Pen and Ink vs. Graphite Pencil: My Medium of Choice

medium choices on an e-ink device.

When drawing on my Supernote, I’ve noticed a clear difference between using pen and ink in the regular Notebook appand graphite pencil in the Atelier app. Each tool has its own feel and purpose, and I’ve found that the app itself affects how I use them. Pen and ink help me capture movement and bold lines, while graphite pencil in Atelier is better for detailed, static compositions.

Pen and Ink: Energy and Motion in the Notebook App

Whenever I sketch in the Notebook app, I rely on the pen and ink tool. It gives me crisp, bold lines that can’t be erased, which forces me to commit to my strokes. This makes my drawings feel more spontaneous and dynamic, especially when I’m sketching gestures, action poses, or quick ideas. The Notebook app’s responsiveness also makes inking feel smooth and natural.

What I Like About Using Ink in Notebook:

• The lines are sharp and high-contrast, great for expressive sketches.

• It’s perfect for capturing movement and energy in my drawings.

Whenever I want to sketch quickly and focus on bold compositions, I stick with ink in the Notebook app. It helps me stay loose and fluid in my work.


Graphite Pencil: Precision and Shading in Atelier

When I switch to Atelier, I naturally gravitate toward the graphite pencil. Unlike the Notebook app, Atelier allows for layering, blending, and soft shading, making it ideal for detailed, refined drawings. The pressure sensitivity makes a huge difference, letting me build up tones gradually—something that’s impossible with ink.

Why I Prefer Graphite in Atelier:

• It allows for fine details and soft shading.

• I can layer and blend to create realistic textures.

• The control it gives me makes it better for static poses and studies.

If I’m working on a portrait, anatomy study, or a careful rendering, I always choose graphite in Atelier. The tools in this app make it easier to slow down and refine my work.

How I Use Both in My Workflow

I’ve come to see these tools as complementary rather than competing.

• For bold, expressive sketches and movement, I use ink in Notebook.

• For detailed, shaded work and precision, I use graphite in Atelier.

Ink in Notes

Graphite in Ateier

Each has its strengths, and I’ve learned to switch between them depending on what I want to achieve. If I need to capture an idea quickly, I start in Notebook with ink. If I want to take my time and refine a drawing, I move to Atelier with graphite.

If you draw on a Supernote, do you prefer ink in Notebook or graphite in Atelier?

A Year in Atelier: My Digital Sketchbook Challenge


As someone who’s long been fascinated by the intersection of art and technology, I’ve always treated my creative tools with a sense of exploration. But when I challenged myself to use the Atelier app on my Supernote exclusively for a year, I had no idea how transformative the journey would be. This was the closest I’ve ever come to finishing a sketchbook—and what an experience it was.

Why the Challenge?

The Atelier app isn’t just another digital drawing tool; it’s deliberately simple, more like a virtual paper sketchbook than a high-powered design suite. The absence of features like perfect line tools forces you to embrace imperfections, while the inclusion of a pencil tool invites you to slow down and work intuitively.

The challenge stemmed from my curiosity: could I recreate the discipline of traditional sketching in a digital medium? Could I commit to drawing regularly, improving my anatomy skills, and overcoming the urge to hop between apps and tools?

Anatomy: My Muse and My Test

I’d never attempted anatomical drawing before. It felt like a daunting, almost insurmountable mountain to climb. But what better way to challenge myself than to focus entirely on something new? Anatomy is a discipline that requires patience, precision, and perseverance—qualities I hoped to develop alongside my art.

The Experience:

1. Starting Simple:

The first few weeks were awkward. Without perfect lines, every stroke felt messy, and the pencil tool left a raw, unfinished quality to my work. But I leaned into it, reminding myself that sketchbooks are meant to be imperfect.

2. Embracing Limitations:

Unlike other digital tools, Atelier doesn’t let you polish every mistake into oblivion. I learned to accept flaws, turning them into stepping stones for growth. By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, I began to improve in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

3. Anatomy and Growth:

Drawing anatomy taught me to see shapes and forms in entirely new ways. From skeletons to muscles, every sketch was a study in observation. Some days, I’d fill pages with rough poses; other days, I’d painstakingly shade a single hand or foot. Over time, I noticed not just better technical skill but also a newfound confidence in tackling complex subjects.

4. The Joy of Progress:

By month eight, flipping through my “digital sketchbook” revealed a clear trajectory of improvement. This was a powerful motivator to keep going. Knowing I’d worked through frustrations and stuck with a single app for so long gave me a sense of creative accomplishment unlike anything else.

What I Learned:

1. Consistency is Key:

Working in Atelier daily or weekly gave me a rhythm. Even on busy days, squeezing in a five-minute sketch kept my creativity alive.

2. Limitations Foster Creativity:

The constraints of Atelier forced me to think differently. Without relying on crutches like ruler tools, I had to be deliberate and resourceful, which strengthened my skills.

3. Digital Can Feel Traditional:

Atelier’s simplicity mirrored the tactile satisfaction of working in a paper sketchbook. By the end of the year, I didn’t feel like I’d been using an app—I felt like I’d filled an actual sketchbook.

Finishing the Sketchbook (Almost)

This challenge became more than just an experiment with a digital tool. It was a journey of discipline, growth, and a deeper connection with my art. While I didn’t technically “finish” a sketchbook in the traditional sense, I created a cohesive collection of work, which feels just as fulfilling.

What’s Next?

As I wrap up this year long challenge, I’m eager to take what I’ve learned into other creative endeavors. Atelier taught me that limitations can lead to breakthroughs and that committing to a single focus can unlock growth in unexpected ways.

For anyone out there hesitating to start a creative challenge, I’d say this: pick a tool, set a goal, and stick with it. You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve in just one year.

Here’s to more sketchbooks in the future!

Supernote Artist Corner

showcase of artist work using supernote

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the artwork or rights displayed below!!

Need some inspiration? Check out what other Artists are doing with their Supernote. Click on the image to be directed to more of their art.

Artist : Jared Gives You the Bird

Artist: Jars.Arts

Artist: AANQUINHA

Artist: Atisumuffin

Artist: JAXCELS

artist: BHansendesign

Workaround: Creating a multi-page sketchbook

Combines both Atelier App Sketches and Note Sketches

I am someone who enjoys "flipping" through my sketchbook. There are some features in Atelier that Note does not have and there are some features in Note that Atelier does not have.

These are the features that I utilize in each App respectively to simulate "flipping".

Note:

- Ability to create multiple pages

- Linking features

- Ability to create a TOC

Atelier:

- The pencil

- The different erasers for blending

- More shades available

- Fine liner

This my workaround to combine the two together:

You will need:

- Atelier app

You will need to know how to do the following features:

- Screenshot

- Move files between folders

- Create a template

1. Draw desired image in Atelier app

2. Take a screenshot of final art in Atelier

3. Find screenshot in Screenshot folder

4. Move screenshot to Mystyle folder

5. Create a new Notebook

6. Add Screenshot images as page templates

7. Done

- I like to create a TOC for my sketchbooks.

- Also touch up images using the white pencil