Quick sketching technique: Fountain pen and water-brush

[@tarotaddicts4695]

I just wanna say that I got a new fountain pen and waterbrush and ink thanks to you. And when I did a test page I realized how much I learned from you, you have immense knowledge. Thank you!!!

[@mkompan]

You’re very kind! I’m glad you’re enjoying this technique. It’s still one of my favorites.

[@eric_the_egggremlin]

It is midnight and I am so excited to find this video. I only recently started using fountain pens for drawing, but gosh, this technique looks so good, and it's exactly what I want my drawings to look like! Thank you so much for this and all your other videos!

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you found my channel and are finding it useful.

[@YourMoneyMurders]

For home use you get more control with a 2 dollar dip pen and regular brush but for quick impressions outside this is good. One option is to use pigmented water and start with the water brush making broad approximate shadowing. The line drawing will bring it together later.

[@mkompan]

Yes, this is best for quick sketching on the go, the main advantage being portability. For home use, nothing beats a dip pen, of course. As for the method, I prefer to start with line, particularly on cheap paper. Washes make the paper buckle, which interferes with your line work.

[@monkpato]

This is a very useful demonstration!

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@adrianmuino3412]

I can turn wild, but I also like to use non water resistant ink for a loose effect. Something I notice is the after wetting and moving the ink once, it can't be moved twice. Cool video by the way!

[@mkompan]

I enjoy doing that as well-it makes for some nice impressionistic effects. I hadn’t noticed that the ink can only be moved once. Perhaps this is ink/paper specific? I’m going to have to try it.

[@kevinkrause744]

Thank you! Cool minimal set up!

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome. I find it pretty cool too!

[@rebeccan6811]

The pen really have a nice control

[@mkompan]

Flex pens are a little harder to control, but once you're used to them, there's no going back.

[@13noman1]

Cool! I'm pretty new to drawing but have used fountain pens for years so this technique really speaks to me! BTW, the cost of a fountain pen (FP) amortizes over time since they last forever (w/ reasonable care) but you're potentially throwing used Microns into the landfill. I know they can be refilled a bit (have done that) but you can't add much!

[@mkompan]

I agree about pens bring an investment, but for artists that are used to paying a few dollars for disposable pens, even a 30 dollar pen can seem like an extravagance. These Jinhaos are a good gateway, allowing people to see the usefulness of fountain pens, before committing to a more expensive purchase.

[@GreenlifeFin]

Really cool! Will certainly try this, thanks.

[@mkompan]

Go for it!. This is a really fun way of working.

[@EPeltzer]

Great cheap way to try this wonderful technique is with a Copic Drawing Pen. It's a $6 disposable steel nib fountain pen, available from Blick. The ink says black but it's more sepia tone when water washed. It's a similar ideal degree of semi water resistance. I've even used the exact same water brush and drawn ink off the nib top onto the brush as you did. Good tip on the Noodler's brown, gives a rich sepia tone.

[@mkompan]

Thanks for the tip, Eric! It would great to compile a list of inks with this semi-water resistant property.

[@EPeltzer]

@@mkompan it would be neat to also see some lists like which pens fit the FPR Ultraflex 5 and 6 nibs. I've been on a similar journey with Noodler's pens and inks, zebra G nibs flexible fountain pen nibs, Jinhao Frankenpens, and now FPR. Your videos have been spot on the money and super helpful. Love the art instruction ones as well.

[@mkompan]

@@EPeltzer Thanks Eric! I'll get working on those lists.

[@troyanderson9636]

Subscriber #286. Wonderful videos, info, and technique. Keep up the excellent work.

[@mkompan]

Thank you, Troy!

[@1mulekicker]

I hope commenting helps to promote your channel.

[@mkompan]

I doubt it, but thank you anyway.

[@whatifitnt]

Thank You ✨

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@thuntz29]

This is brilliant! I’ve never thought about using water resistant inks. Do you have a grey recommendation for it? I have Lexington grey and a Earl Grey by Diamine... I think both are on the extremes, nothing semi-permanent. I also have a sample of noodler’s walnut which I’ll try with this technique... You deserve so many more subscribers! You are a wealth of info and inspiration.

[@mkompan]

Thanks Valentina! I only have two inks that work with this technique, the other being Pilot black. Noodler's Walnut should work, because the chart on Gouletpens.com shows that its water resistance is similar to Noodler's brown. Let me know how it works out!

