Dooom

Since I got the lightbox running and all, I thought it might be partially helpful to someone or another to show what I use when I sketch on paper.

From the top left to the bottom right:

Sketchbook - Or paper. I use medium roughness paper and try to find paper that is not light but not heavy enough to feel like i’m drawing on fabric. I prefer Strathmore or Canson brand sketchbooks.

Weird Blob – This is a kneaded rubber eraser. It erases pencils with softer lead better. Some artists use it to smudge. I use it to lightly erase or dab away at the pencil marks. I also use it to erase big areas since I can make it into a roller.

Sharpener - I prefer the kind without the casing, so I can see what I’m doing. I don’t really use the side with the bigger diameter. I do not know why I have it.

Vinyl Eraser – At least, I think it’s vinyl. It’s “Sanford Magic Rub.” Love this thing, and I use it for pencils around HB hardness.

Mechanical Pencil – When I’m making small drawings I prefer this. I use 0.5 and HB, but it’s probably a good idea to get B lead as well. Get the type that has a small metal needle tip, because it is easier to use with a ruler and templates. (as opposed to the cone-like tips.)

Various Pencils - I use 8B, 6B, 2B, and HB the most, but what works best depends on what you’re drawing and your style. For most rough animu sketches I often stick with the HB exclusively.

Additional tools I use sometimes. I use the drafting brush if I’m erasing a lot, and it prevents the smudging that occurs when you clean off the eraser shavings with the back of your hand. The sandpaper block is used to sharpen the tip of my pencil lead without whipping out the sharpener.

Well, that is all I can think of. Lightbox and sketch dump after the jump.

I built a lightbox recently. I use it to photograph traditional work and small objects. It makes awesome lighting.

The materials and tools used. Scissors, OLFA knife (For the vellum and tape), hacksaw, “ZAP-A-GAP” glue thing I found at the art supply store, ruler, double-sided tape used to mount VYCO (Green sheet that covers drafting boards), vellum (translucent drafting paper, for diffusing the sides and top), and posterboard or cardboard. (For the opaque back.)

You might wonder why I didn’t just cut holes in a box and stick vellum to the sides. That is because I like to overdo things.

Some quick sketches I photographed using the box (not counting the top.):