Brushpens

[avram]

mamishka asked me to recommend a brand of brushpen. I’ve been meaning to start concentrating on brushpens, inspired, as so many other are, by Craig Thompson’s gorgeous brush work in Blankets. I got out four black brushpens I had sitting around, and tried ’em all out to compare the marks they can make.

The first of these, the Staedtler Mars Graphic 3000 Duo was, for a time, my favorite. I think it’s about to recover that place in my affections. Look at those thick, sexy lines! That’s what using a brush is all about! I’m in love all over again. Warning, it’s water-soluble. Oh, and it’s got a regular thin-point marker at the other end.

The second, the Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen, had been my favorite for a time. I’ve enjoyed playing around with the grayscale set. But next to the Staedtler Mars, it just looks dull.

The Splash! was a favorite for a while, probably because it was so controllable, so like a regular marker with just enough give to convince me it was worth using. Just the thing for when I didn’t really want to commit to using something I’d have to really learn to control. Also, it took forever to dry. Just as well they don’t make it anymore.

The fourth is a Tombow, another double-ended marker. For a while I was really into collecting a bunch of color Tombows, but now I’m disenchanted with them. Also supposedly water-soluble, though you wouldn’t know it given the blending I tried to do this afternoon.

That’s it for now. There are some other brands that I’ve tried out in stores and decided were beneath notice. There are also some high-end Japanese brushpens with actual bristles that are too pricey for me.

Comments

[mamishka.livejournal.com]

Just looking at them I would go with the Staedtlers as well. The others just don't compare really. They have no oomph! They're not brushlike enough. They look practically like regular markers. Booooorrring!

[bigscary.livejournal.com]

Those wings seem familiar. You been reading any CLAMP manga?