I finally stopped using a pencil for my rough sketches and swapped to a cheap ballpoint pen

For years I would only doodle in pencil because I was scared of making permanent marks. Then last Tuesday I grabbed a random Bic pen from the junk drawer and just went for it. Now I feel way more confident because I can't erase anything, so I have to commit. My lines are looser and way more expressive compared to those stiff pencil sketches I used to do. It took me about 3 days to get used to the lack of undo button. Has anyone else ditched a tool they depended on and found it actually made their art better?

3 comments

3 Comments

fiona_murphy13d ago

You used to be all about pencil too, didn't you?

seth_harris3613d ago

Wait, is that right? I don't think I ever was all that into pencil, honestly. I mean, I respect the craft and all, but I've always been more of a pen guy myself.

reese_nelson13d ago

Pencil's just easier when you're figuring out your style. Less commitment, you know? Erase and start over without the pressure. Once you know what you like, pen feels better for the finished look.

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