Nishant I'm sure you have thoughts about fountain pens. Do you always use the same yellow Lamy, or do you have other favorites? What appeals most in the form and feel of the pen and the versatility and predictability of the lines? I've been using fountain pens since they were (somewhat) popular in my hippie grade-school in the 80s, and I can't write (or draw) with anything else... my standard, 'go-to' has been the $30 Lamy charcoal/graphite, medium nib, which I find has a better/ different feel than the other Lamys, even the much more expensive ones (I lose pens like I lose keys). I find that one has to buy these from actual pen stores (it's possible via Amazon), as there are so many counterfeits among the top sellers Amazon that the odds are higher than not you'll get a fake that will fall apart in a few days. All best, Ethan
I always use the same Lamy, it's been this way for ~7 years. But I carry some other pens too. For very fine lines or thick lines, I carry Micron fineliners (005 and 07). I have 6-7 other fountain pens too, most of which are very good. But I prefer my Lamy because I love how it feels against the page. Tactile feedback is an essential part of how our lines and shapes are formed.
When I started seriously learning to draw (about 10 years ago), I used the iPad a lot because I was afraid of "ruining good paper". It taught me many things, but the problem point was that it was always the Apple Pencil nib against the iPad screen. In terms of tactile feedback, regardless of which digital brush I used, the experience was the same. The Lamy Safari is just the right amount of friction and pushback for me, while maintaining that richness and consistency of line. Not only do I draw with it, I also write with it every day.
I also recommend that people try pens at a local store, even if only to buy later online, because every pen is slightly different in these respects, as are people's preferences. In the case of Lamy, counterfeits abound, so buying from a proper store is even more important!
Agreed on tactile feel and fluidity ... I've been wanting to try the Lamy disappearing nib which for whatever reason are hard to find outside Europe, but I used the Pilot version and it kept breaking... returned to the Lamy time and time again as a workhorse. I'll check out the link thanks!
I love your figure drawing they have so much character in life! I don't know if it's so much sneaky as being an observer and a reporter in the visual sense. And I far more respect someone that is doing illustrative work versus certain photographers who take absolute representation without consent!
Greetings Nishant! Ironically, I’m an elementary art teacher out sick today, and I spent all morning sniffling and finishing your book. I love your writing! Love your drawing style and I learned so many new things to try, especially as someone terrified of drawing people (and ashamed about it). Thank you for sharing with the world 🌎 ✍️
Incredible observations, Nishant! As a lifelong meditator, I liken your approach to sketchbook art as a form of contemplative practice. Whadya say? Sound concordat with your experience… in other words, curious if you’re aware of going into a “zone”— I’ve heard you use “flow” (I think… during the live video interview you did with Helen Stark, in Dec.)… ie, I’m describing a trance state while staying perfect cogent and aware of your surroundings. Take it away, Nishant!
Hi Elanah, it is absolutely like that! I feel so connected to my environment, as if all my senses are super activated. But at the same time, I am able to focus. It's a great feeling!
Hi Jill, there are always a limited number of free seats for Insiders. I sent out the email this Sunday and they were all claimed! You can still use the special Insider discount from this post to get a seat - https://sneakyart.substack.com/p/s110!
Thank you. I was away for my birthday/ anniversary and just saw the posting. Just to clarify, as a annual subscriber, what is included? I did think that workshops were part of membership?
Ah, thank you so very much...I forget about those different emails - part of what I call mourning brain. I enjoyed your posts and do more sketching now. But I am at a point where I need to really adjust my finances. I will also pay more attention to my social media platforms and various emails. Sorry to be such a bother.....
I'm having something of a time figuring out how to best make use of my new paid subscription, as I am not used to Substack. How do I access members only content? And if I missed today's zoom, can I watch a recording?
Hi Cynthia, my substack homepage will show you all the posts I've written, including the one that just went out to Insiders half an hour ago. Click on the podcast heading and you can see all the episodes including the ones for Insiders only. You can subscribe to the insider podcast by playing any one of them in your app of choice. And I will email a link to today's zoom meeting soon! Every insider hangout is made available as a video. With next Sundays mail, I'll clarify all of this further and share some links too. This was a useful reminder, thank you!
Nishant! I have engaged a media helper to boost my ‘stack, and he was looking for a tech person from Substack to help him with some details he’s trying to iron out. Any names come to mind? You can email me at editrmh@gmail.com if you don’t want to out the person here. Thx.
Love this, Nishant. I'm a Sneaky Art guy and didn't even know it. You can check out my posts and artwork at petermoore.substack.com. I'm into travel and memoir, augmented by funny drawings. I look forward to learning from you...
Hello I have a personal question. I have been searching for someone who would make a sketch for me to use on Substack. I am not sure if sketch is the correct word but I am searching for an avatar type of sketches to use in my Substack - for example using my photo and creating an art from it so I would use the art rather than the photo.
Really cool work!
Thank you very much! 🙏🏼
Nishant I'm sure you have thoughts about fountain pens. Do you always use the same yellow Lamy, or do you have other favorites? What appeals most in the form and feel of the pen and the versatility and predictability of the lines? I've been using fountain pens since they were (somewhat) popular in my hippie grade-school in the 80s, and I can't write (or draw) with anything else... my standard, 'go-to' has been the $30 Lamy charcoal/graphite, medium nib, which I find has a better/ different feel than the other Lamys, even the much more expensive ones (I lose pens like I lose keys). I find that one has to buy these from actual pen stores (it's possible via Amazon), as there are so many counterfeits among the top sellers Amazon that the odds are higher than not you'll get a fake that will fall apart in a few days. All best, Ethan
Hi Ethan! Great question.
