In your sketchbook... Pencil or Pen?

[jtchurch]

Having a sketchbook (or many) is a given.
I have always preffered using a pen when brain-storming or developing in my sketchbook.
It occured to me to ask "what others use in their sketchbooks, and why?".

[Red Kittie Kat]

I use both ... no particular reason .. just whatever I can get my hands on :)

My pencil sketches tend to look better just because I can erase ;)

[CkretAjint]

Whatever I have around. Pencils, pens, markers, sharpies, blood soaked fingers.

[captain spanky]

I use my mind to burn lines in the page.

That's telekinesis, Kyle.

[morea]

wow, I suddenly feel really boring with my choice of sketching implement.


Did you hear the one about the constipated mathematician?
He worked it out with a pencil. :D

[Broacher]

leoburnett.com -- there's a small note on the lower left menu about how Leo Burnett insisted on staff using a big fat pencil for concept work to help cultivate big, bold, door-busting ideas. I've tried this for the last while and I think it really helps. It's really easy to get lost in shading, details-- but with a big honker of a pencil, or marker, or even brush width, you're forced to work from the big picture in, much more. Give it a try.

[morea]

cool tip, Broacher!

[captain spanky]

lmao @ 'honker' :D

[Typically]

I use my mind to burn lines in the page.

That's telekinesis, Kyle.

HAHAHAH i wanna listen to the D now!

i use pretty much whatever. it really depends on what i'm going for. a lot of times i do it in pencil then go over with marker. i try not to limit myself to one tool of destruction

[vtwin_gary]

lLeo Burnett insisted on staff using a big fat pencil for concept work

like this?
http://images1.comstock.com/Imagewarehouse/BX/SITECS/NLWMCompingVersions/135001-135250/bxp135184.jpg

[Maker]

many pens. many pencils. several markers, a few brushes. one thumb.

[Typically]

all i need is one thumb (to the music of one mic by nas)

[Virgo Nightingale]

I usually use a pen because that's what's most handy. I'm also too lazy to sharpen a pencil.

[Maker]

all i need is one thumb (to the music of one mic by nas)

you kids and your nas..

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/vincedroudrou/Photos-0030.jpg

;):D

[Typically]

where can i find the zulu nation?

[tZ]

variety

Some weeks its a lead pointer others its a pen or marker, it depends.

[jonfisher]

Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens and Prismacolor markers

[budafist]

When getting ideas down, I don't do any shading so I prefer a pen out of pure laziness. Pen tends to scan better and I like the black lines I get. If I used pencil, I'd never use a rubber anyway and I tend to get a dirty hand when using a pencil. Grubby person that I am.

[Jackimalyn]

in school they tried to get us to use prismacolor markers... i like using a #2 pencil, but i never erase.

[Danger_Mouse]

pencil...always have one on me. I do also sketch in ink (pen, marker or what have you) but my preferred tool is the sharp edge of a pencil. Nothing like it.

An old art teacher use to demerit us marks for using erasers.

[MD]

I haven't kept a sketchbook in years. I should make a resolution to pick it up again - but then again I am not very good at keeping resolutions.

Currently my sketchbook is a Post-it note pad and I use a shitty gel pen that doesn't work unless you scribble it around a bunch of times.

[budafist]

I think you get better at drawing if you stop using an eraser. When every line you do is permanent, you tend to work harder at doing it right the first time. At least that's the way it is for me.

[Danger_Mouse]

^I agree

when i am sketching for a bigger project (like a painting) though NO lines are permanent until I put a layer of tracing paper over it and trace the lines I like. Then I transfer it to whatever medium.

[swobies]

I usually use pencil first and then out of the doodles that I've done, I trace over the ones that I'm liking with marker and start the cycle over by redrawing those larger and with more detail.

Unfortunately I'm not an amazing illustrator so the process generally sounds cooler than the actual results on paper. Ah well.

[Tea]

MD...I just picked up some decent ones through ASW (http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-supplies/online/1426/art-supplies/4). Cool elastic to keep the hardcovers closed, a spot for your drawing weapon and basic black.

As far as the choice...anything goes in mine. I'll even collage in it, acrylic paints, watercolor, whatever. Of course I have every supply in the world. It's my addiction. Okay, one of many.

In my drawing classes though, I don't let them erase on the first blind contour drawing and then I tell them later to use the mistake as their guide to correct the drawing, then erase. But to demerit? That's silly! I teach about erasers!

[jonfisher]

I gesture with a 10% grey Prismacolor marker. I work it up with 20% and 30% markers, and then start hitting details with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens.

[graphicsmama]

pencils and (*ahem*) ultra fine sharpies....I have an addiction to them...yes they leak through the paper...

[afurrer]

I went to art school and have more art supplies than God, so I kinda use whatever strikes me. BUT, I am totally anal about certain sketchbooks being one medium only. One each for pen, pencil, charcoal, watercolor... And then there is my favorite sketchbook of all, the whatever-you-can-get-your-hands-on one. I've used collage techniques, rubbings, food stains, just about anything. Sometimes you really have to step away from conventional to get to creative. :-)

[cornfed]

I use a pencil. Do you guys use a pencil sharpener? I sharpen with an xacto. It makes a big difference to me.

