14 Comments

Thank you for this! Are you familiar with LetterJoy? Seems like something you’d fancy. They are offering a new Writers on Writers version, but I’ve gotten my dad the history one a couple times. https://www.letterjoy.co

Expand full comment

I worked in an art supply store for 17 years, but here in Canada so what's available well may be different. We sold the Pentel Pocket Brush that you use, and we also sold the Pentel Color Brush Marker, which comes in lots of different colours. (https://opusartsupplies.com/products/pentel-color-brush-markers-xgfl?_pos=3&_sid=a9debbbc9&_ss=r). Do you not have those in the U.S.? The brush marker has a larger brush tip and the ink isn't permanent like the Pocket Brush is, but it otherwise works the same way. They've long been a favourite of mine—they're inexpensive and portable and immediately promote expressive writing whether you're in the mood or not.

On another topic, though I realize it's patently uncool to promote your own stuff on someone else's thread, your comment about how it's hard for people to get started and keep going with writing in a diary is making it hard for me to keep my mouth shut. I'm a long-time "journalizer"—in fact I consider my stacks of journals to be my "life's work"—and I recently created a journaling workshop download that gives both newbies and long-time writers some tools to explore and/or dig deeper. (It's here: https://www.balampman.com/#/taking-note-creating-ourselves-through-journaling/). People have really liked it so far. Thank you, and I promise this won't happen again! 😅💩❤️‍🔥

Expand full comment

Yeah i don’t really like those color brushes! Just a personal thing. I also like the DIY aspect of hacking them. I’m weird!

Expand full comment

Not weird! Well okay... maybe weird. But not any weirder than me. I totally get the DIY thing 😻

Expand full comment

Love this list, Austin! I know you’ve given this recommendation before but I can’t find it—what books do you recommend for drawing?

Expand full comment

Great list! BTW “Keep Going” is my most gifted book. I re- read it every year, myself. And “Show Your Work” inspired me to start my YouTube series #AutoTunes, where I share how I practice my songs in the car. https://lizcallaway.substack.com/p/how-i-practice-and-my-first-viral

Expand full comment

😊🙏

Expand full comment

This is a great list. I just found some old Illustoria issues at a local bookstore. What a treat!

Expand full comment

Time to finally get the self-inking date stamp, I think!

I’ve been using my late grandfather-in-law’s non self-inking one from the 1970s—I love it, but it’s dented and kind of a pain to keep with me between home and studio.

Expand full comment

That Trodat is a tank

Expand full comment

Loved this list! Especially the pen recommendations - because despite what some people may say, you can never have enough pens. 😉

Expand full comment

Loved all the recommendations. Was going to thank you for being such a font of valuable ideas and wisdom— with links to match — but then I got jammed up wondering if I really wanted to use ‘fount’ instead. Sent me to the internet which was basically useless for my purposes.

But you get my drift.

Expand full comment