the g-pen is king

since having started on a sort of illustrated novel/american manga/comic type of book, i've concentrated on practicing pencil-work and pen-work. 

with all of them, i've been using everything i have, and buying a little bit of what i didn't have before.  i had all of the basic sizes of milli (multi-liner) pens, and i really wanted some copic ones, so i bought the fine set of those, going down to .005.  i had other brands going up to 1.0 and small brushes.  

i already had some nibs (dip-pen tips) but i had never owned a g-pen before.  really, i never looked into what the manga-norm was, i was using primarily multi-liners and when i did dip, i used a range from mapping to what the japanese would call as seiji.  i think that's how it's spelled.  but it's the one that flares out into a traditional, old-style kind of shape.  when i heard of the g-pen, i was thinking that it couldn't be much better.  especially since i had bought an extension set to go with my already-owned mapping.  but what i found, is that the g-pen is king.  no exaggeration.  

the g-pen has a much sturdier feel, and you can use it in a lot more directions than most pens.  including flipping it over and using the top to make thin lines, the ink still flows pretty easily when you use it this way.  it also holds more ink, and uses the ink more efficiently, without accidents or mistakes.  other nibs tend to run out of ink a lot faster, like a super amount faster.  the g-pen goes on for a really long time!  it's pretty amazing.  you don't get interrupted by having to reline certain areas or dipping so often.  

and with inks...i've used 3 types at the same time for now, to test them out compared to each other.  i'm away from home, so once i get back, i'll take some pictures and go into more detail about them.  also, i'll do the same about the nibs.  

i haven't used manga paper, i've never really concentrated on an illustrated novel the way i am now.  but what i've always liked has been really heavyweight, mixed-media papers.  also, not too smooth on the surface.  my least favorite kind of paper for anything is lightweight, ultrasmooth.  i can't even use that stuff.  except for writing notes ;o)

so, stay tuned for part II a little later on when i get home and can get some pictures up!