I got my little girl one of those gigantic pencils for christmas! It even came with a big sharpener!

[Ovaltine]

I like pens and markers more, but I've used pencils too...depends on what I'm sketching.
I have noticed...looking through some of my older sketchbooks, that the sketches done in pencil tend to fade over time, while the inked ones stay put (which is nice).
Used to keep a diary too, which I stupidly started in pencil. Less than a year after I started I had to rewrite pages of it in pen because it was getting harder to read, and I didn't want to lose my thoughts.

[budafist]

pencils and (*ahem*) ultra fine sharpies....I have an addiction to them....

Is it the fumes that make you buy time and again?

[Red Kittie Kat]

pencils and (*ahem*) ultra fine sharpies....I have an addiction to them...yes they leak through the paper...


mmm Sharpiesssssssss

I love sharpies .... I have a can full of them on my desk :D

[Virgo Nightingale]

In one sketchbook, I recently created a tree with melted crayon drippings. My stoner friend was wickedly impressed. :D

[budafist]

But aren't stoner friends wickedly impressed with everything? :D

[Virgo Nightingale]

Generally yes, but this guy is kindof a non-emotional never-get-in-an-uproar-over-anything kind of person. Then again, he's also an artist, so he might have already been predisposed to appreciate something like that. I don't think the weed helped though.

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao the stoner friends I had never got excited about anything ... the typical response was yeahhhhhhh coooooooooool in a low, slow tone

:D

[Ovaltine]

My 6 yr old went through a phase where he would ONLY draw with sharpies. We had a set of colored ones, and he adored them.

He made great drawings too. His lines are always confident (no hairy sketch lines for him), when he drew a line, he meant it to be exactly where he placed it. Boy, Godzilla never looked better than when he was drawn by (at the time) a 4-5 yr old!

[graphicsmama]

Originally Posted by graphicsmama
pencils and (*ahem*) ultra fine sharpies....I have an addiction to them....

Is it the fumes that make you buy time and again?
shhhh!!! don't tell...

[teniworks]

I use pen in my sketchbook. There is a specific type of pen that I buy for it. I can get really great detail from and whatever ink formula used in there is great b/c there's never been an issue with fading. I try to avoid using pencils for that same reason.

[Typically]

is it a secret?

[cornfed]

I like pens and markers more, but I've used pencils too...depends on what I'm sketching.
I have noticed...looking through some of my older sketchbooks, that the sketches done in pencil tend to fade over time, while the inked ones stay put (which is nice).
Used to keep a diary too, which I stupidly started in pencil. Less than a year after I started I had to rewrite pages of it in pen because it was getting harder to read, and I didn't want to lose my thoughts.

Fixative spray

[frankster]

I don't really have a sketchbook. I have a sketch pile of random bits of paper, all the way from nice sheets of coherent drawing to bits of used envelopes with grotty Gel pen like MDs. I always want to keep the original sketch for a logo idea, and I'm so disorganised with where and when I sketch out the thing in my head that sometimes it can end up on and in the most unflattering media. I should stick them all in one book or something I guess, rather than letting them float around the desk and shelves. Some of them make thier way into client folders I suppose. That's a start right?:o

[budafist]

Fixative spray

Hairspray also does the job. Since hairspray use is on the decline these days, I can get it pretty cheap. I can get a huge can for about $2US. Fixative is fancy art stuff so is a bit more expensive.

[Riya]

^ the only difference is in the labels. Same chemicals (at least the important ones).


I use everything and anything in my sketchbooks. I even have one floating around here somewhere that has several pages of watercolors. I can't for the life of me remember how I managed that without water bleeding through to the rest of the book.

[budafist]

Has anyone ever used caran d'ache (water soluable crayons)? I used to be totally addicted to them for colouring in my pen or pencil drawn pictures. Crayons are quick and easy to use (no sharpening). Then you go over them with a wet brush - no mess. I felt like you had a bit more control than normal water colour. Also, I could take them around everywhere with me. Just needed my waterbottle to wet the brush (or I would save the water bit for when I got home).

http://www.urbankidsplay.com/image.php?productid=45
(http://www.urbankidsplay.com/image.php?productid=45)

[Danger_Mouse]

I gesture with a 10% grey Prismacolor marker. I work it up with 20% and 30% markers, and then start hitting details with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens.
I did that as well, great metheod.

Budda I heard of those and always wanted to try them.

[captain spanky]

we should post a load of pics from our sketchbooks... :) see how we all work...

[Danger_Mouse]

^I stared this (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21938&highlight=post+doodles) thread about a year ago sort of just for that. Was rolling along pretty good and some great stuff in there. Lately I haven't been using any sketchbook, but fill a 6.5 x 11 blank sheet of paper everyday at work. If I didn't have a designated "doodle pad" then my briefs, copy, desk, walls, or anything else that will hold the ink of a pen will be graffittied to an unrecognizable degree.

[budafist]

I need to start drawing in a sketchbook again.