Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White
Gentle Reader, Cindi, asked about using white ink over black in Zentangle drawings.”I’ve seen many tangle pics where a white pen or pencil has been used to accent on top of the black ink. It covers the black ink quite well. What do you use? I’ve tried a couple of “chalk pencils” but am not thrilled with the results.”
The best product I know of is Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White
You can also use white ink on black or dark paper in your “reverse image” Zentangles and Zentangle-inspired art. Or the gel pens noted below.
Naturally you’ll want a calligraphy pen and a few nibs to go with the ink. I love my Speedball Pen
White Ink Gel Pens
It’s becoming very popular to use white gel pens on dark paper. Here are the pens subscribers are recommending in the comments:
Find white ink and gel pens on Amazon
Thanks for the suggestion, Linda. Can’t wait to hear what others use for white – this is such a great place to get information and ideas!
I use a pen that is wonderful, I’ve used up three or four of them. I’ve experimented with a lot of white pens and this is the only one I’ve found that is really opaque.
Uni-ball Signo Broad UM-153 Gel Pen – White Ink
The only place I’ve ever found it is at jetpens.com http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/products_id/380
The Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White sounds great too, I’m going to find some to try.
Has anyone experimented with Pitt’s sepia pens?
After trying several brands of white gel pens I would second Amy’s recommendation of the Signo white pen. Another source for it is Scrapbook.com it’s so popular it’s often on back order but they are good about notifying you when it’s in.
http://store.scrapbook.com/jv-um153.html
I’ve never worked with nibs and ink but may have to try the one featured here. Only question I have – what would anyone recommend for beginning nibs to use for Zentangle work?
Thanks
Suzanne
I haven’t tried tangling with these yet, Suzanne. But I’m thinking any of the smaller size Speedball B round nibs, eg. B-5, would work. You’ve just prompted me to get mine out and have a go!
I was given a journal made of handmade paper from Nepal (reminds me of the paper that’s used to cover the box that the basic Zentangle Kits comes in). The pages in this journal also has texture and came in a deep pink, light pink, golden yellow, teal green, medium blue, and red and the best pens to use on this paper was the India Ink or Dr Ph. Martins Black or White ink using a calligraph dip pen. The white Ph. Martin Ink will bleed through this paper if I’m not carefull with filling in larger areas.
Both the micron pen and dip pen works great on this paper. I’m sure I can get away with using a Sharpie Marker or pen on this paper, but I haven’t tried.
Another tip. If you draw on anything after it’s been painted with primer like gesso, do not use a sharpie marker nor a sakura pen to draw on. You will ruin these pens and they won’t write anymore. Using a sharpie Paint Pen or the Dip Pen with india or Dr Ph Martin Inks works on the primer surface.
I saw a beautifully decorated clip board someone done for her niece and she used a dip pen and I believe a paint pen for the thicker lines. She didn’t mentioned using a sakura pen or a regular sharpie marker. I discovered this on the Zentangle.com newsletter.
Remember Surfaces painted with Gesso/Primer paint will ruin a Sharpie Marker or a Sakura Pen! Use a dip pen or paint pen for this type of surface!
I LOVE Zentangling on black paper. It is very cool and unique looking. I have tried many white markers and the clear winner is Gelly Roll, Medium Point in White.
It lasts a long time and flawlessly draws line. Keep in mind these tips: It is permanent, draw lines a bit slower than you normally would to allow even ink flow and allow time to dry. Work one area then turn your work to another area to allow previous ink to dry. Once dry it’s truly beautiful!
I’m with Suzy on this one too. I just got a Pentel, Sunburst white gel pen. Used on black bristol 100# paper and the results are stunning.