My Drawing Equipment

[Bruce Lee]

I'd like to see your full color work. Can you post some in your sketchblog or in the color section?

There are a few pieces in my sketchblog, but they exist as links only, because they contain nudity. Check you PM box. I'll send you a link to something I colored with Dr Martins dyes.

Loston

[theGOBLIN]

Where the heck are the sharpies?? jk.

[bindlestitch]

I used the Marsomatic pens, and I agree with you about them. They clog far too easily--even if you clean them regularly-- and it takes forever to get them flowing again. I've had better luck with the white Rapidographs, but all tech pens will clog.

I think you'd be better off just using Pitt Pens or Microns, bindlestich. I know you're looking for something refillable, but you'll have less hassle out of these disposables, and are great for doing technical line work. These pens last a decent amount of time, and work well with rulers, templates, etc. I really recommend buying the Faber-Castell black pen four pack containing a small, fine, and Medium point pen, and a brushpen. I think you'll forget about ever using the Marsomatic Pens again.

As for refillable pens, I don't know of any good ones offhand--I've never needed more than a disposable-- but you might find someone on the Tips & Tech board who can offer some suggestions to you.

Loston

Excellent. I'll difinatley give those suggestions a try.
Thanks, man.

[smygba]

I don't doubt that equipment helps, but lets be fair, but you can probably make art out a pudding stick these days.

[Bruce Lee]

I don't doubt that equipment helps, but lets be fair, but you can probably make art out a pudding stick these days.

You can make art from anything if you're creative, but having the right tools for the job really does help a great deal, smygba.

Loston

[bindlestitch]

Loston,
About the pelican graphic white. I have problems with my white ink (dr. martins bombay white) smearing the black that I'm trying to cover. It reactivates (for lack of a better word) the black ink under it and I get a muddy mess. Does the pelican solve this problem? I guess what I'm asking is: am I doing something wrong or is it my chosen ink?
Your tops,
Iz

[Bruce Lee]

Loston,
About the pelican graphic white. I have problems with my white ink (dr. martins bombay white) smearing the black that I'm trying to cover. It reactivates (for lack of a better word) the black ink under it and I get a muddy mess. Does the pelican solve this problem? I guess what I'm asking is: am I doing something wrong or is it my chosen ink?
Your tops,
Iz

I've not used the Dr Martins Bombay White, but I know that if it's a watercolor or dye it can reactivate with other things. Watercolors and dyes seep into the paper, actually coloring/dying the paper. The Pelikan Graphic White is pretty much a white acrylic paint, and even though it is water-based, it works to coat/cover the top of the paper surface. Being a water-based paint, you can thin it with water to your own personal preference for the smoothest of applications. If you're using a permanent India ink, you should not have any problems with Pelikan Graphic White reactivating the ink. You can lay it down thin or thick without problem.

Keep in mind that you should always use white outs after your inks have dried and extra pencil lines have been erased away from the inks. India ink dries very quickly, so you're not likely to encounter problems.


Recommended PELIKAN GRAPHIC WHITE Maintenance:

Every so often, Pelikan Graphic White tends to thicken up (due to the loss of water vapor), and become "gummy" and too thick to use properly. When this happens, all you need to do is add about 10-12 drops of water to the bottle, then you need to put the lid back on the bottle and shake the contents. I recommend covering the entire bottle with a rag to ensure that non of the contents spills out from beneath the lid. The addition of water and a few good shakes should put you back in business.

Loston

[Bruce Lee]

Where the heck are the sharpies?? jk.

Heh. I do use Sharpies a lot, but never for finished artworks. It's the only reason they weren't included on this list, because as permanent markers go, it's difficult to find better markers than Sharpies. I use them quite often for rough layouts and sketching.

Also missing from my list are circle & ellipse templates and french curves, which I use from time to time.

Loston

[Ian Miller]

Heh. I do use Sharpies a lot, but never for finished artworks. It's the only reason they weren't included on this list, because as permanent markers go, it's difficult to find better markers than Sharpies. I use them quite often for rough layouts and sketching.

Also missing from my list are circle & ellipse templates and french curves, which I use from time to time.

Loston

Everyone knows that Sharpies are an easy way to fill in black areas...Are there any potential harmful side effects to the art from using Sharpies or other permanent markers? I used to use them a ton when inking because of the solid, dark marks they made in large black areas, and even though it's not the most professional way to fill in blacks I know some pros do use them. Like Joe Quesada said once, anything that can make pure black and white in a comic is kosher.

[Bruce Lee]

Everyone knows that Sharpies are an easy way to fill in black areas...Are there any potential harmful side effects to the art from using Sharpies or other permanent markers? I used to use them a ton when inking because of the solid, dark marks they made in large black areas, and even though it's not the most professional way to fill in blacks I know some pros do use them. Like Joe Quesada said once, anything that can make pure black and white in a comic is kosher.

A lot of pros use Sharpies on finished artwork, but for me it's just as easy to fill up those areas of black space with Speedball ink and brush, and the look you get with India ink is superior. Sharpie markers soak into the paper and can sometimes bleed outward, even on good paper like bristol board, unlike India Inks, which lay on top of the surface of the paper. My personal aesthetic enters into this choice too. Sharpie markers make for a very flat, and often very dull area of spotted black. The coloration of Sharpie line is not as rich and dark black as India ink. Side by side, there's no comparison to which ink finish looks best. As a collector of original art, it can be a night and day sort of difference.

Sharpie "inks" might look just fine in print, where the line can be adjusted for contrast by Photoshop, etc, but Sharpie finishes don't necessarily look so good on the original artwork itself, and can sometimes look awkward when mixed with India inked linework. It's not a look that I personal enjoy, nor is it a look that many collectors of original art like either. India Ink is always a winner with everyone, always prints well, and covers just fine. I see know reason to ever use markers in the inks when I can get superior quality line and coverage with a brush and a bottle of Speedball ink. I'm crazy like that.

Loston