What is in my sketching kit?
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- In this video I review the supplies in my portable sketching kit.
We all lead busy lives, and often time in our studios is limited. Having a set of supplies next to you at all times allows you to get in a few minutes of drawing here and there throughout the day, which over a period of a week can accumulate to hours and hours of valuable time spent drawing and painting, developing your ideas, and growing as an artist.
Here is a list of all the materials discussed in the video
1. Lihit Lab Smartfit pen case
2. TWSBI ECO fountain pens (extra fine, medium, broad)
3. Platinum Carbon Ink
4. D'Atramentis White Document Ink
5. Fude nib for TWSBi Eco from FPnibs.com
6. Pentel Water brushes, medium, broad
7. Escoda Optima brushes, #2 and #8
8. Princeton Neptune Brush, #4
9. Plastic gridded ruler, 6" (cut from a larger ruler)
10 Rotring Rapid Pro mechanical pencils, .5 and 2MM
10. Erasers, kneaded and white nylon
10. 16 half-pan metal watercolor palette by Whiskey Painters
11. Collapsible cup
Here are links to tutorials that discuss in greater detail some of the things I touch on in this video:
TWSBI fountain pens: • TWSBI fountain pens: A...
Fountain pens for beginners: • Beginning fountain pen...
Fude fountain pens: • The Art of the Fude
Waterproof inks: • Waterproof ink for fou...
Watercolor color selection and mixing: • Color mixing with wate...
Immensely informative video given the process I am immersed in with my "take away studio". Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience, it helps us evaluate decisions made, some positively, which is very useful for beginners like me who feel insecure, and to make other decisions.
If I may, I dare to add my two cents: In the same way that you have individualized the Twsbi to recognize them without having to open them, I did something like this with the Pentel aquash water brushes, I painted a line of color on them with a posca marker at the groove at the top of the barrel. maybe someone finds it useful.
Thanks again.
My pleasure! I’m glad you found my choices useful.
This set is extra fine and perfect, fits my taste as well, great selection!
Thanks!
First time I’ve hear of using white ink in a fountain pen! I’m new to watercolor so be surprise but that’s for the tip. I don’t care for the white gel pens in my collection anyway. Great video!
It works very well, but requires regular pen maintenance.
Thank you for the fpnibs tip. I just received my very own TWSBI Eco with a custom fude nib, and I love it. Keep those great videos coming!
You’re welcome, Tim. Good call on that purchase! More videos on the way.
I'd be interested to find out where to buy a fude nib for a twsbi Eco...
Clear, concise, excellently filmed. Thank you so much for this helpful video and information. Glad to find your channel!
Thank you! This video took quite a bit of time to script, so I’m
glad it’s appreciated.
this is an inspiring kit. Solid good material! Experience!!!
Thank you Renee!
The sketch inks are great too and have quite a few colors that are completely lightfast. I like using the 3 primary colors, and sometimes the phthalo green, in my to mix interesting new colors.
Sounds interesting. Will have to try them.
I love your kit set up. Was very happy to see it is used ! I watch a lot of art kit supplies videos and I hate when it's all brand new and never used. Yours Is loved and worn. I use the Twsbi eco in sizes ef, f, b. Mine are white , gray, black. Best pens ever! My fude pen is a Sailor pen. Haven't mastered it yet. I recently bought a LOCHBY roll... 😇
Thanks Melissa! I've also been looking at those Lochby products. I love collecting cases, and will be doing a video sometime soon.
I've never seen another artist have such a collection of TWSBIs before as you do. Your system makes perfect sense! I am currently using a Platium Century as my fountain sketch pen with a fine nib, but I had not thought of using a fountain pen for white ink or to get a TWSBI set up as a Fude! I also sometimes am hesitant to take it out of the studio due to its cost, although I love it for sketching. Thanks for your video. You have given me much to think on as I set up a new sketching kit.
You're welcome! I share your hesitation in taking an expensive pen out of the studio, though I will occasionally slip a Pilot Falcon into my set.
Interesting, thanks. I have great respect for anyone who can do watercolor out in the sun and wind.
Fude is pronounced foo-day, btw.
Yes, I've been corrected a few times now. :) I live in Los Angeles, which has fantastic sketching weather year-round. It's those plain-aire people in worse climes you should have respect for.
Very informative, great video.
Thanks! Glad you found it useful.
This portable sketching kit video is one of your most viewed videos. Have you've considered doing a video about outdoors sketching using this kit? I'm interested in seeing how you apply and adapt techniques you use in the studio to a plain-aire environment with highly variable amount of time and subject matter.
That sounds like a great idea for a video. It will require me to record outdoors, something I have no experience doing. This might be a good opportunity to expand my ability however, so I’ll get on it.
