I Want to Talk about My ADDICTION + a Demonstration

[@zerobrowning5579]

Thanks for your very interesting video. I too have that addiction having started with a Sheaffer pen for my 21st birthday 49 years ago. My wife refers to them as my friends, no doubt from the TV series A League of Gentlemen. Anyway I recently took up urban sketching so I carry my sketchbook and pens (just 3 of them) everywhere for a chance capture any interesting scene for a later addition of watercolour. My favourite kit consists of 3 preppy pens in sizes 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5. With platinum carbon black ink cartridges. They have never clogged or dried up using this ink unlike Indian ink. The ink dries to a waterproof finish and takes watercolour without bleeding. An added bonus of these pens apart from being very cheap, is being able to turn the pen over and drawing a thinner line so in effect I have 6 nib widths. I hope this helps other addicts:).

[@paulappswildlifeart]

That is a good way to reduce pens carried, I am planning to try that ink soon, cheers P

[@wendys3482]

Love this video, your addiction and your passion Paul. No therapy needed for this addiction, it's a healthy one to have lol. Great sketch too, I'd love to see a longer one along the same theme, your scribbles, doodles, are always so well executed

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Many thanks Wendy yes I shall do one soon, just getting my new ink and was course ready for launch at the end of July, fingers crossed with a little help from a good friend lol, cheers p

[@starr-starr]

You are so funny, Paul. I refuse to even inventory my stash of fountain pens! I started during the pandemic, at the least I have slowed down a bit. I have very small hands and like carrying very small art kits, so I have a number of pocket pens that I enjoy. I managed to pick up a buy one get one free deal from FPR, and am very happy with the flex nibs in them. I also like the sketch inks, but prefer the colors available from Octopus Inks Sketch and Draw inks. The Brown Penguin is a lovely warm brown, and the Brown Seahorse is you sepia color. Brown Colibri is a Burnt Sienna color. And they have a great range of greys and greens. I get small sampler sets from Cult Pens. Looking forward to your Line and Wash class, I will definitely sign up for that!

[@paulappswildlifeart]

You've just cost me more funds lol trying these new inks. Love sepia brown inks and these new ones will get tested , cheers and look forward to seeing you on the course. cheers P

[@melodyenglish4730]

Platinum Carbon Ink is waterproof and a joy to work with. I also love their preppy pens.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

You are costing me more funds LOL cheers P

[@scarletisbell8520]

Paul im so happy you like FPR pens. They are wonderful and his sales for the FPR pens pretty much make up the difference. So glad you tried them.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Yes I am pleased, it is a pity they can’t more easily be bought via a dealer outside the US as it makes them so much more expensive to own, cheers P

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

Thank you ever so much! I could NOT figure out why my fountain pen was not performing as the other two do… I chose to use waterproof black ink in the newest pen, as opposed to the water soluble ink that is in my other two. Now I know! I fear I’ve probably ruined the pen with my ignorance. Thank you again! I’m certain that if I weren’t poor as a church mouse, I’d have a collection to rival yours! There is just something about a beautiful fountain pen!

[@paulappswildlifeart]

I am sure you have not ruined your pen unless it is an acrylic-based ink or an India ink, they will wreck a pen. Waterproof ink such as Sketch ink is waterproof and designed for fountain pens. Water soluble is not ideal for ink and wash techniques, but best for writing purposes, cheers P

[@eithnecourtney4854]

Very informative and enjoyable video Paul and loved your little sketch at the end. Many thanks 🇮🇪🙏

[@MarinaGarrison]

Noodles pens almost always need adjusting. There is usually a little slip of paper in the package that tells you that. This usually involves pulling the nib, feed off and re-adjusting it. I have 3 different models and they all work a little bit different. Ahab isn’t my favourite, the Konrad seems to work better for me.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Hi Marina that is good info thank you. Never used a Konrad. But agree Noodler are an issue with waterproof inks. Since replacing their nibs with FPR ultra flex nibs all sorted now , cheers P

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Thanks for sharing this informational video of your wonderful collection of fountain pens. I appreciate your explanation of the various types of pens & how you use them. I have been interested in getting a fountain pen for sketching mostly especially for Plein Air/Urban sketching. I’ve been using Micron Pens, & my old favorite calligraphy wooden handle dip pen for sketching. This is definitely a valuable video for helping me decide what kind & brands to consider. Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful day & weekend.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

