Tag Archives: art supplies

Pen+Gear Sketchbooks: Not All Are Winners

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Joe

I’ve been working on notions of what the final scenes of my Teenage Beast story will be like, sketching ideas in my Pen+Gear Sketch Diary. As I have written before, that sketchbook is a gem as far as price and … Continue reading →

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The Frugal Review • The Pen+Gear Sketch Diary

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Joe_Williams

When my wife and co-host of this fabulous site, Tina, calls about a cheap sketchbook she’s found at a big box store, I’ve learned not to question her. I just say, “Buy it!” She’s got a knack for spotting art … Continue reading →

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A Doodle Tuesday Miscellany

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Joe_Williams

I used to work in art supply stores, and what I sorely miss — probably the only thing I miss of that experience — is the art supplies. I still love them and it’s hard to pry me free from … Continue reading →

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Strathmore 200 Sketchbook

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Joe

April 23, 2024 to December 31, 2024 I put another small sketchbook to rest just before the start of the new year. This one was a Strathmore 200 Mixed Media pad which measures 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches and has … Continue reading →

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I Want a New Toy!

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Joe

…and I got some new toys! First up is the Sailor Fude de Mannen which is a fabulous fountain pen made in Japan. I think it was meant to be a calligraphy pen, but it works great for drawing. You … Continue reading →

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HALF THE PRESSURE, TWICE THE SPEED

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Joe

Decades ago, I had picked up my first Blackwing 602 pencil and loved the feel of the pencil and its rich black lead. It was made by the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company and was enjoyed as the weapon of choice … Continue reading →

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Artists’ Corner

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Joe

This was a little cartoon I did when I worked at Taws which was an art supply store located in Center City Philadelphia. This was for a short-lived newsletter published by the store called 100% Rag. I thought I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Illustration, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments