Introduction to Fountain Pens For Artists: A Primer For The Beginner

I put Bayside blue ink into my Ackerman flex pen and have a gummed it up. I tried scrubbing it with soap, water, and a toothbrush I tried soaking in vinegar and scrubbing it again, but I can’t get the ink to Flow anymore. Any ideas on how to fix this?

Great video as away Marc! If I were to get a Pelikan M200 for drawing and writing, would it be better to get a fine or extra fine? Thanks.

Great video. Everything is clear and understandable. I bought myself a sailor 55 and platinum ef. I'm trying to find colored ink. There is waterproof mascara and I also draw with a pen. Your channel is a godsend. I am happy to watch all your videos.
Thank you very much.

Very informative.

Marc, this is one of the most comprehensive, succinct, and intelligent videos I've seen on the topic. Congratulations on a stellar production. If I had a quibble with any point, it would be that I think you overstate the risk of flying with a fountain pen. I have done it many times without mishap. But that doesn't take away from my appreciation of your video. Best regards.

I just discovered you! What a lovely surprise. I have watched 3 of your videos now and subscribed because I enjoyed them so much. I have 3 fountain pens and this video has now goaded me into getting the out and learning to use them. I hope you have a blessed and joyful year. Thank you! 🙏☮️❤️🖖

all nibs are friction fit, even in the Pelikan and Montblanc just in those cases they have been mechanically mated with the collar.

Hi Marc,
I love your in depth videos. I recently discovered Ackerman fountain pens, that use traditional dip nibs, like Principal, Brause rose, bandzug, etc. Obviously Ackerman pen is for those who have some competency with traditional dip nib drawing. I have six of these pens, three inked with Diamine like inks and three with w/proof acrylic inks. I put in the caps of those tine pieces of foam. It works very well - I usually moisten the nib with a waterbrush and start to draw. You have to change the nibs, of course, from time to time.
It takes some time and effort to get used to them. And of course, i always have a plentiful supply of tissue ready... These pens can be temperamental. But the idea of using nineteenth century type traditional nibs is very attractive for me.
Id love to know your opinion about Ackerman pens. Thank you for your videos.

Thank you for this video and the further resources you included at the end, although there's enough info on your channel to keep me busy for some time.
I'm new to drawing with a fountain pen, although I loved writing with one 30years ago, and then lost the way. So it feels like I stumbled upon a great treasure here coming back to 'the fountain'.

Hey! Thank you so much for your videos!
I’m a beginner in drawing, it is exactly what I wanted to find! All your videos is a large difficult process, thank you for sharing your knowledge!

Geometry and design from my metallurgy and metal fabrication background has in both material science and practical use have far more impact than metal used up to a point.
Now ease of fabrication can often have a large impact in metal choice on the quality of final produced item. It's why brass is often chosen, ease during fabrication for high quality products.

I want to say: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I always wondered how shaded inks would work for artists and fountain pens, and the video you made regarding the topic was such a surprise to find that it really makes me excited when searching for my first bottle of ink.

I've been biasing myself with the look of blue inks, but the shading inks you showed are really making me reconsider my options. I'm surprised you like Navajo Turquoise though. I was worried it would be a bit "eye" hurting to look at in terms of drawing but look fine with handwriting

Hi Marc! I've been drawing for 4 years, started with manga style so i kinda got used to g-pens and brushpens, then switched to semi-realism, i really liked a course from a master that drew with fountain pen and i took a liking for it instantly so i bought some fountain pens to see how it goes. I really like that your video is deep and insightful! I bought the Pilot Mr 3 retro pop orange which has ink cartridges and it'll arrive tomorrow! Im really excited to try it out :) Also bought from aliexpress the huongdiao Nr 7 blue as it was simply gorgeous but it will arrive in 2 months roughly so i have some time to get used to the cartridge before switching to refillable ink haha. I loved all your videos and i am excited to see your future ones! Hope that one day i can share my experience too
Greetings from Argentina

looking forward to watching

Hi, can you please make a video about drawing with a ballpoint pen?

