NEULAND FAN: Esther Springett
As a live illustrator and facilitator, my job is to listen, think fast and capture conversations visually in real time. Whether I’m at a strategy session, leadership conference or public event, I need tools I can rely on that work intuitively and keep up with the pace of the room. Over the years, I’ve tried and tested many supplies, but now I keep coming back to one place: Inky Thinking Shop UK.
Image: Esther Sketches - Live Illustrating for Curating for Change at Imperial War Museum
Here’s a peek into my go-to kit and why Inky Shop UK continues to be my trusted supplier for all things graphic recording.
I'm a big fan of Neuland markers, and Inky Shop stock exactly what I need. For most of my live scribing, I rely on the Neuland No.One® Art Brush for expressive line work and lettering. It gives me the perfect combination of control and fluidity. To add fast, vibrant colour and shading, I reach for the Neuland BigOne® Art Brush - it covers space quickly and brings energy to the page. When I want structure or bold contrast, the Neuland No.One® wedge nib is my weapon of choice.
These chunky markers are not only comfortable to hold, but they also give me speed, variety, and visual impact - essential when working live.
Image: Esther Sketches - range of Neuland BigOne® Wedge & Art Brush refillable markers
I can’t praise the V3 paper enough. It’s large enough to allow big thinking and bold ideas to unfold, but not so large that it becomes unmanageable. Most importantly, the surface is beautifully smooth and the pens glide effortlessly, which is a game-changer when you’re drawing live and need materials that don’t slow you down.
Let’s talk about the humble paper cutter. I’ll be honest, I’ve never been someone who can cut a straight line. Having a solid, easy-to-use paper cutter in my kit helps me keep things tidy and professional, especially when prepping paper in advance or trimming them after an event.
One of the things I value most about the Neuland markers (and why I continue buying through Inky Thinking) is their refillability. I don’t need to throw anything away. Just top up the ink and swap out the nibs when needed. It feels good to be investing in kit that’s built to last and better for the planet. It also means I can spend less time reordering and more time drawing.
My most recent purchase was a set of gorgeous spring coloured brush pens which I’ve been having lots of fun with! I’m like a kid in a sweet shop when it comes to my pens! It’s always tempting to use every single one! But in the end, I manage to show some restraint and I create a bespoke colour palette tailored to each of my clients.
Inky Thinking are a team that understands the world of facilitation and visual thinking. I’ve got some of their workshop resources, like the visual postcards, which make brilliant non-icky ice breakers. Whether I’m running a session or supporting someone else’s, these tools help create instant engagement and spark creativity in the room.
In short, Inky Thinking just gets it. They’ve curated a collection of tools that support the visual and human-centred work I do. Everything feels thoughtfully chosen and built for practitioners like me.
If you’re a graphic recorder, facilitator or anyone who thinks with pens, I can’t recommend Inky Shop UK enough. Their products help me do my best work.
Image: Esther Sketches - Graphic Recording for University of York
About Esther
Esther Springett is a live event illustrator, infographic artist and facilitator based in the South of England. With a focus on person-centred facilitation, visioning, strategy, and planning, she collaborates with individuals, teams, organisations, businesses and corporate clients both nationally and internationally. Her client portfolio includes institutions such as the University of Oxford and the London College of Communication, as well as global companies like ABB and RingCentral.
Website: https://www.esthersketches.com/
Instagram: @Esther.Sketches