I always use the same Lamy, it's been this way for ~7 years. But I carry some other pens too. For very fine lines or thick lines, I carry Micron fineliners (005 and 07). I have 6-7 other fountain pens too, most of which are very good. But I prefer my Lamy because I love how it feels against the page. Tactile feedback is an essential part of how our lines and shapes are formed.
When I started seriously learning to draw (about 10 years ago), I used the iPad a lot because I was afraid of "ruining good paper". It taught me many things, but the problem point was that it was always the Apple Pencil nib against the iPad screen. In terms of tactile feedback, regardless of which digital brush I used, the experience was the same. The Lamy Safari is just the right amount of friction and pushback for me, while maintaining that richness and consistency of line. Not only do I draw with it, I also write with it every day.
I also recommend that people try pens at a local store, even if only to buy later online, because every pen is slightly different in these respects, as are people's preferences. In the case of Lamy, counterfeits abound, so buying from a proper store is even more important!
Some more good thoughts here: https://sneakyart.substack.com/p/194
Agreed on tactile feel and fluidity ... I've been wanting to try the Lamy disappearing nib which for whatever reason are hard to find outside Europe, but I used the Pilot version and it kept breaking... returned to the Lamy time and time again as a workhorse. I'll check out the link thanks!
I love your figure drawing they have so much character in life! I don't know if it's so much sneaky as being an observer and a reporter in the visual sense. And I far more respect someone that is doing illustrative work versus certain photographers who take absolute representation without consent!
Thank you Tanya!
Greetings Nishant! Ironically, I’m an elementary art teacher out sick today, and I spent all morning sniffling and finishing your book. I love your writing! Love your drawing style and I learned so many new things to try, especially as someone terrified of drawing people (and ashamed about it). Thank you for sharing with the world 🌎 ✍️
I am so glad to hear that Hermione! Hope you feel better soon though. ❤️
Incredible observations, Nishant! As a lifelong meditator, I liken your approach to sketchbook art as a form of contemplative practice. Whadya say? Sound concordat with your experience… in other words, curious if you’re aware of going into a “zone”— I’ve heard you use “flow” (I think… during the live video interview you did with Helen Stark, in Dec.)… ie, I’m describing a trance state while staying perfect cogent and aware of your surroundings. Take it away, Nishant!
Hi Elanah, it is absolutely like that! I feel so connected to my environment, as if all my senses are super activated. But at the same time, I am able to focus. It's a great feeling!
Hi Nishant, how are you? As an annual subscriber, is the Tiny People workshop included, or is it a separate fee?
I don’t want to miss this !
Thanks,
Jill
Hi Jill, there are always a limited number of free seats for Insiders. I sent out the email this Sunday and they were all claimed! You can still use the special Insider discount from this post to get a seat - https://sneakyart.substack.com/p/s110!
Thank you. I was away for my birthday/ anniversary and just saw the posting. Just to clarify, as a annual subscriber, what is included? I did think that workshops were part of membership?
Oh best wishes for the happy occasion! 🥰
Free seats are included with every workshop, but I typically cap them at ~20.
This is the first time all 20 have been claimed, so a lot of this is new territory for me as well! 😅
I see that you already grabbed a seat for this weekend. But allow me to offer you a guaranteed free seat at the next one (later this month). 🙌
It will be the new workshop I've started offering this year - about drawing quickly and building a sketchbook habit.
In fact, next workshop onwards, I will just remove the free seat cap for Insiders. ☺️
👍⭐️🔥🌻🖌️ Whoo-hoo!
I’m totally a sneaky artist without knowing it... thanks for the art!
🙌🏽
Ah, thank you so very much...I forget about those different emails - part of what I call mourning brain. I enjoyed your posts and do more sketching now. But I am at a point where I need to really adjust my finances. I will also pay more attention to my social media platforms and various emails. Sorry to be such a bother.....
No worries, Linda. I'm grateful for the time you were an insider, thank you so much for your support. And I'm glad to have you as a reader. :)
💚 your style, NJ 🙏🏼
Very helpful, thanks. Sometimes I need to see it all together.
Cindy
I'm having something of a time figuring out how to best make use of my new paid subscription, as I am not used to Substack. How do I access members only content? And if I missed today's zoom, can I watch a recording?
Hi Cynthia, my substack homepage will show you all the posts I've written, including the one that just went out to Insiders half an hour ago. Click on the podcast heading and you can see all the episodes including the ones for Insiders only. You can subscribe to the insider podcast by playing any one of them in your app of choice. And I will email a link to today's zoom meeting soon! Every insider hangout is made available as a video. With next Sundays mail, I'll clarify all of this further and share some links too. This was a useful reminder, thank you!
Such a gift to discover your Sneaky Art. Cheers!
Thank you Sharyn! I'm so glad to have you as an insider!
Nishant! I have engaged a media helper to boost my ‘stack, and he was looking for a tech person from Substack to help him with some details he’s trying to iron out. Any names come to mind? You can email me at editrmh@gmail.com if you don’t want to out the person here. Thx.
Love this, Nishant. I'm a Sneaky Art guy and didn't even know it. You can check out my posts and artwork at petermoore.substack.com. I'm into travel and memoir, augmented by funny drawings. I look forward to learning from you...
Good to see your newsletter, Peter. Your art is fun. Subscribed! And thank you for the kind words. :)
Hello I have a personal question. I have been searching for someone who would make a sketch for me to use on Substack. I am not sure if sketch is the correct word but I am searching for an avatar type of sketches to use in my Substack - for example using my photo and creating an art from it so I would use the art rather than the photo.
Sneaky art - Love it! Glad and happy to subscribe!
Glad to have you as a reader Mark!