Pen Shootout Project

Spencer Nugent Pens

This week I had the chance to visit my old college and man was it fun. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop by the bookstore and check out the awesome selection of pens, paper, chalk and all the yummy goodness that any artist could want to get their grubby hands on. Then the idea came to me – I’ll do a pen shootout! I love sketching with pens, and frankly, my go-to fineliners and hitecs are getting too comfortable to use, so I thought I’d mix things up and take some time this week and maybe part of text looking at each pen, and giving it a fair score based on a certain set of criteria – drying time, line quality, nip durability, line variability, how they interact with markers and so on. As always, I’m open to suggestions on what to cover. I’ll be using bond paper, marker paper, and tracing paper to evaluate each pen. So look forward to seeing a few posts and my discoveries with each pen.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 21st, 2010 at 8:10 pm and is filed under how to. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

http://www.coroflot.com/aham73 Adam Hammerman

Add the Pentel RSVP to the list. Just switched from the Bic Stick to this and I’m loving it.

I use the RSVP on Canson marker paper with a few markers and a Copic fine liner for bold linework.
http://www.coroflot.com/aham73 Adam Hammerman

Add the Pentel RSVP to the list. Just switched from the Bic Stick to this and I’m loving it.

I use the RSVP on Canson marker paper with a few markers and a Copic fine liner for bold linework.
http://www.dereckjohnson.co.uk Dereck Johnson

Great idea, looking forward to your opinions. Keep in mind the humble Stabilo Point 88 – great range of colours and quite happy alongside Chartpak Ad Markers.
http://www.dereckjohnson.co.uk Dereck Johnson

Great idea, looking forward to your opinions. Keep in mind the humble Stabilo Point 88 – great range of colours and quite happy alongside Chartpak Ad Markers.
http://www.grannyandsmith.com Chris Weber

I”d like to see how you like the Pentel Tradio Stylo TRJ50 compared to the others. Keep in mind that you have to use it a little so the tip gets really nice and smooth. I love it in combination with some markers on color copy paper.
http://www.grannyandsmith.com Chris Weber

I”d like to see how you like the Pentel Tradio Stylo TRJ50 compared to the others. Keep in mind that you have to use it a little so the tip gets really nice and smooth. I love it in combination with some markers on color copy paper.
ranabe

hey thats a really good idea,

i need to find out what pen i could use so that it does not bleed into my markers, i just bought some bic orange fine pens just started using them and they are really nice to use
ranabe

hey thats a really good idea,

i need to find out what pen i could use so that it does not bleed into my markers, i just bought some bic orange fine pens just started using them and they are really nice to use
Em

Great idea! Please test smudging as well – that’s always one of my major pet peeves…
Em

Great idea! Please test smudging as well – that’s always one of my major pet peeves…
mj

yeah the Bic fine’s should be in with this I reckon
mj

yeah the Bic fine’s should be in with this I reckon
edale

I’m really fond of the Uni Signo 0.5 and 0.38mm gel rollers for fine line work…they make a 0.28 too, but I’ve found it shreds paper if you are fond of the “quick double strike line”. I use this crazy thing for super-fat outlines:
http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/221_461/products_id/2014
It can end up kinda cartoony but they have great control. I’m really fond of ‘em but I’ve only found them at the above website and at two joints here in SF.
edale

I’m really fond of the Uni Signo 0.5 and 0.38mm gel rollers for fine line work…they make a 0.28 too, but I’ve found it shreds paper if you are fond of the “quick double strike line”. I use this crazy thing for super-fat outlines:
http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/221_461/products_id/2014
It can end up kinda cartoony but they have great control. I’m really fond of ‘em but I’ve only found them at the above website and at two joints here in SF.
Ivan

I like using the BIC Ultra Round Stic Grip and the Bic round stic Grip fine.
The main reason I like these, is becuase they’re super cheap. I bought a pack a while back with a coupon and they came out at less than 4 cents a piece. I adopted these pens back in school when $1.50 felt like a lot of money for one Prismacolor pencil that didn’t stay sharp or last very long.
Ivan

I like using the BIC Ultra Round Stic Grip and the Bic round stic Grip fine.
The main reason I like these, is becuase they’re super cheap. I bought a pack a while back with a coupon and they came out at less than 4 cents a piece. I adopted these pens back in school when $1.50 felt like a lot of money for one Prismacolor pencil that didn’t stay sharp or last very long.
Jason

Seconding the old orange bic octagonal barrel pens for sketching. I find they have a great amount of control and super cheap, when you can find them.

