Since I keep getting asked the same questions by many different people, I've decided to start a series of Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) journal posts. If you ask a question that was covered in one of them, I will point you here. It will save me time if I don't have to cover the same bases, over & over again.

Someone asked me what art supplies I like to use. Here's what I'm comfortable using:

PAPER: I like to use Strathmore 3-ply or 5-ply illustration board, in cold-press (rough) finish, for most illustration assignments. That includes anything pen & ink, as well as color.

PENCILS: I use a standard lead holder, and leads weighing from B to 6 B. I like a soft lead.

INKS: I ink with Schaarf watercolor brushes, #s 3&4. For technical stuff, I use Kohinoor Rapidograph technical pens, and sometimes my Pitt pens (which I normally use for convention sketches).

As for ink itself, I mix my own cocktail of equal parts Dr. PH Marten's India Ink and Dr. PH Marten's Hi-Carb (high carbon content) India Ink in an inkwell, with a few drops of technical pen ink to help the ink flow from the brush smoothly. I only mix an ounce or two at a time. I tried pre-mixing a whole bottle once, and it smelled like feet. Seriously. Even after the art was done, the ink stank. My art smelled like feet. Woof.

For whiting-out, I will use Dr. PH Marten's Bleed-Proof White. Sometimes I will use Winsor-Newton's white, but it has a serious off-white cast to it. Also, Liquitex Titanium White acrylic paint works well in a pinch.

Sometimes I will draw on animation paper, for speed's sake. The paper takes Pitt pens amazingly well, and I can get some serious brush lines with them. I did a number of my later CATWOMAN covers this way, and most people can't notice the difference.

COLORING: 99% of my colored work is done digitally. I currently use Photoshop CS2, on a custom-built PC. I also have a MacBook Pro. So, please don't berate my choice of computers; I use both platforms.

And yes, I color with a mouse, NOT a tablet. I'm happy this way for now, so everyone can stop trying to convince me to 'go WACOM'.

CONVENTION SKETCHES: For con sketches, I use Bristol Sketch paper, Pitt pens, and COPIC gray markers.

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I will be attending the 2009 Mega-Con in Orlando, Florida. The dates for the show are February 27 - March 1st and it is held at the Orange County Convention Center, Hall D, 9899 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819.

The Showroom hours are *Friday – 1-7pm, Saturday – 10am-6pm, and Sunday – 10am-5pm (*Pre-Advance ticket holders will be allowed into the showroom hall at 12 Noon on Friday February 27th.)

For more information on the show, the official site is:

[link]