St. Luke's Attic

We all have tools that we like to use. There are some things that we see as essential to our art-making process and that we just have to have with us at all times. Here are mine. For now.

First off, I carry all this stuff in a pencil case. It’s a Global case, I think; but regardless, I bought it at Sam Flax. It’s got a 24 pencil capacity; but of course, your mileage may vary depending on what you’re jamming in there.

I keep at least two or three pens of different sizes in there of the Micron or PITT variety in a couple of different colors. There’s a white gel pen, because they are great for highlights and remain opaque when dry. I use a regular old number two pencil for most of my drawing. Goofy eraser on top included. There are always a couple of watercolor pencils in there, too; they’re mostly earth tones. I use Derwent Inktense and have found them to be very good. The Apple pencil is also in my case because I’d probably loose it otherwise. Also, you never know when you’ll want to whip out the old iPad and do some drawing.

In the back of the case, I keep an eraser (cheap Pink Pearl as a rule) and a (cheap) pencil sharpener. It’s always good to have a waterbrush as well. Sometimes I have one full of clean water, but usually I keep one filled with sepia ink. I also have a couple of linoleum carvers handy. Just in case. There’s my Pfiel V gouge and a couple of Dockyard micro tools.

That just about wraps it up. I will often have my set of 12 half pan Schmincke watercolors; but it’s kind of bulky, so I don’t always have that with me.

What do you see as essential to have on hand?

Book with drawing tools.

The tools of a work in progress