Materials
There are very few places that will sell exactly what a comic book artist needs.  Most of these items can be found in supermarkets, bookstores, office supply stores or Art supply stores.  Not all of these items are required, so it's wise to look over the list and plan which items you need before starting a project.  The right tools are everything.



Non-photo Blue Pencil

This is basically a colored pencil, but this color will not show up when the page is photocopied.  With it, you can pencil a page and then ink it with out worrying about your pencil's mistake showing up on the final copy.  Its disadvantage is that the pencil is very difficult to erase.  Most skilled artists prefer to use soft easy-to-erase drawing pencils.


Exacto (TM) Knife

The knife is just as mighty as the pen.  Even in the worst mistakes, you can remove blackness from the page by cutting or scrapping it away with this fine tipped blade.  They are also essential in using Lettraset tones (See Below).  When you buy a Knife with an inter-changeable blade they will usually come with a safety cap.  Don't loose it!  If you do loose it, or you can

 
Magic Rub (TM) Eraser 

This is a very powerful eraser which leaves little after it erases.  This is the only thing that can stand a chance at erasing the non-photo-blue pencil.  It is also very handy on dark hard-to-erase areas created with normal drawing pencils.  


Kneaded Eraser

This is an eraser with the properties of Play-Doh(TM) .  It can be molded into any shape, and is convenient for erasing those tiny details as well as large areas.  Be warned, however, that many artists become distracted by the fun on kneading and molding this crazy stuff!


Sharpie Marker

An excellent way to fill in black areas.  


# 0 Sable Brush

This is, naturally, the thinnest brush.  In order to get the thin lines that are necessary, this brush is needed.  The only reason you might need a larger brush is to fill in large black areas.


India Ink

This ink is essential to the comic trade.  It is our life's blood.  It is the best and darkest ink for the job.  I can be applied by any method; pen, brush, or quill.  If the bottle you purchase is not dark enough for you, leave the cap off overnight to let some of the water evaporate.


18" Metal Ruler

When drawing on large comic book cards or paper, an extra-long, sturdy ruler is essetial!


T-square

The T-square is handy for aligning the frames of you comics page.  Use masking tape to attach the page your drawing table parallel to the edge (you'll have to do this once for the vertical lines and once for the horizontal).  


Bristle Board 

This drawing paper is ideal for graphic purposes.  It takes to both India ink and drawing pencil's very well.  Feel free to experiment with other types of paper.


2B Drawing Pencils

There are many types of drawing pencils which vary in darkness.  2B is considered ideal because it can be reasonably dark and yet can easily erase, making it good for penciling comic pages.


Masking tape

White paper tape that is used to hold paper in place on the drawing desk.


Invisible tape

Sometimes called "Scott's Tape", this adhesive band has a whole bunch of uses.


Blue line boards 

These are cards specially made for drawing comics on.  They are bristle board in the dimensions of 14"x17".  They have a drawing space on them to the dimensions of 10"x15".  you can also make your own by perchasing a Brilstol drawing pad of greater dimentions and cutting it into place.  To get more information about the boards call this number: 1-800-425-8546 or write to Blue Line 264 Main Street, Florence, Kentucky 41042 or email 767731,1527@compuserve.com. 


Ames Guide

This is a device meant to be used with a T-square to align the letters of you comic.  Use setting "4", (Turn the 4 to the M).  Use the set of wholes on the top of the center three.  You can also use a rolling ruler to space your letters.  Use the ratio of 4mm for the height of the letters and 2mm between the lines.  You can draw your balloons on a separate sheet of Bristle Board and then cut them out and tape them to your finished pages.


Skeletal/ Muscle Chart

No matter how many times you've drawn the human anatomy, you never know when you'll forget where a particular bone or muscle goes.  Go to a college book store, there will usually be a section for Medical students that has posters and books with anatomically correct charts. 


Encyclopedia

This may seem strange, but it is always important to have references when writing a story, as well as drawing one.  Most Encyclopedias have photographs and diagrams of whatever you need.  If you don't have an encyclopedia handy, take the time to go to your local library and photocopy and information you might need, or even take out a book on the subject.


White Out (TM)

We all make mistakes!  Be sure to get the type for "plain paper".  Don't get the kind that's "For Everything".

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