How good are glass dip pens?

[@lynnnorton2537]

Thank you, Liz - really comprehensive analysis of these pens and what works with them.

[@LizChadertonArt]

my pleasure. they are such fun to work with, I wanted to share.

[@taylors726]

I cannot wait for your line and wash book to release.

[@LizChadertonArt]

24 Jan 2022! it’s been a long time coming…..

[@DotyML]

Thank you so much. I just got a glass dip pen and I am really excited to start using it in my pen and watercolor work.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@karlab9557]

O my goodness. I just got 3 glass dip pens today, and used India ink. Love love love them. I had been struggling with my fountain pen and metal nib dip pens. I'm a scratchy drawer so it doesnt bother me to have a pen that does a uniform line. SO glad I got these! Now for some more ink!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

you can never have enough ink!

[@bySusuko]

I love mine, too. Thank you for showing the pros and cons!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I love mine too

[@ShawnaTW]

LIz, that was so very helpful to me. Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

So glad!

[@woodywood1951]

I started to do ink some months ago. I normaly do watercolor. I like it. I use watercolor brushes and nibs. I wil buy a glass dip pen and go ahead with it! Thanks for your video-tuto. Tata for now

[@LizChadertonArt]

I love them!

[@janehayes1357]

Thank you so much. That was very helpful.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@margaretcaton2657]

Just thinking about buying one, so found this really useful. Love your down-to-earth approach! Many thanks!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful! There are a few scribble drawings with a glass pen you might enjoy too kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKXYpp-Cn86Npq8

[@karindw6384]

A friend of mine uses her glass dip pen to sign her work using a watercolour used in the painting. Going to order my own now that I’ve seen your video. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

That's a great idea! I usually sign my paintings in pencil, but I might change. this had never occurred to me! thank you

[@deborahdana3057]

great review so helpul! thankyou!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lizbamford1037]

Just received a set of glass dip pens today Thank you so much for your demo and ink review. Very helpful.

[@LizChadertonArt]

lucky you. they are such fun! There are a few scribble drawing films on here using a glass pen if you intend to draw not write.

[@lizbamford1037]

Thank you. I'll check them out. What fun!!

[@timh7246]

Very helpful! Thanks much for sharing all the relevant details!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ForestDreaming]

Thanks for such an informative video Liz! I've often thought of getting a glass dip pen and it's great to know which of my supplies would work best. I think I'm going to treat myself to one!

[@LizChadertonArt]

oh good. they don’t have to be expensive and they are lovely.

[@didee1000]

Your tips are something I look forward to watching. Thanks so much for taking the time to do them. 😃

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! I am glad you enjoy them

[@louisegolder3276]

Fantastic Liz, Really helpful. Thankyou for taking the time to share. Glad to have discovered you on u tube x

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful! If there is ever a topic you want me to look at, let me know!

[@louisegolder3276]

@@LizChadertonArt Thanks Liz, I'm fairly new to watercolour so have so much to learn from your back catalogue 😃 but will ask if anything occurs to me. Have a nice evening x

[@lindas5412]

Very helpful, as I just purchased two glass pens and have been wanting to try them!

[@LizChadertonArt]

perfect. the first time I used one I couldn’t believe how far one dip went. they are wonderful.

[@victoriaisaac3673]

That was so useful and informative. Thank you very much Liz.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susanhepburn6040]

Really interesting, Liz - thank you very much!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patrickj8984]

love to use ink! and thankyou for showing us how versatile glass dip pens are... i would have to use a plastic or silcone pot for washing the ink off,to avoid damaging the nib

[@LizChadertonArt]

the biggest danger is when you are dipping rather than washing. some ink bottles have a small neck so you can’t jab the pen in by mistake.

[@madeleine714]

Thank you sooo much !!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@MikaelaMaverix]

I really like the idea of these glass dip pens 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

They are lovely to use

[@jcortese3300]

They make glass dip pens now in what are more like conventional pen bodies with screw-on caps. One of those, a brush, and a watercolor set might work really well for drawing en plein air.

[@LizChadertonArt]

oooh, interesting. I haven’t seen those. will take a look

[@annewillis4673]

The pretty coloured inks supplied with these pens are most definitely not lightfast and in my test at home faded within weeks. Do love my glass dip pen though! Thanks for this informative video - very helpful!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’d never tested them for lightfastness as very few inks are, so I assumed these weren’t….

[@claudiasieberbethke7601]

Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@snowpony001]

Thank you. This was very helpful.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@allyw]

Thanks Liz, great tutorial as always. Think I may put some on my Christmas list 🙂

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes, people will love finding you super pretty ones!

[@Pebblesmas]

Wow thank you so much for this short and brilliant video!! The best one i've seen so far 👍. I kept watching video's cause my pen drips some, i never know when it starts to drip and Ruin Everything, so i can't use it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

are you writing or drawing? If drawing, embrace tge drips. one drip looks like a mistake but three looks intended…..

[@Pebblesmas]

@@LizChadertonArt sadly i'm writing, not drawing🤭

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@Pebblesmas oh, that’s a shame

[@helenw6243]

Really helpful thanks. Just purchased a glass pen and it is brilliant! Highly recommended. I had wondered how something so beautiful would work in practice, but it’s great. I only paid less than £10 so I’d agree, don’t spend a fortune for one 👍🏼😀

[@LizChadertonArt]

if you are patient you can get them sent from China and even fancy ones don’t cost much.

[@michaelpeters364]

Interesting. I do a lot of dip pen work and love the flexibility, but sometimes I want a steady line and things like Rapidographs clog so easily (plus it uses a different ink, which can be easy to spot on originals).... I'm intrigued by these glass pens and might give them a try.

[@LizChadertonArt]

it’s amazing how far one dip goes!

[@kierhudson1328]

Clean your rapidograph!

[@michaelpeters364]

@@kierhudson1328 I do, but they still get clogged. Also, when I cleaned my finest one last, the little metal wire bent, so it's trash, now.

[@kierhudson1328]

@@michaelpeters364 try soaking in methylated spirits or whatever your countries version is, just high alcohol content to corrode the ink.

[@vivienneabbott471]

Great - thank you, that is really helpful

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure!

[@franswey2]

Thank you, I love glass dip pens and have a small selection of my own. Now, 🫣 I want more!! 😊 Let’s go shopping 🛒💨Fran

[@LizChadertonArt]

I love them…so pretty

[@franswey2]

I know, pretty sparkly things do catch my eye, especially when it comes to art supplies. Have a wonderful night.

[@alisonmeier5826]

Very helpful, thanks. I have bought a few metal nib dip pens for drawing with India ink, but find them really scratchy. Might just be my poor technique but this glass job looks as though it might be a better option for me.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I love glass pens, so do give them a go

[@madhattersoriginal6258]

Fabulous video, I subscribed. My daughter bought me a glass pen a year ago along with the full range, about 36 Dr PH Martins Bombay Indian Ink large bottles. I'm ashamed to say I haven't tried either yet. 😔 We did move house is my excuse. I'm on it now, TYFS Kate in New York 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

ooooh, I love those inks! Crack them open quickly!

[@madhattersoriginal6258]

@LizChadertonArt I did TODAY! The white is awful. I use white when I want highlights. I bought FW Daler Rowney, but it won't flow through my twisty glass tip. It just blobs. ideas why? 👀

[@leanngoodall7602]

I have two glass dip pens and W&N Gold Metallic ink. It doesn't work with one of my pens but works fine with the other. I have a lot of shimmer inks and they all work well. I find that you just have to try each ink with each pen and see which pairings work.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Very wise! it’s nice to be able to give a guide, so that people aren’t disappointed if 5gey buy something, but you are right about the pairings.

[@madebylora]

Drinking Indian ink for breakfast! Hahahahaha. That comment made me laugh! I have a mini glass workshop in my garage (for making glass beads) and a few years ago I tried to make my own dip pen, but it was not good!!! I ended up buying a very cheap one with the hope that looking at one close up might help me to make one, but I’ve not tried again since, the grooves are far too detailed for my skill level. Anyway, watching this video makes me want to dust it off and use it!

[@LizChadertonArt]

That would be amazing to make your own. Could you somehow make your own handle and fuse it to a commercial nib, so you do the pretty end and they do the grooves? I have no idea how glass fusing works as you can tell….

[@madebylora]

@@LizChadertonArt in theory I think that should be possible but it would need to be the same type of glass because they expand and contract at different rates (if it's not contracting at the same rate as it cools down, it just shatters). My skill level is definitely not high enough, so for now I'll stick to just making beads and using a bought pen haha.... Maybe one day....

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@madebylora that makes sense!

[@johnnywhite1681]

Enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

It's really kind of you to say. They take a long time to do, so it is really nice to get feedback.

