Back to the drawing pad...

So in February and March I spent most of my art time using digital tools.  I felt like I was learning a lot but something didn't feel right.  For one thing,  I missed the feel of pencils on real paper. Now I am drawing on both a 9.5"x6" 60lb and a 8"x5.5" 90lb sketch pads.  First I started with just some pencil work.  I adjusted the black and white input levels in GIMP to make it look more like ink after scanning. Below is a Study of Miyazaki's Nausicaa Vol1 p12.

 

I kind of went crazy and ordered some inking pens.  I was really curious about brush pens and started messing with them first.  The ones capable of broader strokes are tricky to get used to.  On the drawing below I added some color with a 20 year old set of Design  Nupastel sticks that were still in great shape after pulling out of storage!  The following is a study from Dan Clowes' The Death Ray p14 -Louie Reaching.  Death Ray is a great read.  Like I said, I'm just experimenting with the new pens so I don't do justice to  Dan's style.

Finally, one more study this time with Tombow hard and soft brush pens.  Then  I followed up with a couple of Faber-Castell grey Pitt brush pens.  The same Dorok soldier head from a previous Miyazaki study.  I really enjoyed this little sketch and I think it looks better than the previous digital one.

Yes, now that I look back at the older digital Manga Studio sketch, I am much happier with my hand rendered effort.  A cropped shot of the Manga Studio study is below.

So I plan on going back and forth trying to improve in both worlds.