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Alex Hallatt

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

June 19, 2019

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.

In Reason to Be Cheerful Tags reasons to be cheerful, anxiety, reducing anxiety, layout paper, noodlers ink, daler rowney, Lamy fountain pen, factis eraser, india ink
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