Linkblogging...

[telophase]

...while I procrastinate filling out my vacation form. From grow-a-brain.

Life Beneath Antarctic Ice - Very nice photo essay.

Sunset over the Pacific.

Comments

[the-z.livejournal.com]

That last photo...

wow.

[marith.livejournal.com]

Those are *fantastic*. Thank you.

[chibicharibdys.livejournal.com]

This is totally unrelated, but what sort of inking paper do you use/recommend?

[telophase.livejournal.com]

Right now I'm using a manga inking paper from Deleter. I've forgotten which weight it is, but I think it's the 110 weight (http://www.akadotretail.com/product_info.php?products_id=1017&cPath=31_14_46_85). (Might be the 135 (http://www.akadotretail.com/product_info.php?products_id=1018&cPath=31_14_46_85).) You can get it with or without pre-printed blue guides; I usually get it without because I'm drawing to proportions different than the Japanese proportions. I use the B4 size, like I linked to, because I can ink about 160-170% larger than my final size. It's a lighter-weight paper than comic board usually is, because I can send it through my large-format printer and print the pencils in light blue, to ink directly on top of them.

I'm also using Japanese dip pens and nibs (http://www.akadotretail.com/categories.php?cPath=31_14_67_77), and drawing ink sold by Pilot only in the Eastern hemisphere (sent to me by homasse). It seems to work better all together then me trying to use American-made pens and ink on the Japanese-made paper; I assume because they're formulated to work together.

Or it could be all in my head.

[chibicharibdys.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the swift response! I think I have some manga paper (possibly Deleter?) lying around the apartment, although I just realized that I think I've seen Deleter stuff being sold at Kinokuniya... Oh, looking at all those nibs is filling me with pen lust.

Heh, Japan is directly west of where I live.

I was also wondering if basic smooth (110 lb) printer's card stock would work? What's the difference between manga paper and basic card stock, anyway?

[telophase.livejournal.com]

XD I think that the manga paper is treated so that it's smoother and doesn't suck up as much ink as card stock. I think - not entirely sure - that with the card stock, the paper will absorb the ink and make your lines feather a bit, instead of remaining sharp and smooth. But it's worth trying out.

Some people use Bristol paper, which has a smooth non-absorbent surface, but since I can't get it through my printer, I don't. :)

[chibicharibdys.livejournal.com]

Whenever I use Bristol or vellum, I forgot to let it dry and smear ink everywhere. :)

I'll try it out and report back. xD Before, I was using this bizarre textured card stock (and watercoloring on it too) and... it turned out all right, I guess. But my studio partner's getting on my case about it, and we have our first anime convention that we're selling art at coming up soon. *stress*

Thanks again!

[telophase.livejournal.com]

:) Yeah, the best thing to do is experiment and see what works best for you. :D Good luck!