(Part 3) Best artists drawing media according to redditors

Hi everyone! Here is the link to these Ecoline brush pens on Amazon.

The paper i'm using is here. It's super smooth and perfect for brush lettering.

The nail polish is Superchic Lacquer Trap Queen ($14).

General makes these white pastel chalk pencils that are my go-to, but I very rarely do full, finished pieces in dry media these days, just for quick sketching, so take that recommendation with as many grains of salt as you like. They're not waxy like white charcoal, at least.

Really good work.

If I can give some suggestions, I know mechanical pencils are kind of ubiquitous in schools, but I would try drawing more with thicker leads. Wooden pencils, woodless pencils, or staedtler mechanical pencils will help you with form and depth. Also using different lead types can help you in the long run. You seem to have a heavy hand (or really dark lead, going to guess it's 2B), playing around with 2H lead might help you save more time of drawing and erasing. (If you want more info let me know, I'm going to stop here because I feel like I'm rambling).

Keep at it, and never fall into the trap of being insecure about your work.

It's was drawn using a fineliner pen, and watercolor paint applied with brush. First result from google: https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Black-Micro-Liner-Fineliner-Pens/dp/B07BP2BJFJ

Ecoline Brush Pens

I love your style. You might enjoy a sable hair fountain pen like this you can get a refillable cartridge for it for 5$ and then get any color or kind of fountain pen ink you like, waterproof or not.

I had a painting teacher introduce me to it, she hiked the pacific crest trail for a year and her only art tools were that pen and a lot of small sketchbooks. I really dig the pen and you might like it for sketching in the cold, you may need to get an ink meant for cold though.

More or less.

I think it is quite vibrant, and the shading looks nice, especially on the lighter colors.

I would suggest using a blender and then possibly a burnisher (for added shine) on the black. For me, black can be hard to work with, and another trick is blending with a very light blue or cool grey, which gives the color more depth. If you're using prismacolor I can find the color names for you. I think it would really make the lighter colors pop. Imo Derwent works best, and I like their electric eraser as well, although the included eraser is vinyl and will erase even black — just be careful on thin paper. (Hopefully that link works, I'm on mobile and I had to share from the app, wouldn't let me open it in any of my browsers.)

Alright! Reminds me of the notecard system as well.

Right now I'm using a fountainhead pen with Moleskine pocket notebooks and Leuchtturm A5's (dotted). I never really gave ink/paper longevity a thought. I really like this setup so I'll have to check if it fits your criteria. I really love the 0.2mm Uni-penn (these ones) but I'll be ordering the sakura pens you recommended.

I'm definitely tagging you as the go to archive person in here :D

We bought these on sale from Amazon but here is a link :D

Copic Premium Artist Markers - 72 color Set A - Intermediate Level https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MRR41E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_gOdF5P7MYVgUZCopic
Copic I72B Ciao Markers Set B, 72-Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MRWHBQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_RjVunsBxy2X7u

If you want to see more of her art using those markers she has recently posting a lot of videos with them!

i found these in the virgin store but if you cant find them there, here is the amazon link

I got a nice brush pen for Christmas so I just started getting into it also. While using it, I get the feeling that I don't have to follow all the rules as when using a dip pen. That makes it more creative and fun for me.

Your writing looks great! I cant keep my edges straight as inevitably my pressure is not consistent and therefore the thickness varies much more (but not in a good way).

Thank you kindly!! I use a kuretake sable brush pen: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001DMQIOG

I personally like the feel of using the sable hair brush vs other brush pens which I think use plastic or some other kind of synthesized hair?

My pen also has an adapter in it(purchased separately) so it lets me re fill and use any ink of choice, so far I like using this ink: https://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Brands-Noodlers-Bottle-19203/dp/B000WIUKIW

The white ink was drawn with this pen, so far it's been the most reliable white-on-black pen I've used(goes on with a clean smooth line with zero or little transparency or leaving a ball point pen line: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KK6X7CW

And then coloured with copic markers! 😄
Thank you again for your kind comment I really appreciate it!! 💕

Hmmm...maybe 80 pounds? I hope he doesn't overcharge you!!!

I'm in the U.S. and this Prime item includes these calligraphy pens, as calligraphy is this new hobby I'm picking up in efforts to add some relaxation in my life!!!

Well, heres some tools I like to use and/or think might be a good choice for someone:

For sketching and whatnot this
pencil set is good.

Also Erasers and Blenders are useful

Charcoal pencils are cool too, but maybe not the best starting point. heres a link anyway

Oh, and drawing paper

I realize all this is getting expensive so maybe its best to get her this drawing set. The quality isn't as high in these complete sets, but it does gives her a wide variety of tools to experiment with. (including coloring pencils) The paper sucks in this set, so I would still probably get that separately.

