Little Tips That Make a Big Difference- My Favorite Art Pens

Ok, you guys today for my Little Tips That Make a Big Difference Series, I’m talking about one of my most favorite things. PENS! Seriously, I love pens. Let me take you back quite a few years to elementary school. Also known as the age of the Gelly Roll Gel Pen. Tell me I’m not the only one who had to have every color? The metallic one, the sparkly ones that got glitter everywhere, the pastel ones that only showed up on dark colored paper… I had a whole spacemaker full of them. At school, we were only allowed to use them on our spelling homework and you better believe that my spelling homework was the prettiest rainbow of crazy colors. Also (and now you’ll know how much of a “special” child I was), even then I only wanted the real Gelly Roll brand. I could just tell the knock offs weren’t as good, they didn’t write as well and the colors weren’t as vibrant.

Can I get an amen? I’ve upgraded a bit since then (even though I still love me some Gellys) but my favorites still have the best quality.

Here are my faves:

Micron Pens//
So these are awesome pens because they come in sooo many sizes and colors. Somehow I’ve collected a small army of these and I find them all over the house. I use the 1mm, 3mm and 5 mm in black the most. The 3mm and 5mm are best for writing (the five works well for shading too!) and then the 1mm is the perfect size for all those tiiiiny details. Together, these 3 pens make some really awesome stuff. (And you may have noticed that’s what Sean was using in the handlettering video from last week). Recently, I’ve created some fun watercolor projects with these pens. They turned out awesome (and you’ll get to see them towards the end of post). These pens are THE BEST. (And ironically I think they’re even made by the same company who makes my beloved gel pens. Coincidence? I doubt it)

Flair Pens//

These are my go-to for a quick sketch or drawing out a cute little gift tag (especially in a hurry). It’s a fun little skinny felt tip marker and the fact that it’s kind of a mix of a pen and marker makes it so versatile- they’re good for writing and coloring stuff in. To me, their only downfall is I can’t get great detail with them like I can with the 1mm and 3mm Micron Pens, but I still use these allll the time.

Sharpie Pens//

Remember that spacemaker I said I had full of gel pens? I had another one full of every color of sharpies ever made (both in thin and regular size). AND THEN they came out with sharpie pens! I love these for everyday-everything. My husband is addicted too. They write smooth and work well…not to mention come in very pretty colors. Seriously, if you haven’t used these and love good writing pens add these to your collection TODAY. There. I said it. Is my passion for pens coming through enough yet? Too much? Oh….well okay then. I’ll stop talking and leave you with this cute little graphic of what you can do with my favorite pens :)

What are your favorite pens? I love trying out new ones! I just got some brush pens from our local art store last weekend that I’m excited use. If you have any faves I haven’t mentioned here, let me know so I can rush out and ~~go to the art store for the 3rd time this week~~ get them today!