[@pamelacampos5439]

I think any Noodler’s semi-bulletproof ink will work for this technique. Zhivago is a great green black, and I’ve used the Noodler’s blue black for this as well. Jet pens has a good guide to the Noodler’s inks that I find complements the Goulet info and is a little easier to navigate.

[@allenhe5611]

Really Impressive video again!! Especially for me don't want to touch too much detail on watercolor technique but still can add "color" in my drawing. Only one concern is the Noodler's ink, you need to wash your pen very frequently to not be clog. Some ink even will add extra color to your barrel and never to be washed. Would like to try Diamine ink more on this. Thank you!

[@mkompan]

Thanks Allen! It's true that with these water-proof/semi-waterproof inks, you do have to clean your pens every few weeks. That's why I usually use these ink with pens that can be cleaned very easily, such as TWSBI's. And while it's also true that some ink colors can stain your barrel, that's not the case with this Noodler's brown. Diamine inks are usually very low in water resistance, and won't work for this technique.

[@sylviarts7463]

Wow!Thanks for sharing your art work!Just subscribed!I hope that my drawings can inspire!

[@mkompan]

You're welcome! Good luck with building your channel. Your work looks great and I'm sure many will find it inspirational.

[@sylviarts7463]

@@mkompan Thank you so much!You too!Hope you success in new year!

[@MKANDRESTINPEACE]

GRETA VIDEO THANKS

[@mkompan]

You're welcome!

[@Innieminnie]

Thank you for this great video. In your experience, do other noodler inks preform similarly to the brown?

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome! Out of the 10 or so Noodler’s ink in my collection, only the Brown, Golden Brown, and Black Swan in Australian Roses perform this way.

[@larryglatt2548]

Good video, thanks. You mentioned 'ebonite' feed & the owner of Osprey Pens says Noodlers is the only brand he 'recommends'. I tested the Noodlers 'Bullet Proof' black (not bullet proof), but the Platinum Carbon ink seems to clog. Question: Is there something about the ebonite feeds that makes them not match up well with certain inks? Thank you very much.

[@mkompan]

Hi Larry. This is a very interesting, technical question that I'm not qualified to answer, but here's what I know: ebonite is a more porous "rougher" material than plastic, and unlike plastic feeds which are injection molded, ebonite feeds have to be cut with tools, so the ink channels are less precise, and more prone to clogging with pigmented inks such as Platinum carbon Ink. I have found this to be true anecdotally, and avoid putting Platinum in my vintage pens. With my Noodlers pens, however I do it all the time, because they're very easy to clean. I've found Noodlers Back is bulletproof on papers that are absorbent. Many drawing and watercolor papers are covered with a substance that makes them less absorbent, so the ink instead of reacting with the cellulose in the paper sits on the surface and never becomes permanent. In this respect the Carbon ink, despite the clogging issues, is the best choice.

[@larryglatt2548]

@@mkompan 🤩🤩🤩 Although you said you may not be the right person to answer you gave me a better answer than the owner or Goulet pens did. Thank you so much. I did notice the ink smears less on printer paper. Thank you again!!!!!

[@mkompan]

@@larryglatt2548 glad to share my limited understanding of these things! :)

[@nopal_y_frijol]

Awesome and then you! What other inks do you use with this technique? Does it work with Noodler's Apache sunset?

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I only know a small number of inks this works with: Noodler’s Black Swan in Australian Roses, Pilot Black, And Noodler’s Brown. I’m sure there are tons of others. Apache sunset unfortunately doesn’t work for this.

[@rantg]

is this good with the normal Kaweco inks? they do not have water resistant rating.

[@mkompan]

Kaweco inks are generally rated as semi-water resistant on Gouletpens.com and might work, but the only way to tell is to try them.

[@rantg]

@@mkompan thanks again:)

[@gabemadorma2933]

What paper do you recommend that’s smooth and can handle some water?

[@mkompan]

Strathmore mixed-media paper works well. For something nicer, Arches hot-press.

[@arcuda2001]

loved this demo.. i am a new subscriber, and am binge watching your videos 👍👍i do a lot of urban sketching , and i think this is about as minimal as one can be ( i've also tried with a fountain pen, and one watercolor pencil ( for shading), and water brush.. so happy that i found your channel !! thank you .. my name is norakag.. ( on ig) thanks again!! i am going to check you ig page too 👍👍

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I’m so glad my little channel is finding an audience of like minded people.