reMarkable 2 Review from an artist’s perspective.
The reMarkable 2 Tablet in my experience so far has many things that improve upon the original tablet. I primarily used my reMarkable 1 Tablet as a valuable tool for school work, books/documents and Table Top RPGs. The support for PDF files made using the table easy and simple to go paperless for many of my day to day paper consuming tasks. Everything feels and very similar to paper and the build quality of the tablet is definitely not in question. The battery life is amazing, the new Pen Plus tmagnetically attaching to the side of the tablet is a a big improvement as well. I also find the gesture navigation controls easy to use too. When the reMarkable 2 was advertised as having twice the speed of the previous tablet, I immediately placed an order. My frustrations with the table begin to emerge when I started using it for artwork again though. Because it feels like paper, it’s easy to make the switch to using it, but I almost feel limited to using it for concept sketches and rough drawings only. Below I’ll list in detail what caused the reMarkable 2 to lose points for me, but in a constructive way that is also my feature wish list.
— Processing Power. The device seems too slow for a device of such good build quality. When I begin to use some of the features to dip my toes into the world of digital art agajn, my artistic work flow is abruptly stopped and it can become frustrating. I’m sure there is a level of this that is hard to control due to the nature of the E-Ink display. The display is normally very responsive. So It’s difficult to chalk this up to software or hardware. When using the “Zoom” function to hone in on finer details I find myself waiting nearly a full minute or more for the display to refresh and begin responding to my pen inputs again. When I need to move the zoomed in location to a new section of my drawing, I dread the near full minute of waiting again for the device screen to refresh. This breaks up my work flow and focus badly enough that I almost want to put down the reMarkable all together. Problem is, I’ve already dedicated hours into an artwork that I don’t want to lose due to my frustrations with the speed of device.
— Layers. As someone who is used to working with traditional mediums for my art, having access to layers is an amazing bonus that can be used to very beautiful effect. But I have a pleading suggestion. The update that added the ability to rename layers was very welcome, but the feature most needed now is the ability to merge layers. Currently to merge two layers, I have to used the copy tool on an entire layer that I’d like to merge, then selecting the layer I want to merge to, then paste that copied layer to the layer I’d like to merge it with and carefully move/place the copy just right so that all my work lines up (and be sure not to accident tap anything else for fear of losing my selection and having to try again). Then finally going back to the initial layer that I had to copy and deleting it. The addition of a “Merge Layer” would help improve work flow and focus so much for artists. I think everyone that used the reMarkable would love this as an addition regardless of how they used it though.
— The “×” in the corner. On the reMarkable 2, when you have the tool bar opened, a small “×” in a circle appears in the opposite top corner of the tool bar. I’ve accidentally hit that little “×” and been ejected out to the files screen. So. Many. Times. — When I’m done in a screen on the reMarkable 2, I used the downward swipe gesture to exit back to my file selection. I’ve never unintentionally done the gesture. So I’m left to assume that the “×” is a leftover software design for users of the reMarkable 1 Tablet. Having the option to turn off the “×” on the reMarkable 2 Tablet would be a major quality of life improvement. When drawing I often rotate the tablet and rest my hand on different parts of the screen. I can’t tell you how hard it is to want to continue on a piece of artwork that you’ve working on when coupled with the above issues I’ve had. Image waiting about 2 minutes to zoom in and readjust to the the right location on your drawing. Then you softly rest your hand on the display to get just the right line placement, only to be booted out to the file selection screen. Realizing you have to go through the whole “Zoom, wait a minute, Readjust, wait another minute.” process again it’s demoralizing. At least the frequency of my issues would be quickly reduces if I had the option to get turn off the “×” on the reMarkable 2 Tablet.
— Selection tool and Stencils. I feel like the tablet would benefit from a simple stencil tool. I’d like the option to tap the tool, select a shape (Such as Square, Circle, Triangle, or even just a Line) then tap the screen to paste and adjust the stencil. Moreover, the selection tool could use a simple improvement also that allows us users to skew or distort our selections. Currently we can only rotate and scale the selection. This would make stencil tool more versatile too. Allow circles to become ovals or ellipses, squares into rectangles or rhombuses and triangles into useful trigonometry related shapes.
