Ghibli inspired Norwegian animator Eeurekaa’s 6 Stationery Essentials
Meet Erica Hodne, the Animator behind the Instagram-account Eeurekaa.
As an animator and storyteller, she specializes in capturing emotions hard to express with words, and most often felt in the quiet woods as the sun sets, or in the hazy morning moonlight by a fishing dock. With her inspiration pulled from folktales and contemporary issues, with juicy strokes and grounded palettes, there is no wonder her work feels like a Scandinavian twist on Studio Ghibli.
She is currently on an art retreat in the North of Norway, and while she shapes her craft with stationery and tablets indoors at her desk, the inspiration is collected from history, legends and the environment. Erica was kind enough to share her essential stationery whether it’s sketching the sharp mountains of the fjords, collecting folk-tales from the locals or drafting her frames at home.
Meet Eeurekaa
- Name: Erica Hodne / Eeurekaa
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eeurekaa
- About: Animator & Artist / Dark Fairy-tale, folkloric surrealism
- Style: Nature and people, Environmentalism, Folklore and fairy-tales
Eeurekaa’s Top 10 Stationery Picks
1. HOBONICHI TECHO (The Planner)
How I use it:
It's the first year I have used this planner, I had heard so many good things about it previously so I just had to try it out for myself. And I am so happy I did. I use it mainly to do a daily sketch, the layout of the calendar is perfect for exactly that. It also has plenty of room for random notes and ideas if I ever feel the need to draw or sketch more for the day.
Why it’s special:
“This world famous planner is courtesy of Shigesato Itoi, renowned writer, game designer and planner company owner.”
2. Blackwing Pencils (The Pencil combo (Natural & 602))
How I use it:
I absolutely love these pencils, I bring them everywhere.I find they have the perfect balance between softness and the ability to make precise lines for my use. I use them mainly for sketching so the very practical attached eraser always comes in good use.
Why it’s special:
“Blackwing pencils have been a cult object since the 1930’s America till its revival in 2007. ”
3. Agenzio Paperchase (The Sketchbook)
How I use it:
This guy has been with me for five years and is almost all finished. It was a random book I bought on a trip since I needed something to write ideas in. And I have loved it ever since, it never leaves my side. I use it for everything from sketching to writing ideas to scheduling. The soft cover makes it very easy to fit into most bags, and it has a very convenient pocket in the back where I can put small souvenirs I find along the way.
Why it’s special:
“The 5 years of use clearly shows as this paperchase looks far more storied than the fresh ones in stores. Sometimes a book lives up to its cover.”
4. Jaeques Herbin Brush (The Watercolor Brush)
How I use it:
As a watercolour lover a waterbrush is always in my pencil case. This particular one I spent way too much money on, which is not necessary, they can be really cheap. It is such a great tool for people who enjoy painting on the go, since you only need this and paint.
Eeurekaa's comment:
“ZenPop has a great selection of more affordable watercolor brushes with Japanese Quality. You can find them here.”
5. Viarco's Artgraf Watercolor Graphite (The graphite)
How I use it:
I discovered this beautiful tool about two years ago and fell in love instantly. I am a big pencil user, so to find water based graphite really changed the game for me. When in use it has this beautiful sparkle to it, which I just love in my sketchbook. It is also in this very cute little tin can which fulfills so many things in my trinket loving heart
Why it’s special:
“Watercolor has limitless potential!”
6. PILOT G-TEC-C4 PEN (The pen)
How I use it:
This is my go-to pen. I don't know how many I have been through at this point, but it works so perfectly for notes and quick sketches and everything I need. It has a very thin, precise tip which I love. I use it mostly to write but also to make simple sketches.
Why it’s special:
“This is the black one but it also comes in other colors.”
Reflections from Eeurekaa’s Desk
Looking across Eeurekaa’s tools, a clear thread appears: mobility, storytelling, and observation. Her stationery choices are not about elaborate setups, but about tools that travel easily between the desk and the outdoors—whether sketching quiet fjords, capturing fleeting ideas, or shaping scenes inspired by folklore and nature.
From the dependable Hobonichi Techo used for daily sketches to pencils and watercolor tools that fit neatly into a bag, each item supports a creative practice that moves fluidly between inspiration and execution. For Eeurekaa, stationery becomes a bridge between the world she observes and the stories she brings to life.
What tools help you capture your ideas when inspiration appears?
Perhaps it’s a pencil you always carry, a sketchbook filled with memories, or a planner that slowly turns into a visual diary. Everyone’s creative desk looks a little different.
If you’re curious to explore tools like the ones Eeurekaa uses, you can discover similar items in our collection of Japanese stationery designed for everyday creativity.
Interested in sharing your own favorite stationery selection or setup? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected] to be featured in a future story.
Next month, we’ll be visiting another creator’s desk to see which stationery items they can’t live without.
Until then, keep exploring, sketching, and collecting the little tools that help ideas grow.
