Drawing With Pens

Pen and ink have been popular as an artist’s medium for millennia. With just a few simple art tools, you can produce a wide range of techniques and effects. When it comes to art making, there are a number of different types of pens and inks. The types of pens basically fall into two choices: dip pens and refillable pens. In this post, I’ll describe the different types of pens. 

Dip Pens

Reed, quill, and metal pens are all classified as dip pens, and are loaded by dipping the pen directly into the ink. The interchangeable, metal nib is known as the “pen” and the main shaft is the “penholder”. Originally used for calligraphy, there is a wide variety of pen nibs available. Each nib makes a different range of marks, and, the more flexible the nib, the more varied the thickness of the line it makes. Most are inexpensive and invite a lot of experimentation. It’s best to use pigment-based inks that won’t clog the nib.

Bamboo and reed pens have declined in popularity but, many artists still use them. Their blunt, coarse and slightly irregular strokes make them ideal for bold line drawings, and their appeal often lies in the sheer pleasure of using such a primitive instrument. Quill pens can be easily made from the wing feathers of birds such as geese, turkeys or swans. These nibs are fragile and are generally better for small, detailed drawings. 

Technical Pens

These pens require some skill and practice to use. Originally designed for use by drafters and professional designers, technical pens deliver their ink down a narrow tube instead of a nib. For most drawings, you only need one holder and several nibs in different sizes. Like fountain pens, they are easily portable and contain their own ink supply but, unlike fountain pens, the ink flow is fine and even and last much longer. Fineliners are closely related, but they are cheaper and require less skill to use.

Fountain Pens

Similar in feel and results as the dip pens, fountain pens feel much smoother to draw with and because they produce a steady flow of ink to the nib, they don’t require dipping in ink. However, since fountain pen nibs have little flexibility, it is not easy to vary the thickness of your lines. The nib range is also limited. 

Other Art Pens

Brush pens are often used for modern calligraphy or drawing. The brush tip combines the feel of a brush tip with the convenience of an internal reservoir ink pen. They come in different tip sizes and shapes and ink flows: wet, medium, and dry. 

Rollerball pens generally use a water-based liquid ink that is dispensed by a fine, smooth ball at the tip. The ink flows as soon as the tip touches the paper, resulting in a relatively broad line, similar to a fountain pen.

Art markers can be oil, acrylic, or water-based. Oil-based markers are fast drying and permanent, and some are refillable. They have a strong smell so, be sure and work in a well ventilated area. Water-based art markers aren’t permanent, but are odorless. Acrylic markers create a dense, opaque mark that can be used on glass, plastic, or board.

Then, of course, there is always the ball-point pen. These are the most handy of the pens. Ballpoint ink is thick and oily, made with a mixture of dye, alcohols, and fatty acids. Ink delivery comes via a small, rough ball at the tip. This combination of ink and the small tip can produce a gloppy effect.

As always, happy drawing!