Thursday

I'm loving these glass dip pens!

 


My dad gave me this glass pen about 30 years ago, which was handmade in Venice, Italy. I use it all the time for testing new colors, and doing ink and wash. It's so easy to wipe clean when switching between colors. Naturally, I don't bring it out on location because I'm always afraid of dropping it and breaking the delicate tip. As a gift from my dad, it's irreplaceable. Even working in my studio, I worry about dropping it. I needed an inexpensive version that I wouldn't be so afraid to use. 

I researched a ton of inexpensive options and read reviews. I wanted one that came in a protective box for storage and travel. A little pen stand for it would be a bonus, so it wouldn't roll off my work surface. I ended up getting these (Amazon Affiliate Link).


They even came with protective plastic sleeves that fit over the tips, like the sleeves that are on some brushes. They both write very smoothly -- way smoother than the Venetian pen I already had. Plus, they hold a ton of ink due to the grooves that curve around the tip. The lines they make are about the thickness of a standard "broad" fountain pen nib. 

I don't usually put out a recommendation post for a single product, but in this case, with Holidays in Ink right around the corner, I thought some of you might want a glass pen before that challenge begins, and the choices can be overwhelming. I just got them yesterday, and they by far exceeded my expectations. It will be so much easier to test drive all those Inkvent inks, and switch between them, with a reliable, easy-to-clean glass pen. I won't have to worry about bringing one somewhere with me because each one comes in a sturdy, protective box with a foam insert and tip guard. Plus, it won't break the bank if I have to replace one someday.

As I was searching for the pens I'd ordered, I also came across these (Amazon Affiliate Link), which appear to be the same, for a little less money. I'm not 100% certain that they are identical, but they sure look the same. If any of you decide on this one instead, please let us know in the comments how you like them.

Coming soon:

  • I've decided to post the prompt list for Holidays in Ink sooner than Nov. 15. It dawned on me that seeing the prompts could impact the sketchbook or materials that you select for the challenge. That list will go up by November 8 at the latest.
  • There will be a post soon about the pens I'll be using for Holidays in Ink this year, and additional inks that should be on their way to me shortly.

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The post above contains Amazon Affiliate links, which provide a small commission to me at no additional expense to you, should you decide to purchase these items. 

If you'd like to see all of the Holidays in Ink posts, click here.

4 comments:

  1. Very slick and chick !!

    I would be soo scared that i'll brake it.

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    1. Rene, hi!!! That Venetian pen means so much to me, so I'm really glad I got the two inexpensive ones. I actually like them even better when it comes to how much ink they hold and how consistently they write, and if one breaks, I'm not going to worry about it!

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  2. Hi there Jamie, this year I have NOT failed completely at Inktober, and so I may try Holidays in Ink, and I may even use your prompts, although it will be a bit of a challenge for me to do what I am told, ha ha. These pens do look like fun, but I have not used any kind of pen except the occasional fountain pen, in years. I will need to research what inks to use with these pens. Now here is a question: I recently bought some alcohol inks to try out, planning to use them with brushes for some fun. I have NO experience with alcohol inks at all. Do you know if I can use alcohol inks with these pens? I really want to get a pen!...Beryl P.

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    1. Beryl, I don't know anything about alcohol inks. Sorry! But nearly any kind of thin ink should work with glass pens -- fountain pen inks, calligraphy inks, acrylic inks, walnut ink, diluted gouache or watercolor or acrylic..... The paper might be more of an issue than a glass pen with alcohol inks. Inktober always sounded like fun, but there was no way I'd ever get roped into an ink project when fall foliage is here! LOL Wrong time of year! The holiday season makes a lot more sense to me. If you'll be short on time, just pick a sketchbook with fewer, smaller, thicker pages! ;) You can even choose something you can fill in a few days if push comes to shove. No need to follow the prompts if you don't want to; they will be there because some people have asked me to provide them. :)

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