What Do Viral Art Creators Like Devon Rodriguez and Drawholic Actually Use?
If you’ve ever found yourself mesmerized by a hyper-realistic portrait on TikTok or a flawlessly blended speed-drawing on YouTube, you know that talent is only half the story. To create content that stops the scroll, artists like Devon Rodriguez and Drawholic rely on a specific «arsenal» of professional supplies.
Here is a breakdown of the premium tools that dominate the world of viral art content:
1. Professional Grade Colored Pencils
Achieving skin textures and lifelike gradients requires pencils with high pigment loads.
- Prismacolor Premier: Famous for their soft, wax-based cores. They blend like butter, making them a staple for the smooth transitions seen in Drawholic’s work.
- Faber-Castell Polychromos: These are oil-based, meaning the lead is harder and holds a sharp point longer—perfect for the intricate details and fine lines Devon Rodriguez uses to bring his subjects to life.
2. High-End Alcohol Markers
Most creators use markers as a «base layer» to eliminate the white of the paper before adding colored pencil on top.
- Copic Markers: The undisputed industry leader. Their replaceable nibs and refillable ink make them a lifetime investment for professional illustrators.
- Ohuhu Markers: A viral favorite for creators on a budget who still want that «pro» look without the Copic price tag.
3. Toned Paper (The «Viral» Secret)
You’ll notice many influencers don’t draw on plain white paper.
- Strathmore Toned Tan / Toned Gray: Using mid-tone paper allows the artist to use white charcoal or gel pens to make highlights literally «pop» off the page. This creates a 3D effect that looks incredible on camera.
4. The «Magic» Finishing Tools
That tiny white glint in an eye or the sharp highlight on a lip is usually achieved with:
- Sakura Gelly Roll (White): The go-to gel pen for adding sharp, opaque highlights at the very end of a piece.
- Electric Erasers: Brands like Derwent or Tenwin allow artists to «carve» highlights back into a drawing with surgical precision—something a standard eraser just can’t do.
5. Content Creation Gear (The Invisible Supplies)
In the world of social media, the lighting is just as important as the graphite.
- Overhead Camera Mounts: These allow for that iconic «top-down» view of the drawing process without the tripod getting in the way.
- High-CRI LED Lighting: Professional artists use lights that don’t distort colors, ensuring that what they see on their desk is exactly what their followers see on their screens.
Pro Tip: While top-tier supplies certainly help, the most important «supplement» is consistency. Most viral artists started with basic tools and upgraded their kits as their community grew.