Dear Marc - thoroughly enjoyed your video. Thanks for it. Just one 'production comment' which is NOT a criticism - YOU ARE NOT BORING and so please talk a little slower so that an old pensioner git like me can take it all in!
Our choices of kit differs in may areas but what you have suggested was absolutely sensible and for the type of art we both do - pen, pen and wash & watercolour.
Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes for a good New Year to you and Yours
Paul in the UK Midlands
Thank you for your kind words and advice, Paul. You're not the first to to ask me to slow down, and I'm working on it. We all have a natural speaking tempo, however, and long-standing habits are difficult to break. Cheers from sunny Los Angeles.
Hey Paul! There’s an option to slow down(or speed up) a video if you want- just click on the three dots at the top right corner of a video and select “playback speed”.
Hope that helps!
Just placed an order on fpnibs after watching your videos, Marc. I've never had my hands on fude nibs before, so this is quite exciting. The pen I chose was Indigraph though, as they claim to be be more permanent ink friendly. I hope I made a good choice there. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome! I’ve been debating whether to get the Indiegraph. Platinum Carbon and the Noodler’s
black work well enough and I’m not sure I need a pen that uses India Ink.
It's so great to get this indo deom a real artist.As I am a mostly self taught dilletant you share this way the one or other diamond that gives me ideas that I myself would never have had. I recently tried watercolors for the first time e.g., but I hadn't even considered using a "real" ink pen together with it. And as you are talking a lot about the ink pens... It made me realize that I probably should think about them a lot more than I do! 😂 Might sound stupid. 😅 But thank you very much!!
You're welcome! Those TWSBI Eco's are very good starter pens, and I'm glad I sparked your interest in them.
I’m pretty new to drawing and painting but wanted to take supplies on my month long bike tour last year. I ended up with a bag similar size to yours which weighed about 1 kg. The sketches I produced could have been done with one sketchbook, a pen and a couple of pencils. I was too ambitious and unrealistic about my level of skill - I’d never done any watercolour painting but thought I’d like to on my holiday. When I went on some shorter trips later in the year I cut right back to 1 sketchbook, a fude nib pen and HB and 2B clutch pencils. I plan another tour lasting 2 or 3 months this year and I’ll reconsider in line with what you take.
Thanks for your note, Tom. I'm often over-estimate the amount of time I'll have to make art when I travel, and end up using only a fraction of what it's my kit. I like the security of knowing that my supplies are there, when I need them however. That said, I've lately started carrying a smaller kit (discussed in the sequel to this video), and am currently putting tother something even smaller. Keep at the watercolor, and don't get discouraged. It takes a while to get the hang of it, but once you do, there's no more satisfying medium for sketching in the field.
Hi Marc! Have you tried the Twsbi GO? I have fallen in love with the grip section of that one and the ease of cleaning. I have my eco for writing but I’m considering getting a couple more Go with different nibs for ink testing and drawing....
Yes, I do have a TWSBI GO. they're great pens with eh same quality nib as their more expensive models, and I'm always recommending them to my students.
Hey and thanks again for all your inspiring videos.
May i ask you which pencil leads you use for the rotrings? Like 2B or HB? thanks
You're welcome Georg! For laying in drawing for a watercolor, I use an HB. For graphite drawing by itself, I usually use a 2B or a 4B.
Very helpful! Thank you! I usually a sharpie but I'm going to buy these where can we get them? Where did you get the water brushes?
You're welcome! The Goulet Pen Company (Gouletpens.com) is a great place to buy pens and inks. As for Pentel waterbrushes, you can get them on Amazon, or just about any art supply store.
@@mkompan thank you!
Thank you for the video! I searched for the rotring pro gear but could only find rotring rapid pro or others that are labelled 600 or 800. Have they changed the name or could you link to the one you have?
Sorry, I got Rotring rapid pro mixed up with the Pentel Graph-gear (another pencil I really like).
@@mkompan ohh! That makes sense. Thank you! I appreciate it 🙏
Thank you for this fabulous video. I notice you mention that you have 3 TWSBI ECOs with EF, M, and B nibs. You seem to use the EF quite a bit in the cross-hatching videos, but what are the M and B nibs for? Thanks!
You’re very welcome! For figure drawing, I do tend to use EF nibs, but for landscape having nibs of different width allows you to emphasize atmospheric perspective, with M and B nibs used in the middle ground and foreground. Furthermore I find that EF lines are not strong enough when gone over with watercolor, and thicker lines show through better.
Thank you! That makes a lot of sense. What about F nibs? Do you ever find yourself needing one?@@mkompan
@@sharonkatz4451 I use F nibs as well, but in the interest of saving space, and since there’s not much difference between EF and F nibs, I chose not to include it in this set.
Any recommendations on where to find a fude nib for the eco these days? I’ve looked around but haven’t had luck
Only one place has them as far as I know, and they’re custom made. Go to FPnibs.com.
