I always get asked on Instagram what materials I use for my illustrations. So, here we go. A list of the blacks pens for drawing that sit on my desk right now.
Calligraphy brush pen (whose name I can’t read)
I picked this up in Kinokuniya, if I recall correctly. But I’ve seen them in regular bookstores as well around Singapore, amongst the paintbrushes and bottles of black calligraphy ink. I like using this for some of my bolder illustrations because of the varying line width it produces in my strokes. It gives my work a more fluid look, which I love. The good thing is I’ve seen these come in different sizes as well though I choose to use this wider one.
Stabilo Greenpoint
I love how this pen glides so smoothly. No, not all pens are created equal and not all pens glide smoothly across different paper textures. This one does. I use it for lettering and I like how it doesn’t bleed and does not look too bold considering it’s a felt tip pen. Best of all, this pen is made of 98% recycled plastic so you’re doing Mother Earth a big favor!
A stubby writing pen called iSign 0.7
I bought this on a whim because it’s short and fits nicely in the small pockets of my bag. However, ink tends to flow too much while writing that it produces lines which look bolder than a 0.8 pigment pen. And it bleeds through the paper causing messy blobs on the other side. This happens even if the sheets I use are relatively heavy The only reason why I bought this was because of its size and for random bits of writing grocery lists and such.
Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.8
Permanent, archival and waterproof are three things I look for in a drawing pen. Why? Because I don’t want my lines to smudge once I start layering it with colors. Things like felt-tip pens, brush pens and other colored inks will make your black lines run unless they use this type of ink. Of all the disposable lightfast pens I use, this is the pricier one thus far.
Pigma Micron 0.5
Another archival pen, Microns also come in various nibs and have proven to be very reliable as part of my pen selection. Waterproof and indelible, it comes in handy if you like layering your work with other water-based pens and prevents it from creating one giant mess. I don’t know if it’s just my luck or if others have had a similar experience but the Micron tips tend to fray and soften a lot quicker than the other brands.
Uni Pin Fineliner 0.05
Before I discovered any of the pens I’ve mentioned, Uni Pin was actually the one I used a lot. Perhaps it was because it was introduced to us in our high school art classes but it’s extremely sturdy. Like the Micron and Staedtler pens, Uni Pins are archival, waterproof and permanent. I have not had a Uni Pin’s nib go bad on me up to its very last drop of ink.
This list is not absolute and base it solely on the brands I’ve come across. Some people can produce stellar and jaw-dropping work using even just an ordinary blue Bic ballpen. It’s absolutely inspiring! Do experiment with different types and see what fits best with your choice materials and imagination.
Other than those I’ve mentioned, what pens do you use for drawing?
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