I do increasingly use panels, since they don’t have the give of canvas and I can be assured that when I push the brush into the panel with some force it’s not going to bend and make me miss the mark I was trying to hit. Real Gesso makes excellent panels with traditional panel gesso or oil-primed linen surfaces.

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

Other than correcting the photos of the artwork to match as closely as possible, not usually. Sometimes I will do some compositing to meet a deadline or accommodate some changes that an Art Director wants.

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

Sure! I think most artists do. I’ve tried out Rives BFK after seeing James Jean use it, but the loose nap got on my nerves. My favorite paper for ink and watercolor work these days is Annigoni paper. There’s a light tan version that has a great unifying effect on any colors that go over it and it absorbs ink in a way that makes the ink look like it’s part of the paper instead of sitting on top.

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

I have some weird brushes, like Epiphanes varnishing brushes and a weird assortment of calligraphy brushes I often use for oil painting, but that’s about as “out there” as I get.

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

I use Photoshop with a Wacom tablet.

If you work both digitally and non-digitally, which do you find yourself doing more? Is there a reason you would prefer one of the other? Is it because of the tools available in either space?

I work digitally on certain projects like storyboards. That way they’re done quickly and are easily editable and I can make quick changes and crank out a set of 10-15 in a day.

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)?

Computers are a great and useful tool, as long as you know what they do well and what they don’t. Promotion by computer is a necessity these days. I can’t imagine getting the word out about my art without it.

Thanks Kurt!

You can find Kurt Ankeny online at his portfolio website and weblog kurtankeny.com and on Twitter (@kurtankeny). You can find out more about the classes he teaches at ankenystudio.com.

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

Probably you’ll be surprised, but it’s an ordinary graphite pencil. The softer the better. I like 9B most of all, but everything up from 4B works great too. They are usually wooden or just pure graphite. One of my favorites is the Austrian wooden clutched pencil Cretacolor I bought in London. I also like Faber Castell PITT Artist pens, Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pen and Pentel Color brush pens.

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 my bag, so it’s always a bit messy inside. I was thinking about getting boxes, but still don’t have one. Going out I just pick up some tools I like at the moment, or the ones which are more suitable for the place where I’m going. It’s much more comfortable to draw with a pencil and felt tip pens while traveling on the subway for example. And the Pentel Aquash Waterbrush pen is good during a coffee break, when there’s some time to dry the pages of your sketchbook before you need to run somewhere else.

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

I like color in general, so I don’t really care what I use. I haven’t worked with oil since my uni days though. But all the rest, yes! Watercolor is tricky, but grateful, acrylics are good for my matreshkas, colored pencils remind me of childhood and felt tip pens are so bold I just can’t resist. Gouache Master Class is also one of my favorites. It has such a nice velvet texture!

If you do use paints, inks, pencils, or markers for coloring, are there any in particular that are your favorites? Do you prefer travel sets of paints to a full set?

I like Russian watercolors like St. Petersburg’s White Nights. I remember them from my childhood. Usually each pan of paint is wrapped in foil, so I felt like a child unwrapping them, like I’ve got a box of candies. And the quality is excellent, too. Foreign paints are usually too expensive and I hate expensive art tools … they don’t give me any chance to experiment, and I’m always afraid to ruin them. When I travel I tend to choose a small range of materials. For example, last time when I was traveling I had two Pentel Color Brushes filled with Indian black and orange ink, a dark grey Faber Castell PITT liner and two Tombow Dual Brush Pens, light and dark blue. The only thing that never changes is my soft graphite pencil.

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

The main rule is the cheaper the better. I hate all those trendy sketchbooks deep inside.
I don’t want to think something like “I need to draw a masterpiece, because this sketchbook looks so nice and costs a lot.” Despite that fact, I have some Moleskines, but who doesn’t! Cahier Moleskines work best for me. They come in three different sizes, large one is good for projects and research, the one in the middle is for sketching and the smallest one is for notes and quick drawings on the run. My recent love is Muji Scribble Pads, they seem to be made for drawing with pencil. Scrap paper works good too, you just need to bind it properly and to not get irritated by the mess and to keep a step-by-step order.

