Becca Hillburn's Blog, page 47
February 1, 2016
Knight School Process Post and Kickstarter Announcement
1001 Knights- A Massive Comic and Art Anthology
Over dinner in New York a couple years ago, Annie Stoll mentioned that she was organizing another anthology, and asked if I was interested. Originally pitched as a Game of Thrones tribute anthology, 1001 Knights has evolved drastically over the years it's been in development. It now includes 250 artists from all edges of the comic spectrum, and the development team doubled to include Kevin Jay Stanton.
1001 Knights is a people positive project that was designed to give lesser known artists a voice and an opportunity to tell stories. As a comic artist, I naturally couldn't say no to an opportunity like this- I feel that benefiting the indie comic community at large will eventually benefit me as a member, and I'm excited to see a project geared at giving artists a voice. I personally classify myself as one of those lesser known artists-despite my involvement in several other anthology projects, co-founding of How to Be a Con Artist, running this blog, and producing 7" Kara, I find that my career hasn't changed much in the past five years- and anthologies give me the opportunity to not only do something I love (make comics), but to earn a little bit of income doing so.
According to the Kickstarter, 1001 Knights is
You guys can check out the Kickstarter Pitch video below for 1001 Knights:
Knight School
My original pitch was intended to either be 4 full page illustrations of an elderly grandmother knight training her grandchildren over the four seasons OR a six page story of the same grandmother knight training a handful of village girls. Annie emailed the artists about a month later requesting we all up our knight quota and reduce our page quota, so my comic ended up being 4 pages and 13 knights.
It's not easy cramming 13 knights (or knights in training) into four pages, let alone four pages of story-telling comic, so this was quite a challenge for me. I wanted each of my girls to be distinct- individuals with their own personality and story, so although that never comes up in the comic, my concept art lists names, ages, personalities, and even nationalities.
Concept
The main family consists of four members- a widowed lady knight raising her recently orphaned grand children. When conceiving this comic, I'd recently been inspired by Bavarian clothing and architecture, so the setting is very loosely based on Bavaria, and the names are used in this comic are all traditional German names.
Grandmother- Isolde- Widowed knight and adventurer, Isolde teaches the village girls valuable skills in her knight school. Recently Isolde lost her 54 years old
Eldest Granddaughter- Lenna is excited to spend her time around other girls her own age, and enjoys the lessons her grandmother gives. 12 years old
Youngeset Granddaughter- Adair- Adair is still adjusting to her new life with her grandmother, and hides her insecurity in looking after her younger brother. Adair would like to become a cleric or a healer one day, and is already studying hard. 7 years old
Grandson- Cerdic- 9 months
(All African)
I liked the idea of the youngest granddaughter looking after her infant brother (who doesn't count in my knightcount, btw), so in many of the panels she's got him on her back, or is reading to him.
I wanted to include a variety of bodytypes, personalities, and ethnicities in my comic, as I'm very bored with how women are often portrayed as one dimensional in comics.
Magnilda (Caucasian)- Magnilda is easygoing and kindhearted. She and Philiberta are good friends. 13 years old
Halfrida (Korean)- One of the two oldest girls in the group, Halfrida is wise beyond her years. 17 years old
Philiberta (Caucasian)- a tomboy raised in a family of boys, Philiberta is quick to fights and is earnest and honest. 15 years old
Karlotta-Indian- The shy twin, Karlotta is sensitive and quiet, but always eager to learn. 5 years old
Bethilda- Indian- The outgoing twin, Bethilda enjoys practice fights and snacktime. 5 years old
Minetta-Hispanic- Minetta has a broken leg, so she utilizes prudence in which activities she partakes. 10 years old
Selma (Caucasian)- Although Selma looks feminine, she has no problem throwing down with the other girls, and takes her lessons in knighthood seriously. She and Halfrida are the two oldest girls in the group. 14 years old
Hilda (Caucasian)- Shy and unsure, Hilda would rather nap than fight, but she has no problems getting her hands dirty cleaning the stables. 12 years old
Uta (Chinese)- Uta has difficulty paying attention and sitting still for long periods of time. It takes her longer to grasp concepts and skills, and she sometimes needs one on one attention. Uta is determined and perseveres where others might give up, and has a large heart. 8 years old
Story
Although the comic is a short one, I wanted to cover an entire day at Isolde's Knight School, while also covering the basic tenets of what it means to be a knight. There are several somewhat conflicting lists online, but I opted to go with:
Faith
Hope
Prudence
Resolution
Diligence
Temperance
Charity
Liberality
Justice
Sagacity
Valor
Truth
As I felt like these were universal values that any reader could apply. I wanted to use the girls' personalities to demonstrate how one situation might call for several approaches (like resolution vs prudence, charity vs temperance) depending on the personality involved.
Thumbnails
Bluelines for Roughs (Thumbnail Sketches Enlarged)
I don't usually letter at this stage, but since there were so many characters to account for, I needed to make sure there was enough room for text AND faces.
Pencilled Roughs
After making the noted corrections to my thumbnails, lettering, and resizing them, they were ready to be printed out as roughs. I print my roughs on plain printer paper, and utilize a non photo blue pencil, graphite pencil, and ruler for this stage.
Like my thumbnails, finished roughs end up covered in notes for changes.
After scanning and correcting my roughs, I size them for 11"x15" Canson Montval watercolor paper, and print the bluelines out on my printer.
Pencils
Before I can proceed with watercoloring my pages, I need to pencil them.
This stage is a perfect time to add in additional details, tweak expressions, and try to add nuance.
Painting
As with my other watercolor comic, 7" Kara, I prefer to paint four pages at a time. This allows me to work while other pages are drying, and helps me keep colors consistent.
These pages were so dense that they took longer than usual- 6 days rather than 3-4. Although these pages look finished, they aren't. I opted to only do a light pass adding shading with watercolor- pages this busy can get muddy and difficult to read fast. I decided to hold off shading and finishing touches for my digital stages.
Finished Watercolor Pages
Scanned and Color Corrected Watercolors
At this stage, I also added digital shading and tweaked with contrast to better serve storytelling. I also added panel borders using a custom color pencil brush in Photoshop.
Teaser Pages- Lettering Added
I can't share the completed comic with you guys here, but I highly recommend you back the ongoing Kickstarter for 1001 Knights, where you can not only read Knight School it its entirety, but the work of 249 other fantastic artists. 1001 Knights is a three volume anthology that focuses on people positive, creator positive tales about knights. The project has already hit it's $70,000 funding goal, and now we're on to stretch goals, which include awesome goodies like bookmarks, endplates, and artists' making more money.
Where to Get It
Right now, 1001 Knights is ONLY available through the Kickstarter. You can find links all throughout this post, and follow the progress in my sidebar.
Who's In It
The Kickstarter's already covering some of the names you might recognize, so I'm going to mention a few of the artists I'm personally excited to see in this anthology. You can check out the master list here.
Zoey Hogan (Caporushes)
Aatmaja Pandya
Alexis Green
Annie Stoll (co-creator of the webcomic Ode)
Candace Ellis (creator of We're All Starchildren, a personal friend of mine, and an amazing illustrator)
Carey Pietsch
Christina Major (creator of the webcomic Sombulus)
Hazel Newlevant (organized Chainmail Bikini, a female gaming anthology that I contributed a 6 page inkwash comic to)
Heidi Black
Hkezza
JD Benefield
laughingbear (Renee) (creator of the webcomic Clover Club)
Lindsay Cannizzaro (Fellow Hana Doki Kira contributor)
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
Over dinner in New York a couple years ago, Annie Stoll mentioned that she was organizing another anthology, and asked if I was interested. Originally pitched as a Game of Thrones tribute anthology, 1001 Knights has evolved drastically over the years it's been in development. It now includes 250 artists from all edges of the comic spectrum, and the development team doubled to include Kevin Jay Stanton.
1001 Knights is a people positive project that was designed to give lesser known artists a voice and an opportunity to tell stories. As a comic artist, I naturally couldn't say no to an opportunity like this- I feel that benefiting the indie comic community at large will eventually benefit me as a member, and I'm excited to see a project geared at giving artists a voice. I personally classify myself as one of those lesser known artists-despite my involvement in several other anthology projects, co-founding of How to Be a Con Artist, running this blog, and producing 7" Kara, I find that my career hasn't changed much in the past five years- and anthologies give me the opportunity to not only do something I love (make comics), but to earn a little bit of income doing so.
According to the Kickstarter, 1001 Knights is
...is a massive 3-volume anthology project focusing on creating people-positive characters with feminist overtones. Over the course of 3 volumes, 250+ artists explore themes about what it means to be a knight and what makes for a strong character through illustration, comics, poetry, and prose. The artists involved have worked long and hard to create meaningful art that will uplift and inspire readers. 1,001 knights will be represented between all 3 volumes, including fictional characters and the contributing artists.
You guys can check out the Kickstarter Pitch video below for 1001 Knights:
Knight School
My original pitch was intended to either be 4 full page illustrations of an elderly grandmother knight training her grandchildren over the four seasons OR a six page story of the same grandmother knight training a handful of village girls. Annie emailed the artists about a month later requesting we all up our knight quota and reduce our page quota, so my comic ended up being 4 pages and 13 knights.
It's not easy cramming 13 knights (or knights in training) into four pages, let alone four pages of story-telling comic, so this was quite a challenge for me. I wanted each of my girls to be distinct- individuals with their own personality and story, so although that never comes up in the comic, my concept art lists names, ages, personalities, and even nationalities.
Concept
The main family consists of four members- a widowed lady knight raising her recently orphaned grand children. When conceiving this comic, I'd recently been inspired by Bavarian clothing and architecture, so the setting is very loosely based on Bavaria, and the names are used in this comic are all traditional German names.
Grandmother- Isolde- Widowed knight and adventurer, Isolde teaches the village girls valuable skills in her knight school. Recently Isolde lost her 54 years old
Eldest Granddaughter- Lenna is excited to spend her time around other girls her own age, and enjoys the lessons her grandmother gives. 12 years old
Youngeset Granddaughter- Adair- Adair is still adjusting to her new life with her grandmother, and hides her insecurity in looking after her younger brother. Adair would like to become a cleric or a healer one day, and is already studying hard. 7 years old
Grandson- Cerdic- 9 months
(All African)
I liked the idea of the youngest granddaughter looking after her infant brother (who doesn't count in my knightcount, btw), so in many of the panels she's got him on her back, or is reading to him.
I wanted to include a variety of bodytypes, personalities, and ethnicities in my comic, as I'm very bored with how women are often portrayed as one dimensional in comics.
Magnilda (Caucasian)- Magnilda is easygoing and kindhearted. She and Philiberta are good friends. 13 years old
Halfrida (Korean)- One of the two oldest girls in the group, Halfrida is wise beyond her years. 17 years old
Philiberta (Caucasian)- a tomboy raised in a family of boys, Philiberta is quick to fights and is earnest and honest. 15 years old
Karlotta-Indian- The shy twin, Karlotta is sensitive and quiet, but always eager to learn. 5 years old
Bethilda- Indian- The outgoing twin, Bethilda enjoys practice fights and snacktime. 5 years old
Minetta-Hispanic- Minetta has a broken leg, so she utilizes prudence in which activities she partakes. 10 years old
Selma (Caucasian)- Although Selma looks feminine, she has no problem throwing down with the other girls, and takes her lessons in knighthood seriously. She and Halfrida are the two oldest girls in the group. 14 years old
Hilda (Caucasian)- Shy and unsure, Hilda would rather nap than fight, but she has no problems getting her hands dirty cleaning the stables. 12 years old
Uta (Chinese)- Uta has difficulty paying attention and sitting still for long periods of time. It takes her longer to grasp concepts and skills, and she sometimes needs one on one attention. Uta is determined and perseveres where others might give up, and has a large heart. 8 years oldStory
Although the comic is a short one, I wanted to cover an entire day at Isolde's Knight School, while also covering the basic tenets of what it means to be a knight. There are several somewhat conflicting lists online, but I opted to go with:
Faith
Hope
Prudence
Resolution
Diligence
Temperance
Charity
Liberality
Justice
Sagacity
Valor
Truth
As I felt like these were universal values that any reader could apply. I wanted to use the girls' personalities to demonstrate how one situation might call for several approaches (like resolution vs prudence, charity vs temperance) depending on the personality involved.
Thumbnails
Bluelines for Roughs (Thumbnail Sketches Enlarged)
I don't usually letter at this stage, but since there were so many characters to account for, I needed to make sure there was enough room for text AND faces.
Pencilled Roughs
After making the noted corrections to my thumbnails, lettering, and resizing them, they were ready to be printed out as roughs. I print my roughs on plain printer paper, and utilize a non photo blue pencil, graphite pencil, and ruler for this stage.
Like my thumbnails, finished roughs end up covered in notes for changes.
After scanning and correcting my roughs, I size them for 11"x15" Canson Montval watercolor paper, and print the bluelines out on my printer.
Pencils
Before I can proceed with watercoloring my pages, I need to pencil them.
This stage is a perfect time to add in additional details, tweak expressions, and try to add nuance.
Painting
As with my other watercolor comic, 7" Kara, I prefer to paint four pages at a time. This allows me to work while other pages are drying, and helps me keep colors consistent.
These pages were so dense that they took longer than usual- 6 days rather than 3-4. Although these pages look finished, they aren't. I opted to only do a light pass adding shading with watercolor- pages this busy can get muddy and difficult to read fast. I decided to hold off shading and finishing touches for my digital stages.
Finished Watercolor Pages
Scanned and Color Corrected Watercolors
At this stage, I also added digital shading and tweaked with contrast to better serve storytelling. I also added panel borders using a custom color pencil brush in Photoshop.Teaser Pages- Lettering Added
I can't share the completed comic with you guys here, but I highly recommend you back the ongoing Kickstarter for 1001 Knights, where you can not only read Knight School it its entirety, but the work of 249 other fantastic artists. 1001 Knights is a three volume anthology that focuses on people positive, creator positive tales about knights. The project has already hit it's $70,000 funding goal, and now we're on to stretch goals, which include awesome goodies like bookmarks, endplates, and artists' making more money. Where to Get It
Right now, 1001 Knights is ONLY available through the Kickstarter. You can find links all throughout this post, and follow the progress in my sidebar.
