How to use Tombow Brush Pens! Three ways to use them in your sketchbook ✨

[@ArtBrain]

I love how you use what most would consider a "flaw" of watercolor pens (streakiness) and turned it into a texturing method. Your work is insightful. Thanks, Katie!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much for watching and your kind comment! ☺️💛 there’s so much texture with these you definitely have to embrace it and make it work for you 😄

[@Julie-vy3oz]

Love your style and appreciate your generosity of sharing techniques. I especially am glad to see the Tombows in action and learn how to use mine more effectively.

[@KatieMoody]

I’m so glad, thanks so much for watching Julie 🥰

[@claudiapatterson6764]

You make it look so easy Katie. Love your videos.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much Claudia! ❤️ a lot of practise has helped! ☺️

[@sylwiafusiek646]

While waiting for my brush pens order I figured I’m going to see how are they used by artists and I found your videos. I just wanted to say your style is grand! I love how you use different media on top of each other and how genuine fun is just glaring out of your work. I cannot wait to try out your advices in my sketchbook! And I’ll deffinately have a go at this kind of spread and landscape. Thank you Katie!

[@KatieMoody]

Oh thank you, Sylwia! I'm so happy to read that the fun and joy comes through in my work, what a compliment 🥰 Fingers crossed your brush pen order arrives soon, and happy creating! 😄

[@carlastarr165]

Oooo! This was cool I like all the little sketches on two pages! A great and pretty way to practice! I will have to try it!

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks so much Carla, these are always such fun pages to put together! Definitely recommend giving it a go 😄

[@nancyjanepeirce4562]

It is really great to know about the Tombow blender! Thank you Katie.

[@KatieMoody]

I feel like it's a hidden little gem! Thanks for watching, Nancy Jane 🤗

[@KathleenMcKinstry]

I decided after telling you today that I was going to try to use my pens more often and I thought the best way was to watch you work. I’m going to try doing a small one tonight. I really like the sunflowers panel so I’ll see how that goes! Thanks Katie, you have so many wonderful videos that we can use as reference for just about anything we need!❤

[@KatieMoody]

Oh my pleasure, thank you so much Kathy! How did it go with your brush pens? 💛

[@KathleenMcKinstry]

@@KatieMoody …. I haven’t tried working with the tombows yet. I’m having some problems with my sacroiliac joint and other nearby areas in my back. Once I feel better and more energetic I’ll try them. I wish I was 10 years younger ☺️

[@kathymckinstry1649]

What a love most when watching your videos is seeing your picture come to life. You have no pencil sketch drawn out so it’s always a surprise for a few seconds as to what you are planning. I think my favorite block was the sunflowers, but I loved them all Katie ❤. This was really enjoyable to watch but also very helpful!!!

[@KatieMoody]

Oh that's so lovely to hear, thank you Kathy! Sometimes it can be a surprise for me what will happen on the page too 🤣 The sunflower one is my favourite also 🥰🌻

[@patriciatolliver4057]

Patty-I'm a real big Tombow Fan. So glad you shared all of those techniques.

[@KatieMoody]

I love how versatile they are! Thank you for watching 🥰

[@WeirdIsTheBest]

Thanks for sharing this! I love tombows and your video inspired me to try some landscapes! Super fun!

[@KatieMoody]

Oh yay I'm so happy to hear that! Have fun! 😄

[@martinakuroneko5962]

I absolutely love this! Need to try working in panels. Thank you Katie. Warm greetings from Poland.

[@KatieMoody]

I love working in panels, it changed the game for me in my sketchbook! Thank you so much for watching 🥰

[@amexjam55]

I always wanted to know what those colorless brush pens where used for. It's a blending tool. Cool. Thank you so much for demonstrating it's use.

[@KatieMoody]

A pleasure to share! Thanks for watching 😄

[@jenniferwistey7323]

I just got Tombows and Faber-Castell Durer watercolor pencils for my birthday. I was stuck, not knowing how to start. Your video helped me to loosen up and try them, and I'm having so much fun. Your commentary helps a lot too. Thanks very much :)

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much Jennifer, that is so wonderful to hear! Enjoy creating! 😊

[@valeriegehling4358]

As I have the Tombows I‘ll give this a try, I‘ve only used them for calligraphy. And, was so glad to see how I can use the blender! As I‘m interested in mixed media found your video interesting. Great! Will now look at your other videos. Thanks.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much for being here! I started using Tombows for hand lettering too, before moving into more of an art based practise! Hope you enjoy my other videos as well, thanks for your lovely comment 💜

[@maryamshariff2491]

I like it SO much. You are a true artist, Katie. I wish I could also sketch like you. . . I love the sunflower one. The perspective it perfectly positioned, and I feel like I wanna steal your skills! 😂

[@KatieMoody]

Aah thank you so much, what an amazing comment! Thank you - and I promise these skills are just practise 😂

[@ChantelleArts]

I can’t believe it never occurred to me that since they’re water based they can be used with actual water 🤦🏼‍♀️😂😂

[@KatieMoody]

Haha don’t worry, it took me years to realise as well 🤣 I think it’s normal to use pens as pens and not think more about it!

