Author Topic: Micro Pens? (Read 4639 times)

aggro84 · « **on:** October 17, 2012, 04:37:14 AM »

I have a hard time painting really fine details like eyes for example.
I read in another thread where someone used a micro pen to do some fine detail work.
Does anyone else use them?
Do they work ok, or should I just keep at the brush work?
What is a good brand?

Marine0846 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2012, 04:53:38 AM »

I use the pens alot.
They work best on fairly flat areas of the figure.
I do find the you can't get to certain areas with the pen.
A brush would work better.
Buy a few and try them out.
Last time I checked they run about $3.00 a piece.
Buy the Micron 01 to try out.

FramFramson · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2012, 05:43:10 AM »

I confess to using these sometimes for pupils and eyebrows and the like (you can often get them in a nice sepia, rather than an offputting black).

Heldrak · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2012, 08:53:59 AM »

On the recommendation of the divine Jennifer Haley, I've taken to using them for the pupils of eyes (although she seems to have switched back to brushes for that purpose herself now...). I actually like the black for pupils, as the ink is slightly shiny and you get a realistic little bit of reflectivity.

They're also handy for mind-boggling little details like newsprint, the faces of playing cards, writing on scrolls, etc.

Hammers · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2012, 10:48:31 AM »

I use them for eyelashes, or rather to give eye slits that final definition.

zizi666 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2012, 03:24:35 PM »

I've used them to go over panel lines on my 15mm vehicles :

aggro84 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2012, 03:30:59 AM »

Thank everyone! It sounds like I should really give them a go.

I'll be sure to share my experiences with them.

Nice tanks zizi666 by the way.

So micro pens is the brand name?

If I drop by my friendly neighborhood art supply store and ask to see their micro pens, they will know what I'm talking about?

Mitch K · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2012, 11:09:41 AM »

Quote from: aggro84 on October 18, 2012, 03:30:59 AM

Thank everyone! It sounds like I should really give them a go.
I'll be sure to share my experiences with them.

Nice tanks zizi666 by the way.

So micro pens is the brand name?

If I drop by my friendly neighborhood art supply store and ask to see their micro pens, they will know what I'm talking about?

They SHOULD do, but then again...

The Faber-Castell Pitt range are worth looking at. The superfine sepia is a great tool. Alternatives include Pigma micron (never used, but come with a fantastic reputation. Maybe easier to get in the US?) and (late edit) Rotring Tikky.

None are cheap, though, and over time a Rotring Rapidograph might start to look more economical. The down side is the limited range of inks for Rapidographs.

zizi666 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2012, 01:02:44 PM »

Quote from: aggro84 on October 18, 2012, 03:30:59 AM

Thank everyone! It sounds like I should really give them a go.
I'll be sure to share my experiences with them.

Nice tanks zizi666 by the way.

So micro pens is the brand name?

If I drop by my friendly neighborhood art supply store and ask to see their micro pens, they will know what I'm talking about?

thanks and no, I believe the one I used is a Staedler Pigment Liner. Dunno what size as I can't seem to recall where I left it, but probably the smallest one which would be 0.0 5mm. (Whole appartment is a mess and I'm still in the process of tidying up

)

VoodooInk · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2012, 02:26:30 PM »

Quote from: aggro84 on October 18, 2012, 03:30:59 AM

Thank everyone! It sounds like I should really give them a go.
I'll be sure to share my experiences with them.

Nice tanks zizi666 by the way.

So micro pens is the brand name?

If I drop by my friendly neighborhood art supply store and ask to see their micro pens, they will know what I'm talking about?

I use the Sakura brand exclusively as they use archival quality ink and sport exceptional points. This is the link:
http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Archival

I can't say enough nice things about them. I find the tips on all the better micron pens to be quite sensitive to pressure. So, my only advice would be to use a very gentle touch for best results and longevity of the pen itself. Good luck! You'll have to post some pics after you've tried one out.

Dewbakuk · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2012, 03:12:04 PM »

Quote from: Mitch K on October 18, 2012, 11:09:41 AM

None are cheap, though, and over time a Rotring Rapidograph might start to look more economical. The down side is the limited range of inks for Rapidographs.

Hmm, I have a Rapidograph set in a box upstairs from uni. Not like I do a lot of technical drawing these days. Might have to dig it out and give it a try on some figures.

Mitch K · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2012, 04:47:50 PM »

Quote from: Dewbakuk on October 18, 2012, 03:12:04 PM

Hmm, I have a Rapidograph set in a box upstairs from uni. Not like I do a lot of technical drawing these days. Might have to dig it out and give it a try on some figures.

I still use mine for illustration work (my 0.25mm is my go-to for line work), and occassionally on mini's. The problem is that Rotring ink runs to black, red, blue and ... er that's it. I've got on much better with sepia on mini's than black (it always seems too stark to me). Winsor and Newton drawing ink (which I love otherwise) has never worked for me in these pens, which is a bit limiting.

I'm informed that the Daler-Rowney FW acrylic ink works in technical pens, but I've never tried it. I'll have a punt and if it does, I'll post and let people know.

FramFramson · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2012, 09:18:19 PM »

Yep. Straight black is usually too overpowering. I know the micro pens have a brown/sepia which does come in the .005 size, so I use that. I will use the black for pupils though. It does work alright there.

Dewbakuk · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2012, 10:58:20 PM »

Quote from: Mitch K on October 18, 2012, 04:47:50 PM

I'm informed that the Daler-Rowney FW acrylic ink works in technical pens, but I've never tried it. I'll have a punt and if it does, I'll post and let people know.

That would be good to know, cheers.

aggro84 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 19, 2012, 03:16:29 AM »

Thanks a lot guys: That's a lot of really useful information.

I really love this forum and how everyone is so helpful.

I'll probably hit the art supply store tomorrow.

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Author Topic: Micro Pens? (Read 4639 times)

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