Sketching with a Pilot Parallel Pen.

Pilot Parallel Pens are wonderful for calligraphy. Inspired by @rcannonp and Yoji Shinkawa’s sketch with a 3.8mm, I decided I would go with the 6 mm.

Nude with wings
Nude with wings

It’s a challenge to find the balance between bold stroke and hairline suggestion. Also, for someone used to keeping a steady angle of nib to paper, the rapid switching between flat edge and corner point can be confusing. I end up stroking a shadow where a fine line should be. Still, muscle memory comes with practice.

Some kind of dragon horse
Some kind of dragon horse

I can get addicted to these fat, juicy streaks of black. They make me want to not leave any white space. They whisper, “white space is for wusses.”

White space is for wusses
White space is for wusses

Using a Parallel Pen is better seen than described in words. So here’s the video.