My Favorite Drawing Materials

When it comes to drawing, it makes logical sense to immediately think of pencils and paper. However, I can draw with graphite, charcoal, pastels etc. but I have also used enough of those materials to realize that they are not my favorite. I pefer using paint markers, gel pens and ink pens mainly, but this doesn’t mean that they break the bank. I have tried materials of all price ranges from inexpensive to more expensive and honestly, some of the less expensive ones I prefer over more expensive ones. Granted, in some cases you do indeed get what you pay for. My first choice is the brand that I use the most of but they are more on the pricey end.

1. Acrylic Markers

POSCA Markers – link to buy

1. • PROS
     • Good quality – Very opaque without having to do multiple layers
     • Long lasting – (depending on amount of usage) but I have had mine for just under a year and they are all still going strong and I draw pretty much every day.
     • Multiple Tip options – Is offered in sizes from Extra-Fine to brush
   • CONS
     • Expensive – These pens are great if they are within your budget. However, it wasn’t until recently that I have been financially stable enough to afford these but, there are plenty of budget friendly options that I use too.
     • Mainly offered in “packs” instead of individual colors – More often than not, these pens are offered in stores in color packs and not individually. (In stores like Blick and Joann and online, you can buy individual)

Grabie Markers – Link to Buy

1. • PROS
     • Less expensive than POSCA – If you are on a budget and POSCA is out of it for you, I suggest Grabies!
     • Long Lasting – Maybe not as long as POSCAS but they are cheaper so you can always replace them if need be.
     • They have multiple tip options – just not as many as POSCA
   • CONS
     • Only offered in packs – If you use one color more than others and it runs out, you will need to buy a pack to replace it which can cause duplicates in other colors.
     • Occassionally, some colors may lack pigmentation and not be as opaque as POSCAs. You may have to do more than one layer.

2. Ink Pens

Micron Pens – link to buy

1. • PROS
     • Long Lasting – I have had the same Mircons for just about a year now. The only ones I have had to replace are the finer tip ones (003 and 005) due to the tips issues but that usually doesn’t happen.
     • Multiple Tip Options
     • Offered at many stores
   • CONS
     • Ink dries slower than other brands so it is more likely to be smudged if you are not patient.
     • Some pens may lack pigmentation and occasionally the super fine tips are extremely sensitive so you can’t press down too hard or you will ruin the tip.

Faber-Castell Pens – Link to Buy

1. • PROS
     • Offered in multiple tip sizes and colors.
     • Can be bought individually by size (only offered in certain colors)
     • Available to be bought in many retail stores
     • Budget friendly
     • Fast drying ink
   • CONS
     • There sometimes has been an issue of pens being dried out right out of the package.
     • Not super durable
     • Don’t last as long as microns
     • Ink may not be opaque

3. Gel Pens

Gelly Roll – link to buy

1. • PROS
     • Long Lasting – I have had the same pens for a long time and they are still going strong.
     • Thick and opaque making it easy to use and hardly ever requires a second coat dependong on the project.
     • Offered in alot of different colors and types
   • CONS
     • Ink dries slower than other brands so it is more likely to be smudged if you are not patient.
     • More expensive than other gel pens but still somewhat budget friendly.

Master’s Touch – Link to Buy

1. • PROS
     • Good beginner Pen – easily navigated
     • Budget friendly
     • Fast drying ink
     • Decent amount of color options
   • CONS
     • Not available at many stores – Mainly just Hobby Lobby
     • Don’t last as long as Gelly Roll
     • Ink may not be opaque and require a second layer depending on the project.

‍