Looking for tips on pencils/markers to use for drawing Mind Maps

FrankGrimes

I've recently started a study course and have decided to try out using Mind Maps as a study aid and have found them useful so far but they're basically just scrawls in black ink at the moment.

Ideally, Mind Maps should be bright and colourful with lots of drawings to symbolize the meaning (e.g. a light bulb for 'innovation') and to make it easier to remember. I'm someone who up until now has always thought 'I can't draw' but I'm going to challenge myself on that and give it a shot to see if I can do drawings that would improve my mind maps (any tips on beginner's guide to drawing are much appreciated ).

I've been drawing my mind maps in pencils and black pens to-date but want to get a set of pens/pencils/markers in a nice range of vibrant colour that are well suited to sketching in colour on normal A4 paper. I'll probably end up just picking a pack up in Easons or Reads but before doing that I thought I'd chance a post on here to see if there are any particular pencils/pens/markers that the artistes on here generally use for this kind of thing that might not be obvious to newbies like myself walking into those shops. Thanks for any advice.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

FrankGrimes wrote: »

I've recently started a study course and have decided to try out using Mind Maps as a study aid and have found them useful so far but they're basically just scrawls in black ink at the moment.

Ideally, Mind Maps should be bright and colourful with lots of drawings to symbolize the meaning (e.g. a light bulb for 'innovation') and to make it easier to remember. I'm someone who up until now has always thought 'I can't draw' but I'm going to challenge myself on that and give it a shot to see if I can do drawings that would improve my mind maps (any tips on beginner's guide to drawing are much appreciated ).

I've been drawing my mind maps in pencils and black pens to-date but want to get a set of pens/pencils/markers in a nice range of vibrant colour that are well suited to sketching in colour on normal A4 paper. I'll probably end up just picking a pack up in Easons or Reads but before doing that I thought I'd chance a post on here to see if there are any particular pencils/pens/markers that the artistes on here generally use for this kind of thing that might not be obvious to newbies like myself walking into those shops. Thanks for any advice.

Not able to help with the pens (not my medium) but an excellent book for the beginner's guide to drawing would be Betty Edwards' "Drawing on the Right side of the Brain". Also, spend as much time as you can looking at things as well as drawing.

FrankGrimes

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Not able to help with the pens (not my medium) but an excellent book for the beginner's guide to drawing would be Betty Edwards' "Drawing on the Right side of the Brain". Also, spend as much time as you can looking at things as well as drawing.

Thanks for that, have ordered that book and will try it out.

Surprised none of the 40-odd people that viewed this thread have any opinions on recommending pencils/pens/markers for sketching in colour on paper. Guess I'll just go with whatever's on the shelf in Easons/Reads.

Tiriel

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Thanks for that, have ordered that book and will try it out.

Surprised none of the 40-odd people that viewed this thread have any opinions on recommending pencils/pens/markers for sketching in colour on paper. Guess I'll just go with whatever's on the shelf in Easons/Reads.

I read the thread but to be honest I don't see why you need any particular type of marker/pen. You need to focus on the course work and stop looking for other things to occupy your mind!

Mind maps are excellent - I often used them when in college. Just keep them clear and consise, use bold strong colours - keep it simple!

Don't over clutter it with long sentences etc. Use large sheets of paper and permanent markers if you have the space to do that.. otherwise just use an A4 pad and some normal markers, maybe set certain colours for certain themes to help you learn.

Best of luck and don't be annoyed that people didn't reply - it happens but people don't mean to upset you.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Thanks for that, have ordered that book and will try it out.

Surprised none of the 40-odd people that viewed this thread have any opinions on recommending pencils/pens/markers for sketching in colour on paper. Guess I'll just go with whatever's on the shelf in Easons/Reads.

Go to one of the art shops - Kennedy's on Harcourt street or Sullivan's on Camden street - and tell them what you need. They might have better advice than Eason's/Read's.

FrankGrimes

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Go to one of the art shops - Kennedy's on Harcourt street or Sullivan's on Camden street - and tell them what you need. They might have better advice than Eason's/Read's.

Thanks for that, will drop into them.

tony koay

what is mind map?

mahamageehad

tony koay wrote: »

what is mind map?

Not something you want to know about at this hour!! Haha

Esel

I find the Bic four colour biro great for that. You'll always have it with you, whereas if you buy a set of markers or pencils...... Also, the Bic is a one-handed change, and instant.

Esel

tony koay wrote: »

what is mind map?

It's a thing you can find on Google.....

ztoical

esel wrote: »

I find the Bic four colour biro great for that. You'll always have it with you, whereas if you buy a set of markers or pencils...... Also, the Bic is a one-handed change, and instant.

Just remember the ink in brios has acid in it and isn't archival.

OP go to A4 art supply up by NCAD and check out their range of Copic/Deleter pens and brush pens.

FrankGrimes

ztoical - big thanks for that. Those markers look exactly like the kind of thing I had in mind so I'll try pop into that shop and have a look.

The drawing book arrived yesterday and seems pretty intriguing so far. Will pick up a few pencils to practice the drawing exercises in the book (I'm starting from a pretty low base ) and it already seems like a nice thing to play around with on study breaks etc. so we'll see how it goes.

netanyahu

i absolutely SWEAR by these markers love them so much, the pigment is really strong, there is a great range of colour and there is a spectrum within each main colour which works great for doing sub headings etc -


They are pentel marker sets, i'm not sure where you get them in Dublin, (I got them at an art sale in our college) but seriously come recommended.

hoodie6029

i never used anything too fancy for mind mapping. tested loads of markers and found staedtler markers the best and reasonably priced. saw them in tk maxx in stephen's green recently. used a manuscript handwriting pen for the words originally, haven't seen them anywhere in years tho... just use a staedtler now. Used A4, A3 and A4 paper, again nothing fancy.

don't use ball points,they're too fine to stand out.

hope this helps

padraigggg

staedtler markers <--the best

Mark Santos

I realize this might sound ridiculous, but Donald Duck brand pencils have always given me the best shading

Caros

Don't think you could go wrong with Copic markers or Promarkers. Both of these are available in a huge range of colours and I know Cork Art Supplies have both in stock.

Off now to google mind maps!!