Hi
Thank you for the videos they have been superb
Is this the large double pen case or the small one?
Many thanks Søren
Thank you Soren. This is the larger double case. I have a review of the smaller smart fit case in a follow up video called “what’s in my pen case part 2.”
Whats your feeling on the weight of the Rotrings, is it still easy to control pressure?
If you're used to working with very light pencils, the weight of the Rotrings might feel cumbersome at first. I really enjoy their weight and solidity, and have no issues controlling pressure.
Hi Marc
Firstly many thanks for your films
I purchased a twsbi eco ef nib pen, it appears super scratchy/dry also if I flick the pen it'll splatter
Obviously something I'm doing is wrong, do you have any tips?
Many thanks for your help
Søren
Think is a Herbin
Hi Soren. Sorry to hear that. Is the nib scratchy in one direction? If so then the tines are misaligned. I would look at the tip with a magnifying glass. Realigning the tines on a steel nib is a simple process. You can find videos on it on CZcams. As for splattering, that’s difficult to diagnose. Sometimes flushing the pen and cleaning everything with soap helps. Check to see that the feed and nib are all the way in the pen, and check for cracks in the section and barrel. If those simple fixes don’t work there’s no need to suffer, just send it back.These kinds of problems are actually pretty common, even on very expensive pens, and most manufacturers are quick to offer replacements.
@@mkompan thank Marc, the pen is box fresh so it's probably something I'm doing wrong! Many thanks for taking the time to respond.
Really appreciate your output here!
@@soren3020 sometimes pens are defective and it’s nothing you did wrong! Just return it. TWSBI has good customer service and will give you a new one.
@@mkompan I've fixed it, it was ne being a moron, thank you Marc! Superb pen
Isn't the Platinum Carbon black - waterproof ink with tiny particles in it?
Yes, it’s a pigmented ink, but these particles are microscopic and won’t clog your pen. I’ve been using for years without problems.
@@mkompan Sure, that is my experience too, I was just surprised that you mentioned that you did not use the waterproof ink in your Ecos and vintage pens, and there it was😁Your videos are truly filled with knowledge, great work!
Hi Marc. Jim from Madrid. Thanks again for your input and sharing. I love TWSBI Eco's and I'm already in touch with Pablo from FPNibs for a FUDE Nib on a New TWSBI ECO. So thanks for that! I do have a question for you, though, in case you might be able to help me with. I am trying to find a way to fit a Zebra G Nib (#6) in a TWSBI Eco type of fountain pen. The problem with the ECO is that is a #4 Nib. But I love the body and ink reservoir (& price for quality). Do you know of a nib similar to the Zebra G (super flex nib for drawing) that can fit into a TWSBI Eco? I know a Zebra G will fit other Chinese fountain pens, but I don't like the bodies. Thanks for your help!!! Saludos desde Madrid! Cheers...
Hi Jim. I've been searching for a dip pen nib that fits the Eco for some time, and have had no luck. Flex nibs are tricky: even if you can find something the right size and curvature, the plastic feed on the ECO has a hard time providing sufficient ink flow. One flex nib that does fit the eco (with some adjustment is #5.5 ultra flex form Fountain Pen Revolution), but you have to use a little bit of tape (or plastic) to ensure a tight fit.I have tutorial on it on my channel.
One solution is to purchase an Jowo housing unit with an ebonite feed that's adapted to fit a Zebra G nib. A company called The Flexible Nib Factory sells them. That will allow you to fit your Zebra G nib into any pen that takes Jowo housing. A great option are the very nice demonstrator pens made by Opus 88. Just make sure to take the nibs out after very use. I had one rust inside the housing unit, and I couldn't remove it.
Extrano Madrid! Tengo muchas ganas sentarme en una terraza, tomar un doble y comer chopitos. Saludos desde Los Angeles!
@@mkompan Thanks again Marc for the info! I ended up buying 4 Jinhao's x750 FPs (#6 Nibs) and bought a box of 10 Zebra G Nibs as well as a box of 5 Jinhao #6 Fude Nibs. So far this "cheap" option is working pretty good (everything for less than 50€), allowing me to have different inks for each FP and currently having 2 Fude Nibs and 2 Zebra G Nibs (I'm using my TWSBI Eco now more for writing as my daily FP).
Additionally, I watched your video on how to improve the ink flow on the Zebra G Nib using the piece of shaped tin from a can and I must admit it improves the flow tremendously, so Thank you again for sharing invaluable info!
I am also using some inks from the "SketchInk" set from Rohrer & Klingner and they are 100% waterproof and have very good colours, and are far less cheaper here in Spain compared with DeAtramentis Document Inks (9 € versus 19 €), for example. They have 10 colours and they are pretty good, just in case you didn't check these out.