[@Gewittermiez]

Wonderful video! Recently bought a glass dip pen and am experimenting with it. The ink I use is waterproof fountain pen ink - I found that if it gets time to dry in the little ridges, it can be hard to clean, but I have not found a good way to combat this, since when you do a larger piece and frequently dip, there will be some unevenness and drying, and water then does not wash it off. Any tips around handling this so it does not interrupt the work flow are appreciated! I don't want to be cleaning it fully every three dips or so. 😅

[@LizChadertonArt]

fountain pen ink is designed to dry pretty fast to avoid smudging, so all I can suggest is swapping your ink for another. washing every three dips is a no go!

[@ToddDolce]

Would love to see you updste this glass pen review with some glass pens that have italic nibs and stub nibs. Their benefit is obvious; a variable width line.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’ve never seen glass pens with those nibs, I’m afraid

[@batiasenft347]

Thank you Liz for your film , I would like to try this pen where can I bay one , I live in Holland

[@LizChadertonArt]

Just go on to Amazon or EBay, that’s where I got mine 😊

[@ritaharker8792]

Thank you for this comparison, I love the look of the glass pens, they are gorgeous, however, being of a clumsy persuasion I don’t think they will ever be for me! 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

I am clumsy too, but haven’t broken one yet!

[@ritaharker8792]

@@LizChadertonArt 😊😊 x

[@MR_THINQ]

What is the brand of the iridescent pen? It’s gorgeous.

[@LizChadertonArt]

i got it about four years ago, sadly it’s not marked with a brand. just off Amazon….

[@robot7759]

With the correct medium and paper I'm sure these pens are brilliant. How ever limited they are. "Better to be good at one thing, than..."

[@LizChadertonArt]

I love them and have far too many….

[@ninakennedy5130]

Thanks Liz. I bought a glass dip pen but have not used it as yet. Could it be used to sign a watercolour painting with watercolour paint?

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes! That works very well.

[@julianaphang6534]

Thank you for this informative video. May I know whether they are good for doing tiny white dots on eyes (I usually paint on small A5 papers)? I ask because I have bought so many types of pens, markers etc to do this & I am so frustrated! 😢😂 Hope you can answer in the affirmative. Thx 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

You would need a really opaque ink, so it’s more about the ink and not the pen. The best way for the glint is to let it dry totally, get a very sharp scalpel/ knife and lift out a tiny nick of paper, to reveal the white. Give it a go!

[@julianaphang6534]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you. I will try that 🙏🎨😍

[@lindamiller1921]

What are the differences in drawing ink, calligraphy ink, fountain pen ink and India ink? I have all mentioned other than drawing ink and really cannot tell the difference.

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s a big question, there’s a section in my line and wash book….. but ink can be dye or pigment based, waterproof, water resistant or soluble. Dye based is fugitive, pigment is uv resistant. India ink is pigment and waterproof. drawing ink is usually dye, possibly water resistant and fugitive. calligraphy is pigment but shouldn’t go in a fountain pen. Fountain pen is usually not waterproof but you can get waterproof. usually fugitive but not always! only fountain pen ink should go in a fountain pen!

[@carolynrobinson9502]

I was using with my acrylic ink, Amsterdam brand, and occasionally a big blob would drop onto my paper causing a great deal of trouble. Can you think of what I’m doing wrong? Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I think it is the viscosity if the ink. It's right on the limit of what the pen can hold. Perhaps try adding a few drops of water?

[@polgara28]

Excellent! I was wondering if it would work with metallics and masking, thanks for showing that too! I wonder if pebeo masking would work, since it can be watered down so much. Going to order one for experimental purposes. Thanks so much! :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

Let me know how you get on with Pebeo. I haven’t tried it!

[@lisacurtis8162]

Can you use watercolor with the pen? Or is it ink only?

[@LizChadertonArt]

watercolour is great with the pens….really fine lines and super for signatures

[@Mulpiix]

Hello Liz. Thank you so much for that video! I just started writing with my glass pen and I somehow can't get used to the shape of it. If it's comfortable in my hand it won't write. If I rotate it a little bit, it writes but it feels so uncomfortable! Now I know its just the pen. I might get a cover thing for my fingers so it won't hurt anymore (I already bought another glass pen with a different shape. I hope it fits better into my hand! 😝) But I saw a lot of people writing with a metallic/sparkle ink and their glass pen. Do you have any recommended for sparkly ink for a glass pen? Like you said, they are mostly too thick or the particles are too big. You would help me a lot! For now Im using a black ink from Parker and a dark red ink from Octopus Liquids. The little ink that came with my glass pen also has glitter pigments in it but since it's a bright yellow you don't really see the colour at all unfortunately I would love to have some more inks! Also, where did you get the Indian ink from? It looks so good! ☺

[@LizChadertonArt]

What a shame your pen isn’t comfortable. I guess a grip would help, but it might spoil the look. The India ink I use if Jackson’s own bran www.jacksonsart.com. cheap, waterproof, highly pigmented….perfect! I’m sorry but because I use my pen for art rather than calligraphy I don’t use sparkly inks, so I don’t have top tips. have you checked out Cult Pens?

