Fountain Pen Ink Art - The Basics

This sections discusses the tools and materials needed to get the best out of this unique and little art medium.

Using thick cartridge paper, this section details the techniques involved with achieving the chromatic processes. Inks used are Robert Oster Australian Opal Mauve, Noodler's Rome Burning and Diamine Earl Grey.

I created my own swatch testing technique in order to fully deconstruct fountain pen ink and see which inks would be suitable for fountain pen ink art projects. It is important for the student to test their own fountain pen inks and keep a visual record for future reference. Bockingford 200lb Rough Watercolour paper was used with Diamine Amazing Amethyst, Diamine Lilac Night and Diamine Earl Grey fountain pen inks.

This tutorial shows a student how to utilise chromatography for creating fountain pen ink art. Ink used is Diamine Earl Grey on Bockingford 140lb Rough Watercolour paper

Using one fountain pen ink - Robert Oster Barossa Grape - this is a landscape painting on thick cartridge paper utilising the thirds rule. 2 thirds sky and 1 third foreground. The sky is created from the chromatic qualities of the ink and the serendipity of the drying process. The foreground is created with a limited amount of detail using watercolour techniques and a dip pen.

Using one fountain pen ink - Robert Oster Grahite - this is a landscape painting on Bockingford 200lb rough watercolour paper. The sky is created from the chromatic qualities of the ink and the serendipity of the drying process. The foreground is created with detail using watercolour techniques a dip pen and spattering bleach.

Using one fountain pen ink - Parker Quink Black - this is a landscape format on Bockingford 140lb rough watercolour paper. The sky is created from the chromatic qualities of the ink and the serendipity of the drying process. For the handwriting, a dip pen and bleach is employed.

Using one fountain pen ink - Parker Quink Black - this is a square format on Bockingford 140lb rough watercolour paper. The ink background is created from the chromatic qualities of the ink and the serendipity of the drying process. The illustration is traced using a dip pen and bleach and then completed using a rigger brush.