Hi folks!
Many of you are probably aware, but I recently bought a Supernote A6x2 (Nomad) upon recommendation by my lovely friend, Harry Bogosian. I was at NYCC, and while we tabled together, he pulled out his device for me to try.
I grew up always trying new gadgets and art programs, trying to force many things into my process. As soon as I touched this the device I tossed around the thought of getting my own for a week or so. The feeling of the screen protector and the Wacom One Hi-Uni was just perfect where it felt like real sketching on a notebook. The responsiveness was surprisingly fast and the limitations of the layers along with the undo button were just things I’ve always wanted with a sketchbook.
Sure, I had an iPad with a paper-like, but it takes a lot of energy for me to pick up my iPad. It takes energy to THINK about it, frankly! The iPad requires me to open an art program and fight with it, the pencil and its torturous battery life, and the backlight searing my eyes. Sure, we have traditional media, too. However, I’ve definitely filled an entire shelf of half-empty sketchbooks with the sketch of an original character looking to the left… along with journals and planners that never got past the 2-month marker.
I was wondering, as many of you who have seen me tinker openly with this device… “will this fix me?” I spent some time with Harry over voice calls, just kind of talking through its limitations and watching YouTube videos on how the MicroSD attaches, why I should buy the new x2 instead of an older model, and cruising through Reddit for information on exporting.
Then I made my purchase! I said “FUCK IT”, as I made enough at NYCC to justify something fun. I haven’t drawn much at all this year. I’ve been so burnt out and traveling SO MUCH that I wanted something that would fill this void in my heart. I cried and cried hoping it would fix me! FIX ME SUPERNOTE!
And somehow, it did.
My Device and My Tools
I’m pretty proactive with understanding a product to its fullest when I first get it. So here are my reasons for picking the newest model.
SUPERNOTE NOMAD A6x2
Small, can be carried basically anywhere
Battery replacement functionality. (Future proofing)
MicroSD ability. Not completely reliant on Cloud functionality. (Cloud accepts Gdrive and Dropbox and others)
Accepts all sorts of EMR pens. Including WACOM ONE tablet pens.
STAEDTLER MARS LUMOGRAPH DIGITAL
I bought this one because it was cheap, honestly. Also I used a lot of Staedtler pencils back in the day, so it felt nostalgic. The nib is a bit squishy, and maybe a little less responsive than a Wacom One, but I’d say it feels a bit more like a soft lead pencils or a tombow firm fineliner. It gives a bit of a brushy feel.
WACOM ONE PEN
I don’t own one yet, but Harry let me use his! It’s a lot more sketchy feeling. The nib is harder so it feels more like a pencil than the Staedtler’s softer nib.
Some things I wanted to get from the device
A list of things I wanted from the device for my own needs:
Switching my thumbnailing process to be on the SN instead of my computer.
Having multiple “notebooks” dedicated to my projects, and write things down and doodle again.
Making doodle PDFs just to put on the internet or distribute to my friends
Something to get me off of my computer and also something to travel with that isn’t my iPad.
Ereader
Things I learned upon getting my device
You can export using a QR code that will delete itself after 24hrs. Obviously means your art is stored SOMEWHERE for a certain period of time, but if you’re just trying to get your artwork from one device to another, it makes it really simple.
You can export full PDFs and individual PNGs. Crazy!
Connecting the Cloud is so easy? I use GDrive and I just have a dedicated export folder where I sync to.
I should have gotten the more expensive crystal version, since the plastic body on the back is kind of scary to unhook to access the microSD slot. BUT I think with a bit more confidence, it’ll get easier. Definitely look up youtube videos before opening. The crystal version requires a screwdriver, but it’s stiffer acrylic material I believe.
Harry warned me that there is NO trash bin in the device. If you delete a file, it’s just GONE. So have backups.
The keyboard sucks. You’ll only really use it to rename files. It can connect with a Bluetooth keyboard, but it’s supposedly not the greatest to type on. I haven’t tried yet because I don’t care.
Buy a case of some kind! Doesn’t have to be the official case. It’s a very lightweight device and NEEDS screen protection. Harry warned me, so I got one and do NOT regret it.
Kindle app can be downloaded if you have that! I just have individual epubs, so I don’t necessarily use it. But I’d imagine it’s helpful to those who export their Libby reads to the kindle.
Atelier app can be downloaded, but I am particularly an anti-atelier person. The pencil is REALLY cool, but I think the Notes app is exactly what I need and want to use.
The notes app strokes are raster/vector, similar to CSP’s vector layer. It’ll remember your strokes and resize rather nicely. There’s an eraser that will erase entire strokes for you and you can use it as a lasso. Very handy.
Lots of really lovely preset templates, but uploading your own template is so easy and there’s quite a large community of people who already have built A6 sized templates and released them for free. https://supernote-templates.mostlyuseful.tech/
I’m still in the process of learning more and more about this device that I could go ON and ON about. The list above isn’t even a comprehensive guide to all the things I have discovered. Like all the Ereader stuff is so fun! Annotating is fun!
Is there anything you’re interested in hearing about? I know there’s a LOT of general information around about the Supernote, but if you want a specific perspective from a cartoonist, let me know!
EDIT - Was reminded once again that I have an affiliate link. Feel free to use this if you want to throw me a couple bucks if you end up buying it! https://supernote.com/?sca_ref=7533201.X3B9pIdgJe