Joshua Bronk, a talented freelance animator, has forged a unique path in the world of digital art, drawing inspiration from his faith, pop culture, and a commitment to continuous growth. We asked him to check out the Wacom Movink 13 OLED pen display, and his review provides valuable insights into his creative process and the tools that bring his visions to life.
For a little insight into his work and style, check out his portfolio reel:
Creative Process and Inspirations
Bronk’s approach to animation is both structured and flexible. He begins with a detailed blueprint, laying out his ideas in bullet points during the storyboarding and thumbnailing phases. This foundation allows him to make creative decisions on the fly without compromising the project’s overall integrity.
His inspirations are a blend of pop culture and personal beliefs:
- Dragon Ball Z, a significant influence for his generation
- Classic anime like Vampire Hunter D and Ninja Scroll
- Video game franchises such as Metal Gear Solid
- Drawing inspiration from his Christian faith
Journey with Wacom
Joshua Bronk’s artistic journey has been intimately intertwined with Wacom products, each device marking a significant milestone in his career. His first foray into digital art began with the Wacom Bamboo, a faithful companion during his early days of creating stick-figure animations. As Bronk’s skills evolved, so did his tools. The transition to the Cintiq 13HD marked his entry into the world of professional-grade screen display tablets, opening up new realms of creative possibilities.
It was the Mobile Studio Pro, however, that Bronk describes as truly career-defining. This versatile device became an extension of his artistic vision, accompanying him through numerous projects and playing a pivotal role in his skill development. Bronk recalls the Mobile Studio Pro as a constant companion, witnessing his artistic growth and facilitating countless creative breakthroughs.
Now, Bronk has added the Wacom Movink to his creative arsenal, and his enthusiasm for this latest addition is palpable. He praises the Movink for its smooth drawing experience and vibrant display, noting how it seamlessly integrates into his workflow while pushing the boundaries of his artistic capabilities.
Challenges and Growth in Animation
Bronk acknowledges the inherent difficulties in animation, viewing them as opportunities for problem-solving and creative expression. He advises aspiring animators to find joy in the process, which helps in overcoming challenges and appreciating successes.
His Advice for Animators
Recognizing industry trends, Bronk emphasizes the importance of developing 3D skills:
- The rise of 2D-styled 3D animation makes 3D proficiency valuable
- Learning 3D can open new career opportunities
- Resources for 3D education are readily accessible
Joshua Bronk’s story is one of continuous learning, adaptation, and passion for the craft of animation. His experiences with Wacom products, including the Movink, showcase how the right tools can enhance an artist’s creative journey and even bring families closer through shared artistic experiences.
Joshua Bronk’s Wacom Movink 13 Review
Wacom sent me the Wacom Movink 13 to review, so this is a sponsored video, but honestly, it’s actually not that bad! It would be perfect for any hobbyist out there or any traveling professionals who have a portable setup, and I’ll explain why.
But first and foremost, the Movink is an incredibly smooth, light experience. The pen glides across the screen like a pencil on paper. The sensitivity is great. The pen pressure is actually fantastic, as well as the touchscreen capabilities. It makes the workflow really similar to using a phone or a tablet, for those that are used to that. For anyone who isn’t used to that, it might actually speed up your workflow. Of course, the colors are vibrant and crisp. I was genuinely taken aback by how crisp, clean, and colorful the display is.
To really test the Movink, I wanted to create a fun little animation. I jumped into Adobe Animate. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the Movink just feels so natural to draw on. There’s no barrier between drawing and trying to adjust the tablet, calibrating over and over or figuring out the pen’s offset to the cursor. It’s just a smooth experience. The tablet gets out of the way and allows me to draw, which is exactly what you want. And it’s so helpful because now I have the space to focus solely on being creative in my art and animations.
There is one little thing I’ll point out: the Movink is a bit smaller than what I’m used to, and I can’t quite get a full range of motion with my arm, which did begin to give me some tightness in my forearm and wrist. So, to avoid that, I just had to focus harder on drawing from the shoulder, rather than doing that more naturally with a bigger screen. However, I did find that using the fatter pen from my Wacom Mobile Studio Pro helped to alleviate some of that. And the Movink is great in that way –being compatible with pens from other Wacom tablets, so you can use the pens you like the most. It’s as easy as picking it up and using it. There’s no setup required. It’s beautiful!
Now, I’m not one to really use the touch features very often. It’s just not part of my normal workflow, but — and this is a very big but — I did use it from time to time just because I knew it was there. And it’s a big but because on other tablets, the touchscreen has always had the problem of just activating randomly in the middle of drawing and causing little issues. Even though it’s a small issue, it’s still an issue, you know? Like drawing a line where it shouldn’t be or clicking on something you didn’t want to. But with the Movink, I haven’t had that problem once, which I’m pretty impressed with.
What really sold me on the Movink was seeing how my daughter enjoyed using the tablet and the time we spent drawing and learning together. She quickly picked up the simplicity of using the touchscreen features and moving back to drawing. She just had a good time, which is what initially reminded me why I started drawing in the first place: because I enjoy it. I enjoy the process. I have a passion to tell stories, to learn, and I love the effect art has on other people, as well as the time I can spend with people I love — creating art and learning together. And that’s something I’m pretty certain I share with most of you.
Now, the Movink is not perfect. It is a Wacom product, so although it’s on the cheaper end of their products, it’s not cheap in comparison to all your options. Not only that, but if you’re not connecting this to a desktop setup, you may need to purchase a power cable separately to power the tablet. This is mainly for people who want to use the tablet portably. Also, if you don’t have the right USB-C Thunderbolt port, then you’ll need to purchase the Wacom adapter. Purchasing both of those will take the cheap-but-not-so-cheap price from about $750 USD to around $900 USD. I had some of these issues initially, so I think it’s worth knowing this if you are interested in getting the tablet for yourself.
Now, the Movink is obviously a high-quality product. The entire experience is great. It’s worth the investment for traveling professionals or professionals who have a secondary setup, as well as hobbyists of all kinds. Because you’re investing in the experience of creating, the joy of sharing that with loved ones, creating art that captures a specific version of you at a specific point in your life. You can look back on it and enjoy it all over again through a new lens in the future. If you can afford it, then the Movink is a great product to accompany you on that journey.
If you’re interested or considering buying the Wacom Movink 13 or any Wacom products, please support my channel by using my affiliate link. I’ll get a percentage of any sale made through that link, and it’s at no extra cost to you. Thank you for the support!
About the artist
Joshua Bronk is a visual artist known especially for creating motivational animation loops, motivating healthy living and entertainment through iconic characters in an anime style. For more about Bronk, check out his website or his DeviantArt. Follow Bronk’s work on social media: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or X (Twitter).
