The best drawing pens can make the process more enjoyable if you love to draw but feel like it’s often a chore. A drawing reflects your personality and innermost thoughts, so why not make it pleasurable?
Choosing your pen by that style is essential if you have a preferred writing style, such as brush lettering or calligraphy. But if you prefer broader strokes to write in cursive, or precision points for drawing or coloring, then finding the right tip style matters.
Best Pen Wirecutter Choice
- Ballpoint Pen
- Water- and fade-resistant ink
- Quick-Drying ink
- Embossed grip and sleek stainless steel accents
- Smooth feeling
- slim, black color body
- Oil-based ballpoint
- Black, Blue, and Red color refills
- Double layer comfort grip
- Well Balanced gripping axis
- Turbo Charged Black ink
- Retractable and refillable
You’ll also want to choose between metal, brass, copper, or aluminum pens made with either ballpoint or gel ink. And if you want something that can incorporate doodling and painting into your journaling practice, finding the best journaling pen can be more daunting.
In this article, we’ve considered the ink quality, construction, color variation, and tip size to come up with a list of ten journal pens that are worth every dime.
Top Picks: 5 Best Drawing Pens
Top 10 Best Drawing Pens to Buy 2023
1. iBayam Journal Planner Pens
The iBayam journal planner pens are the best drawing pens you can buy for a journal, planner, calendar, agenda, notebook, writing, drawing, coloring, sketching, or signing. They are a striking balance of affordable price and superior quality, making them our first stop.
This set comprises 18 unique colors to choose the pens that fit your personality. The shades include Black, Blue, Red, Green, Brown, Orange, Purple, Pink, Yellow, Light Blue, Dark Blue, Light Green, Dark Green, Gray, Magenta, Turquoise, Light Gray, and Dark Gray. But you’ll fall for its 0.38 mm Fine Point, which is the thinnest tip you can find on a marker pen set.
IBayam Journal planner comprises a water-based and super-smooth ink for minimal bleed. Nor do they smudge when writing or journaling on a thin piece of paper. A clear vinyl zip-lock bag packages the pens into place, making them ideal for carrying around at school, home, or business premises.
Key Features:
Metal tips: These ultra-fine markers come with metal tips to offer excellent writing, drawing, and painting quality and are easy and convenient to use.
Design: So you can unleash your creativity and imagination. You will like this pen because it produces thick, expressive lines that are great for editing documents and drawing or doodling on any paper.
Technology: These pens feature “Point Guard” technology that protects the felt tip and water-based ink to prevent paper leakage.
Case: It comes in a plastic case with a zipper and is well packaged. You don’t have to worry about losing or misplacing them if you keep the set in my bag.
Pros:
- Variety and unique color variations
- Comfortable to hold
- No spills on the paper
- It comes with a plastic case
Cons:
- Some pens are difficult to open
2. Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens
The Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens contain soft and hard tips with water-based, pigmented black ink. Each pen consists of a flexible brush tip for various writing techniques, making them great for calligraphy and art drawings.
You can use medium strokes to create a bold message or fine strokes to create a soft writing style on your art projects or cards. The pens do not bleed through most papers and have good coverage of color. This set contains 2 pens: 1 hard-tipped pen (Fudenosuke Super) and 1 soft-tipped pen (Fudenosuke Soft).
The Fudenosuke Super-Brush Pen has a slightly harder tip for more precise lines. It is best for writing and drawing. The Fudenosuke Soft Brush Pen has a softer tip that gives you a nice, smooth line when writing or drawing. Plus, you’ll get to work with an ergonomic shape that makes it comfortable for long-time use.
Key Features:
Versatility: It is a versatile tool that can be used to create a variety of illustrations. Since they are water-based, they are easier to use without smudging or staining the paper. It has a unique design that focuses on the artist.
This pen is designed in a user-friendly and pocket-friendly way: The pen’s nib is made of felt, which allows you to control the precise movement of the pen.
Flexibility: With light pressure, you can apply finer strokes and stronger strokes with strong pressure.
It has both sift nibs and hard nibs: Soft nibs are recommended for beginners, as they allow you to understand calligraphic techniques through the pressure applied. On the other hand, a harder nib provides finer and smoother strokes in transition.
Pros:
- Hard and soft tip in one package
- Good quality
- Easy to use
- Reasonable price
- Waterproof
- Odorless
Cons:
- Can dry out if not used for a long time
3. Cricut Gold Multi Pen Set, Multicolor
The Cricut Gold markers are an absolute must-have for any Cricut user looking for a professional drawing pen. This package also consists of other colors such as blue, brown, red, and silver. So, you can use them individually or blend them to create your unique colors.
