Art Supplies: my favorite pens ~ Emily B Creates

I am a COLOR LOVER at heart, but adding black and white details into the final stages of my art journal pages really makes everything POP! There are SO MANY options out there for pens. Some pens work great on certain paper textures and on top of paint and some DON'T. Its all about experimenting with your own tools to find out what works for you, but here's a list of my favorites and the ones I grab time after time. I have given a short description of the pen, how I use it and an example in my own art work below!

1 and 2 . WHITE and BLACK SHARPIE PAINT MARKER - oil based.
This marker has GREAT coverage. When I want to fill in letters or go over paint that I don't want to show through this is what I use. It's bold and thick - not great for fine details, but rather for filling in bigger spaces. It also will not come off if I use other water or paints around it because it is OIL BASED. These also come in a variety of colors and sizes of tips!

3. KURETAKE BRUSH PEN
This is a newer pen in my kit of tools, and I use it a lot less for writing and more for big drips, drops and splatters and the occasional scripty font. I also love it for doodling loose florals/botanicals. It has a brush tip, so it definitely feels more like using a brush than a pen. The pigments inside are actually ink, so it too will not bleed when water is used around it.... after its dry of course!

4 and 6. GOOD OLE BLACK SHARPIE - Fine point and Ultra fine point
I'm lumping these two together. A classic basic. The Sharpie. Typically gives good coverage over paints and different papers. Great for doodles! They even make a Sharpie pen with a wide tip on one side and a FINE tip on the other! two in one! heck yes!

5. MICRO LINE FINE LINER PEN
Ok - so ask almost any long time artist and they are going to be familiar with a fine liner pen called a MICRON. They are amazing for tiny small details. My husband got me the MICRO LINE pens for Christmas and they are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the name brand MICRONS and work just as well if not better! These are my GO TO pen for outlining my drawings and letters!

6. See number 4 - Sharpies!

7. SAKURA WHITE JELLY ROLL PEN
I love this little white pen. I use this one for those small little white highlights and accents. Its a fun one to use. It comes in lots of colors and metallics too! TWO TIPS for you... pressing lightly on the paper gets this pen to roll best. If you're having trouble getting ink to come out of the pen, roll it on the back of your hand til it starts flowing again! Best hack ever! ha!