Great info, as always. Now I'd like to add my 2¢.
1. Gold nibs are bogus. Save yourself $1k by not following my example.
2. I think it is best to start with a really cheap pen, recommending the Pilot Varsity which is pre-filled, disposable. See if you like it before spending real money.
3. Regarding flex nibs, my vintage does not produce results markedly better than my modern, despite what EVERYBODY says. However the price ranges are similar, so there is no loss in going vintage, other than the old fashioned filling system. And fragility.
3. Shading inks cannot be used to put down an even coat over an extended area.
4. Sheening inks in my experience do not sheen much on absorbent art paper like bristol board or multi-media. For maximum shimmer use "coated" paper like Tomoe River. Or Yupo plastic paper, but then you may need fix. And use a brush or even pour it for full sheen.
5. Beware ink swatches. Unless you use ink in a brush. Ink from a pen is almost always a different color than the swatch.
6. If you are going to put your drawing on the wall, you need lightfast ink, or it will fade. Try not to be tempted by beautiful color inks that will fade. Moving forward, I am standardizing on De Atramentis Document inks. I will live with the limited palette (and I do use many colors), in order to get something that doesn't fade.

7. I find it useful to wear gloves or use a handbridge to keep from touching skin to paper, which can transfer oil to the paper, leaving a semi-resistent fingerprint. I guess you could just put a piece of copy paper under your hand as well.
This comment is way too long, sorry.

Marc, thanks so much for this thoughtful and informative video. As one who has loved and used fountain pens for over sixty-five years, I heartily recommend your videos; all your topics are so timely.

I love your videos and I think this format is great! Thanks!

Such a helpful video ! Thank you , have subscribed so looking forward to more videos !

nice intro...thank you

Great video, Marc!! Very thorough and informative! Thank you for this video!

Have you ever tried blue dew nibs? It looks like a leonardt principle dip nib and supposedly can be friction fit into jowo size 6. they’re supposed to pretty much be a zebra g that doesn’t corrode in a fountain pen

Outstanding! Thank you!

I enjoyed this very much, despite knowing the information you presented! Wonderful overview. Chapeau.

Have you activated affiliate links? I plan to make some purchases based upon your recommendations and would like you to be fairly compensated.

FANTASTIC VIDEO Art professor!!!!! This film is the Gold standard in the fountain pen genre... No nonsense information. Given in a kindly and humorous manner...🎖🎖🎖🍻

I'd just like to tell you that I recently (this month) bought a couple of fude pens as for your recommendation and I absolutely love them. The Hongdian Black Forest and the Duke 551, which is a behemoth of a pen but fits perfectly in my hand. The Black Forest could be a little bigger but it's good anyway

What an excellent video, thank you very much for your time and effort. I am not a beginner but still watched it from beginning to end with full attention.

I'm a simp for Diamine inks. They're cheap, colorful, easy to clean out of pens, and widely available. I do really love Pilot black though.

Also: Kokuyo Campus paper. Splendid for doodles and sketches as well as notes.

Excellent! Wish I could’ve watched this when I first got into fountain pens, especially since videos on using these pens from an artist’s perspective are much more scarce than those for writers.

Fascinating video that teaches so much to the experienced as well as the beginner. Can I also commend the Leheit cases ? I followed your recommendation and bought the tardis-like double and am delighted with it. Many thanks.

Marc have you ever tested the Jaipur v2 with an ultra flex nib from fountain pen revolution, I wanted to know how good is this pen for drawing because I'm looking for buying a flex fountain pen

Greetings sir, love your long insightful videos. I would be happy to see videos about fountain pens and their techniques and how do artists use them so that they dont dry up while taking pauses when uncapped.

Topics! 🙂 I want a Time Machine and send myself to the future and watch this all over. Absolutely brilliant. Regards, my old Me.