New Pens - Metropolitans

Not that I need any more pens but I treated myself to three Metropolitans after learning they came in other than black or gold like back years ago when I first bought two.  I like the nibs on these pens compared to the Lamy nibs.  Fine nibs in the Metropolitans are like the Lamy Extra Fine nibs but not quite as scratchy.

Although the site says they no longer come with converters, the three I purchased did.  The type that came were the squeeze type converters I've never used before.  Will be interesting to see how well they work and how much ink they hold.  I also purchased the Con40 converters but quickly learning I don't care for them.  They do not hold very much ink.  I'd rather refill an old cartridge than to use those converters.

I have filled each pen with DeAtramentis Document inks of similar colors to the color of the pens for easy identification.

Illustration worked using watercolor pencils dry.  Worked in journal with Fabriano Hot Press watercolor paper.

UPDATE August 4, 2020:  The squeeze type converters seem to be doing OK.  The Con 40 converters are absolutely useless!!!  Other people stating they don't hold much ink is an understatement.  Plus, I find I have to physically turn the piston to push ink up towards the feed in order for it to continue feeding ink. 

Walking Down Memory Lane Using Various Mediums

After working the watercolor sketch of Aransas Pass, I was interested in viewing other mediums I've worked to include some of my full size watercolor paintings (safely stored away) I had prints done for ATC cards.  It shows I haven't only worked sketches or strictly in a journal.  I love "journaling" however, so I haven't really done anything recent like these shown here.  I like having my work in books I can sit and flip through and that do not take up a lot of space.

Back in my acrylic painting days (painted decades ago):

My only oil and pastel.  I quickly learned with first attempts that I can't handle the fumes associated with oil painting and I can't handle the dust from the pastels.  I still have the pastel protected between wax paper and cardboard and my brother displays my oil painting:

Watercolor Paintings through the years:

Drawings (which I feel more comfortable calling sketches but back when I actually tried to meet composition rules that I now rebel against......ha ha) in various mediums to include ballpoint, fountain pen, and pencil...one with a watercolor.

The top left is from one of my trips to the UK.  Top right is the back of my house before moving to Florida.  Middle left is where my Nanny (grandmother) lived in Mannington, WV.  Middle right on location sitting outside the funeral home my step father was being viewed before the funeral.  Bottom left also from my trip to Rockport, TX.  Bottom right again during one of my trips to the UK.  The gal I stayed with was also an artist who belonged to the same forum I did for so many years.

The funeral home is definitely more of a sketch but I included it as I remember trying to place things as guidelines say we should.  The others are prints and not just works in a sketchbook.

Sometimes I think about doing more "formal" work but then I remember why I was drawn to working in journals.

75 Day Challenge - Day 33

Normally I shy away from the wetter feeding nibbed pens but here lately have been trying to learn to work with them.

This is a perfect example when the wetter feed comes in handy............when dealing with a lot of dark or in this case black.

I decided to sketch my Edison Beaumont fountain pen that has a black body with flecks of various golds throughout.  The wet feed made it much easier to fill in with the broader hatch marks.

With the Namiki Falcon, I sketched the pen and outlined the flecks in the body and cap.  Then filled in the black around the flecks.  Then I used my Lamy Safari with the dryer feed......holding the nib upside down for an even finer line, and worked the lighter shading on the flecks and metal parts of the pen.

I really enjoyed doing this and for a change didn't feel nervous jumping in with pen and ink.

Stillman & Birn Beta 3.5 x 5.5 journal

How to Disassemble Your Favorite Fountain Pens

A friend on Facebook shared about a video series that shows us how to disassemble several of our favorite fountain pens (thank you Kate Powell).  Here are just a few videos along with the link to the video series itself:

How to Disassemble the Lamy Safari:

How to Disassemble the Namiki Falcon:

How to Disassemble the Pilot Prera:

The Disassembling Line Series