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Pen shopping is one of life’s pleasures, but with so many options, it can quickly become overwhelming. Unsure where to start? Focusing on your goals to narrow down the options can make the decision-making process much easier.
In this guide, we’ll help you find the perfect pen by separating options by category, then delving into details like builds, inks, tips, and more.
- Drawing Pens
- Writing Pens
Drawing Pens
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When considering which type of pen is best for your artwork, it’s important to consider factors like the type of surface you’ll be creating on, permanence, ink drying times, and whether you’ll be incorporating other media into your work. Your artistic style and goals are also important to consider, as some pens (and inks) are better suited to specific mediums than others.
In this guide, we’ll explore broad generalities common to different drawing pen types. While not exhaustive, we hope this resource makes it easier to choose a pen that’s right for you.
- Technical Pens
- Fineliner Pens
- Fountain Pens
- Dip Pens
- Brush Pens
Technical Pens
Technical pens were originally developed for engineers requiring needle-fine points for use with rulers and other drafting tools. Today, they are also sought after by artists and designers due to their precise engineering, remarkable handling, and ability to deliver very dark, consistent lines that are completely waterproof and chemically stable with minimal feathering or bleed-through. With point sizes ranging from ultra-fine to very broad, technical pens are equally efficient for detailed pointillist techniques, looser sketching styles, and clean, laser-precise renderings that scan well, making them easy to incorporate into digital illustrations, comics, and more.
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Uses:
Technical Drawing: Technical pens are ideal for creating architectural blueprints, engineering schematics, and mechanical illustrations.
Cartography: Cartographers use technical pens to draw detailed maps, including contour lines, labels, and symbols. The consistent lines and precise control offered by technical pens are essential for accurately representing geographic features.
Illustration: Technical pens are ideal for creating the types of clean, precise, graphic lines commonly seen in sequential art and illustrations, including comics, manga, and character illustration. They are also useful for fashion design, storyboarding, and editorial illustrations.
Fine Art: Technical pens are useful in all types of drawing techniques, from finely detailed cross-hatching and stippling to looser sketching styles. They can also be used in combination with water-based mediums, such as watercolor paints and water-based markers.
Considerations:
Tips: Classic technical pens feature needle-point tips made from metal or plastic. Plastic tips are often encased by a metal tube, which allows them to be used alongside rulers and other templates.
Line Widths: Technical pens are normally available in a range of line widths. Organizations like the ISO have defined standard metric line widths for drafting. Manufacturers may conform to these or use proprietary standards when labeling technical pen tip sizes.
Ink: Refillable technical pens employ either a bottle- or cartridge-based filling system and special inks, often waterproof, pigment-based inks. Formulated with pigments and a shellac binder or acrylic emulsion, these inks retain their integrity even when wet, allowing for dilution with water during application. When refilling, it's essential to use inks specifically formulated for technical drawing pens, as other types may harm the pen's components.
Refillable vs. Disposable: Technical pens are available in refillable and disposable formats. Refillable pens are engineered to last and enable experimentation with a wider variety of inks, but must be disassembled for refills, cleanings, and to replace damaged parts. Disposable pens can rival refillable options in terms of quality, but last for a limited time. Ultimately, the choice between the two formats comes down to personal preference.
Fineliner Pens
With fine fiber tips and water- or oil-based ink, fineliners combine the predictability and precision of a technical pen with the ease of a marker. Unlike traditional technical pens, fineliners require no special care or handling, making them a great option for professionals and beginners alike. Available individually and in sets, fineliners come in a wide range of tip sizes, ink types, and colors for artists of every experience level and budget.
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Uses:
Outdoor and Urban Sketching: With their travel-friendly design and precise, predictable tips spanning a variety of line widths, fineliners are perfect for travel and urban sketching. Many options also feature quick-drying, waterproof ink ideal for layering with water mediums, such as watercolors.
