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Fountain Pens and Urban Sketching - Where to start and what to buy?

Doug's Sketching School

89,692 views

This video is a beginners guide fountain pens for Urban Sketching. I go through the benefits and construction of pens, the different nib types and also the best types of pens to buy.

I talk about my experience starting to draw and sketch with fountain pens and the best pens I found to use along with the best ink and filling methods.

So if you are a budding urban sketcher or beginner artist and want to know how to get started with fountain pens then please have a watch.

I really hope you enjoy this fountain pen guide and it helps you build your layers in watercolour.

Are you interested in buying some of my original art?
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Why use a fountain pen?
02.45 Parts of a fountain pen
04:15 Choice of Nibs
13:04 Filling options
15:00 How to use fountain pens
24:45 Which pen for a beginner?

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20 Comments

@eileengoldenberg270 2 years ago Pinned

I am a fountain pen expert and urban sketcher. You might want to make it clear that most Fountain pens inks in cartridges are soluble. You can get platinum carbon black or other waterproof inks that can be used with watercolor. You can also refill cartridges or ink converters with permanent ink and a syringe. I teach urban sketchers how to use and maintain FPs.thanks for your video!

@derikpell8143 2 years ago

"There's something in the Venn diagram of fountain pens and paper". Yes! Loved this sentiment.

@IAmJaneDoe2 2 years ago

Such a great video I gotta rewatch. I'm autistic so I listened, first. While I'm sketching. Then I'm going to watch it & my savant brain will connect the dots, easier. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. Never too many pens. 😊

@mkbuike7895 2 years ago (edited)

Excellent introduction.

I've been sketching with fountain pens for about 12 years. My recommendation for a beginner and someone who has never used a fountain pen is the Platinum Preppy. The Preppy costs about US $5-7. The Lamy Safari costs US $35+ I even carry a Preppy to give away to someone who is curious! Platinum Carbon Black is a great waterproof ink. The cartridges are proprietary but they can be used in the Preppy because it's a Platinum pen. It can also be eyedropper filled. I get the new, clear, ones so I can see the color of ink.

@theKluck 4 weeks ago

Great video. Thank you!

@N1inSK 1 year ago

My father was very proud of the fountain pen he used for work, and wouldn't let us touch it. He wasn't mean about it, just possessive. He retired in 1983, and I had moved from home and forgotten his pen. In about 2010, I asked him about his fountain pen, and he couldn't remember what I was talking about. I wish he had kept it, and some of his drawing instruments; I'd LOVE to own them, especially the pen. I'd be very honoured to have it, but it's long gone. Sadly. I'll save my pens for the son who likes them; they're in my will even though they're not expensive pens.

@DotyML 2 years ago

Great info on fountain pens. I agree that the Lamy Safari is a really nice pen. It is really easy to get sucked into buying more than one. Then you get to the point of wanting more ink colors. Noodler has a lot of inks that work well with fountain pens. I also have two Twsbi fountain pens. They are a larger size pen and feel really nice in the hand. Thanks so much for the video. Have a lovely holiday with the family!

@MarekBad64 2 years ago

Thanks for the info Doug - very useful!

@superdipholland3151 1 year ago

I like the blue silo art you did. Particularly I like how you can tell that it was a very bright day

@technoraptor7778 2 years ago

🥹yes!!! Fountain pens and urban sketching are a match made in heaven....spread the word!!! I have been for years

@glebk.1991 2 years ago

I am pretty glad to find out your channel, and wish you the best in your sketching journey

@kymvalleygardensdesign5350 2 years ago

I am really pleased that you covered these pens, I am used to using Rotring and throwaway Staedtler-type pens and have been wondering whether to use a fountain pen, I have several old fountain pens hiding somewhere along with some black Quink they will need a good clean but I cannot wait to try them out. Brilliant stuff many thanks😀

@smason9540 8 months ago

This was great and very helpful. Thank you.

@PersonalFlourish 2 years ago

Very clear, thank you ☺️ You mentioned, incidentally, that your pen needs cleaning. Could you do a video on how you clean your pens please 🙂

@petershram5914 1 year ago

Great video, Doug.

@hulamunki 2 years ago

This is great. I'm a fountain pen letter writer but use those micron type fineliners for drawing. Now I'm excited to try my FP for drawing. Great video. I love your bit about the romanticism of a FP and how it's something that can be passed on. I love that you have your mom's pen. I've used a FP my entire life.

@martscapes 2 years ago

Very interesting. Many thanks 👍💙

@anonymouscoward9643 1 year ago

using a TWSBI Eco EF, F, M, B, 1.1 with speedball super black india - this is so good, i wish i had known this was a thing for image rendering

@moongl0 1 year ago

I am now a fan of Doug's after watching this video. Subscribed! I have been into fountain pens and sketching both as hobbies, but never as a combined hobby. Starting this adventure today!