Hello Friend,
I hope you are well ... and hopefully today's subject will interest you! I want to talk a bit about the different things I use everyday for journaling. I will especially focus on the supplies that are "essential". Then perhaps in a future article I'll discuss the other supplies I like to use.
1. The Notebook
Obviously the first thing is a notebook! Personally, I chose an Archer & Olive for several reasons. First off, I really like the cover designs, and I'm already on my second notebook, the Rose Gold.
The best thing is that they have really thick pages (160gr /m²) good for watercolor use. In addition I find that the very white pages are great for drawings. Another good point is that it has dotted pages! Even though I like blank pages I have trouble writing straight lines, so the dots really help. Dotted lines are a good compromise between lined pages and blank pages.
2. Pens
I have tried several types of pens, but the one that I'm really liking at the moment is the Pigma Pen. We don't hear too much about these models, contrary to the Pigma Micron Fineliners (which I have sometimes used to write also).
The difference between these two models, is the nib. The writing nib on the Pigma Pen is more resistant, (sturdier) and in my opinion perfect for those who write a lot.
Regarding the Fineliners, their nibs are much more fragile, and I think they are mostly made for precision drawing and not for "heavy" use.
3. Pencils
For most of all my drawings I start with a pencil sketch. I mainly use a soft graphite (but not too soft), so I don't have to press too hard and mark the paper with creases. At the moment I'm using a wooden pencil, the Field Notes N°2 .
Then to add detail to my drawing I use a mechanical pencil 0.5mm. Mono bought a Zebra Delguard 0.5 a while ago which I really like. It has a good grip and the nice thing is that it has a spring close to the tip, which reduces the pressure on the paper, and prevents the lead from breaking. It's not a necessary feature to a mehanical pencil but I find it's nice. On the other hand the eraser is really bad ... So I use another, I don't know the brand but it works really well which is the most important! Also, the green eraser on the Field Notes works really well too.
4. Fineliners
After finishing my sketch I do the inking. I don't do it all the time however, it just depends on the style of drawing I'm working on. I like the ergonomics of the Artline Drawing System but I still use the Pigma Micron more often. The ink is a deep black and it's resistant to water and light (if anyone ever wonders). I have a complete set at home, ranging from 0.05 to 0.8 plus the brush, but the main nibs I use are 0.05 and 0.2.
5. Now Let's Add A Bit Of Color...
It took me a long time to actually add color into my diary. I was never really comfortable and good with them, but with daily practice I see progress!(But that still doesn't mean I don't have trouble in selecting my colors) ... so let's not give up!
In the beginning I only used generic colored pencils, because I didn't want to spend a fortune on color brands, they can be pricey... But I finally allowed myself be tempted by a small set of Polychromos (Faber Castell) and I must admit that the coloring is completely different.
The colors are more vibrant and have better coverage on paper. In addition I also got myself a small set of Neocolor II (Caran d'Ache) watercolor pastels. They were without a doubt, one of my best investments, and I'm really happy with them. (If you're curious about the Neocolor II you can read the small review I did about them here.) In addition to that I also have a small water brush with a squeezable barrel, handy if you are often on the move!
If you want to buy beautiful colors, but don't really know what to look for, I would recommend to visit an art store where you can test the products before having to buy them. That way you know what you are getting!
Another advantage is that you may find many brands where you can buy the colors individually, so you can select and choose exactly what you want.
Well, I think that's it for today.
Do you have some supplies that you can't live without? I would be curious to know. :)
* Disclosure: Keep in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a small commission. However, this doesn't impact our reviews and comparisons :)