Illustration: Fineliner pens produce the clean, graphic lines essential for intricate botanical illustrations, character design, and sequential art like manga and comics.
Graphic Design: Fineliner pens are useful across a wide range of design applications, from fashion and pattern design to animation, storyboarding, editorial illustrations, and beyond.
Drawing Techniques: Fineliner pens offer versatility across a spectrum of drawing techniques, ranging from finely detailed cross-hatching and stippling to more relaxed sketching styles. Additionally, they can be seamlessly integrated with water-based mediums such as watercolor paints and markers.
Considerations:
Tips: More flexible than technical pens but harder than the average fiber-tipped marker, fineliners typically feature very fine fiber or plastic tips, sometimes reinforced with metal tubing for use against a straight edge.
Line Widths: Most professional or artist-grade fineliners are available in a range of tip sizes, from ultra-fine 0.03 mm to a bold 1 mm—certain lines even include larger bullet or brush tip markers containing the same ink. Other manufacturers use their own proprietary sizing conventions.
Ink: Artist-grade fineliners often contain pigment-based ink that is waterproof, fade-resistant, and (depending on the type of paper used) less likely to bleed, feather, and spread. Black is the most common ink color for pigment-based inks. Other brands offer fineliners featuring oil- or water-based inks, which come in a wider range of colors for labeling, bullet journaling, and other applications.
Fountain Pens
The same qualities that have solidified fountain pens’ reputation as fine writing instruments also make them an exceptional option for artists and illustrators. Fountain pens effortlessly deliver expressive, fluid linework in a wide range of widths. Easier to transport than dip pens yet livelier than fineliners or technical pens, they’re great for spontaneous sketching on the go. A diverse array of ink colors and nib styles allow for customization options to support a wide range of styles.
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Uses:
Drawing and Sketching: Particularly well-suited for line art, landscapes, and urban sketches, fountain pens are excellent for a range of styles due to their smooth, continuous ink flow and varied line widths. Artists can create expressive line work, intricate details, and dynamic textures using different nib sizes and ink colors.
Illustration: Fountain pens are versatile tools for illustration work, including comic art, graphic novels, and book illustrations. From bold outlines and intricate patterns to expressive linework and moody washes, fountain pens can be used for conceptual sketches, storyboarding, and character design.
Mixed Media Art: Depending on the type of ink you use, fountain pens can be combined with other artistic mediums such as watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils to create mixed media artwork.
Considerations:
Tips: On a fountain pen, the tip is located at the end of the nib—the fine point where ink makes contact with paper. Nib tips come in a range of shapes, but the two most common are round and italic. They also come in a range of sizes, from extra fine to broad.
Line Width: Round tips produce predictably consistent lines, while italic tips (more common in calligraphy) produce a range of line widths depending on their angle. Nibs can be very flexible or very hard, which effects the variation or swell of your lines.
Ink: The most popular ink-filling systems include cartridges, converters, and built-in piston or vacuum systems that allow the pen to be filled directly from the bottle. Fountain pens with built-in filling systems offer much greater ink capacity—up to twice as much as a cartridge—so you can sketch uninterrupted for lengthier periods of time. The trade-off is convenience: piston-and vacuum-filling require access to bottled ink. Depending on the ink-filling system in your pen, fountain pens offer a wider degree of ink customization possibilities compared to disposable ball or fineliner pens. Ink types include water-soluble inks, waterproof inks, and water-resistant inks in a wide range of colors, including metallics and interference colors. That said, it is critical to always use ink that is specially developed and marketed for fountain pen use—failure to do so can harm the delicate interior pieces of the pen, causing it to clog or break.
