Clearly from the image I always start with some pencils. They're honestly where I'm most comfortable and I would love to get this comfortable with ink. Figuring out how to make that switch in my brain to think in ink. This particular sketch is just out of my sketchbook. I think it's just a Strathmore with 90lb paper, also done with Microns and a Pentel brush pen (and a white gel pen).

In the near future I'd love to grab some nibs and brushes to try my hand at more traditional inking methods. I really haven't touched those tools since high school. Part of me really enjoys digital for its ability to overcome mental hurdles like, "oh this ink is super permanent". In Clip Studio, Photoshop, or Procreate you'll just undo or copy the layer and adjust, it's easy to just pivot quickly to the next thought or idea. If I were to do that on paper or bristol I'd feel like I was being wasteful with materials. It's probably just another mental barrier to cross.

One technique I really want to try out is dry brush, just keeping enough ink in a brush to get these really nice textures in the line work. I've also seen people use it to get hair to look "feathery" at the ends so you're not drawing out every strand of hair. I'll have to file that under some of my longer-term goals with this art journey.