Art Discussion

What are your favorite drawing tools and why?

By kartika paramita

48 Comments

  • Stubby Toes artist
    Stubby Toes (@godwheel)
    04/24/2018 @ 3:43pm

    My favorite drawing tool is a Sharpie and my composition notebook. I'm not a professional artist, so I just like to doodle while I'm in meetings, so these are tools I always have with me.

  • rex riley artist
    rex riley (@rexriley) Plus Member
    04/24/2018 @ 6:48pm

    I do a lot of drawing on my tablet and computer but I really love brush pens. I like the ability to varey line thickness without changing tools

  • Embracing nightmares artist
    Embracing nightmares (@gibroni87)
    04/24/2018 @ 10:26pm

    I just discovered watercolor pens an I can stop using them. Nothing for me is better then a mechanical pencil an some thick paper. I like details a lot so it’s nice to not have to sharpen my pencil all the time an thick paper is much more durable

  • Dietrich Adonis artist
    Dietrich Adonis (@ArtNinja2000)
    04/25/2018 @ 12:04pm

    Basic # 2 pencil, non-repro blue and Micron markers. I'll draw with anything I can get my hands on. . . Digital drawing is nice too, but nothing beats good old fashioned pencil-to-paper.

  • Susan B. artist
    Susan B. (@Healingdoodle)
    04/25/2018 @ 7:33pm

    Pitt artist brush pens, Pigma Micron 08, and Strathmore visual journal multimedia paper. It feels like I'm painting with a canvas-lite texture. I'm chemically sensitive and can't use any paints.

  • Barbara Weeks artist
    Barbara Weeks (@BarbaraWeeks)
    04/26/2018 @ 10:21am

    My favorite drawing tool is a good old-fashioned pencil. I love the Blackwing Palomino. General's Sketch and Wash is also a favorite, but any pencil will do. The line variation and shading possibilities are endless.

  • Sohini artist
    Sohini (@bookboozer)
    04/26/2018 @ 10:25am

    Ah this question!! My favorite drawing tool would most definitely be a pen. I like drawing without a back draft of any sort. I feel it gives me freedom and also I just create because there's no going back once I've drawn!

  • mary ann hanlon artist
    mary ann hanlon (@maryann) Plus Member
    04/26/2018 @ 10:55am

    Super fine tip gel pen is great to doodle with while at work.

  • Rowland Jones artist
    Rowland Jones (@Rowland)
    04/26/2018 @ 4:56pm

    It changes- when I first started drawing (aged 56..... I fell in love with Pilot Gtec C4 and Faber Castell Perfect pencils. But I have ‘affairs’ with Stubby, and a long term affair with Pitt Pens. I could go on but I’d write than type ...... bye for now

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    04/26/2018 @ 5:27pm

    @godwheel whoaaa!! Great idea for those who have high mobility and still keep the creative thinking

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    04/26/2018 @ 5:30pm

    @rexriley this is too! Yes, bring brush pen and digital tools.

  • Lauren Konopacki artist
    Lauren Konopacki (@lettermore)
    04/27/2018 @ 11:34am

    my favorite is my water brush pen, i use it EVERYWHERE and it gives me the ability to create different effects with a single tool.

  • Stubby Toes artist
    Stubby Toes (@godwheel)
    04/27/2018 @ 12:21pm

    @paramitk Yes, it is a nice way to always be able to draw something since I'm stuck in a meeting anyway.

  • Stubby Toes artist
    Stubby Toes (@godwheel)
    04/27/2018 @ 12:23pm

    @gibroni87 Which ones do you use? I'm looking to use some and you seem to be happy with the ones you're using, so I'll take your recommendation :)

  • Caroline Rodriguez artist
    Caroline Rodriguez (@carolinerodriguez)
    04/27/2018 @ 12:25pm

    @paramitk I wouldn't call myself an artist, but right now I'm using a stylus and my HP computer touch screen to "draw". It takes a while to get used, but it is nice you can twist the screen in different ways so you find a comfortable position.

  • Caroline Rodriguez artist
    Caroline Rodriguez (@carolinerodriguez)
    04/27/2018 @ 12:27pm

    @Rowland It is interesting that you jump around from tool to tool. I'd love to see some of your work and how you used the tools. Following you now so I can check it out if you upload them :)

  • Embracing nightmares artist
    Embracing nightmares (@gibroni87)
    04/27/2018 @ 4:46pm

    @godwheel their called marsgraphic duo made by staedtler. I found them at hobby lobby. Don’t know if you have that wherever you live but I’m sure any art store has them. Their cool cause there dual tipped. And don’t bleed through any paper I’ve tried it on so far. Thats mainly why I like them.

