My Inventory
Some of the tools I like to use as an illustrator
I grew up during the digital age throughout the early 2000s, with the arrival of home broadband and computers, smartphones and tablets in my teens, and now AI in my 30s. Nothing brings me more joy than being away from screens and in front of a sketchbook with sharp pencils.
As artists, we all carry tools and equipment that are part of our trade. We like to level up from beginner supplies to professional artist tools. I want to show you what I use to help me create art on my journey as an illustrator.
Pencils
Pencils are essential for transferring ideas to paper and seeing where they go. Before I do anything with ink pens or even digitally, I like to figure out my linework and have a rough illustration. I enjoy using Derwent sketching pencils, which I use in the sizes 2B, 4B, and HB.
Raymond Briggs is one of the illustrators who inspired me. As a child, I loved watching Snowman every Christmas, admiring the backgrounds and seeing the crayon-pencil lines and texture come to life. I develop and colour the final work digitally for my commercial projects, but I enjoy illustrating and colouring with pencils for my recreational use. I use fabulous Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, which produce excellent colours. They are solid, sturdy pencils that don’t break easily; Mine also come in a lovely leather pouch to hold them all in.
Sketchbooks
Pencils are no good without paper, which is why I always carry a sketchbook with me. For me, sketchbooks are where my ideas are born or confined to a page for eternity. If I travel, I like to collect stickers, stamps, tickets, etc. and paste them in a sketchbook. I always start by drawing my ideas on paper before doing anything digitally, and being away from gadgets helps me think more clearly without distractions. I like using Leuchtturm1917 for sketching. However, whatever you have on you now is perfectly fine (I’ve sketched ideas on napkins in a pub before).
I like carrying a small sketchbook in my trouser pocket for daily use. I can quickly jot down ideas and sketches while out and about. I also like having this when I have a ‘lightbulb moment’ at my day job or in a coffee shop.
Digital
Procreate has been the best £10 I have spent throughout my illustration career. I’ve been able to deliver quad posters for a cinema, mural artwork, and artwork that I have spent hours over, adding countless details. There was a learning curve when I started using Procreate, but I found it intuitive using the Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro. It’s like drawing on paper, but with features that rival Photoshop on the go! I would recommend it to any illustrator. Once I have finished drawing my ideas out roughly, I will use Procreate to complete them.
These are some of the tools I use as an illustrator; I’m not sponsored by any of the brands I have mentioned (I like using them), and of course, everyone has their preferences! I want to use my blog to show you my life and what goes on behind the scenes. Goodbye, until next time!
PS: Bonus points if you know what my illustration for this blog entry is referencing