Lately I've just been trying to catch up with work, deadlines and getting ready for my trip to New York to meet up with old and new publishers. This is just on top of being a single mom for the last two weeks while my husband is away on a business trip.  I've realized that cooking will never be my forte so I'm looking forward to having my husband back. Words from my wise husband "I never married you for your cooking."

I am planning to write little short blogs during my time in New York so look out for it.  For now I'm keeping this pretty short. 

I've been asked many times by publishers and clients what type of tools do I use when I'm drawing.  There are those who might say great art does not need certain types of pens, paints, etc.., BUT because I'm a total freak about pens and stationary, this is something I find important in my process of making art.  My favorites are pretty straightforward; pens, lots of pens. But it also depends on which project I'm working on. I usually use a pencil when it comes to thumbnails for book projects. For the rest, I always use pens.  I love my pens, I can't do without them. They go everywhere with me. I like it so much more then a pencil. With a pencil, you tend to redo, erase, noodle it to death sometimes but with a pen, it's just final, whatever you put down in that moment reflects what you were feeling and thinking. You keep these in your bag  and you are ready to sketch on just about anything.

I use .01, .02, .03, .05 water fade proof pigment pen for all the line art. The two brands I really love is Uni Pin Fine Line and Staedtler Pigment liner. (And no, I'm not getting free pens from mentioning these products).

I have been trying out this one other pen pictured above. It's a Japanese ink brush pen. I was very excited when I saw it in an art shop in Singapore and bought six of them plus a box of refillables. Look out for an example on the next blog.

In the end it's mostly trial and error. For some artists, certain pens fit them better then others. There isn't really one best pen for drawing. You just have to go with what works for you.  It takes a while to find the right one but if you are lucky you end up with the right one on the first round. What you do with it afterwards is in your hands.

That's it. Till next time, have a great week.