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

If it’s an editorial, then yes, there is some post-processing, but mainly because of rush. Usually deadlines are so tight, I don’t have any chance to experiment or make mistakes. With Photoshop I can change the color, add or remove something from the picture in two seconds. With, for example, watercolor I don’t have any chances to survive right now. The last editorial piece I was working on, it had to be made in an hour, for example.

On the other hand drawing for myself I make only analogue things. All the pages of my sketchbooks you can see in my portfolio are absolutely hand made.

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

A lot of times! That’s how we all share information. For example once I’ve noticed colorful ink pens with a brush on its end on Bubi Au Yeng’s Flickr photostream. I asked her about the brand (it was the Pentel Color brush) and purchased the same thing for myself.

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

Not really. The way your art looks like isn’t the result of using some special tool. The most important thing is your personality, way of living, who you are. Your inner world can help to turn an ordinary pencil into the magic wand. And if you don’t have much to say, I doubt there’s something that’ll help you.

I asked about post-processing on a computer, but do you think the computer is a helpful tool for making art? Whether it’s looking for inspiration online, or using it to build a weblog to promote yourself and your art, do you think a computer is necessary, helpful, or a distraction (or all of the above)?

Well, it’s helpful, yes. You see, in case of editorial illustration there are deadlines you can’t avoid. And you don’t have time to go to the street or library to make a proper visual research. If I need to draw a giraffe, I’d like to look at it one more time to have a fresh point of view. The computer is also an excellent tool for self-promotion. I found my first client through the internet. To be precise, it was the client who found me. Nearly all of them came after they checked out my online portfolio. It helps me to reach art directors worldwide without even sending them a paper version of my portfolio, isn’t it magic?! And to meet people! I can’t imagine my illustrator’s career without the computer now.

Thanks Irina!

You can find Irina Troitskaya online on her portfolio website irtroit.com, on her weblog, and on Flickr (irtroit).

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

Brush, or nib pen and india ink. I tend to go through phases of what I like to draw with but this one has lasted for quite a while..!

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

Definitely don’t have a wide collection of materials as a student! I use the same pot of ink until it has completely dried out, and I’m particularly fond of an old battered paintbrush with about one strand of hair left in it!

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

N/A, although I do quite like using Rotring pens every now and again. They are nice and inky.

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

I often work in just black and white but if I’m going to use colour I almost always introduce colour into my work through screenprint. I find it really hard to visualise things unless I’m going to screenprint, I think sometimes I get a bit reliant on being able to screenprint because I can’t always! Otherwise I’ll paint with a combination of inks, gouache, coloured pencils and acrylics.. I find it hard to work with just one of them!

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?

Favourite paints..I love really cheap black acrylic from WHSmith, but the rest of my paints are Reeves or Daler-Rowney gouache and Daler-Rowney acrylics, I wouldn’t have said they’re my favourites they are just what I have!

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 sure everyone has said this but I love Moleskines. Although I prefer just to write and doodle in them than actually properly work in them. Most of my drawings and screenprints I just do onto sheets of cartridge paper.

I like the idea of having lovely chunky black sketchbooks but when it gets round to it I always feel a bit restricted working in a sketchbook.

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

I really don’t like adding colour to work on Photoshop because all I can do is the paint bucket pretty much. If I could do textures etc I’m sure I would use it more. However most of my drawings I do on loose sheets of paper, which I scan in then create layouts and compositions on Photoshop which I usually then print out and screenprint.

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

I once saw a man drawing in Paris with a really chunky propelling pencil and lusted after one for years, but could never find one. When I eventually did I didn’t actually like it…bit of a waste of time really!

