DRAWING-PENS.
A special pen called a drawing-pen, and also special ink, are required to ink a drawing; [figs. 194] and [195] represent two sizes of drawing-pens—one being best adapted for fine work, and the other for coarse or heavy line work. The points, as will be observed in the illustration, are made of two steel blades which open and close as required for thickness of lines by a regulating screw.
Fig. 194.
Fig. 195.
A good drawing pen should be made of properly tempered steel, neither too soft nor hardened to brittleness. The nibs should be accurately set, both of the same length, and both equally firm when in contact with the drawing paper. The points should be so shaped that they are fine enough to admit of absolute control of the contact of the pen in starting and ending lines, but otherwise as broad and rounded as possible, in order to hold a convenient quantity of ink without dropping it. The lower (under) blade should be sufficiently firm to prevent the closing of the blades of the pen, when using the pen against a straightedge.
Fig. 196.
Fig. 197.
The spring of the pen, which separates the two blades, should be strong enough to hold the upper blade in its position, but not so strong that it would interfere with easy adjustment by the thumbscrew. The thread of the thumbscrew must be deeply and evenly cut so as not to strip.
An important requisite after the pencil lines have been put in is ink, with which to line the drawing. This should be of the best that can be procured. The pen is filled by dropping the ink between the blades, or nibs, while held in a nearly vertical position, as shown in [fig. 196].
Liquid India ink can be procured in bottles with glass tube feeders, which are very good, and keep the hands and fingers free of the ink. [Fig. 197] is a sectional view of such a bottle and “filler,” or feeder. This generally answers all requirements, but the dry ink of good quality, in sticks or bars, cannot be surpassed, although it requires skill for its preparation. [Fig. 198] represents a sloping dish or “tile” for mixing, which should be done with little pressure, in clean, filtered or distilled water, care being taken to keep the liquid free of dust, which obstructs the free flow of the ink in the pens.
Fig. 198.
The bars of India ink are shown, as they are imported, in [figs. 199 to 202].
Pure India or China ink is only made in those countries, because the special wood from which it is prepared is found only in those regions. So-called India inks, made of lampblack and animal glue, are only imitations; therefore India ink should be purchased from a reliable importing house—shape is little guarantee of quality.
Fig. 199.—Fig. 200.—Fig. 201.—Fig. 202.
Fig. 203.
Soft gray vulcanized rubber ([fig. 203]) should be used for cleaning drawing paper; for erasing any portion of a line in pencil, a piece of prepared white vulcanized rubber is the best, small in size and of rectangular shape (see [fig. 205]).
Fig. 204.
Fig. 205.
Fig. 206.
Fig. 207.
An ink eraser is made of a composition of rubber and ground glass, and it should be used as sparingly as possible on drawings, as it roughens the paper and removes the gloss from its surface (see [fig. 204]). Steel ink erasers are useful in removing defects, overrun lines, joint of lines if swollen, etc.; they have a fine point and can be used to advantage with a little practice; they are used with a scratching, not a cutting, motion (see [figs. 206, 207]).