Maintenance: Fountain pens deliver ink to your writing surface via capillary action—ink is pulled from the reservoir, through the feed, to the nib, and finally to your writing surface. This invisible force allows the ink to flow smoothly against the pull of gravity, even when you're writing upwards or at an angle. Over time, fibers, dust, and dried ink can accumulate in the nib and feed, hindering capillary action and diminishing performance. For this reason, regular cleanings are important. While plain water suffices for cleaning most fountain pens, particularly stubborn ink stains may require the use of liquid pen cleaner. Cleaning kits are universally compatible with most pens, featuring syringes equipped with specialized attachments that can be easily inserted akin to cartridges or converters.
Storage: Remember to always cap your fountain pens when not in use, even if you're just pausing mid-writing. This prevents the nibs from drying out and reduces the risk of accidents if pens roll off the table. It's also best to store pens horizontally whenever possible. If a fountain pen tends to have a dry flow, consider storing it nib-down. Avoid storing pens nib-up, as this can cause ink to drain from the feed, delaying immediate writing.
Dip Pens
Even with so many options available today, dip pens are still available in styles for everything from fine detailed drawing to calligraphy. Their lack of an internal filling system prevents clogging, and they offer versatility in ink choice as well as nib type. Easy to clean and maintain, most nibs will work with thinned gouache, fluid acrylics, and just about any liquid medium. And don’t worry about using a lot of ink and paper learning to use a dip pen or fountain pen. Just dip the nib in plain water and make your mark on a piece of chipboard.
If using a steel nib seems daunting, there’s a surprising alternative that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Glass pens made in the Venetian tradition make writing and drawing with a dip pen almost as easy as a ballpoint pen. Glass pens use practically any type of ink, with fluted or spiraled tips that gradually feed a generous supply of ink onto paper. Cleaning and maintenance is as easy as rinse-and-wipe, and there’s nothing quite like a glass pen to add a touch of classic elegance to your desk!
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Uses:
Drawing and Sketching: Dip pens are great for drawing and sketching due to their ability to create varying line weights and textures.
Illustration: Artists often use dip pens for detailed illustrations, allowing for precise lines and intricate designs.
Mixed Media Art: Dip pens are versatile tools that can be used alongside other mediums such as watercolor, ink wash, or gouache, allowing artists to experiment with different techniques and effects.
Considerations:
Tips: Dip pens typically come with interchangeable nibs, offering a variety of tip styles including fine point, broad point, italic, and flex nibs. Nibs are connected via wooden or plastic holders, are easy to clean and refill, providing a comfortable grip and stability while drawing.
Line Width: The line width produced by a dip pen can vary depending on the pressure applied and the type of nib used, ranging from ultra-fine hairlines to bold strokes.
Ink: Dip pens are compatible with various types of ink, including waterproof, archival, and pigment-based inks, providing artists with options to suit their preferences and project requirements. Dip pens can accommodate unique inks that would clog other pens, including thick metallic inks, glitter inks, and homemade inks.
Travel Considerations: While dip pens offer superior control and flexibility, they require additional accessories such as ink bottles and cleaning supplies, making them less convenient for on-the-go use compared to portable alternatives like fineliner pens. However, some artists opt for travel-friendly dip pen sets equipped with compact ink cartridges or reservoirs for easier transportation.
Brush Pens
Brush pens combine the convenience of a pen with the expressive qualities of a brush, making them versatile tools for artists and illustrators. They feature a flexible brush tip that mimics the feel and control of a traditional paintbrush, allowing for a wide range of line widths and strokes.
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Uses:
Illustration: Brush pens are popular among illustrators for creating dynamic linework, expressive strokes, and bold graphic effects. They are commonly used for comic book art, manga illustration, character design, and conceptual artwork.
Watercolor Painting: Some artists use brush pens with water-soluble ink to create watercolor effects in their artwork. By applying water to the ink lines, artists can achieve blending, washes, and other painterly effects similar to traditional watercolor painting.
Considerations:
Flexible brush tips made of synthetic or natural fibers, allowing for a wide range of line widths and strokes.
Refillable ink reservoirs or disposable cartridges, providing options for convenience and customization.
