Taking a Break (Downing the Cartoonist Tools of the Trade)

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Next week, I’m off to Motueka for a couple of weeks of writing. I’ve worked ahead so that I can take a break from my normal deadlines, relax and be creative.

For the cartoonists who read these posts, my most used tools are (top to bottom):

• Factis eraser (I do use a kneaded eraser sometimes, but I keep pencil off original artwork as much as possible, as the Noodlers ink often smudges, or greys out. Plus I hate rubbing out)

• MUJI pen that is falling apart. I bought a bunch of these pens while ago because you can replace the biro and lead pencil inserts . Unfortunately, I have lost most of these pens and am left with two, one of which is starting to split. I still have about 100 biro inserts so I am holding this pen together with electrical tape. I'll probably replace that with Sugru (mouldable glue) when I get around to it. I use the biro for notes, writing and rough drawing.

• Dip pen which I used to use with India ink but now use Noodlers.

• LAMY fountain pen with Noodlers ink (bulletproof black)

• Mechanical pencil with blue non-reproduction lead for drawings I’ll ink over

• Uniball fine eye black pen for lettering

• 2B pencil for sketching and roughs that will be traced

  
  I usually draw roughs on whatever scrap paper I have. I then use layout paper to trace the line. Otherwise (eg. for Arctic Circle comics), I scan the roughs, convert to blueline, print onto heavyweight cartridge and then ink on this.