MY KIT LIST
Kit bag essentials for the visual workerI’ve tried out a lot of kit over the years
so you don’t have to
I know it’s a bewildering world out there when it comes to investing in the right equipment, so here’s my recommended kit list for graphic recorders and visual facilitators. Over the years I’ve tried out a lot of different options, and have learnt that price isn’t always an indicator of usefulness. So you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great results, unless you’re a stationery nerd, then don’t let me hold you back! Nowadays I mostly use digital tools for hybrid/digital live illustration. I’m still drawing by hand though! 100% human made.
Full disclosure
I’ve included links to help you do your own research. I recommend kit specifically in each of my courses. I suggest you start small, start cheap, and experiment. I know it’s interesting to see what other people are using whilst you figure out what works for you, so I’ve included links to a range of providers and products that we use. Some are our Amazon Associate affiliate links and some are not, and they are all for products I’ve found useful.
Graphic Recording Pens
I can’t get enough of pens. I say it’s for work, but really I just love experimenting for my own creative pleasure. But let’s be practical… Think about what you need your pens for. When I’m graphic facilitating or doing hand-drawn animation videos I work on horizontal paper or foamboard on a wall, so can’t risk my pens staying too wet or bleeding. When I’m in the studio doing illustration in a sketchbook (like my weekly JOTT Journal), it’s all about getting the fine detail right so I can photo and work with it digitally. So have a think about what your scenarios are and try some of these pens to suit…
ProMarkers
Probably the marker I use the most. They have a massive range of 148 colours, including this skin tone pack, and are 2-in-1, with both a chisel tip and a fine tip end, so good for outlining and shading.
Sakura Pigma technical
Whether brush, micron or graphic pens, these pens are a joy to use. Great for detailed analogue to digital work, the archival pigment ink doesn’t bleed when overlaid with other inks.
Neuland markers
This German brand is the professional standard in Europe, yet only has one UK seller. They do a useful range of refillable markers, and this super chunky wedge nib BigOne is great for giant borders.
Berol fine fibre tip
You might remember a version of these from school. Well they’ve been a surprise rediscovery for me. I like to use these for fine detail in combination with their broader sister…
Berol broad fibre tip
A trusty, cheap outliner on many jobs. The fact that they come in a box of 12 is really useful for drawing with groups, and each one will cost you less than £1!
Copic Sketch Markers
At the other end of the scale, this is serious money (around £300-£350), so definitely try out before committing. I prefer Copic over ProMarkers for foamboard work. Wonderful colour range, refillable and 2-in-1, both brush end and chisel tip.
10% discount offer
Our friends at Cult Pens in the UK (they deliver worldwide) have kindly given us a 10% discount link for you to use off your first order. They have a delicious range of stationery, from pens to washi tape… and you support an independent business at the same time!
Visual Facilitation kit
These are things I recommend you carry in your kitbag, ready to go, whether it’s to facilitate a workshop in your office or on a professional pan on paper graphic recording job
ProMarker wallet
Stores 24 pens at once, zipped up safely, so great for taking on a job or keeping in your drawer at work. When on your desk you can prop up your pens for easy selection.
Magic Tape 25mmx66m
A humble hero for holding your paper on a wall. Pretty transparent, so doesn’t distract. And in my experience, doesn’t take the wall paint off when you remove it either.
White washi tape – 15mmx10m
Low tack and low visibility mean this is a great option for holding up paper. Apply in a T shape on corners for better hold.
Self-adhesive labels
These are little life (and big picture) savers! I always carry a variety of shapes and sizes to cover over a slip or spelling error on a job.
Artist’s extendable teletube
Not a Teletubby. If you’re carrying or storing big paper, these can be really useful, especially on transport (but makes people nervous in airports). I haven’t yet found one where the handle didn’t eventually snap though.
Map pins
Simple but effective. If you’re pinning paper to a board, the longer length of map pins (not tacks or push pins) stops your paper ripping off in a distressing mid-session collapse.