Who's In It
The Kickstarter's already covering some of the names you might recognize, so I'm going to mention a few of the artists I'm personally excited to see in this anthology. You can check out the master list here.
Zoey Hogan (Caporushes)
Aatmaja Pandya
Alexis Green
Annie Stoll (co-creator of the webcomic Ode)
Candace Ellis (creator of We're All Starchildren, a personal friend of mine, and an amazing illustrator)
Carey Pietsch
Christina Major (creator of the webcomic Sombulus)
Hazel Newlevant (organized Chainmail Bikini, a female gaming anthology that I contributed a 6 page inkwash comic to)
Heidi Black
Hkezza
JD Benefield
laughingbear (Renee) (creator of the webcomic Clover Club)
Lindsay Cannizzaro (Fellow Hana Doki Kira contributor)
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 31, 2016
Artist Loft Fundamentals Waterbased Triangle Markers
I've been trying to integrate some video into my reviews, and it would be really helpful if you guys took a moment and let me know what you thought, either in the comments or via email.
I've already written a post about an Artist Loft product- I reviewed their alcohol markers not so long ago. For those not in the know, Artist Loft is Michael's storebrand for art supplies. They make all sorts of things, from aforementioned alcohol markers to oil pastels, but dubious quality has earned Artist Loft a bad reputation amongst serious artists and students alike.
Today I'm reviewing some of their waterbased markers from the Fundamentals line, which is a bit lower than Student Grade in terms of quality. This is part of a ongoing series on Waterbased markers. If you're interested in learning more about waterbased markers, and their applications, you should check out these posts:
Alcohol Based, Waterbased, Watercolor- A Quick Overview
How to Know if A Marker is Waterbased/Waterproof
And I recommend you check out my Review tab for even more waterbased marker reviews.
I test most waterbased markers on a few standards:
Dry Swatch Test
Wet Swatch Test
Dry Field Test (Marker Paper)
Wet Swatch Test (watercolor paper)
Dry Field Test (Watercolor Paper)
Although, due to performance issues, I only completed dry swatching and the dry field test for the Artist Loft Fundamentals Waterbased Triangle Markers.
The Stats
36 MarkersWaterbasedFine tipFelt tipNon RefillableNon Replaceable Nib$4.99Available at MichaelsTriangular Body to prevent rollingWide Spectrum of ColorsPrecision TipDetail Marker (so not intended to cover large areas)
The Package
These markers come loose in a snap together plastic shell with a cardboard belly band and insert. I recommend holding on to your plastic case, as it may be your only shot at keeping these markers contained. The top cardboard insert mentions 'mixed media', for some reason.
The back of the cardboard belly band lists the colors inside.
Colors included:
Ancient PurpleBlackBlueBrownDark GrayDeep BlueFleshFluorescent GreenFluorescent OrangeFluorescent PinkFluorescent YellowGrayGreenLight GreenLight PurpleLight RedLight Yellow Brown
Mint BlueOleander RedOlive GreenOrange YellowOrantgePale GluePale LimePinkPurpleRedSky BlueVan Dyke BrownVerdigris GreenVermilionWater BlueWinter RedYellow OchreYellow
The left side of the belly band reads:
Wide Spectrum of Brillant ColorsPrecision TipDetail Marker
The right side states that these markers conform to ASTMD-4236, has a barcode, and says that these markers are distributed by MSPCI.
The belly band just slips off the plastic package, revealing the bodies of these markers.
Once the belly band is off, the plastic case can be easily opened by prying it apart at the top. Once the plastic case is open, the markers are loose.
The Markers
These markes are fine tipped, but not technical pen or fineliner fine. They have a single, small bullet nib, and aren't strongly scented the way some brands of waterbased markers can be. The barrels are vageuly triangular, like Staedtlr Triplus Fineliners, and feature minimal writing- no color name, just a generic 'Artist Loft Fundamentals|Fondamentaux|Fundamentales Fine' on every white barrel.
Creating Swatch Stickers for Markers That Have Accurate Color Chips
What's the point of giving marker colors names if the names aren't printed on the markers themselves, and there's no system in place to keep them organized when you travel? Swatching these in a swatchbook almost seems like a Sisyphean task, so I may try a different approach- a tiny dot of the actual color on label paper, attached to the barrel, to help me identify the true color of the marker. 36 crappy markers is A LOT of crappy markers, somehow this feels so much more daunting than Crayola's 50 supertips. And $4.99 is not a pricepoint that bodes well for marker quality, I don't care if Artist's Loft promises that these are 'fundamentals'.
So let's take a moment and go over how to swatch the unswatchable! You'll need:
Paper labels or sticker paperA pair of scissorsYour markersA lot of patience
I'm using hole punch protectors because I'm out of matte sticker paper and labels right now. I can fit five mini swatches on each tiny label, so after my label is full, I cut them apart and apply them carefully. Swatching like this is really important when the pen cap color does not match the ink color.
First I scribble a little of the ink on the hole punch. Since these markers are triangular, and large stickers might start to peel off, I only need a little of the circle.
Once my circle is full, I trim it to size, an apply to my marker.
This color coding techinque is based off one from Jennifer McGuire Ink.
It takes awhile to do all 36 markers, and given the quality of these markers, probably isn't worth the effort, but here are all 36 swatched.
The Swatch Test- On Pacon Marker Paper
Of course, the sticker paper doesn't really count as a true swatch test, so I also swatched these markers on Pacon Marker paper.
Colors go down smoothly as a single layer, with no paper pilling, unlike my sticker swatches. Some of those saw immediate pilling. The point is very fine, which will probably make it difficult to cover large areas, and impossible to cover large areas without streaking. Many markers have ink that differs greatly from the cap color, so swatching proves valuable.
The Swatch Test- Watercolor Paper
As is the norm for this blog, I also tested these markers on cold press watercolor paper, to determine how suitable they are as watercolor marker alternatives.
As you can see, many colors don't stay true with the addition of water.
Unlike Crayola and Up and Up waterbased markers, these markers don't work well as cheap watercolor markers. The bullet nibs don't put down enough ink to make it easy to create a side palette, and many of the colors are way too transparent to really work for watercolor applications. The nib is unpleasant to use, and many of the colors do seperate out into individual dies. I think I'll skip the watercolor field test with these, rather than torture myself.
The Field Test (Video)
If you found this video useful, please consider hitting 'like' and subscribing to my Youtube Channel.
The Field Test Photos
The Verdict
Save your money. Buy the Up and Up waterbased markers or the Crayola Supertips- the Up and Up markers if you like to use your waterbased markers dry, and the Crayola Supertips if you want to do watercolor marker techniques. These markers are scratchy and tear up the paper when dry, and separate into individual dyes when wet.
Other Waterbased Marker Reviews
Up and Up Supertip Markers
Crayola and CraZArt Markers
Crayola Multicultural Colors
Zig Art and Graphic Twin
Check out my Reviews Tab for even more waterbased and watercolor marker reviews!
Other Relevant Posts
Alcohol-based, Waterbased, Watercolor- What's the DifferenceAlcohol Based Markers Vs Waterbased Markers
How to Know if a Markers is Waterbased/Waterproof
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
I've already written a post about an Artist Loft product- I reviewed their alcohol markers not so long ago. For those not in the know, Artist Loft is Michael's storebrand for art supplies. They make all sorts of things, from aforementioned alcohol markers to oil pastels, but dubious quality has earned Artist Loft a bad reputation amongst serious artists and students alike.
Today I'm reviewing some of their waterbased markers from the Fundamentals line, which is a bit lower than Student Grade in terms of quality. This is part of a ongoing series on Waterbased markers. If you're interested in learning more about waterbased markers, and their applications, you should check out these posts:
Alcohol Based, Waterbased, Watercolor- A Quick Overview
How to Know if A Marker is Waterbased/Waterproof
And I recommend you check out my Review tab for even more waterbased marker reviews.
I test most waterbased markers on a few standards:
Dry Swatch Test
Wet Swatch Test
Dry Field Test (Marker Paper)
Wet Swatch Test (watercolor paper)
Dry Field Test (Watercolor Paper)
Although, due to performance issues, I only completed dry swatching and the dry field test for the Artist Loft Fundamentals Waterbased Triangle Markers.
The Stats
36 MarkersWaterbasedFine tipFelt tipNon RefillableNon Replaceable Nib$4.99Available at MichaelsTriangular Body to prevent rollingWide Spectrum of ColorsPrecision TipDetail Marker (so not intended to cover large areas)
The Package
These markers come loose in a snap together plastic shell with a cardboard belly band and insert. I recommend holding on to your plastic case, as it may be your only shot at keeping these markers contained. The top cardboard insert mentions 'mixed media', for some reason.
The back of the cardboard belly band lists the colors inside.
Colors included:
Ancient PurpleBlackBlueBrownDark GrayDeep BlueFleshFluorescent GreenFluorescent OrangeFluorescent PinkFluorescent YellowGrayGreenLight GreenLight PurpleLight RedLight Yellow Brown
Mint BlueOleander RedOlive GreenOrange YellowOrantgePale GluePale LimePinkPurpleRedSky BlueVan Dyke BrownVerdigris GreenVermilionWater BlueWinter RedYellow OchreYellow
The left side of the belly band reads:
Wide Spectrum of Brillant ColorsPrecision TipDetail Marker
The right side states that these markers conform to ASTMD-4236, has a barcode, and says that these markers are distributed by MSPCI.
The belly band just slips off the plastic package, revealing the bodies of these markers.
Once the belly band is off, the plastic case can be easily opened by prying it apart at the top. Once the plastic case is open, the markers are loose.
The Markers
These markes are fine tipped, but not technical pen or fineliner fine. They have a single, small bullet nib, and aren't strongly scented the way some brands of waterbased markers can be. The barrels are vageuly triangular, like Staedtlr Triplus Fineliners, and feature minimal writing- no color name, just a generic 'Artist Loft Fundamentals|Fondamentaux|Fundamentales Fine' on every white barrel.
Creating Swatch Stickers for Markers That Have Accurate Color Chips
What's the point of giving marker colors names if the names aren't printed on the markers themselves, and there's no system in place to keep them organized when you travel? Swatching these in a swatchbook almost seems like a Sisyphean task, so I may try a different approach- a tiny dot of the actual color on label paper, attached to the barrel, to help me identify the true color of the marker. 36 crappy markers is A LOT of crappy markers, somehow this feels so much more daunting than Crayola's 50 supertips. And $4.99 is not a pricepoint that bodes well for marker quality, I don't care if Artist's Loft promises that these are 'fundamentals'.
So let's take a moment and go over how to swatch the unswatchable! You'll need:
Paper labels or sticker paperA pair of scissorsYour markersA lot of patience
I'm using hole punch protectors because I'm out of matte sticker paper and labels right now. I can fit five mini swatches on each tiny label, so after my label is full, I cut them apart and apply them carefully. Swatching like this is really important when the pen cap color does not match the ink color.
First I scribble a little of the ink on the hole punch. Since these markers are triangular, and large stickers might start to peel off, I only need a little of the circle.
Once my circle is full, I trim it to size, an apply to my marker.
This color coding techinque is based off one from Jennifer McGuire Ink.
It takes awhile to do all 36 markers, and given the quality of these markers, probably isn't worth the effort, but here are all 36 swatched.
The Swatch Test- On Pacon Marker Paper
Of course, the sticker paper doesn't really count as a true swatch test, so I also swatched these markers on Pacon Marker paper.
Colors go down smoothly as a single layer, with no paper pilling, unlike my sticker swatches. Some of those saw immediate pilling. The point is very fine, which will probably make it difficult to cover large areas, and impossible to cover large areas without streaking. Many markers have ink that differs greatly from the cap color, so swatching proves valuable.
The Swatch Test- Watercolor Paper
As is the norm for this blog, I also tested these markers on cold press watercolor paper, to determine how suitable they are as watercolor marker alternatives.
As you can see, many colors don't stay true with the addition of water.
Unlike Crayola and Up and Up waterbased markers, these markers don't work well as cheap watercolor markers. The bullet nibs don't put down enough ink to make it easy to create a side palette, and many of the colors are way too transparent to really work for watercolor applications. The nib is unpleasant to use, and many of the colors do seperate out into individual dies. I think I'll skip the watercolor field test with these, rather than torture myself.
The Field Test (Video)
If you found this video useful, please consider hitting 'like' and subscribing to my Youtube Channel.
The Field Test Photos
The Verdict
Save your money. Buy the Up and Up waterbased markers or the Crayola Supertips- the Up and Up markers if you like to use your waterbased markers dry, and the Crayola Supertips if you want to do watercolor marker techniques. These markers are scratchy and tear up the paper when dry, and separate into individual dyes when wet.
Other Waterbased Marker Reviews
Up and Up Supertip Markers
Crayola and CraZArt Markers
Crayola Multicultural Colors
Zig Art and Graphic Twin
Check out my Reviews Tab for even more waterbased and watercolor marker reviews!
Other Relevant Posts
Alcohol-based, Waterbased, Watercolor- What's the DifferenceAlcohol Based Markers Vs Waterbased Markers
How to Know if a Markers is Waterbased/Waterproof
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 28, 2016
Alcohol Marker Review: Finecolour Sketch Alcohol Markers
Hey guys! This is a non-sponsored post, which means I funded it out of my own pocket. If you enjoy this post, and would like to see more like it, please consider donating (link's in the sidebar to the right), sharing this post with your friends, or writing to me and letting me know what you thought! Your input is important to me, and I really don't hear enough from you guys!
A couple years ago, I reviewed Finecolour markers as part of my long running Alcohol Marker Showdown. As my regulars can imagine, that post is pretty popular on this blog, so when Magical Emi told me about Shin Han Touch knockoffs on Ali Express and Ebay, I decided to check them out. I discovered that Finecolour had a few other marker options available, including a fineliner and the Finecolour Sketch alcohol markers, which are meant to compete with Copic's Ciao markers.
The Stats
72 Piece setfashion colorsdouble ended- bullet nib and chisel nibavailable through AliExpress You can find a similar set heremarker bag includedAlcohol basedNon-refillableSupposedly a blender is available, but I did not receive one in my 72 piece set, and I haven't seen them offered.Approximately $110 right now, but I believe I paid around $80 a few months agoSecond generation of Finecolour markersRounded body
NOTE: Listings may say 'chalky' or 'oily' but these are alcohol based markers.
