[Disclosure: I received the product mentioned in this article at no charge in exchange for writing a product review.]
This set of six pigment liner Sketch Pens is great for writing, sketching, and drawing and works well for accenting watercolors and acrylic wash pieces, too. The ink is a rich, dense black. The range of point sizes gives you choices between delicate, medium, and bold line weights as you work. The release of ink is consistent and flows beautifully.
PACKAGING
The Staedtler pigment liner pens come in a durable clear plastic case that's great for traveling and storage. Another big plus is that the patented case props up like an easel, making it handy to use.
INK
The pigment ink is opaque, providing a crisp and deeply black line with no skipping or scratchy lines. I found the pens a dream to use because their release of ink was smooth and consistent.
The ink is archival and lightfast, which means it will not fade, feather, or degrade over the years.
The ink is waterproof and smudgeproof if you let the lines dry for a few seconds before touching or moistening. The ink is marker solvent-proof too. However, on less absorbent paper I found the ink was not fully waterproof, and bled a bit on the sides of the lines.
PEN TIPS
The six pen tip widths are 0.05mm, 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.8mm.
This range covers the needs of most artists who work in ink line, offering delicate thin lines for details, textures, and foundation lines to bold lines for accenting, reinforcing, and emphasis.
The long metal tips are ideal for use against rulers and templates. I find that the longer pen tips provide better flow of movement across a surface, as well.
The pen tips are more durable than most other brands I have tried.
THE PIGMENT LINER PENS OFFER A VARIETY OF LINE WIDTHS FOR OUTLINES AND DETAILS. LONGER TIPS WORK WELL WITH CIRCLE TEMPLATES AND RULERS.
PRODUCT QUALITY
The pens are airplane safe because automatic pressure equalization prevents pen leakage while aboard aircraft.
The line widths are clearly marked on the caps and also on the barrels so there's no worry about mismatching.
LINEWORK OVER WATERCOLOR WASH WITH WHITE GEL PEN ACCENTS.
The pens can be left uncapped for up to 18 hours without drying up so the artist can use them spontaneously without the interruptions of capping and uncapping as he or she switches widths.
The pens are comfortable to grip with silky smooth barrels.
PRICE
The pens sets are usually sold for between $12.00 to $15.00. This is true value for a set of six superb quality pens.
I highly recommend this set for any artist who uses pen line as its own statement or in mixed media works with watercolor, acrylics, ink washes, and more.
Giveaway: Staedtler Six-Pen Set to One Lucky Winner!
NOTE: CONTEST IS CLOSED
I have one set of pigment liner Sketch Pens to give away courtesy of Staedtler. Just fill out this entry form, and I'll randomly choose one winner. Giveaway Contest Rules: Eligible only for residents of the U.S.A. or Canada. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PDT, December 13, 2016. Winners will be drawn at random from those who comment below and notified by email promptly thereafter. If winner doesn't respond by December 16, 2016 prize will be awarded to an alternate person at my discretion.
Note: You must use this entry form to enter the Giveaway. If you are already on the For Color Lovers email list I'll make sure you don't get double emails in the future.
©Marjorie Sarnat. All Rights Reserved.