Tools I use

Many people ask me what tools I use to create my art work, and how I store my Markers and tools. In fact, it's my most frequently asked question. I've done a ton of product reviews, but I don't think I've sone anything specific to what I use. I'll try to link to all the products I use, if I can find them online, So you can purchase them too if you like :)

Sketch Markers: I use these almost exclusively now. I have a few Ciao Markers left in my collection. I like The sketch because they hold more Ink than the Ciao, but the Ciao hold a special place in my heart for being adorable. All of the copic markers are Refillable with the Various ink.

Wide, and Copic Markers: I use the Wide and Copic markers sometimes but not very often. The Wide I use for filling in larger areas that need a flat colour. They work wonderfully. The Copic Markers I use a little more often than the wide. I've replaced the Fine Nib with the Super Fine Nib on my Copic Markers to make them a more writing style pen, and I use these to work out my layouts for my comics (heres a picture of it).

Opaque White: Again, Copic is my Go to for my opaque white. Very useful for certain effects on transparent things, and for highlighting. Also for fixing mistakes :) Maybe a tutorial on that one day... Hmmm ;)

Paper: Believe it or not, the paper is the most important part of any marker artists arsenal. If you have the wrong paper you're never going to be satisfied! So, I have a variety of papers I use for a variety of tasks. For My illustrations I usually use X-Press it Blending Card. It's simply the most magnificent paper I've ever used! I love it like crazy! Blending is effortless on it! For my comic, Hello, Albertosaurus which is coloured entirely in markers but is going to be 200 pages long, I needed to have a slightly less expensive option for this and so I've been Using Aquabee Marker Paper. It's a really good paper, and blends pretty effortlessly as well. It's a bit cheaper than the X-Press it.

For my Layout work, I use a couple of different things. Mostly I use Canson tracing paper, but occasionally, I use Copic Alcohol pad. The tracing paper is completely un absorbant, and so it gives a watercoloury effect with the markers. Being Transparent I can also colour shading layers on the back side of it , then draw on the front side and really quickly get my ideas out. Alternatively the Copic Alcohol pad is a bleedproof paper that is thin like tracing paper, but it's less transparent. It's good for quick colour sketches as well. The important feature for me is that they're both thin, so when I cut and tape them into my sketchbook/ layout book it doesn't add too much bulk.

Airbrush: I use the Copic Airbrush system for areas where I need a quick gradient or, I want to make some soft out of focus effects... Perhaps a tutorial on that someday too... HMM... On that note, I highly recommend purchasing a compressor as well. This Airbrush Kit from copic is an exceptional deal! You won't regret it because you'll save tons of money on air cans, never have to stop because a can gets too cold, and never run out of air! Fantastic! If you're Going to be airbrushing as well, then I highly recommend Copics Mask it Film as well. I've tried so many masking films and this is by far the best!

Lets see, what else.... OH, Pens! I use the Copic Multiliner SP pens. They are fantastic high quality pens, come in black, and colours and a wide range of nib sizes. The nibs are changeable too, by the way! Very Handy! They're Copic Proof, Unlike the Other popular ones, Sakura Microns - which I actually despise, LOL! I showed an example about how they're not marker proof in an old tutorial I did. The Sakura pens are really terrible, The nibs split, and break or bend under minimal pressure, and the ink runs out way too fast. You waste your money buying them. If you're serious about your art, you'll be inking a lot and you should make the investment to use a more earth friendly, and cost effective option.

Hmm, Ok I guess that's it. If there's anything else you want details on you can always leave me a comment and I'll reply :)

This was a little self indulgent but hopefully you enjoyed it :) If you want to ever see photos of our Studio, or pictures of my work in progress there are a number of places to see these!

Facebook - We have a Studio Facebook Page where we post photos of in progress. Please "like" us :)

Instagram - my username on Instagram is MarkerGuru

I also post my artwork on my website, it's intermingled with my sisters work, but our names are on everything :)

Thanks :D