Ergonomic barrel designs that offer a comfortable grip and control during use, enhancing the drawing and writing experience.
Writing Pens
- Ballpoint Pens
- Gel Pens
- Rollerball Pens
- Fountain Pens
Ballpoint Pens
Ballpoint pens work just the way you might think. Gravity forces ink down the reservoir and onto a ball fitted into a socket at the tip. As the ball turns, it distributes ink onto the paper with the added benefit of preventing the ink drying out. Unlike fountain pens, ballpoints aren’t known for facilitating elegant scripts or expressive, connected writing. But there’s a reason they’ve become so ubiquitous worldwide: for legibility, flexibility, lack of smears, and ease of use, ballpoint pens have no rival. Ballpoints rarely clog or dry out—and even when they do, they can write in any direction, which is usually enough to dislodge a clog. Plus, they require little-to-no maintenance, making them an easy entry point for writers of every level. Available in a range of builds and ink color options, they also cater to an endless variety of tasks and budgets.
Uses:
• Daily Writing and Note Taking: Ballpoints offer consistent ink flow and a smooth writing experience, making them reliable companions for an endless array of everyday writing tasks, such as jotting down notes, composing lists, filling out forms, writing in journals or planners, and drafting letters.
• Pressure Generated Transfers: Carbon copy paper, which features coated sheets, transfers the writing from the first page to those below it. Ballpoint pens require some pressure to use, which is useful for any application necessitating legible, pressure-generated transfers, such as checks, invoices, purchase orders, shipping manifests, and meeting minutes.
• Uncommon and Shiny Surfaces: Ballpoint pens feature thick, oil-based ink that adheres to surfaces that would cause water-based inks to smear or smudge, such as laminated papers, fabric, and even wood and leather.
Common Characteristics:
• Tips and Line Thickness: The ball diameter of a ballpoint pen determines the line thickness. Ballpoint pens are available in a range of tip thicknesses, and you can choose a larger or smaller ball diameter depending on your preference.
• Ink: Ballpoint pens use thick, oil-based inks that are typically resistant to smudging and bleeding, quick to dry, and waterproof. Due to their viscosity, ballpoint pens dispense less ink during writing, resulting in longer-lasting use. However, their thick formula necessitates more pressure while writing, which can lead to fatigue.
• Travel Considerations: Ballpoint pens are ideal for travel due to their durable construction and resistance to leaking or drying out during transit. They can easily withstand changes in pressure and temperature, making them suitable for use on airplanes or in varying climates.
Uses:
Daily Writing and Note Taking: Ballpoints offer consistent ink flow and a smooth writing experience, making them reliable companions for an endless array of everyday writing tasks, such as jotting down notes, composing lists, filling out forms, writing in journals or planners, and drafting letters.
Pressure Generated Transfers: Carbon copy paper, which features coated sheets, transfers the writing from the first page to those below it. Ballpoint pens require some pressure to use, which is useful for any application necessitating legible, pressure-generated transfers, such as checks, invoices, purchase orders, shipping manifests, and meeting minutes.
Uncommon and Shiny Surfaces: Ballpoint pens feature thick, oil-based ink that adheres to surfaces that would cause water-based inks to smear or smudge, such as laminated papers, fabric, and even wood and leather.
Considerations:
Tips and Line Thickness: The ball diameter of a ballpoint pen determines the line thickness. Ballpoint pens are available in a range of tip thicknesses, and you can choose a larger or smaller ball diameter depending on your preference.
Ink: Ballpoint pens use thick, oil-based inks that are typically resistant to smudging and bleeding, quick to dry, and waterproof. Due to their viscosity, ballpoint pens dispense less ink during writing, resulting in longer-lasting use. However, their thick formula necessitates more pressure while writing, which can lead to fatigue.
Travel Considerations: Ballpoint pens are ideal for travel due to their durable construction and resistance to leaking or drying out during transit. They can easily withstand changes in pressure and temperature, making them suitable for use on airplanes or in varying climates.