  • Rowland Jones artist
    Rowland Jones (@Rowland)
    04/28/2018 @ 6:48am

    Just uploaded a drawing done withPilot @carolinerodriguez

  • Dietrich Adonis artist
    Dietrich Adonis (@ArtNinja2000)
    04/28/2018 @ 11:47am

    @Rowland Pilot markers are good too

  • Dietrich Adonis artist
    Dietrich Adonis (@ArtNinja2000)
    04/28/2018 @ 11:50am

    @BWeeks The Mars-Steatdler #2 in the blue architect pencils are great. I use them at my school k-5. They keep a nice point and don't break in the sharpener. . .

  • Dietrich Adonis artist
    Dietrich Adonis (@ArtNinja2000)
    04/28/2018 @ 2:02pm

    @gibroni87 Basic pencil-to-paper does the trick everytime.

  • Luisa Vidales Reina artist
    Luisa Vidales Reina (@luisavidalesreina)
    04/28/2018 @ 2:43pm

    I love Micron pens and any piece of paper I can find! But my absolute favourite sketchbooks are the Canson Mix Media sketchbooks

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:39am

    @gibroni87 its good! you know what you like and stick to it, while me still find my best companion. keep it up!!

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:41am

    @ArtNinja2000 yass! so you can tell that the paper you usually use is 'anything you hands on' right? COOL!

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:44am

    @Healingdoodle The Pitt artist brush pens and Strathmore visual journal multimedia paper is new thing for me, maybe i can try 'em out eh?! *teehee*. so you are chemically sensitive with paints? what specific paint if i may know?

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:46am

    @BWeeks unfortunately i just find out General's Sketch and Wash and Blackwing Palomino are. and after i googled it, like wow! is the pencil really good? please could you tell me about it?

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:49am

    @bookboozer whaw! you are such a fairy, so hard to draw without any doubtful feeling like you (because i usually draw the draft), i think its really good to draw freedom-ly like you. keep it up!!

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:50am

    @maryann whaatt? same with me! i sometime doing some doodle while in a meeting or make a meeting summary in doodle with super fine tip gel pen. *high five*

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:52am

    @Rowland haha... i think its not an affair, just kinda time of exploring new tools. i feel you! i used to draw in watercolor but now i find my comfort zone in digital drawing/ with coloured pencil. keep exploring!

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:54am

    @laurendoodlecode what water brush pen you use? because i usually use the pentel one and mix with my daler rowner travel pack watercolor. maybe you can give a recommendation :D

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 11:59am

    @carolinerodriguez we love to draw, we love to doodle. if anyone call us artist its up to them right? but we still do what we love. Touch screen and stylus is great! what software do you use? i use Autodesk sketchbook in my surface pro and i think i really like it so much. i would love to see the artworks you create.

  • kartika paramita artist
    kartika paramita (@paramitk)
    05/01/2018 @ 12:02pm

    @luli13 yass! Micro pens and Canson paper. I found out you draw with Micro pens in Magazine and left over coffee cup! what a nice inspiration!

  • olgateresa gonzalez artist
    olgateresa gonzalez (@olgateresa) Plus Member
    05/01/2018 @ 12:25pm

    I love my .7mm leads, my 4B bl. charcoal, my soft white charcoal pencil, my Uniball Gel Pens, and my Copic multiliners...I love almost everything to draw...

  • Sohini artist
    Sohini (@bookboozer)
    05/01/2018 @ 2:03pm

    @paramitk It took me ages to start risking it.. Initially I would outline everything with a pencil as I was scared I would lose proportion but now I've begun to gain the confidence to do it without penciling it. I just turned in all the work I've done for my A Level I wish I'd have taken good pictures of it to post here before I sent it. Thanks for bringing up this question! I'm loving learning about all the different mediums that I'll definitely be trying out sooner or later!

  • Caroline Rodriguez artist
    Caroline Rodriguez (@carolinerodriguez)
    05/01/2018 @ 2:32pm

    @paramitk I use Autodesk Sketchbook as well. Maybe I'll get the courage to upload a few next week. :)

  • Caroline Rodriguez artist
    Caroline Rodriguez (@carolinerodriguez)
    05/01/2018 @ 2:40pm

    @bookboozer Can you get the work back? Would love to see the end result.

