My favourite pens for sketching
The question which pens I use for my sketchnotes and for sketching in general is probably the question I get asked most often. I made a list for you with my (currently) favourite pens. But before we get to the list…
A word to start
Although I love pens, I don't think that they are the main thing to worry about when sketching. Any pen is better than no pen. If you want to get started, you don't need a set of special pens to dig in. Any pen will do. Your hand and your brain are the important parts.
But if you want to start experimenting, you should, as there is a lot to discover and a lot of fun to be had. There isn't a pen that is perfect for everybody in every situation. You need to try out for yourself, see what feels good and what fits your sketching style. So without further ado, here is a list of my favourites.
Most of the links on this list are Amazon affiliate links. If you use one of the links to buy pens, I’ll get a small commission (but it doesn’t cost you anything).
MUJI gel pen
Great for drawing small (e.g. in a sketchbook or for detailed sketchnotes). The MUJI gel pens are among my favourites. They have a nice ink flow, are refillable and inexpensive. Plus, they come in many different colours and 3 different line widths ( 0.38, 0.5 and 0.7mm).
Pilot G-Tec-C 0.4
Super thin. Lovely for small writing and line drawings. This pen is a long time favourite of mine for sketchnoting. I like its ultra fine lines and the slightly scratchy feel on the paper.
Staedtler Pigment Liner
A black fine liner with document-proof ink (i.e. it does not fade, or fades less quickly, when exposed to light). In addition, the ink is smudge-proof as soon as it has dried, which means that the black line does not smudge when you draw over it later with a colour or a shadow pencil. The pigment liners are also available in different line widths.
Uniball Signo UM-153
A rollerball pen (i.e. with a small ball in the tip over which the ink is rolled onto the paper) with an abundant ink flow. It takes a little longer to dry, but I like the rich black line that the Uniball Siglo puts on the paper.
Pilot V Fineliner
Similar to the Uniball Siglo but with a felt tip. Great if you need a slightly stronger line. I like the nice, rich ink flow of the Pilot V.
Stabilo Point Fineliner
Inexpensive, easy to use and (especially in Germany) available almost everywhere. Available in black and many colours. The thin felt tip may be a little too sensitive for some who like to press down a little harder.
Black Stabilo Point Fineliner
Set of colourful Stabilo Point Fineliners
Stabilo Pointmax
The slightly thicker brother of the Point Fineliner. Available in the same wide range of colours and therefore ideal if you need two pens of different thicknesses in the same colour.
Pentel Sign Pen (with round tip)
Similar thickness to the Stabilo Pointmax with a round felt tip pen. I like the design (simple shape in a single colour (the colour of the pen) with a large cap. The Sign Pens also come with a brush tip, so watch carefully which one you buy.
Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pen
My go-to shading pencil (colour N75). The pen has two tips - a broad brush tip, for soft strokes with variable width and flat drawing (so ideal for shading) and a thin felt tip for light preliminary drawing or for delicate details in the background.
The pen is not only available in grey, but also in many other colours. However, the shade N75 is the ideal grey for shading - not too light and not too dark.
Sharpie
Even though Sharpies seem to be an absolute standard as workshop markers (at least in the US), I actually don't like Sharpies very much. They smell strongly of solvents (because they are alcohol-based) and they bleed through onto the back of the paper (and often onto the page underneath). A better alternative are water-based markers, such as...
Neuland markers
Neuland has nice refillable markers (but since I mostly sketch in a small format, I don't use markers very often).
Neuland Whiteboard Markers
Neuland is the only company I know that makes (dry erase) whiteboard makers in nice colours (so not just the standard red-green-blue combo). The colour range is wide and there is even a grey whiteboard pen! The whiteboard markers are also refillable.
Here you go. These are my favourite pens. Now have fun pen shopping and sketching!