How to Choose the Best Pen for the Job
Have you ever walked into an art supply store and wondered what all kinds of pens and pencils are for? Is there a “correct” option to write to? Which handle is best for left-handed people? Watch our easy video guide to the best use of ballpoint, gel, and roller pens.
Get out those Trapper Keepers and sharpen your # 2 pencils – it’s a week back to school ! Going far beyond the classroom, we offer you ingenious tricks and ideas on how to get started with your routine, brush up on old skills, or learn something new this fall.
Ballpoint pens are suitable for everyday writing. They don’t smear much, so they are the best choice for lefties. For small writing, use a finer nib.
Roller ballpoint pens flow more easily and are subject to less pressure, but this makes them smudge more easily. They are better for less absorbent materials such as shiny cards.
The gel pens are in the middle between the two. Because they flow more easily than ballpoint pens, they can use more pigments and are therefore available in more colors.
The markers flow even more easily, making them ideal for marking pressure-sensitive surfaces such as CDs.
Wooden pencils are great for drawing and sketching. Choose by hardness (use this scale ); the harder the pencil, the lighter its trace. (Medium hardness is called “HB”, which usually corresponds to the value of # 2 pencil.)
Mechanical pencils are great for writing, but their thin tip makes it difficult to draw. If your wire continues to break, try a wider one, 0.7mm or larger.
Of course, an artist can adapt any of these tools for unexpected purposes. Check out Trent Morse’s book on ballpoint pens to see how the tool works to its limits.