An artist's guide to dip pens

An artist's guide to dip pens. For the last couple of months, I've been learning how to draw with a dip pen. I've been drawing with different kinds of ink--india ink, sumi ink--and experimenting with different kinds of nibs for drawing. Or what’s the difference between a dip pen and a fountain pen? So I'd like to share with you my little guide on how to draw with a dip pen.

CHROMA MOMA is

✏HEY WHAT PEN ARE YOU USING?✏

MUSIC 🎶

This video was sponsored by Skillshare.

[mahaletandargachew]

this video is probably the best video that i've seen about dip pens! you really helped me to understand the different varieties & im so glad that you encouraged cheaper options because it gets discouraging seeing such high prices for some of the dip pens. this was truly a beautiful video <3

[JaneIndigo]

"Because it's fun." I don't know why I needed to hear that so badly. I love trying new tools, but I always worry that I shouldn't be using them because either I'm not very skilled or because there are easier or cheaper ways to make the same art. But I enjoy the process so much. Dip pens ARE fun! Even if I'm not making anything post-worthy. It's important to let yourself have fun with art. Afterall, isn't that the whole point?

[MattSmithIllustration]

Hot tip - literally - there is a coating of a thin material to protect the nib out of the package. Take a lighter and gently move the nib in and out of the flame- you’ll see the coating burn away and leave the metal. The metal holds onto ink better and you get way more strokes per dip

[jekalambert]

FINALLY!!!! A dip pen tutorial from someone who actually uses dip pens instead of someone who opens the package for the very first time and records their experiment then posts it on YouTube. Thanks for the informative video.

[lezbeehonest]

"There's a joy to the inconvenience of it all" perfectly put, and totally agree.

[nedakco]

I love these kinds of pens because they feel “alive” and create unintenial details with the varying line work. They seem so fun :)

[AB-jgtb]

I switched from fountain pen to a dip pen during fall. I love how organic the lines feel. I use only one nib and it is enough to create such a variety of lines. Also, the black fingertips are part of the magic! :)

[franzabananza]

I think it's therapeutic for everyone to do one thing old school because the process is nice and the result is something so much nicer than going the convenient way

[hania]

After a 3 year break you made me fall in love with art again and apreciate it, thanks!

[jpg]

Although they are definitely different in feel, I often use fountain pens more than dip pens simply because bringing an ink bottle and washing nibs every so often at school isn’t really a viable option :)

[Van-Leo]

you yourself are a meditative experience. you spoke on terms of efficiency and speed and id say any artistic tutorial on todays youtube is in that mind set. then theres you, speaking from genuine feeling and experience, how could we ever begin to draw if we cant feel the urge to do so. art isnt the final piece or it would have been automated and bastardized many years ago. to enjoy it in the process is miles more important than what it could turn out as if it were down to a reproducible science in the same of speed, efficiency, and profit.

[icantollie]

What a lovely video. By the way, for those who prefer it, you can also use an ink bottle with an eyedropper to deposit just the right amount of ink on your nib, as an alternative to just using an ink well and shaking off the excess ink or touching the glass rim of your ink well to shed the excess ink from your nib

[corbenorsten]

I don't really know why but I always get a very soothing feeling when I'm watching your videos. It was really noticeable in this video in particular. Thank you for making these and being so inspiring~

[rubensaenz]

I think using a dip pen (I use a glass one) connects you to the art better. You become deliberate in your strokes and pay more attention to the art coming out of you. Just my thoughts.

[donna]

Great video. My go-to steel nib is also the Blue Pumpkin and it has never failed me.

The low cost of materials, and the ability to use any ink I want, including some I've made myself, are a couple of the reasons dip pens are so wonderful.

One small nit to pick about the video: a fountain pen has an ink reservoir of some kind, but not necessarily a cartridge. Some have bladders, others have built in piston filling mechanisms (like TWSBIs and some others), and some even use the entire pen body as the reservoir and are filled using an eyedropper or something similar.

[readwrecks]

You can get inks that work with rough paper. Or you can get gum Arabic to mix with inks, if you really like the inks that you have. It thickens up the ink to prevent it from bleeding outward on the rough surface. I have also used honey and maple syrup to achieve the same effect.
There is still one problem though. The bumps on the surface of the paper can catch your nip when it’s moving at just the right direction and just the right angle. Then you can end up stabbing through the page if you’re using a really fine nib. But it’s all good if you’re aware of that pitfall and adjust the angle of your strokes slightly.

[ainakharie]

As analog comic, i used dip pen for quality of line and hactching. For pen holder, i recommed tachikawa or speedball because fit well ( only have). Ink just chinese ink except watercolor work use india ink. Use cotton glove for safety.
Anywhere, i used dip pen right to left side nib (depend).

[danielc]

Loved this. It’s personal, straightforward, and informative. Thanks!

[chrisblanc]

This was the best primer on dip pens I’ve ever seen. I’m big on fountain pens, and feel like that’s all I need for my writing/drawing needs. But your video on dip pens almost makes me want to consider getting into dip pens.

[Chris_M_Romero]

I remember the first time I had to use a dip pen in college: I told the professor that I thought that my nib was broken, because it didn't allow too much ink to flow. The professor told me "no, you're doing it good, just press a little against the paper". And so I did. The ink started flowing too much now, and I made a mess. I thought, again, that I broke the nib by pressing too much, but I went back to my previous method and it worked the same way. At the end of the class, the professor asked us about our impressions. I was ashamed because I couldn't get the pen working properly, but it turned out my classmates were having the same issues. The professor told us that, that's the way the pen works, it is wild, and you have to tame it. I get that is not for everyone, but I agree with this sir that it is very fun to use it.