Best Pens for Drawing (Full Guide and Reviews)

Here is our guide for the best drawing pens. 

Pens for artists shouldn’t be hard to find but with so many types of pens like archival pens, inking pens, ballpoint pens, not to mention a variety of pen brands it definitely can be difficult.

If all you want is a good pen for art that helps you create fine lines, dark details, and excellent shading you’ve come to the right place.

We will break down the best drawing pens for fine line black work, colored pens for vibrant art works as well as the different types of pens out there. 

“Personally, I’m especially fond of fine liner pens that really help me control the size and shape of my lines as well as where I’m placing my details.”

Which Type Of Pen Is Best For Drawing?

Fineliner pens like these Sakura Pigam Micron Fineliner Pens are the best pens for drawing if you are looking to create dark, detailed works of art. 

Fineliner pens that use archival ink are perfect for the detailed artist who are looking to create fine, elegant drawings that will last and not bleed. 

If you are looking for colored pens for drawing, some of our favorites are Shuttle Art Fineliner Pens. These, again, are fineliner pens that are colored that offer the ability to be precise and detailed with your colored drawing.

Best Drawing Pens for Beginners 

1. SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens

PROS

• Waterproof (great for working with watercolor or water-based mediums)
• Creates precise lines in different sizes
• Very pigmented

CONS

• Does bleed on some types of paper at times
• Prints in the barrel quickly fade off 

2. Mr. Pen- Drawing Pens

PROS

• Waterproof (great for working with watercolor or water-based mediums)
• Very fine tips
• More cheaper than other brands
• Includes two brush marker pens

CONS

• Ink rans out/dries quickly

3. iBayam Colored Pens

PROS

• Great variety of vibrant colors
• Pretty thin tips yet marks very well
• Slim in size (easy to hold)

CONS

• Ink rans out/dry quickly
• Slim in size (some might find it hard to hold)

4. Piochoo Dual Brush Marker Colored Pens

PROS

• Dual tips per pen (fine point and brush)
• Can create fine and broad strokes
• The brush tip is excellent for coloring 

CONS

• Does bleed through some paper
• Does fade at some point in time

5. Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke Brush Pen

PROS

• Includes soft and hard brush tips
• Best for practicing calligraphy
• Available in different vibrant colors

CONS

• Not waterproof (may smudge when used with other water-based mediums)

6. Shuttle Art Fineliner Colored Pens

PROS

• Comes in a sturdy and organized box
• Lightweight
• Wide variety of colors
• Best for coloring

CONS

• Some nibs might be rough at times

7. Precision Micro-Line Pens

PROS

• Waterproof
• Archival
• Great variety of tip sizes
• Easy yo use with watercolor

CONS

• Some pens dry out quickly
• Black ink might be lighter when dry

What Are Some Common Pens for Drawing

Uni Pin Pens 

Uni Pin Fineliner Pens are excellent markers with smooth ink flow and water resistance. They are also light resistant, which means they are fade-proof and usually smear-proof. They have fibre and metal-clad tips of 0.05mm, 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 0.8mm, suitable for working with rulers in making straight marks or lines.

Archival pens

Archival pens are specialized to make markings on archival-quality paper that will survive very long. They come in various types, including ballpoint, gel, and marker pens, and are available in a wide range of colors. The Sakura Micron Pen is an archival pen containing acid-free, waterproof, and fade-resistant ink used by many artists, mainly to preserve their works.

Ballpoint Pens

Ballpoint pens are a writing tool that dispenses ink onto papers or other writing materials using a tiny revolving ball at the tip, allowing for a consistent ink flow. Ballpoint pens are known for their ease of use, durability, and convenience. The Beiluner ballpoint pen is classic and sleek, with a 0.5mm medium point that makes drawing and writing easy and smooth. 

Rolling Ball Pens

Rolling ball pens have the same way of distributing ink to paper as Ballpoint pens do. This Rolling ball pen we recommend comes in various colors and has a 0.5 mm needle tip with an output regulator, allowing consistent flow without putting too much pressure. One of the main advantages of rolling ball pens is their versatility. They can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including paper, cardboard, plastic, and even glossy or coated materials.

Felt Tip Pens