How to draw with a fountain pen: parallel hatching technique 

Thank you very much!

Thanks for your support!

You are very welcome. I’ve had a few complaints about how fast I speak, but it’s been hard to slow down my natural speaking pace. It’s good know some people out there actually prefer it.

I feel you. I think the trick is to use a very thin line, and a transparent ink. That makes the lines fuse together to create value more effectively.

Thank you! Pablo does great work, often at a lower price than the nib-meisters in the U.S. A needlepoint with a broad reverse sounds amazing. Who did the work for you?

@@mkompan Jose Munuera, I found him from this website: ukfountainpens.com/2020/08/07/stacked-nibs-come-to-the-uk/amp/ Stacked nibs are very cool, I hadn't been able to find a maker this side of the world! If you like, I can show you a sample later

Thanks for the recommendation!. Your comment was held up for review, and I hadn't noticed it.

Yup, I have one! It's a terrific pen.

Glad to hear it!

You're welcome!

You're very welcome! I'm glad my videos inspired you to do more drawing with a pen. As for paper, it mostly depends on whether I'm working only in pen, or in combination with wash. If pen only, most smooth drawing papers work just fine. With pen and wash it becomes trickier, because you want the paper smooth enough to take the pen, but no so smooth that the washes dry unevenly. At the moment I'm liking the multi-media paper in Talens Art Creations sketchbooks.

@@mkompan Thank you very much for replying. I’m going to try that sketchbook. And well just experiment with other papers also 👍🏻 Thanks again

Hi Marc. Jim again (Madrid). I'm using my TWSBI Eco more and more on plain air drawing (both outdoors and urban sketching - as it's called nowadays), but I usually combine it with watercolor and gouache, and it is very "tricky" (if not difficult, sometimes) when using 100% watercolor paper due to the tooth, which causes several problems when using a fountain pen but, mainly, the micro cotton fibers that get stuck on the tip of the nib and the abortion of ink by the paper,specially after using gouache (very difficult sometimes). I usually make my own sketchbooks with a mixed media paper foe multi-purpose use on the field but... Do you have any expert advice as to how to improve workability and/or any additional expert tips that I can use? Thanks again for your help! Saludos desde Madrid!

Hi David. The Talens Art Creations sketchbooks that I use have excellent multimedia paper that doesn't feather. For loose sheets, try Borden and Riley #234 bleed-proof paper.

@@mkompan Thank you Marc, I knew you were the person to ask! Much appreciated!

You know, I don't recommend getting the #14k Jowo soft nib. The flex really isn't all that impressive and with the XXF grind it's a whopping 170 bucks--not worth it. For very fine lines I would get the steel #6 Jowo nib with the XXF grind. If you're looking for a pen with a very fine line out of the box, I would get the Pilot Custom 74 with a soft fine nib, which produces very fine, precise line and has some flexibility. The Opus 88 Demonstrator is great! I have a video on "the 5 best pens for drawing" where I explain why I like it so much but in short fantastic ink capacity, a #6 nib that can be swapped out, and a reservoir system that makes it perfect for travel. Pilots are also fantastic , but the ink capacity and the filling systems (other than the 823) are not as nice.

@@mkompan Thanks Marc! I was thinking the same thing about the steel #6 Jowo nib. However, I was wondering about the XXXF grind! Have you even seen a XXXF nib? I wonder what those lines look like (draw like, how the ink flows etc.). I think I need to experience that XXXF nib! I wonder what modifications would be helpful (breather hole, etc). I just want the ink to flow effectively for XXXF lines. The idea of a 0.1mm line is literally irresistible, but I wonder about the physics of it. The thinnest line I've ever experienced is the .13 line from the Rapidograph (but it always clogs). How is quality control at FPnibs? Do they have any sales? Sorry for all the questions, but I appreciate any feedback. Thanks again for your efforts!

@@prod4540 I've never used an XXXF nib but I have several "needle-point" vintage nibs that are probably equivalent. They're pretty scratchy and need to be used on very smooth paper. If you've ever used an un-tipped dip pen nib such as a hunt crow 102 you'll have an idea. I don't believe any additional modifications are required but the best person to ask is Pablo, the owner of the company. He's very polite and replies promptly. The quality control at FP nibs is excellent. I've ordered around 10 custom ground nibs from them without experiencing problems. They do occasionally have sales but I've never seen them discount their custom grinds.

@@mkompan Thanks again Marc. I appreciate the feedback. I am now watching videos on the Hunt Crow 102 (not sure if I am finding the un-tipped ones though). I will email Pablo. I'd love to get his thoughts on what I am trying to achieve regarding the XXXF nib. Also, I am going to look up 'Needle Point' vintage nibs as well. Happy Drawing!

I haven’t been using it lately. I have so many pens that they go in and out of rotation. It’s a nice nib, with a touch of flex, but really if I wanted an xxf nib I would order a custom steel nib.

@@mkompan See, I was wondering why you’d get a gold one. I’ve never even considered an XXF. You typically use the Ultra Flex with it these days?

@@LeviRedrook that’s a Jowo “soft” nib that has touch of flex (about the same as a Falcon.) it’s a nice nib, but not worth the money. The xxf grind however is nice to have however. I do use the ultra flex frequently but use it another pen that takes Jowo housing.

@@mkompan Dangit Marc, I’m trying real hard to stop pestering you with questions but that’s exactly the kind of answer that compels more questions! 🤣 If the Ultra Flex is on another pen, what are you using the Opus for?

@@LeviRedrook you’re not pestering me at all! I enjoy answering questions, and from what understand it actually helps with the visibility of my channel. So to answer your question: the Opus 88 is my go to for a large number of #6 nibs. One is the permanent home for a 14k semi-flex nib from FP nibs, while the other two are constantly being switched out with fude nibs, altered nibs from pilot Parallels, the steel FPNIBS semiflex, etc., etc.