HOME | DD

pbird12 — Graphite Tools

Published: 2012-09-15 11:29:16 +0000 UTC; Views: 5255; Favourites: 75; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description I'm doing an FAQ soon and thought a couple of pictures showing tools might be helpful to go with it.

Please excuse my photography skills once again the flash glows off my drawing board, but it's the best I could do

So in order of appearance:

1. A little barrel sharpener .. nothing special. I replace these every couple of drawings.

2. Workable Fixative. I use this for graphite to seal once I finish a drawing. But it's also really helpful in colour pencil drawings if you've filled the tooth of the paper and need another layer or two on there.

3. Sanding Block - To fluff up my tortillions. Also really handy to sand pencils if you need a little graphite dust.

4. Gel Pen - I hate these things, but occasionally, if needs must, this is the one I'd choose. It's a Uni-Ball Signo Broad.

5. Mechanical Pencils - I very rarely use the 0.35. It a Faber-Castell one. I paid more for this that the other four I have together and the cheap ones are the best by miles! This is not something I would recommend to anyone, it breaks constantly and is horrible to hold The 0.5 is a Staedtler one and it's great.

6. Ruler and Set Square - for grids or guidelines and checking as I go to make sure I've not strayed too far.

7. Tortillions and Stumps - The tortillions are handmade ones and what I use more then anything. Stumps I use mainly for pores, I don't like them for blending.

8. Blu-Tack - I use this in place of a kneaded eraser. It's the best invention next to the Tombow Mono. It's tacky, unlike a kneaded eraser so you can blot graphite rather than drag. It's uses are endless!

9. Erasers - This is a Pentel Clic for big areas and Tombow Mono Zero (Fine and Broad) - the best inventions known to man and I think half of dA are converts now It's a very tiny and hard eraser, it's great for little details.

10. Tombow Mono 100 Pencils - All grades and all I use with the exception of the 8B Mars Lumo

11. Bulldog Clip - To hold my paper on the drawing board

12. Colour Shaper and Brush - Colour shapers are mainly for pastels I think, but they make graphite really really smooth, so good for lips and eyes .... you need to be careful though, they're made of rubber and if you rub too hard it erases. The other end of this is a little dusting brush ... handy to get rid of eraser bits!

13. Lead Holders - I use these for unblended skin mainly. They are big fat leads and great for consistent application with the added bonus of not having to sharpen These are 2H, HB and 2B here.

14. My Drawing Board - A pressie from my little sister and I love it!

The reasons I'm doing an FAQ is that I get asked some questions over and over and it's much easier to answer in a single place. The other reason is that so many people seem afraid to ask questions and that they are bothering me. I find that really sad dA is a place of sharing and learning for me and I'm more than happy to explain and share if it helps someone else.

Paula
Related content
Comments: 95

Ilojleen In reply to ??? [2012-09-15 15:55:47 +0000 UTC]

*steals everything and flees*




Don't want to worry you, sweetie, but even when you create an FAQ, you'll still be asked People don't "waste" their time to search the FAQ, they prefer to ask and get a response, it's easier and quicker for them...

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to Ilojleen [2012-09-15 16:17:58 +0000 UTC]

Aw no, that's not good ... ah well, it's worth a try

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Ilojleen In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-15 16:19:42 +0000 UTC]

Sure, there's a hope that fewer people ask before reading! Not everybody is like that

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

desdainart In reply to ??? [2012-09-15 15:50:25 +0000 UTC]

That's a good idea-- the FAQ. You're right about people asking the same questions over and over again and then there are those who are afraid to asks questions. You're so sweet. I like to be helpful when I can and devART should be a place of sharing and growing.

Oh, I wanted to ask what do you use the gel pens for? Is it for white highlights? I can't imagine having a bump sitting on top of my surface. I'm such a texture-driven person and that would bother me to pieces. I've heard great things about Mars Lumo too-- not sure what it is? Graphite?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-15 16:17:03 +0000 UTC]

I actually saw a few people with one recently and thought it would be a good idea to steal it for me

Yay, you agree about the sharing too

I have a hate hate relationship with gel pens you know. I try and preserve white areas but on occasion if it gets covered and I'm not happy, I will use it Pretty much only for catchlights in eyes or the necklace thing in my Wonder drawing. If you touch it with your finger carefully it flattens it out, but you can still see it. The worst part though, is it it goes yellow really quickly and some of them crack like crazy paving ... they're horrible things

Mars Lumos are just graphite but the 8B and I believe the 7B are so unlike graphite pencils. They look very like a carbon or charcoal pencil, and apply really dark and matt, but they are graphite, so very little mess. They're great!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-15 16:39:10 +0000 UTC]

Oh my goodness, I couldn't do the gel pen. And it cracks??? Have you tried using liquid frisket to preserve your tiny highlights? Just add a drop of it like on that highlighted dot for the eyes and then peel it off when you're done drawing. It encases the spot and preserves it as you draw around it without damaging your paper or what's around it. I used to use it a lot, but I got better at keeping my surface clean ever since I started using messy charcoal. I'm much more prolific in keeping my surface clean in general now-- one of the compromises of using charcoal.

