FPN's PEN ART GALLERY

[GemMayhem]

... Snip .....

As for Konrad, I generally like it.

.....snip......

 

Thanks for sharing your impressions of the Konrad and the very cool example using it!

 

My experience with the Konrad has been similar. I have been using a Kuretake No.13 (nylon bristles) fitted with a Platinum converter and usually inked with Platinum Carbon or Sailor nano ulta black. It's been a great pen (and one that often prompts friends to ask to try it :roflmho: ). I like its versatility and responsiveness going from superfine to very broad and snapping right back to superfine. I've been using the Kuretake daily for months and the brush shows no signs of wear.

 

Like many 'tool junkies', though, I was tempted by the piston fill and larger ink capacity of the Konrad and curious to try it. I like the feel of it in my hand and the filling process was as smooth as can be. But my first impression when I put it to paper was that the brush felt 'wimpy' - a little too long and too thin. The more I used it, though, the more accustomed I became to it and overall I like it. Lots of its features are winners. You're right, cleaning is a breeze and definitely easier than cleaning 'water brushes'.

 

One of my favourite features of Noodler's pens is the encouragement and ease to tinker with the pens and individualize them. So I originally was thinking that my next step could be to take out the stock brush tip and replace it with either a thicker, shorter Noodler's replacement brush (assuming I can get my hands on one soon) or cannibalize an old brush to create the behaviour I'd prefer. But hmmmm :hmm1: this felt a little silly.

Here's an example of using Konrad with J.H. Gris Nuage to fill in the grays:

... Snip awesome example ...

( First thought: "Ah, another gray for me to try!!" :roflmho: )Your excellent example confirms what I have decided to do. Thanks!! My 'mistake' was in thinking the Konrad could be a substitute for my Kuretake, but why would I want to substitute a pen I love? Now I view the Konrad more as a complement. I fill the Konrad with the gray and I continue using my Kuretake as my primary black drawing brush and use the Konrad for washes. Viola! It's a win! (but I still reserved the right to tinker with the Konrad :roflmho: )

 

Hope this helped. Happy holidays!

Thanks, it is very helpful and much appreciated! And very happy holidays to you as well!

 

All the Best,

Gem

[GemMayhem]

Thanks, Gem. I tend to concentrate on the likeness during the first song, then do the figure in the second, then possibly background in the third. It depends how much they move around!

This sounds like a really fun way to enjoy the music and capture the performers. I usually am glued to my camera during shows, but you've encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and bring pad and pen instead. Thanks!

 

Fellow FPN member Tom Lynch recently posted some concert sketches that have the same effect. Great stuff!

 

Pictogramax, your review of the ahab is the best on the net. I've been looking for information about nib width, which you hit right on the head (It looks too thick for me). You give the perfect information in your reviews. Great drawing, too.

I agree!! Great review!

 

Thanks, all, for sharing and for being such an inspiration!

 

All the Best,

Gem

[GemMayhem]

Oh, and Gem, happy birthday!

Thank you very much!!! It's been a fabulous day!

[TheOldMagic]

you've encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and bring pad and pen instead. Thanks!

 

Fellow FPN member Tom Lynch recently posted some concert sketches that have the same effect. Great stuff!

Open mics are a brilliant way to get different models and poses all evening to draw. I'd definitely encourage you to give it a go; I've found people react very positively. Some weeks I've been to three different venues. It's a ready made life class, as the performers are there to be observed.

 

Those rainbow pencil drawings look interesting. Thanks for the link. I think I've seen a video of Quentin Blake drawing with one.

Edited December 23, 2011 by TheOldMagic

[pictogramax]

TheOldMagic,

thank you for your comments and samples of your work. It's a difficult task to sketch those that never stand still, but you managed to catch different characters really well. It's a great practice, working as you described it. Do post more, please.

 

Gem,

I see our experiences with Konrad are similar, the only difference being I bought mine for the purpose of applying washes over my line work. The tip proved somewhat inferior to other pocket brushes, but piston filling is a treat. BTW, went to check what Kuretake No. 13 is and it looks very appealing:-) Ever tried Pentel Pocket brush? If so, how they compare? Or better yet, any samples with your No. 13 to show?

 

I just wanted to warn you about Gris Nuage, before you eventually order it based on my posted sample. That picture is "lifted" a bit in Photoshop after scanning and is a bit more blue in tone than the original. The actual color of Gris Nuage has a (very) faint purplish tinge, pleasant, but not "middle-of-the-road" gray. And it's somewhat darker on paper than I thought it would be after Goulet sample swatch. I made three sketches on purpose yesterday to try and match them as faithfully as I can on my screen. Will post them later as a part of my "Konrad the wash machine" review.

