Another year full of drawing, sketchbooks, and experiments flew by, and in between celebrations and planning for the year ahead, it’s nice to look back. Especially when it’s about art materials 🙂

Out of curiosity, I also went back to last year’s post, and while I thought that, perhaps, things wouldn’t have changed that much, I was surprised to notice some big shifts.

My favourite materials of 2025:

1. Markers.
Last year markers/brush pens were merely a footnote, a material almost hidden as a subtle base layer, or for chunky experiments.
I did a 180 there.
At the moment, markers are part of my daily practice. They have been a game-changer in several aspects of my life and work. I couldn’t imagine not using them now. They are the first materials I grab during live calls, and I always have a few in my daily bag or any travel bag.
In my sketchbooks, I’ve been using Tombow and Ecoline brush pens mostly, and for my DOGvision illustrations, I rely heavily on the Copic alcohol markers.
Why I love them: they dry fast, no mixing colours, quick to colour in shapes, layering, easy to take everywhere, nice to create small colour palettes. I also got a few alcohol markers specifically to test during freezing winter days here up north.

2. Tiny sketchbook.
This spring my mission was to draw more (more in this blog). Almost by chance, I discovered how a tiny Art Creation sketchbook fitted right into that plan. Until the extremely rainy autumn season hit the Nordics, I’ve been carrying this sketchbook everywhere.
Why I love it: it’s small, off-white paper, good enough paper, hardcover, and budget-friendly.

3. Art graf.
Yup, this one remains.
I also got the Art Graf putty, which works great to fill your own pots- I filled up a small make-up container so I could easily take it in my daily (dog walking) bag.
Why I love it: water-soluble, expressive marks and textures.

4. Neocolor 2.
I’m happy that these remain. I love them combined with acrylic paint or gouache. I’ve been creating seasonal palettes in the small tins from the limited editions.
What I like about neocolors: they draw over almost everything, nice colours, smooth, water-soluble, expressive.

5. Acrylic paint (and acrylic gouache).
In the past year, more paint found its way onto canvas and into my sketchbook. It’s also one of the base materials of the series of zines that I’m working on. I did notice, however, that paint seems to work best for me when I have the time to work slowly.

6. Gouache.
This one is also returning, although I used it slightly less than last year-> mostly because of the markers taking over.
Why I love gouache: it’s matte, it can be used transparently as well as opaque. It’s nice to use with Neocolors and/or pencils. It’s water-soluble, so no waste.

7. Ipad + Procreate.
Ok, this is probably the most unexpected one. Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I’m a stubborn dinosaur who gets frustrated with slippery apple pencils, batteries that need charging, materials without real texture or scent, and all that annoying stuff.
In the last year, I’ve been exploring ways to draw digitally or combine analog and digital techniques, and really took my time to develop my work. I still feel like a complete beginner with lots to learn, but I did finish several digital commissions.
Why I love the iPad + Procreate: I can draw wherever and whenever. I’ve been working while traveling, on the road, during dark and rainy days, … I don’t need to drag around a suitcase of art materials.

8. Pencils.
A nice basic.
I’m mostly using Luminance, but I got some from Holbein too as a gift all the way from the UK, and I love them.
For most of the year, I’ve been arranging my pencils in light-medium-dark pots, but since autumn, I’ve created autumn and winter palettes. The others are within reach if I want to, but limited supplies can make life easier. The small stumps found a permanent home in a small pocket in my daily bag.

9. Faber-Castell gelatos.
During the art retreat in Portugal, I got the chance to test TJ’s gelatos. I saw her use them in beautiful sketches before, was convinced I wouldn’t need them, but I was curious anyway.
Oh damn!
I loved them right away, but of course, this product was discontinued a while ago and is almost impossible to buy, especially the set that TJ had (translucent). So while the colours that I loved the most weren’t available, I was able to get the last 2 sets from a shop here in Sweden 🙂
Why I love them: they smudge like pastels but without the dust. Easy to take along in my daily bag, water-soluble (but I mostly use them like pastels), nice to layer with pencils.

Materials I didn’t use enough -in my opinion.

1. Printmaking ink.
The main/only reason is that printmaking isn’t easy to use for commissions. It takes a lot of time to create, dry, clean, etc.  Therefore, I felt like I had very little choice but to put more energy into working with different materials.

2. Oil paint.
I love oil paint, but I still have the old/original version, meaning it has more fumes than the new water-soluble paints. I don’t want to throw out all the precious paint, but living up north, I also have rather limited times of the year when it’s comfortable enough to work with the windows open. It feels like it’s either boiling hot + mosquitoes or freezing your butt off cold.

3. Ink.
For next year, I’d like to explore inks more. I’m very inspired by Frances Ives and her translucent worlds that emerge from lively layers of inks (and lots of other materials).

Did you have any favorites this past year? Perhaps an unexpected one?
Something I should try? Let me know!

See you next year!