Hey Everybody!
Over the past couple of months I have received a lot of questions asking about the paper and pens that I use. I decided it would be helpful to write this up for anyone who might be interested! I will included tools that I have used in the past and anything that I have enjoyed or disliked for each product.
Paper
I currently use Strathmore 500 Series Bristol. I have really enjoyed using the plate surfaced paper because this provides a very smooth surface that the ink does not bleed in to. This allows each dot to be crisp and small. They also come in pads of 15 sheets so I don’t have to worry about running out unexpectedly!
Pens
I have tried a lot of different pens over the years.
Micron
These pens were a great start for me when I first entered into the stippling world. The great thing about these pens is that they are affordable and they come in a lot of different sizes and colors. I usually went for the 005 or 01 size because they were the smallest and, therefore, created the smallest dot. I hear that they now have an even smaller size at 003! I stopped using these pens because as they dried up, the dot was no longer black, but more of a grey tone. I actually used this to my advantage at first because it allowed a lighter shade when trying to achieve a smooth gradient. This was great for a while, but it was harder to control and I wanted to move to something that was more consistent.
I used these pens for about 3 years
Kohinoor Rapidograph
Pens can be very expensive, and this was definitely my first encounter with a highly technical (and expensive) pen. We had a love/hate relationship. When this pen was working, it was wonderful. It was my first experience with a pen that created a black dot each time it touched the paper. There was no grey tone when it dried out. I knew that a perfect black dot would come out each time it hit the paper. However, I had a LOT of issues with the ink clogging in the pen. This happened almost every time I tried to draw. They sold cleaning kits that made a huge mess and by the end of a frustrating half hour of trying to unclog it, I was covered with black ink. So was my kitchen counter. The other thing with these pens is that you have to refill them yourself. You have to buy a little bottle of ink to refill. Maybe I was just a rookie, but I had a hard time with these pens.
I used this pen for less than 1 month.
Copic Multiliner SP
These pens were a favorite of mine for a couple of years. This is the perfect pen for someone looking to step their stippling game up without breaking the bank. The pen has 3 separate parts; the barrel (not sure if this is the accurate term but it makes sense to me so hopefully it makes sense to you) the nib and the ink cartridge. The tube of the pen is very durable and the nibs could be replaced if they became too worn. I replaced the nib maybe once a month. You can buy the nibs in pairs. The ink cartridge lasted 2-3 weeks, depending on what you’re using the pen for. They also come in a wide range of sizes. Overall, a very solid pen that made me happy for years and really took me to a new level with my artwork.
I used this pen for 3 years.
Rotring Rapidograph
As my love and interest of stippling has grown over the years, I’ve become more and more focused and aware of the pens that my favorite artists use to create their pieces. Once I saw the Rotring Rapidograph, I couldn’t unsee it! So I decided that I needed to get one. When I first looked for them, I was scared away by the pricetag (this doesn’t appear to be an issue anymore, check out the link to the right to see the affordable prices on amazon). I waited a few months and decided it would be worth it. I am so happy that I made that decision, and it definitely was worth it! At first it may appear a little scary because it is a highly technical pen. I felt a bit intimidated by the number of pieces in the pen and how many ways the pen can come apart. And quite honestly, they need to work on their instructions….it is 3 or 4 photos that tell you absolutely nothing. I had to look on youtube to figure it out, but I found a video (and I will make one for you guys) and I was good to go.
This pen has a steady stream of ink which means that you can make crisp clean dots every time. I haven’t had any issues with clogging (like I had with the Kohinoor). The only thing is, do not travel in a plane with an open ink cartridge in the pen. I made this mistake 2 times (the second time was just to see whether or not the first one was a fluke). I think the pressure in the plane caused the ink to be forced out. Fortunately I discovered this before I dropped the huge ink blob onto my drawing!
The point is so fine, I was honestly afraid that I was going to break it at first. But it has been incredibly durable. I felt a shift in my artwork after I purchased this pen. I highly recommend it and I know it will be worth it.
Pencil
Graphgear 1000, .5
I’ve had this pen for the last 5 years. I got it when I first entertained the idea of stippling. I use the pencil a lot, to sketch things out before I lay the dots down. This pen is very sturdy and I haven’t had any issues in the 5 years that I’ve had it! Not many things last that long any more! This has stood the test of time, just like my eraser that I will talk about next!
Eraser
Staedtler
I actually found this eraser in a box in my closet when I started to draw in 2013. I had gotten it for an art class that I was required to take when I went to Penn State. I’ve had it ever since and it still works like a charm. It doesn’t appear to be getting smaller either which is interesting considering the number of mistakes I make! I feel that it really gets all of the pencil mark up and it doesn’t damage the paper.
Well, those are all of the tools that I use now and have used over the years. Start small, I know that not everyone has the money to jump in with the most expensive tools out there. I didn’t have any money to put towards my art in the beginning. That is totally okay! You can use a regular ball point pen in the beginning. The important thing is that you have a way to start and a way to practice. Then you can build off of that. I don’t think that I would have been ready for the Rotring if I hadn’t had the practice with the “easier to use” pens. Please let me know if you have any questions or want me to go into more detail for any of the products and I would be happy to help! Happy Dotting!