A Cartoonist's Arsenal
A breakdown of my art tools
WHAT PEN DO YOU USE?
The most frequent of frequently asked questions for almost any artist is “What (fill in the tool) do you use?" And I totally get it. I had the same questions for years. I bugged the shit out of Humberto Ramos, Tim Townsend, Joe Mad, Jason Pearon, and any other artist that I could get in touch with, asking the same things.
I spent years and tons of money trying out every pencil, pen, brush, ink, nib, stick, and human bone filed down to a point with squirrel hair rubber-banded to the end that they all suggested. (okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the point.) Some worked, some didn't. Eventually I learned what tools fit me and allowed me to feel the most comfortable while making art.
To answer those questions, I made a video showing you the tools I use while I talk about why I like each of them. Remember, we’re all different artists with different techniques, pressure, grips, etc. While these tools may fit me, they may not work for you. Don’t be discouraged. Some may not ever work. Some, you might want to stick with it for a month or two while you get used to them. Whether you end up liking any of them or not, embrace the fun of experimenting with new art supplies!
That was awesome! I need to rewatch and buy that first brush you used. As a fellow lefty, I'm constantly dealing with smudging!
A funny thing is that paper has so much to do with how each pen behaves. The artist ultimately is the tool (yeah, I know), but the paper/material they work with is important and how that material absorbs, rejects, dries, etc. But, I’m rarely asked about the paper—always the pen.