Best Portable Solution For Drawing With Ink?

[FPLover001]

Hello!

 

I've been drawing with ink on and off for a few years, and I'm recently getting back into, using my trusted Hunt nibs and acrylic inks.

 

Now, I would really like to draw on the go; the ability to pull out a pen anywhere and just draw!

 

Obviously, I couldn't really take the risk of bringing the bottled ink and fragile exposed dip pen nibs with me... So I was thinking there has to be another solution.

 

I've looked a lot at the Namiki Falcon, since it seems a pretty common popular choice for this very endeavor, but it's not cheap, and to even get it close to the best drawing nibs, you'd have to pay a lot of money for modification, that still might not net you the result you want.

 

Then, I happened to read about the Ackerman Pump pens, and it seemed ingenious! The obvious solution in fact. But reading up on the matter further on this very forum and the very mixed opinions, has left me wary. It's not relatively expensive, so I might as well try one I suppose. I haven't seen anyone write about the Gen 6 version, so I'm hoping that might be better. I'm already accustomed to drawing with dip pens, so it shouldn't really be a problem with adaption for me.

 

If this turns out to be inadequate however, is the Namiki the best option? Are all most popular places for modification about equal (Binder, Mottishaw, Minuskin)? Are there other pens in the same price class that are as good or better?

 

Any help and advice in general on this is deeply appreciated.

[isPen]

It depends what your drawing style is and what suits you. I personally use a range of different pens and sometimes 3 or 4 to a drawing to get the effect I want.

Different pens in my drawing armoury are :

 

Lamy Al star EF....This I use for fairly fine line drawing.

Noodlers Flex nib ( x 2)...This goes from fine to broad with a variable flex...(same sort of thing the namiki does, but for $14 instead)

Rotring Artpen EF...Finer than Lamy..Good for fine lines and details.

Sailor Calligraphy pen...has a bent up nib and can give different line thickness depending upon angle used....very handy pen (and cheap for a Sailor).

Pentel pocket brush pen for variation and good for inking large areas (don't use this so much).

Sailor Sapporo EF... I am waiting for delivery from Japan......wanted for super fine line drawing..should be a needle like point.

Pentel Water brushes...fantastic for applying washes without carrying water with you (each pen filled with its own supply)...very cheap for pack of 3.

I also occasionally use bamboo or reed pens that I cut myself.

 

I too was going to get a Namiki Falcon...But that is just one pen...the pens above will offer more drawing variety than the namiki if used together. The only expensive one is the Sailor Sapporo ($115.00..as a bargain), the rest were between $14 and $35 each or thereabouts (apart from the waterbrushes).

Sometimes, if I go out to draw, I will just choose one or two weapons. By having different pens, another advantage could be is to use different inks, either different colours, or some waterproof, some not.

 

I don't think I would be satisfied with just one pen..the same when I am painting..I like to use different brushes. I like each one of my pens for their own unique line and that offers some unpredictability which you won't get from one expensive pen.

 

Just my two cents...everyone is different and I am sure you would enjoy a Namiki Falcon if that's the way you choose. I don't know about Ackerman pump pens.

[FPLover001]

Thanks for the advice isPen!

 

The Sailor Sapporo looks like it has the fine line I'm after, but it seems it's not as flexible as the Namiki.

 

Now, I would probably save a bit of money doing it your way; but the thing is I value the intuitiveness of sketching outside quite a bit. Having to switch between three or more tools to get the desired effect sometimes might take me out of the moment, so to speak. It's just a bit clunky for fast sketching (especially for life figure drawing) Now, I use different nibs and brushes at the same time as well, but that's usually when I already have a penciled drawing ready for inking; and I usually go on quite a while between the tools as well (brush for flaring and filling areas, Hunt 101 and 102 for details et.c.).

 

Sketching is a different matter, as I'm more concerned with ideas rather than finalizing anything. I think I will stick to Dip pens and brushes for finished work really.

 

So with this in mind; I think I'm willing to pay a premium for having one pen that can get me the closest result I want. I've been using cheap Bic round stics and such for sketching mostly, but I've desired those dense darks on the go for a while now I take it the Namiki is the best bet then?

 

Once again, thank you so much!

[inquisicorp]

. . . I take it the Namiki is the best bet then?

The Falcon is a great pen. No doubt about that. But "best" is such a relative term! There are other options that you may want to explore:

-- Are Any Pens Best Suited For Drawing?

-- Russ Stutler's page on Brush Pens

-- Jetpens' collection of brush pens are here. I like the faux-brush pens, where the "brush" is actually a super flexible felt nib. Flex varies among brands, but they are so cheap you can order one of each to test.