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

Not really. I sometimes do collage with old scraps of paper and collected vintage ephemera although these don’t seem out of the ordinary to me! I sometimes introduce textiles and stitch into my work but at the moment I’m pretty focused on printmaking.

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?

Definitely prefer doing things by hand but more and more I find that I need to use the computer for certain projects. I could work purely digital, I would go insane staring at a computer screen. It always feels much more rewarding when you physically/manually produce something as you can actually see the process and mistakes made along the way, where as on the computer that often gets lost, deleted or left behind.

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 as an illustrator its pretty much vital to have a website or at least have an online portfolio of your work because illustrators often get commissioned work through art directors trawling the internet to find new talent, or simply going through links on websites, chances are the links will eventually lead to you.

I look at a lot of illustrators work online and on design blogs etc which I find inspiration from, but its not quite the same as flicking through a book is it?!

Also when doing illustrations you often need obscure images to draw from, and google and flickr are lifesavers in those situations, although again I would much prefer to draw from observation or my own photographs and books.

Thanks Alice!

You can find Alice Pattullo online at her portfolio website alicepattullo.com, on her personal weblog alice-pattullo.blogspot.com, and on the group weblog Illustrator’s Elbow.

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

When I sketch it is usually with ink. A drafting pen or markers are my favourite choices. I find that you can’t hide your mistakes when you draw directly in ink. I love that. Occasionally I will use a blue pencil. This allows me to ink over this so that when scanned, the blue sketch lines can be edited out.

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

In the past I have used pretty much anything to hand to create art. Spray paint, oils, acrylic. makers. You name it and I’ve probably used it. These days most of my pre-production work is done on a computer with Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and Illustrator. But when it comes to sketching I’ll always stick to ink.

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

Always black, if I’m using ink, and always 0.5-1.0 tip Edding draft pens. Markers can range from thin to really thick tip. Sometimes I’ll use a brush pen. I’m trying a few different makes to find perfect brush pen for me.

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

On the odd occasion that I actually have the time to paint, I do prefer Oils. But I still mix it up a bit when it comes to the media that I use. It depends what the work calls for.

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?

My favourite markers are Pantone make. Auto spray paint is also good.

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 very rarely get to work outside the studio as that is where my screen printing equipment is, however I always carry a sketch book and a drafting pen or two.

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

If I have a choice I’ll always pick a Moleskine note book, just for the cool factor really, ha, ha. But really anything that you can draw on is fine with me.

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

I always paint on plywood panels. I get these cut to size at a local timber merchants. I like unpredictability of the surface. No two respond the same to the paint. My screen prints are done on acid-free paper, about 200lb. smooth surface.

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

For my screen prints I’ll always use my computer to create the image. Even if I have prepared something by hand it usually ends up being scanned and into Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro and edited.

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

Sometimes but mostly I’ll see something new in the art supply store and try it out for kicks.

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

I did use coffee granules once as an aging agent for the ply wood on a couple of pieces that I did way back.

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

I don’t create collages per se, but my current work is created from found bits and pieces as well as original elements. I do use allot of imagery that I find either in magazines or on the Internet. I’ll fiddle around with a scan or picture from the web until it is suitable for what I need.

Do you have any special tools you use for creating collages? A particular X-acto knife, or a certain stamp set?

Just the computer and my scanner.

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

Mainly Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop and Illustrator. Layers are the best thing ever. I use Illustrator to convert scans of my like drawings into vectors.

If you work both digitally and non-digitally, which do you find yourself doing more? Is there a reason you would prefer one of the other? Is it because of the tools available in either space?

These days the pre-production work is always finished off digitally. This isn’t a preference it’s just how the product dictates how I work. I need to produce acetates for the screens that I’ll print from. So, even if everything is done by hand, the final stage will always be scan, fiddle and print.

