The Complete Book of Drawing Techniques

Pens and Ink

157

FIBRE TIP PENS

There is a vast array of pens that can be used
for many different reasons by artists. Fibre
tip pens come in many different thickness’
and different tip shapes. The fibre tip pen is
a very direct medium and they are designed
to make very general quick but accurate
drawings that are free flowing. It is difficult
to correct fibre tipped drawings so mistakes
should be taken as a part of the process with

this type of drawing. The tip of this type of

pen can become worn quite quickly and the

sharpness of the mark can be lost. These

pens are best used on strong coated papers

i.e. Bristol board. See the example of an

artist’s impression drawing done with a fibre

tip pen. These drawings are usually pro -

duced to give an impression to a client of a

proposed site, and are usually completed

with a hint of colour. One can get fibre tip

pens in many colours.

BALLPOINT PENS

Ballpoint pens make a consistent and
permanent mark. One can create a dark line
or a light line depending on the pressure.
Ballpoint pens can be used for both very
mechanical or very fluid drawings. They can
also be used for making very quick sketches
and notes and can be very useful for working

in sketchbooks. The ballpoint can also be

used on thinner papers, and like the fibre tip

pen, it is hard to remedy mistakes.

Remember that drawing with this type of

pen is usually exploratory in nature so you

should accept your mistakes as a part and

parcel of the learning process that exposes

your thinking procedure.

FELT TIP PENS

Felt tip pens come in all different sizes and
shaped tips like the fibre tip pens. These
pens are best used for quick drawings and
sketches and as with the other pens
mentioned so far it is difficult to correct your
mistakes. They also come in many different
colours, and are often used as calligraphy

pens for signs. There is an example of a felt

tip drawing on page 185. Here we have a

drawing that reflects the use of the different

thickness of felt tip pens, and notice the

openness and the freedom of mark used to

create this drawing.