— TL;DR — The reMarkable 2 Tablet is a good improvement in both quality and feel from the reMarkable 1 Tablet. But I can’t help but feel like it’s held back by using the same software that premiered in the reMarkable 1(save for a few updates). As for the speed of the device, it doesn’t feel like we got the “2 Times Faster” we were promised and I’m worried that cannot be fixed though subsequent updates. Still though, it remains a useful tool I’ll continue to use for Table Top RPG’s, School Work, Journaling and E-Books. The thing I want to use it for the most for though, is making artwork. Unfortunately I feel that’s where the reMarkable falls short. It’s capable of making very beautiful artwork if it could keep up with the basics user demands. Call me impatient, but in my experience, it’s just not snappy/responsive enough when using the zoom and layering features to produced anything other than simple concept art or rough sketches. Regardless, I still love the device and hopefully I’ll have my above wishes fulfilled with the release of a reMarkable 3.
Unveiling the Magic: The Remarkable Benefits of Art Journaling
In my most recent online course, The Clarity Course, we explored several diverse practices and thought processes that can aid with clarity. There are certainly a multitude of approaches, and students discovered specific methods that resonated with them, proving to be exceptionally valuable. Among these, there’s one technique that has profoundly struck a chord with me since I was around 10-years-old, enabling me to traverse even the most enigmatic of paths throughout my life — a practice known as art journaling.
Within the course, I took the opportunity to guide my students through the process of art journaling in a creative and visually captivating manner – live together on a Zoom call. With tools like stickers, markers, washi tape, magazine cutouts, and even decorative gift wrap, I demonstrated how effortlessly art pages in a journal can become a canvas for self-expression.
Witnessing the inspiration kindled within my students during this session moved me deeply, prompting me to extend the discussion on art journaling to a broader audience here on this blog. The benefits are boundless, and I’m convinced that like my students, you too can experience a significant positive impact by embarking on this creative journey.
Wouldn’t you agree that nowadays, we struggle with FOCUS problems. That’s what I believe that it’s essential to find avenues for self-expression, reflection, and rejuvenation that also allows us to start and complete a relatively easy task. Art journaling does that. It’s an introspective journey that offers a myriad of benefits, nurturing both mental well-being and artistic growth. I like it because I sometimes don’t feel like writing in my journal, or I simply lack the words or don’t feel in the mood to write. Having a blank page before me to fill with words can feel like a task at times, but having that same blank page to fill with pretty stickers and doodles and cut-outs from magazines, watercolor paint, etc. is exciting.
I love how art journaling provides an unfiltered outlet for our thoughts, emotions, and ideas. It’s a safe space to unleash your creativity – to get into the flow – without judgment or constraints. Through colors, lines, shapes, and words, you can communicate feelings that might be too complex for words alone. The act of translating your inner world onto paper can be incredibly liberating, helping you gain clarity and insight into your thoughts and emotions.
It also helps relieve stress and encourages mindfulness. The rhythmic motion of sketching, painting, or collaging can help shift your focus away from worries and stress. As you immerse yourself in the process of making, you are in the present moment, cultivating a state of mindfulness that eases anxiety and promotes relaxation. The tactile experience of using art supplies and seeing your creativity come to life adds a tactile dimension to the practice, enhancing the therapeutic effects.
This form of journaling also opens you up to experimentation. You’re free to try new techniques, combine unexpected elements, and explore a variety of artistic styles. You can practice hand-lettering, watercolor flowers, or sketching faces or objects. This experimentation fosters a spirit of curiosity and innovation, leading to enhanced creative problem-solving skills that can extend beyond your pages. As you see your skills evolve and your artistic voice develop, your confidence as a creator naturally grows, influencing how you approach challenges in other areas of your life. Creating interesting art pages encourages you to think outside the box. As you experiment, you’re honing your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. These cognitive benefits extend beyond your pages, influencing your approach to everyday obstacles and fostering a more adaptable mindset.
I also love how my journals give me a visual timeline to follow which show my growth throughout the years. Flipping through the pages of your art journal is like revisiting chapters of your life and personal growth journey. Each page captures a snapshot of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at a particular moment in time so make sure to date your pages! Over the weeks, months, and years, you’ll witness your evolution as an artist and as an individual. This visual chronicle serves as a powerful reminder of your resilience, progress, and the obstacles you’ve overcome.
Once you get started, you won’t want to stop. It’s a gateway to a world of self-discovery, mindfulness, and creative fulfillment.Whether you’re an experienced artist or you can barely draw a stick figure, it doesn’t matter, the benefits of art journaling are accessible to all. You can make mini mood boards with collected images, and use colored pencils to doodle simple shapes, adding colorful patterned washi tape to your arrangement for further interest. You don’t have to know how to draw or paint at all!
I encourage you to grab a journal without lines or grid (blank white pages only), grab your favorite art supplies, and get started. Try to find a journal that can lay somewhat flat so it’s easier to create pretty pages.
Do you art journal? If not, are you curious to get started?
(Photography: Holly Becker)