That you Colleen so pleased that t was useful, it was fun to make, cheers P

[@borleyboo5613]

I’d love a decent fountain pen because I love line and wash. But I find it’s all a tad confusing. Do the pens come ready filled or do you have to buy the ink (waterproof of course) separately. Love your pen collection and the gorgeous sketches. 😊

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Please forgive the plug here, but I just launched last week a new course on Ink and Wash for beginners, costing £47 paulappsartist.podia.com/beginners-guide-to-ink-and-wash-watercolour-painting It will help and hope to see you there, cheers P

[@borleyboo5613]

@@paulappswildlifeart Ooooh, thanks, Paul. I’ll definitely buy the course. I’ve had a look and it looks like fun. See you there. 👍😃

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

LOL! I’ve got a pen addiction too. My addiction to Noodler’s pens and FPR pens is pretty bad. I have as of now, 10 Ahab pens, 9 Konrad pens, 8 Nib Creepers, 9 “Charlie” pens I got free with 4.5 oz. bottles of ink and 1 Triple Tail, all from Noodler’s. From FPR I have 3 Himalaya V2 pens, 2 Himalaya V1 pens, 2 Jaipur V2 pens and various Guru, Indus and Darjeeling pens. I’ll not count my assorted TWSBI, Kaweco, Pilot, Platinum, etc… I love Noodler’s pens for sketching and line work. Noodler’s pens almost always need a bit of tuning to get the most out of them. My usual procedure is to remove the nib and feed. Then scrub them with a good degreasing dishwashing soap. I will “floss” the nib with a .0025 feeler gauge to clean out any dirt or oils from between the tines. Then I check the tines for alignment. I’ll then reinstall the nib and feed into the pen. I make sure the feed has about 9 fins exposed when the nib is seated. I then ink up the pen and see how it writes. If it writes too wet, I’ll move the feed in one fin and test it. If it writes too dry, I’ll move the feed out one fin. But the pens usually like 9 exposed fins. I’m using Noodler’s .308 cartridges for my Ahab pens and my Triple Tail. They hold a large amount of ink and they have screw on caps so you can carry extra ink on the go for sketching in the field. I use Noodler’s “Heart of Darkness” for my artwork and several other Noodler’s inks like “Lexington Gray” or “Manjiro Nakahama” which is a lovely sepia that’s almost black, but not quite. Oof! Didn’t mean to write a novel. Haha!!

[@paulappswildlifeart]

hah, and I thought I was bad lol. nice one, best I buy some more then.

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

@@paulappswildlifeart This first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I just haven’t gotten past the first step. 😂 I do enjoy my pens though. I’m thinking of getting a Boston Safety Pen (or two) from Noodler’s as well.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

@@FriedPi-mc5yt or an understanding partner or a new therapist

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

@@paulappswildlifeart Absolutely!! LOl!! I have no desire to have an intimate associate that isn’t an enabler. 😂

[@dh9033]

I'm enjoying your paintings and addictions and admiring your watercolour paint tin/palette. Can you tell us about it and what colours you favour please? Thank you 🙂

[@FranOnTheEdge]

I was just wondering if you'd ever tried the glass dip pens? And thanks very much for Andy's contact details, as I do have some old pens I'd like to get working again.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Hi Fran short answer is no I have not, I have just too many pens already lol.I ma at some stage. best to you P

[@Martycycleman]

Thanks Paul, at least I'm not the only one?

[@paulappswildlifeart]

I am glad I am not alone then, lol. cheers P

[@HenrikVGroth]

ha ha Paul - i have the same addiction and recently got a Mahjohn Q1 with a fude nib and a sailor fude de mannen, both quiet cheap ... keep going Its okay - i have a collection and spend 2500 €.... 🤩🥳

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Like the sound of that lol, cheers P

[@garymcguire8529]

Try the opposite to expensive pens. The Works makes a nice fountain pen for £2.00 and Pilot make an erasable fountain pen.

[@paulappswildlifeart]

Hi Gary, yes I know there are many cheaper options to be had, there are 10 pens on eBay for about £8, they all work well I guess, but I love flex and line variation. cheers P