SKETCHING & DRAWING

I mostly create my art digitally so this list is pretty simple.

Pens & Pencils

• Bando Compliment Pencil Set | Great for sketching and super cute with empowering messages.

• Uni-Posca Paint Marker Pen | Can be used on different surfaces.

• Sakura Gelly Roll Pens | Roller ball pens that are smooth and don’t bleed through most papers.

• Tombow Brush Pens | Good for calligraphy.

Erasers & Ruler

• Faber-Castell Kneaded Erasers | I like them better than rubber erasers because they pick pigment off paper without leaving "crumbs."

• Westcott Stainless Steel Office Ruler | For drawing guides.

Sketchbooks

• Baron Fig Hardcover Notebook | High quality sketchbook. It has a dot grid option which is super helpful when you start lettering.

• Moleskine Cahier Journal | For quick sketches. Good for people who have fear of “ruining” expensive sketchbooks like myself.

DIGITAL LETTERING

• Apple iPad Air (10.5-Inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) | I used this all the time. I prefer the smaller size because it is easier to carry around.

• Apple Pencil | Essential for digital lettering.

• UPPERCASE NimbleGrip Premium Silicone Ergonomic Grip Holder | Reduce fingers’ pain when you hold the pen for too long.

• Screen Protector | Matted finish and gives you the feel that you draw on actual paper rather than on the glass surface.

• Epson SureColor P600 Inkjet Printer | Vivid colors for posters printing.

BOOKS

Hand-lettering Books

• The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flor | Comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guide to hand lettering. Essential if you’re new to lettering. 

• In Progress by Jessica Hische | Best process lettering book in my opinion. Very well-written.

• Graphique de la Rue: The Signs of Paris by Louise Fili | Good source of inspiration. It features hundreds of Paris’ signage.

• Shadow Type: Classic Three-Dimensional Lettering by Louise Fili | Beautiful reference book for shadow and 3d type.

• Slab Serif Type: A Century of Bold Letterforms | For serif lovers.

• House Industries: The Process Is the Inspiration | Helpful lessons, stories, and case studies that show how to transform curiosity into successful work. 

Creative Marketing Books

• Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines | We all need this book to price properly.

• Show Your Work by Austin Kleon | I love all of Austin's books. A very easy read with bite-size wisdoms on how you can share your creativity.

• Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon | Learn how to copy the right way.

• Find Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon |  Interviews with a diverse group of artists on how they found their artistic voice.

• This Is Marketing by Seth Godin | eBook | A good read on how to create and bring products you care about to people like you. 

Self-Development

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson | Print | eBook | Audiobook | I definitely learned how to choose my fucks wisely after reading this.

• Daring Greatly by Brene Brown | Print | eBook | Audiobook | This book changed the way I see vulnerability and love. 

• How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie | Print | eBook | Audiobook | This book helped me with understanding how to communicate with people more effectively. 

• The 12 Weeks Year by Brian P. Moran and‎ Michael Lennington | Print | eBook | Audiobook | This book changed how I plan my goals.

PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENTS

Cameras & Lenses

• Sony Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Camera: Body | Lightweight and the color is just incredible.

• Sony 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens | Good for working in low-light and creating images with shallow depth of field.

• Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens | Versatile 27-157.5mm zoom range and has a constant f/4 aperture for consistency through all focal lengths. A great choice for both stills and video.

Lighting

• Neewer Softbox Lighting Kit | Professional results on a budget. Light-weight and provide great lighting.

• Neewer Ring Light Kit | Great light source for portraits and videos.

Tripods

• ZOMEI Camera Tripod | Good for overhead photos/ videos. I tried other cheaper tripods but finally invested in this one. It is the most sturdy and versatile unit: hundreds of different positions. More on the expensive side but worth it. You don’t want to mount your expensive camera on a cheap tripod and it would fall over.

• Fotopro Flexible Tripod | Amazing tripod for phones, lightweight and versatile with flexible grippy legs.

• Benks Phone Holder | I use this to record my art process videos. Affordable and very stable. 

Photo Accessories

• CamKix Camera Shutter Remote Control | Super easy to pair with phones and tablets. I use this all the time to take photos/ videos when I have to do it myself. It’s a time saver.

• Foto&Tech IR Wireless Remote Control (Compatible with Sony) | Handy when you have to take photos yourself.

Background

• Art Paper, 4-Feet by 50-Feet, White | Pink | Light Blue | Black | Grey | Yellow | Red | Green | I use these instead of the professional photo backdrops. They work great and at a good price too.

• Emart - 10Ft Adjustable Background Stand | I use it with the art paper so I don’t have to tape it to the wall. Sturdy enough for the price.

• Elmer's Foam Board | I use these for reflecting the light and background. 

APPS

Photo Editing

• VSCO | Essential app for editing photos. Pretty much like Photoshop on your phone.

• ColorStory | Great photo filters.

• B612 | Cute filters for photos & videos. Make your skin extra smooth.

Video Editing

• InShot | FREE photo editing app.

• Hyperlapse | For recording time-lapse.

IG Stories

• Unfold | Create beautiful IG stories with minimal templates.

• Canva | More options with custom layouts.

Others

• Time Out | Mac app. Remind you to take breaks. I installed it on my desktop so I actually stop and rest. The app dims your screen when it’s time.

Tasks Management

• Trello | FREE. List-making application that can be used both on your phone and desktop.

• Google Calendar | I use this instead of a planner.

MERCHS

• Printful | Custom design products where I make my apparels and mugs.

• Stickerapp | High quality stickers.

ONLINE CLASSES

• Skillshare | I started learning lettering here. Get 2 FREE MONTHS here.