[@gunsmokeandghouls]

LOL 😆

[@RChan-u7j]

Hello from Hong Kong☺️ Your work is gorgeous, Katie. I'm not good at drawing, but you always make things go easy and encouraging. Thank you for your clear references and demonstration. Love to watch your video. I may follow the way you work and try them out some days. Thanks again for your detailed sharing😊

[@KatieMoody]

Oh thank you, that's so kind of you to say! I'm really glad to hear - I'd love to see your work if you do follow along! 💛

[@rahimirahimi8560]

Beautiful spread.. When I watch your videos I am always amazed by how easily you manipulate the Tombows to create beautiful effects. It is very inspirational.

[@KatieMoody]

Aw that's so kind of you, thank you so much 🥰

[@impish22]

thanks for sharing Katie

[@KatieMoody]

My pleasure, thank you for all your support 🥰

[@traceyelliott6891]

Fabulous and such a helpful video. Must buy that beautiful light blue tombow and pencil 😊 thank you

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much, I'm so glad it's helpful! That pencil is definitely my most-used! 😊

[@robertadrsvensson]

Such a beautiful spread and thanks for sharing all these techniques! This made me run out to get new colours, I love the Tombows.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@kristin.1124]

Really like your spread & all the different ways of using the tombows 😁 I just have 3 of them but a lot of other water markers where I can apply your shown techniques 😉😊

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much! Oh yes perfect, these techniques will work with whatever brand! Enjoy creating 🥰

[@jaclynbaerart]

LOVE! Having a spread in your sketchbook so you can play with different landscapes is brilliant! Definitely going to give this a go in my sketchbook too. Thank you!

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks so much, Jaclyn! ☺️ I love creating spreads like this, hope you have fun too!

[@pelocat]

I absolutely loved watching this! It never occurred to me to mix them on the palette like that, but I purchased that exact palette thanks to your rec so will be trying that method soon. The colors you chose for each scene are so lovely and charming and it was also interesting to see how the pan pastels can add depth. Thank you for sharing!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much, Joy! So glad it was helpful and that you could pick up new techniques! The palette is so handy, I love that you can wipe it away too. Thanks so much for watching and commenting 🧡

[@luisalimone4965]

Love it! Thank you for the tips. So helpful.

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks so much Luisa! ❤️

[@ViviGonzalezArt]

That was very helpful! I go to experiment with the tombows. I love the lighthouse ❤️ great video Katie!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you Viviana 🥰 I love the lighthouse one too!

[@KatieCosmoArt]

I've been waiting for a video like this, thank you! Those panels are gorgeous, I need to give this a go, I'm just so scared to get it wrong!

[@KatieMoody]

Aah I’m glad it’s helpful, Katie! And don’t worry if it goes ‘wrong’, that’s what sketchbooks are for 😊 just experiments not working out as we imagined rather than being ‘wrong’ ❤️

[@KatieCosmoArt]

@@KatieMoody I know, I really need to adopt this mindset more, I'm so set on making a sketchbook look noce when really I know that's not the point of one! I went to London over the weekend and got some neocolours and stabilo woodys from the graphic centre, so now I have no excuse not to start!

[@KatieCosmoArt]

Although now I need pan pastels 😂

[@EmmaDurrans]

So beautiful! My fave ones are the sunflower and lighthouse panels 🌻❤

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you Emma! I was so pleased the sunflowers turned out well, and you can never go wrong with a lighthouse! 😃

[@lesterbangs]

I know this video is older but I hope you see this. At around 5:16 you use a bright pink Luminance is there any chance you remember the colour? I'm really looking for a brighter pink for my collection. Thank you in advance and no worries if you cant remember.

[@KatieMoody]

Of course, no worries at all! it's the Anthraquinoid Pink 571 Luminance - one of my favourite shades! 😄

[@lesterbangs]

@@KatieMoody Oh thank you! Funny thing I just got a little order today from the art store (none near me sadly) and that was in it! I didn't think it would be bright that's amazing!!!! Thank you so much!

[@sincerelyceline]

I never heard of these techniques❤~ excited to try them out😮

[@KatieMoody]

Ooh I hope you have fun experimenting and trying them! 🥰

[@deeh9563]

SO helpful!!!