Copic Comparison
72 piece Copic Ciao set A (refillable, replaceable nibs) on DickBlick- $241.42
Note: Copic Ciao markers are available openstock both online and in several brick and mortar stores.
The Packaging
Since these markers shipped from China (and they ship relatively fast- around two weeks depending on where your live and how well your post office works) they arrived in a rather beaten up cardboard box. Under the cardboard were several layers of bubble wrap, and once you've gotten through the bubble wrap, you reach the nylon Finecolour marker case, with your markers within.
The case is lined with a finer weave nylon, and zippers open at the top. There's a handle for carrying. This case stores your markers vertically, so if you plan on using these markers for your work, you should store them horizontally when not in use, so the ink can reach both nibs. The interior of the case has no dividers, and markers have a tendency to shift a lot inside the case.
The Supplemental Material and Markers
Product Information and Color Charts
Finecolour is apparently sold in stores (see the store display there in the middle), and in bulk (the image at the top), as well as in sets.
These color charts were really useful when swatching my markers, as it enabled me to identify color families, and determine which markers should be in my 72 piece set. My older Finecolour set did not come with a case or with this information. This set did not come with a blender marker.
The Markers
Top: Finecolour Sketch
Bottom: Copic Ciao
Left: Copic Ciao
Right: Fineclour Sketch
Comparison of nibs on Copic Ciao (left) and Finecolour Sketch (right)
Comparison of brush and bullet nibs. Brush (Copic Ciao, left), Bullet nib (Finecolour Sketch, right).
Physically, they are very similar- the only difference is that Finecolours have a bullet nib and a chisel nib, while the Copic Caio markers feature Copic's Super Brush. The bullet nib is not flexible at all.
Video Overview: Finecolour Markers, Finecolour Sketch, and Shang Hai Touch (upcoming review)
The Swatch Test
Markers have a color name and color family number on each cap. Bullet nib is indicated by a gray band, similar to how Copic indicates the Super Brush. Plastic chips do not entirely accurately reflect color inside, so swatching (and referencing your swatches) is important!
While swatching, I organized my markers based roughly on the color families outlined in the little guide that was included my set. I rubber banded each color family, for easy use later. I cross referenced against the color chart provided with my 72 piece set.
Finecolor Field Test
Since these markers don't come with a colorless blender, I'll use a Copic Ciao, which is fitting, because the Finecolour Sketch markers are designed to look like Copic Ciao Markers.
The Finecolour Sketch markers are an improvement over the original Finecolour markers, or perhaps I just recieved a good set. So far, my markers are fairly juicy, and while coloring with a bullet nib takes forever, the nibs aren't yet scratching up the paper. The markers start off very stiff, and break in as you use them, which may mean prolongued use makes them mushy. When they start off, they're a bit more unpleasant to use, but become more enjoyable and less scratchy as they break in.
The alcohol smell is a bit overwhelming if you work too close- these are really not appropriate for kids.
Keep in mind that Colorless blender does not actually blend, but rather bleaches the color it's applied to.
Colors can be layered and blended, but the bullet nibs make it difficult to render large areas without streaking, and coloring takes longer than it would with a Super Brush.
Since my skintone selection is a little limited, I left the lightest parts of Kara's face white, and blended with a colorless blender to smooth the transition.
You can layer Finecolour Sketch markers for darker saturation, which extends the use of your set. Some marker brands don't layer nearly this well due to excess alcohol in the dye solution.
And I was able to add some shadows to the skin using a light blue violet. Again, this layers just fine- rather than displacing prior layers of ink, it sits on top, which is the desired result.
I wasn't able to blend out the light blue shadows on the dress as much as I would like.
For me, hair is where I REALLY miss a nice brush tip. It's difficult to render hair well without being able to flick a brush- your highlights and transitions end up looking very blobby and sloppy, no matter how careful you are in your application.
Colors do layer for increased saturation and depth, but there isn't as much difference as there is with Copics.
The Verdict
If you're unfamiliar with alcohol based markers, especially those that come with a brush rather than a bullet nib or a chisel nib, you may judge that alcohol based markers just aren't worth the effort if you only used Finecolour markers. Other art supply reviewers recommend that you give these as a gift to a young person who admires your Copics, but isn't yet ready for an adult set of markers. I actually recommend that these be given to someone who has used some alcohol based markers in the past, and know how they should behave, but doesn't have the money to really amass the collection necessary to start doing art. As they have money to purchase nicer markers or as the Finecolours run out of ink, they can replace or add to their collection.
To be honest, I'm not a fan of giving young, aspiring artists subpar materials to play with, just because they're cheaper. I don't like kiddie (or honestly, crafter) versions of existing artist grade supplies, unless there's an excellent reason for the change (say, a move towards non-toxicity for little hands that put markers in mouths). I think it's much better to give them a few GOOD things, rather than materials that perform poorly, and may turn them off of art due to poor results. That's not to say I don't think there are cheap or affordable art supplies that give very satisfactory results (have you read my Walmart or Target series yet?)
To successfully bend Finecolour and Finecolour Sketch markers to your will, you need to be familiar with alcohol based markers, and how they work. You need to be old enough and interested enough to do some research on your own, because these markers do require you to make accomodations for their shortcomings, something a junior artist would not realize.
Professional artists and illustrators have a tendency to make things look easy, and sometimes we forget that something that's easy for us is difficult for someone starting out. Years of all sorts of illustration have given me a feel for where shadows fall on the face, and how to simulate that with even a tiny collection of markers. A younger artist might not know that, and might be very disappointed with the results of subpar markers. Years of using alcohol based markers has given me an arsenal of techniques that work for the way I like to render- small circles to avoid streaking with bullet nibs, saturating the paper to prevent streaking, multiple layers of color, work on thick absorbant paper. Years of working with subpar alcohol based markers has taught me to swatch and label everything, and to REswatch per project, to make sure colors work together, but that's definitely not something I knew from the start.
If you are looking for markers that behave similarly to alcohol based markers that are kid safe, I recommend Up and Up's waterbased markers . If you have a teenager or adult in your life with a few Copics or Prismacolors already who's looking for a fast expansion in color choice at the cheapest price, I recommend Finecolour Sketch markers for price, and Blick Studio Brush markers for performance.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
A couple years ago, I reviewed Finecolour markers as part of my long running Alcohol Marker Showdown. As my regulars can imagine, that post is pretty popular on this blog, so when Magical Emi told me about Shin Han Touch knockoffs on Ali Express and Ebay, I decided to check them out. I discovered that Finecolour had a few other marker options available, including a fineliner and the Finecolour Sketch alcohol markers, which are meant to compete with Copic's Ciao markers.
The Stats
72 Piece setfashion colorsdouble ended- bullet nib and chisel nibavailable through AliExpress You can find a similar set heremarker bag includedAlcohol basedNon-refillableSupposedly a blender is available, but I did not receive one in my 72 piece set, and I haven't seen them offered.Approximately $110 right now, but I believe I paid around $80 a few months agoSecond generation of Finecolour markersRounded body
NOTE: Listings may say 'chalky' or 'oily' but these are alcohol based markers.
Copic Comparison
72 piece Copic Ciao set A (refillable, replaceable nibs) on DickBlick- $241.42
Note: Copic Ciao markers are available openstock both online and in several brick and mortar stores.
The Packaging
Since these markers shipped from China (and they ship relatively fast- around two weeks depending on where your live and how well your post office works) they arrived in a rather beaten up cardboard box. Under the cardboard were several layers of bubble wrap, and once you've gotten through the bubble wrap, you reach the nylon Finecolour marker case, with your markers within.
The case is lined with a finer weave nylon, and zippers open at the top. There's a handle for carrying. This case stores your markers vertically, so if you plan on using these markers for your work, you should store them horizontally when not in use, so the ink can reach both nibs. The interior of the case has no dividers, and markers have a tendency to shift a lot inside the case.
The Supplemental Material and Markers
Product Information and Color Charts
Finecolour is apparently sold in stores (see the store display there in the middle), and in bulk (the image at the top), as well as in sets.
These color charts were really useful when swatching my markers, as it enabled me to identify color families, and determine which markers should be in my 72 piece set. My older Finecolour set did not come with a case or with this information. This set did not come with a blender marker.
The Markers
Top: Finecolour SketchBottom: Copic Ciao
Left: Copic CiaoRight: Fineclour Sketch
Comparison of nibs on Copic Ciao (left) and Finecolour Sketch (right)
Comparison of brush and bullet nibs. Brush (Copic Ciao, left), Bullet nib (Finecolour Sketch, right).Physically, they are very similar- the only difference is that Finecolours have a bullet nib and a chisel nib, while the Copic Caio markers feature Copic's Super Brush. The bullet nib is not flexible at all.
Video Overview: Finecolour Markers, Finecolour Sketch, and Shang Hai Touch (upcoming review)
The Swatch Test
Markers have a color name and color family number on each cap. Bullet nib is indicated by a gray band, similar to how Copic indicates the Super Brush. Plastic chips do not entirely accurately reflect color inside, so swatching (and referencing your swatches) is important!
While swatching, I organized my markers based roughly on the color families outlined in the little guide that was included my set. I rubber banded each color family, for easy use later. I cross referenced against the color chart provided with my 72 piece set.
Finecolor Field Test
Since these markers don't come with a colorless blender, I'll use a Copic Ciao, which is fitting, because the Finecolour Sketch markers are designed to look like Copic Ciao Markers.
The Finecolour Sketch markers are an improvement over the original Finecolour markers, or perhaps I just recieved a good set. So far, my markers are fairly juicy, and while coloring with a bullet nib takes forever, the nibs aren't yet scratching up the paper. The markers start off very stiff, and break in as you use them, which may mean prolongued use makes them mushy. When they start off, they're a bit more unpleasant to use, but become more enjoyable and less scratchy as they break in.
The alcohol smell is a bit overwhelming if you work too close- these are really not appropriate for kids.
Keep in mind that Colorless blender does not actually blend, but rather bleaches the color it's applied to.
Colors can be layered and blended, but the bullet nibs make it difficult to render large areas without streaking, and coloring takes longer than it would with a Super Brush.
Since my skintone selection is a little limited, I left the lightest parts of Kara's face white, and blended with a colorless blender to smooth the transition.
You can layer Finecolour Sketch markers for darker saturation, which extends the use of your set. Some marker brands don't layer nearly this well due to excess alcohol in the dye solution.
And I was able to add some shadows to the skin using a light blue violet. Again, this layers just fine- rather than displacing prior layers of ink, it sits on top, which is the desired result.
I wasn't able to blend out the light blue shadows on the dress as much as I would like.
For me, hair is where I REALLY miss a nice brush tip. It's difficult to render hair well without being able to flick a brush- your highlights and transitions end up looking very blobby and sloppy, no matter how careful you are in your application.
Colors do layer for increased saturation and depth, but there isn't as much difference as there is with Copics.
The Verdict
If you're unfamiliar with alcohol based markers, especially those that come with a brush rather than a bullet nib or a chisel nib, you may judge that alcohol based markers just aren't worth the effort if you only used Finecolour markers. Other art supply reviewers recommend that you give these as a gift to a young person who admires your Copics, but isn't yet ready for an adult set of markers. I actually recommend that these be given to someone who has used some alcohol based markers in the past, and know how they should behave, but doesn't have the money to really amass the collection necessary to start doing art. As they have money to purchase nicer markers or as the Finecolours run out of ink, they can replace or add to their collection.
To be honest, I'm not a fan of giving young, aspiring artists subpar materials to play with, just because they're cheaper. I don't like kiddie (or honestly, crafter) versions of existing artist grade supplies, unless there's an excellent reason for the change (say, a move towards non-toxicity for little hands that put markers in mouths). I think it's much better to give them a few GOOD things, rather than materials that perform poorly, and may turn them off of art due to poor results. That's not to say I don't think there are cheap or affordable art supplies that give very satisfactory results (have you read my Walmart or Target series yet?)
To successfully bend Finecolour and Finecolour Sketch markers to your will, you need to be familiar with alcohol based markers, and how they work. You need to be old enough and interested enough to do some research on your own, because these markers do require you to make accomodations for their shortcomings, something a junior artist would not realize.
Professional artists and illustrators have a tendency to make things look easy, and sometimes we forget that something that's easy for us is difficult for someone starting out. Years of all sorts of illustration have given me a feel for where shadows fall on the face, and how to simulate that with even a tiny collection of markers. A younger artist might not know that, and might be very disappointed with the results of subpar markers. Years of using alcohol based markers has given me an arsenal of techniques that work for the way I like to render- small circles to avoid streaking with bullet nibs, saturating the paper to prevent streaking, multiple layers of color, work on thick absorbant paper. Years of working with subpar alcohol based markers has taught me to swatch and label everything, and to REswatch per project, to make sure colors work together, but that's definitely not something I knew from the start.
If you are looking for markers that behave similarly to alcohol based markers that are kid safe, I recommend Up and Up's waterbased markers . If you have a teenager or adult in your life with a few Copics or Prismacolors already who's looking for a fast expansion in color choice at the cheapest price, I recommend Finecolour Sketch markers for price, and Blick Studio Brush markers for performance.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 25, 2016
Target Art Supply Review: Up and Up Mechanical Pencils and Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencils
This review is part of the Target Art Supply Review Series, which is a part of my Affordable Art Supply Series. If you enjoy posts like this, please let me know, I love getting feedback from you guys! If you're interested in helping out, a signal boost to your social networks helps me gain in popularity, and introduces your friends to my reviews and tutorials.
This is a two part review- I'm starting with the Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencils, and ending with the Up and Up Mechanical Pencils. Although I've used mechanical pencils for drawing for more than two decades, I don't spend much time reviewing them for the blog. Like so many things, I feel like those of us who prefer mechanical pencils to wooden pencils are specific in our needs and wants, and what works for me may be intolerable for you. Even the difference of ten years can be huge, when I was in highschool, I liked Clearpoint side advancement mechanical pencils, and now I find them annoying to draw or write with.
That said, pencils are an important part of any artist's arsenal, and many artists find mechanical pencils to be convenient, so I thought it important to cover a couple brands sold at Target as part of the Target Art Supply Review series.
Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencils
$3.62 at Target2 Pencils10 refill leads
The Package
The package includes two mechanical pencils and a pack of replacement lead, which is good, as the lead for these pencils is probably pretty hard to come by, given it's unusual shape. The package is plastic and cardboard, not reusable.
The back of the package reads
The Pencils
Unique, and possibly difficult to replace 1.8mm rectangular B lead. Side advancement button (not my favorite placement). All plastic body, removable cap reveals eraser. Oval shaped body that isn't prone to rolling. Grip is just moulded notches on the body of the pencil.
Probably great for field sketching, given that this chunky lead would be a bit less prone to breaking. Unfortunately, you can only load one lead at a time, so you can't carry spares in the pencil's body.
I didn't immediately realize the cap was meant to be removed regularly, it was only when checking out the lead's feed that I discovered the eraser within.
Compared to Other Mechanical Pencils
From left to right: Pentel GraphGear 1000, Up and Up Mechanical Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Color Eno Mechanical Pencil This pencil seems to be to mechanical pencils what a carpenter's pencil is to regular pencils.
From left to right: Color Eno mechanical pencil, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Up and Up mechanical pencil, Pentel Graph Gear 1000 All of the other pencils in this photo take .7 lead, which is my go-to lead as I'm fairly heavy handed, and lead is prone to break on me.
From left to right: Color Eno mechanical pencil, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Up and Up mechanical pencil, Pentel Graph Gear 1000
From left to right: Color Eno mechanical pencil, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Up and Up mechanical pencil, Pentel Graph Gear 1000 I generally don't use the erasers that come with my mechanical and drafting pencils, preferring to have a dedicated standalone eraser (or four) handy instead, so most of my erasers don't see much use. Most of my mechanical pencils have a clip on the body of the pencil that can't easily be pulled off. The clip on the cap of the Gorilla Lead pencil may cause the cap to be subject to separation from the body if used as a clip, and may result in the loss of the pencil body.
The Field Test
Note: This test was performed in the Up and Up Drawing Book reviewed here last week. The paper quality is very smooth and without much tooth to hold graphite.
The unusual body shape, and side advance mechanism make this pencil difficult for me to hold and sketch with. The wide lead becomes dull quickly, and isn't really suitable for people who sketch small, or for people who utilize multiple lines (like construction) as the area becomes overworked and overwhelmed quickly.
The eraser does not erase the included graphite cleanly.
The Verdict
I wouldn't purchase these mechanical pencils again, as they aren't conducive to the way I work. They seem like they'd be decent for field sketching, or for marking wood with their large, unusually sized leads, but my hand keeps catching on the side advancement, and there isn't really anywhere for me to rest my hand while I draw.
Up and Up Mechanical Pencils10 pencils in 5 grip colors.7mm leadback advancementincluded eraserplastic gripplastic clip is moulded on body$2.79 at Target
The Package
The back of the Up and Up Mechanical Pencils package is far more stark than the Write Dudes package, with very little product information available.
The Pencils
I think most people are familiar with this style of mechanical pencil- it's a pretty basic design. The back of the pencil is depressed to advance the lead inside, and the eraser is removable should you decide to add more lead (purchased seperately). These are .7mm mechanical pencils, which is what I usually use for my work, and have an all white plastic body with a slightly rubberized 'grip' that matches the eraser. Regardless of the color of the grip and eraser, the lead inside is graphite.
These pencils feel very cheap in the hand, and the lead sheath rattles in the pencil. The grip isn't soft at all, but it is a little rubbery, so it's more for slip prevention and slight ergonomics.
Compared to Other Mechanical Pencils
From left to right: Pentel Graph Gear 1000, Target Up and Up mechanical pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Uni Color Eno Mechanical Pencil
From left to right: Uni Color Eno, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Pentel Graph Gear 1000
From left to right: Uni Color Eno, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Pentel Graph Gear 1000
From left to right: Uni Color Eno, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Pentel Graph Gear 1000
As you can see from the above comparison photos, the Up and Up Mechanical pencils share a lot in common with many of the other mechanical pencils in the lineup. Like the Faber Castell 1347 the Up and Up Mechanical pencil has a plastic, rubberized grip that offers little cushioning. Like all of the pencils in this lineup, the Up and Up Mechanical pencil has a removable eraser that once removed, gives the owner access to the lead feed. Like the Color Eno mechanical pencil, the plastic clip is part of the body of the pencil.
The Field Test
This field test was completed in the Up and Up Drawing Book, recently reviewed on this blog as part of the Target Art Supply Review series.
Eraser is pretty much garbage, so if you're going to use these (or stuck using these), provide your own eraser.
Drawn as part of the field test for the Up and Up Drawing Book
Sketches ok, lead feels like HB. Erases fairly cleanly with another eraser such as Pentel Clic Eraser or a Mono white vinyl eraser.
The Verdict
These aren't horrible, but they're pretty cheap mechanical pencils, and feel like cheap mechanical pencils. The grip doesn't provide much protection, but it gives you a place to rest your fingers. The lead is pretty standard, and the eraser is horrible, so if you're going to use these pencils, you should probably have another eraser ready for use.
These mechanical pencils are as basic as they come, and are available on the cheap from almost any store, and the Up and Up Mechanical pencils aren't a particularly great representation. If you want a cheap mechanical pencil, you should probably skip these and opt for something that's built a little better.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
This is a two part review- I'm starting with the Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencils, and ending with the Up and Up Mechanical Pencils. Although I've used mechanical pencils for drawing for more than two decades, I don't spend much time reviewing them for the blog. Like so many things, I feel like those of us who prefer mechanical pencils to wooden pencils are specific in our needs and wants, and what works for me may be intolerable for you. Even the difference of ten years can be huge, when I was in highschool, I liked Clearpoint side advancement mechanical pencils, and now I find them annoying to draw or write with.
That said, pencils are an important part of any artist's arsenal, and many artists find mechanical pencils to be convenient, so I thought it important to cover a couple brands sold at Target as part of the Target Art Supply Review series.
Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencils
$3.62 at Target2 Pencils10 refill leads
The Package
The package includes two mechanical pencils and a pack of replacement lead, which is good, as the lead for these pencils is probably pretty hard to come by, given it's unusual shape. The package is plastic and cardboard, not reusable.
The back of the package reads
Gorilla Lead
Combine the incredible strength and fury of a gorrila and you get our Gorilla Lead. With premium strength and quality, you truly write with the best.
Includes:
2 Mechanical pencils with 2 1.8 mm Leads in Each
10 1.8 mm lead refills with container
Quality Guaranteed
We guarantee the quality of Write Dudes products. If this product does not perform properly, please contact us at:
Mega Brands America Inc Irvine CA 92618 USA
180052142 (US and Canada) support.megabrands.com
Like us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/WriteDudes
2015 Mega Brands International
Made in China
Mattel Sales Corp, 33 Continental Boulevard
El Segundo, CA 90245, USA
Consumer Services: 180052142
Lead conforms to ASTM D4236I'm really interested to see how plastic mechanical pencils can combine both the strength and the fury of a live gorilla, I suspect that's a difficult promise to keep. Theoretically I should be able to drive over these pencils with no lead breakage, right?
Please retain this information for future references
Colors and Decorations May Vary
The Pencils
Unique, and possibly difficult to replace 1.8mm rectangular B lead. Side advancement button (not my favorite placement). All plastic body, removable cap reveals eraser. Oval shaped body that isn't prone to rolling. Grip is just moulded notches on the body of the pencil.
Probably great for field sketching, given that this chunky lead would be a bit less prone to breaking. Unfortunately, you can only load one lead at a time, so you can't carry spares in the pencil's body.
I didn't immediately realize the cap was meant to be removed regularly, it was only when checking out the lead's feed that I discovered the eraser within.
Compared to Other Mechanical Pencils
From left to right: Pentel GraphGear 1000, Up and Up Mechanical Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Color Eno Mechanical Pencil This pencil seems to be to mechanical pencils what a carpenter's pencil is to regular pencils.
From left to right: Color Eno mechanical pencil, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Up and Up mechanical pencil, Pentel Graph Gear 1000 All of the other pencils in this photo take .7 lead, which is my go-to lead as I'm fairly heavy handed, and lead is prone to break on me. 
From left to right: Color Eno mechanical pencil, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Up and Up mechanical pencil, Pentel Graph Gear 1000
From left to right: Color Eno mechanical pencil, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Up and Up mechanical pencil, Pentel Graph Gear 1000 I generally don't use the erasers that come with my mechanical and drafting pencils, preferring to have a dedicated standalone eraser (or four) handy instead, so most of my erasers don't see much use. Most of my mechanical pencils have a clip on the body of the pencil that can't easily be pulled off. The clip on the cap of the Gorilla Lead pencil may cause the cap to be subject to separation from the body if used as a clip, and may result in the loss of the pencil body.The Field Test
Note: This test was performed in the Up and Up Drawing Book reviewed here last week. The paper quality is very smooth and without much tooth to hold graphite.
The unusual body shape, and side advance mechanism make this pencil difficult for me to hold and sketch with. The wide lead becomes dull quickly, and isn't really suitable for people who sketch small, or for people who utilize multiple lines (like construction) as the area becomes overworked and overwhelmed quickly.
The eraser does not erase the included graphite cleanly.
The Verdict
I wouldn't purchase these mechanical pencils again, as they aren't conducive to the way I work. They seem like they'd be decent for field sketching, or for marking wood with their large, unusually sized leads, but my hand keeps catching on the side advancement, and there isn't really anywhere for me to rest my hand while I draw.
Up and Up Mechanical Pencils10 pencils in 5 grip colors.7mm leadback advancementincluded eraserplastic gripplastic clip is moulded on body$2.79 at Target
The Package
The back of the Up and Up Mechanical Pencils package is far more stark than the Write Dudes package, with very little product information available.
The Pencils
I think most people are familiar with this style of mechanical pencil- it's a pretty basic design. The back of the pencil is depressed to advance the lead inside, and the eraser is removable should you decide to add more lead (purchased seperately). These are .7mm mechanical pencils, which is what I usually use for my work, and have an all white plastic body with a slightly rubberized 'grip' that matches the eraser. Regardless of the color of the grip and eraser, the lead inside is graphite.
These pencils feel very cheap in the hand, and the lead sheath rattles in the pencil. The grip isn't soft at all, but it is a little rubbery, so it's more for slip prevention and slight ergonomics.
Compared to Other Mechanical Pencils
From left to right: Pentel Graph Gear 1000, Target Up and Up mechanical pencil, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead Pencil, Uni Color Eno Mechanical Pencil
From left to right: Uni Color Eno, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Pentel Graph Gear 1000
From left to right: Uni Color Eno, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Pentel Graph Gear 1000
From left to right: Uni Color Eno, Write Dudes Gorilla Lead, Faber Castell Grip 1347, Pentel Graph Gear 1000As you can see from the above comparison photos, the Up and Up Mechanical pencils share a lot in common with many of the other mechanical pencils in the lineup. Like the Faber Castell 1347 the Up and Up Mechanical pencil has a plastic, rubberized grip that offers little cushioning. Like all of the pencils in this lineup, the Up and Up Mechanical pencil has a removable eraser that once removed, gives the owner access to the lead feed. Like the Color Eno mechanical pencil, the plastic clip is part of the body of the pencil.
The Field Test
This field test was completed in the Up and Up Drawing Book, recently reviewed on this blog as part of the Target Art Supply Review series.
Eraser is pretty much garbage, so if you're going to use these (or stuck using these), provide your own eraser.
Drawn as part of the field test for the Up and Up Drawing Book Sketches ok, lead feels like HB. Erases fairly cleanly with another eraser such as Pentel Clic Eraser or a Mono white vinyl eraser.
The Verdict
These aren't horrible, but they're pretty cheap mechanical pencils, and feel like cheap mechanical pencils. The grip doesn't provide much protection, but it gives you a place to rest your fingers. The lead is pretty standard, and the eraser is horrible, so if you're going to use these pencils, you should probably have another eraser ready for use.
These mechanical pencils are as basic as they come, and are available on the cheap from almost any store, and the Up and Up Mechanical pencils aren't a particularly great representation. If you want a cheap mechanical pencil, you should probably skip these and opt for something that's built a little better.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 22, 2016
Target Art Supply Review: Up and Up Drawing Book
I've mentioned before that sketchbooks are an important tool and toy for many artists. Even beginner artists benefit greatly from putting time in their sketchbook, filling as many pages as possible. Many artists prefer workhorse sketchbooks- plain and simple sketchbooks that can stand up to their demands, but aren't too fussy.
I'm a big fan of workhorse sketchbooks, I've filled many a Strathmore Sketch and a Blick Studio Sketchbook. I like my sketchbooks frill-free, cheap and unpretentious so I can focus on sketching. I find that fancier sketchbooks lead to stagefright- a pressing need to only draw the best things, rather than practicing the essentials when necessary.
Of course, fancy wasn't really an issue with my Target finds- the Kenner Target didn't really have much selection in the way of 'fancy'. To be honest, it didn't have much selection in the way of sketchbooks either, despite the fact that I timed my shopping spree to coincide with Back to School. My options were Moleskins, which are commonly available, and a single sketchbook sitting lonely on a cardboard shelf.
I'll give you two guesses as to which I went with. No peeking at the title.
Ok, ready? Got your guesses?
Today I'll be reviewing Target's Up and Up Drawing Book.
70 sheets11"x8.5"Recyclable paperSustainable Forestry Initiative Certified Sourcing'drawing book''medium weight'- no actual weight is given, almost as thin as copy paperacid freespiral bound
General Thoughts
This was the only real sketchbook I could find at the Kenner Target- they did carry Moleskins, but I dislike using Moleskin books for sketching, as the paper is so thin, and prone to smearing with ink.
This sketchbook was the last on the shelf, and there were no other sizes available, so I wasn't exactly spoiled for choice.
Paper inside feels thinner than almost any sketchbook paper I've ever used. Chipboard on back is also thin and fairly flimsy, feels a bit beaten up.
I swatched the Up and Up washable markers on the paper, and it handled them well with no bleed through, despite being thin. The paper has less texture or tooth than other sketchbooks I've used in the past.
Blue Lead
Non photo blue lead goes down smoothly on this paper.
