This strip was a chance to play with ink on paper again, rather than about creating a meaningful story line.

There's satisfaction in the subtle drag of pen, brush and metal nib on paper; the softness of sable hair spreading puddles of black across Bristol board; the comforting smell of drying ink; the unavoidable stains on fingertips. And with only one chance to get it right, there's learning to live with the happy accidents that won't erase away.

All these qualities are lost when working with computer media.