More Pen and Ink
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.
Tag: ink
Pen and Ink Fawns
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.
Sketchbook Cow
Fountain Pens and Sparkling Ink
I’ve drifted back to ink after a few weeks with acrylic. Since I stopped painting watercolors, I’ve also stopped keeping sketchbooks other than a place to practice rough pencil drawings. The other day I realized I wanted a good, old-fashioned sketchbook, a place for all kinds of sketches using all kinds of media. The only rule would be that I plan the sketch first, so, hopefully, the sketchbook would become a kind of final project on its own.
I’ve used Stillman and Birn sketchbooks before, and they offer sturdy paper in multiple surfaces, sizes, and bindings. I chose the hardcover Zeta in the largest format, 8.25”x11.75”. The surface is smooth enough for pen and ink but heavy enough for multiple washes.
Within the pages of a sketchbook I can use any media and not worry about lightfastness. Suddenly, all the beautiful, dye-based inks are an option. I can put down a line drawing in permanent ink and use washes of brilliant, colorful ink over the top. I can also use acrylics, watercolor, pencil, and pretty much anything that strikes me.
Christmas this year has a pen and ink theme, and I’m starting a collection. I pulled out my existing pens (two Moonman minis, one Moonman M2, and a Sailor fude) and I’m adding a Twsbi Eco-T, a Moonman with a glass nib, and a dip pen with many nibs. Because I can never make up my mind, I bought two sample ink sets from Goulet pens, one consisting entirely of inks that sparkle. They’re lovely.