Honestly, I was in the exact same spot when my pencil died! You should definitely check out the Adonit Note+ Active Stylus. It is a fantastic budget-friendly alternative that works like a charm. The palm rejection is actually super reliable because it connects directly to the iPad system, so you wont have any annoying stray marks while you are sketching. It feels really balanced in the hand and the pressure sensitivity is honestly pretty amazing for the price point. Since you are on a tight deadline, this will save you a ton of cash compared to the original. I have been using mine for months and it honestly keeps up with my workflow perfectly. You are gonna love it!