Drawing with a Brush

Awesome! Love the brush-and-inkwell! Calvin and Hobbes was my favorite comic growing up and the only comic my father would read and actually laugh at. I can't wait to see more. Keep it up!

You can definitely tell a difference, especially in the finer lines of the bushes and grass. It really looks great.

Even in today's strip, the texture of Flaco's tongue has the same "delicacy".

Looking forward to what you can do with 'em!

I immediately noticed there was something different about the strip -- I want to call it a feathery detail, rather than the clean lines you usually have -- but it really works, particularly with this strip and its unusual POV. Very nice!

Dave, I enjoy how you're willing to experiment with different tools, media, techniques, and even guest artists. It's brave and refreshing, and keeps you from falling into creative ruts. It also shows a great devotion to your craft, which I admire in any artist. :)

The brush illustration made me think that Calvin would be perfect under that tree. Best wishes with that artistic progression.

Dave,

This looks excellent. You may think it's overdone, but I don't see where.

At this point, I'm wishing you had a Like button so I could have it show up on facebook (a lot of friends would enjoy it).

--Kev.

Very impressive, Dave. I used to draw a weekly two page comic for the Dandy (UK weekly comic) in brush. I loved the cleaness of the line; I only changed to dip pen and ink for speed.
What really amazes me is the fact that so many cartoonists use illustrator to get the same effect as brush. Why not just use a brush and save a shed load of cash

I think you did an awesome job!!! I'm sure it's alot harder than it looks to be!!!

Just enjoying the strip is great, but when you talk about techniques and tools it adds so much understanding of how it got that way. It's an art appreciation course in miniature!

WOW! It looks Incredible, Dave! It has so much more of a classic feel to it... It has all the beauty of the golden age of comics, and all the finesse of Sheldon. Love it, pleeease keep it coming!

This has a layer and depth to it I love. For an experiment all I can really say is WoW!

Dave;

Didn't George McManus also use brush and ink, even on his Sunday color strips?

Dave, I love the depth and texture that the brush method is revealing. It does take me back to Calvin and Hobbes (Sheldon, C & H and The Far Side share shelf space in my house).

Like the others, I really appreciate your discussion of artistic methods, and how you are willing to experiment. Sheldon is still very fresh after all these years because of the joy and attitude of exploration that you bring to your creation.

Dave, ol' buddy, I think I have to dissent. I'm not sure I like it.

I think your "overdrawn" comment is valid. Certainly on the park drawing, but also on today's strip. It feels heavier. Not only in an ink sense, but also in an emotional one. Sharp lines go hand in hand with the wit of Sheldon. Where Calvin always had an emotional subtext, I think your strength lies in the jokes.

Don't get me wrong- your craftsmanship always shows through! The park shot is beautiful. But, I just feel like the brush/inkwell is clashing with the tone of Sheldon.

IMHO.

I like the strip from today, it draws me into it. With the heaver details some might not like it but I think it as a nice contrast to the text of the speech bubble.

Trying to guess which park here.

I wanted to say the Colonial Cemetery, but, now I am leaning towards Chippewa Square (Forrest Gump's abode).

All in all I could tell it was Savannah, even if you had just made it up in your head.

GREAT Job!

Walter in Savannah

It looks good!! High-tech drawing tablet, brush and ink, what's next? I'm glad that you are changing up the tools for drawing the strip--it's got to be entertaining for you, and we the readers get to see change, which is interesting.

Bill Mauldin used brush and ink, and at times had to be quite resourceful to find drawing materials during WWII in Europe. If I remember the story correctly, he drew one strip where the only ink he could find was from a stamp pad. He was pleased by the results, but did not report whether that was what he used ever after.