Good Pens for Concept Art

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody knew of good black pens to use with markers that don't bleed much? I've been going through some of the pens at my local art supplies store and the pens I have found so far are decent, but not good enough. They either bleed a lot when I go with a marker over them, or smudge around like crazy when I am drawing with them.

I know that Feng Zhu had a listing of materials he used, but since he upgraded his webpage I am unable to find it.

Does anyone know of good pens and where I might perchance order them online?(The shop would have to offer worldwide shipping since I am stuck on a rock in nowhere)

Thanks in advance.

I use the Bic, it has never failed me in times where i just need to draw

Heh. The picutre posted makes me want to do a poll about the LEFT or RIGHT handedness of the CGTalkers...

* VODAK NOTES: I am a lefite *

I use Alvin Tech-Liner drawing pens. .1mm to .5mm Extremely precise. I've yet to find a better set! Here's some info, they sell em in 5-packs at my local Office Depot, but they are not with the other pens and markers, they usually keep them next to the large gridded boards, compasses, and other technical blue-printesque mumbo jumbo.

http://www.misterart.com/store/view...=1148&store=001

Feng and alot of those guys use Pilot Hi-Tech C pens, but they are not available in the United States. I've even called a Pilot rep and they said because of patent issues they can't sell 'em here. You can get them in some areas where there are asian importers, but it's slim pick'ns.

They claim the Pilot Precision line are the same thing, but they only offer them down to .5mm.

Just buy a bunch of different ones and see what you like. A pen is a pen to some degree. See if you can find a line that goes down below .5mm and you should be set. Or, just invest in a rapidograph set. More work, but definately a nice finished product.

-Dave

At work for me, it depends on the quality of line I need, the paper I'm working on, and how I'm gonna use the final drawing. Like, is it a quick rough during a creative meeting to capture ideas or a more tightly drawn illustration I'm spending hours developing that will be digitally colored for final production. That kind of stuff.

So, here's a short list of some of the pens we use:
- Faber Castell PITT artist pen (has a very nice thick and thin line that doesn't bleed on Parchment tracing paper and dries quick)
- Fountain Pentel (one of my co-workers told me that the comic book artists he knows are using this pen alot)
- Sakura Pigma Micron (I sometimes use this one when I'm needing specific line weights on Bristol or Vellum paper, but it does tend to dry slow)

I still use my 2H pencil mostly.

t

"If you prick us, do we not bleed?

First of all, if you're using felt tip pens make sure they say "permanent" on the side. Also, make sure you allow enough time (at least 1 minute) for the ink to dry before coloring with markers.
Sharpies are good
Sakura's Pigma Microns are good
My favorites are Staedtler's Marsgraphic Pigment Liners

Ballpoints seldom run because they're oil based, but you won't get that solid jet black color.

Another option is to use waterproof (India or Black Magic) ink. You can apply it with a watercolor brush or a steel dip pen like a Crow Quill.

Lastly, try using a different kind of paper. First choice is Bristol paper/board. Second choice is drawing paper. Try to avoid using sketch paper for anything but pencil and ballpoint.

Are those the grey ones with the really fine tips or am I thinking of something else?

Yes. They're gray and come in 3 or 4 different tip sizes.

Cool, those are my personal favourites too, I just didn't have one to hand to see what's written on the side, I only remembered the manufacturer..

-Steve

I almost created the same thread, but then i saw this one. So i just add my question to this thread:
A local dealer sells "copic" markers in different variations (search google for "copic"). I thought, i have heard about this markers, but i dont know if they are good. Have anyone of you done experience with copic markers?

From what I can remember from my brain - Pilot Hi tec pens do not bleed when you run a marker over em - pretty useful.

Difficult to find tho ---- try www.jetpens.com i think. They stock a lot of different colors too.

They ship everywhere i think.

Not used them myself - but looks an orite website

hope that helps

I have made several purchases from jetpens, and they are fabulous! I definately recommend them for all your out of country pen needs

my favorite pen is the one that comes with the Wacom Tablet!

seriously though, its a great way to create concept art.

Woah, weird to see this thread resurrected.

Thanks for the jetpen link, I'm definitely gonna try them out next month(4 days and counting...).

Matt_Forcum: No denying that, it just feels so good to use a physical medium and to have a physical copy of your work that sometimes it's good to take a break from the Intuos.