The rich and smooth ink glides smoothly over any surface, making this pen set a great embellishment for card making, scrapbooking, journal, planner, calendar, and notebook. But what’s even better, the package comes with 12 gold markers; ultra-fine, fine, medium, and broad points. Plus, there is an eraser on the top of the cap that you can use to erase any wrong line or paint.
Anything you write with these markers is permanent, so be careful not to make any mistakes when writing. After you have finished writing or coloring with one color, wait a few minutes before you start coloring with another shade to ensure that the ink completely dries.
Key Features:
Ease to use: Drawing becomes much easier with this pen set. Use the Design space to create beautiful drawings and attach them to paper or cardboard.
Versatility: You can use these bright colors to create various wonderful drawings.
It comes in a pack of 5: The set includes five water-based felt-tip pens in black, red, green, yellow, and blue.
Non-toxic, acid-free, and durable ink: They are non-toxic and acid-free, so your scrapbooking, drawing, or cardboard projects will last a long time and won’t fade. After 24 hours, the ink in the pens will be completely dry.
Pros:
- The colors are vivid
- It comes in a pack of 5
- User-friendly and safe
- It can be used by both adults and kids
- Durable and high-quality ink
Cons:
- A bit costly
4. Gel Pens, Tanmit Gel Pens Set for Adult
Having the right tools for the job can make all the difference. If you’re an artist or just someone who likes to have ink pens for drawing on the hand, then this Tanmit gel pens set is the best option for you.
Compared to other gel pens, these are a bit pricey. However, they come in 36 different colors for superior writing performance at an exceptional value. These colorful pens will allow you to draw, write, sketch or color anything your heart desires. Among the shades are 12 Glitters, 8 Metallic, 6 Neon, 6 Pastels, and 4 other classic colors.
Tanmit Gel pens consist of fine tips and large capacity ink, making them exceptional for coloring books, scrapbooking, and drawing. You can also use them to add flair to doodles and planers like a professional artist. They also do not bleed through papers, and the cap stays on tight every time you’re using the pen.
Key Features:
The set comes with a thin cap for smooth, comfortable writing. Colored rubber grip surfaces provide a comfortable feel and comfortable grip. Each gel pen contains 40% more ink and therefore lasts longer.
The color options add magic to your artwork. It will make you feel like a skilled artist. This stationery item from Tanmit would also make a great gift for someone who loves colors and art in any form.
Bright, vibrant colors can bring out the artist in you. With these gel pens, you can use the mixed media technique to create any number of colors. They’re great for drawing, coloring, writing, underlining, etc. Use these pens to bring your sketches and doodles to life or add accents to diaries and sketchbooks.
The pens are water-based, non-toxic, and acid-free. They are perfect for children and adults of all ages. They come in decent packaging. You can easily choose colors because they are neatly arranged.
Pros:
- Good quality
- 36 color choices
- Water-based
- Non-toxic and acid-free
- No smudging or smearing
- Affordable
Cons:
- May dry out after long periods of inactivity
5. 36 Colors Journal Planner Pens
36 Journal Pens are perfect outlining pens for drawing, which double as journaling and planning pens. You will love their vibrant colors and smooth writing. This Premium Gift Set includes 36 Colors Fine-line Marker Pens, 10 Colors Waterproof Coloring Pencils, Eraser, Sharpener, Glue Stick, and Cute Stationery Box.
To provide you with a comfortable writing and drawing experience, these liner pens use a durable metal-clad design to prevent tips from wigging or breaking. They are the best marker pen you need for precise details, such as when writing a classic journal notebook.
These marker pens’ high-quality 0.8 mm fine tip makes them great for den journal, scrapbooking, DIY planning, painting, writing, sketching, signing, and note-taking. And you can also use them for the manga, animation, graphic design, and illustration. They are long-lasting, non-smudge, and don’t bleed through paper. Above all, they are acid-free and kid-safe as they are water-based and non-toxic.
Key Features:
With so many replaceable pens, not only is losing a pen or two a big problem, but so is running out of ink. Not only does this make them a great option, but the constant ink flow makes these pens a great addition to your arsenal.
Sturdy construction: These slim 0.38mm pens have a metal coating that prevents the nib from breaking and allows for comfortable writing and sketching. They help capture intricate details and bring order to a standard notebook.
High-quality ink: All pens in this set feature high-quality ink that won’t leak or drip for precise, even strokes. The vibrant colors are evenly distributed and create clean lines that make your notes stand out.
It is ergonomically shaped to fit comfortably in your hand: Compact enough to fit in a pocket or backpack. Cap fits the marker perfectly and prevents ink from drying up.
