250 box challenge question/problem

2:32 PM, Monday May 20th 2024

I'm 15 boxes into the box challenge and I've started considering that I'm doing something wrong. I get angry and frustrated everytime my fineliner makes unwanted marks, and I dont mean marks that overshoot or arent perfectly straight. Im talking about marks I accidentally make when ghosting (mostly longer lines or in awkward positions) - I noticed the tip of my fineliner sometimes slightly touches the paper while Im ghosting, which makes a light and unwanted mark. And its not a singular issue - I make around 20-30 of these marks per page (Ive done 3 pages already). These unwanted marks really distract me, which makes me sometimes overshoot/miss the point or to make a really wobbly/curved line. I watched the "first fifty" video and the page is really clean compared to my unwanted mess. Kinda fed up with this, considering switching to ballpoint, cause the issue is nonexistant while using it. Tho I still want to use fineliner, what should I do?

3 users agree
5:33 AM, Wednesday May 22nd 2024

I say hold the pen further from the paper as you ghost, it's just a matter of practice. I'm leaving a lot of these accidental ghosting marks myself and trying to work on it. It's a new tool, growing pains are inevitable, don't sweat it too much.

0 users agree
10:47 AM, Thursday May 23rd 2024

Hi Ricemipotatoes,

ok so MY understanding is that overshooting or missing the point is expected at the beginning and you improve it overtime (but less than a 100 years).

I didn't have the issue of touching the paper while ghosting and I don't recall any mention of it on the website. I remember seeing a Proko video on "line quality" where he says you can put one of your finger a bit forward so that it touches the paper before the pen nib and prevents this issue. I do something similar with my auricular which slides on the paper before I make the mark. I don't know if this is Drawabox approved though ????

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Like the Staedtlers, these also come in a set of multiple weights - the ones we use are F. One useful thing in these sets however (if you can't find the pens individually) is that some of the sets come with a brush pen (the B size). These can be helpful in filling out big black areas.

Still, I'd recommend buying these in person if you can, at a proper art supply store. They'll generally let you buy them individually, and also test them out beforehand to weed out any duds.

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