A lot of artists sketch and even ink in traditional and use the computer to color. Then again, plenty color traditionally too. Color supplies can be a bit expensive though compared to digital which is free once it's paid for. Then again, the cost of a $800 laptop will buy a LOT of markers. :)

Taking a break to try something different is almost always a good idea when working with creative skills.

''A lot of artists sketch and even ink in traditional and use the computer to color.''

That's what I was -going- to do and what I did originally. It was a pretty good setup since drawing and coloring was kept totally separate. One day I could scan and upload B/W art. On a totally different day I could go 'hmm I feel like coloring something' and look through my previously scanned/uploaded art for something to color. I ended up coloring things I never really planned to, yet some of these turned out to be some of my most popular pics on FA.

''Color supplies can be a bit expensive though compared to digital which is free once it's paid for. ''

Yea but the groundbreaking thought occurred to me that cost is not an issue. When art was at stake I have always made no issue of cost. I didn't object to paying 200 for an anywhere scanner, even just to try it, and have even considered getting an iPad (question was never so much the cost, but whether I would really benefit from owning one) -- so why would I object to buying traditional media? Maybe it was nothing more than the thought of having to choose which colors to buy, with digital you don't have to choose, you have infinite colors, whereas with traditional, to get every color, you have to buy each individual color which seemed like overkill. It's like the old parable of the McDonalds guy who realized the portions of fries were too small, even though customers wouldn't order more because they'd feel gluttonous.

Yeah, digital to me seems a lot more flexible and easier than traditional. But traditional seems more fun.

I think it may be the opposite for me. Aside from maybe the fun part.

Question is how. I have no place to put the scanner and technically nobody knows I bought one. Granted I would only need it on occasion to upload art and nothing says I have to do it every time I draw something, but that's why I need a 'scanner carrying case' or something to adequately serve as one.

I thought a backpack would be too big (originally I had something slimmer in mind) but though on 2nd thought I suppose it could work. Maybe there's a laptop case out there I can use. Or maybe just something from the Container Store that I can make due with.

Oh and I just realized something. Whatever I use would also be used to put my artwork in. The idea to get a 'scanner carrying case' (or box) suddenly makes even more sense.

Not sure if you can find them anywhere 2nd hand, but the HP Scanjet 4670 was an excellent portable scanner. Not much larger than a 15 inche laptop computer, and USB compatable, it proved to be a reliable workhorse that I still use on occasions. Thanks to 3rd party scanning software, it does an above average job capturing images. As a bonus the see through lid allows for ease in making largeer scans to stitch together. If a working model surfaces on Ebay or local pawn shops it' is work the investment. (And at about $20-30, can be considered disposable should/when it finally breaks.)

Outside of that, the next most portable model I've seen is the Canon Lido series. http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wc.....0051_253908_-1. Again it's small enough to reasonablly travel. Does quality work for its size. And is cheap enough that can be considered expendable for field work.

While cheap "wand" style scanners exist and claim to be able to produce quality documents, I have my doubts. The price is certainly right http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-MINI-SK.....item3375ae5648, but I suspect you get exactly what you pay for. The other weakness about human powered scanning is that most of the time you get distortions from tiny changes in speed as you scan the document.

For working at your home base, I would recommend a higher quality / more robust product. But in this age of digital cameras, scanning of documents has started to become a lost art.

HP Scanjet 4670
What an odd design for a scanner, never seen one like it before. That said I am intrigued by simply the fact the lid is transparent and started to wonder why other scanners don't have transparent lids but then I realized.. Transparent lid would probably mess up the scan since it would let light through. Not sure whether that is the case with this one. It's a very intriguing design indeed. Is it really a lot more compact than a normal scanner though? I have a Canon LiDE 110, I just haven't used or opened it yet since I was originally planning to use it with my laptop.

LiDE 110 dimensions according to the page you provided:
9.9" (W) x 14.6" (D) x 1.6" (H)
Weight is 3.4 pounds.

Also there's the question of whether it can scan bigger than 8.5x11. I guess it doesn't really matter, but it's something to take into account. I can actually see myself sacrificing larger paper size in exchange for compactness, should I desire it.

Most other scanners have you place the document face down on the patten and then use the lid for the background. The scanning bar then lights up at the document.

The Scanjet 4600 / 4670 series did it just the opposite. The document is face up towards the viewer, a design making it easier to do multiple scans or stitch together larger oversized objects. The scanning bar then points down at the document. The frame holder does double duty as a protective case and document holder as needed.

The result was an ultra thin, highly portable design. I keep both in a neoprene sheath - designed for an Apple laptop and strechy enough to accomidate the power brick and USB cords, along with the scanner for travel and storage.

The Scanjet 4670 was a very unique design for a scanner. Designed to work both vertically with it's own backing, or independently with just the "scanning frame", it proved a very versatile design.

The "window" actually allows for accurate placement of the scanner for use on items larger than the standard 8.5 x 11. The lid doesnt interfere with the scan, as the scan bar has it's own lights to give an accurate reading. The bar moves "inside" of the window and would "block out" any external lights as it records the image.

As for the tale of the tape...
Color 48 bit / Grayscale 8-bit (256 gray levels) / 2400dpi x 2400dpi Scan Element Type CCD
Weight 3lbs / with backing/holder: 5lbs
Measurements: 0.7H x 16.3W x 11.8D - was designed to travel in standard computer bag or briefcase.

The whole Scanjet 46** series does have some weaknesses, and it is an 8 year old machine now. But mine has traveled and performed well during that time.

While I consider them "overpriced" I was surprized to find a few still available via the Amazon used market
http://www.amazon.com/HP-ScanJet-Se.....300&sr=1-1

And for a bargain basement price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-ScanJet-.....item5893d39fb6