I get a lot of questions about my art materials, especially from students and fellow artists curious about tools that balance quality with practicality.
I love Lamy Safari pens but I use a fude nib in a Sailor pen just as often. Not the green pen, the blue one - because the angle of the nibs is different and the green doesn't suit me at all. But it's so expressive, the line, and the ink flows beautifully in this pen. I fillmit with a syringe and you can buy blunt needle syringes from pen and ink suppliers online. I use De Atramentis Document ink - waterproof and many lovely colours but black and brown are my regulars. And I mix a grey.
I switched to Kuretake fountain brush pen with a platinum converter instead of the pentel pocket ones because the ink flow seemed better controlled in Kuretake.
Great post! I will look into those sketch books. Do you scan your art using your smartphone or how do you do it? And why? Do you continue working on things electronically? Say hello to Leif! ❤️🐾
Thanks Ann! I usually do scan my art in since the quality is better than a smart phone and it’s flatter and more representative of the original art. I touch it up lightly in photoshop—making the background bright white for example and sometimes adding in text of removing dust.
I used those ink converters for years until an illustrator friend recommended I just refill regular cartridges using a needle and syringe. Of course, procuring those can be tricky, but they are often in medical kits.
I have a timer too...it serves a couple of purposes...I can tell myself "focus on this for 25 minutes" and the ritual of it frees me from distractions because "it's *just* 25 minutes" and I can pick up those distractions after the beep. It also is helpful because then I can put my phone (as my main timekeeper) in the next room further reducing distractions. I love my set of 10 fine line pens from Staedtler. The limited palette is a fun constraint for quick sketches.
I love to hear that you also use a timer, Paula! I think I need to do a post on that soon. The part about the timer not being on the phone is definitely key. I love a limited palette too!
Thanks, Laura! I also have a Twisbi Eco which I considered including but I used the Safari more for drawing. I think the larger ink well of the Twisbi.
I love Lamy Safari pens but I use a fude nib in a Sailor pen just as often. Not the green pen, the blue one - because the angle of the nibs is different and the green doesn't suit me at all. But it's so expressive, the line, and the ink flows beautifully in this pen. I fillmit with a syringe and you can buy blunt needle syringes from pen and ink suppliers online. I use De Atramentis Document ink - waterproof and many lovely colours but black and brown are my regulars. And I mix a grey.
Oh cool! I’ll have to try that out sometime, Deborah!
Simple tools for your lovely art.
I switched to Kuretake fountain brush pen with a platinum converter instead of the pentel pocket ones because the ink flow seemed better controlled in Kuretake.
Thank you, Suneha! Good tip re: Kuretake.
Great post! I will look into those sketch books. Do you scan your art using your smartphone or how do you do it? And why? Do you continue working on things electronically? Say hello to Leif! ❤️🐾
Thanks Ann! I usually do scan my art in since the quality is better than a smart phone and it’s flatter and more representative of the original art. I touch it up lightly in photoshop—making the background bright white for example and sometimes adding in text of removing dust.
Big fan of Platinum Carbon ink. Great list.
Thanks, Amy!
I used those ink converters for years until an illustrator friend recommended I just refill regular cartridges using a needle and syringe. Of course, procuring those can be tricky, but they are often in medical kits.
Thanks for the tip, Alex! I’ve heard of that too.
I have a timer too...it serves a couple of purposes...I can tell myself "focus on this for 25 minutes" and the ritual of it frees me from distractions because "it's *just* 25 minutes" and I can pick up those distractions after the beep. It also is helpful because then I can put my phone (as my main timekeeper) in the next room further reducing distractions. I love my set of 10 fine line pens from Staedtler. The limited palette is a fun constraint for quick sketches.
I love to hear that you also use a timer, Paula! I think I need to do a post on that soon. The part about the timer not being on the phone is definitely key. I love a limited palette too!
Very cool! I love seeing people's supplies. I use a TWISBI eco with carbon ink!
Thanks, Laura! I also have a Twisbi Eco which I considered including but I used the Safari more for drawing. I think the larger ink well of the Twisbi.
I love the artist toolkit’s tiniest watercolor tin. And tiny A6 notebooks that fit in my pocket :-)