I'm often asked about the tools I use to create my comic art.

That's why I created this page - to provide a quick reference for my favorite tools and share them with you. If you're interested in using any of the tools listed here, simply follow the links that will take you directly to Amazon where you can purchase them yourself. As an Amazon Affiliate, every time you make a purchase through one of the paid links below, you're also helping me out by allowing me to earn a little bit of money from qualifying purchases. Thank you for visiting and don't forget to always "Have fun with your art"!

PENCILS & erasers

 

Ticonderoga red Pencil

This is my favorite tool to use when creating my layouts when I work traditionally. They are easy to erase and very smooth on the paper. I also use these to lay out the shadows when I am done with a sketch.

 

KNEADED ERASER

Great tool to get those pesky pencil lines from your paper. I sometimes roll it instead of rubbing it, when I want to wash out the sketch, but not quite erase the whole thing before I ink

PENS

Optiflow rollerball pen

I use this mainly for my sketches in my sketchbook. It is sleek, and the line it produces on my paper is ever so smooth. It’s fairly inexpensive and works great when you want to create quick smooth lines.

 

Pilot Futayaku Double-Sided Brush pen

The cool thing about this pen is that it gives you two nibs on either side. One is perfect for some fine lining and the other side is great for the thich contour line I use on the outside of my sketches. It also doesn’t bleed through the paper when I use it, that’s a plus for me especially when I am working in my sketchbook.

 

Pentel Pocket Brush Pen

A nylon brush tip that translates to a smooth yet strong line. I’ve had this pen for a few years and I’ve still yet to find another quite like it. If is small, lightweight and fits right in your pocket. I currently use it for big black areas, but trying to use it more for regular lines like Jake Parker recommended.

 

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen 1.5

I use this one for my thick black lines when my Futayaku pen has run out. The ink in this pen is a little richer than the Futayaku. By richer, I mean “blacker”. I sometimes use the B one for its brush tip.

Digital

Clip Studio Paint

This by far has been the best investment of my entire drawing career. After I switched over from Photoshop I have not turned back from it. Clip Studio not only has made my drawing comics a lot easier, but the tools it has for making and creating comics allow you to work faster with amazing results. I Highly recommend this software if you are looking to draw comics.

 

BLUlines Digital Comic Artboard

I created my own comic artboard, mainly because I ran out of some and I wanted to create a guide that helped me stay within the print lines and live area when I draw comics. You can download it for yourself and place it on a layer under your drawings, or you can print it out. The file is an 11x17” PDF at 300dpi.

markers

Copic Sketch Markers

By far one of my favorite markers to use to blend. Their brush tips help make it seem as if I am using oil paints and the blending feels natural. They are an alcohol based marker and keep their color a lot longer than some other markers.

 

Zig Kurecolor Twin WS

Now these markers are so cool. Their color is so rich. I use these to put down the most amazing colors I can think of. I have slowly built my library of Kurecolors. I don’t work for them but I can say, I prefer this over any other alcohol based markers out there.


PAPEr

Canson 11x14” 98lb Notebook

This has been my go to pad for sketches. It is a little bigger than the regular one, but that just means it has more real estate for me to draw in. I’ve been known to fill in every nook and cranny of my sketchbooks. I love the paper weight cause it is not too thick and not to thin and you can use most any media with it. I’ve tried water colors and it doesn’t break the paper. It may buckle a little but not that much.

 

Books

Drawing Cutting Edge Anatomy

This has been a life saver in those times where my anatomy is not up to par. It is full of great illustrations and instructions to help you maneuver around the human anatomy. What I love about it is the shapes it uses to simplify the muscles. So many other anatomy books get too technical, and while those are extremely helpful to learn the anatomy, I prefer this one.