Help me oh wise artists... Options

[Lisa Moore]

So I'm trying to get into drawing traditionally a bit more. The very little drawing that I do at this point I do digitally, because I can erase everything really easily and start over. lol I'm so used to drawing everything I do digitally that I'm absolute rubbish at drawing anything the real way. Since I'm wanting to contribute a couple sketch cards to the comics for cures auction again this year I figured it was a good time to pick up some tips. Last year I just drew my cards in photoshop printed them out and made a makeshift lightbox so I could just trace them onto the card. ha

So anyway, what I'm really wanting to know is what types of pencils and pens should I be investing in?

I figure I'll need to pick up the blue pencils that you can sketch with first. Trouble is I don't know what those things are called, where you get them or anything important like that. lol I figure I can get them at blue line, I looked and am assuming those would be the Non-Photo Blue Pencils. Is that right?

After that what pencils do you all use to draw in the solid lines, does it even matter? Also any tips for good inking pens. Last year on my sketchcards I got a pen that I thought was water proof and wouldn't smear when I colored over it with markers. Well I was wrong. So I ended up painting most of them with acrylics instead. A lot of extra trouble because I just didn't know what the heck I was doing. lol

So help me out if you can. Feel free to be specific and point me in the direction of any of the pencils and pens you use. Thanks!!

[Casey Campbell]

I'm probably late chiming in here but here goes. First let me say that I just acquired my first digital tablet (intuos 3) and need less to say I'm finding it a pain in the butt to work with so hats off to you Lisa for mastering that media. I prefer traditionally to use a 2H pencil to lay out my pages then move to a softer lead like an HB or a 2b to sharpen it up. I like tech pencils as well especially when adding details to the page beforemoving on to inks. I've even got a .03 tech pencil I like to use now and again. As far as inks go I use a wide variety of pens and brushes. I'm more of a tech pen kinda guy(expensive and a pain to keep clean) but the results suit my style. I like using F&W waterproof india ink. Brushes are an art form within themselves with a wide range of line weight available with the trained hand. I find them too unpredictable for my taste but to each his own. Its really whatever feels comfortable to you. Its a learning process and I'm still learning everyday.

Oh forgot to add other brands I like to use. For disposable pens I like Staedtler pens, Kohnor Tech pens, Ticonderoga pencils, prismacolor black markers are cool too.
Copics are a good brand as well. I've used a wide variety but like these the most
Oh..heh heh..and pink pearl erasers.

This post has been edited by Casey Campbell: Feb 27 2011, 10:54 AM