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 that the use of a computer is invaluable these days. Even if you don’t use it for producing the work, the promotional opportunities are so much better in cyber space and save on shoe leather. That said, I have the attention span of a gnat so when I’m online it is so easy to get distracted. Before you know it, two or three hours have gone by and you have nothing to show for your time. I try to update me blog at least once a week, if possible. I find that this simple process helps me to think about my work, what I’ve done and ideas for the future.

Thanks Mick!

Mick Statham can be found online at his website/portfolio mickstatham.com and on his weblog.

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

For most of my illustration projects my tool of choice vacillates between some form of graphite and ballpoint pen, but digital application of color remains a constant. I use a Wacom tablet at some stage for nearly every project, and I also add scanned textures to make things interesting. As far as sketchbooks go, I have grown particularly fond of the multi-colored ballpoint pens manufactured by Muji. The flow of ink is much smoother than many ballpoints I have tried, and I can get a lot of interesting linework with it. Plus the color options are just downright fun. I’m also hoping if I plug them in this interview, they’ll send me some free pens.

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

Mood, mostly. It depends on the look and feel I’m going for, Although size and format of the project is a factor as well. The thing I love about the ballpoint is not only the variation of lines and gradation you can achieve, but also the spontaneity and the permanence of it. When you draw with a ballpoint you are making a commitment to the lines you put down, for better or for worse. This forces you to problem solve, to figure out how to make it work, even if you mess up. Poets Wallace Stevens and Robert Frost both believed in letting poems write themselves, and I feel similarly about drawing. So what I end up with is multiple drawings overlapping each other, reflecting the spontaneity and the changing of circumstances that occur as you draw. It ends up becoming more interesting to look at. Jeeze, that was long-winded.

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

Like I said, the Muji ballpoint is a firm favorite. I also have a fondness for Prismacolor markers which is deeply rooted in my adolescence.

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

Where illustration is concerned, my coloring is all digital. Especially since I work professionally in an office setting, digital coloring allows for minimal clutter, ease of alteration and quick results. I have a complete other method I use to make paintings, but I’ll pretend for now that it isn’t relevant.

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’ll hash out ideas on any surface, but generally I prefer any paper that isn’t solid white. Moleskine books are preferable for me when sketching, because of the solid weight of the paper and because it’s off-white. I’m also a fan of newsprint and grocery paper.

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

Oh good, glad I saved talking about my painting method for this question. This may seem more relevant after I’ve actually displayed some of this work online (coming soon, guys) but here we go. After ages of toiling with ways to transfer my sketchbook drawings to canvas without losing its fluidity, I finally found a way to make it work by using either vine charcoal or chalk on raw cotton canvas, and then sealing it with acrylic polymer (i use plextol) to preserve the stroke. Then if I feel like it I layer oil on top to render some spots and leave others skeletal. At this point I’d like to give credit to Norwegian painter Benjamin Bergman for introducing me to this technique. Look him up, he’s fantastic.

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

Oh of course. Almost every technique I use was lifted in part from somewhere else. I’m pretty sure there aren’t many who could claim otherwise.

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?

My working environment at the agency I work for in Oslo completely influenced my decision to go almost all digital at work. I have limited space and since I am inherently untidy I prefer not to spend a whole lot of time cleaning up paint mess. If I decide to do a storyboard or a sketch non-digitally, it’s pretty much only because I felt like it that day.

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)?

Absolutely all of the above, especially if it’s hooked up to the internet. But you know what I think the computer is a fantastic tool for making art. Some say that doing work on a computer invalidates it as a legit work of art but I disagree; the computer shouldn’t be looked upon so much as a crutch or an easy substitute for the pen or pencil but a way to take what we know about traditional media and expand upon it, all the while coming up with new ways to be artists. Remember even with the aid of machines we are still the ones in control of the final product. Plenty of people use a computer and still make crappy art.

Thanks Taylor!

Taylor White can be found online at her portfolio site taylor-white.com, her weblog, and on Twitter (@taylurk).