ChristopherStevens

Hey guys. I just wanted to send everyone a big thank you for all the kind words, well wishes and support that has been sent my way. Some of you even shared similar stories with me that were tough to read. Its hard to know what to say to someone who's lost a loved one and it's hard to know what to say when someone gives you their best. I've been overwhelmed by the response to my "Patricia" post. It means a lot to me that people have taken the time to send a kind word my way so many, many thanks to all of you. Nothing was more important to me than my mom and it's been really tough, but everyone's thoughts has helped I think. You guys dont need to respond to this post. I just needed to give everyone my heartfelt thanks. 

Hey guys. I figured I'd go ahead and do a FAQ journal entry. Just a basic list of the tools I'm currently using for my marker work. I have a new tutorial for my markers that I'll post when I'm able to share the art I used for the progress shots. Feel free to fire away with any questions and hopefully, this can be a go to guide for basic info on my tools. I'm not going to talk about oil painting materials as I'm still figuring all that out and I doubt an answer I give today will hold up in the future.

Ok Here goes...

Markers: Prismacolor Cool and French grey markers. I think "Copic" has become another word for "marker" these days, so it's assumed that I'm using Copics for all of my work, but I actually use Prismacolor for all of my figures and detail work and only use Copic markers for backgrounds. I use to use "Warm" greys but I like the sepia look of French more now. I also occasionally use Copic color markers when I'm doing a full color marker piece. Why do I like Prismacolor markers? I think I've just always useed them and now it's what I'm comfortable with. I like the flexibility of the wide tip and I like the look of their inks when they dry.

PAPER: Strathmore 300 series Vellum finish Bristol board. I buy the 19 by 24 pads and just cut them in half for my 11 by 17 work. I used "Smooth" bristol for years, but eventually decided on vellum fora  couple reasons. One, it bleeds more which I actually prefer when working with marker. It makes blending easier. Two, it's easier to paint on. The rough texture grabs the paint nicely and holds water well.

Paint: Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleedproof White. I use this because it was the first one I bought and it seemed to work ok. I haven't experimented with different paints and I probably should, but for the most part, this paint has done well for me. It's a liquid watercolor paint that comes in a little jar. Gives you a nice opaque straight out of the jar and nice washes when you dilute it.

Brushes: Windsor and Newton Series 7 #2. Classic comic inking brush. I use it because it holds a nice point and seems to be durable. I haven't experimented much with brushes either as this was one of the first I tried and was happy with it.

Pens: Sakura Pigma Microns. Again, I've used them forever, so it's what I know. They're not great at....anything TBH, but I've used them for 20 years..give or take and I'll probably use them another 20.

That's about it. I hope this helps and if not, ask your questions here and I'll try to answer.

Thanks!

My apologies to the kind folks who left comments on my most recent gallery update. I was asked to remove it. NDAs and whatnot. I did read everyone's comments before taking it down and I appreciate it.

Thanks!

That doesn't look right. Something off about her eyebrows. No...maybe it's her forehead. Nope...it's her hairline. Gotta be. It's too low. Or too high maybe. CRAP! Something's off, but I cant figure out what. You know...it could be her jaw line. Too wide. Nope. Now it's too narrow and her face looks long. Put that back, but the chins definitely too big. Makes her look manish. Yeah, that's it..that's working! But...now her mouth looks a little weird. The lips are too big or something. Damn it, why did I try to make her smiling? I can never get that to look right. But she needs to be smiling..it works for the piece. You know what, fuck it I'm starting over.

Man, that's one of the best figures I've ever done! The pose is perfect and I really got some nice energy in it. Its always a great to nail a figure in the quick gesture drawing. Now, I just need to draw the face on there and we're gold. An hour later.....

Son of a mother, that face gave me hell! Didn't think I'd ever get it to look right. Hmm...the heads not fitting quite right on the shoulders. What the hell happened?! It was fine before...I must've moved it a bit with all the damn erasing on the face.  CRAP!!! Now I've got a face I like and a body I like but they don't work together! Maybe if I move her shoulder a little itll work. no, that's not working at all. CRAP! I can probably tweak her torso angle just a tad and that should line the head up better. No, that's ALL fucked up now. I'm not redrawing that face. I'm just not. You know what, fuck it I'm starting over.

Just a quick thank you to everybody who chimed in with suggestions for me. I've got a few names now to go give a shot to. Dick Blick has been good to me over the years, but at the very least, I'll have some back ups for when they can't cut it. DA rules again. I love this place.

Thanks everybody!