What tools do you use?

[doodleboy]

I think it would be good to start a discussion about the tools you use to make your artwork/what you think works better for what tasks.

I'm using Photoshop 6.01 for editing raster, but I use Illustrator CS2 for vector. I know.. You all must think I'm a little cheap for still using PS 6, well, I am cheap. Another thing to note is that the Photoshop I'm using is registered to a school, and I'm using the education version of Illustrator, which costs considerably less then it normally does (about a 90 bucks without shipping). I really don't have much use for the newer features in later versions of PS, except for layer masks, which have slightly more advanced editing (and pasting into the mask, that's kinda useful).

As far as analog tools go, I use whatever I can my hands on, (dollar store sketchbooks, etc.) I do have a G-pen and hopefully I can raise enough funds to get a Maru size nib, too. I also occasional use watercolors, but my skill is lacking. The one thing I've never been sure on is Microns. The Sakura "Pigma" pens just die so fast, I'm not really sure what I should be using. There are some other pens people say are good, but there seems to be people who think Sakura is better and wont use anything else, and other people who'll only use their preferred brand (like Staedtler), but I'm just looking to get reliability from a pen that also dispenses india ink.

I really want to see people using this forum more, Airwalking Studios was so great back in the day.

[theanimaster]

I used to use Painter for lineart and Photoshop for colouring, but my techniques' changed since then.

Now I use Photoshop for quick sketching, and Adobe Illustrator for lineart and colouring. I try not to go back to Photoshop for additional effects after the colouring in Illustrator (because I'd have to rasterise the vectors), but I could if I wanted to.

Lately though it's been taking me ages for all its worth... I might just go back to using Painter and Photoshop (or just Photoshop) for "quickies".
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