How to use Faber-Castell Pitt Pens/pigment ink pens for adult colouring: Part 2 | Adult Colouring

Disclaimer: All content on my channel is intended for adults.
Part 2 of a 2-part series on how I use Faber-Castell Pitt Pens in my adult colouring. DEFINITE disclaimer... :) I am NOT an artist - I am in awe of those who have the incredible talent that allows them to create art. :) Because of that, I probably don't use the pens "correctly" or in the way that artists might use them. I am completely open to corrections or suggestions given (gently :)) in the comments below on how I can improve my use of pigment ink pens in my colouring journey. Shall we take a look at how a chemistry teacher has taught herself to colour with Pitt Pens? ;) Why not! :D
Link to the video where I compare the chemistry of pigments vs. dyes:
• Pigments vs. Dyes (and...
Link to a previous video where I do some real-time colouring with Pitt Pens in Johanna Basford's "Small Victories" book:
• Review, comparison, an...
Link to the Faber-Castell Pitt Pen company brochure:
www.faber-cast...
Link to the wonderful comprehensive guide put out by Jet Pens:
www.jetpens.co...
If anyone has any questions about anything they see in the video or would just like to say hello, please pop down to the comment section below!
Thank you for watching! Keep calm and colour on! :)
Connie
#adultcoloringchannel #fabercastell #staedtler

[@Lolatigre1012]

100% would love to see color along with Pitt pens & the staedtler pens- you are one of the few colorists I have found so far who uses them, and I love that! I am not really a color pencil girly. 😅

[@colouringchemist]

I'm definitely trying to put some together! :)

[@DieterPrivate]

Nice overview of the many ways of using these wonderful pens! I only missed 3 techniques that I use myself, though might be a bit more advanced :). 1. "smudging", where you smudge the colour with your finger directly after you applied it, to sort of blend the colour out. I also do this with gel pens from time to time. It's a great technique to blend and make the colour a bit lighter at the same time. 2. layering to blend and adjust colours. You did show that you can layer to darken the colour, but you can use this to actually blend, and in the process make sure that the paper can handle it. You have to let each layer dry to heal the paper, and this way you can keep layering on almost all papers without it breaking down. Of course the colours will go darker this way, but you can layer with different colours to push the colours in certain directions and have a nice blend. For example, add a base with the light colour, then put in the darkest shading with a medium colour. Then you go back and forth with the light colour and maybe others, to have a nice blend. Can be done on all papers, but the result will be different depending on the paper itself. 3. using satin glazing liquid to prepare the page, which creates a barrier so that the ink sits on top of this acrylic layer. It does take more time for the ink to dry, but then you can blend and move the ink to your liking. After drying for several days, I couldn't move the ink anymore, so I think it's permanent when really fully dry, though it might be that it can be removed by other means due to not being absorbed by the paper. Needs some more testing, but nice technique to try out, though not my favourite to be honest. Apart from these techniques, some other pens that go well with these: the Zig Brushables and the Talens Pantone markers, though these have bigger brush nibs and not good for very small details like the Pitt pens are. And for those still afraid of using water based markers like these, don't, you can always switch to coloured pencils afterwards to clean up :). Also wanted to say you're a great teacher and I really like your videos. Always very informative and clear.

[@colouringchemist]

Thank you so much for the additional ideas, Dieter!! I'm definitely a beginner at all of this art stuff so I love hearing from those who are more experienced than I am - I may be a teacher but I also love to learn. :) I've prepped a page with Satin Glazing Liquid in the past in order to use alcohol markers (it was a double-sided book and I didn't want to sacrifice the next page) but I hadn't thought to use the prep method with Pitt Pens - I'll have to try it out! I have a small set of Brushables and I was just thinking I should pull them out. :) I've looked at the Pantone markers but haven't purchased any (yet :)). How do you find them to work with? And thank you so much for the kind words - I'm glad you're enjoying the content! :)

[@MarcieColors]

Great information! Would love to see a color along with these amazing pens! ❤

[@colouringchemist]

Glad you liked it! I'm hoping to get some colour-alongs put out soon - stay tuned! :)

[@SabrinasTwistofColor]

Shading with grey pencils work wonderful for greens. 😊

[@colouringchemist]

Excellent tip - thanks for sharing! :)

[@kimkalkstein4574]

This video was really informative! I've never used Pitt pens but now I just might give it a try. I would love for you to do some color alongs using them! I've just recently found your channel and really enjoy all of your content!

[@colouringchemist]

Glad you found the channel - and I'm glad you liked the video! I'm hoping to do some colour-along videos soon - stay tuned! :)

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

Thank you for the tips. I really appreciate it that you showed me the techniques. I have read about various ways to blend etc. But, I just wasn't understanding how to actually do it. This helps. I have a couple sets of Tombow markers. One is the Skin Tones set. The other is the Gray Scale set. I have a basic color range of Arteza brush markers. I have a 36 set of Nicecho Permanent Markers. I am happy with what I have. Now I can get more out of them.

