How to make a bamboo pen for drawing

I've recently experimented with a self-made bamboo pen after being reminded what nice lines it can create. Making your own reed pen or bamboo pen is easy, inexpensive and fun. In this video I'll show you how you can make one and how to use it.
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[@carolynberlin124]

I love this!

[@kerry5586]

Strange how life ties in together: earlier I was watching this video of yours in a spare few minutes and then I have just watched a talk by watercolour artist Brenda Swenson. She talks about using bamboo pens (hers appear to be purchased ones) and she mentions that she has discovered that the way to get them to hold the ink for longer is to soak the nib end in water for 10 minutes before starting to paint. I am off to the garage to search out a bamboo cane! Thanks for the pointers.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Oh, that's interesting, I will try that soaking method. Thanks for mentioning it and have fun making your pen! :-)

[@phillipschmidtpottery]

Cool. I want to make one!

[@ferdabasak6806]

Thanks

[@paulinabm_]

Thats a great tip. Anyone with steady hands can make their own pen ❤❤❤

[@mynaturediaries4402]

Such an Interesting type of pen! It’s amazing all the line variations that you can get from it. Thanks for showing us how you use them too…😊❤

[@melissaaldosari8024]

I’ll be looking for some bamboo now!

[@ChantelleArts]

this looks so cool! I might have to try it ☺

[@LanaGoesArt]

That is so neat! I've been playing with a bamboo nib lately too, but never thought about making one myself. Great tips. Thank you so much!

[@NatureSketchbook]

You're welcome! It's really a nice little project and I love drawing with mine.

[@LanaGoesArt]

@@NatureSketchbook It looks very relaxing indeed. I like the lines mine gives me too a lot. The one I got has a brush on the other end, so I want to experiment taking it with me like a travel brush. :) But the bamboo nib is also nice for texture like adding scoring lines to the painting, where the paint settles in.

[@jaimejaime1178]

Hello from Madrid, Spain (a New Yorker expat living abroad). Great video! I've seen them in Art stores, mainly in the calligraphy section, but I haven't bought one yet. I always thought they were too expensive for what they are, and was planning on doing one myself with some if my wife's gardening ones (uses them in her tomatoe and strawberry and other plants to keep them growing upwards). So cool! Good demo. Cheers from Sunny Spain! 😁👍😎

[@jaimejaime1178]

Hi again. Forgot to include that I also use barbecue wood skews with ink for drawing. They already have a fine point, though they are usually thinner and more flimsy/weak. But with a but if care they also work good. Don't hold lots of ink, though, so Bamboo sticks seem a better tool. Cheers from Sunny Spain! 😁👍😎

[@NatureSketchbook]

Exactly, I use those gardening bamboo sticks too, just make sure to leave a few long ones for your wife's tomatoes! ;-)

[@paulineshelley4421]

Thank you for sharing this. I wonder whether it would work with a large feather quill? After all, they were used as pens many years ago. I might try it.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Yes, that will definitely work, although I'd just add a slit (no hole) and you'll need a pretty robust feather for it. A huge goose feather maybe. Good luck and let me know if it works! :-)

[@roksannastephens4375]

I've always bought mine, but maybe I'll give this a try! Thank you.

[@JringArt]

Thanks for the demo! But for safety reasons, I will buy one ready-made. Ha Ha.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Completely understandable. ;-)

[@melissaaldosari8024]

I love this!