Top 6: Pens & Markers
I find working in pen & ink soothing and I go through phases where I burn myself out working digital or I just want to get back to basics.
I keep an assortment of pens and drawing utensils in a case that was sewn and given to me at an awesome company I used to work for (“Quick Zip Cases” from ByAnnie.com) so they're always within easy reach and protected from the elements.
My Top 6 Pens & Markers
𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗖 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗿𝘂𝗱𝗲 [𝗻𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵] 𝟵𝗺𝗺 — I love this brush pen for loose, broad strokes. I also love the feel of it in my hand, it's slightly broad and very smooth. COPIC describes it as "a user-friendly and flexible brush-type pen" and I would agree with that. The brush tip has a lot of spring.
𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘀 (𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝟮-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸) — These odorless, water-based pens are my two go-to babies, I blow through these pens like nothing else during Inktober. The tips are shorter and firmer than the traditional brush pen which gives me a lot of control. I also love the fine line detail and variety of line width I can achieve. American Tombow, Inc. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘦.
𝗭𝗜𝗚 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 — My heart of hearts. I fell in love with these markers when I was working as a sign artist at Harmons grocery. I experimented with a lot of chalkboard ink markers working there and these are the ones I settled on. I don't make signs as often as I used to, but I still like using these for other things. They make awesome highlights, the ink is opaque and layerable, and the colors are brilliant.
𝗨𝗻𝗶-𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗻 — It's hard to find a white ink gel pen to recommend, but so far this lil guy has done the trick. It's smooth, fairly consistent, and opaque. Great for highlights on toned paper. I believe I picked mine up at Blick Art Materials.
𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦 - I have no idea how to gauge the quality of a liner, I just know that these are the two brands/types I work with most consistently. The tips are firm, they draw consistent and even lines, and they haven't failed me yet.
What is your most trusted tool? Taking recommendations!