I love drawing on glass! Ever since purchasing an iPad2 I've been carving out time to use Sketchbook Pro. It doesn't even matter what the subject matter is, I just want to create something on that little glass tablet. Using my fingers did not provide the same satisfying feeling as using pencils and markers, so I decided to get a stylus.
My first stylus was the Kensington Virtuoso. It looked most like a pen and had a bit of weight most others didn't. It has a rubber tip and cost a fair $15. Since I was not sure I would enjoy using a stylus I didn't want to spend too much.
I loved it! At work I sat in meetings taking notes with Bamboo Paper. The writing was legible enough and I prided myself for reducing the amount of paper I used over the course of a week. After a few days of playing with the free version of Sketchbook, I bought the app and started to learn how to use it. It did not take long to understand this app was created by artists for artists! I am still amazed how much value (and enjoyment) $4.99 bought.
My younger son, Jason, wanted a stylus so for his birthday I let him choose one. He selected the Wacom Bamboo which has a smaller rubber tip than the Kensington. It's double the price of the Kensington. I thought it would be great. Often, I catch him drawing away late at night in his room. He likes that Japanese Manga comic style and his skills are improving. He's a terrific 12 year old boy with tremendous potential! I love him so much! The Bamboo has greater precision than the fatter tipped rubber nibbed stylus out there. But I was drawn (pun intended) to something else.
I found the beautiful Joy DaVinci. It has a thicker shaft and felt great in my hand. I loved the weight of it and decided I must have it. I began to draw like never before! The purposeful Kensington Virtuoso was placed into a cup with other pencils, pens and markers although I do dig it out from time to time to remind me of my first few strokes. The DaVinci has an even thicker rubber tip but somehow I found it perfect for drawing. I was able to hold the stylus more on its side when coloring large areas and it felt almost like using a pastel. But it slipped out of my hand sometimes and I found I was always readjusting my grip. Regardless, I loved drawing with this tool and will keep it in my growing collection. It's still in my bag and I take it out from time to time. It's a beautiful product. Perhaps I will use it later today.
Then I bought the Joy Monet. Same thick rubber tip but connected to a longer wand type of shaft that's thinner towards the nib and thicker at the end. This stylus doesn't slip from my grip due to its length and shape. But it's a bit thin where I typically hold it. I prefer it to the shorter DaVinci but consider them brothers. They are made from the same aluminum and each has a unique weight of its own and feel completely different. Personally, I love them both. But for now, the Monet is my favorite and I've been enjoying it for months.
Then someone at the office had a stylus I never saw before. It had a fabric covered tip and felt silky smooth over glass. Suddenly, rubber nibs dragged along with too much friction. I became confused and look forward to purchasing a fabric tipped stylus in the future. The problem was, the fabric covered stylus felt lightweight and cheap. I was not drawn to it. I liked the way it glided across the glass but was not compelled. I did not feel the urge to replace the DaVinci or the Monet... or the Kensington and Bamboo... all of which felt more balanced in my hand. I Googled 'friction with rubber tipped stylus' and found a great solution. Talcum powder.
The woman in the cubicle behind me happened to have baby powder in her bag and put some into a napkin for me. I dipped the rubber tip of my Joy Monet and slid it over the iPad. It slid smoothly. I loved the way it felt, slippery smooth and effortless, just like the fabric tipped stylus. When I got home I found an unused contact lens case, filled the left and right sides with talcum powder and threw it into my iPad case so it's always handy. After dipping your stylus into powder you'll never want to be without it.
As an artist, an iPad has become my best friend. Glass is my canvas of choice along with a collection stylus. If you are intrigued by drawing on your iPad, learning about the wonderful software that's currently available and want to try using a stylus, my suggestion is to treat yourself and see if it's for you. You may just find, like I did, that drawing on glass turns you on.
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