Remember the last time you created an artistic masterpiece, and the lines you created weren’t precise! Creating precise shapes and lines might so happen that it requires attention and designated tools. Without these tools, it might be near impossible for you to create those intricate details.
If you have been an artist for quite some time, you would surely know how useful micron pens are for these purposes. Micron pens tend to be the first choice when it comes to drawing and lettering. These pens come in a range of colors and sizes and can be purchased from any art store of your choice.
But, what exactly are they? What is the best way to use these pens? Let’s learn how to use micron pens for drawing!
What are Micron Pens?
Micron pens such as Sakura Pigma micron are an important part of the toolbox and art supplies for any illustrator artist. These technical pens create fine lines and are loaded with archival ink that doesn’t cause bleeding or fade under any type of watercolor washes. The Sakura color products corporation develops these pens.
While some micron pens are dye-based, others are pigment-based. Micron pens feature a sensitive nib. So, you need to be light when working with your pen on any type of surface.
If you apply too much pressure on the same, you might end up damaging the nib and affecting the flow of ink. You might experience an irregular ink flow or even a complete cease of ink flow in your Sakura Pigma.
A micron pen’s felt tip produces consistent and skip-free lines for artists using it correctly. Depending on the fine details you seek, the size of the nib can vary.
Make sure you place the pen cap properly to avoid the plastic nib from breaking. They are considered disposable pens were given their fragile nature. To ensure nothing happens to the nib, you can use a nib holder.
Benefits Of Using Micron Pens
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1. Fade-Resistant
Sakura Pigma Micron pens feature an archival quality that goes as long as 100 years, given their lightfastness. So, if you plan on using these pens for your artistic escapades, do not worry about the colors fading out anytime soon.
Even if your artwork is kept out in the open for more than a decade, exposed to the sun, the colors don’t fade out.
2. Quick Drying
The best thing about using micron pens for your artistic requirements is the fact that they dry soon after being applied on any surface. This makes it easier for beginner and expert artists to prevent smudging issues with Sakura micron.
However, it might also be an issue for beginner artists who tend to make mistakes, given the fact that it dries out so quickly, leaving no chance to correct any error. So, if you wish to work with Pigma micron pens, make sure you practice first.
3. Waterproof
Most micron pens feature waterproof ink, which means they won’t smudge or dissolve when you top them with a water-based color. A micron pen with waterproof ink doesn’t smear. This means it will make up for an excellent watercolor & mixed media art journaling /painting experience for new as well as experienced artists.
Using a waterproof Sakura Pigma micron pen is important if you are into Manga, comics drawings, or urban sketching using watercolor wash.
Even for the ones that love to work with artistic journaling compiled with mixed media artistry, it is important to opt for waterproof micron pens.
Surfaces That Micron Pens Work Best On
1. Paper
Micron pens work best when used on paper. Simply put, they can easily glide on such surfaces and are best suited for artists that love the precision brought in by the sakura Pigma micron pens. They can create clean, crisp, & professional lines without any glitches. But, make sure that the paper is at least a 100 GSM.
2. Wood
Although the Pigma pen works best on paper, it can also be used on other surfaces, including wood. Wood tends to have grooves that can make it difficult to work with micron pens.
So, you can surely create designs on wood with micron pens, but make sure it is first coated with paint to give the ink a surface to adhere to. Additionally, Sakura micron pen ink will adhere better to the surface if it is sanded down to make it smooth.
3. Glass
Sadly, micron pens do not work on glass surfaces. However, there is a trick to using it even on glass surfaces.
Simply apply a paint coat of your choice on the glass surface and let it dry for 24 hours. This will help provide a rough surface for the ink to adhere to.
Finally, apply a sealant to ensure that the colors don’t rub off due to moisture.
4. Plastic
Micron pens also work on plastic surfaces, but one must use a sealer such as on glass surfaces to ensure it doesn’t rub off. You can also opt for painting with acrylics or similar colors on the plastic surface to create a reliable surface for micron pen ink to adhere to.
Regardless of the method you use, it is important that you seal it completely after it has dried off.
Some Of The Best Uses Of Micron Pens
If you are fascinated by the concept of micron pens, you might be wondering what Sakura micron pens can be used for. Let us learn all about the applications of Sakura Pigma pens.
1. Caligraphy
For calligraphy artists, nothing works better than micron pens. The art of calligraphy involves beautiful handwriting style. It can be elaborate or simple, depending on your writing style.
Regardless, a micron pen is best suited for this scenario. Make sure you keep practicing the art of lettering to achieve perfection.
2. Journaling
Journaling or writing about your experiences can be an extremely relaxing activity. You can do it anytime and anywhere, depending on your schedule. Writing in precise, small letters on beautiful paper can make your journals way more beautiful when done with micron pens.
