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Anyone made their own reed pen?

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Alan Bickley

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At the risk of boring everyone this rather sunny but cold Saturday, these are my common English bulrushes, complete with a couple of nesting swans. Aren't they gorgeous, the swans I mean!

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Alan Bickley

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I am pleased to report that my Scottish reeds have arrived intact. (I have thanked Fiona in an email). They look excellent, about 12/14in or so in length and just a tad thinner than a pencil and quite dry, perfect in other words and gives me some spare material. I am busy today but will have a go at cutting one later on. I am going to follow the clear and precise instructions as laid out in The Artist feature by Jason Bowyer. He cuts the nib and then makes an incision down the centre, like you see on a pen nib. This gives added flexibility and ink flow, so this should produce exactly what I'm after.

Alan Bickley

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A little cottage industry!, I have actually just cut a nib on one to try. Works a treat, the incision to split the nib allows for flexibility. Not drawn anything yet, I haven't the time today but scribbled some gorgeous calligraphic marks - well impressed so far.

Alan Bickley

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I've cut a few nibs, I am able to get a very fine line which is good. I did find that soaking the reeds in water for a while before cutting did stop any splitting which can occur. I will draw something up in a day or so to show my results. Until then, please try and contain your excitement...

Michael Robinson

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I never even knew you could make pens out of reeds, these look intriguing. Will be very interested to see the marks they produce.

Alan Bickley

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Yes Sylvia, it is an interesting article and certainly inspired me to give it a go. I've had a dabble with a few ideas and this is where I'm at. Drawing say architectural stuff, buildings and the like which involve a lot of straight lines just doesn't work, well, not for me. You are not able to achieve that beautiful calligraphic line that I am after. So, after several disappointments I've come up with this quickie of the Grandchildren drawing. It won't suit everyone that's for sure - if you are looking for uniform lines without blotting, smudging and so on then this is not for you. I love it and will continue experimenting.

Alan Bickley

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I knew when I started this drawing that you like to draw in this style. It's just black India ink, I made a small cup of diluted ink as well to start me off - you can see that on the drawing. That was a suggestion from the article. I love the expressive 'gung-ho' direct approach style of drawing this way, getting right away from anything verging on draughtsmanship! This is all 100% reed pen on hot pressed (HP) watercolour paper. Again, as stated in the article, you can introduce brush work, in fact mixed media as in his examples. - plenty to explore.

Michael Robinson

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I like it too Alan, hope you get a lot of pleasure from exploring this medium.

Alan Bickley

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Thank you Sandra, and of course Fiona and Sylvia for those replies to my reed pen sketch. Doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in this post so I won't bother posting any more of my efforts. Could it be that its got lost amongst all this cyber mayhem that has hit us?. Probably not...just a general disinterest in drawing I feel.

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Michael Robinson

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Bit of a pity not to Alan as a few of us are really interested and would like to see how you progress with these reeds.

Michael Robinson

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I think you are very clever using the reeds, your picture looks great Alan.
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Lewis Cooper

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I think there is a lot of interest, Alan. Your post has had nearly 500 views. I've been following it, but, stupidly, have made no comment. I don't post very often because sometimes you get the feeling that there's tumbleweed blowing through the forum...perhaps I pick the wrong subjects. But as someone who loves drawing in all it's forms, your post has been of great interest. I doubt that I'll try reed pens, for the same reason I stopped using a dip pen...blots, spurts, etc. But in fact a dip pen is far more responsive a drawing tool than a mechanical pen...so even if I'm not persuaded to try reed pens, you've revived my interest in dip pens...I'll give them a go. (Not the purpose of your post, I know. But I'm thinking what do a few blots matter.) I liked your sketch, and hope you feel you can continue to share your progress. Lew, (Found guilty of lurking silently in the forum)
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