Product Review: Ink Rendering Pens

I have been working with my rendering ink markers in preparation for teaching my students how to render their floor plans and perspectives with inks, watercolours, and pencils. With this in mind, and refreshing my rendering skills, I thought I would jump on here and do a mini-review of the ink markers I have and what I think of them. I do not have a huge collection, but one which has grown over the years. My collection is made up of what I feel are the major names in ink rendering: Letraset ProMarkers, Tria, and Copic (others are available).

1. Letraset ProMarkers (UK)

Great pens and very easy to use, the ink flows well and the colour is very vivid, although other colours are available from the image above. The pen has a twin tip (a nib on each end); an angled thick nib and a medium nib with a fine point.  The pen case is easily opened and refilled once the ink has run out; the lid has a small lip so the pen does not roll too far.  These ink markers are available in a huge variety of colours and have the colour number, along with a descriptive name, printed on the label of each pen with a strip of the colour, making them easily identified for use. 

2. Tria ink markers (UK)

Probably the first pens I ever bought whilst studying Architecture (quite a few years ago now)...and they have lasted!  Great pens to start with, although they are pricey, and are often sold in sets for a particular use, which makes it even easier for students to choose. The pen has three nibs: a medium nib with a fine point, an angled thick nib and a thin nib (inside the thick nib’s lid).  The pen case is easily opened and refilled once the ink has run out; however, the ink lasts a long time.  These ink markers are available in a huge variety of colours, the main body of the pen is coloured accordingly, and the colour number is indicated on a sticker on the main body of the pen as well as on the lid, so you can see this when they are stacked upright.

3. Copic ink markers (Japan)

Saving the best for last, I love these markers.  They work well, the ink flows and blends perfectly, they offer a great range of colours for Interior and Architectural drawings and, well, they look great!  The square shape of the pen means they do not roll off the drawing board, and the little diagram on the main body of the pen helps determine which end has which nib, making working with them slightly faster.  In my experience, the ink does run out or dry up faster.  Again, the pen has a twin tip (a nib on each end); an angled thick nib and a medium nib with a fine point. These ink markers are available in a huge variety of colours, and different types of pens (but I have not tried them yet) and have the name and number of each colour marked clearly on the lid, in colour, so you can see this clearly when they are stacked upright.