Review: Faber-Castell art pen (black!)

Same necklace as featured in 1a: http://iamartsyfartsy.blogspot.com/2011/08/practice-makes-perfect.html

It's time for another review!  Although it's on another pen.  I know, I know.. my last review was on the Pigma Micron Pens, but this pen is the Faber-Castel black artist pen.  I've had this pen for AGES and it is still working great!  This pen has the letter 'S' on it, which I am thinking has something to do with the thickness of the point, please correct me if I am wrong. ( : 
The drawing up top is a sketch I did quickly (ish) with the pen recently of a necklace of mine.  The black is still black and I will repeat that I've had this pen for ages.  I found customer reviews via amazon about this pens, and the majority has said the same thing. 

I totally think this is one of the best artist pens.  I actually forgot about it until I ran across it in my kit this weekend. 

Do you have a favorite pen?

I'm probably going to working in watercolor soon, so that might be my next review.  We shall see!

SMILE!

Sunset on Vacation: Stippling Technique

I like summer time.  I also love color.  So, in this piece I wanted to illustrate both in one.  Using the Pigma Micron pens, which are my new favorite.  As you can probably tell, this illustration is made almost entirely out of little tiny dots.  The only parts that have no dots is the coconut on the palm tree, and the yellow part of the sun.  I felt it was best to change up certain areas, more eye catching that way.  

Stippling is a technique that is intriguing to me because it takes time to place all your dots down, but it's pretty amazing that you can get a picture just out of little tiny dots!  

I'd like to thank those who clicked into this art blog.  I hope to give others ideas on their future art projects and to share my own projects to get myself comfortable with showing my work.  

Review: Pigma Micron Pens

These are my new favorite pens...!!  If you are an artist who enjoys using pens to sketch, dot, write, whichever... I suggest these babies. 

 

If you click on the above image, an enlarged image should pop up (thanks, blogger!) and you will see that each pen has a number on them.  (i.e. 01.. 05.. 08) I actually bought these pens not knowing anything about them.  Kind of silly on my part, but I was looking for pens to use for this project that I was going to start and these caught my eye sitting on the shelf in the art store.  

The numbers on the side of the pen coincides with the point of the pen.  In the first image to the left, these are the four numbers which I ended up getting. 

The line thickness doesn't seem like a huge difference (specifically with the 3 smaller ones), but if you're stippling, you will notice a difference right off the bat, which ends up working to your advantage because it'll help you create more dimension in the artwork.

These pens also do not smudge often on you.  If it ever does, this is when you run your hand over the mark AS SOON AS you make the mark and even if this happens, work it in to the piece.  One thing I noticed right away with these pens is that the colors are very vibrant and -so far- does not fade.  I'm working on a piece that will show you what I mean.  I'm thinking it'll be up within the week *fingers crossed*!

I bought these by the pen, but little did I know you can buy them buy pack (and cheaper, I'll add).  I only bought the colors that I needed, but if you find a package full of these pens, I recommend you get it. 

I'm sure if you do a little bit of hunting, you'll be able to find deals left and right.  If I find any, I'l be sure to link in this post.

Pigma Micron Pen Set - Multi Color
Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Set, 6-Pack, Black Ink

I'm almost finished working on a piece with just these pens, which I will post when I am finished.

UPDATE, here is the piece that is complete:
http://iamartsyfartsy.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunset-on-vacation-stippling-technique.html

If you are even more intrigued about these pens, here is the official website where you check read more about them: http://www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Archival 

Have you tried these pens already?  How do you like them?

Thank you for reading! (:

disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.  All opinions are my own. 

Project #6: Pink Cinderella's Castle

Hey guys! ( :  Hope everyone is doing great.

From project numero two, I mentioned making a set of drawings similar, yet each one different.  The next one in the set is a one color interpretation.

On bristol board, use a pink Pigma Micron 01 sketching pen.

Which style do you prefer better?  Feedback is appreciated.  Just leave me a comment, or tweet me @cindydesigns.

Again, thank you to those of you who has followed me on this blog!! I appreciate it. :] If anyone has an art, or some type of creative blog let me know.  I'd love to check it out.  Actually, any type of blog I would check out.  Seriously. :)

(2 weeks until the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 comes out on DVD!!)

Project #2, Cinderella's Castle.

Or rather an interpretation of it using a black and a blue sketching pen on bristol board.

hand drawn first, then used sketching pens to add detail. Click to enlarge.

I am planning on making a set of drawings like this one, except each one slightly different.  Cinderella and Disney are two things which those close to me will say I am a fan of.  A lot.  

This is more of a fantasy drawing of the castle.  In the original picture I took (in Disney World!) there was a lot of heads of people blocking the stage part.  So, I added cloud like shapes to add a bit of a fantasy flair to it.

What other ways would you make this your own? 

Try it!