Pen and Ink

Pen and Ink refers to a technique of drawing or writing, in which colored (this includes black) ink is applied to paper using a pen or other stylus. It may be used as a medium for sketches, or for finished works of art. Pen and ink also lends itself to fine writing and calligraphy.

Pens

Different types of pens produce distinctive types of lines. Some, such as the crow-quill dip pen, produce slender and delicate lines. Other pens have a broader nib which can produce both thick and thin lines.

Most fountain pens and ballpoint pens are often regarded by many artists as being insensitive instruments or even not for true pen and ink work, but they are often useful for sketching in conditions in which a pot of ink would be a spill hazard.

Many technical artists prefer the Rotring Rapidograph or Isograph series of technical pens, which produce lines of extremely regular width and which contain their own ink. Originally the pens were used mostly for architectural illustration of new buildings, although this has now mostly been replaced by computer rendered visualisations. Since being popularised by Robert Crumb in the mid 1970s, Rapidographs have been the standard pens used by most comic book and graphic novel artists.

Inks

Iron-gall nut ink was the usual type of ink used in the West. In the 20th century waterproof Indian ink has replaced previously used inks, although this tradition does not preclude an artist using other types of mark-making materials. The paper used must be strong enough to resist the wear from a steel pen nib, and to absorb all the ink applied.