Episode 423 of the CMP, a Creativity Matters Podcast — the power of “Tell Me” and how your journal can give you that space.
In this episode of the CMP, thoughts on the simple phrase tell me. It can be powerful as a door, a window, a crevice you open for someone else, but you sometimes also need to simply tell yourself. Your journal can be that space for you to get things out in the open so that you can see what’s going on from the outside. The alternative – letting it all stew within – isn’t healthy. So if all you have is the journal or sketchbook in front of you, use it. You have the power to clear your head, clear the air, and breathe a bit easier by putting things on a page even if it’s just for you. I hope you have better support than that, but I know it isn’t always the case.
In this show, wildlife coincides, so to speak…. a “lizard brain” bit of graffiti, a fake lizard (mini alligator?) in someone’s front yard, Schrodinger’s Cat, the infinity monkey theory, and, (ick) a rat on an orange sky day.
Draw Along Timed Drawing
The drawing I started while recording this show was this inspiration pick from Sktchy (the girl with the apple).
Black Pens for Drawing, Filling-In, Inking, and More
You have a go-to favorite, right? I’m a long-time fountain pen user for drawing (since before I first started working with portraits). This summer, I’ve been drawing mostly with a .01 Micron (and some .08), however, and I have been really enjoying that. (I’ve used other fineliners in the past, especially Pitt S and Uni*Pin. The Micron really is different in terms of the feel of the tip and the angle.) When it comes to filling in space (backgrounds, shirts, etc.,) I am always looking for something that lays down ink quickly and evenly. The Zebra Sign pen is one that works well. (There are other versions from Pentel and Tombow, too. A good side-by-side comparison is needed.)
I had a video on last week in the background as an artist went hunting for alternatives to a favorite black Muji pen that is no longer available. So she picked up a bunch of alternatives, looking for a replacement. She tried a number of pens that surprised me for drawing, but then I’m not a fan of gel for drawing. But she also tried a few fineliner-style pens that I hadn’t seen before. For those of you always on the lookout for a new favorite, the first two shown below are ones that got mentioned in her video as ones she tried in her sampling:
Mentioned in this Episode (or Related)
Tools
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- Uni-Gel Alpha Shaker pencil (mine is listed as “slightly firm” – but it’s super cushy; they do come in other softness/hardness ratings. I really do love this shaker!)
- Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser, Large, White (these things disappear like socks; you can never have too many white erasers lying around)
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook (what I’m using for regular drawing)
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook — the REALLY big one — A3 (11.75″ x 16.5″)
- Micron Pens
- Sktchy app for inspiration photos
- Zebra Fudes (good for filling in)
- Pentel Fudes
- Micron 08 (larger nib good for thicker lines or filling in small-medium spaces)
- Micron 01 (favorite for drawing)
- Micron Sampler (6 count)
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