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Coloring Beaded Turnings (artist pens)

William Rogers

William Rogers

Joined
Mar 19, 2016
Messages
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Location
Haubstadt, Indiana
I like doing turnings with beaded basket weave illusion. I use the Pitt Artist pens for adding color, however I only know of three colors with an assortment of tips. Are there colored artist pens available. I have only found a gel type, not archival ink. What are other choices. I’m guessing it could be done with a brush and dye, but that would seem to be somewhat hard.
 
I colored in a number of fine detailed Celtic line drawings burned with a laser. I found acrylic fine tipped pens at the art supply store. Very easy to use since the acrylic doesn't bleed across the burn lines.

Unfortunately I couldn't find any pictures. Couldn't find the pens either, the grandkids probably got their hands on them.
 
Faber Castell India ink pens come in many colors and many different tips. They are what I use for basket illusion. I also buy India ink in small bottles with the eye dropper and refill them.
 
When you think of coloring you should keep in mind the colorfastness of what you are using. Years ago I did a test of a number of dyes and a few color pens as to their colorfastness. Now that was a few years ago and I have no idea if companies upgraded their products but a couple products mentioned here failed that test. I'm including the article.
 

Attachments

Good information Bill. I use Chestnut spirit stains so I’m glad they don’t appear to fade. Applied with a tiny brush they’re probably the most economical. The only problem would be mixing up the exact colours required.
 
@Bill Blasic I do remember your article and I only use transient and chestnut stain dyes. I am guessing that India ink or archival ink would hold up well also. I have been using the Pitt Artist pens black, sepia, and sanguine that come in a pack of 4 with 4 different nibs ranging from very small to medium tip sizes. The small ones are ideal for doing the sides of the beads where you don’t affect the bead above or below. I have found the small tips in colors, but not matching medium tips. However the wood does take a toll on the small nibs and wouldn’t last long doing the entire bead with a small nib pen. Right now for me, it looks like using India ink with a small brush like @Bill Alston does with the dyes. I could mix the dyes for color, but feel getting colored ink is the best option. I was hoping there may be other brands comparable to the Pitt that offer similar nib sizes in other colors, but haven’t found such colors.
 
William Rogers said:
I like doing turnings with beaded basket weave illusion. I use the Pitt Artist pens for adding color, however I only know of three colors with an assortment of tips. Are there colored artist pens available. I have only found a gel type, not archival ink. What are other choices. I’m guessing it could be done with a brush and dye, but that would seem to be somewhat hard.
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I have recently "discovered" and started using the Posca brand paint markers with great results. They are lightfast acrylics available in 70 colors and numerous brush sizes and shapes. Even the lighter colors cover quite well. Dick Blick, Amazon, others and our local Michaels Craft Store carry them.
 
William Rogers said:
I like doing turnings with beaded basket weave illusion. I use the Pitt Artist pens for adding color, however I only know of three colors with an assortment of tips. Are there colored artist pens available. I have only found a gel type, not archival ink. What are other choices. I’m guessing it could be done with a brush and dye, but that would seem to be somewhat hard.
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I got my Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens from Blick Art Supply (dickblick.com). They were recommended by Michael Earley at a symposium in NC last year where he demoed the basket weave process. (Check out https://www.michaelearleyart.com/ !)
 
William Rogers said:
I like doing turnings with beaded basket weave illusion. I use the Pitt Artist pens for adding color, however I only know of three colors with an assortment of tips. Are there colored artist pens available. I have only found a gel type, not archival ink. What are other choices. I’m guessing it could be done with a brush and dye, but that would seem to be somewh
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HI WIlliam - I found that Faber-Castel discontinued their Super FIne 0.3 tip size several years ago - I posted about it last fall on the forum when I found out that they completely stopped manufacturing it. The "S" 0.3 tip was the tip size I used to get all the way down between the beads and complete all the detail work. I bought a bunch of the colors from places that still had inventory on that size tip but now I can not find that size pen anywhere. I have tried some of the other size tips (like the .05 & .07) from Faber-Castel but the points seem too thick. Since I currently have some back up of the "S" 0.3 pens on hand, I have not spent too much time to look or try other pen brands - although the Micron brand might be an option. for future work.
 