Pros:
- Consistent ink flow without splatter.
- Durable barrel and tip construction ensure lasting quality.
- No bleeding or smudging
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
Cons:
- Ink quality is not as durable and fades easily over time
6. MISULOVE Hand Lettering Pens
Whether you are a scrapbooker, graphic designer, or just someone who loves creative writing, these pens will come in handy every time you’re looking for the best sketching pens. They are versatile and easy to use, so you can use them for practicing creative writing or making cards, posters, journals, and other papercrafts.
The ink is safe for use on any surface, and it won’t smudge or bleed through papers. You can also use these markers for decorating your planner, journals, and photo frames in various colors because they come in various size tips.
You can use the ultra-fine tip for very small letters to make detailed designs on a wide range of materials, including paper, cardboard, wood, leather, and more. Each pen comprises a plastic body with an approximate size of 8 * 4 * 1cm / 3 * 1.5 * 0.4in (L*W*H). You’ll also find four markers; Black, Red, Blue, and Green for a luxurious look and feel.
Key Features:
The set has 6 pens and offers 4 different brush sizes. You get a pen with a very fine tip for all small and fine details, a brush with a fine tip for outlines and contours, a pen with a medium tip for regular letters, and 3 nibs for thicker brushes. You can easily practice and improve your handwriting skills with this complete set.
The brush tips are slightly medium. However, with more intensive use, they become softer. This is great because the more you use it, the more your writing skills will be used. Up to that point, a more flexible tip is needed.
Affordable: If you are on a tight budget, you won’t regret buying this set. It is also reusable, so you don’t have to buy it all the time. You just need to buy a bottle of ink. These pens are very juicy. They give a good amount of ink, so you don’t have to deal with faded ink or bad letters. You will never have any problems with their consistency.
Safe: The ink is also non-toxic. It does not have a strong odor. Even older children can use it safely.
Pros:
- Easy to use even for beginners
- Various nozzle size options
- Can be refilled
- Great price
- It makes even brush strokes
Cons:
- Large feathers open easily
- Can become more flexible over time
7. YISAN Black Drawing Pens
YISAN drawing pens are made of solid steel and feature an ergonomic grip that allows you to draw easily. The package includes every single size you might need, from 0.2mm to 3mm.
The pens are ideal for various applications, including architectural drawings, sketching, doodling, and more. With this set, you can create the effects you want in your drawings and illustrations with minimal effort.
When you buy the single pack, you get 6 Black drawing pens with tip sizes of 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, and 0.5; 4 gray pens of tip sizes 0.6, 0.8, 1, and 2; 3 white pens of tip sizes 3, 4 and 5, and 2 colored drawing pens of tip sizes 6 and 8.
All these pens don’t smudge, bleed, or form feathers. And you’ll also find a pouch for organizing your materials neatly for smooth drawings.
Key Features:
Size: The Microfeather 12-Piece Set contains 12 unique black pens. The black pens come in different nib sizes, such as 0.25mm, 0.3mm, 0.35mm, 0.40mm, and 0.45mm.
Types of tips: Users can use different tips according to their applications. In addition, the tip of the 12-point pen set is sturdy and resistant to breakage.
Versatile: The pen set, on the other hand, is suitable for comic artists, illustrators, watercolorists, archivists, and laboratory technicians. In addition, the ink in the 12-piece micro pen set is made of non-toxic materials.
Materials: Due to non-toxic materials, they can be used by people of all ages. In addition, the shape and size of the 12-piece Microfeather Set are perfect, making it easy to hold and grip.
Pros:
- Stain-resistant
- Bright ink
- Odorless ink
- Acid-free ink
- Easy to carry
- High pigment density
Cons:
- The pen ran out of ink very quickly.
8. VITOLER 24 Colored Journaling Pens
You don’t want a pen that will limit your creativity. If you’re looking for the best artist pens, the VITOLER 24 Colored Pen set is for you. This set has 24 vibrant colors perfect for art projects, writing, sketching, drawing lines, and adult coloring books. There are no duplicates in this pack, which means you will have 24 different shades to play with and incorporate into your work.
The ink quality is also premium as it lasts longer, dries faster, is acid-free, and is non-toxic. You’ll also find fine liners in the package that makes for perfect drawing on various surfaces.
With a 0.4 mm tip, you will find it easier to spread out ink ideally for accurate details without worrying about scratching it down later. The pens also glide nicely on the paper and do not leave any smudge so that you can have neat work with professional appeal.
Key Features:
Size: The set of markers comes with a thin 0.4 mm nib to provide clear and precise writing. Ideal for writing notes and journal entries, the sturdy nib provides smooth paper and excellent accuracy.