The same folks also make a beginners set of acrylic here. Which seems pretty cool. Again though, it would probably be a good idea to get more paper. I've used this acrylic paper and it seems to be pretty good.


Also, If you want, it might be better to go for watercolor over acrylic.
If so, here is some decent stuff:

Paint or Cheaper Paint

Brushes

Paper

Well, that's all that springs to mind. Let me know if you have any questions that I might be able to answer.

Yeah, I'm kind of sold on the Derwent Inktense. What do you think would be better? The blocks or the pencils? I think the pencils are more comfortable and easy to use, though the blocks seem nice too.

Edit: Sooo I found this tin box of 72 on sale in my country and it's like 65 Euro ($70). It's a really good deal right? I think I'm gonna buy these. http://www.amazon.com/Derwent-Inktense-Pencils-Metal-2301843/dp/B001XCWP34

Edit 2: Hmmm, so I read this review and I'm changing my mind a bit. http://hubpages.com/art/Watercolor-Pencils-Reviews#

I see that Faber Castell and Koh-I-Noor are something I'd probably like more. I won't be using the watercolour only with water and I want a nice pigment even when I use the dry pencil. I think I'll be getting a smaller box of Derwent Inktense stricly for waterbrushing and other types for both waterbrush and dry use.

yeah, this is a set I used for a piece I did a while ago. I also used a blending stump to smooth mine out, although my canvas was white originally. Took me stupidly long to do, because I was copying a picture by hand, which took like an hour, along with 2 or 3 to actually colour it.

I would DEFINITELY go with the colored pastels. You obviously love to draw and pastels make everything better!

swaggybananas

Depends on the job. I have some big ones for large areas, then extra fine for precision jobs.

Acrylic Paint Markers,26 Colors Extra Fine Point Acrylic Paint Pens Set by Smart Color Art,Permanent Water Based, Great for Rock, Wood, Fabric, Glass, Metal, Ceramic, DIY Crafts and Most Surfaces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J66RHRB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ac8QCbKPF9YG5

I don't know what is too expensive for you but the other day I saw the 72 set on amazon for $65 down from $84 which is quite a good deal. You could always try getting some open stock and build up your collection from there. And I do agree they are a bit pricey, but I think they are so worth it. The ink is much more vivid than regular watercolor in my opinion.
You could watch them on camel camel camel and see if the price drops again.

My thought:

ARTEZA Colored Pencils, Professional Set of 72 Colors, Soft Wax-Based Cores, Ideal for Drawing Art, Sketching, Shading & Coloring, Vibrant Artist Pencils for Beginners & Pro Artists in Tin Box $32

24 Drawing Pencils Set, Art Sketching Pencils 14B, 12B, 10B, 9B, 8B, 7B, 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H - 9H, Shading Graphite Pencils for Adults & Kid Artists $10

Charcoal Drawing Pencils Set Sketch Pencils Medium 12pcs Charcoal Pencils Non-Toxic Drawing Pencils Tools Set for Fine Art Supplies (Black Medium) $11

Clearprint 1000H Design Vellum Sheets, 16 Lb., 100% Cotton, 11 x 17 Inches, 100 Sheets Per Pack, 1 Each (10201516) $51

Would make a nice set of gifts she could open, lots to play with and experiment with.

I doubt it. The wiki redirects you all over the place and it was just kinda weird. If you are willing to answer a question though Is this a decent brush pen? I will be using the cartridges and then refilling with fountain pen ink. If you have another suggestion also.

Yeah you did really great on those parts for sure!

I've found the Crayola ones aren't too bad for the price. I suggest getting a Derwent Blender and Burnisher set, it should work well with the crayolas. I mostly use Prismacolor but yeah they are way more expensive.

Okay.

This is the big one. Where is the top of the head? The placement on the paper feels arbitrary, like it wasn't thought through first. Was it penciled out first to get the dimension and form right?
(If you use another sheet under it... draw it separately so there isn't markings on the paper edge of the top one and tape it underneath leaving the top untapped. Then straight into a dollar store frame and BAM no one will see it.)

The form of the piece next: this is usually pretty easy to accomplish using pencil first. Maybe you did, I can't tell from the picture. The most distracting things in the form is the vertical ridge on the helmet being all askance, and the two cheekbones being very very different. I see other symmetry issues but they aren't as obvious... (as far as symmetry goes, it's good to break it up and not have everything equal on both sides but the actual mask being different hurts it.)

