Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Tokyo; President: Akihiro Ogawa) will release 4 Japanese themed sets of markers, each with 6 colors chosen from among the 108 colors of the water-based marker “Dual Brush Pen ABT” plus a water brush, for illustration enthusiasts. The series names are “Flower, Bird, Wind & Moon”. Each set is 1,980 JPY (1,800 JPY excluding tax) and will be on sale from November 20th* at stationery stores and stationery corners nationwide.This is a limited quantity product. * Please contact your local stationery store for detailed release dates as they will be introduced to stores sequentially.
There are 4 sets in total, with motifs of “flower” (top right photo), “bird”, “wind” and “moon” created by popular illustrators Himegami Kawori, Karin, Ashiya Maki, and Natsume Lemon. These are offered with newly drawn illustrations, mini leaflets with coloring guides and newly drawn monochrome sketches.
The mini-leaflet provides detailed instructions with photos on how to mix the six ABT colors, blend the colors and coloring procedures. In addition, a two-dimensional code was posted that links to an explanation video so you can experience the techniques and world view of each artist as if you were receiving instructions directly. (Photo is a mini leaflet for “Wind”)
The world of “flower,” “bird,” “wind,” and “moon” chosen by our favorite authors!
Flower
Himegami Kawori
Illustrator. Her work is characterized by jewel-like colors and gorgeous costume designs. Main achievements: Smartphone PR illustration drawing/marker set supervision/co-authored publication, etc.
X（Twitter）：@himegamik
Instagram：@himegamik
Commentary video: [Commentary on coloring] Himegami Kawori ABT 6 color illustration set “Flower”
Bird
Karin
Illustrator. She creates works mainly using analog art materials and has also published how-to books. She is active in a wide range of activities, including participating in exhibitions and illustrating books.
X（Twitter）：@11karin23
Instagram：@11karin23
Commentary video: [Coloring commentary] Karin ABT 6-color illustration set “Bird”
Wind
Ashiya Maki
Illustrator/painter. She is also active as an online class and vocational school instructor. She carefully depicts light and temperature and has a reputation for her delicate and transparent beauty.
X（Twitter）：@a0z0o0
Instagram：@p0azo0q
Commentary video: [Coloring commentary] Ashiya Maki ABT 6-color illustration set “Wind”
Moon
Natsume Lemon
Illustrator and vocational school instructor. She works with both analog and digital art materials, mainly using transparent watercolors and color inks. She mainly draws aesthetic women.
X（Twitter）：@Natsume_Lemon0
Instagram：@natsume_lemon0
Commentary video: [Coloring commentary] Natsume Lemon ABT 6-color illustration set “Moon”
ABT6C Flower, Bird, Wind and Moon Water Brush Set
| Release date | November 20, 2023 ＜Limited quantity＞ |
| Suggested retail price | 1,980 JPY including tax (1,800 JPY excluding tax) |
| Contents | 6 dual brush ABT pens |
| 1 water brush (medium brush) | |
| Original color illustration print(instruction booklet cover) | |
| Coloring sheet (line drawing) | |
| Coloring instruction manual | |
| Transparent PE case with zipper | |
| Product size | Width 145mm× Depth 15mm× Height 260mm |
<About the water-based marker dual brush pen “ABT”>
“ABT” is a twin pen equipped with two tips, a brush tip and a fine tip, released simultaneously in Japan, the United States and Europe in 1984. It is used by artists and graphic designers around the world. The brush tip is nylon fiber that does not easily lose shape, and can dynamically express rhythm and intonation like a brush. The fine tip is polyester that can stably draw ultra-fine 0.8 mm lines and is suitable for expressions and writing when you want to make use of highlights and edge feeling. Ink is water-based dye that develops vivid colors and allows an expanded range of expression by mixing or blurring colors. Currently 108 colors are available.
IIn recent years, the art boom posting of hand lettering and illustration works on interactive SNS sites such as Instagram has become popular worldwide. In addition the number of artists who “color everyday life” is rapidly increasing in the new “Corona pandemic” lifestyle. The number of ABT users is ever growing as influencers and others recommend various ways of expressions by ABT.
■ABT Special Site: https://www.tombow.com/sp/abt/
Tombow Pencil’s Art Promotion Activities
Tombow Pencil started “FUN ART STUDIO” in 2018, a platform to disseminate information to make art more accessible. Artist content is posted daily. The Instagram site currently has 70,000 followers. A website was created in 2019. A wealth of hand-colored works such as hand lettering and illustrations using the ABT dual brush pen ABT are posted and information on familiar hand colored art such as coloring processes and points, recommended tools, etc. is posted.
■FUN ART STUDIO
・WEB : https://tombow-funart.com
・Instagram: @tombow_art_official (https://www.instagram.com/tombow_art_official)
