TOP TOOLS LIST
We like to use the right tool for the job. We’ve learned that the best ideas turn out even better when executed with the right materials and tools. This has led to a great deal of research and experimentation. As a result, we’ve created a Top Tools List of tools that have made the cut. These are the tools we have tested and love.
This is a living list (like our Reading List), and it is constantly updated as we improve our techniques.
Now, we’re happy to share it with you! What do you think? I know we have appreciated lists like as we have grown as artists and designers.
DRAWING
Pens
- Lamy Fountain Pen – We particularly like this pen because the flow is so clean. It has a variety of nibs to get different effects
- Zebra Ballpoint F-301 – Our favorite basic ballpoint pen. We’ve tried many, but we think this is the best. It has good sensitivity to touch, so you can get very fine/light lines or thicker/darker lines. This makes it really nice for sketching. It also rarely has issue with clogging or getting stuck
Sketchbooks and Papers
- Strathmore 400 Series Wiredbound Drawing Art Journal, 7″ x 10″ – We both like this sketchbook because it is portable, the paper is archival, the hard cover is very durable. The paper is suitable for basic water media sketching (not fine detail work, but I use it all the time with Watercolor Brush Pens).
- Mixed Media Sketchbook Canson XL Mixed Media 9″x12″ This one is great, relatively inexpensive option for testing colors, trying out ink pens, etc. It can handle a lot more reworking and the thicker paper can be used for more finished work
ARTIS/BPMI 327 Pen & Ink Supplies
These are the items you will need for the pen and ink portion of the course. You do not need to buy them from Amazon, but I have listed the links as available for your convenience. You do not need to buy duplicates of things like artist tape, eraser, etc. You can re-purchase those supplies if/as needed.
- Mixed Media Sketchbook: Canson XL Mixed Media 9″x12″
- 1 pad: Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth Pad, 11″x14″
- Higgins Black Magic ink or other waterproof India ink
- Nib Holder, e.g. my favorite is Tachikawa. Another option is something like this Comic Pen set
- Nibs: a range of flexible and tighter nibs is good. Zebra and Tachikawa brands both have a range of great nibs to try. I generally use these two:
- Maru Mapping Nib (tighter, finer, lines)
- Hunt 99 (more variable line)
- Micron pens: 01, 03, 05 plus more per your preference (or other waterproof / alcohol based fineline pens)
NOTE: I linked below two sets at a pretty good price a nice range of pens
- White plastic eraser (Prismacolor, tombow, staetdler, pro art, etc.)
- HB Wooden Pencil (brand of your choice)
- Paper Towels
- 1/2″ Artist Tape (brand of your choice)
- Small Drawing Board or clipboard
- OPTIONAL: Lamy Fountain Pen with fine tip
WATERCOLOR
top tools list
Watercolor PAINT/PIGMENT List
We most commonly use the following brands and have found them to be of excellent quality
- Schmincke
- Daniel Smith
- M. Graham
Laura’s Current Standard Watercolor Palette (all Schmincke unless otherwise noted):
*NOTE: You can get most of these colors with the palette in this set
- Schmincke empty 12-pan palette
- Empty full pans and half pans (so you can refill your watercolors from the tube)
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Cadmium Red Light
- Permanent Carmine
- Ultramarine finest
- Prussian Blue
- Ivory Black Gouache
- Azo Yellow (M. Graham)
- Pthalo Green
- Terre Verte (Daniel Smith)
- Sepia Brown
- Transparent Brown Oxide (Daniel Smith)
- Quinacridone Pink (Daniel Smith)
- Venetian Red (Daniel Smith)
- Burnt Sienna (Daniel Smith)
- Raw Sienna (Daniel Smith)
- Titanium White Gouache (M. Graham)
Top Watercolor BRUSHES List
- Winsor & Newton Series 7 Various Sizes Round Brushes
- Rosemary watercolor brushes
NOTE: all of the Rosemary brushes I’ve tried are great, but they ship from the UK so depending where you live they may take a while. I really like the watercolor travel brushes - Da Vinci Cosmo Top Brushes Set – some of my very favorite travel brushes because of their size, durability, and portability
- Winsor & Newton Hake – a great brush for large washes
- Watercolor Brush Pens – I prefer this particular brand (Kuretake) because the flow seems to be just right. I’ve tried several types and definitely prefer these. I also like this set since it has three sizes which make for a very versatile travel set.