Lastly, ballpoint pen. The level of devotion to crosshatching here is high, you deserve to treat yourself to a real tool. Spend $15 on some nice pens, your ballpoint pen isn't serving you. I like these things: https://www.amazon.com/Kuretake-Sumi-Brush-Pen/dp/B000EBJIKS/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1473923359&sr=8-11&keywords=Kuretake+Brush+Pen

Fun stuff, keep drawing!

If you are just starting out then I would recommend the Kuretake No 13. It is a decent brush that can use Platinum converters.

Now not only is it a good starter brush pen that is refillable. This pen can also fit the natural sable hair brush refills if you care to upgrade without having to pay out for the Kuretake No 40/50 pen.

Here is a gallery from a past post where I used the natural brush heads in kuretake pens to give you an example. https://imgur.com/a/pBpHt#4

And lastly you really don't need a converter unless you really want to use them. Just syringe refill the cartridges when they are empty.

• Practice.
  
• Did you get a blender pencil? I find it helps with making smoother transitions between different colors.
  
  EDIT: Derwent instruction video

I have mostly been using this set that I bought from amazon. I did receive 168 markers, but one was a duplicate and one color was missing. I contacted the seller and they said they are sending me the missing one. So far these markers are working great. It was a bit pricey, but I wanted a lot of colors to work with.

I also picked up these gel pens from Costco for $14.97. I mostly have used the metallic ones for accents. The gel pen ink lays over the marker ink nicely.

it's such a pain to get that saturation with colored pencils. there is a prismacolor blending marker, although i've never used it. i'd imagine it helps with blending similar shades together but not making a gradient with one color.

Everyone says "better markers" but they don't really help. You can get great markers and still do that. Try a blender marker!

I use this uni ball set mostly but for these I pretty much used the 0.1mm pen, they're super cheap compared to the other stuff that's out there.

Here is the mobile version of your link

Get willow charcoal! There is this cool technique I learned in college. Use willow charcoal to lay down a base on your page. Color the whole damn thing. Then you can make your lines with willow charcoal. Because willow charcoal doesn't stick to the page very well, you can literally brush it off with your finger if you don't like this line or that line. Then, use a normal charcoal stick to go over the lines you want to keep. It makes it so easy.



I have this type of willow charcoal



I've had this set for years. It's solid.

I'm using this pencil set. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LPHIG20/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This drawing was made with an HB, 2B, and 4B pencils. I also used a rubber eraser, a kneaded eraser, and tortillon.

If you're decent at drawing, you can use paint markers.

https://www.amazon.com/Acrylic-Paint-Markers-Acrylic-Paint-Pens-Smart-Color-Art/dp/B07J66RHRB

Maybe chalk pencil?
https://www.amazon.com/General-Pencil-GEN-4414-2BP-Multi-Pastel-Pencils/dp/B01LZATLNU/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?adgrpid=51529521010&hvadid=274725831485&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9029969&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3036481743999412420&hvtargid=kwd-309207717796&hydadcr=15589_9602059&keywords=chalk+pencils&qid=1565292999&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Just about any marker I can find! I especially like the [crayola super tips](Crayola Super Tips Washable Markers, 100 Count, Bulk, Great for Kids https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071CP6X88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_I28-zbVDGYVQT) and any brush tip marker (dual tip) work nicely too for any kind of calligraphy stuff!

• Riddle the First
  
  Wine -- flask for sneaking butterbeer into class so I can win the Defense Against the Dark Arts duels. >_>
  
  
• Riddle the Second
  
  A broom -- organizer so I can keep all my brooms tidily stored and make points with /u/dragonflyjen, the Flying Instructor. =D
  
  
• Riddle the Third
  
  A hat -- for the Tin Man, because I want him as my lab partner in Potions, to use his parts, err brain, for the exams, because /u/rarelyserious, the Potions Master values ingenuity like that. <_<
  
  
• Riddle the Fourth
  
  A book -- the start of one, anyway, being a children's book I have in mind, for the History of Magic project /u/Morthy will assign.
  
  
• Riddle the Fifth
  
  A trunk -- a teeny-tiny one that allows me to hide myself in music and charm the Magical Creatures in /u/Stefanienee's class.
  
  
• For Bonus Points
  
  A cape -- on a pint glass, because it can be used to insulate warm beverages for the night Astronomy classes taught by /u/tandem7!
  
  Mischief Managed! =D

Hey dude. There is a lot of promise in here. I think it would be worth getting it yourself some better art supplies!