3. Detail Drawing
While some drawings don’t require as much detailing, others bode well when detailed precisely. The key is to ensure that you use the right pen for the detailing aspect. You can make use of micron pens for such scenarios to create precision art or illustrations for your next exhibit.
4. Sketching
Micron pens have precision nibs which means you can easily achieve a detailed sketching experience using these pens.
Before you paint your artwork, it is important to create the base sketch with as much precision as possible. So, the use of micron pens is advised in such situations. This value-based study can help you visualize how each color tone will come out before being applied to the canvas.
5. Drawing Anime
Anime has been popular for quite some time. This Japanese art form has seen exceptional changes in the designs and interpretations throughout the years.
In order to create some good anime drawings, it is important to practice creating the designs with a micron pen. They work perfectly when it comes to creating intricate details and lines. They can also be used for aspects such as rendering, which is an important aspect when talking about the Japanese Manga style for detailed linework. So, if you love drawing comics, this is a pen to consider.
6. Coloring
Micron pens can also be perfect for coloring purposes such as mandala artwork or any other art form that requires precision coloring. You can also color that intricate artwork with the use of its fine micron nib.
The design helps keep the color within the lines ensuring a glitch-free coloring experience. They do not ruin your artwork and are perfect for coloring those complicated drawings with lines and angles that cannot be achieved with a simple brush. They are perfect non-toxic options for children coloring books as well.
Pro Tips for Using Micron Pens
If you are now fixated on using Micron pens for your next project, make sure you know the right ways to do so. Here is a quick rundown of the best ways to use your micron pen for your upcoming project.
- If your drawing has pencil lines that need to be erased after you are done perfecting your masterpiece with Sakura micron pens, make sure the initial pencil sketch is created with light hands. Do not scrub the lines with an eraser too hard, or you might end up ripping the paper. Light pencil lines are easy to clean and should only be done after 24 hours of using the micron pens to prevent smudging.
- Always draw the basic sketch with the help of a pencil. This allows you a scope to correct any errors before you work with these pens for the final design.
- If you are wondering what the ideal paper thickness for practicing lettering, doodles, or patterns is, the answer is anything more than 100 GSM works. Sakura micron pens don’t work well on papers with low GSM. Given the fine nature of their ultra-narrow nibs, you might end up poking holes through the paper.
- You can use needle-nose pliers if you wish to replace the pen’s nib after use. This pigment-based micron pen can be a bit fragile. So, make sure you opt for different pens when working on a project.
- If you are new to the use of micron pens or have a rather heavy working hand, it is advised that you start with the thickest available Sakura Pigma micron pen nibs. This will help you work out the usage of the micron pens while you slowly transition to their thinner variants.
When using micron pens on any surface with paint on, it is critical that you seal it. This will help prevent issues such as flaking or peeling of the colors after they dry off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are Micron Pens Worth It?
Micron pens are definitely worth investing in. They aren’t your run-of-the-mill disposable pens. They feature an archival quality which means they can last for decades before the inks come off from a surface it is worked on. Plus, they are great for creating intricate details.
The only downside to using Sakura Pigma Micron pens is the fact that their tips tend to be fairly fragile. However, with a light hand, you can ensure that the micron pens do not give up on you.
Q: Do Micron Pens Bleed With Watercolor?
No, the great thing about using micron pens is the fact that they are waterproof once dried. Make sure you let the ink dry out completely for a minimum of 24 hours before painting over it with the help of watercolor. Regardless, the ink colors won’t bleed.
Q: Can You Use Micron Pens On Canvas?
Yes, you can use the Sakura Pigma pen on canvas. However, the canvas has a rough texture that can cause the fine tip of the pen to wear out or break very easily.
So, it is advised that you refrain from using micron pens on canvas. However, you can use the pen on partially dried paint to highlight some areas.
Q: How Do You Erase A Micron Pen?
Sakura Pigma microns are chemical-proof & fade resistant. So, micron pens are permanent in nature and cannot be erased once it has dried.
Q: Which Size Of Micron Pen Is Best?
If you are looking for precision work, a Sakura Pigma micron pen with a .005 nib works best. It produces an extremely thin line which is almost weightless. With 0.1 size nib, you can produce thicker lines while still retaining precision. If you are wondering which size fits you best, make sure you check out this video explaining different micron nib sizes.
Wrap Up
Sakura micron pens are an inexpensive tool for artists that wish to create high-quality and precise designs.
For beginners just starting out, it is recommended that you work with thicker nibs to practice better, such as 0.35mm or 0.1mm. This will help you decide which size works best and help you master the art of using micron pens before you start investing in professional usage.