Pentel Brush Pen

Is there anything better than a pentel brush pen? 


Well, yes but in terms of art and design I think that this work horse of a tool is amazing. I use both the cartridge version and the refillable-clear-plastic ones. I think that they are so versatile and durable that everyone should go out and buy one. 
Heres a link


Also, please visit one of my favourite websites cult pens 

Capable for Illustration Friday

Capability Brown, who could be more capable than that? 


He strikes me as the kind of man who worked hard and fought to get to the top of his business. 


The Wikipedia page  for Lancelot 'Capability' Brown lists all of the parks that he created. They are a list of wonderful places that I suggest that you visit. Croome Park is my personal favourite, it is such as peaceful setting. 


Have a look at the google image page for Capability Brown. His eyes look incredibly kind and thoughtful. He is one of my favourite famous people from history.

10 things that you can do today to improve your skills as an artist

10 things that you can do today to improve your skills as an artist


1. Draw with your eyes closed. The image that you produce will be abstract and interesting but the benefit will come from the improved links between what you see and what you draw. You will find that after drawing with your eyes closed you will be able to spend more time drawing a model or view that you are studying and less time looking at the paper. 


2. Draw still from old movies. Look at the interesting lighting techniques that are used to create depth and imply space. 

Justin Bieber's hair

Why, oh why does Justin Bieber have so much hair and I have so little? I don't think that it is fair.

5 ways to beat a creative block

If you are stuck when writing or drawing here are five tips which may pull you out of a slump.


1. Draw or write on a piece of screwed up paper. I have used this many times to help people who have a fear of failure, a unwillingness to start a drawing in case they make a hash of it. It works well as you

25 things that an artist should do every day

Some of the things in this list are aspirational. Some of them are things that you are doing already. If you can get them all done you will be one step closer to your goals as an artist. If you do not have any goals as an artist make 'writing down my goals' number twenty six.  

1. Check your supplies. This is best done first thing in the morning, you might notice something that is running low which you may need later that day or week. It could be paper, ink or something that you need for the office, for example you might be brimming over with art paper but could have run out of print paper for printing invoices.

2. Update your diary. If you keep it up to date you are going to be more efficient. The more efficient you are the more likely you are to capture opportunities and make the most out of any lucky breaks.

fluid, illustration friday

Illustrators need to save the world. We are obviously the only people who can possibly help the whole of humanity to change their ways.

Okay, it is going to be a little difficult for us to make everything better but there are a few things that we enlightened people should be doing to lighten the load that we are putting upon the globe with our illustration activities.

1. Turn the lights off. All of them. You know that as well as I do that when you leave the bedroom in the morning and flump down into your computer chair the chances are good that you will have left your bedroom light on. Possibly even the light I the kitchen. Go and turn them off.


2. Turn the heating off or down. It isn't really that cold, you just feel cold because you have been sat down fiddling with your wacom stylus for hours. You should get up regularly, shake yourself and get involved in some physical activity. Jumping jacks or star jumps are a great way of getting your heart rate up which will make you feel warm. Avoid the temptation of turning the heating back on, go and put a hat on instead.


3. Shop locally, shop sensibly, shop thoughtfully. You need to have a break in the day, use your time to make reduce your food-miles or increase the amount of organic food in your larder. Think about local shops and producers that you can visit in your down time. Preferably they will be shops that you can get to without using your car.

4. You need to get up and leave the computer screen several times during your working day. Use this time in your garden, even if your garden is only a black plastic bag in which you are growing a handful of potatoes. Not only will they be some of the best potatoes that you have ever seen (as you grew them) they won't have need a lot of petrol to get them from a field into a shop, from the shop into your fridge/cupboard. 


5 Use materials, whenever possible, that can be recycled. Instead of using expensive felt tip pens try drawing with a brush. Use ink that come in glass bottles, use eco which will biodegrade. If you are not sure whether your equipment is biodegradable contact the manufacturer. If the manufacturer does not know if their product biodegrades shout at them.