Drawing Day is dedicated to celebrating the art of drawing. By dedicating a day to the creation and admiration of this art form, the founders of Drawing Day hope that art enthusiasts worldwide will collectively create at least one million drawings on the designated day. If you would like to be part of the celebration, here is everything you need to know about using gel pens to create that perfect work of art.
What Are Gel Pens?
Gel pens use ink similar to that of a traditional ballpoint pen, but the ink’s pigments are thicker, and produce more vivid colors. While the ink in a conventional ballpoint is simply dissolved dye suspended in an oil-based paste, the ink in a gel pen is colored powder pigments suspended in a water-based gel. The gel pen ink takes longer to dry than traditional ink, but it won’t bleed through or spread out once it sets.
Why Are Gel Pens a Great Choice for Drawing?
Gel pens are an excellent tool for drawing because the vivid colors can make your drawings pop. They come in a large variety of colors and special effects, such as glitter, metallic, and sparkles. Simply put, gel pens provide you with a vast array of options to help you express yourself exactly as you wish.
Additionally, people prefer gel pens to traditional pens because the ink offers several advantages, including:
• Minimal staining on clothes and skin
• Smoother writing
• Safe to use for archival purposes
• Resistant to fading
• Nontoxic to users
• Resistant to water, once dry
Finally, unlike a colored pencil or a crayon, gel pens offer you the control you need during the drawing process because the pen’s tip does not change its shape or size with use.
What Are Some Creative Ways To Use Gel Pens When Drawing?
If you’ve never tried drawing with gel pens, you’re in for a treat. You can choose from a wide array of colors and special effects that will take your drawings to the next level. Additionally, because gel pens offer you the control of a small, targeted tip, they work well to apply special techniques, such as outlining, stippling, hatching, and crosshatching.
Unleash your imagination, and choose a variety of gel pens to let your inner artist shine. Here are several ideas that you can try:
• Create beautiful visual effects by using gel pens on top of dry acrylic paint.
• Try combining gel pens with markers or colored pencils to add dimensions and highlights.
• Use gel pens on top of watercolors to create unique designs.
• Create a gradient effect by smudging the ink while it’s wet.
• Blend two colors together to create lovely shading.
• Use bright gel pens on black paper to make your drawing stand out.
• Create contrast by strategically using glittery or metallic gel pens throughout your drawing.
• Try layering a matte gel ink on top of a glittery ink to create a more subtle intensity.
If you haven’t tried using gel pens in your artwork, Drawing Day is the perfect time to try. The vibrant colors, special effects, and flexibility of gel pens make them an excellent tool for adding more depth and flair to your creations.