David Croxton said:
HI WIlliam - I found that Faber-Castel discontinued their Super FIne 0.3 tip size several years ago - I posted about it last fall on the forum when I found out that they completely stopped manufacturing it. The "S" 0.3 tip was the tip size I used to get all the way down between the beads and complete all the detail work. I bought a bunch of the colors from places that still had inventory on that size tip but now I can not find that size pen anywhere. I have tried some of the other size tips (like the .05 & .07) from Faber-Castel but the points seem too thick. Since I currently have some back up of the "S" 0.3 pens on hand, I have not spent too much time to look or try other pen brands - although the Micron brand might be an option. for future work.
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You can refil them. I have been refilling mine.
 
Lots of possibilities. However, I think many people are overlooking some things: (Note I am not a shill for Faber-Castel. It is just that their pens seem to be the best overall choice.)
1. Tips with a diameter of 0.3mm or less are pretty much required for basket weave illusion pieces with 1/8" beads. And even then, it is almost impossible to avoid accidently marking adjacent "pixels" with the wrong color. There are very few pens of different colors available with such fine tips. The Faber-Castel pens come in the widest color assortment.
2. True "basket" weave illusion patterns, inspired by Native American baskets, come in a very limited assortment of colors: black, sepia, and sanguine (for Faber-Castel). Faber-Castel and Dick Blick allow you to buy individual pens, as well as collections. It seems that many of the other brands sell only collections. (I have not investigated this rigorously, so don't burn me at the stake.) I don't want to buy a bunch of pens I will never use.
3. Most "artist pens" are intended for use on paper, with a relatively smooth surface. The pen tips in Faber-Castel Artist pens do not last forever, especially if they are used on wood pieces with changing grain patterns and direction. For example, a Basket Weave Illusion platter will have some relatively smooth, side grain areas and some relatively rough, end grain areas. My experience has been that a "brush" tip gets rounded over and blunted much faster than I would like. The F, S, And X tips, which you need for the finest lines, stay "sharp" for only several square inches of beads or so. (I try not to press hard.) Who has experience with the durability of pens from other makers?

I hope I have not offended anyone with these comments. They are given in the true "forum" spirit of healthy discussion. Maybe someone else will produce information about other pen brands which will work better.
 
Todd Williams said:
Lots of possibilities. However, I think many people are overlooking some things: (Note I am not a shill for Faber-Castel. It is just that their pens seem to be the best overall choice.)
1. Tips with a diameter of 0.3mm or less are pretty much required for basket weave illusion pieces with 1/8" beads. And even then, it is almost impossible to avoid accidently marking adjacent "pixels" with the wrong color. There are very few pens of different colors available with such fine tips. The Faber-Castel pens come in the widest color assortment.
2. True "basket" weave illusion patterns, inspired by Native American baskets, come in a very limited assortment of colors: black, sepia, and sanguine (for Faber-Castel). Faber-Castel and Dick Blick allow you to buy individual pens, as well as collections. It seems that many of the other brands sell only collections. (I have not investigated this rigorously, so don't burn me at the stake.) I don't want to buy a bunch of pens I will never use.
3. Most "artist pens" are intended for use on paper, with a relatively smooth surface. The pen tips in Faber-Castel Artist pens do not last forever, especially if they are used on wood pieces with changing grain patterns and direction. For example, a Basket Weave Illusion platter will have some relatively smooth, side grain areas and some relatively rough, end grain areas. My experience has been that a "brush" tip gets rounded over and blunted much faster than I would like. The F, S, And X tips, which you need for the finest lines, stay "sharp" for only several square inches of beads or so. (I try not to press hard.) Who has experience with the durability of pens from other makers?

