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The types of tools available are varied from colour pencils to markers and paint and also vary in price, advantages and disadvantages.
Lead pencils, mechanical pencils, lead holders can be used on non coloured renderings. Pencils are available in a range from soft to hard which allows great control over the quality of stroke, resulting in variety and contrast. Pencils can be used for contour lines, texture, pattern and material indication. But when required it does not reproduce well and hence the reproductions are dull and is less clear. These are very effective on textured drawing paper
Inks used in refillable or disposable pens create excellent line work that reproduces beautiful reproductions. It can be successfully used to create line drawings for reproduction and over rendering with coloured media. But ink can be messy and time-consuming. It takes time to dry and accidents can happen. It is advisable to use ink only in the final step of drawing. Refillable technical pens in varying widths are also available. Refillable pens produce finest quality lines but require cleaning and proper maintenance. Disposable ink pens are used for line drawings but are less consistent in terms of line quality and require no maintenance. Fine point markers and felt tip pens can also be used. Felt tip pens are used on coloured renderings to define edges.
Colour pencils are available in three types as wax based, oil based and water soluble. Wax based pencils are most suitable for rendering on tracing paper but should be used on the reverse / or backside of the drawing sheet with a drawing paper backing.. For a rich rendering or buildup these drawings must be layered or manipulated. Without layering coloured pencils look grainy because the pencil works only on the surface of the paper. It is advisable to underlay warm colours with deep red and cool colours with blue pencil to reduce the grainy look. Some types of solvents like rubber cement thinner can also be used on top of the pencil coloured areas. Alcohol based colourless blender marker can also be applied over the surface of the coloured pencil area to loosen up the pencil marks and give an even colour. When using wax pencils to reduce the buildup of wax and shine a layer of colour acrylic gesso or grey marker which act like a paint primer, before any pencil touches the surface will help. The type of paper used, way of holding the pencil and the strokes produce different effects. When applied over large areas it is best to use the pencil with angled (about 45 ?) strokes produces attractive rendering. Pencils must be very sharp when defining edges and outlining objects. (Figs – 6 & 7) Pencils can also be used over marker renderings to enhance colour and define shape and value. A sharp white or light coloured pencil is very useful to clean up uneven edges. For very subtle colour variations coloured pencil pigments can be shave of with a sharp knife and applied by rubbing onto the drawing surface with a tissue.
Art markers or xylene based markers are also used for better colour rendition, but care should be observed as these produce fumes and can cause health problems. Alcohol based markers are good but tend to dry up quickly and do not last long. These can be revived by using denatured alcohol or 91% alcohol. Markers are a popular medium because they are quick to use, do not require extensive setup or cleaning time but can be manipulated to portray value, texture and material qualities successfully. However much practice is required for a good presentation. Use markers only on a straightedge with a mat or illustration board but never use metal or plastic edges as the colour may cause smears. Marker colours are usually layered or touched up with additional media in order to properly render value and colour and are very effective on tracing paper. A single marker colour can be applied in layers to create value contrasts grey marker can also be layered under appropriate colour to create value or enrich colour. Coloured pencil pastel and small quantities of paint can be layered over marker colour to create value contrast or tune up colour.
Dry pastels also called as chalk can be used to complement markers or coloured pencil renderings. These are dry and chalky in contrast to oil pastels and can be used o colour an area quickly and to create very light washes for highlights. Another way of using dry pastels to create colour washes is to shave off portion of the pastel and mixing this dust with baby powder and applying this over the area or marker with a cotton swab or tissue. They can also be blended into the drawing with the finger or pastel stick. These go very well with coloured papers as primary rendering and are best used in less detailed drawings. Large areas of pastel can be applied neatly when worked against removable tape as a masking agent. It is very easy to erase or brush pastels from a drawing surface. A fixative spray may be required to keep them in place. A special marker fixative should be used when using markers.
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