Is the Inkers inking pen of choice the Crow Quill #102?

[KAK]

Hey Mike, got a quick inking question, I know we talked about tools in Chicago, and I know I wrote it down somewhere, but it's not here Sooooooo..... I'm ready to give my inks a go again, and I'm looking to use quill and brush instead of my rapidographs, I believe the Crow Quill #102 is the standard, am I right, wrong, what do you use? Thanks!!! And anyone elses two cents is appreciated.

[Michael Lark]

I have a bit more than two cents on that, Keith. More like 200 dollars.

There IS no "standard" about what tools you should use. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. What's important is that you use a tool that feels like an extension of your own hand, something you feel comfortable using. Experiment with different types of tools and papers until you find the one(s) that feel good to you.

Personally, I don't like quills, for a couple of reasons. First, I like to draw in different directions - I hate having to think about pulling the pen all the time - and I usually end up with the nib snagging on the paper and making a mess. Second, I hate dipping and cleaning. I like to just draw. So I can't help you there.

And no doubt someone, somewhere, has told you that you need to get a Windsor Newton Series 7 brush. Well, if you try those, and you like them, fine. But there are lots of other brushes out there that might feel more comfortable to you. For me, the series 7 made me paranoid becuase they were so expensive. When I use a real brush, I use cheap synthetic ones so I don't have to worry so much about wearing them out (which I do, quickly!).

There's a thread on my forum from a few months ago about what tools I use, if you want to go back and check them out. I highly recommend looking up any websites that sell brushes and pens for the calligraphy and asian markets - they seem to offer a lot more variety than any american retailers offer. Kinokuniya is a great source to start with. Though I think you'll have to call them to get a catalogue, because I can't fine one on-line.

[KAK]

Thanks Mike, gonna be heading to the art shop tomorrow, on a budget of $50,(maybe more, hopefully less) but just going try out different things then, and yeah a ton of peeps mentioned the WN S7, good to know cheap works just fine, I checked the board too about:

There's a thread on my forum from a few months ago about what tools I use, if you want to go back and check them out.

couldn't find it( unless you meant the Pentel thread), show me the way people! And good stuff with the Paul Rivoche blog!

[Michael Lark]

Here's the thread. (http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=28482) I finally answered the question in post #14. The links should all still be good, too.

You're going to find a lot more variety on-line than you will in a store. At least that's been my experience. Unless, like I said, you're going to a store that specializes in brushes and pens for the Asian market.

[Michael Lark]

So, keith, any luck?

[Kody]

There IS no "standard" about what tools you should use. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. What's important is that you use a tool that feels like an extension of your own hand, something you feel comfortable using.

Very well put.

For years, I struggled trying to use the tools I was told the 'pros' used (like the 102 quill). But when I started actually meeting pros at conventions, I was amazed to hear that there was a huge variety of popular tools being used for all sorts of effects. A million different pens, brushes, markers, microns, Rapidographs, speedballs, etc. And each of those tools were used to create a million different effects I would have sworn was impossible.