DIP PENS | What's the Point?

I've never spoken much about dip pens and why I used them. Mostly because people usually find them daunting. But, here, after 30 years, I finally open up about why I love them so much and what I use.

If you've thought about using them or even if you have them and don't use them frequently, perhaps this video will motivate you to explore this classic form of writing and drawing. After all, what's life without trying new things to excite our creative spirits!

GEAR
• Speedball straight crescent nib pen (plastic)
• Speedball standard tube nib pen (plastic)
• Speedball oblique pen with detachable flange (plastic)
• Tachikawa lacquered wood T-40 pen with dual fittings and rubber grip
• Custom Red Hombre Curly Maple pen with permanent brass flange
• Custom Spalted White Maple pen with permanent brass flange
• Nibs: Speedball C Series nibs & Steel Brush/Rake, Zebra G nibs, etc.
• Strathmore Bristol paper
• Ink: Windsor & Newton, Rotring, Liquitex, Dr. PH Martins, Higgins, etc.
• Isopropyl alcohol & Q Tips (for cleaning)

MUSIC:
“Still Fall (instr)” by M.D. Campbell © 2020 M.D. Campbell • All rights reserved

TikTok: mdcampbellart
Instagram: mdcampbellart
Facebook: m.d. campbell

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The intent of my channel is to bring videos of useful content to help fellow artists and art students with insightful information, as well as bring consumers real-world reviews on the products we're likely to buy and use every day.

I'm always grateful for feedback to help improve my channel, so please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Thank you for your time watching! Cheers! ~ Mark

#mdcampbellart
#dippenart
#obliquepens
#penandinkdrawing

[MDCampbell]

*EDIT:* _I realized I forgot to add in why I use oblique pens, specifically, which is always a big question I get. The way the nib sits at an angle works extremely well to the angle in which I naturally draw. Instead of forcing my hand into a straight position, the oblique allows me to draw at a slant, which is how my hand naturally wants to move. For me, it's very comfortable and ergonomic. Also, I can actually see the lines I'm working on better than with a straight pen because of the angle of the nib in line with my eyes. Lastly, an unexpected benefit was when I record a video, the oblique allows the user to see what I'm drawing without being blocked by the nib, like with my straight pen. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love drawing with my straight pen, but it's always a toss up when I start which I prefer in that moment. I hope that helps clarify! Thank you! ~ Mark_

[cwpip]

The nibs hold more ink than I thought they would. The rake nib with folded metal to create a reservoir is such an awesome idea. Great video. Thank you for it.

[CraBrwn]

My favorite line in this video is "I spent some money upfront, but I never really lost interest." Isn't that what we all want from our favorite art supplies? I have several of those Speedball nibs and holders in front of me right now. They bring back memories of some great pen and ink classes at the DeCordova Museum in the 1980s. I mostly use them when I want to add a bit of colored ink without cleaning and refilling a fountain pen. I enjoy all of your videos Mark, but this one had me taking notes. An oblique pen, the T40 nib holder, Zebra G nibs and that E1/2 brush nib are going on my art supply wish list! Stay well.

[fynthecat]

Fun, never been first and also one of my favorite tools. I love dip pens, but hated them in high school, when I gotten introduced first to them. But I think, for me my art teacher didn't explain enough about them. Cause I always like drawing with my fountain pen, so in hindsight not so surprising that I eventually fell in love with dip pens. ^^

[dillardparker]

That thick nib is called a steel brush--In the early 20th century they were used for Showcard lettering and signage. I have a couple sizes myself.

[aremedyproject]

I love my dip pens. Was using them just today. The Schmincke acrylic inks are super nice. I do wish the pens were easier to use on 100% cotton watercolour paper tho. Watercolour being my #1 medium. They’re easier on cotton blend like the Strathmore series 400. The feel of dip pens is second to none. I think I like them partly cuz they’re so immediate. Your brain is on the page right away, faster than with microns, for example. So my thoughts turn off of other matters easier, and I’m into my art more presently. This is especially helpful on the more stressful days like around my blood tests, scans and infusions at the cancer centre. Overall I’d say my dip pens just feel really good. Cheers, Erika.😊

[axiomist]

I am ecstatic ! I loved every second of this video. The longer it ran, the more excited I got. I dont draw (although I could, having natural talent) but I have collected many nibs over the years, since I am very in love with handwriting and the different ways of doing it. I studied Palmer Method in the 4th grade in 1957 (in Cuba it was a standard part of schooling) and Ive been a fountain pen junkie since I was about 5 years old and I saw a doctor take a Parker 51 from his pocket, post it and proceed to write me a prescription on his little pad. The moment I heard the soft scratching the pen made I was hooked and I went home and cut paper in the size of a pad, took a pencil and spent a long time writing prescriptions, in the same flourish way the doctor had (I still couldnt write at the time) but what I did resembled the chicken scratches that doctors make in prescription writing. To this day I write with a fast flourish and I love writing. I miss the times when I'd write letters to friends, back in the 80s and 90s. Now nobody writes letters; it's all stupid e-mails which take all the fun out of long distance communication . Thank you for this soul elevating video. BTW, that pen holder in the maple, the light one with the black markings, is incredibly beautiful. I'll be watching this again a few more times .

