Maybe I am not so new anymore, but thought I would update after all the nice advice I got about pens and drawing.
I went to buy a Namiki Falcon in Monrovia, CA., but there was no fine nib in stock, so placed an order.
In the meantime tried some flexible Vintage Watermans, and just as I was starting to get woozy from being around all those pens (my first pen shop visit), I tried a lovely old "Golden Rule" Pen (posted about this in "Writing Instruments"). Took it home and have been drawing ever since.
It looks like an older Waterman, is chased black, Warranted nib, its cap screws on at an angle, and I don't think anyone would find it fancy.
BUT, it is such a pleasure to draw and write with it, and I think that the "Vintage" part really hit some sentimental strain in me. Fred Krinke told me it came from a batch of unsold pens from the 1920s. Took me a day to get used to the odd smell, but now like it.
The flexible nib slows me down a bit, which is good for my handwriting. Fleixble nib, the best of both worlds between a crowquill and a pen!
So: definitely a faded beauty, and maybe never was a beauty, but I don't feel afraid to use it.
Still have to get the Namiki and try the Pump Pen from Ackerman, but my wife is getting suspicious. (OK in the meantime I would also by a Carene, and Vanishing Point, and about 10 other Vintage pens if I could....)
So now I have:
Phileas M
Lamy Safari Alstar EF
Golden Rule M
My two old Rotring Art Pens F and M that will sitting around feeling forlorn, having been replaced by flexible nib)
OK, just some random expressions of joy and sensual pleasure.
Thanks again and yeehah,
Mars