-- Hero 86 "calligraphy" pen bizarre "bent nib" presents interesting capabilities BTW, this fude nib fits into the TWSBI body, in case you'd like a larger ink capacity.

 

Just a glimpse at a very few other options. Most importantly ---> Have fun! And post your findings and opinions.

 

Jan

Edited August 27, 2011 by inquisicorp

[inquisicorp]

Ceporom, one more thread that might be of interest/use to you:

-- Comparing Noodler's Flex Pen And Namiki Falcon? Can someone with both provide some insight?

 

Jan

[krz]

I always carry a vintage pen I like to draw with (Ideal 92V Flexy) but I use Noodler's Bulletproof inks as opposed to the pigmented art ink.

 

I also keep a small art pack with me filled with pens that I don't mind using on rougher art surfaces like WC paper.

 

The most interesting pen in my art kit is a Rapidograph piston filled tech pen I bought as a kid. I eventually broke the tip and ended up screwing in an Osmiroid sketch nib that flexes. It's worked perfectly now for more years than I'd care to admit.

[pmsalty]

I use several different pens for sketching. A Lamy Safari, my favorite an Esterbrook M2 with a 2048 semi-flex nib, a Rotring Core and a Wing Sung 237.http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6086548084_8017136351_m.jpg">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6086550804_356d9f27ac_m.jpg"

They work well for me.

PMS

[FPLover001]

Inquisicorp:

 

Thanks for all the links! The Hero 86 especially looks mighty interesting, although It's too bad I can try it out just to get the feel of the ergonomics of the pen.

The first link just confirms the gist of this whole deal I guess; the differing attributes in pens appeal do different people. I have no idea how many have a background drawing with dip pens/brushes et.c. but still, i couldn't find an example of a pen doing something like this in there.

 

Krz:

 

I keep hearing about the osmiroid sketch nib, but they seem very rare indeed. Do you have any pictures or line samples of that first vintage pen you're talking about (I really like the lines of the Waterman 7 pink nib as well)? I use ink a whole lot on watercolorpaper as well, but it's usually hp, so I don't have any problems with using finer tools there either.

 

pmsalty:

 

I've tried the Lamy Safari, and even the EF wasn't really my cup of tea. the line could be very fine for sure, but the flex left a lot to be desired. I just went back to my dip pens at home shortly after that. I wish you could show some bigger pictures though, as your drawings looks very interesting! Couldn't really find much in the way of examples of the lines produced by the other pens you mentioned. If you got some leads then do tell!

 

---------------

 

Really everyone, thank you so much for all the advice! I really don't want to spend so much time thinking about this, so I'm going to at least going to go ahead and order an Ackerman pen (because it's pretty cheap after all) and try that out. The need to clean it all the time might get the best of me eventually, but I really don't want to spend too much time mulling this over when I could be drawing instead!

 

So, as of now, the Namiki - while modified and more expensive for sure - still seems to fit my bill the best. I might contact some of the suppliers for these modifications as well and see what they can suggest. I'm sorry if I come off as just dismissing your suggestions without having given them proper consideration, but I assure you that I have spent time going over the links and posts suggested, as well as the content of this thread. It has lead to some great alternatives for sure that I need to do further reading up on. Right now, I guess it's just what makes the best choice economically speaking (but the cost for a modified Namiki is not too much for me a the moment). It's a luxury item for sure, but I want to try it, and I might as well do it now. I might end up totally hating it in the future and just go back to pencil, but I'd rather wise up on that sooner than later!

 

Once again, thank you so much so far! You're indeed a great community!

Edited August 28, 2011 by Ceporom

[isPen]

Inquisicorp:

 

Thanks for all the links! The Hero 86 especially looks mighty interesting, although It's too bad I can try it out just to get the feel of the ergonomics of the pen.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sailor Calligraphy pen is about the same as the Hero 86.

 

I bought my for GBP 19.00 from here. It does a variety of lines..although not flexed variable...each width requires a different pen angle.

Edited August 28, 2011 by isPen

[inquisicorp]

The Sailor Calligraphy pen is about the same as the Hero 86.

 

I bought my for GBP 19.00 from here. It does a variety of lines..although not flexed variable...each width requires a different pen angle.

Yep! That inexpensive fude nib Sailor (in two different angles) is also available at Jetpens here.

 

These are a challenge for me to figure out how to use. For sketching I end up holding it towards the far end of the pen, as I'd hold a brush. Makes it easier to change the angle on the fly. I have one loaded up with Lexington Grey right now. Still experimenting on finding the right free-flowing ink for it.

 

Does anyone know of any videos on how to use these fude nibs? That may help. . . .

 

Jan