Ode to a Pentel Brush Pen: The Next Chapter
Posted by trev | Filed under Odds & EndsBack in December of 2002, I wrote a post titled Ode to Pentel Brush Pen. It detailed my search for the ideal brush pen, an art tool that would enable me to work on my brush work as I was out and about. Out of all of the posts I’ve done for this sketch-blog, that one was by far the most popular, driving in the majority of traffic to this site, even to this day. While I definitely appreciate all of the traffic the post has generated, it should be noted that much of the content of that post is getting a bit out-of-date. To that end, I decided to write a sequel to that post to update some of the information about one of my favorite art tools.
What’s in a Name
First of all, there is an issue of nomenclature that I need to clarify. Since the time of the original post, the brush pen that I referred to as the “Pentel Brush Pen” has now become more commonly known as the “Pentel Pocket Brush Pen.” I am not sure when or how this happened, but I suspect it has something to do with how Pentel introduced their brush pen line into the United States.
At the original time of this post, it was difficult to find any Pentel Brush Pens here in the States. As the years went on, U.S. retailers like Dick Blick began carrying a product they referred to as the Pentel Color Brush Pen. While the Pentel Color Brush Pen had a very similar name to the Pentel Brush Pen, it was a somewhat different animal. First of all, as the name suggests, it was available in a number of colors other than black. Secondly, you had to squeeze the barrel to maintain the flow of ink to the brush. You can read my original thoughts on the Pentel Color Brush Pen here. It isn’t a bad pen, and it actually has one advantage over the Pentel Brush Pen — namely, better ink. Still, I have never really taken to these brush pens and I have seldom had the urge to pick one up over the years.
Fast forward to the present. At some point, I noticed that the Pentel Color Brush Pen was simply being called the Pentel Brush Pen. The brush pen that I waxed about in that earlier post was finally becoming much more readibly available here in the States, but it is now called the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen.
Confusing? You betcha. I apologize for any confusion (don’t blame me, blame Pentel). Anyhoo, just remember that when you read through my site (especially that earlier post) whenever I go on and on about the Pentel Brush Pen, I am really talking about the art tool that is being sold in the U.S. as the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen.
Come and Get ‘Em
As I mentioned earlier, the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen is not as difficult to find here in the States as they once were. I no longer have to put up with exchange rates and overseas shipping to indulge in my favorite brush pen. The big U.S. art retailer, Dick Blick now sells them. I also strongly recommend JetPens. Not only do they sell the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, they also sell a host of other cool brush pens (and pens of all kinds) they have imported from Japan and other places. Check ‘em out.
Avert Your Eyes
One of my biggest regrets about my original post is that I didn’t post better artwork to go along with it. The drawing I posted is a bit shaky, and if I had known how many eyeballs that post would get I probably would’ve never included it. Still, I am hesitant to take it down because this site is intended to be an online sketchbook of sorts, which means it includes the bad with the good. If you want to better examples of the brush pen in action, I recommend you check out some of the sketches in this link. Keep in mind I typically only use the Pentel Brush Pen for sketchbook type of work, so none of the drawings I post here using it are all that refined.
Tricked Out
One of my biggest complaints with the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen is with the ink — it just isn’t black enough for my tastes. Thanks to a suggestion in one of the comments, I have started filling old (and empty) ink cartridges with india ink. Despite some initial trepidation, it works like a charm! I haven’t noticed any clogging or other problems. It is a definite improvement over the ink that typically comes with the standard ink cartridges.
State of the Art (Tool)
So in the eight years since I wrote my original post, the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen has found a permanent place among my essential art tools. It is everything I wanted in a brush pen. When I’m out and about, it provides a simple, portable alternative to using a regular brush and ink. The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen is durable and maintains a nice shape for a long time. It can really take a beating.
The Pentel Pocket Brush Pen is not without its drawbacks, however. As good as it is, it just doesn’t compare to a real brush. The ink flow of the brush pen is adequate, but can’t keep up to really quick sketching. I have also had less than stellar results using the brush pen on toothier paper stocks. When I’ve worked on those kinds of stocks, I’ve needed to work really slowly to get acceptable results. On the flip side, I’ve gotten fantastic results whenever I use my brush pen with one of my Moleskine notebooks. The brush pen just glides over the surface of the Moleskine and makes it a real joy to use.
Another drawback of the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen is that it just doesn’t have the versatility of a real brush. With a sable brush, you can go messy, loading the brush up with too much ink and just slopping the stuff on paper. You can go for a dry brush look. You can dillute the ink to get a nice wash look. The Pentel can’t keep up in those regards.
With these drawbacks in mind, I still heartily endorse the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen. While it will never replace an actual brush, it really doesn’t have to. It provides a quick, compact, no-fuss method of getting a brush-like experience when I’m away from my drawing table. Give one a try.
Tags: pentel brush pen
Swap Meet
Posted by trev | Filed under Odds & Ends
Recently, I have been participating in an artist trading card group organized by the talented Kevin “Darkman” Ormsby. The way the group works is that we are given a theme and then must illustrate that theme (using whatever medium we choose) on a small card that’s a little larger than your average business card. The completed cards are collected and then redistributed at random. It’s all good wholesome American fun.
The image above is my contribution for the most current theme of “Red”. You can see all of the other contributions at our Flickr group.
