A question for Stan about pens

[Andy]

Stan,

I followed your recommendations for lettering pens and ordered some. Or, I tried to anyway. What they sent me was a Rotring Artpen Lettering B and a Rotring Artpen Sketch F. Is that right, or should I have gotten a Lettering F pen?

[Stan Sakai]

Stan,

I followed your recommendations for lettering pens and ordered some. Or, I tried to anyway. What they sent me was a Rotring Artpen Lettering B and a Rotring Artpen Sketch F. Is that right, or should I have gotten a Lettering F pen?

You got the correct pens. I use the F for regular lettering, and the B for boldface.

The Lettering Pens are calligraphy pens, that is they have a wide, flat nib good for italic or Gothic lettering.

I do not use the "ink" that the pen comes with. Instead I use the optional ink adapter that lets me fill my own ink.

[Andy]

Thanks for the answer! I also got the ink converters, as you recommend in "The Art of Usagi Youimbo".

[Andy]

I just used the pens for the first time today. Wow, what a difference! Trying to use other pens to letter are like trying to paint a house with a toothbrush.

One more question: How often do you clean them and how? There were no instructions in the box or anything.

[Stan Sakai]

One more question: How often do you clean them and how? There were no instructions in the box or anything.

I clean them out about once a month, or so. I empty the ink out, fill them up with water and eject it. I do this a few times. Sometimes I take the nib apart to give it a good cleaning.

I just noticed in your original posting that you said you got the Lettering B pen. I use Sketchpens F and B for lettering.

[Andy]

Those things are good to know! Thanks a lot!

Hmm...I thought I was getting the one you used when I ordered the Lettering B pen. However, it's working pretty good so far. Maybe down the line I'll get the Sketch B pen.

What brand is the flexible nib fountain pens you use to draw? Right now I use a variety of Speedball pens, but after trying these Rotrings, I could start to get spoiled!

[Stan Sakai]

What brand is the flexible nib fountain pens you use to draw? Right now I use a variety of Speedball pens, but after trying these Rotrings, I could start to get spoiled!

I use a Koh-i-noor Art Pen. Unfortunately, they discontinued it about 15 years ago. I still have another 10 year supply, but I'm getting worried. It was a cheap pen, but the closest pen I can currently find is a $300 Pelikan.

[Andy]

Wow! That's definitely out of my league. I'll have to shop around and see what I can find.

Thanks for the info though!

You know, I remember reading in an interview that the same thing happened to Charles Schulz. His favorite pen was discontinued and he said that when he ran out of pens he'd have to end Peanuts. He told this to someone that was quite concerned until he showed them he had a closet full of them. He bought all of them that he could find!

[Andy]

Big globs of ink are coming out of one of them when I try to write. I wonder if this means it needs cleaning.

[Stan Sakai]

Big globs of ink are coming out of one of them when I try to write. I wonder if this means it needs cleaning.

Yes, try cleaning it. Also, what kind of ink are you using?

[Andy]

I'm using "Sax Write On" India ink. The glob probably stopped, but the lines have gotten a little thinner. I'm going to try to clean it, but I wish they had come with instructions.

I think I'm starting to get the hang of them. I think my lettering's starting to get a little better.

[Stan Sakai]

I'm using "Sax Write On" India ink.

I'm not familiar with this brand. Make sure you are using an ink made for pens. They are less-clogging and free-flowing. I use Badger Black Opaque, which can be difficult to get. It is formulated for air brushes. Friends have told me that Higgins Black Magic works for them. That should be easier to get. There are also technical pen inks that are quite nice. Make sure they are permanent and water proof.

[Andy]

Thanks so much for the advice. My next step will be getting one of those inks.