Alvin Penstix

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

Good fine line with out any fuzzier.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

I have been using Penstix for comic strip and editorial work for over 20 years. The local art stores in my area do not cary them, but thanks to online stores like Blick I'm able to continue purchasing them. They are a wonderful product, and fit my drawing style. Check them out if you are an illustrator or cartoonist.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

I needed a pen that wasn't waterproof, not easy to find. The narrow lines can be touched lightly with a brush and water and it provides shading around the contour lines. Can be used alone or with watercolor.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

Another reviewer mentioned having these for 4+ years with good results, but I can tell you from experience they hold up longer than that. I have the smallest nib in the regular style that I purchased from Blick over 8 years ago and it still writes nice and dark; I just used it 5 minutes ago.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

If you're looking for a really great permanent marker, this is what you want. I used the waterproof version back in art school and was amazed. If you thought Sharpies were "good" markers, these Alvin Pensticks make them look like Washable Crayolas.

Case-in-Point: I have two pieces that I solely used these waterproof markers on that are ~18 x 24 inches. That was just about 6 years ago. They're still hanging in my room at home and the ink looks the same as it did when I first created them. They produce a very nice solid line with very minimal bleeding even on the 0.3mm size. I used an Illustration Board and maybe 1.25 markers worth of ink for each piece (they do NOT run out fast, they last forever if you use them like markers are supposed to be used). The caps of the markers seal amazingly as well, I had a few that I used only occasionally and they were still going strong for 4+ years.

To the individual who thought they "faded", this next part is for you. When you draw with markers do yourself a favor and use some really good heavy weight paper... or even better, use a Hot Press Illustration Board (Cold will work better than paper, but Hot Press is best for markers). They sell the boards on this site and even tell you what to use them for, do some research and stop drawing on paper towels.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

I have been using this product for over 15 years! I do signs and cards...The regular pen has the blackest ink. I tried the waterproof pen but the color doesn't seem to match up to the regular pen.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

i've been using this product for quite a few years now for pen and ink drawings on bristol board and it doesn't get any better than this. when all my local art stores stopped carrying this product, i wasn't thrilled with the alternatives they offered. then i found my pens on this site and felt like a little kid at christmas!!! i highly recommend this product.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

We use these pens often in my art class, and at first they are lovely. The lines are smooth and solid, though they did seem to run out a bit quickly. The main issue with them is that they fade. I used them for a drawing that turned out wonderfully, but after two months the whole thing was an icky orange-ish brown color. I know it wasn't just one faulty pen, because it was a large drawing-the pens I was using kept running out, so I had to use more than one.
They are good for sketching, but for anything long term, it really is not your best choice.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

I have been using these Alvin pens to render main lines and curves for my cartoon drawings. What I particularly like is its responsiveness to my grip and soft flowing touch. I think its light-weight design coupled with less harder plastic tube facilitates to its ease of use.

On the down side, after some use, their tips tend to become duller, resulting in less sharp lines and curves. Also, after some time, perhaps several months to a year, the drawn lines and curves turn slightly brownish. I have noticed this from sketching/drawing papers, as well as from bristol boards.

But I think their ease of use considerably outweighs their drawbacks.

Comments about Alvin Penstix:

They are the best pens I have ever used, I used to use sharpies and Faber-castel pens, but I'll never gop back to them! These are pure black and have strong inks that won;t run out anytime fast :D
Combines with Caran d`ache coilored pencils they are the best pens for anime/ anthro artists