Tools of the Trade
I’ve lost track of how often I’m asked about my paints & equipment so here’s a permanent place for it - please direct all budding illustrators and creatives here. Please note some links are affiliate links - you still get the same thing, I just get a kickback which is SO LOVELY.
PAINTS
Long ago on a trip to China when illustrating was still a side hustle, I picked up a 24 watercolour set by Pebeo (I promise it wasn’t as expensive as this, but I don’t think Australia is a great supplier of the brand). I also work with a more affordable Kohl-I-Noor watercolour disc (they’ve updated the colours a bit from what I bought, but the pigmentation is vibrant which I love), so I regularly end up using both sets (the browns in the Pebeo are more usable than the ones in the Kohl-I-Noor). In 2024 I added a 48 Schminke set (which yes, expensive but I luurve it). The 24 set has many of the same colours!
As you can see, very well loved.
More than anything, I believe it’s about getting used to the colours in your set, whatever it is. If you’re just starting out, don’t spend too much and see which colours you favour, whether you like the medium at all.. then invest more down the road with tubes/pans. I also occasionally refer to my trusty FW Acrylic Inks when I need a bit of oomph, or can’t quite get the right colour.
For Live Events, I defer to Copic markers for skin as they dry quicker and don’t need mixing etc (the ones I use most is E51 for the base).
And for all my leather painting, I use Angelus Leather Paints - they’ve got a great range of colours, but are on the more expensive side of acrylics. I buy the colours as projects need.
PAPER
I will never use anything other than my beloved Arches Hot Pressed watercolour paper. I love love love it. I’ve tried many papers and this one is the best - trust me. For events, I print directly on to these with my printer. It’s more expensive, but I’d rather have the familiarity and know the quality of the paper so I’m not surprised by buckling/puckering onsite. (Different papers can also throw colours a little different with tones etc.)
BRUSHES
I was asked this recently, and I’m embarrassed/proud to say that my brushes are some of the cheapest you’ll find, and I’m pretty sure I got them on sale. My main ones are: Robert A. Wade in a size 6, and a Roymac in size 0. I would recommend going in store to actually feel the brushes and look at the sizes. The numbers mean nothing on a screen to me.
A fraction of my brush collection.
PRINTER
I recently replaced my old A3 photographic printer with the Canon G660 which omg, so much cheaper, and the ink lasts SO much longer.
SCANNER
I’ve got the Epson Perfection V600 and love it (I’ve just seen that they’ve discontinued it nooo but this is the upgraded version!). It has lasted me YEARS (I can’t remember when I got it) so they're built well.
FILMING
I use my good ol’ iPhone 12 Pro (I’m actually pretty terrible with professional cameras, so a phone’ll do).
For the overhead painting videos and time lapses, I use one of these.
SOFTWARE
Photoshop to deep etch/edit illustrations. Procreate for digital illustration. InShot for Reels.
SNACKS
Chocolate digestives & dried figs. I also have a block of Lindt 85% stashed next to my acrylics ‘just in case’. Of what? Art hunger!!
Did I miss anything? Let me know & I’ll update the post.
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