Wednesday 13 November 2013

Sketcher Blue Pencils and Micron Pigma Pens

I had to make some illustrations and it gave me the chance to try out two products:

  • Caran d’Ache Sketcher Non-Photo Blue Pencil (Sketcher Non-Photo Blue 2 Pc Blister Card): These pencils do not reproduced when scanned or photocopied in black & white. They are easy to erase if you have too (but you don't need to worry about this if you are scanning your drawing). They are ideal for sketching comics, cartoons, or execute a line drawing that you will then rework digitally.



  • Micron Pigma ink pens by the Japanese company Sakura (Sakura 30062 6-Piece Pigma Micron Clam Ink Pen Set, Black): The ink is archival quality. You can draw fine lines that are waterproof and fade proof. I bought two models: Number 02, for 0.30 mm lines and Number 04, for 0.40 mm lines. They are easy to hold and make smooth, regular black lines. I would recommend them for sketching or line drawing.



I first sketched with the blue pencils and then inked in with the Micron pens.



Second stage: scanning.


Then, I added the colours with Adobe Photoshop Elements 12 (I am no expert, so it took me a long time).




I like to mix the free hand drawing with the digital colours.