Arpithooda asked me on Instagram:
What is your favorite black ballpoint pen?
I thought you guys may ask yourself the same question about it. So let me share with you our discussion. Besides that, I would be curious to know which one is yours? Tell us in the comments. 🙂
My answer to Arpithooda:
Hard to say, sometimes ballpoint pen you get for free (from the hotel, advertising goods…) give sometimes better results than the branded ones. But as soon as the pen has no more ink, it’s often impossible to get any more.
However, I recommend the Paper mate ballpoint pen. I used to buy them in bulk when I was a student so I could keep one in my bag, one in my pocket, on in my jacket, one in another bag… everywhere!
Today I would recommend retractable tip. They are easier to carry, and you won’t lose the cap when you draw outside.
TIP 1 Find one you like and stick to it
It’s better to master one ballpoint pen well than keeping changing looking for the best. So, I guess the perfect ballpoint pen is the one you practice with the most. Basically, a good ballpoint pen has a good variation of pen pressure and doesn’t make too many stains. You got to find the right fit for you depending on if you may have a heavy-wrist tendency.
James Mylne amazing realistic artworks he does drawing portraits with a ballpoint pen.
TIP 2 Clean your ballpoint pen tip often while drawing
After drawing for a while, the temperature of the tip rise because of the friction on paper. So the ink starts to melt and make stains (Especially when it is accidentally in contact with your palm !!).
TIP 3 Alternate two pens for a long drawing session
If you plan to draw for long, consider alternate using 2 pens instead of one. When you feel the first pen gets warm and will make stains, interchange it with the second one.
Paper Mate Ink Joy 500 RT 0.5 XF – Retractable tip.
And you, what’s your favorite pen?
Let me know in the comments 🙂
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I use bic crystal 1.6mm (thick), bic rounc stick (for medium) schneider-505F (for fine)
1.6mm wow. I never seen that before. Interesting. Thanks !
I use Reynolds-045 (for thicker) and Schneider-505F (for fine work)
Always great to mix both thickness. Thanks 🙂
Hi Chou-Tac
What do you mean with retractable tip?
What are stains? Des taches?
Thanks for your explanation about the ink, I had often this problem, I thought that it was because too old pen…
Now I draw with a pilot 0.5 and I like a lot! ;-))
Oh, je pensais t avoir deja repondu deja. Ou c’etait par email.
Retractable cest les stylos sans bouchon, avec des mines qui se cachent dans le corps du stylo. Ca evite de faire des taches au fond de la poche (Stains).
Sinon oui des stylos plus vieux bavent plus que les jeunot. Mais les jeunot finissent par baver si ils sont utiliser trop longtemps. C’est comme une voiture, c’est bien de le laisser refroidir un peu.