[@KatieMoody]

So glad! Thank you for watching! 🥰

[@marytesta3003]

Your video is wonderful. They are on sale at Michaels and had no idea how to use them. This is a nice travel idea. Have you used water brushes? Thank you for wonderful and clear instructions.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much, so glad you found it helpful! I have used water brushes before - I find them really helpful for when I'm drawing outside! They work really well for blending out the Tombows too but you just have to be careful not to put too much water on the page 😊

[@meixichen1514]

May I ask which colours you used for the little house with lot of trees behind on the upper right corner? Those greens feels so amazing! such wonderful colour sense!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much! I believe that's a mix of 158 and 126 for the greens, blended out with water! And I think a 992 neutral shade mixed in too 😊

[@jbc23]

Love your work and technique as an artist.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@lsobo3]

Katie, this was so helpful. Thank you for sharing. On one of your panels you used a very neutral pan pastel to push the hills more into the background. Was that pan pastel the yellow ochre shade?

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much Liz, so glad you enjoyed it! Ooh thank you for pointing this out, I forgot to add that colour in the materials list! It’s the 740.8 Burnt Sienna Tint, such a good neutral shade. I’ll update the description box too, thank you! 💕

[@UJB123]

Excellent! Thank you. Thank you. I have 2 blender pens, they drive me crazy. From watching you, my issue seems to be taking too long to blend. I have noticed the newer 5 pen kit comes with a water brush instead of the blender. Once again; thank you.

[@KatieMoody]

You're very welcome, thank you for watching and commenting! 😊 The Tombows dry really quickly (especially depending on your paper stock) so speed is key! Interesting about the water brush too! I guess that re-wets the pigment if it has dried which gives allows for a bit more time!

[@riverAmazonNZ]

Great ideas for waterbased markers. Most of of these can be done with Pitt pens too, which is what I use. The blender pen is new to me. I wonder if it would work with Pitt? I will have to try it. I usually use a water brush, which is convenient for plein air. A blender pen might be better when using thinner paper that can’t handle too much wet.

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you! 💕 I've not tried Pitt pens with it but I can imagine it would! It works on Ecolines so I reckon it'll work with most waterbased markers. The brush pen definitely applies less wetness than a water brush but I do find you have to work kind of quickly before the colour from the pen dries too much! It blends better before it's completely sunk into the paper 😊

[@carriekorb46]

Super helpful-thanks so much for sharing!

[@KatieMoody]

Thanks so much for watching! 😊

[@clairewilliams9416]

I’m going to give this a a go, I love landscapes, have tones of pictures I’ve taken, and my set of Tombows have been sitting gathering dust for far to long which is a shame considering how much they cost!

[@KatieMoody]

Have fun! I always have a billion pictures on my phone that I need to get around to drawing 😂 I do find I go in phases with art supplies, so maybe you'll enter your Tombow era soon 😅

[@charlottesmom]

Same, my whole set cost me a pretty penny when I bought them must be at least 8 years ago, they have mostly been sitting waiting to be used. I was mad at them and myself when I found out they are not lightfast so they sat. I’ve started an art journal now so I figure it’s time to drag them out and play. Are you having fun with yours?? 🎨

[@ginettegingras7081]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@KatieMoody]

A pleasure! Thank you for watching! 😊

[@gabriellaritaart]

Beautiful spread, thank you ❤

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much 😊🧡

[@MrAnperm]

Lovely work!

[@KatieMoody]

Thank you so much 😀

[@andreaverrill9593]

Do the pan pastels transfer to the next page when you close your sketchbook?

[@KatieMoody]

A little but not much! I've found the pastel becomes less intense over time but it's still there - it would need fixative if you want it to stay the exact same 🤗

[@garfield1935]

How do the brush pens cope with the royal talens sketchbook paper over time? I splashed out on some tobows but am scared to ruin them on the wrong/too rough paper!

[@KatieMoody]

If you layer over the brush strokes a lot the paper will start pilling, but generally I find the paper holds them well! I've used them on both sides of a page before and not had any issues, and the brush pens can hold up to a lot of pressure too! I definitely encourage a playful approach, you may be surprised by how much you can push them 😄

[@garfield1935]

@@KatieMoody ha ha I love that response, thanks Katie

[@rosedulywatercolourpencils]

Popping the colour onto palette / acetate ( any packaging ) then applying wet brush…excellent tip thanks

[@KatieMoody]

You’re welcome 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@charlottesmom]

I bought the whole set of Tombows years ago mostly because they are open stock at Blick, but then found out they are not lightfast. 😫 I will use them in my art journaling but I love them and to find they are pretty much useless for hanging art is annoying. I also use mine like you do putting them on my palette and using them like watercolors, you can get loads of color payoff for a few little lines on the palette. 🎨

[@KatieMoody]

Yes that's very true, great for sketchbook work but sadly not for hanging work or for commissions! I'm always amazed by the colour payoff with using them on a palette, it's amazing just how much pigment they hold! 😃

[@juststartingover2735]

I just got a small pack at Hobby Lobby to try them out. 10 pens including the blender pen for $14.99. They go on strong and react to water nicely BUT it is extremely difficult to blend two colors with water and almost as difficult with the blender pen that came in the packet. If you scribble a few lines of one color and then try to smooth the lines out, the lines do not completely disappear (not even close). So I am currently very disappointed in them.