Gel Pens
Invented by the Japanese stationer and art materials manufacturer Sakura, gel pens fall squarely into the “ball pen” category—like ballpoint and rollerball pens, they dispense ink via the small, revolving metal ball in their tip. As you apply pressure to move the pen across the page, the ball is coated with ink, which is then transferred to the paper. Unlike ballpoint and rollerball pens, however, gel pens feature ink that consists of tiny pigment particles suspended in a viscous, water-based gel. Gel ink is thinner, smoother, and freer flowing than ballpoint inks, allowing for smaller, more precise tips and—for many users—a more comfortable writing experience. It also comes in a wider array of colors, including special effects colors such as metallic and neon colors, which are not pigment based but stand out on dark papers. Black, pigment-based gel ink is usually bolder and more lightfast than black dye-based ballpoint inks, making gel pens an ideal option for signing official documents, creating lasting artwork, and more. Like ballpoint pens, gel pens are also relatively low maintenance and come in a wide array of options to suit every experience level and budget.
Uses:
Signing Official Documents: Gel pens containing pigment-based ink are a good choice for official documents and other situations when lasting clarity and legibility in signatures is important. Black pigment-based gel ink is often tested for lightfastnesses, which means that the ink does not shift, change, or fade when exposed to UV light.
Daily Writing and Note Taking: Gel ink pens are excellent for jotting down notes during meetings, lectures, or brainstorming sessions due to their smooth, consistent, comfortable ink flow.
Labeling and Organizing: Gel ink pens are ideal for labeling and organizing notes, files, and folders thanks a wide selection of bold, vivid colors that pop on paper and cardstock.
Bullet Journaling: Gel ink pens are popular among bullet journaling enthusiasts for their vibrant colors and precise tips.
Considerations:
Tips:
Gel pens are available in a wider range of tip sizes than ballpoint pens due to their unique ink formulation. The combination of precision tips and smooth yet bold ink made them a sensation when they launched in the 1980s, and what continues to endear them to writers, artists, and pen enthusiasts worldwide.
Line Widths:
Gel pens are available in a range of tip sizes, from ultra-fine 0.025 mm to a bold 1 mm.
Ink: Gel ink is typically comprised of pigments suspended in a water-based gel, which allows for smooth and consistent ink flow. Gel ink is known for its vibrant and bold colors, as well as its ability to produce fine lines with minimal pressure. It often produces a glossy or shiny finish, and comes in a range of colors and effects. Gel ink does not dry as quickly as the kind of oil-based ink typically found in ballpoint pens. It is also not ideal for use on coated papers and surfaces.
Uses:
Signing Official Documents: Gel pens containing pigment-based ink are a good choice for official documents and other situations when lasting clarity and legibility in signatures is important. Black pigment-based gel ink is often tested for lightfastnesses, which means that the ink does not shift, change, or fade when exposed to UV light.
Daily Writing and Note Taking: Gel ink pens are excellent for jotting down notes during meetings, lectures, or brainstorming sessions due to their smooth, consistent, comfortable ink flow.
Labeling and Organizing: Gel ink pens are ideal for labeling and organizing notes, files, and folders thanks to a wide selection of bold, vivid colors that pop on paper and cardstock.
Bullet Journaling: Gel ink pens are popular among bullet journaling enthusiasts for their vibrant colors and precise tips.
Considerations:
Tips: Gel pens are available in a wider range of tip sizes than ballpoint pens due to their unique ink formulation. The combination of precision tips and smooth yet bold ink made them a sensation when they launched in the 1980s, and what continues to endear them to writers, artists, and pen enthusiasts worldwide.
Line Widths: Gel pens are available in a range of tip sizes, from ultra-fine 0.025 mm to a bold 1 mm.