[georgeolson]

1960 I moved from Calgary Alberta to Brisbane Queensland and there they required a full page of Spencerian script done with a dip nib on a cheap low grade paper... The inks were a weak blue and a thin red. ( Note the inks were corrosive so the nib had to be cleaned immediately ).
As soon as we were in a house Mom dug out her selection of nibs from the 1920s and I used them and Waterman fountain pen ink. The teacher grumbled and deducted 1 point for not using the 'crappy' nibs and ink from the shop across the street from the school .
Then a teacher the next year decided each page needed to be titled in Olde English. So.. out of the match box of nibs came the calligraphy 1/8" nib. I was the only student to use the proper nib.
I found that Olde English and German Black Text were "easy and fun with the correct tool ". Then the next year I tried Dad's - slant italic nib - fountain pen and " magically" my class notes and assignments became more legible. Again a case of correct tool for the job. Italic Cursive Script was not created with pencils or ball points.
Twenty years ago I tried my hand at Farsi Arabic script. I found that I needed a cut reed pen for while it looked like a nice Speedball 1/8 inch would work it was again - close - but not the tool used to create the script.

[FLTcH_A_SkETcH]

Good stuff! I am more of a mechanical pencil nerd than I am a pen nerd. That being said, one detail I LOVE about the Tachikawa nib holder is that the nice clear plastic cap it comes with will post on back end. Most people probably don't even care about the cap but it was a bonus feature I did not expect. It also just feels really good in the hand.

[solemnfruit]

Thanks for the very informative video and excellent close ups!

[Ann-eytw]

Wow, I was so glad to see and hear you again, Mark. I dug out an old handmade "rake" nib dip pen that I have never tried out, and to figure out how to use it, your video popped up. I haven't seen you in a long time and I hope you are doing well. I'm using Dr Ph Martin's Bombay black India ink, and it seems to dry out in a few seconds on this pen. The nib is so broad that I find it very difficult to play with. Anyway, just thought I'd say hi and it's good to see you again.

[spidersinatrenchcoat]

Great video, very informative! I love your doodle too, they’re like if Picasso did the Simpsons as graffiti

[creativebloke]

It's great to have you around!! You genuinely inspire, Mark :-)

[jaimejaime]

Hi Mark, from Madrid, Spain (a fellow artist and a New Yorker expat living abroad).
I'm new to your channel (Just found you today) and even though I don't usually post much, I decided to tell you that so far from what I've seen, you have a very interesting approach to your Art and I'm ALWAYS learning from other Artists and their creativity (well, I'm actually always learning as much as I can about, sometimes, too many things, while still focusing in my Art voyage).
Thank you for sharing with all of us!
And 2 nibs caught my eye when you demonstrated them in use, which I didn't know about (here in EU speedball is not common). The B1/2 & the E 1/2... both produce very interesting lines and can be used for many purposes... Real cool!
Again... Thank you for sharing and I will continue watching you.
Cheers from Sunny Spain!
😁👍😎

[dmays]

Testing the water and thinking about getting back into dip pens and calligraphy after several decades break. Found your video very inspiring and informative. You have a wonderful talent! Thanks for sharing this.

[ismailabdelhamid]

Once again a great video Mark. I like the word investment that you used in the end of the video. You invest in these pens and nibs and now you are using to teach or present to people around the globe.
Can you please published videos on youtube short. It is also useful.
I learn from this video a lot as usual and hope you all the success.
Small reminder, more music in the video is needed.

[LanaGoesArt]

It really shows, that you love dip pens in your art and how you talk about them. You have some very pretty ones in your collection for sure.
When I watch you draw with it, it does remind me of my mother, whom I saw using dip pens first when I was still in kindergarten. She used them to draw and paint posters for holidays and it was beautiful. Sometimes I feel just like that when I watch you draw with them too. Different styles of course :D
Thank you! Have a wonderful day my friend!

[michaelpeters]

Great video, lot of helpful info.
Thank you for sharing😊

[nanschifris]

I love my Zebra G nibs! They’re good for almost anything and great for a lot of things. Thanks for this fun video, my Friend! It’s nice to see you having fun and enjoying your creative opportunities!

[deeanncross]

I have C nibs for lefties. Are oblique pens made for lefties also? Thanks for sharing your handsome pens and artwork with us. Nice video.