I've never even heard of Mars Lumo until you mentioned them. That's a good tip for those who do use graphite and want their blacks to be black not some silvery-dark mess. I still think you should convert to charcoal.

I get asked a bunch of questions about charcoal and sometimes I get too lazy to go through my inbox that I let them sit for weeks until it's overwhelmingly full. Then I go to respond to some questions and they're not as concise or well thought because I just want to clean out my inbox. I know, but I never seem to learn my lesson.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-15 16:42:24 +0000 UTC]

I always think frisket makes the paper a little yellow I don't know if it's something I'm doing or not,m but it always does. And I'm a messy so and so and make an awful mess with it

I'm going to do the charcoal thing for sure, I ordered them and have them here just waiting till I brave it

You should do an FAQ too

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-15 16:53:45 +0000 UTC]

Really? How much of the liquid frisket are you applying? I know if you use too much and leave it on for too long it can be damaging. I put very little using a toothpick and dotting it. Then I leave it on for no more than 2-3 days. I'm more of a frisket film type of gal anyway. I like the vinyl sheets and they are so much more effective for me to cut up and do as I please. When my roll of frisket film gets low I start to literally freak out haha.. I make Chance order me some more or go pick some up. I only use the liquid for small dots.

Well, take your time on the charchoal. It's not for everyone. I think it's more for people who are textured-driven like myself. I don't do smooth drawings nor will I ever prefer smooth drawings. I love texture and that's what charcoal offers-- a wide range of textures. Yes, it's messy. Yes, it's soft. But you can manage the mess. You can also manage the soft lead. I can still get detailed drawings and fine lines. I can still have whites that are white without using a white charcoal pencil (I HATE white charcoal pencils). If I can do it, then anyone else who draws can too.

FAQ for me? Nah.. I don't think I have enough people interested in me or my work to even put energy in it. I'm not such a popular artist and I'm okay with that. But for someone like you who is very popular, then it's a great idea.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-15 16:59:27 +0000 UTC]

I've tried a couple of different masking fluids and usually only use a tiny amount. I actually have a masquepen to make sure it's just little amounts that come out ... it must be something I do, but I don't know what I love frisket film too, it's magical stuff


You always make charcoal sound so great .. I'm going to be soooo disappointed if I muck it up!

I'm not so popular lovely But still thought it a good idea .. time will tell

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-15 17:10:13 +0000 UTC]

That's interesting. I never had a problem with it. I haven't used it in so long though. I'm not sure if certain brands are different? I always joke that to successfully complete a drawing you'll need: paper, pencil, sharpener, eraser.. and frisket film-- everything else is a luxury.

Well, charcoal is great. It takes a bit to get used to. I started applying charcoal to my graphite drawings. Slowly I was using more and more of the charcoal compared to graphite. Then I said, forget it-- I'm going to convert completely to charcoal. I realized there was nothing graphite can do that charcoal could not do better. It does take some getting used to.

Yes, you are popular and you totally deserve it! I'm sure you have thousands of watchers. But yeah, it is a good idea. When I have more time on my hands, which is rare, maybe I will make one up. Provide me with some questions to start off with and I'll see what I can do.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-15 17:29:51 +0000 UTC]

It could be the brands, I've had Winsor and Newton and the Masquepen recently

When you decide to do your FAQ, I'll get a list of questions for you no problem

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 05:03:39 +0000 UTC]

That's a deal! Maybe it would be a good idea for you to give me questions-- you were planning on asking me questions anyway right? If you message me a list when you have time, then I promise to make an FAQ, yes? And when I make the FAQ, then you have no excuse to push away the charcoal pencils.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-16 09:55:32 +0000 UTC]

I did a note for you

Your right, I will have no excuse at all .... just need to get me some time!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 10:08:53 +0000 UTC]

I just read your note, very good questions. How would I do the FAQ.. like as a journal entry?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-16 10:10:57 +0000 UTC]

Well, I'm trying to work that out myself. I've got my questions all in a document at the moment and deciding the best way to do it. I think a journal could be the way to go and then it can be edited every now and again .. the only thing with that is an update goes out to everyone everytime you change something .. that could get pretty annoying.