Paper and sketchbooks
Of course any piece of paper will do when the urge to draw takes you. If you’re in an office you’ll also have access to bigger paper like flipcharts. But here’s a shortlist of paper products I have in my kit bag to get you started…
A3 sketchbook
The ideal sketchbook has thick paper but is slim overall. I like this Seawhite one, at 40 pages of 140gsm quality white cartridge paper. Slim and easy to use. Great for drawing exercises.
A6 hardback sketchbook
This size is perfect for your Visual Dictionary, and this Seawhite one has 160gsm paper, so images shouldn’t bleed through. Spiral means you can prop up to copy an image, too.
Big paper roll, 120cmx25m
Rolls of big paper are great as you can cut to the length that suits. Remember to double up on walls to avoid bleed through! I use white for digital scanning after, but you can also find brown (kraft) paper, which can be easier on the eye. This V3 roll is from Neuland (also a black version).
Interactive Facilitation kit
When I’m facilitating or running visual workshops here are some things that can make a session that little bit more interactive
Sticky notes
They get a raw deal nowadays, but sometimes a graphic template needs these sticky friends to survive another use. The winner of this ‘scientific’ test is these. Avoid the z-shape bundles – they are the devil’s work.
Sticky dots/shapes
Useful to add another layer of filtering in your group facilitation. Perfect for voting for or prioritizing ideas. I use gold stars for super voting powers (like extra points). White dots are useful tiny cover-ups on big pictures.
Cards
I use these Artefact cards, about the size of playing cards, for drawing on (with a fine Sharpie). Useful for moving and ordering ideas round a table. Could even be a Visual Dictionary (with a rubber band for extra glamour)? They add a perceived formality or quality to a tabletop session.
Digital Graphic Recording
As much as I love hand-drawing using pen on paper, it doesn’t work for everything, and most work I do as a professional graphic recorder is shared digitally, if not produced digitally, but still, of course, hand drawn. These tools have liberated me from having to travel to every live event, as my ongoing graphic recording can be shown remotely. Even when I am there in person, it is so much easier to set up my iPad corner to work as a live illustrator than setting up big boards and paper. You can also make your videoconference really stand out with visuals, so you just need to adapt from paper and pens to some digital tools. Here’s what I’m using right now…
iPad Pro
So much easier than lugging boards around! I can digitally graphic record live during (video) conferences. Don’t spend £££ on iPad storage – offload images to your laptop/iCloud. Yes, it’s more expensive than many tablets, but it means you can use the super cheap Procreate.
Apple Pencil
I take 2 Apple Pencils with me on a job, in case 1 stops working (yep, it has happened). I also get mine directly from Apple, so that I’m sure it’s compatible and so I can have it engraved (branded) for free.
Procreate (iPad / iPhone)
My go-to tool now. Procreate gives me all the functionality I need to work with an iPad and Apple Pencil to deliver live graphic recordings, without a steep learning curve. It also records a timelapse of your work, which gives you a brilliantly simple animation. And I want to support Procreate, as they’ve boldly taken an anti-AI, pro-creative-human stance.
MacBook Pro
I moved from an iMac to the 13.3″ MacBook Pro (with extra memory), so it’s pretty old. A MacBook Neo would be as useful now. I use a big (AOC) monitor for digital imaging work. Sometimes I wish I had 4 screens!
IPEVO V4K Visualizer
A simple document camera, this handy visualizer captures my paper or iPad drawings either live (for training) or for how-to videos. Check out Ipevo’s website for advice on how to use for Zoom, Meet, Teams, etc.
Huion tablet desk stand
Now I’m working more digitally I really need to protect my hands/wrists. This simple sturdy desk stand supports my iPad at just the right level to take the strain off and keep my head up more when drawing.
Neewer 18 inch LED soft ring light
Not just for selfies – this ring light is a cost-effective solution to getting real studio light on your work for videoconferencing or video making. Newer ones have a phone holder, too.
Neewer light diffuser
Not a fluffy steering wheel cover… The light from the Neewer light ring can sometimes be too harsh/make the ring visible. This diffuser softens it and saves my eyes from the glare too