I've been writing about the sad, sad business of fading markers here for awhile, and in the picture above, you can see what happens when people use non-archival tools to draw.
Even though I'm not a comics maker myself, I find it fascinating to hear about how the sausage is made. I *did* go to art school 30 years ago, and one of my classmates became an art conservator. After that, she would bemoan the fact that students are not taught a single thing about making their paintings last. It's something that an artist does have to start thinking about, if they plan on selling their stuff.
This post got me wondering: how much of your original art do you still have in your possession? This is a selfish question, because I'm hoping that we will one day see a Coleen Doran Artist Edition, and those are way easier to assemble when the work is in one place.
fwiw, I have an original 2-page spread from "Master of Rampling Gate" purchased in the early 1990s. Probably spent as much on framing as I did on the artwork for protective glass. But it's still as vibrant and beautiful as the day I first saw it.
Valuable information even for us casual doodlers that have a pen/marker addiction. Looking at my metallic markers and need to find a safe spot to store them laying down lol
I never liked the Pigma markers because while they’re colourfast, as you wrote, the black isn’t as dark. I really like Staedtler for line drawing. But surprisingly, I bought a Sakura brush pen from an art supply store in Montreal over 30 years ago and it still works.
I too am a big fan and user of the F-C Pitt Artist Pen. Good shout! When workshop venues ask for recommendations they always top my list - and some places even then get them in!
Pre-Covid I did a lot of work in prisons and was later told the Pitt pens I'd provided had gone down a storm, not only among my workshoppers but across the whole wing. I only tumbled a couple years later, this was because I'd inadvertently smuggled in pens with the kind of ink perfect for ad hoc prison tattooing! er, whoops
Thank you, Colleen, what a great and informative discourse in your 'Drawing The Line'. One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, 'What kind of pens do you use?' There's obviously a hunger out there and this here's FOOD!
It’s amazing how people will ignore the wealth of online knowledge and personal experience from so many professional artists and then post a screed revealing their ignorance.
I have literally been dragged on twitter for posting the publicly available info that Copics aren't lightfast, which is not only true, but it's openly listed on the Copic website.
Yep! A lot of artists sell their Copic commissions for quite a bit and get very angry when other artists point that out (linking to the website!). I love my Copics and they’re a blast to use, but the properties that make them so versatile also make them non-archival. I’m so sorry you were harassed on Twitter though; we should appreciate and respect the easy access to so many pro artists that we have these days.
I’ve also used Faber-Castell markers to blend coloured pencil. It’s really fun and makes such realistic looking tattoos!
It’s in their best interests to pretend lightfastness isn’t important. Well, do what you want, I don’t care. I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.
Even though I'm not a comics maker myself, I find it fascinating to hear about how the sausage is made. I *did* go to art school 30 years ago, and one of my classmates became an art conservator. After that, she would bemoan the fact that students are not taught a single thing about making their paintings last. It's something that an artist does have to start thinking about, if they plan on selling their stuff.
This post got me wondering: how much of your original art do you still have in your possession? This is a selfish question, because I'm hoping that we will one day see a Coleen Doran Artist Edition, and those are way easier to assemble when the work is in one place.
Well, definitely not as much original art as I used to, however, before I sell any art now I make high quality scans.
Thank YOU for the TED talk. Seriously. I’ve already passed this to people who will love to read it.
fwiw, I have an original 2-page spread from "Master of Rampling Gate" purchased in the early 1990s. Probably spent as much on framing as I did on the artwork for protective glass. But it's still as vibrant and beautiful as the day I first saw it.
Glad to read that!
Valuable information even for us casual doodlers that have a pen/marker addiction. Looking at my metallic markers and need to find a safe spot to store them laying down lol
Faber-Castell and their higher end Graf von Faber-Castell make exceptional pencils, fountain pens, and inks as well.
Your advice about storing markers flat is essential.
I never liked the Pigma markers because while they’re colourfast, as you wrote, the black isn’t as dark. I really like Staedtler for line drawing. But surprisingly, I bought a Sakura brush pen from an art supply store in Montreal over 30 years ago and it still works.
I definitely have not been using it enough!
Yeah, I usually only use the Pigmas for the thick black line I get out of one of them, and then I go over the line more than once.
Thank you so much for this! I greatly appreciate it.
This was very insightful! Thanks!
I too am a big fan and user of the F-C Pitt Artist Pen. Good shout! When workshop venues ask for recommendations they always top my list - and some places even then get them in!
Pre-Covid I did a lot of work in prisons and was later told the Pitt pens I'd provided had gone down a storm, not only among my workshoppers but across the whole wing. I only tumbled a couple years later, this was because I'd inadvertently smuggled in pens with the kind of ink perfect for ad hoc prison tattooing! er, whoops
Thank you, Colleen, what a great and informative discourse in your 'Drawing The Line'. One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, 'What kind of pens do you use?' There's obviously a hunger out there and this here's FOOD!
It’s amazing how people will ignore the wealth of online knowledge and personal experience from so many professional artists and then post a screed revealing their ignorance.
I have literally been dragged on twitter for posting the publicly available info that Copics aren't lightfast, which is not only true, but it's openly listed on the Copic website.
Yep! A lot of artists sell their Copic commissions for quite a bit and get very angry when other artists point that out (linking to the website!). I love my Copics and they’re a blast to use, but the properties that make them so versatile also make them non-archival. I’m so sorry you were harassed on Twitter though; we should appreciate and respect the easy access to so many pro artists that we have these days.
I’ve also used Faber-Castell markers to blend coloured pencil. It’s really fun and makes such realistic looking tattoos!
It’s in their best interests to pretend lightfastness isn’t important. Well, do what you want, I don’t care. I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.
Test comment to see if it reveals the last line of my previous comment.