I thought about investigating the stash writer thing

P.S. Ian is looking AMAZING!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 10:12:53 +0000 UTC]

Well, I think for the journal you can click a box that says minor changes and do not notify your watchers. I haven't tried sta.sh yet. Not even sure what it is.

And thank you! I'm on a deadline so I'm rushing it like crazy.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-16 10:14:25 +0000 UTC]

Ah, that sounds alright then ... a journal it is

I don't know how to work stash either ... these things are so dull.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 10:20:05 +0000 UTC]

Hm.. I just clicked sta.sh just for the heck of it and I'm kind of confused? It's asking to upload a file or drag and click?? Upload what? Drag what?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-16 10:20:54 +0000 UTC]

I dunno, it's so weird! The writer thing lets you do stuff, but I think it's just a journal I don't get it at all

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

desdainart In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 10:24:17 +0000 UTC]

I guess a regular journal it is then. I think I will try to make my own journal skin. I'm pretty competent in CSS and CSS2 so wish me luck!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to desdainart [2012-09-16 10:31:09 +0000 UTC]

That sounds great!! Loadsa luck

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

arthawk87 [2012-09-15 14:24:46 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for this! There are some things I've never heard of (like the Blu-Tack) and will have to give a try some day. Also, handmade tortillions??? Wow, you're good!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to arthawk87 [2012-09-15 15:33:41 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for having a look

Blu-Tack is just a brand of poster putty, but it's great.

Lol, the tortillons are soooo easy to make

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

arthawk87 In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 13:21:46 +0000 UTC]

It was MY pleasure !

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

octive [2012-09-15 13:52:41 +0000 UTC]

This is very generous of you to share this information thanks. I was just wondering if you know where I can get Workable Fixative in the UK, I just can't seem to find it anywhere?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to octive [2012-09-15 15:32:31 +0000 UTC]

No problem at all

Oh, I can help you with that question no problem, I get mine from here [link]

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

octive In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-15 15:46:48 +0000 UTC]

Thanks a lot, I'll try that link out!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to octive [2012-09-15 15:49:25 +0000 UTC]

No problem, I love that site .. they're really reliable and fast

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

ShannC In reply to ??? [2012-09-15 13:37:41 +0000 UTC]

awesome that you took the time to do this!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to ShannC [2012-09-15 15:31:27 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

robdolbs In reply to ??? [2012-09-15 13:17:31 +0000 UTC]

you like the tombows that much more than the staedtlers? i like the tombows, but the staedtlers will always be my fave i think lol

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to robdolbs [2012-09-15 15:31:20 +0000 UTC]

I really do, there's no comparison for me. I do like the lumos though, I'll always be very fond of them

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

robdolbs In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-17 21:19:16 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

MRojekcom [2012-09-15 12:20:07 +0000 UTC]

ahh nice tombow mono 100 im using mitsu-bishi hi-unis - best pencils ive ever used.... i heard the tombows are quite the same

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to MRojekcom [2012-09-15 15:30:28 +0000 UTC]

I'be not tried those ... I might have to investigate The monos are brilliant!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

AreYouBush [2012-09-15 12:07:06 +0000 UTC]

Nice!!
i need a tombow zero Eraser

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to AreYouBush [2012-09-15 12:08:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for taking a look. I agree, you do need one, they are the best things ever!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

devilbloody [2012-09-15 11:57:06 +0000 UTC]

Very nice And useful
Do you have any idea whether these tortillions are available in Europe?

And if not, how could I make one myself?


Thanks a lot beforehand

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to devilbloody [2012-09-15 12:01:18 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for taking a look, I'm glad it is helpful

I would imagine you can get stumps and tortillions from any artstore/online supplier to be honest, you usually find them in the drawing accessories section. I don't really like the shop bought ones, they're too tightly wrapped. Making your own is so easy. I make mine with newsprint, but some people just use regular printer paper or whatever you find works best.

Here is a link to a tutorial here on dA on how to make them I hope it helps!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

devilbloody In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 00:21:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very very much
Could you please send me the link again because here there is none?

I am sorry for the inconvenience...

Thanks a lot beforehand

Have a great day!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to devilbloody [2012-09-16 09:25:17 +0000 UTC]

You know, I'd forget my head if it weren't screwed on

Sorry about that, here you go [link]

There are loads of others online too, but they're all pretty much the same.

Sorry for being dozy!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

devilbloody In reply to pbird12 [2012-09-16 11:59:37 +0000 UTC]

No problem Thanks a lot once again

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

heartinart In reply to ??? [2012-09-15 11:48:41 +0000 UTC]

Very helpful!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

pbird12 In reply to heartinart [2012-09-15 11:54:37 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for taking a look, I'm glad it was

👍: 0 ⏩: 0