JOURNAL OF NULL

As I tidy up my bag, let me show you some of the tools I’ve found myself using lately for sketching, experimenting, and idea and note taking.

The Almighty Sketchbooks

The succulent substrates for which my doodles grow and rot on.

Primary Sketchbook | Fabriano EcoQua Notebook

Been using this brand of sketchbook since 2018. Its affordable, the faint dot grid is nice for notes, perspective, symmetry, so on. The glue binding can be hit or miss for some folks, but for me it hasn’t caused issues. Work related drafts, personal work, and studies find themselves here.

The Paper Playground and Lab | Unbranded Sketch Pad

A gift from a couple years if my memory is right. Its my “play” sketchbook where I am more focused on having fun and experimenting/learning-through-play. No worries about perfection or anything like that.

Ever Important Notebooks

Otherwise I’m just going to forget everything.

Lovely Junk | Mini Notebook/Journal

A notebook I made from scrap paper almost 15 years ago that I’ve only now just started using. I jot down things I find interesting/meaningful, document thoughts I have while making things, feelie-weelie stuff like that.

Ideas Ideas Ideas | Canson Whatever

Similar to the previous notebook in function, though more focused on ideas for projects and less on my feelings on what I’m working on. Haven’t used this one too much over the years. Page featured is from 2019.

Staying on Track | Field Notes Notebook

For my to-do’s and “supplies I need to get but I’m going to forget getting them anyway” lists. Usually lives in my briefcase but sometime it’ll migrate elsewhere.

The Actual Drawing Stuff

The Work Horses

Pilot Parallel Pen

I love this thing. Meant for calligraphy, I can draw with the edge of the nib for thin lines and use it in its “correct” position to quickly block out shadows.

Pilot Something???

Used to be my primary pen, but over the years it isn’t flowing as nice as it used to. Needs an extra deep clean or a new nib probably.

Unknown Brand Mechanical Pencil

Loaded up with green lead. I’m pretty sure I got this from some kind of promotional drawing kit from a furniture store of all places. I’ve added grip wrap to the body of it to make it more comfortable to use.

Sakura Identi-Pen

Double ended felt pen. I’ve been enjoying this pen a lot, especially for tattoo design; both ends are similar to the two main liner needle groupling I like to use in my tattoo work.

For Writing

Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen

It’s fine, nothing to write home about [teehee]. I find that the black isn’t as deep and bold as the Identi-Pen or other similar felt tipped are pens. At this point it’s more for note taking than drawing, or to loan if someone asks to borrow a pen.

LePen

Not really something I care to draw with, I’m not sure why. I think the thinness of the pen body make it a little uncomfortable to use. It’s role in my bag is to be something cheap I can use for writing my to-do lists that isn’t a ball point pen.

Markers

Several knock-off Copics

I like actual Copics a lot, but I want to keep things pretty cheap for my sketch back. Keeps the act of doodling low-stakes, and if I loose a marker being out and about, the loss won’t hurt as bad.

Zebra Mildliner

Another double ended marker. Like the name implies, the ink is very mild in saturation. You’d think that’d be a turn off, but it’s been my go-to for adding subtle shadows to sketches.

One Lone Sharpie

Not so much for drawing, just nice to have in a pinch.

And There You Have It

Thanks for joining me in this little tour. If you got your own assortment of trusty sketching tools, I’d love to see. :] Per usual, you can drop a comment here or @ me on Mastodon/The Fedi or Bluesky.