I havent been able to find these in some time, so Ive been using the Bic clear/octagonal barrel pens. Similar feel and cheap price.
Jason

Seconding the old orange bic octagonal barrel pens for sketching. I find they have a great amount of control and super cheap, when you can find them.

I havent been able to find these in some time, so Ive been using the Bic clear/octagonal barrel pens. Similar feel and cheap price.
Paul

The Papermate Flexgrip is a cheap rendition of a pen made by Sanford a few years ago. I love sketching with Sanfords, though they are tough to get now. The original version of the pen had metal covers on either end and was incredibly well balanced. Being a ball point pen, you had a the same control Bic. The Papermate version doesn’t even compare. I have taken to buying them simply to pull the ink out of them and reload the Sanfords I have.
Paul

The Papermate Flexgrip is a cheap rendition of a pen made by Sanford a few years ago. I love sketching with Sanfords, though they are tough to get now. The original version of the pen had metal covers on either end and was incredibly well balanced. Being a ball point pen, you had a the same control Bic. The Papermate version doesn’t even compare. I have taken to buying them simply to pull the ink out of them and reload the Sanfords I have.
Justin

Try the Zebra Airfit. Its not in many stores but man are they smooth. Line weight control with them is out of control. Very Niice pen but a little expensive around $5.00 but the refills are only a $1 or so. I think they are well worth the price.
Justin

Try the Zebra Airfit. Its not in many stores but man are they smooth. Line weight control with them is out of control. Very Niice pen but a little expensive around $5.00 but the refills are only a $1 or so. I think they are well worth the price.
Choto

I’ve been using the Staples “OptiFlow” pen lately and I love it! It’s a roller ball and give the same consistency as a nice felt, like the LePen but it doesn’t blot up and it doesn’t smudge. Also plays nice with Copics and Ad Markers! It’s my golden ticket right now!
Choto

I’ve been using the Staples “OptiFlow” pen lately and I love it! It’s a roller ball and give the same consistency as a nice felt, like the LePen but it doesn’t blot up and it doesn’t smudge. Also plays nice with Copics and Ad Markers! It’s my golden ticket right now!
Kyle A

There are a few combination that I have found to work very nicely. Chartpak Markers do not pull the ink of most BIC pens as well as Micron felt tip pens and any other Favor Castel “brush” type marker. This is because the ink in the Chartpak is some kind of Zinc oxide… meaning that it does not use alcohol. The main reason that Prismacolor markers pull everything. They also give you great cover. I have been playing around with Copic Airbrush system, I love it. Perfect for making cool backgrounds. Also relatively new on the scene is the “Pentel Pocket Brush”, it is lack of a better word BALLER. Kinda expensive though its going to run you poor designers into the ground, at a whopping $11.29 on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Pocket-Brush-Pen/dp/B002LJRKN8

Kind of a cool side note, you can use the Cartpak clear blender to make transferring drawings to almost any material… metal / plastic / foam. In just two easy steps. Make a copy of your drawing on any standard photocopy machine. Open your Cartpak Clear Blender and apply it to the printed side of the photocopy. The Zinc Oxide that is in the marker will melt the toner that fixes the ink to the paper, leaving it exposed and ready to transfer. Have fun with that its pretty cool when you make a small drawing blow it up and have a very accurate interpretation of the original sketch. Yeah I hear you saying… why not use a projector? Try transferring an image onto an oddly shaped object… chew on that for a while… genius!

Sorry to go on a rant but I have a bone to pick with Prismacolor! The correct way to store markers is actually sideways, or on their sides laying flat. How can you design a storage system that actually dries out the markers, potentially making them useless. The ink settles to one side drying the other side of the marker… WTF. So all you savoy design kids out there, yeah the Prismacolor holder is cool, and you can see all the colors but it will cost you more in the long run to use such a convenience. I think on the day to day its ok, but for the long run keep them sideways!

While I’m at it, I might as well give you a tip on how to stick it to the “Prismacolor Man”. Since Prismacolor markers use alcohol, you can actually revive dead markers. I got the idea from Copic markers, because they actually have refills that can be used on all their markers. Yeah I said it all their markers. Anyway, pull out the broad tip side of any Prismacolor marker and pour a couple drops of Ever-clear, (strong grain alcohol… sorry all you non 21 year old designers) into the chamber. Then stuff the tip back in the marker, roll it around on a flat surface, and you are ready to go. This will actually bring back most markers that are alcohol based. Note the color will not be exactly the same, think of it like a lighter shade of the same color. Great for using when you are trying to express the lightest version of a color, or a surface that is in direct light. Also a good tip, create a marking system to indicate what markers you have done this to. You do not want to accidentally mess up a sketch by using the wrong color, and come after this guy. I warned you… JK.

