One of the most interesting things I've had the opportunity to see is Erik Larsen doing a sketch for my buddy. That fellow has the most original position I've ever seen... Working in felt-tip pen, but I'll assume he pencils the same way. Think Wax-Off from Karate Kid and you're on the right track.

And I will disagree a bit... Holding a pencil is a skill. It's one skill that another depends on, but it certainly is a skill of its own. Holding a bat is a skill. Swinging it is another. Putting them together to smack a ball is another on top of that. Symantic differences, I guess.

Oh, and don't beat yourself up. You'll get plenty of that around here from everybody else, and you should have at least one person on your side, right?