[@cynthiarichter792]

I bought one of these and I just can't get it to work. I may get three words out of one dip, but that is not usual. Frustating when I want to use them for writing the brand and color name on my ink swatching. Any suggestions?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Sorry to hear that, that is very frustrating. even my cheap glass pens have all worked really well. I wonder if there is a residue on the end. I would clean it really well. Rubbing alcohol perhaps? the old fashioned way was to lick it. there’s something in saliva apparently (I cannot vouch for that). what sort of ink are you using? I’ve found thicker and metallic inks don’t work. That’s all I can come up with off the top of my head. good luck

[@madhattersoriginal6258]

Liz or anyone help please. I bought FW Daler Rowney White, but it won't flow through my twisty glass tip. It just blobs. It also stuck to the glass tip despite saying it washes off in water. Not even hand sanitizer will clean it off. Any ideas why anyone 🙃

[@LizChadertonArt]

the more viscous inks just won’t flow with a glass pen. bizarre that it stuck. Just scratch off with your thumbnail

[@madhattersoriginal6258]

@LizChadertonArt Thanks Liz. Won't even scratch off, ruined my pen 🙈

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@madhattersoriginal6258 boiling water to soften it?? Then scratch off.? I've never had that happen

[@madhattersoriginal6258]

@@LizChadertonArt I think the ink must be old or something. I just read to soak in ammonia. Will buy some and try it. I'm taking the ink back.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@madhattersoriginal6258 good luck!

[@zainylainy1]

I bought one but I get a blob when I first start. Don’t quite know how to avoid this.

[@LizChadertonArt]

perhaps you are slightly overloading it? Gently touch the tip on the edge of the ink bottle to take off excess or even lightly touch on a scrap piece of paper first. Also try different inks because of viscosity.

[@yusufziya7871]

I got my glass dip pen a few days ago and it was working just fine but all of a sudden now it won't hold the ink.What may be the problem and what should i do???

[@LizChadertonArt]

that’s odd and I’ve never had it happen. if it won’t hold ink it sounds like something is resisting it. I would give it a really thorough clean. Maybe use a glass cleaner, but then rinse in boiling water to remove any chemical residue? I’m sorry I don’t have a perfect answer.

[@yusufziya7871]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you so much but i think i found the issue.I tried a different ink and i just saw that it was endorsing ink with oil.And i asume oil prevented the ink from sticking to the pen.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@yusufziya7871 Glad you solved it!!

[@michaelannfitzgerald8742]

Thank you for saying to go for comfort, not beauty, when buying.

[@LizChadertonArt]

even better if it is comfortable AND beautiful….

[@Megzamani]

How does alcohol ink work

[@LizChadertonArt]

I never use alcohol inks, so I'm afraid I can't tell you

[@Megzamani]

​@LizChadertonArt thanks Liz. I got the pen from the brand essshop. I want a couple more and I need ink too. More research to do.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@Megzamani The only inks I have found which don't flow are the ones with glitter in them and viscous ones.

[@faukerconsulting835]

🤔Can you get a specific line size...0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm, 1.6mm??🤔 ☝🏻I can see a 1.0 or a 1.6 alot better when writing...the smaller is very difficult to write with🤷🏻‍♀️

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’ve never seen the line width specified when buying them.

[@kerry5586]

I hate watching videos like these: a little voice in my head will for days and days be saying 'Buy one, buy one!' I really shouldn't, but then again, perhaps I might! Thanks for the informative video, especially covering the types of ink.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Honestly, you can get them for a few pounds online.....😀

[@kerry5586]

@@LizChadertonArt I have just been looking! Having just bought a large batch of watercolour paints and paper I really should resist, but then again Christmas is just around the corner and it could be an early Christmas present to myself just like the paint and paper! Oh, the battles I have with myself when it comes to buying art materials!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@kerry5586 They say you should choose your battles carefully!!!

[@suel4269]

As I started to watch this , my husband asked, What do you want for your birthday?

[@LizChadertonArt]

sorted!

[@steamtechnicolor461]

You haven't prooven with chinese ink yet.

[@LizChadertonArt]

There are hundreds of different inks, if not thousands so I have not tested each and every one. Chinese ink is thin like watercolour, so it will work well with the pen.