Can You Draw With a Fountain Pen?

This article contains affiliate links.

To begin with, fountain pens use liquid ink in a cartridge, and it applies capillary action to transmit the ink to the paper directly.

This implies that fountain pens have a better flow compared to fine liners and they are besides more wet in most scenarios.

There is nothing finer than the texture of liquid ink flowing on a paper and the sleekness of the right nib.

But can you actually draw with a fountain pen? Yes, of course you can! Many successful artists have proven that it is possible to draw with fountain pens. I can confidently say that drawing with fountain pens is simply restricted by one’s imagination.

Other than having a wide diversity of nibs to play with when drawing, there are multiple colors and types of inks that have different characteristics.

Some of the significant beautiful features are shimmer shading and sheen.

Are There Any Artists Who Use Fountain Pens for Drawing?

There are quite several artists who, over the years, have created incredible art with the use of fountain pens.

Candace From Sydney

One of them is Candace, who lives in Sydney, Australia.

She posts most of her art on Instagram under the @pensivecandle handle. According to her, these pens feel much nicer when held due to the body, the shape of the grip, and how the ink flows to the paper.

She also claims that the drawing experience of fountain pens is smooth and flows without effort when she continues using the right fountain pen.

She prefers pens that have flexible or springy nibs because they give line variation, which makes her work quite interesting.

Andrew Banks (Here is his Instagram)

Andrew Banks is a freelance illustrator and the owner of the Andrew Banks Illustration based in Chicago. Similarly, he uses fountain pens because whether he selects the perfect ink, weight, or grip pen, he usually has a range of options that help him attain the desired results in his art.

The artist says that for most of his Chicago skyline, he used a TWSBI Eco that had an EF nib and was full of carbon black ink.

He expresses that the eco usually is light even when it’s filled with ink, which gives him a comfortable and relaxed time during his long drawing sessions. He adds that the EF nib clear-cut nevertheless, smooth and also enables him to integrate texturing and subtle details.

Although he mostly used the Eco with an EF nib for the Chicago skyline, he similarly used other pens such as even brush pens and Lamy Safaris with B and M nibs to attain different textures and line weights in his piece.

Brenda Swenson (Here is her Instagram)

Brenda Swenson is another incredible fountain pen artist.

She had been doing sketches for over 20 years. She acknowledges that when using pen and ink, she is required to use more time observing.

Whenever she starts drawing, she does it with a big deal of awareness.

She states that because she cannot erase her work, she chooses to work at a slower pace.

She additionally concentrates on her speed, the flow of ink, how she holds the pen, and the pressure. She becomes more involved and draws with more awareness.

She says that when she started considering fountain pens, she was looking for a pen that would exceed just getting a job completed.

Like other artists, she claims that she wanted a pleasant pen, to hold fun to sketch with, and even to look at.

Alex Hillkurtz (Here is his Instagram)

Last but not least, the works of @Hillcurtz are hard to ignore.

The artist uses fountain pens for his creations due to their expressive quality of the line.

He is equally enticed with the notion of creating art that somehow feels timeless.

All his sketches are known to have a particular nostalgia to them. Drawing with fountain pens allows him to connect with all the fantastic artists who have sketched in a similar style before.

He urges artists to use fountain pens more, especially those that are left-handed.

Other artists include; Liz Steel, @Krismordecai, @pinot and the Goulet Team.

Is There Anything You Should be Cautious About When Drawing With a Fountain Pen?

There are several factors that one should carefully consider or be cautious about when drawing with fountain pens.

Among the major ones is using the wrong type of paper. The typical paper is relatively thin and at times, flimsy. When a fountain pen is used on such papers, bleeding occurs.

The ink leaves a quite undefined line that does not appear as attractive as when a fountain pen is used on paper that is thick and with better absorbing ability.

Another thing that should be avoided is pressing too hard on the nib. Fountain pen nibs are typically split in the middle to allow ink to be effectively transferred to the paper.

When one pushes too hard, the nib is likely to get damaged or break. Similarly, pressing too hard also scrapes on paper.

When is it Right to Use a Fountain Pen for Drawing?

One of the simple answers to this is when simple ballpoints will not achieve the artists’ desires.

When one has the right type of paper, it is also advisable to use fountain pens. When an artist aims to make a permanent line that cannot be affected by the watercolor, fountain pens are the way to go.

There is a variety of options when it comes to inks that are soluble in water, but permanent ink lines are more preferred.

Below are some of the events that make it desirable to draw with a fountain pen. One is a good flow of ink. Fine liners are relatively dry, which makes their lines dry faster and become permanent.

This means that they are the most desirable when artists want to evade smudging when applying paint.

When one feels most comfortable holding a pen at 45 degrees, then they should go for fountain pens because they are much easier to hold in that manner.

Additionally, it makes sense to use a fountain pen when an artist wishes to obtain a variation in line while using a single pen.

Even nibs that are not flexible give varying thickness in line. Another instance is when a person wants to achieve liveliness in a line. Fountain pens give liveliness and vibration that is brought about by the drop of ink with each stroke.

Lastly, it is best to use fountain pens in long drawing sessions or when one often draws because the nib is not capable of deteriorating.

How Can You Maintain a Fountain Pen?

An artist needs to take proper care of his/her fountain pens so that they can serve them longer in drawing.

First, it is essential to clean the pens whenever switching ink colors regularly.

It is equally essential to avoid exerting a lot of pressure on the nib to avoid damage, which can be very uneconomical as well as can give undesired results. Moreover, an artist should avoid drawing on paper that is chemically treated.

A slick feel characterizes these types of papers because it does not properly absorb ink. It is also advisable to store ink bottles away from direct sunlight. Inks that are bought from different manufactures should similarly not be mixed.

They have a tendency of reacting and produce some chunky; jellylike substance that blocks the ink pathways.

Fresh ink that is firmly capped or that has new cartridges should be used.

Moreover, the vacuum in the ink bottle is supposed to be filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen before capping the bottle.

This is very essential because it prevents the ink from oxidizing hence more desirable drawing results.

Lastly, when a person does not intend to use a fountain pen for a long period of time, the pen should be emptied and cleaned before storage.

What are the Disadvantages of Drawing With a Fountain Pen?

In some cases, these pens fail to float effortlessly on paper the way they are supposed to.

When this happens, they tend to be scratchy, and the ink flows badly, and sometimes it does not.

This can be very frustrating when drawing. Some pens similarly pour too much ink even in an abrupt bob of ink that can ruin a drawing.

Although these challenges are not characteristic of all fountain pens, they befall pens that require a lot of care to maintain them in proper working conditions.


The drawing practice is a skill that demands passion and the inner drive.

It is, therefore, an easy task when it is dealt with using the appropriate and the most comfortable equipment.

The fountain pens are the best option for the artists who wish to draw effortlessly, while at the same time maintain high-quality drawings.

Leave a Comment