© Lindsay Gardner

I first met my Brian Herrick about eight years ago when I volunteered in his art classroom. In addition to being a super inspiring kindergarten through eighth-grade art teacher, Brian makes his own art, often in the wee hours of the morning and night. He proudly works on multiple interests and mediums- illustration, drawing, painting, and comics. His work is filled with nature-based imagery, witty observations and sarcastic humor, bright color, retro-inspired lettering, intricate line work and painterly form. Here are his five favorite tools, in his own words.

1. Porcelain dish. I use this for mixing gouache, ink or watercolor.  Can’t handle using plastic. Must be this.

2. Nibs for inking.  I’ve used classic nibs before, but these two are special.  The nibs are Turner and Harrison #33 nibs which are not made anymore. My friend Sam Sharpe (amazing cartoonist) turned me on to these and gave them to me from his stockpile of nibs he’s sought out over the years. They are AMAZING and give that classic cartoonist line which is deceptively hard to achieve.

3. Pentel 0.9 mm pencil. This is a fat pencil and I prefer sketching with this than really fine tipped pencils

4. Winsor and Newton Series 233 nr00 brush.  Get’s the job done. I also like the 01-05 brushes. I go through a lot of these.

5. Expect the unexpected: The Skilcraft US Government pen. First: I love it because it is, hands down, the very best ball point pen you will ever use. Always works, even in cold weather, and gives a magnificent line. I love drawing in my sketchbook with it. It just slides over the surface.  It’s just really, really buttery.  Here’s the interesting part: I first found this pen on accident about 15 years ago. They kept turning up at national parks but I couldn’t find them in stores.  I did a little research and was able to find them online. Skillcraft is made by the blind. Due to a 1938 law signed by President Roosevelt, it was created to give jobs to people who are sight impaired. Skilcraft now employs 5,000 blind Americans in the US.  And it is an amazing tool. Order a box today. I prefer the medium not the fine point.