Ink: Gel ink is typically comprised of pigments suspended in a water-based gel, which allows for smooth and consistent ink flow. Gel ink is known for its vibrant and bold colors, as well as its ability to produce fine lines with minimal pressure. It often produces a glossy or shiny finish, and comes in a range of colors and effects. Gel ink does not dry as quickly as the kind of oil-based ink typically found in ballpoint pens. It is also not ideal for use on coated papers and surfaces.
Rollerball Pens
Similar to their “ball” counterparts, ballpoint and gel pens, rollerball pens incorporate a small, rotating metal ball in their tip. As pressure is applied to maneuver the pen across the page, the ball picks up ink and transfers it onto the paper. What sets rollerball pens apart is their exceptionally fluid ink, composed of dyes dissolved in water, which produces bold lines on the page. Offering smoother ink flow than both ballpoint and gel pens, rollerball pens require minimal pressure to write, reducing hand strain during prolonged writing sessions or note-taking, making them well-suited for fluid writing styles. Unlike ballpoint pens, rollerball pens necessitate a cap or similar feature to seal the writing tip, preventing ink from drying out and obstructing the pen. Convenient and versatile, rollerball pens offer a cost-effective alternative to fountain pens, providing vibrant and strong lines on the page with their liquid ink.
Note-Taking in Meetings: Rollerball pens are ideal for jotting down notes during meetings due to their smooth ink flow and minimal pressure requirement. They provide a comfortable writing experience, enabling users to capture information quickly and efficiently.
Journaling and Creative Writing: Rollerball pens are favored by journal enthusiasts and writers for their fluid ink and ability to produce bold, expressive lines. Whether journaling, brainstorming ideas, or writing creatively, rollerball pens offer a satisfying writing experience that encourages creativity and self-expression.
Everyday Writing Tasks: Rollerball pens are versatile tools suitable for a wide range of everyday writing tasks, such as making to-do lists, filling out forms, and writing letters. Their smooth ink flow and vibrant colors make writing tasks enjoyable and effortless, enhancing productivity and organization in daily life.
Considerations:
• Tips: Rollerball pens are available with a variety of tip sizes, ranging from fine to broad, allowing users to choose the tip that best suits their writing style and preferences.
• Line Widths: The line width produced by a rollerball pen depends on the tip size and the pressure applied while writing. Finer tips create thin, precise lines, while broader tips produce bolder, more pronounced lines.
• Ink: Rollerball pens use liquid ink, typically composed of dyes dissolved in water. This ink offers smooth and consistent flow, resulting in vibrant and bold lines on the page. However, it is important to note that rollerball ink may take longer to dry compared to other types of ink, increasing the risk of smudging if the paper is not of high quality.
Uses:
Note-Taking in Meetings: Rollerball pens are ideal for jotting down notes during meetings due to their smooth ink flow and minimal pressure requirement. They provide a comfortable writing experience, enabling users to capture information quickly and efficiently.
Journaling and Creative Writing: Rollerball pens are favored by journal enthusiasts and writers for their fluid ink and ability to produce bold, expressive lines. Whether journaling, brainstorming ideas, or writing creatively, rollerball pens offer a satisfying writing experience that encourages creativity and self-expression.
- Everyday Writing Tasks: Rollerball pens are versatile tools suitable for a wide range of everyday writing tasks, such as making to-do lists, filling out forms, and writing letters. Their smooth ink flow and vibrant colors make writing tasks enjoyable and effortless, enhancing productivity and organization in daily life.
Considerations:
Tips: Rollerball pens are available with a variety of tip sizes, ranging from fine to broad, allowing users to choose the tip that best suits their writing style and preferences.
Line Widths: The line width produced by a rollerball pen depends on the tip size and the pressure applied while writing. Finer tips create thin, precise lines, while broader tips produce bolder, more pronounced lines.
