Tools

I strongly believe that the tool that is more expensive is not necessarily better —whatever you like to use that works best for you and eliminates the barrier of getting started and finishing is more important, in my mind. For me, sometimes, the tool is the paid one. That said, the tool that works consistently is much more important for my personal workflow, and this is not an endorsement to buy these things. If I only have 30 minutes to draw, I don’t want to spend 30 minutes to troubleshoot a finicky driver. Also, I’m a iOS and Windows user, so keep that mind when looking at what I’m listing here.

Due to my current living situation, I am largely limited to digital art at the moment.

Last updated: August 29, 2024

Hardware

• iPad Pro, 12.9 inches
• Apple Pencil
• Laptop stand
• One of those less than $10 ones made of metal to prop the tablet up at an adjusted angle. There are much more clever Youtube tutorials if you want a better set up.
• Moko silicone grip holder
• It should fit over the pencil, but I have sliced mine open so I can slip it on or off.

Software

• Affinity Designer
• Affinity Publisher for desktop publishing
• Procreate for iPad
• I was into lettering and digital watercolour several years ago, and bought brush packs from artists to do that.
• Clip Studio Paint
• I mainly use it for lettering comics.

Typography

I'm currently using Comicrazy. It usually goes on sale to around $20 USD.

Brushes

• Screentones for Procreate: 【無料DLあり】漫画っぽいProcreate用ひたすらにドットブラシ
• Manga effects for Procreate: Procreateで使える「マンガブラシS」セット無料ダウンロード版
• 【Procreate】無料のマンガ向けカケアミ・ナワアミブラシセット
• 【Procreate】無料のマンガ向け斜線でいい感じに消す＆塗るブラシ
• Outline brush tutorial via Youtube
• Ruthie's Watercolour Brushes
• The above brushes are intended for Photoshop (.abr), but Procreate can import Photoshop brushes and use them.

References

• SUITS LETTER / SUITS DRAWING BOOK 2021 by Satoh Fukurow
• English PDF / Japanese PDF and physical edition
• Written and drawn by a suit otaku. If you like suits, you will like this book/zine.
• Morpho: Fat and skin folds
• Posemaniacs
• They have photos, a body poser, and a hand poser.
• The Pose Archives
• I specifically have the NSFW Pose Pack. It’s pretty great for trying to figure out what is happening with the muscles at different angles when Posemaniacs isn’t quite enough.

Other

• Pilot Kakuno fountain pen & refill ink
• Currently using LAMY black ink.
• Zebra Delguard mechanical pencil
• Because I am no longer in danger of having stationery stolen by classmates, I bought this pencil that claims to prevent lead breakage. I use blue mechanical pencil lead with it.
• Leuchtturm A5 dot-grid notebook
• I bought a stack on deep discount and it works with the fountain pen well. I liked the Muji dot grid notebooks when I was doing lettering. For normal sketching, the Canson brand from Curry’s is pretty good.
• Table easel & book stand
• It has arms that can hold a reference book I am looking at open. It is a good depth that it can do it without destroying the book.

Drawing tablets I used to own: the original Wacom pen, and the Huion H610 Pro. I took a long break, and purchased an iPad Pro in 2018 and primarily used Procreate.

If there’s something specific you’re curious about, you can message me and I’ll reply with what tutorials I followed or answer as best as I can.