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Monday, June 25, 2012
I Need a Hero...
OK, I've got one, really, but BESIDES my husband, I am really enjoying
playing with my Hero pens...
Like the Duke that Laure Ferlita featured in this video, the Sailor pen mentioned in this post,
and a number of others, the Hero calligraphy pens are Japanese (oops, I meant Chinese, I knew that! Duh...), and have a different configuration than Western calligraphy pens. They have a bent nib that makes a wonderfully brush-like mark, depending on the angle you hold the pen...
Depending on the angle you hold the pen, you can get very fine to quite broad, bold lines...
They also range from very inexpensive to rather more...I've bought a couple of Hero pens on eBay for under $10. It's the luck of the draw on really inexpensive pens, but they ARE fun to play with! I'm looking forward to getting a bent-nib pen of somewhat better quality, though I don't think I'll be getting one from a Living National Treasure like the Sailor pen described here: http://www.sailorpen.com/nagahara-story.html
Bent-nib pens are nice for quick sketches like this one of my cat, Merlin...they really have a brush-like quality, here.
Notice the varied lines, here...
Introducing my mini-video!
Of course you can use them alone, under a watercolor wash, or into a damp wash as I did in this super-quick sketch...I couldn't resist adding a sketch of the pen itself, sketching!
Fountain pens aren't for everyone, of course...they require a bit more care than disposable pens, but you can keep them for years, and enjoy a long relationship. You can use colored inks, too...I like the versatility as well as the long-lived aspect.
Love your images. But, I will not buy more art supplies. I will not buy more art supplies. I will not... lol I just put in an order yesterday and swore to myself that I would only use what I have and no more orders until at least the fall. Stay inspired!
I've got an 8 horses (yep, I think that's the name!) and another I can't remember, plus I took the nib out of the M86 and put it into a Noodler's Creaper body, which I LOVE. The Heros are all rather heavy, but that worked beautifully for me.
I love my Hero pens; I have, I am ashamed (?) to say, quite a collection now. I love the effects you can get even with the regular Parker Quink inks and a water wash. I much prefer them to fibre-tipped pens for sketching, less scratchy, and you don't have to work left to right, or right to left, depending on handedness, like you would with graphite. Timely reminder I need to add another bent nib to my collection, lol?
I love the sound of this - and the pen marks look so lively and non-uniform. Perfect for sketching! I love the way you have included the pen in your sketch too. Brilliant!
Wow, I've got to get me one of these pens! Would you recommend getting one of these over the Noodler Ahab pens if you had to choose one? I'm wanting to get one of them, but can't afford both!!
That's a really tough question for me, Catriona! I really like Noodler's pens, because of the flex--some people have problems with them, but after my first little Creaper flex, I've been really pleased (they redesigned the feed after that one!) If you want a multi-purpose pen, one you write with as well, I'd definitely go for a Noodler's. The Hero pen nibs are a little iffy...my Hero M-86 had the best nib, but of course it cost a bit more than the $6 so you get what you pay for. I'm going to try a higher-end one.
For me, the Heros are strictly for sketching, while I LOVE my Noodler's for sketching and writing too. If I had to choose just one, I guess that's what it would be.
Love it! Even have the Sailor you just mentioned. But Hero is Chinese, not Japanese. I oughta know.... It's my favorite make of fountain pen. Own too many to count!
Yes, so dark blue it looks black unless you're in strong light. Both my Sailors have been...the first, very inexpensive one, was scratchy. The new one is a NICE pen.
Love your images. But, I will not buy more art supplies. I will not buy more art supplies. I will not... lol I just put in an order yesterday and swore to myself that I would only use what I have and no more orders until at least the fall.
ReplyDeleteStay inspired!
I've made that same vow! And even MORE specifically, I will not buy another pen. Oh, right. Guess what came in the mail today...
DeleteKate, which Hero's did you get? I just got a 501 from isellpens and thus I'd say it outstrips several others I own.
ReplyDeleteI've got an 8 horses (yep, I think that's the name!) and another I can't remember, plus I took the nib out of the M86 and put it into a Noodler's Creaper body, which I LOVE. The Heros are all rather heavy, but that worked beautifully for me.
DeleteI love my Hero pens; I have, I am ashamed (?) to say, quite a collection now. I love the effects you can get even with the regular Parker Quink inks and a water wash. I much prefer them to fibre-tipped pens for sketching, less scratchy, and you don't have to work left to right, or right to left, depending on handedness, like you would with graphite. Timely reminder I need to add another bent nib to my collection, lol?
ReplyDeleteTFS. Have to have a look for one!
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of this - and the pen marks look so lively and non-uniform. Perfect for sketching! I love the way you have included the pen in your sketch too. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThey definitely DON'T have that mechanical or technical look! I love the varied lines...thank you!
DeleteThese are fantastic!!! And the pen looks inviting! What ink are you using with this?
ReplyDeleteSome were done with Lexington Grey, and some with Platinum Carbon Black...both seemed to work well.
DeleteWow, I've got to get me one of these pens! Would you recommend getting one of these over the Noodler Ahab pens if you had to choose one? I'm wanting to get one of them, but can't afford both!!
DeleteThat's a really tough question for me, Catriona! I really like Noodler's pens, because of the flex--some people have problems with them, but after my first little Creaper flex, I've been really pleased (they redesigned the feed after that one!) If you want a multi-purpose pen, one you write with as well, I'd definitely go for a Noodler's. The Hero pen nibs are a little iffy...my Hero M-86 had the best nib, but of course it cost a bit more than the $6 so you get what you pay for. I'm going to try a higher-end one.
DeleteFor me, the Heros are strictly for sketching, while I LOVE my Noodler's for sketching and writing too. If I had to choose just one, I guess that's what it would be.
Of course, that said, I have no intention of being without a Hero, either.
DeleteBy the way, my new slightly more expensive Sailor seems to be a real winner, too! OK, not that slightly...about $38. SMOOOTH nib...
ReplyDeleteLove it! Even have the Sailor you just mentioned. But Hero is Chinese, not Japanese. I oughta know.... It's my favorite make of fountain pen. Own too many to count!
ReplyDeleteOh, oops, and I KNEW that, too! I'll fix. (I own several too, with another on the way...)
DeleteTo further complicate things, the Sailor IS Japanese. Is yours a dark navy blue, torpedo shape, goldtone trim?
ReplyDeleteLove your archway sketch.
Yes, so dark blue it looks black unless you're in strong light. Both my Sailors have been...the first, very inexpensive one, was scratchy. The new one is a NICE pen.
Delete