
Over the past year I've gotten a lot of questions about recommended art supplies - so I thought I'd put them all together and do a little review.
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BRUSH + FINE TIP PENS
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• Copic - refillable brush pens // price: $$$ / quality: A / grade: BBRUSH + FINE TIP PENS
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copic refillable pen
Copic markers are notoriously expensive - about $40 for a set of only 12 color markers. The selection of Copics is fantastic - it's like multiple exploding spectrums! These markers are usually dual-tipped, fat on one side, thin on the other.
These markers are typically part of a traditional manga artists stable. They are delicate enough not to ruin thin ink lines and sturdy enough to cover large areas. I like the refillable aspect to it, but the refill costs really stack up.
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• Prismacolor // price: $ / quality: B+ / grade: A-
Prismacolor brush pens are pretty good for the money. They are cheap, have a slim feel in my hand, and have a crisp tip. The ink gets only about %80 black, however, so to be economical, you should fill in large black areas with a Sharpie. Tip doesn't fray too quickly.
Also available in some muted colors and gray tones.
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micron brush pens
• Micron // price: $$ / quality: B+ / grade: C
Microns aren't my first choice anymore for brush pens. I find with these, the tip frays faster than most and the ink resists on many surfaces.
Even the felt tips are so delicate, just a little bit of pressure can fold or break them. Available in a good selection of fun, bright colors, though.
Microns aren't my first choice anymore for brush pens. I find with these, the tip frays faster than most and the ink resists on many surfaces.
Even the felt tips are so delicate, just a little bit of pressure can fold or break them. Available in a good selection of fun, bright colors, though.
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le pens by marvy

• Le Pens by Marvy // price: $ / quality: A+ / grade: A+
These are fantastic - highly recommended. The colors are extremely saturated, the tip is sturdy with a delicate line and the slim body allows you to fit twice as many in a standard pencil case. The colors lay over each other very well.
Relatively inexpensive (about $1.35 ea) and last quite a long time. You guys get a STAR ★
These are fantastic - highly recommended. The colors are extremely saturated, the tip is sturdy with a delicate line and the slim body allows you to fit twice as many in a standard pencil case. The colors lay over each other very well.
Relatively inexpensive (about $1.35 ea) and last quite a long time. You guys get a STAR ★
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signo by mitsubishi


• Signo // price: $ / quality: D / grade: C-
These pens are fun only since whatever goo is inside basically glows like the sun. The ink quality is poor and the line is inconsistent. Not for artistic purposes.
And YES, Signo is made by the car company, Mitsubishi
Prismacolor fine-tipped pens are very heavy - the ink goes right through the paper for me. If you are working on Bristol board though, or another thick card stock, these are great. Dark, rich ink tone. My set comes with purple, burnt sienna, orange, and black.
These pens are fun only since whatever goo is inside basically glows like the sun. The ink quality is poor and the line is inconsistent. Not for artistic purposes.
And YES, Signo is made by the car company, Mitsubishi
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prismacolor
• Prismacolor // price: $$ / quality: A / grade: A-Prismacolor fine-tipped pens are very heavy - the ink goes right through the paper for me. If you are working on Bristol board though, or another thick card stock, these are great. Dark, rich ink tone. My set comes with purple, burnt sienna, orange, and black.