Modus Operandi
I have been asked a lot about tools I use to create drawings. What type of pencil, what type of brush, medium, paper and what not. So, I am introducing you to my tools. Tools, meet my friends. Friends, meet tools.
My main tools are mechanical pencil (with 0.5 2B lead), Micron pen (0.3mm line width), watercolor, round (sometimes rigger) brushes and watercolor/acrylic pad or sketchbook/folio. I use two types of drawing pads and a watercolor folio; Mori, UA and Moleskine respectively. I like to use Campap previously but nowadays it’s very hard to find it. Here are the details:
Mori
– Paper texture – Smooth (acid-free hot press)
– Type: Acrylic
– Weight: 360gsm
– Size: 9″ x 12″
– Price: around RM12
– Sheets: 12
The texture is even and smooth and makes a nice surface for drawings. The paper has a slicker finish that you can use to create some interesting results. The sheets are glued together on the edges and has the advantage that the paper doesn’t have to be stretched before you start painting.
UA
– Paper texture – bumpy (acid-free cold press)
– Type: Watercolor
– Weight: 200gsm
– Size: A4 and A3
– Price: around RM12
– Sheets: 18
This bumpy texture is the most popular texture for watercolorists. The texture allows paint to settle into the texture pockets or sit on top and skip over the pockets, creating some different painting technique options.
Moleskine
– Paper texture: Slightly bumpy (acid-free cotton-fiber cold press)
– Type: Watercolor
– Weight: 200gsm
– Size: A4
– Price: RM124
– Extra features: It came in a folio with hard-back leather cover with pocket inside back cover
– Pages: 60 (can draw on both sides)
Where to buy these pads? As I am living in the vicinity of Ampang, I buy Mori and UA from The Art Shop in Taman Melawati. I can spend hours in there browsing for art materials. As for Moleskine, I buy from CZipLee Plus in Bangsar. Oooh, I can spend hours and hours here too.
And one last question, that I have always been asked is, “Where did you study art?” Frankly, I only have basics from school. I love to draw so much that I spent a lot of time practicing. I read a lot of art books and magazines to keep up with art news and techniques. I always keep a sketchbook, a pen and pencil in my bag and when I have free time, I will draw.
And why I use mechanical pencil? I hate the smudges that 3B, or 4B or 6B do to my papers and rubbing them is quite hard. I hate to sharpen them all the time. Maybe this is not professional but mechanical pencil is what I am comfortable with.
32 Comments
LadyJav a
hi Ems!!!
LadyJav a
I think kan.. even if i were to buy and use everything you use..i still can’t draw to save myself.. to draw like you.. jauh sekali! hahah
LadyJav a
Azwaj always say… “it’s never the guitar.. but always the player that makes the difference”…so same goes with you for sure!! kudos dearie!
emila
Azwaj, is totally right, dear.
emila
Eh can la. Practice everyday, sure you can do it.
emila
HI LJ!! How are you today?
LadyJav a
Practise sampai putus jari pun sure cannot for me lah.. lol!! mmg tak der talent anak singapura ini… 🙁
LadyJav a
I agree too!
LadyJav a
Am good dearie.. but failing miserably with my NY resolution ni.. have not slept all since yesterday.. ni baru ingat nak tidor..
emila
Hehehe…
emila
OH poor thing. OK go get some sleep.
Rose
Thanks for the resources and tips! Practice is definitely the best way to perfect any skill set.
ainiNS
Aslkm
Emila dear, antie ni dah 50 yrs old, i hv loved drawing doodles since school, “caca marba” style, and i thought i was being foolish then. Off late antie berjinak dg scrap-booking and found that doodling is an art. NOW i m more excited and so impressed with your work and immediately copied one of your drawings (sorry) and achieved only 50%…TQ for inspiring me.
Maisara
This is out of the subject but I got your postcard! Did you get mine? Do you like it?
emila
Yes dear, received it yesterday afternoon. Received one other postcard too. Have yet to scan them. Will do it tonight before I leave for Kedah.
emila
Waalaikumsalam, Auntie. Scrapbooking is fun and doodling is more fun! I am glad that you love to doodle ‘caca-merba’ It’s the in thing now. It’s good to know that you are drawing again today after discovering me. Keep it up. I don’t mind you copy me for the sake of learning, Auntie.
emila
Thanks for reading, Rose! Yes, exactly, Rose, it is all up to us.
fieyona
ini bagus 🙂
bubbles182
I tak berbakat dalam melukis. Stakat doodle2 ok la. Lain2 pun boleh buat kad je. Hehe.
So I loovveee spending my precious time kat art store jugak. Like Art Friend dekat The Gardens tu. Pastu dulu ada Paper Gallery new Central Market (zaman skola2 dulu). Heaven kan? 😀
emila
OH, I remember the Paper Gallery. Seronok pergi beli kertas. Doodle pun ok, dik, itu kira melukis juga.
emila
Thank you 😀
Aujinz
“I can spend hours in there browsing for art materials”
yeah.. me too .. hahahahha… saya juga melukis menggunakan Mechanical Pencil. Tak kira apa alatan yang kita guna, pokok pangkalnya kepada individu itu sendiri.
Oldstock
The mechanical pencil is my good friend too. Good for writing drafts. Thank you to the person who invented it.
emila
Indeed, Abang Fadhil. So thankful to the inventor.
emila
Ya, betul tu Aujinz.
epit
Hi Emila,
Seneng deh liat peralatan gambarnya. Saya suka semua gambarnya Emila. Btw untuk kertas Campap, saya baru beli dan lihat banyak persediaan di kedai art supplies NANGYANG di Gardens Midvalley mall(next to Borders).
emila
Terima kasih ya, Epit. Waduh jauh mahu ke Gardens. Saya sudah mulai sukakan Mori dan bisa melupakan Campap. Hehe.
Syuq
Kena print maklumat ni. Mcm mana boleh tak perasan k. Em ada bagitau semua ni …hmmmm 🙂
jaja
dulu masa kelas studio, kalau guna mechanical pencil mesti dah kene ambil dengan lecturer.. hehehe.. 😀
emila
Sila print if it helps you. I am glad to share this kind of information.
Adora
Salam, those micron pens. Beli mana ye puan emila? Susahnya nak carii. Nak merasa. Currently am using Zig pens and unipin pens. Comfy. Tapi ramai guna micron. Nak jugak rasa. Please and thank youu
Alia
Maklumat ni sangat-sangat berguna untuk saya. Terima kasih kerana sudi berkongsi 😀