Tags: artist trading cards, ATC, card, darkman, kevin ormsby, pantone marker, pentel brush pen, red
iPhone Geekery
Posted by trev | Filed under Odds & Ends
Over the past couple of years, I become more involved with the North Shore Web Geeks, a monthly meetup of web professionals from Boston’s North Shore and New Hampshire Seacoast. Last night’s meeting was a blast, despite the fact that powerful winds knocked out power in Newburyport later in the evening.
Considering the geeky vibe of the evening, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to do some sketching on my iPhone. I’ve been messing around with the wonderful drawing app, Brushes, for a little while now. It’s a great app capable of some incredible things, but it’s taking me a little while to get the hang of drawing on it. The drawings above are of three of the panel members for the evening’s Great CMS Debate: John Eckman (Optaros) , Jay Batson (Acquia) and Marc Amos (Boston Web Studio). I wasn’t able to get any drawings of the panelist’s fourth member, Tom Herer (Atom Group). I am sure Tom’s broken up that he didn’t get the same crudely drawn immortalization as his panel mates.
These are quick (two to three minute) drawings and are admittedly pretty rough. Drawing on the iPhone takes a bit of getting use to, and I haven’t quite gotten the hang of it yet. For some reason, I am totally incapable of drawing effectively on the iPhone with my finger. A little digging on the internet pointed me in the direction of the Pogo Sketch Stylus. The Pogo does it’s job, but it’s still miles away from drawing with a real pencil or pen. The other obstacle with drawing on the iPhone is the size. The drawing area is even smaller than a small Moleskine. While the app lets you zoom in and out, I still find it difficult to work at the iPhone size.
Despite these limitations, drawing on the iPhone is really fun. As I get use to the app, I have just been doing a lot of line drawings (with a little tone). As I get more acclimated to it, I hope to explore more of the app’s painting capabilities.
If you get Brushes for your iPhone, I highly recommend you download Brushes Viewer, the free desktop companion. Brushes Viewer allows you to view the raw Brushes files. From these, you can create a video of the drawing in progress, or you can export the drawings themselves at higher resolutions.
Tags: app, brushes, iphone, North Shore Web Geek, NSWG, pogo sketch stylus
Brick & Sand
Posted by trev | Filed under Odds & Ends, Photography
Introducing Brick & Sand: Life in Newburyport, Massachusetts, a new book of photography I self-published. For years, I have been taking photos in and around this scenic little city, trying to capture what makes this seaport such a popular tourist destination. This book collects some of my favorite shots, showing off Newburyport’s unique charm in a different light. To learn more or to order a copy, check out the book’s website.
Tags: book, brick & sand, newburyport, Photography
Favorite Songs of 2009
Posted by trev | Filed under Odds & EndsIt’s that time again to take a look back at some of my favorite songs that were released this year. As I get older, it gets harder and harder to keep up on the latest tunes. As a result, it sometimes takes a little while to get to the good stuff. For example, two of my favorite songs I discovered this year, were actually released last year. Those songs (The Twist by Frightened Rabbit and Take Off Your Sunglasses by Ezra Furman and the Harpoons) are not on this list, but deserve a shout out.
So, Without further ado, here is the list (in no particular order).
Little Bribes by Death Cab for Cutie
This song features some of my favorite lyrics of the year, including the line “Then we kissed like lonely people do,” which I find so wistfully hopeful.
This Tornado Loves You by Neko Case
Neko Case’s Middle Cyclone is one of my favorite albums of the year, packed with so many songs that could have made this list. This song edges them out simply because I dig how you are never quite sure whether she’s singing about an actual tornado or just using it as a metaphor for a real train wreck of a relationship.
Daylight by Matt & Kim
As soon as that piano riff kicks in, there is simply no holding this bouncy song down. Just try. I dare you.
The Rake’s Song by The Decemberists
Hats off to the Decemberists for making a song about a guy killing his kids such a toe tapper. I love the way the music builds as the story slowly unfolds.
You Are the Blood by Sufjan Stevens
This cover is a shambling mess that goes all over the place. And you know what? It works. We need more music from Sufjan Stevens in 2010.
January Wedding by The Avett Brothers
This is such a sweet and simple song, from an album filled with sweet and simple songs.
Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
For some reason, I get a real Ennio Morricone vibe from this track. Combine that with the genuine sense of affection that just drips from the two singers and I am hooked.
Lenin by The Arcade Fire
Another song from the Dark Was the Night compliation. Benefit albums are just not meant to be so good, but this one breaks the mold. This track finds the Arcade Fire doing their thing, and doing it well.
Someday by Tegan & Sara
When Tegan and Sara are on their game, they craft pop songs that camp out in your brain and stay there for an extended visit. They are on their game with this one.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Slow Doomsday by Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Now We Can See by The Thermals, Plane Crash by Liam Finn & Eliza Jane, Heaven Can Wait by Charlotte Gainsbourg (with Beck), Coast of Carolina by Telekinesis, Sunlight by Tune-Yards, Northern Lights by Bowerbirds, Lisztomania by Phoenix and Everyday by Veitver
Tags: avett brothers, best of 2009, death cab for cutie, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, liam finn, matt & kim, music, neko case, songs, sufjan stevens, tergan & sara, the arcade fire, the decemberists