Top Watercolor PAPERS List
- Canson XL Watercolor Pad – a basic but very functional paper that I use frequently. As long as you don’t overwork it or expect a super-absorbant paper, this works very well (and it is very reasonably-priced)
- Fabriano Artistico 300 lb – my preferred heavier paper. This is my choice for larger work and work where I will want more absorption.
TRAVEL Watercolor Tools List
- Watercolor Brush Pens – I prefer this particular brand (Kuretake) because the flow seems to be just right. I’ve tried several types and definitely prefer these. I also like this set since it has three sizes which make for a very versatile travel set.
- Load-it-yourself Travel Watercolor Palette – This is my most-used palette. I use my own pans and refill them with tube paint (a subset of the list above).
- Travel Watercolor Palette with Paint – This is a great travel palette that is very similar to the one above, except that it comes preloaded with high quality paint. The Schmincke colors are excellent and the feel is great.
ARTIS/BPMI 327 Watercolor Supplies
These are the items you will need for the watercolor portion of the course. You do not need to buy them from Amazon, but I have listed the links as available for your convenience. You do not need to buy duplicates of things like artist tape, eraser, etc. You can re-purchase those supplies if/as needed.
- Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers’ Pocket Box, Half Pans, 14-Pieces : this is a great intro palette. It has a nice range of colors at an inexpensive price. It will work great for learning to watercolor. If you decide you love watercolor, you will eventually want to invest in better pigments.
- Mixed Media Sketchbook:Canson XL Mixed Media 9″x12″
NOTE: you only need to buy this once for the class
- 3-4 sheets: 140#+ 22″x30″ Quality Watercolor Paper (recommended: Moulin du Roy)
- Round watercolor brushes (one small, one medium, one larger, e.g. 1 round, 6 round, 8 round). Da Vinci is good. I find the affordable Winsor Newton Series 101 Sceptre Gold to work well. Here are links to there brushes I regularly use:
- White plastic eraser (Prismacolor, tombo, staetdler, pro art, etc.)
- HB Wooden Pencil (brand of your choice)
- 1/2″ Artist Tape (brand of your choice)
- Paper Towels
- Small spray bottle / spritzer. You can get an artist version like Derwent’s spritzer or go to your local drugstore and buy a small personal sized version
- Small Drawing Board or clipboard
- Water container (I like these small Nalgene ones for easy travel)
TECH
DIGITAL DRAWING Tools
- iPad Pro – The tool we use to do the majority of our digital painting for both illustration and fine art.
NOTE: You’ll also need an Apple Pencil to do a proper job. We also really like Procreate for iPad painting and use it in conjunction with Photoshop.
Computer Accessories, Monitors, and Tools List
- Asus ProArt – My favorite secondary monitor that we use to attach to our primary computers for excellent illustration work.
- Asus ProArt – A less expensive secondary monitor that still does a great job
- Microphone – The microphone we use for our forthcoming online courses.
SOFTWARE
3D Modeling
Digital Painting
- Photoshop – Workhorse for organic and high detail illustration. This is also great for photo editing.
- Illustrator – This is an excellent program for creating logos and branding assets, as well as illustrations that are intended to be reproduced at very large scale without loss of clarity
- iPad Pro – The tool we use to do the majority of our digital painting for both illustration and fine art.
NOTE: You’ll also need an Apple Pencil to do a proper job. We also really like Procreate for iPad painting and use it in conjunction with Photoshop.
Video Editing
- After Effects – the software we use to edit our animations and videos.
WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA
Web and Social Media Tools
- WordPress.org – the platform we use for our website
- DreamHost – This has been an awesome and reliable host for our site
- Grammarly – The tool we use to check our copy.
- MailChimp– The tool we use to automate emails, launch email campaigns and manage subscribers
PRODUCTIVITY
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