Graphite
Note: Used the Up and Up mechanical pencils for this part. Goes down smoothly, not overly prone to smearing. The eraser on the Up and Up Mechanical pencil is pretty awful.
Graphite also goes down smoothly on this paper.
Inks
So far, at least with the Sharpie Pen test, this paper is nice to ink on, given how smooth the paper is.
Inking with a Kuretake Fudegokochi over non photo blue lead is also pretty easy on this smooth paper. Although the ink goes down well on the paper, the paper is so thin that it tends to move around a lot while you're trying to ink and the sketchbook itself is so thin that it flops, not providing adequate support. This makes the sketchbook difficult to use if you aren't at a desk or using a lapboard.
This sketchbook handles penciling, inking, and erasing decently well, but as the paper is thin, it can be prone to shearing with heavy erasing. I erased the pencils from this using a Mono eraser.
Alcohol Markers
I used Copic markers, Prismacolor markers, and Blick Studio Brush markers on this paper.
Inks bleed through this thin sketchbook paper, but that's to be expected in almost any sketchbook with thin paper. If you'd like to prevent this, use a blotter sheet of cardstock beneath the page you're coloring.
After a certain number of layers, ink seems to sit on top, which is fine, but prohibits further layering and blending.
The slight sheen that's visible is ink that hasn't soaked into the paper.
This test was originally completed for my review of ek tool's Calligraphy and Journaling pens, also part of the Target review series.
In general, this sketchbook handles alcohol based markers really well. Colors remain vibrant and bleed through is surprisingly minimal for sketchbook paper.
The Verdict
I'm pretty picky about sketchbooks. My favorite is the Blick Studio Sketch, top spiral bound, in 9"x12", and if I can't get that, I buy a Strathmore 300 series 9"x12", top spiral bound sketchbook, and I pretty much stick to those two. As a creature who doesn't like change, it's difficult from me to break from my sketch book habit, even just to test other sketchbooks.
This sketchbook has it's flaws (thin paper, flimsy chipboard), but it handles ink, graphite, blue lead, and markers quite well. If you enjoy using reasonably dry media (except for loose graphites and charcoals that require texture) this isn't a bad sketchbook, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
I'm a big fan of workhorse sketchbooks, I've filled many a Strathmore Sketch and a Blick Studio Sketchbook. I like my sketchbooks frill-free, cheap and unpretentious so I can focus on sketching. I find that fancier sketchbooks lead to stagefright- a pressing need to only draw the best things, rather than practicing the essentials when necessary.
Of course, fancy wasn't really an issue with my Target finds- the Kenner Target didn't really have much selection in the way of 'fancy'. To be honest, it didn't have much selection in the way of sketchbooks either, despite the fact that I timed my shopping spree to coincide with Back to School. My options were Moleskins, which are commonly available, and a single sketchbook sitting lonely on a cardboard shelf.
I'll give you two guesses as to which I went with. No peeking at the title.
Ok, ready? Got your guesses?
Today I'll be reviewing Target's Up and Up Drawing Book.
70 sheets11"x8.5"Recyclable paperSustainable Forestry Initiative Certified Sourcing'drawing book''medium weight'- no actual weight is given, almost as thin as copy paperacid freespiral bound
General Thoughts
This was the only real sketchbook I could find at the Kenner Target- they did carry Moleskins, but I dislike using Moleskin books for sketching, as the paper is so thin, and prone to smearing with ink.
This sketchbook was the last on the shelf, and there were no other sizes available, so I wasn't exactly spoiled for choice.
Paper inside feels thinner than almost any sketchbook paper I've ever used. Chipboard on back is also thin and fairly flimsy, feels a bit beaten up.
I swatched the Up and Up washable markers on the paper, and it handled them well with no bleed through, despite being thin. The paper has less texture or tooth than other sketchbooks I've used in the past.
Blue Lead
Non photo blue lead goes down smoothly on this paper.
Graphite
Note: Used the Up and Up mechanical pencils for this part. Goes down smoothly, not overly prone to smearing. The eraser on the Up and Up Mechanical pencil is pretty awful.
Graphite also goes down smoothly on this paper.
Inks
So far, at least with the Sharpie Pen test, this paper is nice to ink on, given how smooth the paper is.
Inking with a Kuretake Fudegokochi over non photo blue lead is also pretty easy on this smooth paper. Although the ink goes down well on the paper, the paper is so thin that it tends to move around a lot while you're trying to ink and the sketchbook itself is so thin that it flops, not providing adequate support. This makes the sketchbook difficult to use if you aren't at a desk or using a lapboard.
This sketchbook handles penciling, inking, and erasing decently well, but as the paper is thin, it can be prone to shearing with heavy erasing. I erased the pencils from this using a Mono eraser.
Alcohol Markers
I used Copic markers, Prismacolor markers, and Blick Studio Brush markers on this paper.
Inks bleed through this thin sketchbook paper, but that's to be expected in almost any sketchbook with thin paper. If you'd like to prevent this, use a blotter sheet of cardstock beneath the page you're coloring.
After a certain number of layers, ink seems to sit on top, which is fine, but prohibits further layering and blending.
The slight sheen that's visible is ink that hasn't soaked into the paper.
This test was originally completed for my review of ek tool's Calligraphy and Journaling pens, also part of the Target review series.In general, this sketchbook handles alcohol based markers really well. Colors remain vibrant and bleed through is surprisingly minimal for sketchbook paper.
The Verdict
I'm pretty picky about sketchbooks. My favorite is the Blick Studio Sketch, top spiral bound, in 9"x12", and if I can't get that, I buy a Strathmore 300 series 9"x12", top spiral bound sketchbook, and I pretty much stick to those two. As a creature who doesn't like change, it's difficult from me to break from my sketch book habit, even just to test other sketchbooks.
This sketchbook has it's flaws (thin paper, flimsy chipboard), but it handles ink, graphite, blue lead, and markers quite well. If you enjoy using reasonably dry media (except for loose graphites and charcoals that require texture) this isn't a bad sketchbook, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 19, 2016
Brain Worm Art: Creating Something Memorable
A lot of factors go into artwork being memorable. It's not something an artist should directly consider when creating, but it's important in gaining notoriety for people to remember seeing your art. I think consumers are more likely to value art if it has a lasting impression on them--even if it isn't the most technically skilled or doesn't spin a good narrative.
So while memorability is a complex, nuanced, subjective system, there are some general rules to it such as famous composition methods. A team at MIT decided to use some modern machine-learning techniques known as convolutional neural networks to teach an algorithm with 60,000 photographs ranked for memorability by humans to teach memorability ranking. They then tested the actual memorability with memorability games and found their algorithm performed on par with humans at measuring memorability. The artificial intelligence, LaMem, is available online and for download. It had all of the heavy-lifting done beforehand in the training, so it can give rank memorability blazing fast and even give a heat-map to define the most memorable areas of an image. Red being most memorable and blue least memorable.
7" Kara CoversI processed some of Becca's art through LaMem and found they were all highly memorable, between 0.7 and 0.835.
Covers from Becca's children's watercolor comic, 7" Kara. I'm unsure why LaMem thought text would make something more memorable.
Famous PaintingsI was surprised to find many paintings I consider memorable received lower scores, between 0.6 and 0.7, or medium memorability.
M.C. Escher's Relativity. I was sure this would be considered memorable as I personally it has strong staying power. I think a regular person could draw vaguely what it looks like from memory and would certainly recognize art influenced by it.
Edvard Munch's The Scream.
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Finally, something which has a sensible value. Honestly, people probably get this confused with some other Japanese color woodblock cuts, especially in the Hokusai's series, but I still believe it's memorable.
MIT Research FindingsEmotions account for a large variance in memorability. Unsurprisingly, disgust and amusement, and more generally negative emotions, make for some of the most memorable images. The most popular images and consistency of fixation on an image--or the viewer's eyes being drawn to particular location upon first glance--also play a factor.
Astonishingly, aesthetics don't account for any change in memorability. Specifically, 250,000 photographs from the AVA dataset were ranked by hobbyist and professional photographers for their aesthetic allure. They were searching for things such as golden ratio, the rule of thirds, and color harmonies. So maybe design choice isn't correlated with memorability at all; in which case, it would be important to test for memorability when creating promotional material.
Khosla, A., & Torralba, A. (n.d.). Understanding and Predicting Image Memorability at a Large Scale. doi:10.1109/ICCV.2015.27
Aside
It would also be interesting to see how placing logos / signatures in work, such as when creating a banner, affect the memorability of it. I imagine after one has taken design into consideration, it would be smart to place one's logo close to a highly memorable area (red hot spot in the images) so there's a higher chance someone will recall your logo with the image when thinking about it. Based on a few simple tests, it seems as though placing a logo in a memorable zone is slightly more effective than placing it in a non-memorable zone. But I have no idea if this extrapolates.
The highest scoring version was actual the final design. Maybe general decisions maximum memorability naturally.I ran some of Becca's non-cover artwork through as well and found they were still all highly memorable.
Cowgirl painting set. It's interesting to see LaMem focusing on the painted framing and to a lesser extent the girls rather than the landscapes.
ConclusionThere isn't any kind of deeper connection I can draw from this, but scanning through CSAIL's, the MIT research group's, example photos, the lower scored photos look incredibly bland and forgetful and the memorable photos appear professionally shot and composed, but not stock photos.
I would love to hear your thoughts on how memorable you believe your art or artists you like are and see what kind of results you get playing with LaMem. I can't say this will enter Becca's tool-set, but she may use it when deciding upon promotional images after she's narrowed it down to my favorites.
If you would like to learn more about deep neural networks, Joseph Coco, the guest writer, studies them at Vanderbilt University. He was in no way involved with this research. But he may dive deeper into this subject if it draws attention.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
So while memorability is a complex, nuanced, subjective system, there are some general rules to it such as famous composition methods. A team at MIT decided to use some modern machine-learning techniques known as convolutional neural networks to teach an algorithm with 60,000 photographs ranked for memorability by humans to teach memorability ranking. They then tested the actual memorability with memorability games and found their algorithm performed on par with humans at measuring memorability. The artificial intelligence, LaMem, is available online and for download. It had all of the heavy-lifting done beforehand in the training, so it can give rank memorability blazing fast and even give a heat-map to define the most memorable areas of an image. Red being most memorable and blue least memorable.
7" Kara CoversI processed some of Becca's art through LaMem and found they were all highly memorable, between 0.7 and 0.835.
Covers from Becca's children's watercolor comic, 7" Kara. I'm unsure why LaMem thought text would make something more memorable.Famous PaintingsI was surprised to find many paintings I consider memorable received lower scores, between 0.6 and 0.7, or medium memorability.
M.C. Escher's Relativity. I was sure this would be considered memorable as I personally it has strong staying power. I think a regular person could draw vaguely what it looks like from memory and would certainly recognize art influenced by it.
Edvard Munch's The Scream.
Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Finally, something which has a sensible value. Honestly, people probably get this confused with some other Japanese color woodblock cuts, especially in the Hokusai's series, but I still believe it's memorable.MIT Research FindingsEmotions account for a large variance in memorability. Unsurprisingly, disgust and amusement, and more generally negative emotions, make for some of the most memorable images. The most popular images and consistency of fixation on an image--or the viewer's eyes being drawn to particular location upon first glance--also play a factor.
Astonishingly, aesthetics don't account for any change in memorability. Specifically, 250,000 photographs from the AVA dataset were ranked by hobbyist and professional photographers for their aesthetic allure. They were searching for things such as golden ratio, the rule of thirds, and color harmonies. So maybe design choice isn't correlated with memorability at all; in which case, it would be important to test for memorability when creating promotional material.
Khosla, A., & Torralba, A. (n.d.). Understanding and Predicting Image Memorability at a Large Scale. doi:10.1109/ICCV.2015.27Aside
It would also be interesting to see how placing logos / signatures in work, such as when creating a banner, affect the memorability of it. I imagine after one has taken design into consideration, it would be smart to place one's logo close to a highly memorable area (red hot spot in the images) so there's a higher chance someone will recall your logo with the image when thinking about it. Based on a few simple tests, it seems as though placing a logo in a memorable zone is slightly more effective than placing it in a non-memorable zone. But I have no idea if this extrapolates.
The highest scoring version was actual the final design. Maybe general decisions maximum memorability naturally.I ran some of Becca's non-cover artwork through as well and found they were still all highly memorable.
Cowgirl painting set. It's interesting to see LaMem focusing on the painted framing and to a lesser extent the girls rather than the landscapes. ConclusionThere isn't any kind of deeper connection I can draw from this, but scanning through CSAIL's, the MIT research group's, example photos, the lower scored photos look incredibly bland and forgetful and the memorable photos appear professionally shot and composed, but not stock photos.
I would love to hear your thoughts on how memorable you believe your art or artists you like are and see what kind of results you get playing with LaMem. I can't say this will enter Becca's tool-set, but she may use it when deciding upon promotional images after she's narrowed it down to my favorites.
If you would like to learn more about deep neural networks, Joseph Coco, the guest writer, studies them at Vanderbilt University. He was in no way involved with this research. But he may dive deeper into this subject if it draws attention.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 17, 2016
Help Support This Blog!
It takes a lot of money to keep this blog updated consistently with fresh content! I currently do not have any ongoing sponsorships or longterm donors, so if you like what I do and want to help me keep doing it, you should consider showing your support through commission, donation, promotion, or sponsorship! Interested in collaborating? There's a lot of ways we can work together, and I'd love to explore them! Send me an email, and we can explore the possibilities together! I am most interested in collaborating with other art/craft bloggers and YouTubers, for the benefit of both parties. There's always room for improvement, so if there's an element you feel this blog is missing, please let me know, and I'll try to add it if feasible.
For more information about me, Becca Hillburn, please check out my Info tab. I am also a founder and contributor on the convention blog How to Be a Con Artist, which focuses on helping people prepare for selling their art and comics at conventions.
