Sketching with Fountain Pen: Artistic Expression with Ink and Nib
Most of the time, when people mention sketching, you wouldn’t think about using a fountain pen. There is the limiting thought that fountain pens are often just used for calligraphy and cannot be used for drawing and sketching since these pens are very fragile.
However, sketching with a fountain pen provides a whole different experience when compared to using other pens and markers. Fountain pens offer a unique, especially with the way the ink is delivered across the paper. If you own a fountain pen and would like to try sketching or an artist looking for a different way to do your sketches, this blog post is here for you!
Why Use Fountain Pens for Sketching?
Smoother Lines
Aside from calligraphy, sketching with a fountain pen has a consistent flow of ink which allows for a smoother look. You can control the consistency of the lines depending on how light or heavy you apply pressure. Unlike graphic pens and markers which tend to have streaks, fountain pens can give you just consistent delivery of ink on paper.
Easy To Use
While the nib of a fountain pen can look intimidating, they are easy to use. The YSTUDIO Classic Revolve-Fountain Pen is great for beginners who would like to explore using fountain pens. It has a built-in nib and an ink refill compartment on a balanced-weight body, making it easy to use and control. Since it is very convenient to carry around, you can practice using it anytime you want.
Versatile
Fountain pens are very versatile since you can use a single pen and nib to create different lines and strokes. You can get thicker lines than a pen while also being able to get thin and fine lines when drawing details. A great way to get different thicknesses or thinness of lines as well is by applying different pressure levels while drawing. In doing so, you can control how much or how little ink will flow from the fountain pen to the paper.
Cost-efficient
Fountain pens are great investments for artists that allows you to save money in the long run. Since you only need to keep the pen and nib clean, you can continue using it just by refilling the ink once it runs out. Your fountain pen can last you for long years so you won’t have to keep on buying pens and markers for drawing.
Tips on Getting a Fountain Pen for Sketching
- Choose the Right Pen: The most important step when you want to start using a fountain pen is to choose one that has good quality. Make sure that the fountain pen that you plan to get can be used for drawing so it will be easier for you to get used to.
- Get a Fine or Medium Nib Pen: For beginners, these two pen sizes are the easiest to work with and will allow you to easily control the pen. You can also get the thickness that you need for different drawing styles that you may need.
- Use Good Quality Paper: Choose smooth, heavyweight paper specifically designed for fountain pens to prevent bleeding and feathering of ink. Cheap papers that are too rough or too thin can damage your fountain pen’s nib and result in poor sketches.
- Try Out Different Inks: Did you know that aside from different ink colors, there are also different ink consistencies? Fountain pens offer a wide range of ink colors and properties that you can explore. Experiment with different inks to find ones that suit your style and desired effect.
- Vary Line Weight: Adjust the pressure on the pen to create variations in line thickness for depth and dimension in your sketches. Even with the same nib, you can change how the lines look on paper depending on how heavy or light the pressure you apply.
- Experiment with Line Styles: Experiment with different line styles, including stippling, contour lines, and expressive strokes, to add visual interest to your sketches. Practicing different line styles will make it easier for you to use them when sketching.
With these things to keep in mind about sketching with a fountain pen, you can open your artistic skills to a whole new level! Make sure to enjoy yourself and give yourself time to get comfortable and used to using a great tool for your art.