[@colouringchemist]

Glad you found it helpful! :)

[@mrsfrench847]

I have been patiently (forgot really!) waiting for this video - thank you SO much for doing this! This was informative and fun. And yes, I'd love a Pitt pen color along. Thanks again, very helpful.

[@colouringchemist]

So glad you found it useful! Hoping to get some colour-alongs put out soon! :)

[@tine_dipped_in_colour]

Dear Connie, greetings from Denmark 👋🏻 Thank you for these videos on the Pitt pens - I have been wanting more of this since you made the real time colouring of the house in Small Victories with the Pitt pens. It was really easy to see how and what you did while you coloured it in and it turned out absolutely stunning 😍 I have not yet coloured it with you following the video, but I definitely plan to. I would love to get to know my Pitt pens better, and use them much more and I love how they work with the Polychromos and that they are part of the Faber Castell colour scheme - I did not know that before you thought me that in your videos 👍🏻 I would love it if you did more colour alongs with the Pitt pens and I will try to follow you to the best of my abilities 🖌️📚🖍️ Thank you for all your wonderful videos 🥰 All the best, Tine

[@colouringchemist]

Greetings back from Canada! :) So glad you liked the video and found it useful! I'm hoping to get some Pitt Pen colour-alongs put out soon - stay tuned! :)

[@JessicaSzempruch]

Thanks for the informative videos! I recently splurged and bought the full set of the Pitt Pens, and the Staedtler pens. I needed something to use on my Kerby and Joanna Basford books that wouldn’t bleed or tear up the paper(like Tombows tend to do). Anyway, perfect timing with the videos.😅

[@colouringchemist]

You're welcome! Have fun with your pens! :)

[@janeling5897]

Lovely video Connie, thank you 😊

[@colouringchemist]

You're very welcome - glad you liked it! :)

[@cinqcolours]

Thanks for the tips with the white Pitt pen… I had no idea what to use it for! 😂 so far I’ve only used my Pitt pens for basing under Polychromos pencils, but I may try doing some shading with them.

[@colouringchemist]

Glad you found some useful tips! If you try some shading, try it first on an image on really smooth paper - it will be easier to blend and you'll have a better first-go. :)

[@charlotteking2896]

Now I understand why I need these in my life. Thank you so much for these two videos explaining the FC Pitt Pens.

[@colouringchemist]

So glad you liked the videos! :)

[@robynbroderick6822]

Thankyou Connie . Very interesting and informative. Wonderful🌺🌺

[@colouringchemist]

So glad you liked it - you're welcome! :)

[@bethbrady8146]

Did anyone every tell you that you are a fabulous teacher???!!! If back in the day I would have had you for chemistry I would not have gotten a D.....love all the tips!!I love my new Stadler pigment pens, I did order the white Pitt pens as we. Then sets of Pitt pens went on sale so I picked up a small set and a few singles. May green of course!!! Thank you Connie!!! And you also helped me get over some of my fear and get back to enjoying coloring besides my swatching!!!!

[@colouringchemist]

Thank you so much for your kind words! :) I hope you have tons of fun colouring with all your new pigment ink pens! :)

[@winter89_colours]

I can't wait to add more pitts to my collection. i only have 8 right now but when i've tried them i really liked them

[@colouringchemist]

Awesome! There's a definitely learning curve to them but once you feel comfortable with them, they're such a joy to work with! :)

[@laureenignarro8030]

Always wanted to learn more about Pitt pens, thanks !! New subbie !😊

[@colouringchemist]

Glad you found the video useful - and thank you so much for subscribing! :)

[@swampmonkey22]

Thank you, Connie. Yes, please do a color along with the Pitt pens. Enjoyed the one you did a few months ago and was hoping you might use them more.

[@colouringchemist]

You're very welcome! I'm hoping to do some colour-alongs soon! :)

[@bethbrady8146]

Oh and I ordered a few of the Stadler sets...got doubles...oh well.

[@MyStarseedColoring]

I've not got pitt pens but I do have ohuhu water based markers and I can say that the newer Amazon paper is much better for them! I've colored 2 pages so far in Serendipity from RJ Hampson (My book was printed in Canada though, so that may be a factor) and found that they work better than alcohol markers because the paper is too absorbent, so alcohol tends to feather up to 2-3 mm off from where you're drawing, while the water based markers do not. So it's easier to use for detailed/small areas! (That said, it's still absorbent enough that smooth blends for shading won't work great, they're better used just for basing XD Only way I've found works for shading with markers on those is layering the same color to darken it, and this does bleed through the paper) Older amazon books I've gotten do behave like the one you show in your video though, so I am not sure if buying older books will get printed in the new paper or if the publisher is giving artists a better paper option that is being used by, say, RJ Hampson for his newest books that has influenced that. And this is the softcover versions not the hardcover ones.

