10 Tips for Using the Fine Line Painting Pen

Fine Line Painting Pens can be used to add lettering, fine dots or other decorative elements to any piece. Simply fill the reservoir with ink or paint thinned to an inky consistency and you are ready to get started.  Unlike a commercial pre-filled pen, these fine line painting pens let you work with any color so you can bring your vision to life matching or coordinating with other colors in your piece. KINGART Fine Line Painting Pens are available in .5mm and .25mm sizes and each will create lines of uniform width. Read on for more tips on preparing, drawing and caring for your new favorite painting pen! 

Suggested additional supplies you’ll want to have on hand when working with a Fine Line Painting Pen – wire (provided), paint or thinned ink, paint brush or water dropper (to transfer the fluid to the tool), paper towel, scrap paper. 

Choose your surface - The Fine Line Painting Pens perform best on smooth firm surfaces. such as wood, stretched canvas and panels, paper, metal etc.  

Filling your pen -  Fill your pen with ink or paint thinned to an inky consistency. This can be done with a small dropper or by loading a thin brush and ‘scraping’ it into the well. Your pen comes with a fine wire for cleaning and keeping the nib open. 

Clear the path - After filling, push the wire through the opening to make sure it is clear. While the wire is through the hole, wipe the end on a scrap rag before removing.  

Test it out - After filling the pen with color, tap the pen gently on a piece of scrap paper to allow the ink to flow freely. Test your ‘writing’ and lines on a scrap surface to make sure ink is flowing and you like your color.  Do this each time you refill the pen, or after taking a break to lessen any blobs of color and make sure the pen is clear and ready for your work. 

Keep in contact - For best ink flow, keep the tip of the pen in full contact with your surface (not on the edge), but do not bear down. Too much pressure could result in preventing color flow through the tip. The nib of the pen is gravity fed so for best results, you will want your surface only slightly angled or horizontal if possible.  

Taking a break - During your working session, rest the pen flat with the head on a paper towel or other blotting cloth. You can also rest the pen with the wire pushed through the hole. If using water-based paints, dampen a paper towel and loosely wrap it around the head of the pen to slow drying of your media  

Straight lines - Don't be afraid to use a ruler or other straight edge tool with your pen, but make sure the ruler is slightly elevated to allow clean inking. Rulers with a thin cork surface backing that provides elevation are a good choice or apply strips of masking tape on the back surface of your tool to create the same effect. Remember – always test on a practice surface to make sure your ruler/straight edge is doing its job.  

Look ahead - Don’t focus too hard on the tip as you draw but instead look slightly ahead to where you are going. Just like writing with a regular pen, this can help lessen the chance of a shaky hand. Use a pencil or other removable media to add guide or pattern lines on your surface. 

Keep your pen moving - A stopped pen in contact with your surface will likely result in little blobs so keep the pen moving for a more consistent line. On the other hand, you can also create fine dots by pressing and lifting your pen.  

Clean after use - Be sure to clean, rinse, and air dry the pen thoroughly at the end of your session. The wire provided is your best friend so poke it through as you are cleaning to make sure you have dislodged any dry paint.  

SHOP FINE LINE PAINTING PENS 

Single (.5mm) 

2-Pack (.5mm and .25mm in one pack)

Special thank you to Seema Bisht for creating the support images showing off this unique tool.