Quick Reference:
Resume
Portfolio
Youtube Channel
The Stats
Average of 1,600 pageviews per day, more if it's an update dayUpdate on every third day, so updates at least twice a weekUsually at least a 2 week buffer of pre-written posts at any given time10,000 Approximate Users Per Month19,000 Approximate Pageviews Per MonthThe Majority of my viewers are using Chrome, followed by Safari, then FirefoxThe Majority of my viewers access the site from a desktop, followed by a mobile device, then tablets1,000+ Twitter followers, high Twitter engagement947 Tumblr followers431 Instagram followers, currently undergoing an initiative to have more interaction with audience, constantly post photos of art and productsMajority of my posts are a combination of photos and textRecently introduced Reviews and Tutorials to my YouTube channel, undergoing an initiative to increase channel growth and engagementWhen reviewing supplies, I prefer to explore them one at a time, and may revisit supplies when I've better learned how to use productMoving towards adding video content to blogAttend 4+ comic conventions per year, high level of engagement with customers, strong focus on sharing and promoting products I regularly use to help educate aspiring artistsI am currently most interested in blog sponsorships and company partnerships, as it would help offset some of the numerous costs of running, updating, and promoting this blog. My content is currently entirely free, although I do have ads placed to help offset costs. These ads do not contribute much financially (pennies a month), so if having Google ads is a dealbreaker for your sponsorship, please let me know, and we can discuss removal. Please note that I am not interested in 'free' supplies- I would like to work on mutually beneficial partnerships that send highly interested customers your way, while rewarding me for my education, research, and efforts. I feel sponsorships and partnerships would help increase how this blog is regarded amongst other artists and bloggers, and I am interested in providing useful, relevant content to your company and potential customers while building my own career and earning a living doing what I love.
If you are not a company but a reader interested in helping out, please contact my favorite companies on my behalf, and let them know how much you like my content! You can find contact links below, and please don't assume other readers will write in. I'm counting on each and every one of you for help. Contacting a company costs you nothing but time, and it shows companies that readers enjoy my content and take my recommendations seriously. All of the 'website' links are on site forms, so they're very easy to fill out. Sending them a link to a relevant review or tutorial, along with a few lines like why you enjoyed the link, or how the review convinced you to try the product, will really go a long way.
Jetpens: Website, Twitter (@Jetpens), Email
Kuretake (Zig): Website, Twitter, Instagram
Winsor and Newton: Website, Twitter, Instagram
DickBlick: Website, Twitter
Jerry's Artarama: Facebook, Twitter
Pla-Za: Website
Strathmore Artist Papers: Website, Twitter
Sakura: Website, Facebook
Copic (Too): Website, Twitter
Pentel: Website, Twitter
Tombow USA: Website, Twitter
Arrange Speaking Engagements
Depending on your location and the time of year, I am available for in-person speaking engagements or Skype/Google Hangouts speaking engagements. I'm qualified (MFA from SCAD: University of Creative Careers in Sequential Art) to speak on a number of illustration and comic-craft related topics, and you can even check out a few of my live performances on my Youtube channel. I have worked with kids K-undergrad, but my favorite kids to work with are preteens-20's.
Topics I can teach:
Basic Constructive Anatomy for ComicsComic Craft/Comic ProcessComic Craft MaterialsIntroduction to WatercolorWatercolor for ComicsDrawing BasicsPreparing Your PortfolioIntroduction to InkingUsing Alcohol Based Markers (Copic, Prismacolor, ect)Convention prepPanels presented at conventions playlist
At library (young children 2-10)
Ongoing Freelance
At the present time, I am not interested in any additional comic or children's book illustration unless you are able to pay me half upfront. The exception to this are solicitations for short anthology entries- up to 8 pages of comic. For examples of my two current ongoing projects, 7" Kara and Gizmo Grandma, please check out these links:
Behance
7"Kara Volume 1 Materials
Gizmo Grandma:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Anthology Examples
1001 Knights- Knight School
Chainmail Bikini- Pretty Paladin Critical Missy
One Time Commission
I can do all sorts of illustration, and have worked with a wide variety of customers! You can see more on my convention portfolio, or my Behance. While you can purchase commissions through my website, I prefer that you email me first for a customized quote.
Product Reviews and Sponsored Posts
Do you make a product I just adore? I'll happily take your money to sing my honest praises, introducing your product to my highly focused audience. I'll also happily take your money to point out your products flaws and shortcomings, so be aware that products sent to me will be reviewed honestly.
If you're interested in sponsoring a post, or donating items for review, please keep a few things in mind.
Please email me ahead of time to make sure the items you are sending are items I CAN review for this blog. A good way to check is to skim my Amazon, Jetpens, and DickBlick wishlists. If the item is on that list, I do not own it, and I would love to review it. I focus on art supplies (all ranges, from student to professional grades), certain crafting supplies, and stationary. I am also interested in reviewing merchandising companies for the purposes of making product for online shops and conventions.Although I promise to review your product, I make my living doing conventions, drawing comics, selling 7" Kara, and doing freelance. If you would like a review written by a certain date, let me know when pitching the review, and I will accommodate your request within reason.I only write honest reviews, regardless of what you have donated. If I don't like a product, I will say so. If I love a product, I will say so as well. My audience trusts me to be as honest as possible, and I will not break that trust.You can also sponsor a custom tutorial for your product, email me for a quote! The tutorial will be run on this blog, and you are welcome to run it anywhere else you see fit, so long as you give me credit. If you would prefer a video tutorial, that is possible as well.Sponsored reviews will be free of affiliate links, or links to sources other than your shop/company, unless you request otherwise. Should I decide to write follow up posts at a later date (on my own dime and time) outside links and affiliate links are at my discretion.
Guest Writing for Your Blog/Website
I will only write guest pieces for blogs that are relevant to my career (children's illustration/comics) or to my passions (art education for kids, art education for adult, honest art supply reviews, convention related topics). Please email me with what you have in mind, and I can give you a quote. If guest post involves materials I do not own, your quote will be higher. You can get an idea for what I own by searching my blog for the product you have in mind, or by asking me when you email.
Adspace
My sidebar features two adspaces- free bottom of the sidebar space for artists and writers, and paid top of sidebar space for artists, writers, shops, and companies.
Free Ads
If you are a comic artist, or art supply blogger who is interested in sidebar space, please send me an email with a link to your content, and submit a 220 pixel by 110 pixel ad (see my sidebar for examples). Free ads are towards the bottom of my sidebar and tend to remain stationary. Links must update regularly (at least once every two weeks) with content that is either comic focused (webcomics or comic craft), or geared towards helping others.
Paid Ads
If you would like to purchase a 1 month ad at the top of my sidebar, please contact me for a quote. Paid top of sidebar ads are open to companies and shops as well.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
For more information about me, Becca Hillburn, please check out my Info tab. I am also a founder and contributor on the convention blog How to Be a Con Artist, which focuses on helping people prepare for selling their art and comics at conventions.
Quick Reference:
Resume
Portfolio
Youtube Channel
The Stats
Average of 1,600 pageviews per day, more if it's an update dayUpdate on every third day, so updates at least twice a weekUsually at least a 2 week buffer of pre-written posts at any given time10,000 Approximate Users Per Month19,000 Approximate Pageviews Per MonthThe Majority of my viewers are using Chrome, followed by Safari, then FirefoxThe Majority of my viewers access the site from a desktop, followed by a mobile device, then tablets1,000+ Twitter followers, high Twitter engagement947 Tumblr followers431 Instagram followers, currently undergoing an initiative to have more interaction with audience, constantly post photos of art and productsMajority of my posts are a combination of photos and textRecently introduced Reviews and Tutorials to my YouTube channel, undergoing an initiative to increase channel growth and engagementWhen reviewing supplies, I prefer to explore them one at a time, and may revisit supplies when I've better learned how to use productMoving towards adding video content to blogAttend 4+ comic conventions per year, high level of engagement with customers, strong focus on sharing and promoting products I regularly use to help educate aspiring artistsI am currently most interested in blog sponsorships and company partnerships, as it would help offset some of the numerous costs of running, updating, and promoting this blog. My content is currently entirely free, although I do have ads placed to help offset costs. These ads do not contribute much financially (pennies a month), so if having Google ads is a dealbreaker for your sponsorship, please let me know, and we can discuss removal. Please note that I am not interested in 'free' supplies- I would like to work on mutually beneficial partnerships that send highly interested customers your way, while rewarding me for my education, research, and efforts. I feel sponsorships and partnerships would help increase how this blog is regarded amongst other artists and bloggers, and I am interested in providing useful, relevant content to your company and potential customers while building my own career and earning a living doing what I love.
If you are not a company but a reader interested in helping out, please contact my favorite companies on my behalf, and let them know how much you like my content! You can find contact links below, and please don't assume other readers will write in. I'm counting on each and every one of you for help. Contacting a company costs you nothing but time, and it shows companies that readers enjoy my content and take my recommendations seriously. All of the 'website' links are on site forms, so they're very easy to fill out. Sending them a link to a relevant review or tutorial, along with a few lines like why you enjoyed the link, or how the review convinced you to try the product, will really go a long way.
Jetpens: Website, Twitter (@Jetpens), Email
Kuretake (Zig): Website, Twitter, Instagram
Winsor and Newton: Website, Twitter, Instagram
DickBlick: Website, Twitter
Jerry's Artarama: Facebook, Twitter
Pla-Za: Website
Strathmore Artist Papers: Website, Twitter
Sakura: Website, Facebook
Copic (Too): Website, Twitter
Pentel: Website, Twitter
Tombow USA: Website, Twitter
Arrange Speaking Engagements
Depending on your location and the time of year, I am available for in-person speaking engagements or Skype/Google Hangouts speaking engagements. I'm qualified (MFA from SCAD: University of Creative Careers in Sequential Art) to speak on a number of illustration and comic-craft related topics, and you can even check out a few of my live performances on my Youtube channel. I have worked with kids K-undergrad, but my favorite kids to work with are preteens-20's.
Topics I can teach:
Basic Constructive Anatomy for ComicsComic Craft/Comic ProcessComic Craft MaterialsIntroduction to WatercolorWatercolor for ComicsDrawing BasicsPreparing Your PortfolioIntroduction to InkingUsing Alcohol Based Markers (Copic, Prismacolor, ect)Convention prepPanels presented at conventions playlist
At library (young children 2-10)
Ongoing Freelance
At the present time, I am not interested in any additional comic or children's book illustration unless you are able to pay me half upfront. The exception to this are solicitations for short anthology entries- up to 8 pages of comic. For examples of my two current ongoing projects, 7" Kara and Gizmo Grandma, please check out these links:
Behance
7"Kara Volume 1 Materials
Gizmo Grandma:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Anthology Examples
1001 Knights- Knight School
Chainmail Bikini- Pretty Paladin Critical Missy
One Time Commission
I can do all sorts of illustration, and have worked with a wide variety of customers! You can see more on my convention portfolio, or my Behance. While you can purchase commissions through my website, I prefer that you email me first for a customized quote.
Product Reviews and Sponsored Posts
Do you make a product I just adore? I'll happily take your money to sing my honest praises, introducing your product to my highly focused audience. I'll also happily take your money to point out your products flaws and shortcomings, so be aware that products sent to me will be reviewed honestly.
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Please email me ahead of time to make sure the items you are sending are items I CAN review for this blog. A good way to check is to skim my Amazon, Jetpens, and DickBlick wishlists. If the item is on that list, I do not own it, and I would love to review it. I focus on art supplies (all ranges, from student to professional grades), certain crafting supplies, and stationary. I am also interested in reviewing merchandising companies for the purposes of making product for online shops and conventions.Although I promise to review your product, I make my living doing conventions, drawing comics, selling 7" Kara, and doing freelance. If you would like a review written by a certain date, let me know when pitching the review, and I will accommodate your request within reason.I only write honest reviews, regardless of what you have donated. If I don't like a product, I will say so. If I love a product, I will say so as well. My audience trusts me to be as honest as possible, and I will not break that trust.You can also sponsor a custom tutorial for your product, email me for a quote! The tutorial will be run on this blog, and you are welcome to run it anywhere else you see fit, so long as you give me credit. If you would prefer a video tutorial, that is possible as well.Sponsored reviews will be free of affiliate links, or links to sources other than your shop/company, unless you request otherwise. Should I decide to write follow up posts at a later date (on my own dime and time) outside links and affiliate links are at my discretion.
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Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 14, 2016
Target Art Supply Review: Up and Up Washable Paintbrush Markers WIP
This post is one of a series of posts that feature art supplies I purchased from the Kenner area Target while I was in town for Mechacon. It was inspired by the fact that kids, teens, and 20 somethings don't have many options for quality and affordable art supplies in the New Orleans area (and yes, I AM aware that there are art supply shops there, I've shopped at several of them, and they're greatly overpriced given their lackluster stock). So I wanted to see what I could get at Target, put what I buy through its paces, and let you guys know how these supplies fared. As almost always, I purchase these materials out of my own pocket, and one of the ways you can show support and appreciation is to give me a tip in my Paypal (sidebar right).
While browsing the kids' art supplies at Target, this set caught my eyes. I've reviewed several brands of watercolor markers recently, but none aimed at children. This set encourages me to compare to the Crayola Paintbrush Markers, which are on my Amazon wishlist, but I don't own them, so I can't compare. Should I purchase/receive a set, I'll be happy to pull these out and revisit.
Editors Note: After purchasing these, I purchased a set from Dollar Tree, and a set from Michael's, so keep an eye out for those reviews! I STILL don't have the Crayola set, but you can help remedy that by showing me some love, and sending it to me!
6 colorsnon toxicpromises vibrant color qualitywashablepromises paintbrush marker tip
The Package
These paintbrush markers are blister packed in a plastic and cardboard package that's easy to open, but offers no reusable storage. When it comes to kids products, even cheap ones, I'd like to start seeing more reusable cases to help keep everything together. Once this package is opened, it's garbage, its not even as reusable as a cheap chipboard box.
The back of the package is pretty plain, even moreso than the Up and Up washable markers.
The care instructions read
The Markers
This package includes six markers- violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Since these markers dare us to compare them to Crayola, I'm assuming the Crayola Paintbrush markers came first, and that both of these children's watercolor markers are taking a page from more professional books, such as Pentel's watercolor brushpens, or Zig Cleancolor brushpens. It's not a bad idea, and I think watercolor markers like these and Crayola's offer kids (and maybe adults) a lot of creative possibilities and are more versatile than the cake watercolors sold to kids.
