My seventh and eighth sketches in my Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook. I’m loving pen and ink. It’s also really fun to use watercolor techniques for backgrounds.
The Zeta paper will pill if I attempt to draw on it while it’s wet, but I’m really pleased with this sketchbook so far.
I’ve jumped into the relatively inexpensive side of the fountain pen pool to find a perfect, green, reusable art tool that’s fun to draw with and easy to maintain. Have I found it? Yep.
I have some basic criteria for pens I’ll be using for hours and hours, and the TWSBI Go fit nearly all of them:
—affordable (under $20)
—decent sized (I dislike narrow pens)
—a snap cap (no twisting)
—easy to fill (it’s a spring, piston type)
—sturdy
—clear
—a nib that can “reverse” write to get a very thin line (it’s like having two pens in one)
My husband has a TWSBI Go, and I was able to try it out before deciding to buy five of them along with a mixing set of de Atramentis Document Ink (a post for another time).
Fountain pens may be one of the best eco art supplies I’ve bought in awhile. After investing in the pen and ink, it’s a reusable tool. Having spent some time and money on markers, I realized I had purchased a bunch of plastic that couldn’t be recycled. Of course, some markers can be refilled, but I didn’t want to head down that road.
One of the least expensive ways to get into fountain pens, other than buying one pen and one ink, is to get a set of Platinum Preppys or Jinhao Sharks, both under $5 and available in multiple colors. Keep in mind that most fountain pen inks are dye-based and will fade in sunlight, but they’re gorgeous and perfect for sketchbooks. For artists wanting lightfast options, look to de Atramentis document inks or other pigmented brands.
All of these sketches are in my 8”x11.75” Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook. I’m using fountain pens and ink on each. Someday, I’ll write a post about using fountain pens, a great eco choice for artists.
These little sweeties are actually the same fawn. I had taken a few dozen pictures of it wading through the edge of a river, and these are two different poses.
I’ve been trying out ink on a variety of papers, and I’ve found it does great on nearly all the watercolor, bristol, and art boards I have with little to no feathering. Maybe someday I’ll try a bigger piece.
