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Nomad capacitive brush now available for iPad

by Chris Ward Feb 21st 2011 at 9:00AM

Nomad brush for iPad

Some remarkable work has already been produced by artists using iPads -- David Hockney even mounted an exhibition in Paris of his iPad and iPhone paintings -- and the release of the new Nomad Brush should only increase their creativity.

Until now, artists have been limited to using their fingers or eraser-like styluses, but this is set to change with the introduction of the Nomad Brush, which is made with capacitive fibers to give creative types the same "feel" as if they were painting normally.

Designed by artist and architect Don Lee, the US$24 Nomad Brush works on all capacitive screens, including iPhones, iPod touches and iPads (and even the Samsung Galaxy if you're tempted by the Android side).

"Nomad brush is carefully hand-crafted and made with exceptionally conductive materials," says Lee. "This allows the brush to be extremely responsive, making brushstrokes immediate and effortless on any capacitive touchscreen device." Check out the video below to see the brush in action.

[If your artistic leanings are more refrigerator door than the Louvre, keep an eye out for Crayola's new stylus offering coming later this year. – Ed.]

[via RazorianFly]

Nomad Brush for the iPad from Don Lee on Vimeo.



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Some remarkable work has already been produced by artists using iPads -- David Hockney even mounted an exhibition in Paris of his iPad and...
 

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Sofia

http://www.arteipad.com

February 23 2011 at 9:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sofia

Hello, introduce myself, my name is Sofia, I work in the creative world. People say – “normal brushes do not work on the iPad or a joke” and this I reply: “Yes, some brushes with the iPad normal function, and is not a joke. And so I leave it in suspense, just give me time to make the video (I hope I help a friend) and I will show how you can use a normal brush on the iPad. (Apologies for not writing well in English, use a translator)

February 23 2011 at 8:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
yoinkers

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't a brush derive it's feel and performance from the fact that you're painting with *liquids*? I don't understand how a dry brush is supposed to be any better than a capacitive foam wedge.

Then again, I'm not an artist nor a painter.

February 21 2011 at 12:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to yoinkers's comment
Aedile

Not quite. A brush is soft and has flex and give. While this brush accessory will likely not allow for pressure-sensitive detection a la a Wacom tablet, I imagine it will flow across the touch surface much more smoothly given the nature of the construction. The styluses I have used to this point really haven't traveled across the glass very well. The feeling of flow is just all wrong. I've already mentioned it in other comments, if this flows more like a real brush, it'll be worth the price, even without pressure sensitivity.

Now if only someone could figure out how to give the same level of sensitivity as a Wacom tablet in a portable package...

February 22 2011 at 10:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stanley

Until tablets gain significantly faster tracking capability and nominal pressure support, such a brush is sadly nothing but a gimmick.

February 21 2011 at 12:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Stanley's comment
Aedile

Well, having not used it I can't really disagree with you yet. I will, however, say that I have been very displeased with the way the styluses I have used have flowed over the tablet. If this flows more like a brush instead of like a piece of rubber on glass, then I would consider it money well-spent.

February 22 2011 at 10:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
longterm

I watched the video; there's 30 seconds I'll never get back.

Dreamy shots of the brush handle? Text that sits on the screen for seconds? A 2-second (at best) shot of someone actually USING the brush?

If they want me to be interested in this brush, SHOW me how it works. This video leaves me thinking they don't want us to see how well (or badly) it actually performs.

February 21 2011 at 11:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to longterm's comment
Cy Starkman

I watched the brushes playback video in the comments first.

After reading your comment I played the demo video, it's really bad.

Watch the comments one, no brush sure but you really see what is going on, it is heaps more informative.

February 21 2011 at 11:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Logan

I kind of think this looks a bit silly, actually. From the demo video, it seems like the fact that it is a "brush" with bristles is just aesthetic. It looks to me like the juncture between the fibers and the body of the brush is where the contact is being made with the iPad, and looks to offer no advantage over a simple capacitive stylus. (http://www.alltheotherstuff.net/blog/2011/2/21/nomad-capacitive-brush.html)

February 21 2011 at 11:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mark Miller

Very clever! Genius, really. I'm not an artist myself but my mother is, and so I forwarded this post on to her. And it's not outrageously priced at $24.

February 21 2011 at 10:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peter Johnson

Does it vary the thickness according to how hard you press in any way? It seemed to almost deliberately keep the shot of actually using the brush to the bare minimum in that video.

I am sure I read somewhere about a tech that could detect size of the contact to the screen?

I bought a cheap Exspect stylus to try, but the rubber tip kept sticking on the screen, not a very satisfying experience.

Peter
Solubleapps.com/Mailshot

February 21 2011 at 9:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve

I've been using the brush for a few weeks now, and it really is the most responsive with the least amount of pressure needed to register a stroke.

A few examples:

http://flic.kr/p/9jDNej
http://flic.kr/p/9f42Bh
http://www.vimeo.com/19468546 (Brushes playback)

February 21 2011 at 9:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Steve's comment
Cy Starkman

Thanks for the links, what a great demo. The videowas especially insightful.

February 21 2011 at 11:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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