The bodies of these markers are pretty much devoid of any sort of body art, unlike the Up and Up Washable markers I reviewed. There's a very unexciting, almost gibberish code printed on the side of just the violet in my set:
Target081040004F1685595611/14LA10114WY
but the other markers have no body printing, just an embossed Up and Up arrow. The markers do have an ink coordinated grip to indicate the colors inside, but it's made of the same hard plastic as the barrel. The brush nibs are made of foam, somewhat like brush nibs for markers. Not having the Crayola washable watercolor markers, I'm not sure if those have nibs like Pentel watercolor brushes, or Zig Clean Color brushes (individual nylon bristle brushes), but I feel like if cheap kid-grade markers like these can have brush nibs, so can knockoff brands like Finecolor. The nib is soft, foamy, and responsive, much better than I originally expected.
The Swatch Test
Given how well the Up and Up waterbased markers performed as watercolor markers, I wonder if these are just the same inks in a different body. That isn't really a problem, just something to think about. The inks blend out with water fairly well, although there is a deliniation between where I put down the marker and where I blended it out with water. As markers, these are juicy and generous with color application, and you can get better blending if you use a stiffer bristled synthetic watercolor brush.
I don't have enough colors to do an effective field test with these, but I'd love to see Up and Up (and Crayola, if theres are this good) expand their color ranges, and I'd be happy to revisit either brand in the future when the line expands. I wish more markers in general had a tip this good- it’s a low rent version of the Copic Superbrush, but it's still leagues better than what Crayola or other kids' marker brands usually use.
The Verdict:
Still in the air. Once I get that Crayola set, I'll have enough of these types of kid-grade watercolor paintbrush markers to be able to form a reasonable opinion. These were fun to play with, but I haven't seen any sets that have decent skintones, which means you (or your kids) will have to mix your own. Recollections (a Michael's scrapbooking brand) has started selling paint markers almost exactly like these, and as it was sold in the scrapbooking section, and not in the kids' art supplies, I can only assume they intended their set for adult use as well, so I don't feel it's unreasonable to expect a skintone here or there.
Other watercolor markers I've reviewed:
Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor markers
Zig Clean Color Real Brush Watercolor markers
Lyra Aqua Brush Duo
Docrafts Artiste Watercolor Markers
And many, many more under my Reviews tab!
As this blog is completely unsponsored, and I receive no financial compensation from companies to write these reviews, nor do I receive donations from manufacturers, I really depend on the goodwill of my readers. If you benefited from this post, please consider contacting Target with a link to this post and your thoughts. I would also sincerely appreciate it if you sent me an email with your thoughts, questions, or thanks. The only way I can write content that you enjoy is if you let me know what works for you, and what you want to read.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
While browsing the kids' art supplies at Target, this set caught my eyes. I've reviewed several brands of watercolor markers recently, but none aimed at children. This set encourages me to compare to the Crayola Paintbrush Markers, which are on my Amazon wishlist, but I don't own them, so I can't compare. Should I purchase/receive a set, I'll be happy to pull these out and revisit.
Editors Note: After purchasing these, I purchased a set from Dollar Tree, and a set from Michael's, so keep an eye out for those reviews! I STILL don't have the Crayola set, but you can help remedy that by showing me some love, and sending it to me!
6 colorsnon toxicpromises vibrant color qualitywashablepromises paintbrush marker tip
The Package
These paintbrush markers are blister packed in a plastic and cardboard package that's easy to open, but offers no reusable storage. When it comes to kids products, even cheap ones, I'd like to start seeing more reusable cases to help keep everything together. Once this package is opened, it's garbage, its not even as reusable as a cheap chipboard box.
The back of the package is pretty plain, even moreso than the Up and Up washable markers.
The care instructions read
Wash with warm water and mild soap. Prompt laundering removes stains from cotton, acrylic, nylon, polyester, and blends of these fabrics. Do not prewash or bleach. Repeat if necessary.
The Markers
This package includes six markers- violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Since these markers dare us to compare them to Crayola, I'm assuming the Crayola Paintbrush markers came first, and that both of these children's watercolor markers are taking a page from more professional books, such as Pentel's watercolor brushpens, or Zig Cleancolor brushpens. It's not a bad idea, and I think watercolor markers like these and Crayola's offer kids (and maybe adults) a lot of creative possibilities and are more versatile than the cake watercolors sold to kids.
The bodies of these markers are pretty much devoid of any sort of body art, unlike the Up and Up Washable markers I reviewed. There's a very unexciting, almost gibberish code printed on the side of just the violet in my set:
Target081040004F1685595611/14LA10114WY
but the other markers have no body printing, just an embossed Up and Up arrow. The markers do have an ink coordinated grip to indicate the colors inside, but it's made of the same hard plastic as the barrel. The brush nibs are made of foam, somewhat like brush nibs for markers. Not having the Crayola washable watercolor markers, I'm not sure if those have nibs like Pentel watercolor brushes, or Zig Clean Color brushes (individual nylon bristle brushes), but I feel like if cheap kid-grade markers like these can have brush nibs, so can knockoff brands like Finecolor. The nib is soft, foamy, and responsive, much better than I originally expected.
The Swatch Test
Given how well the Up and Up waterbased markers performed as watercolor markers, I wonder if these are just the same inks in a different body. That isn't really a problem, just something to think about. The inks blend out with water fairly well, although there is a deliniation between where I put down the marker and where I blended it out with water. As markers, these are juicy and generous with color application, and you can get better blending if you use a stiffer bristled synthetic watercolor brush.
I don't have enough colors to do an effective field test with these, but I'd love to see Up and Up (and Crayola, if theres are this good) expand their color ranges, and I'd be happy to revisit either brand in the future when the line expands. I wish more markers in general had a tip this good- it’s a low rent version of the Copic Superbrush, but it's still leagues better than what Crayola or other kids' marker brands usually use.
The Verdict:
Still in the air. Once I get that Crayola set, I'll have enough of these types of kid-grade watercolor paintbrush markers to be able to form a reasonable opinion. These were fun to play with, but I haven't seen any sets that have decent skintones, which means you (or your kids) will have to mix your own. Recollections (a Michael's scrapbooking brand) has started selling paint markers almost exactly like these, and as it was sold in the scrapbooking section, and not in the kids' art supplies, I can only assume they intended their set for adult use as well, so I don't feel it's unreasonable to expect a skintone here or there.
Other watercolor markers I've reviewed:
Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor markers
Zig Clean Color Real Brush Watercolor markers
Lyra Aqua Brush Duo
Docrafts Artiste Watercolor Markers
And many, many more under my Reviews tab!
As this blog is completely unsponsored, and I receive no financial compensation from companies to write these reviews, nor do I receive donations from manufacturers, I really depend on the goodwill of my readers. If you benefited from this post, please consider contacting Target with a link to this post and your thoughts. I would also sincerely appreciate it if you sent me an email with your thoughts, questions, or thanks. The only way I can write content that you enjoy is if you let me know what works for you, and what you want to read.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 11, 2016
Target Art Supply Review: ek tools Calligraphy Pen Set and e.k. Tools Journaling Pen Set
This post is one of a series of posts that feature art supplies I purchased from the Kenner area Target while I was in town for Mechacon. It was inspired by the fact that kids, teens, and 20 somethings don't have many options for quality and affordable art supplies in the New Orleans area (and yes, I AM aware that there are art supply shops there, I've shopped at several of them, and they're greatly overpriced given their lackluster stock). So I wanted to see what I could get at Target, put what I buy through its paces, and let you guys know how these supplies fared. As almost always, I purchase these materials out of my own pocket, and one of the ways you can show support and appreciation is to give me a tip in my Paypal (sidebar right).
This will be a two part review of both the e.k tools Calligraphy Pen Set and the e.k. Tools Journaling Pen Set. If you're interested in only the Journaling Pen Set, please feel free to scroll until you reach the second large heading.
General Information about e.k. tools
e.k. tools is part of e.k. success brands which also represents labels like Inkadinkadoo, Jolee's Boutique, K&Company, Laliberi, American Girl Crafts, Martha Stewart Crafts, Dimensions Crafts, PaintWorks, Perler, and Sticko. It seems like e.k. tools also owns, or at least distributes the Zig Memory System in the US. Zig is an imprint of Kuretake, so this may explain why I couldn't find my old favorite, the Zig Memory System Fineliners, when I was shopping for the Walmart Art Supply Review series. You can find even more of e.k's lettering and calligraphy tools on their site, or you can order your own (and help this blog!) with the Amazon links below.
You can check out a variety of e.k success's products on Amazon here. I'm having difficulty finding e.k's non Zig-branded pens on Amazon, but you CAN find them on the e.k success site.
e.k. tools Calligraphy Pen SetNOTE: I am not a calligraphy, and my only real training in calligraphy and handlettering came from a single course at SCAD. I do use handlettering for my own projects, such as sassy buttons and title headers, but I am by no means an expert.
6 colorsTwo nib sizes per pen- 2.0 and 3.5 mmCaps are triangular to help prevent rolling.WaterproofArchival qualitynon-bleedingnon-toxic$11.79 for the set on Target.com
The Packaging
Not blister packed, reusable if you open the package carefully, as the cardboard can be slipped in and out out of the clear plastic. This makes the pens a bit bulky for travel, but works fine if you keep them at home.
The back of the box says
The cardboard insert slides out from the plastic front, making the packaging more reusable than a clamshell would be.
The Pens
This set came with six colors- pink, red, black, blue, purple, and green. The pen body has a really pleasing shape that is thinnest in the middle, and wider at the two ends, giving the pens a baton-like appearance. Caps don't post, so hold on to them.
The body of pen is printed with nib diagrams that indicate the size of the nib at each end, as well as the shape of the nib. The ek tools logo, 'calligraphy pen' and 'conforms to ASTM D-426' are also printed on the pen body. Pen body is fairly matte, and body shape makes cap removal easy.
Color name is not printed on barrel, but cap tops and nib collars indicate ink color within. I found the colors to be fairly true to those on the caps, with the green being a bit more teal and the pink being a bit more hot. As these are twin tipped pens, they should be stored horizontally for even ink distribution.
Compared to Other Calligraphy Pens
From top: ek tools calligraphy pen, Zig Calligraphy Pen 3.0, Sakura Graphic 2.0, Marvy Calligraphy 5
Of the four calligraphy pens, only the Kuretake Zig Calligraphy pen features a protective metal sheath around the felt tip.
Comparison of two largest calligraphy felt nibs I currently own, Top: Marvy, Bottom, larger end of the ek tools Calligraphy pen
All nibs seem to be made of felt. None of these pens are refillable or offer replaceable nibs.
Waterfastness Test
2.0mm nib used for immediate test, 3.5mm used for 24 hour dry time test.
Ink is not immediately waterproof, but if allowed to dry for 24 hours, ink will be waterproof.
Copic-fastness Test
Ink is not immediately Copic-proof, but if allowed to dry for 24 hours, ink will be Copic-resistant.
Field Test- Lining and Panel Borders
When run against a straight edge, both ends produce a fairly consistent line with minimal skipping or stopping. As the ink is archival, waterproof and alcohol marker proof (after 24 hours) these pens would make a fine choice for producing the lines needed for page and panel borders (the reason I buy calligraphy pens).
Field Test- Calligraphy
Note: I'm pretty mediocre at handlettering and calligraphy, take my opinions on this with a grain of salt.
Step 1: Outline with non photo blue lead
Step Two: Go over with large end of e.k. tools calligraph pen (green)
Step 3: Outline smaller 'do' with smaller end of pink e.k. tools calligraphy pen.
Step 4: Repeat step 1
Step 5: Admire your work
The Verdict
My primary use for these calligraphy pens would be panel borders, and for my use, these are really neat (although I only need black). As these pens are double sided, you get two border sizes per pen, and they can withstand time, water, or alcohol marker. I personally found them difficult to letter with, but calligraphy and hand lettering are skills I struggle with, so your experience may differ from mine. I did think they were a bit pricey, but they seem well made and fairly well designed.
These aren't true calligraphy pens in the traditional sense, if you're interested in that, you might be out of luck at Target, but DickBlick has you covered.
These calligraphy pens are approximately $2 each, compared to the Yatsumoto calligraphy pen set (3 sizes for $4.64, or $1.54 per single sided pen), or the Itoya double sided calligraphy pens ($2.19 each, 11 different colors available) or the Zig calligraphy sets (4 pens- $9.43, 6 pens, $14.14, 8 pens- $18.86, 12 pens, $28.29 on DickBlick)
Additional Video Resources
Although these are the Zig double sided calligraphy pens, many of the lettering and doodling tips are applicable to these markers.
ek tools Journaling Pens8 pensSingle sided.45mm tipwaterproofarchivalnon bleedingacid free$12.79 on Target.com
The Package
Back of the package:
Same type of packaging as the Calligraphy pens- so vaguely reusable, but not really travel-worthy.
The Pens
The pack comes with 8 colors- blue green, sepia, magenta, black, blue, purple, red, yellow. Color variety isn't bad, not necessarily colors you would easily find in Copic's Multiliners, at least not offline. Pens are comfortable in the hand, feel like a standard size, and body has a matte finish that makes them easier to grip. The slightly larger, flared out cap is easy to grab and pull, and the cap fits on the pen securely. Felt tip has a metal sleeve. Ink flows freely, but doesn't seem to leak.
Pen design is attractive- ink color isn't listed on barrel, but the post, cap top, and the band where the cap meets the body are all representative of the ink color. Body printing has ek tools logo, pen size (.45mm), a diagram of the tip, 'journaling pen', and 'conforms to ASTM D-4236'.
The inks inside are fairly similar to those on the post, collar, and cap, and fairly similar to the colors in the ek tools calligraphy pens. These pens handle much like other fineliners and technical pens, so I hauled out a few of my regulars for some comparison photos so you can see how these stack up.
Compared to Other Fineliners and Technical Pens
Colored technical pens and fineliners.
From left: ek tools Journaling pens, Copic Multiliners, Sharpie Pens
From top: Sharpie Pen, Copic Multiliner, ek tools Journaling pen, Alvin Penstix, Sakura Micron, Copic Multiliner SP, Pitt Pen S
From Top: Sharpie Pen, Copic Multliner, ek tools Journaling Pen, Alvin Penstix, Sakura Micron, Copic Multliner SP, Pitt Pen S
From top: Sharpie Pen, Copic Multiliner, ek tools Journaling Pen, Alvin Penstix, Sakura Micron, Copic Multiliner SP, Pitt Pen S
Waterfastness Test
Not immediately waterproof, applying water directly will cause bleeding.
