Ask the Artist Vol. 1: Owen Freeman – From Traditional Sketchbook to Supernote Manta

July 10, 2025

We're always thrilled to connect with artists who are pushing boundaries and finding new ways to integrate mindful technology into their creative flow. Today, as part of our "Ask the Artist" series, we're sitting down with Owen Freeman, a fantastic freelance illustrator based in Los Angeles, to talk about his recent experience with the Supernote Manta.

Owen's a self-professed fan of traditional sketchbooks and journals, valuing that direct, focused feeling of analog tools. So, we were especially keen to hear his thoughts on how the Supernote Manta holds up in a professional creative environment. Let's dive into our conversation!

Looking back, what was a pivotal moment or specific challenge in your early career that truly shaped you into the artist you are today?

Looking back on my early career, I feel like a specific challenge for many years was to take time to self-generate new work for myself that I found personally engaging and could be included in my portfolio. Over the course of a few years, I was able to shape professional job opportunities into the work I enjoy doing.

What core message or feeling do you hope your art conveys to viewers, regardless of the medium or subject matter?

I hope my work conveys openness and sincerity to viewers. Growing up, even before I knew what “illustration” was, I was grateful for pictures that helped me access and absorb stories and ideas, and my hope is to contribute to that pool of work.

What first sparked your interest in an E Ink notebook like the Supernote Manta, and how has it started to fit into your daily routine?

My long-standing fascination with the E Ink drawing tablet space stems from my preference for analogue tools – I find I'm most direct and focused when using them. The core question for me was whether that quality would carry over to E Ink tablets. After a few weeks of working on Supernote Manta, I am happy to report a lot of the qualities of notebook sketching did carry over. My first impression was that the device was incredibly thin and light, even with its folio attached. Almost like a small stack of cardstock or slim clipboard. This made it easier to hold when drawing and had a light impact on my bag when I went to a coffee shop to work.

The Heart of Metal 2 pen's ceramic nib really stands out. For someone who loves the feel of traditional tools, how did this unique pen impact your drawing precision and overall confidence? Did you have a specific moment where it just 'clicked' for you?

In a pleasant complement to the thin, light tablet, I was happy the Heart of Metal pen felt quite weighty and solid - it reminded me of the heft of a metal fountain pen, which is one of my preferred sketching tools. At first, there was a little learning curve in terms of the traction and personality of the ceramic nib on the screen. But ultimately it was a bit like using coated paper and a technical pen and I quickly adapted to the feel. I find the tactile feedback is crucial for control and thinking “through” a drawing or thumbnail sketches.

You rely on rapid thumbnailing for client work and daily sketching from life. How has the Supernote Manta influenced these core parts of your process?

For my main uses of thumbnail idea sketching for assignments and daily sketching from life, the Supernote Manta was perfectly fluid. I was able to quickly dial in the pen settings that suited my needs. My only minor observation was some small refresh pauses when actively switching between menus or tools. Critically for an artist, the pressure sensitivity with the pen tools was surprisingly responsive. I’ve also just begun to delve into the more formal note-taking and handwriting recognition features but those seemed robust.

How about the dedicated Atelier app? And if you could suggest one or two improvements for its professional functionality, what would they be?

I find the 10.7" screen felt very comfortable for sketching. Given my preference for the tablet to mimic a fixed page, I consciously tended not to utilize the scale or zoom features, though it's good to know they are available. The "Atelier" art app, which I primarily used, is simple yet entirely serviceable for quick B&W sketching. I found I could accomplish most of what I needed once I became proficient in setting up the larger and smaller brushes and tones. My primary desire for future improvements would be for the brushes to offer a bit more size range or have greater flexibility in varying line widths at faster speeds. With analogue sketching I'm particularly drawn to brush pens on paper because of their ability to vary line widths without requiring me to constantly switch tools. I believe this would be a fantastic addition to a product that already excels at replicating the paper and pen experience, and I'm eager to see how the Atelier software evolves.

How about the main Notes app?

The main note-taking interface also surprised me with its solid drawing toolset, which I found quite enjoyable. It was remarkably easy to work with a few different values, making it comfortable for rapid thumbnailing and even basic comic panel layouts. It excelled in conceptual work that didn’t demand a lot of tonal variation or highly detailed rendering.

Beyond professional work, have you explored any unexpected ways to use the Supernote Manta in your life?

I honestly didn't realize how much I would appreciate the ability to work with the device outdoors without having to worry about screen brightness or glare. This freedom from environmental constraints significantly expands where and how I can engage in my creative process, especially for sketching from life. It's also a feature that will be excellent for the built-in e-reader function.

As an art educator, you're always guiding students. How do you see the Supernote Manta fitting into your teaching methods?

I'm looking forward to making the Supernote Manta my go-to for digital sketching and note-taking. For teaching, the ability to quickly take notes for tutorials and lectures, and to sketch ideas that can instantly mirror to my PC, is incredibly convenient. This immediate digital portability and organization are significant benefits for an educator's workflow.

Every artist faces creative blocks or periods of self-doubt. How do you personally navigate these difficult times, and what strategies do you employ to regain inspiration or momentum?

This is the eternal question in my experience as an illustrator and teacher. For me the strategy is really “momentum,” in the sense that no one drawing or illustration has ever rid me of self-doubt, but an ongoing, daily practice of drawing and making work can help me keep playing and not focus too much on the inevitable hits and misses.

What inspires you most these days? Are there particular artists, movements, books, films, or even everyday observations that are currently fueling your imagination?

Animation, film and other illustrators are endlessly inspiring to me. Experiencing another person’s lens on the world, their experience and point of view through an image that makes me look at things differently afterwards there’s nothing better.

If you could give one piece of advice to an artist who is just starting out on their professional journey, what would it be?

My advice to an artist just starting out is to run towards the things that make you excited to create art and really keep them close. Find people and communities who love the things you love and support one another because none of us get where we are alone.

Owen’s journey in art is truly impressive, from his studies at Art Center College of Design to working and living across London, Los Angeles, and Seattle as an illustrator, concept artist, and teacher. You've likely seen his work for major players like Marvel Studios, Warner Brothers Animation, National Geographic, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Paramount Pictures, and Nike, just to name a few. When he's not on a big client project, you can often find him sharing his drawing and travel sketchbooks on Instagram.

His extensive client list speaks to his expertise in the field, making him a trusted voice for artists seeking innovative tools to elevate their craft. You can explore more of his compelling work at owenfreeman.com.