Giving gifts is always difficult: you never know if what you are buying might please the recipient. This is double if the person concerned is an artist: given how many forms of digital and traditional art people can try their hand at, there is truly an infinite sea of choice. So let’s go and do a bit of order, suggesting ten gift ideas, manga drawing tools in various price ranges suitable for both novices and professionals, perfect for experimenting with some new technique, improving your skills or changing your work style. , going to simplify it.
Pentel Fude-Pen
The fude-pens are ideal for experimenting, and their versatility makes them suitable for both artistic calligraphy and inking, which can take on the most innumerable forms thanks to the modularity of the stretch given by the small bristles of the brush tip. These drawing tools are available in different versions which are distinguished by the type of ink, that is water based And pigments, and for the size of the tip. In case you would like to experiment with more mediums I suggest the version with pigment ink, which is water resistant and will not smudge with the passage of watercolors and markers. The refills for the tank always through the Pentel store.
You can buy the Pentel Fude-Pen on Amazon following this link.
Tombow Fudenosuke
Versatile and very easy to handle, they allow great control of the sign which makes them ideal even for beginners who want to play with the stroke, moving away from the millimeter precision of fineliners. They have been my companions for several years now and among my favorite pens to use in sketchbooks. The set includes three pens, one a hard tip (WS-BH) for precision work, one soft (WS-BS) modular and one double soft black and gray (WS-TBS), perfect for making effects and shadows.
You can purchase the Tombow Fudenosuke on Amazon by following this link.
Sakura Yukama Fineliners (Art Edition)
Many of us know and have already approached Pigma Micron, among the tractpen par excellence used for the most varied tasks, from technical drawing tables to mediums to professional illustrations. What if I told you that there is a version specially dedicated to the latter? It’s about the set Sakura Yukama. What are the differences with the classic set? A different range of thicknesses, including the very rare 003 (suitable for the finest details, important in manga drawing) and a higher quality, both in terms of pigment and yield and water resistance, are not for nothing the ideal if you use watercolor or alcohol markers. A perfect level-up for those who are already accustomed to using the stretchpen!
You can buy Sakura Yukama Fineliners on Amazon by following this link.
Ohuhu Markers – 72 color set
For several years Ohuhu has entered the alcohol markers market enjoying enormous and well-deserved success, to the point of being considered by many to be the perfect alternative to Copic, with an extremely competitive price. The value of this brand is due in particular to the brush tip, until a few years ago exclusive to Copic and still quite rare to find in other brands; this type of tip allows you to blend through the pressure of the stroke and to create shades and gradients between different colors. In addition to the aforementioned brush tip, there is one fine point suitable for backgrounds of small spaces and for precise lines. The 72-color set includes a wide range to draw from, with shades making it a complete set suitable for both experts and beginners. There are also other sets, from 48 or 120 markers, as well as a brand new version with only pastel colors.
You can buy Ohuhu Markers – 72 Color Set on Amazon by following this link.
Posca Acrylic Markers set
The Uni Posca we all know them, perhaps even from our childhood, but they are very valid drawing tools, and remain one of the cornerstones of acrylic tempera markers. Capable of writing on almost any surface and from packaging with any kind of palette, with them you can give life to any artistic project, from illustration on paper to murals. Be careful only with sheets and rough surfaces: the tip tends to get damaged (but it can be solved by passing an acrylic plaster base before drawing). Available in numerous sets, from basic, pastel and metallic colors.
You can buy the Posca Acrylic Markers set on Amazon following this link.
Leda Art Supply Sketchbook A5
You can’t miss a tip for a sketchbook, not one of the real manga drawing tools but somehow the basis for all the finished works, and one of my favorites is this one of Leda Art Supply. The paper is ivory and smooth to the touch, very suitable for graphite and ink, but also for other techniques with due care (if you use alcohol markers remember to put a protection on the back of the page). I do not recommend watercolor unless it bothers you that the pages end up bending a bit. The ultra-flexible cover combines 160 sheets that you can use to come up with creative ideas and processes; in addition, the A5 format makes it easy and comfortable to carry wherever you want, whether it is to work on your desk or while you are traveling!
You can buy the Leda Art Supply sketchbook on Amazon by following this link.
Gaomon LED Light Tablet
In my opinion, one of the fundamental manga drawing tools for a designer and in particular for a cartoonist is the luminous tablet, and the best in quality-price ratio is branded. Gaomon. It is an LED illuminated surface whose light is able to pass through even sheets of high weight (as long as they are white), comfortable, light and practical to carry, available in B4 format (slightly larger than an A4 sheet) or A3. Indispensable to switch from sketches and / or layouts to final tables and reduce working times!
You can buy the Gaomon LED light tablet on Amazon following this link.
Wacom Intuos
Wacom is a brand that immediately associates itself to graphic tablets, and now more than ever to those with screens, with prices that are nevertheless prohibitive for those who want to start or save. While there are good screen tablets from other brands, the best way to approach digital drawing is through a basic graphics tablet with a more ergonomic design, which also makes it more versatile and easier to carry. Intuos graphics tablets require a certain ability to synchronize hand and eyes, which however becomes more and more intuitive with use, thanks in particular to the sensitivity to pressure. Each tablet also contains three other replacement pen nibs. Size S is the size of A5 paper and is my favorite as it takes up little space, but given the limited space it allows little room for movement. I recommend the other format if you do not have problems with space on the desk and if you prefer not to have to move too much in the workspace. A digital and non-traditional manga drawing tool, but still a very good starting point for those who may want to approach pixel art as well.
You can buy this graphics tablet model Wacom Intuos on Amazon following this link.
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