Pens for Sketching and Drawing

Ink pens are ideal for sketching, drawing, and urban sketching. In the past, (so Last Century) if artists needed permanent ink in their drawings, their only choice was to use dip pens in a jar of India ink. Dip pens give a stunningly sensitive line, dark and varied. While it is still quite pleasurable to work with dip pens, many artists now choose ink pens, such as technical pens or even ball point pens, to do most of their line work. Here are some of my favorite pens for drawing and sketching. Many I use on location for Urban Sketching. You can find these pens in most art supply stores and online sources, such as Dick Blick Art Materials.

Sakura Pigma Micron Pen
from: Blick Art Materials

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens

Micron ink pens have been around for a long time. They have always been my favorite choice of pen. The ink is permanent and archival, meaning there is little fade over long time spans. Drawing with the pens is easy, with fine consistent lines. I tend to use the 01 size for fine lines, details, and the background of sketches. I use the 05 for its bold lines and compelling draw. The brush pen gives good darks and allows for spontaneous, flowing, and sensitive drawings. Sort of the intersection between painting and drawing. Micron pens are almost always in my various bags and kits for drawing and painting.
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Unique Tip of the Pentel Stylo Sketch Pen

Pentel Arts Stylo Sketch

As a painter, sometimes I like a pen that gives me a painterly effect. Then I prefer a pen that IS NOT permanent ink. The ink will bleed when water is brushed over the top. For this effect I choose the Pentel Stylo pen. It has a unique, plectrum-type tip that allows me to create both fine lines and broad lines from the same tip. Then I use a waterbrush over the top to get soft ink washes and painterly bleeds.

Sketch, design, cartoon, or even do calligraphy with the Stylo Sketch Pen, featuring a unique flexible nib for drawing everything from fine lines to broad strokes. Its water-based, black dye ink is ideal for sketching and drawing. Purchase from DickBlick

Pentel Arts Stylo Sketch Pen
from: Blick Art Materials

Pentel Arts Hybrid Technica Pens
from: Blick Art Materials

Pentel Hybrid Technica

Ink pens should feel smooth when drawing. The feel of a pen means a lot to me and enhances my joy in drawing. There are gel writing pens that have a lovely smooth feel to them. The ink flows nicely and is dark. However, the ink is NOT archival and it fades rather quickly. Common ball point pens actually draw nicely and the ink is more fade resistant than gel pens. Luckily, Pentel has responded to this preference and produced the Hybrid Technica. It works like a ball point, the ink flows like a gel pen, and it is more archival like a permanent ink pen.

The Technica Pen's smooth, pigmented ink is delivered through a long-lastingtungsten carbide roller tip delivery system, guaranteeing a consistent line from the first drop of ink to the last. The ink is acid-free and archival for sketching, drawing, manga art, and much more.
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Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens

PITT artist pens are a professional marker artist's dream. There is a wide variety of pens available, both the fine line pens in black that function much like the micron pens I describe above, and also brush-tip pens for looser sketching and filling with color.

Pigmented India Ink in multiple nib sizes and various colors brings great versatility to pen-and-ink drawings requiring lots of intricate details. Pitt Artist Pens are great for sketching, journaling, cartooning, and drawing. The Superfine, Fine, Medium, and Brush nibs not only replace ink bottles — they're instantly available for work. The ink is waterproof, unsurpassably lightfast, acid-free, and pH-neutral. The nib size is prominently displayed on the end of the cap. Purchase from DickBlick

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Sets
from: Blick Art Materials

Rotring Art Pens
from: Blick Art Materials

Rotring Art Pens

Artists who are experienced with dip pens might like to try this alternative. Especially if you go out on location for urban sketching—no need to bring a bottle of India ink. This is a cartridge fountain pen alternative, made for artists. You may choose from a range of sizes, from extra fine to bold. However, fountain pens do not work with India ink or permanent inks. Fountain pen ink will bleed when it is touched by water or watercolor paints. Some artists (like myself) happen to enjoy this effect and consider it fortuitous.

This classic pen has a modern design and the smooth writing action of a fine fountain pen. Rotring nibs are crafted from the finest stainless steel, and hand-finished for a smooth, precision inking edge. Each Rotring Art Pen comes with two pre-filled cartridges of black ink. There is also an option of a refillable cartridge.
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Copic Sketch Markers

Copic double-ended sketch markers give you great versatility in sketching lines, drawing, and filling in colors or tone over your ink pen sketches. This can be a very useful alternative to carrying watercolor paints on location or in urban sketching. I like to choose three warm grays to create a full range of neutral values in a sketch. The alcohol-based inks allow blending of tones and colors, as well.

The choice of professionals worldwide, the Copic marker offers outstanding performance in all areas of design and illustration. Two versatile tips produce a range of strokes from fine lines to wide color fills. The roll-proof flat barrel is filled with alcohol based ink for a long life. The Copic Sketch marker has a brush nib and a broad nib. Fast-drying, permanent, non-toxic, and toner compatible.
Purchase from DickBlick

Copic Sketch Markers
from: Blick Art Materials

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