Chewing Pencils

Although I’m using it less and less, my scanner is still an important part of my cartooning tool box. The first scanner I ever bought was a great, big HP machine that was loud and slow, but reliable and produced great scans. When my house was hit by lightening, my scanner went to computer part heaven […]

I had intended to do a post on using a CINTIQ drawing tablet, but just as I was putting it together, Tom Richmond wrote one that was far better. Tom has kindly given me permission to reproduce his post in its entirety on Chewing Pencils. Thanks Tom!
A lot of people are interested in digital painting […]

A few people have asked me recently about the electronic tablet I use to produce my work. I’ve said a few times now that I rarely, if ever, produce work using traditional media these days. It’s all 100% digital using my tablet, computer and software.
The tablet I use is a Wacom Intuos2 9×12 (website) that […]

I came across Comic Tools by MK Reed this week, a blog devoted to sharing what tools and media cartoonists’ use to produce their work
For example, this little bit about pencils from artist Matthew Bernier:
I hate sharpening pencils, and I hate reloading pencils. My solution? Paper mate Sharpwriters. Disposable yellow plastic pieces of crap, they have #2 HB […]

I’m frequently asked by aspiring cartoonists about the software I use to create my cartoons. For many, this question is simply part of their research into improving their craft. For other, it seems to be part of a search for some sort of Holy Grail that will turn them instantly into famous cartoonists…
If you’ve been reading […]

If you’re reading this, then you already have access to a computer. And there’s every chance that it is good enough for you to use to make money from your drawing cartoons.
But there’s also a good chance that you’re thinking of upgrading or even getting something brand new for the sole purpose of enhancing your freelance […]

Ahhh, the eternal Mac versus PC debate!
Is there anything that has caused more fights and arguments amongst the art fraternity than this? I don’t know, but in the forums I frequent you can almost guarantee that at least once during the year, this discussion will raise its ugly head. And usually somebody ends up crying…
Perhaps […]

I have a naked woman skipping across my desk.
It might be a naked man, but I’m really not that sure.
But whatever it is, it obeys my every command, and when necessary, will even bend over backwards to help me with my drawing.
Before you think I’ve turned into some twisted pervert, I’m talking about one of […]

You see them all the time, but have you ever wondered what those little letters and numbers stand for on the end of your pencil?
In a nutshell, the pencil grading system that the bulk of the world uses starts at 9B and goes through to 9H. The “B” stands for blackness and gives an indication […]