new pen…
April 21st, 2005
Someone very kindly sent me a set of Pigma Micron pens. There’s nothing quite like a parcel in the post to cheer up a day that is full of runny noses and coughing and spluttering.
I believe Microns are the pens that the wonderful Dan Price uses in his Moonlight Chronicles. I like them so far. Whilst my head says there is no need to get hung up on materials, it’s best just to draw with what’s around you, my heart does a little leap when I get a new pen or a new sketchbook, especially when I know other people make great work with them. I suppose I’m hoping that some of their talent will come my way.
Other people’s work routines can help us develop our own too. I’ve always thought to be a “real” artist I had to keep proper, neat sketchbooks. After seeing a programme about Art Spielgelman I started to feel a whole lot better about my habit of using whatever sketchbooks I have at hand, scribbling here and there and then bringing things together on my computer. Seeing him work hasn’t really changed how I work but it has made me feel better about it.
April 21st, 2005 at 7:41 pm
I use Microns and am quite fond of them. I’ve recently been messing around with their “brush” pen. It’s got a smooshy, pointed tip intended to simulate a real brush (but a lot easier to carry around). It takes some getting used to after working with standard pens but let’s you get those cool, dynamic, swooshy lines. I’m having fun with it.
April 21st, 2005 at 7:44 pm
I love a fresh sketchbook and a Sharpie ultra fine point.
Michael, I finally got around to diving into the 1st Issue of Beanie that you sent me awhile back. I tend to have a pile of reading by the bedside. Loved it!
April 22nd, 2005 at 9:19 am
oooh pen envy! might go and check out the art store at lunchtime if I’ve been paid…
April 26th, 2005 at 4:15 pm
I’ve been using the nexus - beautiful black, black ink but the last few I bought leaked. The microns are good and come in lots of sizes. Only the black isn’t very black. The brushes are good (only a few colors though). I like the tombo brush pens too, they’re longer and come in a zillion colors. Then there’s the pitt pen which uses india ink and the colors are intense. I could go on about pens forever. In the end of course, the pen isn’t nearly as important as the hand that’s holding it. Sorry for the long post, lunchtime here at work.