Artistic Revolution- The Power of the Inkling Pen ™

The world of art is changing. Artists can no longer make a living based solely upon their paintings, drawings, and other physical masterpieces. What is really valued now days is the ability to take artistic talent, and put it onto a computer screen. This means more than simply taking a picture and saving it to your online album. We have to be able to digitalize our work if we want to make a name for ourselves in the art industry. There have been many tools created to assist us in this feat, with innovations like the drawing tablet, scanners, and programs such as MS Paint and Adobe Photoshop.

Still, modern artists face many difficulties. For example, when using a tablet to draw directly into a program, it’s hard to keep track of what you’re doing since you can’t actually look down and observe your work, and if you look at the computer screen then you can’t watch the movements of your pen. Also, when you scan a work of art, the quality of the picture that appears on your screen isn’t always what you want it to be.

There are numerous issues artists have to face whenever they attempt digital art. However, there is one device that may very well eliminate these obstacles, and change the world of art as we know it. The product I’m referring to is the Inkling Pen from Wacom- a wonderful little piece of machinery that has received much praise from artists everywhere.     

Wacom has been a key player in the revolution of digital art with other products, such as the Bamboo Tablet, and Inkling is just one more addition to their line of digital art merchandise. That being said, it is considered to be just as great as its predecessors. I’ve read several reviews, each one saying that it was very easy to use, and worked remarkably well.

The way that this system works is complicated to explain. To put it simply, what you do is you attach a digital receiver onto a medium of your choice (notebook, sketchbook, canvas, ect.) You use the Inkling Pen to sketch whatever you want to draw. The receiver picks up every movement the pen makes, and saves it as an image file, like a jpg. When you have finished drawing, you plug the receiver into your computer, and transfer your drawings to your folder, desktop, or wherever you usually save your art. From there, you can open the picture with almost any editing or drawing program, like Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchbook Pro, ect.

This is a very convenient device for modern artists in that it lets you use your existing pen-and-paper skills, without sacrificing quality and time. Upon seeing visual examples made by artists and art bloggers, I can honestly say that this product is very well-developed. The reviews and demonstrations have provided a very detailed and accurate mental picture of what can be expected out of it- the pressure-sensitive technology allows for you to draw thick and heavy lines, as well as thin and light lines, and they will be clearly seen on the digital version. You will be able to see all of your sketch marks on the digital picture as well, which helps in adjusting the drawing so that it better suits the computer format.

But with the advantages, there comes the disappointments. For example, if you happen to bump the receiver (even just a tap) while you’re drawing, the entire digital image will be a cluster of unidentifiable scribbles. This can be very frustrating, and is a major let-down for this technology. Also, there’s the whole issue with replacing the pen’s ink. As far as I know, any kind of ink will work, but there may be a specific cartridge supplied by Wacom that would be required. If you want more details on ink replacement, you should visit Wacom’s official website (www.wacom.com/en/Products/Inkling.aspx) and look for product information on the Inkling Pen.

Even in light of these few disadvantages, I can honestly say that Wacom has outdone itself with the whole conception of this device. It seems to be very effective, and other artists seem to enjoy using it. It seems much easier than using a tablet, and more reliable than a scanner. After reading all of the reviews, and looking at the results of the product’s use, I find myself craving an up-close and personal experience with Inkling. I’ve actually already started looking into purchasing one. I urge any up and coming artist to do the same. I fully believe that it will be money well spent, and a huge step forward in your journey to becoming a successful artist.

Sources for writing

• " Inkling | Wacom Americas." Interactive Pen Displays and Tablets | Wacom Americas. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. <http://www.wacom.com/en/Products/Inkling.aspx>.

• "Wacom Inkling review - a digital drawing pen for artists - Reviews - Digital Arts." Digital Arts. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. <http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/reviews/?reviewid=3302201>.

• "Wacom Inkling review: A high-tech pen you'll use - Gadgetbox on msnbc.com." Gadgetbox on msnbc.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. <http://www.gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/technology/gadgetbox/wacom-inkling-review-high-tech-pen-youll-use-119029>.