How can people even use ink pens?

[fishfauna]

Bleh, Fans are just a bunch of opportunists which only purpose is to try to catch your attention so you go lurk their comic, I couldn't care less about fans lol...
Even if my comic was empty there would still exist fans saying it is great Rofl...

Someone seems a little butthurt over having no fans.

[EromCX]

What do I need fans for? What's the point? (Also all I do here is post the chapter covers)
On my comic's official website there's no such thing as fan list...

Fans do not represent the quality of a comic, they rather represent the popularity of the author

[erase]

Fans do not represent the quality of a comic, they rather represent the popularity of the author

Not quite.

If you at least promote right you're obviously going to have more fans if your comic is good.

Obviously this differs by the type of comic as different genres and tones. There's a different sized audience for everything and the better your comic is the better it branches out into other demographics.

Twilight has a lot of fans but they're mostly teenage girls and lonely housewives while the Beatles are stupidly popular with lots of different people and even very good stories have a small (but loyal) fanbase if they're in a niche.

[radiostarkiller]

What do I need fans for? What's the point? (Also all I do here is post the chapter covers)
On my comic's official website there's no such thing as fan list...

Fans do not represent the quality of a comic, they rather represent the popularity of the author

generally if something has good quality in either art, or story, or both, then there will be fans. fans do represent the popularity of the comic. if you don't have a following, then there's no point in making a comic, unless it's just a personal project just for yourself.

anyway.
wow.

[mossi-mo]

Everything takes practice, especially items that most are unfamiliar with. Dip-pens are one of those things that take a while to get the hang of. Try some nibs for sketching, also be wary of the sort of paper you're using. As a beginner, you run the risk of scratching your paper and clogging the nib. It takes much more practice to work with dip pens, so if you want to use them, set aside time to get your work up to par before actual production. Once you're familiar with it, it's like nothing. Until then, you have to learn how much pressure to use, how to time your ink dips and how to avoid blots. It's tough but no more tough than learning the screen-hand coordination it takes for drawing with a tablet.

Also, you can buy replacement nibs easily with cheap shipping online, if shipping is too high on the product site, try ebay and amazon. I got a set of replacement nibs for $5 total, this was including shipping, rather than $5 + shipping. You get several digital-nibs for the cost it would take for you to start a new quill-nib collection. If even that is too much of a hassle, ball point pens are readily available. Heck, you can just go around asking if someone can spare a pen and you'll end up with one that's of decent quality. Gel pens and ballpoints do great work as ink and shading pens, so weigh your options.

On that note, I really suggest that you as an artist and a person start weighing your options before diving into things. Comics and art in general are not profitable pursuits, and if you're ready to give up after a little bump, then don't start in the first place. If you're ready to drop your entire artistic journey because you can't spare $5 for a new nib, or do as many have suggested and found a ballpoint on the street then you're better off pursuing other things. You may be good at writing, you may be good at drawing, but talent only does so much.

[mitchellbravo]

another sincere suggestion- if you're in comics "for the money," the actual plan is not to expect that money to come from reader donations or even purchases of comic memorabilia. The $$ generally comes from the money you make off of ads, which requires you have a nice cushy audience- you know, readers/fans. Then other people pay you to put an ad for THEIR comic on YOUR site. not just fans reading and saying "oh my god this comic is so great, I feel a compulsion to give this fine gentchick wads of my own money."

erom, you cray. That's what it basically comes down to.

[radiostarkiller]

erom, you cray. That's what it basically comes down to.

This is basically the answer to every Erom thread. Ha.

[EromCX]

This thread is about ink pens, use it wisely.

[eishiya]

The topic question has been answered adequately multiple times over. If you do not want this thread derailed by discussions of your attitude/behaviour, I can lock it. Would you prefer that? Or would you rather keep it open just in case someone has a magic pen-use formula that'll solve your problems, or extra tips?

[EromCX]

What about removing it completely? It deviated in all directions, people reading this will be more confused than clarified.

[mitchellbravo]

What about removing it completely? It deviated in all directions, people reading this will be more confused than clarified.

I think you underestimate people's ability to comprehend the sincere answers that were given to you at the outset of this thread.

[Snuffan]

The advice on both nib pen usage and general attitude is useful and understandable. There would be no reason to delete the thread, except if Erom specifically feels a need to delete it because of how (s)he's portrayed in it.

[Campion]

If fountain pens are too much a hassle, you can go buy 5-piece Prismacolor black ink pen set over at OfficeMax/Office Depot for $6---which is $2 less than what the art stores are charging. For felt-tipped technical pens, they're pretty much the best you can buy for a low price-point---and they last a fairly long time if you treat them right. $3 and you can get the set which includes 2 felt brush pens (although, I much prefer Pentel Art's brush pen, which is much, much more superior for the price-point, at $7, but you have to go to an art store for that.)

[Nordlys]

This is the reason i don't trust digital pen and whatever.
Many artist complain that when digital tablet stop to work, they are unable to draw decently with traditional media, even if they did draw with traditional media few years ago. I still use traditional media, and my favourite tools are economical. I'm not poor but I can't use professional tools because i fell uncomfortable with them (especially brush... I used it every day for two years and i never improved)

Other than this there is another reason. Drawing with PC make me fell like if I dont have a real contact with what I create, and handmade drawing look warmer than computer drawing to me. Also, I think using few media (less is better) force you to be creative because you have to find solutions to make your work shine.

[Jadiekins]

Inking with natural media and inking with digital media both take time. I've used several kinds of steel nibs, rapidographs and up until recently I inked all my pages primarily with brush, and they all have learning curves, some moreso than others. For crowquill nibs (I usually use Hunt 102's), the best thing to do is just try and break it in. I tend to take a piece of scrap and make strokes enough to fill the page. It wears down the tip of the nib so it doesn't scratch the paper too much and the strokes start to have a bit more give and variation in lineweight. If you're using something larger, like a G-nib, I'll do the same but I won't do it as often. I might start with using it for speedlines but that's about it.

Both came around from experimentation and time. You can't expect to be immediately good at something.