I mentioned back in May that I have been doing some pencil drawing in the evenings. Then sometime later I got the urge to revisit pen and ink.
It's been 40 years since I held a rapidograph pen; it felt great. There was a slight process to make this happen because tracking down these vintage pens was no easy task.
Why this type of pen? Because there is nothing quite so crisp and clean as creating with a tip that moves ink without leaving gaps. It's an effortless process once everything is set up and you sort of get swept away.
This drawing started out as just a practice and then I started turning it into a hummingbird impression. It will take several months for me to finish as this is very tedious.
I do love this medium and was surprised how quickly I was able to pick it back up.
Vintage Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph Pens
Are you wondering why I went with vintage pens? Well to be honest that wasn't the original plan. I was going to buy new until I saw how much they were going to cost.
The next idea was to buy just one pen but the size I wanted wasn't available. So, all this research took me to eBay and I couldn't believe what I was pulling up.
I sorted through several pages of listings and settled on this set for $60 including shipping. Receiving them was quick but there was a slight drawback. I had to soak all the tips before using because they were clogged.
This was easy to do by just placing them in warm water first for about 30 minutes. Then you want to transfer them to clean cool water and let them sit overnight. This process will open any possible clogs and now they are like new pens.
The movement is excellent and the freedom to create with ink that doesn't smudge was a wonderful reminder why I loved drawing in pen and ink forty years ago.
I am looking forward to seeing how the flow of creativity will complete this piece. I may even do a mix medium and add watercolor but still thinking on that.
We will definitely revisit this piece when completed.
If you are thinking about exploring pen and ink, I gathered some helpful links so you can find your own set or possibly just start with one pen to see if you like it.
Rapidograph Pens Vintage and New
In closing you will want to use smooth acid free paper for mix media, I chose 103lb. This paper here is close to what I am using and probably a little better because it's just a little thicker.
I would love to see what you create, tag me on Instagram.
Be the good,
Carole West
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