Found these sets of 8 colored pens of
Sakura Pigma Micron 05 (0.45 mm nibs) and
Brush pens on
clearance at the local
Jo-Ann arts and crafts store. They feature nice bright colors, and their pen nibs glided fairly smoothly on the
Rhodia dotPad paper. While it might be too soon to make a judgment about their durability, the
Sakura Pigma brush nibs feel rather delicate and look thinner and smaller that
Faber Castell Pitt Artist brush pen nibs.
Marks comparison chart and test doodles drawn on
Rhodia dotPad. Since they feature colorful pigmented inks that are waterproof when dry, they could be used for labeling and some sketching that could be colored with watercolors afterwards without smearing the drawn outlines.
Sample doodles sketched on
Piccadilly blank journal. The numbers correspond to the pen color, but the actual name of the color is not listed anywhere on the pen barrel.
The pen cap indicates the pen size "
05" and ink color, and in the case of the brush pen they display the letters "
BR" printed on the color coded circle. The opposite end of the pen has a small color matching plastic cap to facilitate its identification. I have seen reports that the pen cap identification markings tend to wear off with use, so it might help its longevity to close the cap by holding it on its sides every once in awhile rather than pushing down on the colored disk with your thumb every time.
After changing the nib and ink refills a few times, I also noticed this issue with a 05
Copic Multiliner SP pen that I used for several months in my
sketching kit. I had almost completely worn off the pen cap markings by rubbing it with my thumb every time I closed the pen. I tend to keep the
Copic pens at home, and take the disposable
Pigma pens on the road given their price difference.
Started this session with a woodless pencil which facilitates making broad marks for quicker shading when used on its side. The Derwent 2B Aquatone sample sketches produced rather light washes when blended with the waterbrush.
The substantially larger Lyra Watersoluble 2B Graphite crayon was used to sketch this cartoon athlete. The dry marks were partially blended with the Aquaflo waterbrush. The moistened marks turned out quite darker than the Derwent 2B Aquatone example.
Some of my favorite 2 mm leadholders from my daily sketching kit. Comparison chart of Mitsubishi Uni graphite leads' marks. Demo video using assorted leads.
Doodling a sample comic layout on Georgia Pacific 110 lb white card stock with a 4B Lamy 3.15 mm graphite lead.
While I started this sample page with the Worther 3.15 mm Shorty leadholder, decided to switch to the Mitsubishi Uni H 2 mm lead for narrower clean lines.
Second H lead sample doodle page.
Third H lead sample doodle page. Middle character inspired by a customer having lunch across the room.
By the fourth page, the point of the H lead still remained quite sharp and functional. Good choice for long drawing sessions in the field since it requires less frequent sharpening.
The HB lead sample doodle.
The B lead sample doodle. This lead grade got blunt quickly and required more frequent sharpening. Still like the rest of the Mitsubishi Uni graphite leads, it is quite smudge resistant. These 2 mm graphite leads are non-crumbling, of uniform darkness, and smooth throughout without any surprise scratchy bits that could interrupt your work flow while sketching.
The penciled outlines can easily be inked and later erased. This pencil dragon sketch was inked with Sakura Pigma 05 black pigment pen and labeled with a couple of color pens with the same size nibs.
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