You might really enjoy markers. There are smaller sets of this line, but they are a decent quality Chinese cheap brand.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L9YRB17/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xryJDbVD3BNH1

And some affordable paper to go with

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SN0PI88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ltyJDbRSN8XMQ

Also get yourself some good pens. I like microns.

Anyways you commented on my post so I thought I would chime in on some of your work. Keep drawing my dude

I'm right there with you. I tried a few different things (pencil, ink, paints, chainsaw, markers) I stick with a sketchbook with paper that is smooth and between 150gsm to 180gsm weight paper. Such as Moleskine or Daler Rowney (don't get too good a sketchbook or you'll be afraid to ruin it) (oh and the Daler Rowney is a bit more toothy, rougher than the Moleskine)

I have some Mitsubishi fine liner pens. A Pentel brush pen. A few cheap pencils. (F is hard, b is soft etc) and a couple obvious bits like a ruler, hard and a soft rubber. You don't need them, but sometimes I'll splash some colour in with either light watercolour or alcohol markers. A lot of the time I'm just sketching with a biro pen or a cheap mechanical pencil.

Go nuts and absolutely test those mediums to destruction in your sketchbook.

Draw what you see, copy everything you like, don't try to draw exactly like certain artists too much, and look at a sweeping variety of art. And don't get caught up with making everything a masterpiece. Draw everything quick and light, get caught up on the details later. So often I get bogged down on toes or hands and half an hour later I've drawn a great stick figure with beautiful hands.

I'd love to see how you do, keep us updated!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002AF8XFM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_ApTIzb98NWR8D sketchbook

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002N5MBNO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_0qTIzbE96P7YC Pens

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000J6BAV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_.rTIzbX47MR84 Pencils. Though you could just get a couple from your local stationery or art supply store.

For computer game art. I could recommend you get the cheap version of Clip Studio Pro for 25 dollars (really powerful comic illustration software) then snap a pic of what you have drawn and colour it in there, touch up the blacks of your line work etc. You can do it all with a mouse once you do your line work on paper.

Finally, wow I went overboard with this comment. Check out sketchbook vids on Youtube, for yourself, check out Scott Robertson, his vids are all about his students and his sketchbooks, all in the area of designing and rendering cool stuff. Here's a link with John Parks sketchbook LOT OF MECHS https://youtu.be/Rv-LVUCZWyU

No problem! If you're interested in them, you can find them here

You can also get this off amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Super-Washable-Markers-Count/dp/B071CP6X88

I am so excited for the gifts I ordered for her! I can hardly wait for 2 week for them to arrive. I never felt this excited about gifting anything to anyone.These are not to win her love or receive gratitude, I just felt like if I were her I'd be happy to get this from someone. I wish I have known more about her til now so that I could get more things. Obviously she won't be very pleased that I spent money for her, but it's not about the money, it's about her happiness. I just hope likes these.

The first thing I got for her is a Beats X. She loves music and deserves something far better than the cheap skullcandy earphone she uses. I got the blue color as it's her second most favorite color after purple. I would've even bought the Bose I use but she tried it she felt the treble was too much for her. I digress but I felt so happy she wanted to try them on, I mean come on a girl interested in gadgets!

Next I got her a Sketch pencil set as she draws on paper too. I am very excited about this.

Then couple of days ago she asked for portrait tutorials and I thought I should give her a book. This seemed the perfect book to me, may be she knows a lot of it already but may be she can learn some new techniques and pro tips.

All these I got from amazon Canada, next I want to buy some things from here as well. I must get a sketchbook to go along with the pencils. Plus I will visit Miniso and grab random things that she might like and be useful to her.

Finally I have this idea to put sticky notes on each of the items writing a thing or two may be even pack them in gift wrap.

I am not sure if I should leave her a secret hand written letter among the presents.

Here are some links I found:

http://www.amazon.com/Copic-I72B-Ciao-Markers-72-Piece/dp/B000MRWHBQ
http://www.amazon.de/COPIC-ProfiPinselmarker-sketch-72er-4511338003756/dp/B007RHAH8Y

Are those the right markers?

what about oil pastels? like these? you can widdle them down to size.

I bought this one recently and I absolutely love it.

Drawing pencils

I got a these Tombow Fudenosuke pens on Amazon along with tracing paper. They are really awesome and good for a total beginner like me. They took a couple days to ship so I also went to a local art supply store and got Tombow Dual Tips in colors. They're a little more difficult to use, but fun when I'm doodling during the day.

I ordered these Pentels shimmery ones last week, but they are taking forever to ship. Won't get here until at least Feb 14.

tl;dr: get the Fudenosukes. And a Rhodia notebook if you don't already have a good one with soft paper :)