I hope I have not offended anyone with these comments. They are given in the true "forum" spirit of healthy discussion. Maybe someone else will produce information about other pen brands which will work better.
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Todd, just a mention on Faber Castell pens. The brush tip, which I use 90% of the time does go blunt. You can use tweezers to pull the tip out and reverse it. There is a brand new tip on the other end. This does extend the life of it.
 
Todd Williams said:
Lots of possibilities. However, I think many people are overlooking some things: (Note I am not a shill for Faber-Castel. It is just that their pens seem to be the best overall choice.)
1. Tips with a diameter of 0.3mm or less are pretty much required for basket weave illusion pieces with 1/8" beads. And even then, it is almost impossible to avoid accidently marking adjacent "pixels" with the wrong color. There are very few pens of different colors available with such fine tips. The Faber-Castel pens come in the widest color assortment.
2. True "basket" weave illusion patterns, inspired by Native American baskets, come in a very limited assortment of colors: black, sepia, and sanguine (for Faber-Castel). Faber-Castel and Dick Blick allow you to buy individual pens, as well as collections. It seems that many of the other brands sell only collections. (I have not investigated this rigorously, so don't burn me at the stake.) I don't want to buy a bunch of pens I will never use.
3. Most "artist pens" are intended for use on paper, with a relatively smooth surface. The pen tips in Faber-Castel Artist pens do not last forever, especially if they are used on wood pieces with changing grain patterns and direction. For example, a Basket Weave Illusion platter will have some relatively smooth, side grain areas and some relatively rough, end grain areas. My experience has been that a "brush" tip gets rounded over and blunted much faster than I would like. The F, S, And X tips, which you need for the finest lines, stay "sharp" for only several square inches of beads or so. (I try not to press hard.) Who has experience with the durability of pens from other makers?

I hope I have not offended anyone with these comments. They are given in the true "forum" spirit of healthy discussion. Maybe someone else will produce information about other pen brands which will work better.
Click to expand...
Todd, I've not tried the FB pens, but the Copic markers with superfine nibs meet all your criteria.

1. I've not measured the superfine nibs, but when a spear point is sanded into the nib it will reach into the valley between beads easily. These tips can be bought separately for the Copic classic markers. I'm still using my original markers, but replace nibs as needed. Refills are also available for all colors.

2. Copic markers are available individually. I use "Dark Bark" and " Burnt Sienna" for black and red respectively. I don't know how many colors they have, but there are dozens. Dick Blick sells them individually along with refills if, or as needed. My local Dick Blick outlet also keeps these in stock if you are lucky enough to have a store near you. The one thing Dick Blick doesn't stick is the Super Fine nibs. They are available at many other online retailers.

3. I probably don't replace tips as often as I should, but it is not unusual to use only a single nib for a 10" or so basket.

The Copic classic come with a fine point and a wide "brush". You need to replace the fine point with the Super Fine nib. Many Copic markers can not use replaceable tips, you need the "Classic" markers. The wide tip comes in very handy. If there is a long row of a single color, I use the superfine nib to color the valleys and then flip the marker and use the wide tip to color the tops of the beads.
 
BTW, there are many threads on Markers/pens for Basket Illusion. Back when I started basket illusions, I followed @Bill Boehme example with the Copic pens. After several years making basket illusions, I've not found a reason to switch from the Copic Classic. At the bottom of this thread Bill provided several links to discussions on pens.

What brand of ink pen is a viable alternative for basket illusion work?

I have been using Faber-Castell Pitt pens exclusively since I began doing basket illusion. I just found out today that Faber-Castel has made the decision to discontinue the Super fine 0.3 nib pen that I use to do all the detail color work. Once they sell out of the existing inventory the ""S"...
www.aawforum.org www.aawforum.org
 
I admit I didn't do a search. I had forgotten about the Copic brand pens. I found some on Amazon and ordered them. I did try with India ink and a brush. Doable, but a pain and pens are the way to go. I’ll use the ink as a dye when I am dying small areas.
 
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