#inktober Basics - Tools Part 1
Since the request was made on Facebook, I thought I'd make a blog post about some of the tools I use/used to get my feet (brush?) wet with inks.
Today's a look at my line up of basic tools:
I'll start from the bottom and work my way up to the top!
L: My go-to blue pencil - the Prismacolor ColErase pencil in Light Blue. Super easy to use, maybe not an easy clean erase, but inexpensive and handy for drafting out my layout.
K: Uniball Clutch pencil with B lead - There is no wood casing around this pencil -- it's just a barrel of lead in a mechanical pencil casing. You can adjust how long or short you want the lead, but you'll need a special pencil sharpener. It's often used for drafting - I first learned how to use it in a beginning architectural design class I took in high school. :D It's nice to have the variation of a lead pencil in the format of a mechanical pencil. :D
J: Uniball Signo UM-153 0.1 in White - this is a go-to white pen for highlights on the go. Not as thick as white paint or correction ink, it's easier to carry and pretty easy to use. Ink quality/flow can be hit or miss, so I usually buy a few and test the opaqueness before adding it to my pencil case.
I: Pentel Tradio - I don't use this often, but it's been recently re-issued to the market and a pretty good place for folks who'd like to try an inking style similar to a fountain pen. It has a pointy-chisel.. er.. point and if you rotate it, it provides a variety of lines from thin to wide. Just be careful, as it can "splatter" or "spray" ink unintentionally, depending on how you press down.
H: The standard multi-liner - Be it Pigma, Copic, Faber-Castell's PITT line, Koh-i-noor, etc - there are tons of them on the market and available in sizes from .003 to 3, in a variety of colors. Sizing differs from company to company, so be careful. Lines are uniform and predictable. They're generally great for coloring over with markers and paints, but can lighten if erased over. Nibs can fray with use and make thicker lines than anticipated, so keep a couple on hand in your favorite sizes. I typically use .005 and .01, but will carry .03 & .05 for larger sketches or things that need a fatter, darker line/fill.
Onto brush pens:
G & F: These are Pigma's Pro brush line. They're built with a "brush pen" type barrel - longer for a modified grip. The point is "felt" - not hairs, so the lines can be thicker overall. It's a good place to start if you've never used brush. They come in 3 sizes -- I just bought the M & B to practice broader strokes and do fills.
E: Faber-Castell's PITT brush pen - These are a popular option as well and have been on the market for a while. They're also felt-tipped, so they're easy to use. I recommend switching them out often, as the tip frays with use. They also don't really create a super fine point, and the ink is a lighter black.
D: This is the Pilot Fude Pen, which has 2 points - wide and fine. They also have felt-tips, but I find most Japanese pens of this type do a great job of creating nicer line variation. There are many styles and brands - just look for Japanese Calligraphy type pens at most shops. They're great for folks who have difficultly controlling their lines - a perfect place for brush-pen beginners to get their feet wet! I carry this in my pen case when I do signings for quick sketches when I want the brush pen look without worrying about wobbly lines. :3
A, B & C: These are synthetic hair brush pens. A is the Kuretake Bimoji pen (this style comes in both felt & hair-types.) They're built to be disposable. B & C are Pentel Brush pens with a squeezable, removable ink-cartridge. Louie del Carmen uses these for his quick muse drawings. :D These tend to run dry for me - maybe it's from older stock - not sure. These pens give the best line variation from very thin to extremely thick and can be tricky to use. The longer the brush is, the greater the tendency for the tip to "flip" when drawing. It took me a while to get used to drawing/inking with brush pens, as they require a lot of control - but if you stick with it, the result is worth the struggle!
On a side note, I just picked the Bimoji one up recently from our local Don Quijote. I've been using it for most of my Inktober drawings. :D
Not pictured above, since I'd have to dig it out of my pen bag -- the Pentel Pocket Brush pen.
This is my most recommended pen. It's gotten a little pricy lately as it grows in popularity, but it's a synthetic hair brush with ink cartridge. The ink is dark and waterproof when absolutely dried. It's very portable and convenient.
For additional reading....
I did a previous post back in 2008 when I first made the switch to brush pens. I'm sure most of the affiliate links are defunct and some of the pens may not be available anymore, but many of my notes still apply. :D
And that's it for the basics! Finding the right inking tools is a lot of trial and error - everyone finds their sweet spot with a little practice. You can probably find these tools (or something similar) available in your neck of the woods - I encourage you to give them a try! :D
Tomorrow - Part II: Advanced Tools... :D
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