Given the drift of yesterday’s conversation, I couldn’t resist showing you this Sunday example of reality-bending from five years ago. Speaking of yesterday’s conversation, I would like to set the record straight about one thing. I do not draw my comic strip digitally. Far from it. In fact, I recently experimented with felt-tip pens, which most cartoonists—the decreasing number who do not draw digitally—have favored for years. I drew with felt-tip pens for several months, but I didn’t care for the results. I have gone back to pen nib and India ink on 100% rag Strathmore paper. In fact, they don’t make the pen points I use anymore. I have to watch for them on eBay, where they’re sold as antiques. I figure I have a two-year supply on hand right now. Only after I finish drawing an A&J strip do I enter the digital world by scanning the artwork and creating a file.
153 responses to “Fowl Story”
I remember your posts on using felt tip pens. I suppose that they can make one that is similar to the ink and pen, but I wonder how much bleed through that you get with the felt tip? Anyway keep drawing with what is comfortable.
And does the fact that some of your favorite, long-time work tools are now considered “antiques” give you pause?
Working with “antique tools” just makes you a craftsman. 😉
Re: “they don’t make the pen points I use anymore”, I wonder whether this “3d printing” thing that is all the rage, would be able to come to the rescue for something like this. Is there a 3d printer out there that can print a pen nib with sufficient detail and strength? Sooner or later, the supply of “real” nibs will dry up.
Seems to me I remember Strathmore office board [?] from three Drawing* courses I took at Cornell U. in ’49-’51. *Art courses were taught in the Arts College, or maybe Architecture, Drawing what you see courses in the N.Y. State College of Agriculture. I’ve mentioned this before.
Today’s TIP is good. You can sing ‘His eye is on the sparrow’ to accompany it. Peace, emb
http://www.gocomics.com/that-is-priceless/#.U76YAGdOXUM
sand, there are other possible interpretations of your “craftsman” comment, but, again, this a family-oriented cartoon blog, so…
I was using the term “craftsman” in the Arts and Crafts meaning. A period style that I have a fondest of. Can say that the better half does not share my taste in it’s style.
“real” nibs will dry up”
Pun intended, Mike? 🙂
What kind of pen nibs? Maybe we can also keep our eyes out for them?
Talk about antique art forms and art supplies, I took a class in chalk talks in college way back when. Now not only is it hard to find the proper supplies, you can’t find anyone who remembers seeing a chalk talk. Very hard to do right because you have to time it either with music, or a specific presentation speech developed just for that drawing. All the while doing an excellent drawing that usually doesn’t become apparent until the very end. I also learned to do black light chalk talks which only became fully understandable when after you finish you turn on the black light. Real antique presentations, and a far cry from power point presentations. Welcome to the new world.
Ursen, I have seen similar talks done using an electronic whiteboard. One difference, the end image(s) can then be printed to be given as a handout.
Mutat tempora mutantur et nos mutamur
More correctly stated,Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis. With apologies to Srs. Mary and Deloris.
Who recognizes this?
http://www.caitscurriculum.com/Pics/instruments/staff-liner.jpg
Easy we use to use them in music class all the time when I was in Elementary school.
Yep.
In junior high, I had to periodically take these out back of the school building and beat them against a concrete retaining wall. I wonder if there will ever by a class action suit alleging illness due to inhalation of chalk dust?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2nScT1OBKQ/Tzbm_sxdUvI/AAAAAAAAOzA/PLOtsfoMTCo/s1600/SuperStock_1555R-309524.jpg
Jimmy, I am so relieved to hear you are drawing with a pen and a nib. Somehow I just could not picture computer generated strips because I do consider your strips “art” and to me, art implies use of pencils, pens, paints, brushes.
Consider me an antique also.
My favorite small boat designer, John Welsford of New Zealand, also draws all his designs with a pen and nib too and got a supply given to him by a friend/customer. John does not draw with a computer either, as many do now.
I will ask him about pens and nibs in NZ. He just happens to be coming over for a visit and maybe I could get some?
Love, Jackie Monies
Mike, there are 3-D printers that could do that, but they’re the really expensive ones. The hobbyist ones only use plastic.
Talk of modern day 3D printers makes this 1998 cartoon seem positively medieval, if not antediluvian. Wow; not even 16 years ago.
http://www.gocomics.com/arloandjanis/1998/10/01#.U7Dgp_ldWa8
Debbe 😉 Perhaps you can find someone to do chixorcism in the hen house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0PjECSyJ7w [Tag]
GR6: Brings back fond memories of music class.
I recall my first computer had a ten megabyte drive. I was in heaven when I installed a 140 meg drive. Today we both use cloud drives with no set limit. How we have changed with the times.
Actually, Boise Ed, I don’t think even the best high-end 3D printers can give you the proper temper a good nib requires.
Mr trademark – your first computer had a MB drive? Cool. My first had no drive at all – one slot for a floppy with the programs on it, another floppy slot to store data on. And these were single-sided 5-1/2 floppies. Something like 360k per disk, if memory serves. The monitor was a 4 or 5″ green CRT between the drives. Was a “portable” though – could operate from the lighter socket in the car.
Anyone else draw with quills they cut themselves from goose feathers? I usually use pen and nib but when I’m going for that truly authentic look I cut my own quills and use iron gall ink I brew up on the kitchen stove.
And finally, my cat has done the same as Ludwig when he misses a catch, but I think he’s just griping not giving me a “one that got away” story. But then I only speak a few words of feline so, who knows?
Bryan, do you also make up and apply a mustard plaster when you come down with a bout of pleurisy or the grippe? 🙂
Leeches?
Seriously, I have a good sailing friend who inherited an entire houseful of art supplies when the elderly owner passed away. He has been giving them away to anyone he can find to use them and I think he mentioned art pens, as well as paints and a garage full of frames, easels, canvases. He brought a boat load (pun intended) to my housekeeper because she had mentioned painting to him.
I will ask about pens and nibs.
The ironic thing was that when we went to Oriental, NC in fall last year we stayed in the home of an artist that had also passed away and same scenario. Tons of artists’ supplies and no one wanted them. How sad!
Love, Jackie Monies
Bryan, it was the first store bought, there had been two home brews before it. I also recall the cool of being a grad student; we were allowed punch to out our own IBM cards and take them to the run window.
Do you grow your own papyrus for making parchment? That would be crazy cool. 🙂
Wrote to one friend about nibs and pens. Will write other one tomorrow in NZ.
Pen and ink is one of my favorite art mediums, along with copperplate etchings. Don’t ask why, I have no idea!
Love, Jackie Monies