I'm introducing the art supplies I use when drawing illustrations and pictures. I have a lot of affection for my tools and want to use them carefully for a long time. For digital illustrations, I use an iPad and Photoshop. I use various art supplies depending on the style and purpose.
Schmincke Horadam Watercolour Paints
I use them for watercolor painting. I used to use tube paints, but they were such a hassle... So I started using half-pan paints instead.
At first, I thought they were expensive, but once I used them, I couldn't go back!
The paint's solubility, color intensity, and vividness are all wonderful😁
Kumano Brush
Brushes for watercolors. The Kumano-fude Hokusai Series 200, designated as a traditional craft.
I've tried many different brushes, but this one is the easiest to use and lasts the longest. The way the bristles come together is amazing! Even after long use, the brush tip still comes to a sharp point, like a needle.
The brush stand was made for me by a woodworker I met at an event.
Inkstick and Inkstone
This is the sumi ink I use for the black areas. There's sumi ink in the Montblanc ink bottles. The three inkstones I have are just for collecting...it's a bit excessive.
I really like sumi ink. That deep, earthy scent! It's so calming. And that matte black is uniquely beautiful.
Even when thinned with water to create a bleeding effect, it spreads out so nicely, making it very pleasant to apply.
Ink Bottles and Dip Pens
Ink bottles always require twisting the cap open and closed, which is a hassle, so I use a retro glass inkwell for the sumi ink and black ink I use frequently.
I bought it on Mercari, and it's supposedly from around 1935. In this day and age, when old items are so easily accessible, it's a huge blessing for those of us who love antiques!
Olympus Airbrush
Olympus airbrush. This is my favorite Olympus airbrush.
The fine mist, the high precision, as expected from Olympus! It's an excellent tool that can even draw ultra-fine lines.
It was an expensive airbrush that I couldn't afford as a student, and I used to gaze at it in the art supply store. It was my dream airbrush.
Now I'm happy to have four of them in my possession! Just looking at them every day brings me fulfillment. 😁
Dr. Ph. Martin's Color Ink
This ink is used for airbrushing. It's the best color ink, with a perfect balance of transparency and color intensity.
It was discontinued but thankfully re-released.
Fineliner and Mechanical Pencil
My tools are technical pens, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, and tortillons.
Technical pens vary in color intensity and sheen depending on the manufacturer, so I'm always keen to try out different brands.
I use mechanical pencils in 0.5mm, 0.3mm, and 0.2mm. My beloved Pentel Smash, which I've used since way back, and the Orenz Nero, which I finally got my hands on after searching high and low—all of them are writing tools I have a deep attachment to 😁
iPad
Previously, I used a pen tablet while looking at my desktop PC screen. Digital drawing with an iPad and Procreate allows for smooth CG painting with a hand-drawn feel, speeding up production and making the process enjoyable.
I had avoided display tablets due to concerns about eye strain, but I'm pleasantly surprised that they don't strain my eyes as much as I expected.
Design knife
A design knife for cutting masking sheets.
Commercially available design knives are thin and difficult to hold... I happened to find a handmade wooden-handled design knife at an event, and it was wonderfully easy to grip!
Template
A variety of rulers, a nostalgic protractor! The surprisingly convenient flexible curve ruler, and the highly useful French curve ruler. I'm happy that so many different rulers are available.
Besides these, there are also templates for triangles, squares, rhombuses, ellipses, and circles... I can't help but buy them when I see a ruler with a shape I've never seen before 😅
Pencil sharpeners and colored pencils
For colored pencils, I use Staedtler Karat Aquarell, which is a bit of a mouthful to pronounce, but I also really like Holbein Soft Oil-Based Colored Pencils because they are richly pigmented and easy to draw with.
For a pencil sharpener, I use Carl Angel-5 Royal. I was surprised that such a product is still sold today.
It's made in Japan, and most of the parts are metal. It's a wonderful item that shows the dedication of Japanese manufacturers. Recently, more colors have been added, and it makes me want to collect them all, even if it's unnecessary.
Fountain Pens
The PILOT CUSTOM 845 fountain pen I use for my signature.
I used to think of fountain pens as just a hobby writing tool, but after using one, I really appreciate how good they are! With light pressure, it writes smoothly without any catching or skipping!
A fountain pen is the only pen that writes this well.
Car and Motorcycle Illustration Blog
富山大橋とフェラーリと立山連峰の水彩画
富山大橋とフェラーリと立山連峰の水彩画
HONDA CIVICの車絵イラスト
HONDA CIVICの車絵イラスト