I like the extra fine nib Lamy pen filled with brown ink for detailed natural history drawings but this afternoon, as I set off in a wintry shower to draw this willow by the canal, I find the bold nib and black ink more useful. Shower over, the tree goes into high contrast, backlit by the sun, so it’s useful to be able to quickly build up tone in the shadow areas, following the pattern of the bark with quick pen lines.
As you can see from my photograph, the bold nib (in the yellow pen on the left) has a rounded end which moves easily in any direction over the cartridge paper of my sketchbook. Being larger, it is freer flowing, giving an satisfyingly inky line.
Richard, I really enjoy your tidbits of sketching/drawing ‘how to’. And your earthy, natural subject matter too! Thanks. Al in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
Thank you Al, it’s good to be back to drawing outdoors regularly. Reminds me of when I was an art student and I’d set off for the summer, working as a warden on the RSPB osprey reserve. Great to have a bit more free time again.