Allowing ink to dry for 24 hours makes it waterproof.
Copic fastness Test
Not immediately Copic-proof, applying Copic immediately will cause smearing.
Allowing ink to dry for 24 hours before applying Copic ink/blender will make it Copic-proof.
Field Test- A Inking over Non Photo Blue
Although I've really moved away from using technical pens since I've found a Copic-safe brushpen (the Sailor Mitsuo Aida), it's difficult to find brush pens in stores like Target and Walmart, and many artists use technical pens regularly for their art. These pens are pretty similar to other .5mm technical pens and feature a felt tip with a metal sheath. The ink color is not written on the barrel of these 'journaling' pens, but the collar, post, and cap all have plastic that indicates ink color fairly accurately.
The Verdict
Not bad, but not outstanding. Each pen is approximately $1.63, compared to pen stock Microns ($2.32, 16 available colors- priced on Dickblick) or Copic Multiliners ($2.79, 9 total colors, priced on DickBlick), but is only available in one size, and are not available openstock. These work well as technical pens, and are Copic and waterproof, so if this is the only option available to you, you're doing pretty well.
BONUS! Calligraphy Pens and Journaling Pens Combined Copic Test
Note: This test was completed in the Up and Up sketchbook purchased for the Target Art Supply Review Series
Creating borders with both ends of the ek tools Calligraphy pen
If the edge on your ruler is damaged or has divots, the quality of your line will be compromised and skip.
Colored Lineart
I allowed the inks to 'rest' overnight, for best results with the alcohol markers
Rendering with Alcohol Markers
Erase lineart completely and apply first layer.
Although I had some difficulty erasing all of the graphite from under lighter colors like yellow, I had no issues with alcohol markers smearing or reactivating the inks used in the Calligraphy or Journaling pens.
Final Overall Verdict
These pens are fine for creating panel borders in a variety of colors, or if you wish to do colored lineart. They are not available open stock, or in other sizes, so if you're actually interested in starting a collection of supplies, rather than emergency shopping, I recommend hitting up your local Michaels and picking up Multiliners or Microns in a variety of sizes. For the Journaling pens, the colors are similar to those offered in Sakura Microns, but the price is slightly better, so if you're looking for a set of bright .4mm technical pens, the Journaling pens are a fine choice.
I was surprised that Target carried e.k success products, and while the Kenner Target's selection was limited, it makes me want to re-examine what my Walmart had to offer more carefully.
As this blog is completely unsponsored, and I receive no financial compensation from companies to write these reviews, nor do I receive donations from manufacturers, I really depend on the goodwill of my readers. If you benefited from this post, please consider contacting ek success with a link to this post and your thoughts. I would also sincerely appreciate it if you sent me an email with your thoughts, questions, or thanks. The only way I can write content that you enjoy is if you let me know what works for you, and what you want to read.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
This will be a two part review of both the e.k tools Calligraphy Pen Set and the e.k. Tools Journaling Pen Set. If you're interested in only the Journaling Pen Set, please feel free to scroll until you reach the second large heading.
General Information about e.k. tools
e.k. tools is part of e.k. success brands which also represents labels like Inkadinkadoo, Jolee's Boutique, K&Company, Laliberi, American Girl Crafts, Martha Stewart Crafts, Dimensions Crafts, PaintWorks, Perler, and Sticko. It seems like e.k. tools also owns, or at least distributes the Zig Memory System in the US. Zig is an imprint of Kuretake, so this may explain why I couldn't find my old favorite, the Zig Memory System Fineliners, when I was shopping for the Walmart Art Supply Review series. You can find even more of e.k's lettering and calligraphy tools on their site, or you can order your own (and help this blog!) with the Amazon links below.
You can check out a variety of e.k success's products on Amazon here. I'm having difficulty finding e.k's non Zig-branded pens on Amazon, but you CAN find them on the e.k success site.
e.k. tools Calligraphy Pen SetNOTE: I am not a calligraphy, and my only real training in calligraphy and handlettering came from a single course at SCAD. I do use handlettering for my own projects, such as sassy buttons and title headers, but I am by no means an expert.
6 colorsTwo nib sizes per pen- 2.0 and 3.5 mmCaps are triangular to help prevent rolling.WaterproofArchival qualitynon-bleedingnon-toxic$11.79 for the set on Target.com
The Packaging
Not blister packed, reusable if you open the package carefully, as the cardboard can be slipped in and out out of the clear plastic. This makes the pens a bit bulky for travel, but works fine if you keep them at home.
The back of the box says
Use these elegant calligraphy pens for special engagements and announcements. Use calligraphy tip and fine tip for details. Waterproof, archival quality, non-bleeding and non-toxic.
The cardboard insert slides out from the plastic front, making the packaging more reusable than a clamshell would be.
The Pens
This set came with six colors- pink, red, black, blue, purple, and green. The pen body has a really pleasing shape that is thinnest in the middle, and wider at the two ends, giving the pens a baton-like appearance. Caps don't post, so hold on to them.
The body of pen is printed with nib diagrams that indicate the size of the nib at each end, as well as the shape of the nib. The ek tools logo, 'calligraphy pen' and 'conforms to ASTM D-426' are also printed on the pen body. Pen body is fairly matte, and body shape makes cap removal easy.
Color name is not printed on barrel, but cap tops and nib collars indicate ink color within. I found the colors to be fairly true to those on the caps, with the green being a bit more teal and the pink being a bit more hot. As these are twin tipped pens, they should be stored horizontally for even ink distribution.
Compared to Other Calligraphy Pens
From top: ek tools calligraphy pen, Zig Calligraphy Pen 3.0, Sakura Graphic 2.0, Marvy Calligraphy 5
Of the four calligraphy pens, only the Kuretake Zig Calligraphy pen features a protective metal sheath around the felt tip.
Comparison of two largest calligraphy felt nibs I currently own, Top: Marvy, Bottom, larger end of the ek tools Calligraphy penAll nibs seem to be made of felt. None of these pens are refillable or offer replaceable nibs.
Waterfastness Test
2.0mm nib used for immediate test, 3.5mm used for 24 hour dry time test.
Ink is not immediately waterproof, but if allowed to dry for 24 hours, ink will be waterproof.
Copic-fastness Test
Ink is not immediately Copic-proof, but if allowed to dry for 24 hours, ink will be Copic-resistant.
Field Test- Lining and Panel Borders
When run against a straight edge, both ends produce a fairly consistent line with minimal skipping or stopping. As the ink is archival, waterproof and alcohol marker proof (after 24 hours) these pens would make a fine choice for producing the lines needed for page and panel borders (the reason I buy calligraphy pens).
Field Test- Calligraphy
Note: I'm pretty mediocre at handlettering and calligraphy, take my opinions on this with a grain of salt.
Step 1: Outline with non photo blue lead
Step Two: Go over with large end of e.k. tools calligraph pen (green)
Step 3: Outline smaller 'do' with smaller end of pink e.k. tools calligraphy pen.
Step 4: Repeat step 1
Step 5: Admire your work
The Verdict
My primary use for these calligraphy pens would be panel borders, and for my use, these are really neat (although I only need black). As these pens are double sided, you get two border sizes per pen, and they can withstand time, water, or alcohol marker. I personally found them difficult to letter with, but calligraphy and hand lettering are skills I struggle with, so your experience may differ from mine. I did think they were a bit pricey, but they seem well made and fairly well designed.
These aren't true calligraphy pens in the traditional sense, if you're interested in that, you might be out of luck at Target, but DickBlick has you covered.
These calligraphy pens are approximately $2 each, compared to the Yatsumoto calligraphy pen set (3 sizes for $4.64, or $1.54 per single sided pen), or the Itoya double sided calligraphy pens ($2.19 each, 11 different colors available) or the Zig calligraphy sets (4 pens- $9.43, 6 pens, $14.14, 8 pens- $18.86, 12 pens, $28.29 on DickBlick)
Additional Video Resources
Although these are the Zig double sided calligraphy pens, many of the lettering and doodling tips are applicable to these markers.
ek tools Journaling Pens8 pensSingle sided.45mm tipwaterproofarchivalnon bleedingacid free$12.79 on Target.com
The Package
Back of the package:
Use these metal tipped pigment ink pens for everyday writing and journaling. Waterproof, archival quality, non-bleeding, and acid free.Strange that they don't mention stamping, inking, or doodling.
Same type of packaging as the Calligraphy pens- so vaguely reusable, but not really travel-worthy.
The Pens
The pack comes with 8 colors- blue green, sepia, magenta, black, blue, purple, red, yellow. Color variety isn't bad, not necessarily colors you would easily find in Copic's Multiliners, at least not offline. Pens are comfortable in the hand, feel like a standard size, and body has a matte finish that makes them easier to grip. The slightly larger, flared out cap is easy to grab and pull, and the cap fits on the pen securely. Felt tip has a metal sleeve. Ink flows freely, but doesn't seem to leak.
Pen design is attractive- ink color isn't listed on barrel, but the post, cap top, and the band where the cap meets the body are all representative of the ink color. Body printing has ek tools logo, pen size (.45mm), a diagram of the tip, 'journaling pen', and 'conforms to ASTM D-4236'.
The inks inside are fairly similar to those on the post, collar, and cap, and fairly similar to the colors in the ek tools calligraphy pens. These pens handle much like other fineliners and technical pens, so I hauled out a few of my regulars for some comparison photos so you can see how these stack up.
Compared to Other Fineliners and Technical Pens
Colored technical pens and fineliners.From left: ek tools Journaling pens, Copic Multiliners, Sharpie Pens
From top: Sharpie Pen, Copic Multiliner, ek tools Journaling pen, Alvin Penstix, Sakura Micron, Copic Multiliner SP, Pitt Pen S
From Top: Sharpie Pen, Copic Multliner, ek tools Journaling Pen, Alvin Penstix, Sakura Micron, Copic Multliner SP, Pitt Pen S
From top: Sharpie Pen, Copic Multiliner, ek tools Journaling Pen, Alvin Penstix, Sakura Micron, Copic Multiliner SP, Pitt Pen S
Waterfastness Test
Not immediately waterproof, applying water directly will cause bleeding.
Allowing ink to dry for 24 hours makes it waterproof.
Copic fastness Test
Not immediately Copic-proof, applying Copic immediately will cause smearing.
Allowing ink to dry for 24 hours before applying Copic ink/blender will make it Copic-proof.
Field Test- A Inking over Non Photo Blue
Although I've really moved away from using technical pens since I've found a Copic-safe brushpen (the Sailor Mitsuo Aida), it's difficult to find brush pens in stores like Target and Walmart, and many artists use technical pens regularly for their art. These pens are pretty similar to other .5mm technical pens and feature a felt tip with a metal sheath. The ink color is not written on the barrel of these 'journaling' pens, but the collar, post, and cap all have plastic that indicates ink color fairly accurately.
The Verdict
Not bad, but not outstanding. Each pen is approximately $1.63, compared to pen stock Microns ($2.32, 16 available colors- priced on Dickblick) or Copic Multiliners ($2.79, 9 total colors, priced on DickBlick), but is only available in one size, and are not available openstock. These work well as technical pens, and are Copic and waterproof, so if this is the only option available to you, you're doing pretty well.
BONUS! Calligraphy Pens and Journaling Pens Combined Copic Test
Note: This test was completed in the Up and Up sketchbook purchased for the Target Art Supply Review Series
Creating borders with both ends of the ek tools Calligraphy pen
If the edge on your ruler is damaged or has divots, the quality of your line will be compromised and skip.
Colored Lineart
I allowed the inks to 'rest' overnight, for best results with the alcohol markers
Rendering with Alcohol Markers
Erase lineart completely and apply first layer.
Although I had some difficulty erasing all of the graphite from under lighter colors like yellow, I had no issues with alcohol markers smearing or reactivating the inks used in the Calligraphy or Journaling pens.
Final Overall Verdict
These pens are fine for creating panel borders in a variety of colors, or if you wish to do colored lineart. They are not available open stock, or in other sizes, so if you're actually interested in starting a collection of supplies, rather than emergency shopping, I recommend hitting up your local Michaels and picking up Multiliners or Microns in a variety of sizes. For the Journaling pens, the colors are similar to those offered in Sakura Microns, but the price is slightly better, so if you're looking for a set of bright .4mm technical pens, the Journaling pens are a fine choice.
I was surprised that Target carried e.k success products, and while the Kenner Target's selection was limited, it makes me want to re-examine what my Walmart had to offer more carefully.
As this blog is completely unsponsored, and I receive no financial compensation from companies to write these reviews, nor do I receive donations from manufacturers, I really depend on the goodwill of my readers. If you benefited from this post, please consider contacting ek success with a link to this post and your thoughts. I would also sincerely appreciate it if you sent me an email with your thoughts, questions, or thanks. The only way I can write content that you enjoy is if you let me know what works for you, and what you want to read.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
January 10, 2016
December 2015 Sketchdump
I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and do a Sketchbook Tour video rather than scanning individual pages. If you guys haven't checked it out yet, I have a YouTube Channel that updates at least once weekly with even more tutorials process, and reviews. It's much easier to record tutorials than it is to photograph and write tutorials, so make sure you check the channel regularly.
If you're interested in being notified when this blog updates, or when the YouTube channel updates, consider following my Twitter as well.
Sketchbook Tour December 2015
If you enjoyed this Sketchbook Tour, please 'like' the video and consider leaving a comment with your thoughts, especially if you prefer consuming sketchbook dumps this way, rather than skimming through scans. And if there are any drawings you'd like to see in detail, let me know via comment or email, and I can scan and share them.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
If you're interested in being notified when this blog updates, or when the YouTube channel updates, consider following my Twitter as well.
Sketchbook Tour December 2015
If you enjoyed this Sketchbook Tour, please 'like' the video and consider leaving a comment with your thoughts, especially if you prefer consuming sketchbook dumps this way, rather than skimming through scans. And if there are any drawings you'd like to see in detail, let me know via comment or email, and I can scan and share them.
Please consider donating to this blog or purchasing from Natto-shop (http://nattosoup.com/shop) if you want me to continue publishing quality content. All materials tested were purchased from my own pocket. Keep on Truckin' Nattosoup is not under any sponsorship.