And, though right now is a bit too cold in Madrid for Tapas at a Terrace, I will definitely have a round "thinking of you" as soon as it gets warmer (usually by March temperatures have warmed up again). Saludos desde Madrid!
@@jaimejaime1178 Those Jinhao'/ Zebra G combo work surprisingly well, even without the overfeed. Just make sure to clean and dry everything between uses , because some inks will rust the nibs and overfeed very quickly, fusing everything into an irremovable mass. Had it happen more than once.
I only have one Rohrer & Kligner ink, their Sepia, and it's fantastic. Will have to get more.
Sign, Madrid. I'll be there soon enough, however, since the plan is to spend part of the summer there.
@@mkompan Thanks again for the good advice!
How are you liking your palette box?
Does the “doors” not laying flat not bother you at all?
It is bothersome but this is a problem common to all watercolor tins, regardless of price (though I can’t speak for those super expensive, handmade brass palettes). I pasted some silicone pads underneath to help with this problem, and while this works, they have a tendency to slip off over time. BTW, did you see my comment on the Narwhal/fude situation? I tried it and it worked.
@@mkompan I bought one myself. I haven't even used it yet and I'm already annoyed that it doesn't lay flat. I've seen cheaper boxes lay flat, they just don't hold as many pans. I'm considering a return, it seems pretty silly for such an expensive box to not have flat mixing areas.
@@LeviRedrook are you talking about the smaller boxes? The smaller ones tend to do better, but in the larger ones the fold out panel on one side always sags.
@@mkompan The smaller one, I got the Dolce. I did a little test and it seems like the water sticks to the “door” even through it’s angled downward, so it may not be a problem.
@@LeviRedrook part of depends on how you use and hold the palette. If your washes are small then the little beads of color won’t slip off. If your washes are larger, it presents a problem.
WOW OMG SOOOO WEIRD!!! Look... I dont want to brag but I draw A LOT and have my pencil bag perfected lol. Its sooo funny because besides the watercolor and brushes I LITERALLY carry the same tools as you! I dont really carry water color brushes because if I want an effect like that I just lick my finger with spit and smudge the ink as I tend to mostly cross hatch for my values lol... yeah I know gross... make fun of me all you want. haha
ECOs though are my jam! I have 5 of them and I also carry 3 of these AMAZING fountain pen brush pens I found on amazon that are really cheap! They shouldnt be because they've lasted for a long time now and they also match the ECOs aesthetic, if youre interested I can send you a link?
I do LOVE the Rotring pencils but I use the Pentel Orenz .2, .3, .5. I use 2b lead in them because its able to cover all the values if I feel like getting into some graphite.
Do you like the Rotring tech Isograph pens? I got several a couple months and trying to learn to draw with them, theyre different than fountain pens. I normally use Noodlers Heart of Darkness ink in my work and fountain pens but if you want the darkest dark ink- Ive fround Rotring ink to be the most darkest dark I can find. Like its darker than my ex girlfriends heart 😅
I recommend the clear Muji ruler as its able to fold up and is more compact.
Other than that I have like no complaints hahah you know what youre talking about! 😁 Also I just subbed... Man this video... I feel so validated right now lol
Im going to check out your other stuff too!!! Youre like my long lost brother haha
Thanks for your note, my art supply brother! :)
I've actually added a Muji folding ruler to my kit awhile ago. And I think I have the same ECO-like brush pens (with a piston filling mechanism) you're talking about.
I haven't used Isograph pens in years. The fountain pen (and the dip pen) are my weapons of choice, because I like my line variation.
And thanks for the counter validation. I've had this kit for quite a few years now, and am proud to say that (other than the addition of that folding ruler), it 's still perfect.
I find that platinum Carbon black never clogs for me..I use it in all of my fountain pens.
I have had minor problems with Carbon black filled pens skipping and writing dry if I haven't used them for a few weeks. The problem was easily resolved however, by giving the pen a thorough cleaning. More than one trusted source has recommended regularly cleaning out pens with Carbon black, so I think the responsible thing is to recommend using it in pens that are easy to clean.
so then you just carry your sketchbook on the side?
Yes. I find a sketchbook small enough to fit into this case limiting, and prefer to carry a larger one on the side.
@@mkompan what size do you recommend for urban sketching?
@@11ish61 it all depends on how large you like to work, what you’re comfortable carrying, etc. Here’s a video that covers the sketchbooks I enjoy using. czcams.com/video/wX3xG6-N7Vg/video.html
I slowed down the video by 0.75 and wow! Every single word became audible!
Glad that worked for you! Some people actually like that I speak quickly, and you can't please everyone. I'm sure someone out there watches my videos at x1.5 speed.
I watch it at 1.25
@@mkompanI very much appreciate the speed. Loved this video, super helpful!
@@SaltyTribeCo thank you!