Pen, Brush, Ink
Ink takes commitment
...and in 2500 B.C. Egyptian papyrus scribes knew this well. The marks you can't take back is part of it's mystique. Forethought or focused spontanaity are needed to work in ink, but you can learn that.
Early inks were made of ingredients like soot, lampblack, charred bones, vegetable oils and animal fats. In fact, many modern inks use the same raw ingredients the Chinese used to make fine sumi ink sticks back in 1200 B.C.
Starting around 700 A.D. the quill (feather) pen became popular as a writing and drawing tool. Remnants of these days-past exist in such names as the crow quill pen nib. Crows had finer feathers than other popular pen fowl.
Remember the pen-knife in the sharpener section? Original pen-knives were designed for trimming the nibs on your quills.
Inks, tools, and the marks they make
- 1) Assorted Inks (top photo)
- 2) F. Soennecken 5 ½ round writing nib (top & right)
- 3) Speedball D-3 nib (top & right)
- 4) Hunt 102 CrowQuill Pen (top & right)
- 5) Bamboo (reed) pens (top & right)
- 6) #4 Red Sable round brush (top & right)
Inksoterica
- Nibs are the business ends of pens.
- The expressive qualities of quills raised fine penmanship and calligraphy to an artform starting in the Renaissance.
- The use of liquid iron gall, bistre, and sepia inks was widespread in the west by the 9th century.
- "India Ink" or "China Ink" are liquid black (lampblack) inks containing shellac. They dry waterproof making them suitable for mixed media use. Non-waterproof India inks were developed for use in fountain pens which first showed up in 1884 thanks to Lewis Waterman.
- Invented in 1938, ballpoint pens started their popular run by the 1950s. Currently, 14 million BIC Crystals pens are sold daily. Some artists work exclusively in BIC ball point. You might check the permanence of the ink before considering doing the same.
- In the 1960s the Papermate Flair felt-tipped pen was introduced, followed by roller-ball and gel pens in the 1980s and 1990s. (I prefer a bolder .9mm roller ball for sketching;)
Fountain Pens and Rapidographs
- 1) Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph Pen - The free flowing ink and constant line thickness makes this style of pen popular with illustrators.
- 2) Watterman Fountain Pen - Nice fountain pens are a pleasure to hold when you can afford to treat yourself to one.
- 3) Rotring ArtPen Fountain Pens - These are artist-specific cartridge fountain pens available in several widths.
Bleeding Fish
Some inks are actually concentrated dyes that are mixed to make a black color. This non-waterproof ink separated out into green and red-violet, so I made use of the effect.
Some inks are actually concentrated dyes that are mixed to make a black color. This non-waterproof ink separated out into green and red-violet, so I made use of the effect.
Devil's in the details
The technical pen (rapidograph) is for more than fine technical drawings. This rather nasty looking rodent was rendered with a Koh-I-Noor #0 nib. I forget why.
The technical pen (rapidograph) is for more than fine technical drawings. This rather nasty looking rodent was rendered with a Koh-I-Noor #0 nib. I forget why.
Expressive penmanship
The fountain pen allows for expressive line work as this detail from a larger drawing shows. The flexing of the nib allows for controlling the thickness of lines you draw.
The fountain pen allows for expressive line work as this detail from a larger drawing shows. The flexing of the nib allows for controlling the thickness of lines you draw.
30-year-old Bic
I found this thumbnail drawing in a 30-year-old sketchbook. It was done with the classic blue Crystal Bic pen and seems none the worse for wear. You don't have to wait for "proper" artist's supplies, just draw.
I found this thumbnail drawing in a 30-year-old sketchbook. It was done with the classic blue Crystal Bic pen and seems none the worse for wear. You don't have to wait for "proper" artist's supplies, just draw.
Ballpoint, Roller Ball, and Felt Tip Pens
- 1) Bic Crystal classic ballpoint pen - You either have a drawer full of these or they keep disappearing. The cap is a mean mouse cleaner.
- 2) Hippie style novelty ballpoint pen - Test your pens before you buy them. Don't go by looks alone.
- 3) Pentel roller ball pen - A thin line rollerball pen.
- 4) Pilot Precise Grip Bold roller ball pen - My current favorite black roller-ball pen has a .9mm (bold) tip.
- 5) Original Papermate Flair felt-tipped pen - Good for sketching, the tip can dull easily. Not waterproof.
Recommended brands: Dawler-Rowney, Dr. PH. Martin, Higgins, Pelican, Speedball-Hunt, Rotring, Koh-I-Noor, Winsor & Newton, Montblanc, Watterman, Bic, Papermate, Pilot, Pentel
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www.WatercolorPainting.com • Copyright © 2012 . All rights reserved.