Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

I just got a new brush pen, and I am trying to find some help learning how to use it well.

Does anyone know any helpful sites, or tips?

thank you

-Luna

Does it have a bristle tip of individual nylon hairs or is does it have a solid felt tip? I perfer the former, because it behaves more like a traditional brush expecially when new.

What brand is it?

It is a solid felt tip. A copic small brush marker.

Hope you guys don't mind if I jump in here. Sakura (part of it's micron line) makes one that I've been using for a while...I've found that I don't have quite as much control with it as a regular brush though but it's great for panel borders...if you don't want them precise...which I don't usually.

I haven't had as much experience with the solid brushes since they first hit the market about 25 years ago. I used to use them a lot back then. I had to use a heavier hand with them, than with bristle brushes. They were also non-refillable.

Another big drawback for me, was that the ink was not permanent and so would fade over time, especially with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

arrrrrrgh! Thanks for the info Mr. Sakai, I wish I had known that a few months ago! As a matter of fact I posted that this morning and then I inked five strips with said pen! Doh!

hrmm, the one I have is a new one, and refillable. I got a refill when I bought it. The brush part is also replaceable.

I was wondering how to use it correctly

I use COPIC brush markers extensively. Love them!!!

Control all comes down to practice and touch. Since there's no resistance to lean your hand on, you really need to concentrate...and relax. Practice lines that go thin, thick thin.

~Nate

ah, ok! thanks

You can treat these kinds of brush pens a lot like mini-sumi-e brushes.
Having had classes in Japanese calligraphy and sumi-e, I have to say all of the books out there would be harder to learn from than watching someone actually do it. But most libraries have Chinese and Japanese brush work books you could pick some tips up from, too. There's also some good books on general inking, including comic-book style inking. I don't know any great websites out there.

Blambot and others are right, practice is what will get the results you want. And I'll add: right before putting the brush to paper, set up the angle of the brush tip you will need to start your line, then commit and go, don't think it through too much. The key to success with brushwork is not to be hesitant.
Have fun!

thanks for the tips, excellent:)
does anyone know where you could buy these bristle/ refill pens online?
cheers,
ben

http://www.copicmarkers.com

~N