I really like random D20 tables of little character details and flavour accents - it only takes a couple of small details to make a character feel unique.
I use Bristol board for paper (an expensive super smooth super white heavy paper). Bristol board is very durable, so you can erase pencil work without leaving any marks.
I use a mechanical 2H pencil for sketching, because it’s very hard, if leaves fairly faint, erasable marks.
I use pigment liners to ink the black lines - these are disposable technical drawing pens, they produce a very consistent line in permanent black ink. They’re often referred to as Microns, as they are a popular brand- but I use Derwent Graphik and Mitsubishi Uni-Pin
I use coloursoft pencils for shade. Coloursoft pencils are a high wax acrylic pencil that puts down a LOT of vibrant colour very fast. This is great for comics. They also sharpen to a very sharp point. The downside of coloursofts is that they don’t blend well.
I do.
I use Bristol board for paper (an expensive super smooth super white heavy paper). Bristol board is very durable, so you can erase pencil work without leaving any marks.
I use a mechanical 2H pencil for sketching, because it’s very hard, if leaves fairly faint, erasable marks.
I use pigment liners to ink the black lines - these are disposable technical drawing pens, they produce a very consistent line in permanent black ink. They’re often referred to as Microns, as they are a popular brand- but I use Derwent Graphik and Mitsubishi Uni-Pin
I use coloursoft pencils for shade. Coloursoft pencils are a high wax acrylic pencil that puts down a LOT of vibrant colour very fast. This is great for comics. They also sharpen to a very sharp point. The downside of coloursofts is that they don’t blend well.
Then I scan, and tweak digitally.
here’s a photo of the specific materials and brands I use.
Thanks for the info! My partner has done some pencil work before so I have some higher-end gift ideas if she picks that up again. :)
If you’re looking to get speedy,The Faber Castell polychromos (green in the picture) are very nice, and come in big sets.
If you want value, The Staedtler ergosoft (purple in picture are marketed for kids and are inexpensive, but really good. Downside is only 36 colours.