tools of the trade, etc.
Last updated: 6 April 2026
Website
Built with 11ty. More details in the Colophon.
Computers
Hardware
- PC (built 2022) — I use this primarily for gaming
- Case: Cooler Master NR200P
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
- Motherboard: Asus STRIX 550-I
- GPU: Radeon RX 570
- PSU: Corsair SF600
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB
- Storage: 256GB + 1TB SSD
- Note: this is, unfortunately, a pretty mediocre PC for gaming.
- Laptop: MacBook Air M2 (purchased 2022)
- Laptop stand: Twelve South BookArc
- Monitors: two LG 27" 4K monitors (27UP650-W)
- Keyboard: Ergodox EZ with KAT Drifter keycaps
- Mouse: Logitech Lift
- Gaming mouse: Logitech G203 (wired)
- Headphones: Massdrop × Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
- Mic: Blue Yeti (mounted on an arm to my left)
- Webcam: Razer Kiyo
- USB switcher: UGREEN switcher
- This connects four peripherals: keyboard, mouse, mic, and webcam. These are shared between my PC and Mac setups.
- Speakers (not pictured): something very cheap
- Desk: Progressive Desk Solo Ryzer (tabletop: 60"×30" / 152.4cm × 76.2cm)
- Two-Sided Vegan Leather Desk Mat, also from Progressive Desk
- Further context: Weeknotes 32
Software
- Web browser: Firefox
- Text editor: Sublime Text
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Figma
- Knowledge management: a cursed combination of Notion, Obsidian, iOS Notes, my digital garden, and a physical commonplace notebook.
- RSS reader: NetNewsWire
Art
Pens
I’ve used many different pens over the years. Here’s a current list of what I bring around with me (April 2026):
- Muji 0.38 Gel Ink Pen. If I had to use one pen, this would be it. I also have the 0.5 version.
- Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (hard + soft tip)
- Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens — cold grey brush pens (I 230, III 232, VI 235)
- Sakura Pigma Micron 005 (0.2mm)
- Pentel Pocket Brush Pen
Markers
- ShinHan Touch Twin Markers
Pencils
I rarely use pencil these days, though I have:
- Random 0.5 mechanical pencils — they are interchangeable to me
- Faber-Castell graphite pencils (2B, 5B, 6B, 6H)
Sketchbooks
- Leuchtturm1917 (A5 size)
- 120g notebook (current as of April 2026)
- regular notebook — ink bleeds through, so generally not as good for artwork
- Hemlock & Oak sketchbook
- Further reading: the notebooks entry in my digital garden
Digital art
- iPad Pro 12.9in (3rd gen) + Apple Pencil 2nd gen
- Procreate — I use the default brushes that come with the app
- Heavypaint
- Clip Studio Paint on Windows
- Webbypaint, occasionally, with my mouse
I’ve edited some of my sketches in my physical notebooks to give them a cleaner, scanned look. I don’t own a scanner; instead I take a photo with my phone and clean it up in Photoshop by adjusting the levels.
Journaling/stationery
As of 2026, I’m using:
- Hobonichi Weeks — daily planner and journaling
- Traveler’s Notebook (passport size)
- Free Diary 007 (Weekly) insert for memory keeping about my creative work
- a truly absurd collection of stickers and washi tape from various stationery stores
- Commonplace notebook: an A6 notebook from Muji
- Further reading: Hobonichi Layouts
Photography
- Fuji X-T20
- 27mm f/2.8 (i.e. the pancake)
- 35mm f/1.4
- Recipe: by Herzawg
- Canon AE-1 Program (film)
- Nikon Lite Touch Zoom 105 AF (film)
- Kodak Ektar H35 half frame (film)
- Editing: Lightroom, VSCO (for iOS)
Other
- Phone: iPhone 13 Mini, aka the superior smol phone
If you’re curious about something I haven’t mentioned, feel free to shoot me a message or email!