 

Not that I don't recommend Gris Nuage, just wanted to signal the difference.

[TMLee]

Awesome ..... :clap1:

 

Keep posting

[TheOldMagic]

A few more; After Christmas I'll be trying out some Noodler's black so I can add some washes on top.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss348/01926-VNB/Scan83c.jpg

 

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss348/01926-VNB/Scan84.jpg

 

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss348/01926-VNB/fol-k2.jpg

 

And other sketchbook pages with the Safari; the first invented faces, the second drawn from a clothing brochure.

 

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss348/01926-VNB/Scan2-1.jpg

 

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss348/01926-VNB/Scan5-1.jpg

[pictogramax]

Thanks for the additional samples, TheOldMagic!

Good you included a link to your site in your images - I hopped over there and was impressed.

Your illustrations are great, you have beautiful painting technique and wonderful sense of color.

[wykpenguin]

Copied from the Clark scrapbook. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all FPNers.

[watch_art]

WOW that's pretty! Man I love browsing this thread.

[GemMayhem]

Copied from the Clark scrapbook. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all FPNers.

Absolutely gorgeous! Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!

[GemMayhem]

Thanks for the additional samples, TheOldMagic!

Good you included a link to your site in your images - I hopped over there and was impressed.

Your illustrations are great, you have beautiful painting technique and wonderful sense of color.

Indeed! I've just had a marvelous time laughing out loud over your marvelous caricatures. "Remarkable" - typical understatement. Myself, I'm enthusiastically waiting for Sir TheOldMagic. Thanks again for sharing!

[TheOldMagic]

Thanks for the interest in my work, and the kind words! I don't like to add my details to images, but have had my work reposted too often.

 

Copied from the Clark scrapbook. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all FPNers.

That's lovely and elegant; can I ask what that's done with? Is it a dip nib, or a flex fountain pen? (I would hazard a guess it's a dip, but would be very interested to know what pen it was if so. I'd like to find one with that kind of variation)

Edited December 24, 2011 by TheOldMagic

[pictogramax]

wykpenguin, I forgot to add how elegant your birds are. And I share the curiosity about the nib used:-)

 

And to everybody, a Merry Xmas! All the best!

 

http://www.pictogramax.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PICTOGRAMAX-NOEL-2011.jpg

[wykpenguin]

Thanks for the interest in my work, and the kind words! I don't like to add my details to images, but have had my work reposted too often.

 

Copied from the Clark scrapbook. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all FPNers.

That's lovely and elegant; can I ask what that's done with? Is it a dip nib, or a flex fountain pen? (I would hazard a guess it's a dip, but would be very interested to know what pen it was if so. I'd like to find one with that kind of variation)

 

Sorry to disappoint. It's a Hunt 101. I'd like to find a FP with that kind of variation too.

[kiavonne]

I love such beautiful bird flourishes. I am not an artist, but I've always wished I could design and draw a flourish that was "me" so to speak. Just remarkable!

 

I love browsing this thread, too.

[ObliquelyMe]

Thanks for the interest in my work, and the kind words! I don't like to add my details to images, but have had my work reposted too often.

 

Copied from the Clark scrapbook. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all FPNers.

That's lovely and elegant; can I ask what that's done with? Is it a dip nib, or a flex fountain pen? (I would hazard a guess it's a dip, but would be very interested to know what pen it was if so. I'd like to find one with that kind of variation)

 

Sorry to disappoint. It's a Hunt 101. I'd like to find a FP with that kind of variation too.

 

 

I have a vintage Waterman with a Super-Flex Nib (forget which model, I'll look it up) that I got from Mauricio at www.vintagepens.net. He has some beautiful flex pens that range from medium flex to super flex to wet noodle. They don't make pens with this kind of flex anymore. I love my pen!

[doodlesinink]

-----

some new spreads

 

I've been looking at this thread for some time now and I really admire your work. I actually found your blog before I found this thread and was amazed by the level of detail in your sketches. Imagine my surprise when I learned you also had a YouTube channel. Haha. I just subscribed to it before typing this. Keep up the good work!!

[nicnilla]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6435568465_5d1986ede4_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6424081677_44645f4675_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6388349259_67047e75bc_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6328096807_bc4ce7a0fd_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6548358265_0738cb2cba_b.jpg

some new spreads

 

 

Brilliant work!!!

 

Do you use ink in your pentel brush????

I have only ever used mine with water and picked up watercolour that way...

[nicnilla]

 

this is done with noodler's black ink and some bright pink watercolor.