Pens for sketches/drawings

[grimdar]

Hey guys,

This may have been discussed somewhere but searched with no luck. Basically, my sketches start out with light pencil, then ink. At the moment, I use a standard BIC pen for the ink, after which it gets scanned and colored in Photoshop.

My question is, have any of you experienced a more refined pen for sketching or lineart? I need something that gives you variable line size like a pencil. I need some good recommendations, I've checked out some art stores but the vast majority here in SF won't let me try them out first.

[wiggum]

I don't have as much experience with this stuff as a lot of the other artists on this site. But if you're using a BIC pen to ink in drawings I can assume you don't want to spend a lot of money.
I use a set of Staedtler Mars Professional pens, they work fine for what I do. They'll set you back about $20, but they will be well worth the money in the long run.
You might also consider some ink-pens like the ones in the picture. They are cheap, they produce excellent lines, but they can be extremely messy (which is why I usually avoid using them).
173884

[tensai]

sakura pigma microns or something similar will give you a bit more variety in line than rapidographs. if you want more variety than that, i think you will be looking at dip pens. these are also available in a great variety of flexibility.

people can say go with this, go with that, but it in the end it comes down to personal preference and what you like - so i'd just buy a couple of pens and try them out.