  • Sohini artist
    Sohini (@bookboozer)
    05/01/2018 @ 3:12pm

    @carolinerodriguez I'll get it back after its marked around September or October.. Its a long wait :( Also, I love the style you use for your art!!

  • Sohini artist
    Sohini (@bookboozer)
    05/01/2018 @ 3:14pm

    Oh wait I just realized that isn't stuff you made.. But I love your choice! I'd love to see your work!

  • Sohini artist
    Sohini (@bookboozer)
    05/01/2018 @ 3:16pm

    @luli13 Pensssss! YAY! What size do you like to use? You could also try radiographs/isographs. I've had great experience with them :)

  • Terry Horn artist
    Terry Horn (@theowlandoctopus)
    07/08/2018 @ 7:58am

    A pencil. I prefer a decent mechanical pencil along with a wood pencil. After that everything is just gravy...

  • Līga Jekabsone artist
    Līga Jekabsone (@ligathelatvian)
    08/16/2018 @ 4:46am

    A pencil is like another arm to me. A wooden pencil. I have been using pencils my entire life, and only in the recent years I have started thinking about other instruments to draw with. It was always enough with a pencil. It's the most basic instrument for drawing. What do you imagine, when you say the word "drawing"? A pencil. There is nothing in this world that can replace a pencil. Lately I am into pens and concrete lines and the way you can attract color to them easily. Pencil is more of a soul instrument to me, but a pen is the way I try to state something with my art.

  • Bob Ornstein artist
    Bob Ornstein (@graphicaljazz)
    09/04/2018 @ 11:10pm

    I draw with Uni-Ball pens with a .7mm nib. Love the way the ink looks on 140lb. paper. Being left-handed I must be very careful with inks that don't dry fast enough. The Uni-ball ink generally works well with my left-handed needs.

  • Mike Litecky artist
    Mike Litecky (@Twitchyscribs)
    10/05/2018 @ 3:28pm

    Traditionally A razor-sharp 4b pencil on a moleskin sketchbook. However, lately I'm all about Procreate on the iPad pro with an Apple Pencil. I love it!

  • Phil Conner artist
    Phil Conner (@pcartistry)
    10/31/2018 @ 3:08pm

    Rustolium aerosol spray paint, I prefer high gloss. To just have 4-5 different colors and a canvas, never certain what the end result will be. Yup, love it

  • Junkyard Sam artist
    Junkyard Sam (@JunkyardSam) Plus Member
    12/18/2018 @ 1:51pm

    If I could, I would use a fountain pen and black ink for my art and nothing else. Specifically I like the Pilot Falcon SEF, Platinum 3776 Century EF, and Pilot Custom 823 FA... And a Sailor 1911L M. I need a rough drawing before inking, though, so I like mechanical pencils for that... and then watercolor. Watercolor is lively and dynamic. It has a life of it's own, and I feel like that gives a certain energy to the art. I use Prismacolor markers with paper that can't take watercolor... but I should probably switch to COPICs.

  • J.Kill & Hide artist
    J.Kill & Hide (@Dallyvanters)
    02/07/2019 @ 11:01pm

    I want tools >A

  • Lindy artist
    Lindy (@LindyDoodles)
    02/23/2019 @ 3:49am

    I got many favorite tools but my base is always a mechanical pencil and eraser. For inking the lines of my art I use Copic fineliners or pen nibs with ink. As for coloring I go many ways, I always mix up my Copic Markers with my Holbein colored pencils or I use Holbein watercolors mixed up with colored pencils. As for paper, sketching I always does on cheap paper or marker paper so long the paper is smooth and for coloring with markers I use Bristol paper since the ink keeps longer wet. For watercolors I use Arches watercolor paper hot pressed.

  • Jenn Adkins artist
    Jenn Adkins (@Flashfox)
    09/16/2019 @ 11:46pm

    A colored pencil or photo blue pencil, Blackwing 602 and a brush pen are my favorite tools for on the go. Sometimes I will grab just a couple of alcohol markers for some color. Lately I've been dabbling in watercolor and gouache too.

Leave a comment

Login or sign-up to leave a comment.

Add Doodle Addicts to your home screen to not miss an update!