Felt Tip Pen

Aside from pencil, pen and ink drawings are probably the most portable, convenient, and low-cost form of art making. All you need is a pen and a piece of paper, and you're ready to make art. Pen and Ink is ideal for line work, but you have to look at your subject closely because you cannot erase marks or change your mind. Using pen and ink demands confident line work, whether you are making a rapid sketch or a tonal study. Any type of synthetic, fibre-tipped pen producing very thin, spidery lines can be referred to as a fine liner. These pens are most often used in technical drawing; their fine tips are supported in a metal sleeve which allows close-up use against a ruling edge. They produce very similar results to a technical pen, which delivers a uniform line of precise width, but are basically throw away versions. However, the tip wears and spreads with use and many artists use their older pens for tonal shading. Fine liners work best on a smooth white paper or card as they will bleed on a soft, textured surface. Ball point and felt-tip pens are easy to carry around and use. They can produce surprisingly pleasing, spontaneous results, especially for quick, scribbled sketches.