Search the Community

Hello! I've been a lurker on this forum for about a month, but I finally decided to register about an hour ago. It looks like a great forum, and I hope to be an active participant in the discussions around here! I'm relatively new to pens and everything lettering related, so my knowledge about these topics are still a deep shade of green. I had a few burning questions I wanted to ask before I really start to sink my teeth into learning about the wonderful world of lettering and calligraphy. And also some questions about long-term replacements for some pens and material (so that I won't have to buy cartridges and disposables all the time). I currently own a Pilot Parallel 1.5mm (which I plan on buying a converter for), and a set of fine line "Artists Loft" felt-tipped pens (previously had used Prismacolors and played with a few Microns). I also have a Pentel medium-sized waterbrush that I had filled with ink, but I got rid of the ink and am using it as a watercolor brush now (I found that it was a bit too big for what I intended to use it for). But anyways, below are my ideas of what I plan on buying, and the questions. Any suggestions on anything is welcome! For my graphics and everyday sketching, I'm looking for: A refillable (or dip?) brush-tipped pen (something well suited for brush-script and regular sketch-y use) (Just something basic that can be refilled with ink so I don't need to keep ordering cartridges, which could get pricey. I was considering buying a finer tipped waterbrush, and filling it with ink- like I had done with my medium sized waterbrush, but I'm not sure if it would be ideal) Refillable pen with tip like that of a Micron (preferably in different sizes if available?) (I have not found anything really like this yet. I'm also not adverse to a metal tip if there are any good ones out there. Essentially, I'm looking for a more long-term, refillable option that produces lines close to that of the Microns). A refillable, "regular-use" fountain pen for general sketching (I was heavily considering the Pilot Penmanship Fountain Pen, but I'm wondering if there are better options out there that I'm not aware of) I had been using Higgins Black Magic ink in the waterbrush- which from what I had heard, isn't very good? I heard great things about Noodler's ink, so I'd probably be refilling any refillable pens (unless a different ink must be used for a particular pen) with that. I'm also not against using converters or converting a pen to an "eyedropper pen". And the list for my Copperplate endeavor (I'll probably be dabbling in some other hands as well): Nibs: *Zebra G Nib *Brause 66EF Nib *Hiro Crown Nib *Leonardt Principal EF Nib (I'll probably get a few other nibs to try out as well) (I'm left-handed, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. From I've read from a few sources, I might need a different kind of nib that is more suited for left-handers. Is that true?) Ink: *Moon Palace Sumi Ink (or use up the existing Higgins Black Magic that I have?) Holder: Speedball or other basic holder (Would I need an oblique?) Sorry for such a big, honking, loaded mix of questions! I'm just looking for some advice to make sure I'm going in the right direction (if I'm getting too ahead of myself, if this is way too much gear to start with or have, etc). I also don't want to buy garbage or use something that is less than ideal, that would make me develop bad habits, etc... which is why I came here to ask for some guidance. I am open to any and all suggestions with all of this stuff I mentioned, and any response, tips, feedback, or advice would be greatly appreciated (heck, I appreciate anyone who actually read all of this)! And again, I'm sorry about so many questions! -Atmos