This is probably one of the more popular questions I get from readers. I admit I am constantly trying to sleuth out what pens, pencils, erasers, tables, rulers and other tools my favorite artists are using. I will have numerous posts about my favorite pens, pencils, paper and sketchbooks to use for architectural and urban sketch, but let’s just take a look at the products I cannot live without!
Pens
There are a number of pens that I use in my artwork, but my all-time favorite is the copic multiliner line. I love the appeal of the pen, and the quality of craftsmanship is top-notch, but the quality of the ink line that the pen produces is outstanding. I love the replaceable nibs and ink cartridges. These pens can be a little cumbersome on larger projects, but the line quality is just too good to pass up.
Pencils
I have been using these pencils for so long, I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t have one of these by my side. I use these pencils in everything from layout sketches to finish pencil sketch projects. The grip is tacky, which keeps me from having to over-grip the pencil during drawing. This keeps my hand from fatiguing. The action of the lead advance and the overall quality can’t be beat. This pencil is a must-have!
Erasers
Yep, this eraser is definitely in my list of top products. I have several of them around my drawing studio, and one always travels with me anywhere I go. They erase clean and powerfully without leaving any smudge marks. I trust these erasers to erase over a finish drawing to get rid of stray pencil marks. This is by far the best eraser I have ever used.
Paper
Strathmore Bristol Paper (400 series) 18″x24″
There are so many different papers that can be used for architectural sketch work. Traditionally, architects would have stuck to something extra-smooth like a vellum or something along those lines. I have used those papers before, but I always come back to bristol paper. These pads aren’t the cheapest on the market, but they are top quality and produce beautiful pen and ink drawings.
Sketchbooks
I love sketchbooks, and I am also notoriously snobby about them! Of the many sketchbooks, but the Greenwood Classic has the perfect mixture of paper quality, binding strength and outside appeal (the feel of the cover, how it sits on a table or your lap and how well it opens). Greenwood is based out of Australia and since picking up one of their books, it has been by my side constantly!
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