[@colouringchemist]

Thanks for the info! I love that there are so many ways to test out and try out the different supplies we all have. :)

[@mlaura26]

Please do the color along with Pitt pens or Staedler ones. I love to use them. I still haven’t got a larger set of any bcs I’m trying to decide wich one will work better for me. I’m thinking about the fact that with FC I can replace them one by one, but they’re more expensive. And the Staedler they only sell them on sets and I hate to have duplicates. The color range is less on Staedler (here in the US). So what you think could be better for me? Mostly work on Johanna Basford books

[@colouringchemist]

You actually can purchase the Staedtler Pigment Brush pens through open stock at Cult Pens online. :) Here's a link, if you're interested: cultpens.com/products/staedtler-pigment-arts-brush-pen You can't yet buy the new 24 colours through open stock (only the original 36 colours) but hopefully they'll have all 60 colours available through open stock soon. I'm going to do a video soon talking about pigment pens and paper type/quality but if you're colouring on the US versions of Johanna's books, you might find the Staedtler pens work a bit better to blend. It's difficult for me to say, though - that's why I'm going to make the pen/paper video. :)

[@mlaura26]

@@colouringchemist thanks! I’ll take a look! And yes I’m using the US version of her books

[@lindaverkade438]

Hi Conny! Thank you verry much for this video! I have a couple of problems with the Pitt pens. They go trough thick paper like Johanna Basford when you blend, no problems with baselayer and big spaces get streaky. That’s why i don’t use them for coloring. I can use them for colouring mandalas but i rather like to colour mandalas with pastel chalk pencils and glitter pens. Only baselayer is a little bit a no go because of the costs of the Pitt pens. I bought them for color by number books but i don’t do that anymore. I have to find something that i can use them for. Maybe the water technic…..

[@colouringchemist]

That's interesting that they bled through the Johanna Basford paper - maybe the paper in the EU versions of her books is different? The UK paper is very, very smooth so the ink tends to "sit on top" of the paper which gives me enough time to move it around and blend before it soaks in. If the ink is soaking into your paper right away, then I could seen where it would tend to bleed through while blending - you'd be having to kind of scrape away at the paper surface to get any blending to happen which would force the ink through the paper. Maybe try some little test patches in different books to see if you can find a paper where they work - I've been using them in a Maria Trolle book and they don't seem to bleed through that paper. Hope you can find a way to work them into your colouring! :)

[@lindaverkade438]

@@colouringchemist Thank you Conny, i am Dutch so i have the Uk version. But i also coloured in the Johanna Basford miniture secret garden and because of the really tiny details i coloured with Steadler fineliners, and i had the same outcome, they go through the paper as wel…maybe it’s better for me to stick with pencils and use my Pitt pens for one sided pages.😊

[@colouringchemist]

@@lindaverkade438 You inspired me to do some experimenting. :) I tried some colouring in the Miniature Secret Garden book and I think (at least in my copy) there are two different types of paper in the book. The paper in the last folio (the last stitched section) is smoother than the other paper and works better. The paper at the beginning is toothier and didn't work as well. So odd! But definitely - use your supplies in ways that work for you. :)

[@lindaverkade438]

@@colouringchemist Hi Conny, that’s funny….i have the English version and you’re right, the last section is smoother! How did you discover? The pictures are beautifull but some parts are sooo tiny, i think i going to try my Polychromos pensils for that. I colored the belong to page with blended fineliners but i had some color on the other side of the paper….luckily i had a couple of tiny butterfly stamps which i used to cover it up. It looks awesome! Thank you for explanation! I am going to use my waterbased markers on one sided coloring books. 😊

[@colouringchemist]

@@lindaverkade438 The first images I coloured in Miniature Secret Garden happened to be in the last section so when you mentioned the pens bleeding through, I went to try to colour the first image in the book and noticed the difference in the way the pens were acting on the paper. I flipped back to the images I had coloured in the back of the book and realized the paper was different. It's very odd! :) And the images are very tiny - my old eyes (I'm in my 50s :)) have trouble colouring in that book at night - I can only colour in it in the daytime. :)

[@beverleyquirke5614]

Please do colour on with Pitt pens

[@colouringchemist]

I'm definitely hoping to do some colour-a-long videos with the Pitt Pens soon! :)

[@belldanidesigns]

Good information

[@colouringchemist]

Glad you found it useful! :)

[@juststartingover2735]

Looks like the Basford books paper is better quality for using the Pitt pens.

[@colouringchemist]

Any smooth paper (that isn't too thin :)) will work well with Pitt Pens. :)

[@beverleyquirke5614]

Could you give me the number for cinnamon Pitt pen?

[@colouringchemist]

The Cinnamon Pitt Pen is #189. :)

[@stefanienapolitan8850]

Do the Pitt pens go through the Johanna Basford paper?

[@colouringchemist]

They don't go through the UK or the US Basford paper but I'm not sure about Johanna's paper in other places. I know the paper in the Japanese versions of her books is quite a bit thinner. It's probably a good idea to do a test first in any book you might want to use them in. :) Hope that helps!

[@stefanienapolitan8850]

@@colouringchemist Thanks for the third video! I have the US versions of Johanna’s books, so I will check them on the test page.