Thanks for listening, hope these tips and tricks saves a couple of bucks and maybe introduced you to a few new ideas that I have come across. To all those young designers out there collaborate with your fellow students, bounce ideas, trip, fall, get up, and start over. The world does not revolve around one person / designer / designette. Most times it takes the opinions of others to truly design something spectacular. Keep your minds open, and your hearts free!

Kyle – The Design Kid

If you have any further questions, you can drop me a note at kylethedesignkid@gmail.com, I will respond!
Kyle A

There are a few combination that I have found to work very nicely. Chartpak Markers do not pull the ink of most BIC pens as well as Micron felt tip pens and any other Favor Castel “brush” type marker. This is because the ink in the Chartpak is some kind of Zinc oxide… meaning that it does not use alcohol. The main reason that Prismacolor markers pull everything. They also give you great cover. I have been playing around with Copic Airbrush system, I love it. Perfect for making cool backgrounds. Also relatively new on the scene is the “Pentel Pocket Brush”, it is lack of a better word BALLER. Kinda expensive though its going to run you poor designers into the ground, at a whopping $11.29 on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Pocket-Brush-Pen/dp/B002LJRKN8

Kind of a cool side note, you can use the Cartpak clear blender to make transferring drawings to almost any material… metal / plastic / foam. In just two easy steps. Make a copy of your drawing on any standard photocopy machine. Open your Cartpak Clear Blender and apply it to the printed side of the photocopy. The Zinc Oxide that is in the marker will melt the toner that fixes the ink to the paper, leaving it exposed and ready to transfer. Have fun with that its pretty cool when you make a small drawing blow it up and have a very accurate interpretation of the original sketch. Yeah I hear you saying… why not use a projector? Try transferring an image onto an oddly shaped object… chew on that for a while… genius!

Sorry to go on a rant but I have a bone to pick with Prismacolor! The correct way to store markers is actually sideways, or on their sides laying flat. How can you design a storage system that actually dries out the markers, potentially making them useless. The ink settles to one side drying the other side of the marker… WTF. So all you savoy design kids out there, yeah the Prismacolor holder is cool, and you can see all the colors but it will cost you more in the long run to use such a convenience. I think on the day to day its ok, but for the long run keep them sideways!

While I’m at it, I might as well give you a tip on how to stick it to the “Prismacolor Man”. Since Prismacolor markers use alcohol, you can actually revive dead markers. I got the idea from Copic markers, because they actually have refills that can be used on all their markers. Yeah I said it all their markers. Anyway, pull out the broad tip side of any Prismacolor marker and pour a couple drops of Ever-clear, (strong grain alcohol… sorry all you non 21 year old designers) into the chamber. Then stuff the tip back in the marker, roll it around on a flat surface, and you are ready to go. This will actually bring back most markers that are alcohol based. Note the color will not be exactly the same, think of it like a lighter shade of the same color. Great for using when you are trying to express the lightest version of a color, or a surface that is in direct light. Also a good tip, create a marking system to indicate what markers you have done this to. You do not want to accidentally mess up a sketch by using the wrong color, and come after this guy. I warned you… JK.

Thanks for listening, hope these tips and tricks saves a couple of bucks and maybe introduced you to a few new ideas that I have come across. To all those young designers out there collaborate with your fellow students, bounce ideas, trip, fall, get up, and start over. The world does not revolve around one person / designer / designette. Most times it takes the opinions of others to truly design something spectacular. Keep your minds open, and your hearts free!

Kyle – The Design Kid

If you have any further questions, you can drop me a note at kylethedesignkid@gmail.com, I will respond!
mandy

I like those pens, but they fade really fast. I used one to write names of songs on a cd cover, which was left in my car in the sun. The ink just dissappeared!
mandy

I like those pens, but they fade really fast. I used one to write names of songs on a cd cover, which was left in my car in the sun. The ink just dissappeared!
http://hubpages.com/hub/FSNB-Online-Banking FSNB Online Banking

I’m pretty much the same way, jumping at every chance to buy new toys. I really enjoy brush pens, since they produce a much more lively, dynamic image. On an unrelated note, I find Micron pens absurdly overrated, and it would be good for people to be made aware of how pitiful they are compared to their competitors; Staedtler Pigment Liners and Copic Multiliners work a whole lot better.