Ink: Rollerball pens use liquid ink, typically composed of dyes dissolved in water. This ink offers smooth and consistent flow, resulting in vibrant and bold lines on the page. However, it is important to note that rollerball ink may take longer to dry compared to other types of ink, increasing the risk of smudging if the paper is not of high quality.
Fountain Pens
The same qualities that have solidified fountain pens’ reputation as fine writing instruments also make them an exceptional option for artists and illustrators. Fountain pens effortlessly deliver expressive, fluid linework in a wide range of widths. Easier to transport than dip pens yet livelier than fineliners or technical pens, they’re great for spontaneous sketching on the go. A diverse array of ink colors and nib styles allow for customization options to support a wide range of styles.
Uses:
Drawing and Sketching: Particularly well-suited for line art, landscapes, and urban sketches, fountain pens are excellent for a range of styles due to their smooth, continuous ink flow and varied line widths. Artists can create expressive line work, intricate details, and dynamic textures using different nib sizes and ink colors.
Illustration: Fountain pens are versatile tools for illustration work, including comic art, graphic novels, and book illustrations. From bold outlines and intricate patterns to expressive linework and moody washes, fountain pens can be used for conceptual sketches, storyboarding, and character design.
Mixed Media Art: Depending on the type of ink you use, fountain pens can be combined with other artistic mediums such as watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils to create mixed media artwork.
Common Characteristics:
Tips:
On a fountain pen, the tip is located at the end of the nib—the fine point that makes contact with paper. Nib tips come in a range of shapes, but the two most common are round and italic. They also come in a range of sizes, from extra fine to broad.
Line Width:
Round tips produce predictably consistent lines, while italic tips (more common in calligraphy) produce a range of line widths depending on their angle. Nibs can be very flexible or very hard, which influences the variation of your lines.
Ink:
The most popular ink-filling systems include cartridges, converters, and built-in piston or vacuum systems that allow the pen to be filled directly from the bottle. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, but all allow for a greater degree of ink customization compared to disposable pens. Depending on the ink-filling system in your pen, fountain pens offer a high degree of customization when it comes to ink. Artists can experiment with different ink types—including water-soluble inks, waterproof inks, and water-resistant inks—in a wide range of hues, including metallics and interference colors.
Travel Considerations: Fountain pens should be stored in a case with the tip pointing up to prevent leakage during travel.
Uses:
Drawing and Sketching: Particularly well-suited for line art, landscapes, and urban sketches, fountain pens are excellent for a range of styles due to their smooth, continuous ink flow and varied line widths. Artists can create expressive line work, intricate details, and dynamic textures using different nib sizes and ink colors.
Illustration: Fountain pens are versatile tools for illustration work, including comic art, graphic novels, and book illustrations. From bold outlines and intricate patterns to expressive linework and moody washes, fountain pens can be used for conceptual sketches, storyboarding, and character design.
Mixed Media Art: Depending on the type of ink you use, fountain pens can be combined with other artistic mediums such as watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils to create mixed media artwork.
Considerations:
Tips: On a fountain pen, the tip is located at the end of the nib—the fine point that makes contact with paper. Nib tips come in a range of shapes, but the two most common are round and italic. They also come in a range of sizes, from extra fine to broad.
Line Width: Round tips produce predictably consistent lines, while italic tips (more common in calligraphy) produce a range of line widths depending on their angle. Nibs can be very flexible or very hard, which influences the variation of your lines.
Ink: The most popular ink-filling systems include cartridges, converters, and built-in piston or vacuum systems that allow the pen to be filled directly from the bottle. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, but all allow for a greater degree of ink customization compared to disposable pens. Depending on the ink-filling system in your pen, fountain pens offer a high degree of customization when it comes to ink. Artists can experiment with different ink types—including water-soluble inks, waterproof inks, and water-resistant inks—in a wide range of hues, including metallics and interference colors.
Travel Considerations: Fountain pens should be stored in a case with the tip pointing up to prevent leakage during travel.
