Drawing with art pens is an exciting way to unleash your creativity, especially as a beginner. While there are countless drawing mediums, each offering unique advantages, these tools stand out for their precision, ease of use and versatility. Whether you’re sketching, inking or experimenting with different styles, these tools provide a smooth and reliable way to bring your ideas to life.
If you’re an artist who needs reliable tools without emptying your wallet, affordable pens in Australia are ideal for you. With a range of tip thicknesses and vibrant colours available, these tools cater to various artistic styles and techniques. Whether you’re into detailed line work or bold sketches, you’ll find a pen that suits your needs. Plus, buying a set is a great way to ensure you have every colour you need for your projects, all while saving money. It’s a smart choice if you want to elevate your art on a budget.
Different Types of Pens
The right tool for creating art can make a big difference. Here are some popular options for artists:
- Fountain pro art pens: These are known for their elegant lines that change depending on how you hold them and the pressure you apply. They’re refillable, portable and a great alternative to dip variations;
- Fude nibs: These have a unique bent tip that creates a bold, brush-like mark. You can adjust the line thickness by changing the angle or flipping it for a finer line;
- Felt-tip options: They offer a bold, consistent line at first but become lighter as the ink runs out, creating a unique effect. Pressure and angle can change the width of the stroke;
- Fine liners: These are perfect for clean, consistent lines. They come in various widths and are disposable, though they wear down over time. Technical versions are more durable but pricey.
- Ballpoint options: Super accessible and affordable, ballpoints create a fine though occasionally unpredictable mark. You can adjust the line by varying the pressure you use.
Different Types of Hatching
Once you have the perfect pens in Australia for your artistic style, it’s time to explore different hatching techniques. There are a few techniques that can help you create depth in your artwork. Each one brings its unique flair, whether you’re looking to build up shading or create a sense of volume:
- Hatching: This includes making parallel lines to build tone. You can experiment with horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines, or mix them up to get different effects;
- Cross-hatching: To create darker tones, you can layer blocks of hatching in different directions. This adds depth and texture, making your shading more complex;
- Contoured hatching: Once you’re comfortable with cross-hatching, try curving your lines to match the form of your subject. This technique helps build up both tone and dimension, giving a sense of volume and shape.
Experiment with Grip
To add variety to your lines, it’s helpful to experiment with how you hold your professional art pens. When you grip them like you would for writing you get a lot of control, making it ideal for short, precise marks. On the other hand, if you hold them with a looser grip further from the tip, you lose some control, which can lead to more dynamic, expressive strokes. This slight adjustment in how you hold your drawing tool can open up new possibilities for your art, whether you’re aiming for fine detail or a more free-flowing style.
Step-by-Step Process
When drawing a hand with professional artist pens, start with a quick, gestural sketch to outline the shape of it. Next, refine the edges with a pencil for clarity. Once you’re happy with the shape, go over the lines with your pen, erasing them once the ink has dried. Then, begin adding simple tones using parallel lines to cover the image. To bring out the form, use curved lines that follow the contours of the hand, creating a more sculpted look. Finally, layer your marks in different directions to achieve darker tones, enhancing the depth and richness of your drawing.
What are the Benefits of Drawing with Pens?
When you’re starting with drawing, it can be easy to get stuck in the mindset of perfection, especially with pencils and erasers around. The thing is, using these tools can slow you down because it’s all too tempting to erase and start over when a line doesn’t feel right.
But this can prevent you from making real progress. On the other hand, working with a drawing tool that doesn’t let you erase helps you embrace mistakes and keep moving forward. Those “errors” often end up adding character and personality to your work, like a little signature that makes the piece uniquely yours.
Drawing with pens helps you create crisp, bold lines, forces you to be decisive. You won’t be hesitating or second-guessing, which builds confidence in your skills. As you explore different options – whether it’s a fine nib for delicate details or a thicker nib for bolder strokes – you’ll quickly discover how each tool offers new possibilities.
Pens are also fantastic for quick sketches while travelling. They’re lightweight, easy to carry in your bag and don’t require much setup – making them perfect for capturing the moment wherever you are. Whether you’re sitting at a café, on a train, or out in nature, having a drawing tool that’s portable and reliable can help you document your surroundings or ideas in real time.