I recently started drawing with a dip pen and waterproof ink and coloring my images with watercolor just in time for World Watercolor Month, hosted by Charlie O’Shields at Doodlewash.com
I enjoyed drawing these whimsical gals on ATC cards:
I learned about the dip pens from an online class from Cori Dantini, hosted by Carla Sonheim. Cori introduced me to Jetpens.com (Jet pens has great information and tutorials about a variety of pen and ink supplies).
I purchased a Kuretake Comic pen nib holder and Nikko Comic pen nib and three black inks from Jet pens.
Note: You want to make sure the pen nibs will fit the holder you purchase.
Always a good idea to create a practice sheet and test your inks to make sure they are waterproof if you need them to be!
I also purchased a Saji pen nib from Blick and a Kuretake “Zig Cartoonist” pen nib holder which is the same holder as the one from Jet Pens. The Saji nib allowed for a thicker line than the Nikko comic nib when I applied pressure to the nib.
Note: Pen nibs often come with a film over them so you will want to remove it with acetone (nail polish remover) and a Q-tip before using the nib. I learned this information from Jet pens.
Also, it is important to keep your pen nibs clean after each use. I cleaned mine with water and a soft paper towel.
I bought a pen holder for each nib but discovered this wasn’t necessary as the pen nibs are easy to remove from the pen holder.
A couple of animals showed up in my drawings:
And of course I had to draw a few “hat” birds!
I discovered that I enjoyed drawing with dip pens and permanent ink!
I could control the line with the pressure I applied to the nib. And coloring with watercolor was super fun!
I didn’t have a problem with the ink flowing into an uncontrollable puddle. I found the nibs easy to use. And they held a lot of ink.
I hope you give a dip pen and waterproof ink a try with a little watercolor fun for #WorldWatercolorMonth
Cheers! π
Love your whimsical characters!
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Thank you Beverly, they are so fun to draw! π
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All the girls are fantastic, looks like a girls night out. An if they happened to be heading off to the zoo what better animals to see, a group of caged up whimsical bird, an further down porky pig an a giraffe which like she’s wearing a crown. You did a great job in all your drawings an it looks like a lot of fun. Enjoy your weekendπ
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Hi Joan, I like your narrative! πβ€οΈ Happy weekend to you too! π·π¦π¦
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Looks like fun Jill! I haven’t worked with a nib pen since college! Your girls, animals and lines are all wonderful, and very Jill! I am enjoying WWM too!
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Hi Jenna, I didnβt know there were βdrawingβ nibs! I know Charlie uses a fountain type pen to draw. But I hadnβt drawn with a dip pen for years. I found it held a lot of ink. Happy to hear you are enjoying WWM also! π¨π
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Hi Jill – What a joyful post. The whimsy and all of the characers have my laughing. I haven’t used dip pens in ages. I must give them a try again.
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Hi Sharon, I find the βdrawingβ nibs easy to use and the line variations endless! π I do hope you give it a try – they were inexpensive too! ππ¨
Happy I could give you a smile today with my silly characters! π
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I used to use nibs many years ago but have gotten spoiled with the ease of pens, instead. I love the quality of the lines with the nib. I will give them a try again.
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Fun to see your drawings, Jill, and hear about your experiences with the pens.
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Thank you Jet, I enjoy experimenting with different art supplies. π
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Such fun Jill! I love them. Believe it or not, I still have the dip pen and nibs that I used for my high school calligraphy class!
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Hi Julie, I kept mine too! π¨π But I found these nibs easier to use! And they held a lot of ink… Iβm always looking for alternatives to Micron pens. π
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Good to know, thanks Jill!
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I love all of your drawings, so creative and fun!! Looks like you are having a great time.πππ
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Thank you Patty Anne, I used the pen yesterday to draw some plants in nature. π¨ππΈπΏ
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Fun, happy art!
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Thank you Maranda! π
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Love those girls and adore the birds! Love seeing you have such creative FUN!!!
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Thanks Jodi, yes! To FUN! ππ¨π
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great faces! (K)
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Thanks Kerfe, they are fun to draw! π
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Your art is fabulous π»
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Thank you for your kind comment! β€οΈ
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