The best fountain pens for sketching

[@MyiniaArt]

yes very true I darw my tangles for years with the Lamy fountenpen

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Amazing

[@TradIrishHarper]

+100 for the TWSBI 580 and EF nib. Been using it for about 2 months now and never had issues with ink blowout, leaks, or messes. I use their ink bottle to fill it with and a nice archival quality waterproof ink.

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Ah thanks for the recommendation

[@keithwreyford999]

The video showed some good points, but I wish you had gotten in closer so that we could see the nibs more clearly as well as the ink widths you had drawn 😊

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Thanks for the tips! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@art-alchemy]

Hi Susan, I love all of your recommendations. I am not familiar with the Parker one but ohh my goodness. I did not know kuratake had a fountain pen..I am going to buy it. Also I have a Sailor with a fude nib, I notice it leaks..any suggestions for that? Thanks Maria

[@SachaGehani]

Thanks so much Susan . That was so helpful 😊

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbclark69]

I was gratified that you started with the Parker Vector and the Lamy Safari, cause those are the main two pens I already use. Now I'll have to go on a purchasing spree for the others. I love pens. Thanks for the review. - new subbie from Sketchbook Revival, Barbara Clark

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Ah thanks Barbara!

[@olgamstelveen]

Thank you ,Susan, very much. I will definitely give it a try❤

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Please do! Have fun

[@pamellabinder6186]

This is a merry valuable video with all the info you provide. Any chance you have recommendation for left handed fountain pen/s ?

[@Dii-Bii]

The standard ink are not waterproof, it’s correct? So for waterpaint technique we have to change ink i think!

[@StudioMooij]

I really like me Kaweco sport, but also have the LAmy Safari. Just curious what ink you use, especially in combination with watercolour. Love the video & your energy

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

I tend to just use the recommended cartridges from each pen brand. I’m not a huge watercolourist so if I was using watercolour I tend to go for a permanent fine liner. Fountain pen I tend to use on its own or with a touch of brush pen / coloured pencil.

[@danarenfand3384]

My dear, the term fude is pronounced “food-ay “ in Japanese. This is a wonderful video! Thanks for sharing!

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Oh thank you!

[@hondamarsha]

I draw and paint and chose the Platinum 3776 gold nib because it has an extra ultra fine nib (EUF) and japanese fountain pen nibs apparently draw the finest thiness lines in the world. Don't leave them out especially for sensitive drawings and their propietary converter and catridges work in Plainum's cheaper really cheap Preppy pens which I got in a medium nib for writing. I wanted one beatiful fountain pen so I got the Chartres Blue one. Mine is prettier!

[@schuhujin5019]

Hi Susan, i just found your channel and I love seeing you comparing all those pens a lot of people use. I myself da nature journaling with pen and watercolor, so my penlines need to be waterproof. I use the exact ink in a bottle from Rohrer and Klingner with the Girls names on it. I fill the plasik cartridges with a syringe. The Lamy Safari does not work with this waterproof ink in my hands. Didn't you ever have problems with your sailor pen to use this ink? And what about the brush pen. Is it waterproof or could it use waterproof ink like the R&K Thea?

[@arlenealennox3136]

SketchINK is the name of the waterproof Rohrer& Klingner ink.

[@RoadtoCreativity2324]

Hi Susan - I first found you on Sketchbook Revival, have been watching some of your videos on your website and stumbled on your fountain pen video watching your "Create Your Own Sketch Pack" from today's email. Thanks for everything. All very useful. QUESTIONS: I started using a a Lamy fountain pen a few weeks ago, thought the ink was permanent and found all my fountain pen lines disappearing when I started added watercolors to the drawing. You mentioned ink refills. Are your inks permanent? Have you found cartridges that are permanent ink? Are your refills interchangeable between pens? (BTW - I purchased a refillable nib and I'm expecting a bottle of SketchInk today - which I'm told is permanent.) Thanks again - I'm loving all your work and what you offer to the creative community.

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Thanks for your comment. The ink in a Lamy is a standard writing ink that isn’t waterproof. It’s what I use too. I tend to use the standard inks in the cartridges provided for the pens. Its just easier so I work with what I have. Parker cartridges for Parker pens etc. You any be able to find permanent ink and refillable cartridges as you say. Have a play!

[@schuhujin5019]

Hi, I have the same question about waterproof inks. I use the one Susan shows as a bottle, which comes in a variety of colors. I fill it in the cartridge with a syringe, because I want to invest in ink not in cartridges. BUT: not every pen likes waterproof ink. In fact most don't. Especially the Lamy safari doesn't like it in my hands. I wonder, which one does, before I purchase one of them. I just ased Susan about this.

[@kyoglesage]

No Pilot pens? My Prera is superb especially since its converter allows easy refills. I don't like cartridges. I'm about to buy a Pilot Kakuno. They get really good reviews for an entry level pen designed for kids. They work with a converter too.

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Oh great recommendation! I could probably buy all the pens. It’s hard to narrow it down

[@markbaigent8373]

I looked at the safari, but the ink is not waterproof, not compatible with watercolour

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Correct - the ink isn't waterproof (but I still love working with it!) Maybe try something like the UniPin Fine liner pens that are waterproof?

[@markbaigent8373]

@ I have just been recommended a converter for the Safari, apparently I can use any ink then 😎

[@arlenealennox3136]

@@markbaigent8373You can also refill cartridges with a blunt-tip syringe.

[@michellec8125]

If you didnt know: Waterproof ink is NOT recommended for fountain pens. The ink dries INSIDE the pen and will damage it. Regular cleaning is required, which means ink waste and less time drawing/painting. Yes, they make water-reistant and water-proof ink but read reviews on maintenance. Do NOT put dip-pen ink in the fountain pen. You CAN paint along-side fountain pen ink. You just can't do wet-on-wet or scrub the linework. Give the ink time to dry. Look up ink-wash/line-wash. Some gorgeous watercolor paintings with a fountain pen. Last I read fountain pen ink may not all be light-fast if that's an issue. Dip pen or a flexible micron pen is the way to go for waterproof. I love experimenting so I'll be getting glass dip, Japanese nib dip and a Japanese fountain pen (probably Lamy bc its on sale.)

[@markbaigent8373]

@ Very useful thank you. Dip pens look interesting and I did not know about flexible micron pens.

[@KarenK-r4f]

Ok, so out of all the art materials I play with…….I would say fountain pens 🖋️ are my nemesis. They clog on me all the time. I make a mess. Ugh. Do I need more expensive pens? I’ve never heard of those brands. I really don’t want to give up. I do a lot of pen and wash, is that the problem? Help💚💙💜

[@SusanYeatesArtist]

Oh sorry you are having troubles. I do love a fountain pen as I find it so convenient. The only times I find they block up is if they aren’t used for a while or they are left with the lid off so the ink dries in the nib. Also check you are using ink that is designed for the pen too. Things like India ink aren’t suitable for fountain pens. If it does dry out, just take the nib off and soak in water for an hour. Then dry fully and reload. Maybe give something like the first Parker pen I suggested a go? It’s not too expensive… have fun

[@eileengoldenberg270]

Pronounced FOODAY.!

[@inevitablecraftslab]

and spelled lamY not lami 😂