Is it possible to sketch in Affinity Photo 2 and/or Affinity Designer 2

[DonC123]

Years ago, I used to do a lot of pencil sketching. I am wondering if anyone has had success sketching in a similar manner to the one attached, which, I did years ago with a pencil. The attached is a scan of it. I am on a desktop, using only a mouse. I have tried looking for tutorials but I don't see anything that looks like a similar result can achieved. Any thoughts? 

[MikeW]

Nice drawing! I can't help you with your question, just wanted to say I like it.

[walt.farrell]

13 minutes ago, DonC123 said:

I am on a desktop, using only a mouse.

I would use a tablet and stylus/pen for that kind of drawing, not a mouse. Technically it can probably be done with a mouse, but I would think it's much harder that way.

[DonC123]

1 hour ago, MikeW said:

Nice drawing! I can't help you with your question, just wanted to say I like it.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate your comment.

[DonC123]

59 minutes ago, walt.farrell said:

I would use a tablet and stylus/pen for that kind of drawing, not a mouse. Technically it can probably be done with a mouse, but I would think it's much harder that way.

Thanks Walt,

A number of years ago I had purchased a bamboo pen pad, but I didn't like the feeling of drawing on the pad while watching the monitor. Maybe if I stuck with that, I would have adapted to it. Later I purchased a MS Surface and although I liked drawing right on the screen, the device left a lot to be desired in other areas. If money were not a consideration, I would purchase one of the big wacom tablets made for drawing, but the old retirement dollars don't stretch so far these days. 

I was just hoping to get back into drawing with the digital products I have, away from pencil and paper.  

[thomaso]

3 hours ago, DonC123 said:

I have tried looking for tutorials but I don't see anything that looks like a similar result can achieved. Any thoughts?

While this question seems to ask for the visual pencil look (which can get achieved with according brush(es), more flexible than analogue) your response to Walt rather seems to express a disappointment with digital hardware and its emotional creation feel.

To achieve results you experienced on paper with soft graphite pencils (> 2B) would require a digital pressure sensitive device and thus using a mouse (instead of a digital pen) maybe insufficient just by its limited stroke quality.

Pencil brush: The number of available brushes is huge. Maybe there is a good start for pencil impressions:
https://frankentoonstudio.com/product/placard-brush-pack-affinity/
https://frankentoonstudio.com/product/crayon-box-affinity/

For a better feel: Apart from the fact that a digital pen takes some getting used to, if you especially miss the pencil-on-paper with its frictional resistance, you might use a foil on the smooth glass of the screen, like this for instance: https://paperlike.com/

"Nanodots are the teensy, tiny micro-beads responsible for giving Paperlike its unique, papery feel. They provide haptic feedback in the form of ever-so-slight vibrations that emulate the natural drag and resistance of sketchbook paper."

[dominik]

7 hours ago, DonC123 said:

I am on a desktop, using only a mouse. I have tried looking for tutorials but I don't see anything that looks like a similar result can achieved. Any thoughts? 

Hi @DonC123,

if you get the chance try out an iPad with an Apple Pencil. Even used (re: older) iPads do perform quite well. Perhaps you can borrow a device for an afternoon?

The only drawback might be the feel of it because the screen is made of glass. But @thomaso already has a suggestion for that 🙂

d.

[DonC123]

13 hours ago, thomaso said:

While this question seems to ask for the visual pencil look (which can get achieved with according brush(es), more flexible than analogue) your response to Walt rather seems to express a disappointment with digital hardware and its emotional creation feel.

To achieve results you experienced on paper with soft graphite pencils (> 2B) would require a digital pressure sensitive device and thus using a mouse (instead of a digital pen) maybe insufficient just by its limited stroke quality.

Pencil brush: The number of available brushes is huge. Maybe there is a good start for pencil impressions:
https://frankentoonstudio.com/product/placard-brush-pack-affinity/
https://frankentoonstudio.com/product/crayon-box-affinity/

For a better feel: Apart from the fact that a digital pen takes some getting used to, if you especially miss the pencil-on-paper with its frictional resistance, you might use a foil on the smooth glass of the screen, like this for instance: https://paperlike.com/

"Nanodots are the teensy, tiny micro-beads responsible for giving Paperlike its unique, papery feel. They provide haptic feedback in the form of ever-so-slight vibrations that emulate the natural drag and resistance of sketchbook paper."

Thanks for taking time to respond. I appreciate your insights and links. The idea about the foil is very interesting, as what you surmised was spot on.

[DonC123]

10 hours ago, dominik said:

Hi @DonC123,

if you get the chance try out an iPad with an Apple Pencil. Even used (re: older) iPads do perform quite well. Perhaps you can borrow a device for an afternoon?

The only drawback might be the feel of it because the screen is made of glass. But @thomaso already has a suggestion for that 🙂

d.

Thanks for the idea Dominik, My granddaughter has an ipad, that I am sure I could borrow for an afternoon, to see if I like it.

[thomaso]

1 minute ago, DonC123 said:

The idea about the foil is very interesting, as what you surmised was spot on.

Note, if you work with your bamboo (or any non-screen tablet) it may also work to place a real (smooth) paper on the plastic surface (instead of a special foil).

In my experience this aspect lost importance when I got used to the handling of the pen. The more unusual parts are the different viewing direction (on the screen as you mentioned, not on the tablet) and the 'right' pressure setting & use. Concerning the viewing direction I assume in particular when drawing architecture or nature the focus is more at the motive than you are conscious.

(but I must admit: though I did travelling sketches for years I did not continue with the same energy in the digital workflow – whereas a friend, an architect, does impressive sketches an his six inch smart phone without issues with the multiple required zooming-in/-out while drawing. So I am convinced it is "just" a matter of exercise.)

[DonC123]

52 minutes ago, thomaso said:

Note, if you work with your bamboo (or any non-screen tablet) it may also work to place a real (smooth) paper on the plastic surface (instead of a special foil).

In my experience this aspect lost importance when I got used to the handling of the pen. The more unusual parts are the different viewing direction (on the screen as you mentioned, not on the tablet) and the 'right' pressure setting & use. Concerning the viewing direction I assume in particular when drawing architecture or nature the focus is more at the motive than you are conscious.

(but I must admit: though I did travelling sketches for years I did not continue with the same energy in the digital workflow – whereas a friend, an architect, does impressive sketches an his six inch smart phone without issues with the multiple required zooming-in/-out while drawing. So I am convinced it is "just" a matter of exercise.)

Thanks again Thomas! I have decided to keep working at developing my digital drawing skills because it will be something somewhat new for me. Although I have done many art forms over the years, including 3D modeling and rendering for the last 20+ years, I just feel like going in a new direction, while remaining at the computer.

I checked out your artwork link. You have a lot of great work there. I especially liked the IMGP0745-1600 image, and  IMGP0728_1200, with the color washes added. I might try that myself, after I relearn how to draw.

Don