15 Comments

I absolutely love this post. I could read this stuff for hours. I totally agree about that post from Richard. I remember being in Australia when I read it and being so frustrated that I couldn’t get half of those colors because they were only available in certain art stores, and they were so expensive with The Australian dollar for some reason.

All that is to say, I still use that post as my Bible on watercolor. I’m so glad his blog is still available to the world as a resource

Expand full comment

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who still reads it! I have that post bookmarked, and always get sucked into the rest of his blog whenever I check it out. He was such a good writer on top of everything else.

Expand full comment

You can go on eBay and look for Esterbrook nibs. You want the ones that are described as very flexible. If you can’t find one, I’ve got a lot and happy to share.

Expand full comment

On it! Pretty much everyday I make a Howdy Beautiful Earthling drawing on 3x5 index card in coffee shops and leave it behind hoping someone discovers it and it brightens their day. These 2x3 cards could yield some fun results. Thank you for the inspiration.

Expand full comment

the best ones, obviously (the writing on them isn’t in english so i couldn’t even tell you)

Expand full comment

proud to carry two of your pens in my backpack :)

Expand full comment

YES! Me too! I forget, which ones did you walk away with?

Expand full comment

I like vintage pen nibs that are very flexible. They will go very thin to very thick. I find them expressive.

Expand full comment

I just finished illustrating an entire book with the The hunt 101 Imperial and it was like wrangling a rabid moose, but my God was it fun. Yet another recommendation from Richard Thompson that stands the test of time.

Expand full comment

I'm gonna have to give it another go one of these days when I'm feeling brave...

Expand full comment

Ooh, where do you get them? I want to get better at using flexible nibs, when I try them I feel as though I can't press down as hard as I'm used to.

Expand full comment

I make comics with a scribbly sketchbook used for layouts ,a Ticonderoga #2 pencil, a ruler a couple of brush pens, a sharpie a speedball. All find a home on 11 x 17 Bristol board pages. I do it all by hand have it scanned at the local Mail N More then I digitally color.

Expand full comment

Very nice! Gotta love the classics 🖋️

Expand full comment

Ohhhh, I didn't know about the 2x3 trading card paper! Very cool. Loved your pen/pencil drawings. This post was as fun to look at as it was to read.

Expand full comment

Hey thanks! And definitely invest $3 in some 2x3 cards, they are INCREDIBLY satisfying!

Expand full comment