Ink types: The water-based ink provides vibrant colors that flow smoothly with every movement. The fast-drying ink also prevents bleeding and uneven strokes.
Color spectrum: There is no problem writing, drawing lines, and representing details. In addition, the color spectrum gives your notes a beautiful tone, making them creative and easy to understand.
The water-based ink is water washable: This makes the pens ideal for artistic children, who love to play with colorful pens and often leave unsightly ink stains. Fortunately, these pens can be easily removed with a wipe.
Ergonomic features: such as the lightweight and compact shaft, allow for comfortable writing. This elegant pen has a sturdy casing for long-lasting use. It is sleek, compact, and comfortable to carry and write with for long periods.
Pros:
- Fun and creative notepads in different colors.
- Fine 4 mm nib for fine details
- Non-toxic, acid-free
- Washable ink, ideal for children
- Fast drying time
Cons:
- The ink spreads on thin paper
9. Neon Glitter Pens Fine Tip Art Markers
You will love these glitter gel pens if you are into the glitter trend. This set comprises vibrant colors, including silver, gold, rose gold, and copper, that let you create some dazzling designs with ease.
Taotree’s glitter gel pens have 32 vibrant colors, both glitters and none-glitters. The package also includes a range of fine point tip sizes from 0.7mm-1.0mm for various tasks. So you can add a bit of sparkle to any type of work and make them stand out even more from the page.
It is perfect for adult coloring books and bullet journals. However, we loved the comfortable grip that each pen has for a stronghold. This quality makes the set ideal for drawing, writing, scrapbooking, sketching, crafting, doodling, art designs, and journaling. And above all, the ink is acid-free, non-toxic, and doesn’t smear, skip, or fade.
Key Features:
Versatile: Thanks to the versatile brush’s wide color palette, you can create and color anything however you want, giving you endless ideas.
Smooth writing surface and mechanism: The thin pen has a diameter of only one millimeter, so you can use it to draw. They have a smooth writing surface and a mechanism for gently applying ink to the media of your choice.
Durable and high-quality ink: These pens are durable and made with high-quality water-based inks, so they may well be worth their money. Glitter and neon motifs pop off the page as designs.
Grip: The pen has a soft rubber grip to prevent slipping with sweaty hands. The sturdy spout also makes it easy to use over a long time.
Pros:
- High-intensity ink without fluid loss
- Uniform ink flow for continuous ink application
- Fine nib for clean lines
- Fast-drying ink is used
- It can be used for deeper color ranges
Cons:
- Ink runs out quickly
10. Dyvicl Black Micro-Pen Fineliner Ink Pens
As far as writing smoothness goes, Dyvicl Black Micro-Pen fineliner Ink Pens should be your priority. Each pen in this set is crafted to give users a smooth and controlled writing experience, making them the best ink pens for art. No more need to buy different pens for various tasks. With this set, you’ll find Black Micro-Pen Fineliner Pens, including 8 Micro Nib Sizes: 0.2Mm (005), 0.25Mm (01), 0.3Mm (02), 0.35Mm (03), 0.4Mm (04), 0.45Mm (05), 0.5Mm (06), 0.6Mm (08) for different widths and styles. So whether you need ultra-thin hairlines or thick bold strokes, the set has everything for you.
A premium quality ink in pen is water-resistant and will not smear, fade, bleed, or skip. Dyvicl pen conforms to the ASTM standards, so you can be confident that the ink will not dissolve the toner or lead to any health effects.
Dyvicl pen is just as small as a regular ballpoint pen but comes with a super long solid ink stick inside it that writes endlessly until the color runs out! The pen fits perfectly in the backpack or pocket for portability.
Key Features:
Nib thicknesses: the pens are available in different nib thicknesses. The nibs are robust and can withstand strong writing pressure without bending.
Fluid ink: Fluid ink is highly viscous and flows smoothly, resulting in a clean finish. Each pen has a coded cap for a smooth, skip-and-go writing experience.
Waterproof: The ink pen is waterproof and works well with watercolors and inks. This pen will make your projects more creative and beautiful, made of lightweight pigment ink.
Versatile: This set of 9 pens is ideal for drawing. Ideal for painters, professionals, and artists with decorative fabrics.
Pros:
- Set of thin black pigmented eyeliners
- Various pen sizes for fine lines and intricate details
- Allows the creation of clean lines and strokes
- Non-slip and non-staining
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Not ideal for beginners
Best Drawing Pens Buying Guide
When choosing the best drawing pens, ensure you select a model with the following features:
Ink Quality
High-quality models are usually marked “archival .”Such models do not fade over time. However, they must be stored properly to avoid fading. If people want to preserve their work, they should do so. This is why it is often used for the long-term storage of research material in scientific laboratories. They can be used to make your notebooks last longer. This is useful for anyone involved in fine arts, as they want to preserve their work for long-term sale.
