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Writing is an art just like drawing, painting, or singing. Even for the avid artist and writer or casual doodler during classes, having a good pen makes all the difference. Not all pens are built the same; each comes with its own pros and cons.
As an artist and writer, I have had my fair share of pens and have compiled a list of the ones that I like best so that you don’t have to!
For tiny hand writers (added bonus points for lefties): Uni Ballpoint Pen Jetstream (0.5mm)
I am notorious for small handwriting, and these pens are my enablers. That said, I can squeeze so much on a page while still being neat about it. Also, being left-handed, I am used to having the side of my left hand getting covered in ink and all of my words smeared on the page. This pen is a god sent for all lefties because your writing stays intact and your hand stays free from ink.
Best for both doodles and notes: Muji Gel Ink Ball Point pen
This pen from Muji is another pen that is also great for lefties and tiny writers, but not so much for note-taking because it smudges when highlighted. The beauty of this pen is its ability smoothly glide onto paper. Because this pen writes so smoothly and comes in super delicate sizes, it is great for detailing art pieces. I use this pen in marker drawings for finishing-touch additions.
Best for outlining and Art: Sakura Pigma Micron pens
Every artist uses this pen, and it is hard to find an artist who does not use these pens frequently. These pens are such high quality for all purposes, but because of their price point and great quality, I usually just use these for artistic purposes. This pen comes in many different line weights, colors, and doesn’t smear or bleed through paper. This pen is the unicorn of all pens because it has it all.
Best for large art pieces with shading: Bic Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pen
To me, this is the most underrated pen of them all. It is great for a few reasons: 1. It’s a trusty pen that gets the job done, 2. It seems to last a while, and 3. It is cheap- you can most likely get them free from any hotel or business. These are my go-to pens for quick note-taking and serious art. When using this pen for art, I mainly use it for pieces that require shading because you have great control over how much pressure you apply. With this pen, it is all about how good the artist is, not about the quality of the tool.
Best white pen: Sakura Gelly Roll
A good pen review would be incomplete without a review on white pens! This pen is a lifesaver when it comes to writing on top of dark-colored paper. It is the best white pen I have used so far, and all of the other colors in this collection are just as vibrant.
There are so many great writing tools out there to take your art and journaling to the next level. It is all about trial and error when finding a pen that you love! No matter what pen you use, remember to write with a purpose and keep creating!