WHAT ARE THE BEST PENS AND MARKERS FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS

Inside: what are the best pens and markers for arts and crafts and the best tips for using and storing them.

One of the most used tool in arts and crafts is a pen or a marker. These important tools are essential for mark making, doodling, writing, scribbling and any other technique you'll want to apply on an art journal page, card, scrapbook page or mixed media project.

Since these pens are such an important asset it is important to make the best of them and learn not only what are the best pens and markers to make arts and crafts but also how to store them.

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH PENS AND MARKERS

1. Make sure that your surface is completely dry if you're using acrylic paints or mediums before you start writing or doodling. If the surface is wet the tip will be destroyed. Believe me I have destroyed many by being impatient.

2. If using watercolors or watercolor crayons, go over the surface (when you are finished and everything is dry) with a thin coat of gloss medium to seal the watercolors and give it a surface that has some tooth. Keep the application thin and you may have to work in small sections so that the watercolors don't mush around. This way the pen will write more easily and smoothly.

3. Keep an even hand. The ink should flow from the pens with a steady flow. Don't apply too much pressure because that will endanger the tip.

4. Keep a piece of scrap paper that is uncoated nearby so you can test your pens on it or remove unwanted paint from the tip.

5. Test your pens on similar color/kind of paper before you use it on your artwork that way you can see if the color is what you want and if it does what you want.

6. If you're using a Gel pen write very slowly to achieve an embossed raised writing.

7. If you are using a paint marker, shake (always with the cap on) the pen and pump the tip up and down on scrap paper to get the ink flowing.

HOW TO STORE YOUR PENS AND MARKERS

1. Keep your pens capped when not in use. They dry up very quickly if you don't recap them.

2. Keep the pens flat-like they are laying on a desk. This is the best way for most pens to be stored. I know they look pretty in your special cup with the caps up facing you, but over time the ink will drop to the bottom of the pen and you can kiss it goodbye.

3. Keep the pens in a cool, dry place (away from heat or anything that will dry them out.)

HOW TO PICK THE BEST PENS AND MARKERS FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS

I like to go by these principles:

• The pen or marker has to write on a dry acrylic paint without skipping, jumping or getting all gunked up!
• The color of the ink must be vivid and strong and not watery.
• It has to last a long time and doesn’t dry the minute you open the cap.
• Must be affordable and easy to purchase in a store or online.
• I don’t mind if it has odor but I don’t want it to be toxic.

BEST PENS AND MARKERS FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS

Uniball Signo White Gel Pen

I love this pen and how crisp and vibrant it looks even after drying and it’s cheap too. It writes beautifully on acrylic paints and colorful pages in my art journals. It also writes on canvas with no trouble.

Posca Paint Pen

Great pen that comes in different tip sizes and a variety of colors. It is water based and permanent and writes on ANYTHING. It has an odor but I don’t mind it. The only downside is that they are not waterproof so I can’t paint over them. It dries quickly and lasts for a long time.

Sakura Micron Pens

Great for illustrations and writing on paper. They come in many colors but I love black and are permanent, crisp and intense with color. I like the tiny tips, although it can be hard to write on acrylic paint.  I love how they are also waterproof so I can paint over them. So when I use them in my art journals or mixed media projects I use a wide tip.

Pitt Pens from Faber Castell

They are a nice crisp, permanent, vibrant color and the variety of colors is amazing. My preferred tip is the “brush” pen which is like a paint brush. Love how you can paint over them once dry, too. The best thing about them is you can use your fingers to blur the color before it dries so it’s almost like using paint.

USE THE BEST PENS AND MARKERS FOR HANDWRITING

Maybe you don't like your handwriting but with pens and markers like this I want to share 3 reasons why I think using your handwriting in arts and crafts.

IT'S VERSATILE

When you write your quote or sentence you have endless possibilities. You can decide on the font, the size, the color and the shape. When you use a stamp, a sticker or cut out letters you have to compromise on each of those things. When you use your own hand writing you can match the letters to the page and give then the exact look that you want.

YOU CAN PRACTICE

Your art journal is where you can try new techniques and experiment with new materials. Why not do that with your hand writing too? Practice shapes, pens and colors until you'll find the ones you like. Learn to love your hand writing and embrace it!

IT'S FAST

I don't know what your work process is but mine is not very clear from the beginning. I start working on an art journal page with a vague idea of how I want it to look. Usually it includes an idea of what I want to write but not how. By the time I get to the point when I want to add the text it's faster and easier for me to take a pen and write. Instead of looking for the right stamp set or the right size or shape stickers writing it myself is so much faster!

Using the best pens and markers to make arts and crafts is a really easy skill that everyone can learn. If you use the right pens and markers you will also succeed and get great results.

Have fun creating!