Tombow Collective and sketching daily

Last year I was one of 10 artists in the UK chosen to be part of the Tombow Collective. I couldn’t believe they had chosen me to be a part of their team to show the world how wonderful their markers are for drawing and sketchbook practice. I was given batches of materials to try out, demonstrate and share which was perfect as I use their brush pens over any one else’s markers, any day.

I never used to sketch regularly. I used to think sketching was for those that were blessed with lots of free time and rich parents/partners. An artist friend of mine clearly stated, "you are not a REAl artist if you do not sketch daily.” Ouch. At the time I was single parenting a toddler and was unable to cram my own pencils and sketchbooks into my pockets along with snacks, wipes, more snacks, more wipes, a small favourite toy and more snacks.

Now that she is older, and incidentally, so am I, I take her with me to cafes and we sketch together. It is one of my favourite things to do.

It was a treat for us both when the Tombow pens arrived, along with neon pencils and papers. We would test them out, choosing new combinations to draw our hot chocolates and cakes.

I have noticed that now that I have been sketching regulary over the past 10 years, my digital illustration has become much easier to make. I don’t need to mull it over in my head how to draw someone sitting, running, leaning over to chat to a friend at a table. After years of drawing food, conversations, cups of coffee and people’s fashion styles (that’s what my daughter calls it) I can draw these things digitally with ease. So yes, a daily sketch practice IS important.

Thank you Tombow for letting me be a part of the team. I really loved that.