Drawing Surface Resistance
No one likes to have ink drawings smudged under the paper they use. It can be awful if the ink stains the paper. Most high-end pens are refilled with ink that cannot be spilled to prevent this. Many pens are also equipped with a waterproof particle, so your work remains durable even when submerged in water. Watercolor inks are used in the project. All of our chemical-resistant inks are also resistant to harmful chemicals.
Nibs Material
Most drawing pens are available with either a pure metal nib or a plastic nib coated with metal. Metal nibs have many advantages, such as drawing fine lines and longer life. They are too strong for use on thick paper and can break.
Disposable or Reusable
Both reusable and disposable pens can have the quality you are looking for. As the name suggests, reusable models can be used over and over again. Reusable pens are ideal if you want to save money in the long run. However, they do require regular maintenance to keep them in working order. On the other hand, disposable pens can only be used once and thrown away after one use. There is no need for regular cleaning or ink replenishment. The choice between these two options is up to the individual. Many experienced users prefer to use multi-use pens, while many beginners feel more comfortable with single-use models.
Safety
Never buy anything without checking its safety. Artists are often overloaded with their work. If poisonous or acidic substances are used in ink, this can cause skin irritation. Such irritation can lead to severe pain and burns. And if the ink accidentally gets into the stomach, it can cause nausea. In young children, the situation is even worse. Always choose products that are non-toxic, non-acidic, and chemically stable. They may look a little expensive, but they are worth it.
How to Draw with a Pen?
To learn how to draw with ink pens, you must first choose the right pen. Secondly, if you perfect your technique, you can always create a real work of art.
There are numerous ways to draw with pen and ink, but some of the most popular are
Hatching
Hatching is a linear technique that uses lines to define the shape of an object running in the same direction within a given area. It lines can use as parallel or cross lines to define the shape of an object.
Random Lines
By varying the frequency of intersecting lines, you can control the width of the value created, and this method can be used to create different textures for different types of work.
Stippling
Stippling is a process of creating value by adding numerous dots to a drawing, and the greater the density of the dots, the more intense the value. It is similar to watercolor painting. Special note: Never mix methods; choose one method and adhere strictly to it.
Cross Hatching
Cross-hatching is the intersection of lines in an object. The more lines intersect, the darker the value. It can use as a hard line or as a hatched outline to define the shape of an object.
A professional artist mixes the techniques to create his masterpiece. Keep practicing, and eventually, you will master all of the above methods.
FAQ
What are Drawing Pens Called?
A drawing pen is a perfect drawing instrument. When engineers and architects draw technical diagrams by hand, such as circuit diagrams, they always need perfectly straight, dark lines of equal width. These pens have needlepoint tips that can use precisely along the ruler’s edge and rich ink colors that stand out on the page. Although originally intended for technical use, they are also popular with artists for precision, quality, and reliability.
What is an Art Pen?
An art pen is a special tool using by engineers, architects, and draftsmen to draw lines of a specific width on architectural, engineering, and technical drawings.
Are Ballpoint Pens Good for Drawing?
Ballpoint pens are excellent drawing tools that can lead to unexpected results. They are great substitutes for expressive gestural drawing on paper, with flowing strokes, cross-strokes, and overlapping colored inks. These pens, continuous lines, blind drawings, and figurative drawings can all be done well.
What Kind of Pen is Used for Doodling?
The gel pen ink flows smoothly and evenly and can write on acrylic surfaces that are slightly uneven, such as glued paper, making it perfect for doodling.
What is Paper Best for Ink Drawings?
Smooth Bristol paper is the best ink drawing because it is less textured and less rough than other paper types and, therefore, less prone to bleeding, peeling, and tearing. The smooth surface of Bristol paper gives ink drawings a bright, crisp, and clean appearance.
What Are Dip Pens Good for?
Dip pens are dipped in an ink bottle to release ink and deposit pigments as you write, which are a great alternative and complement to fountain pens and brushes. The pens can design and decorated to your liking.
Conclusion
Artists know that their work depends to some extent on the quality of their pens. The best drawing pens are choosing because precision and attention to detail are essential. The wrist pen is often used by artists, artisans, and professional architects alike. It isn’t easy to find a pen with such a high level of comfort and functionality.
We guarantee that you will not be disappointed if you choose the right one. Be sure to use our buying guide to find the best option for you. We hope these resources will help you make the right decision.