An idea But id love to see it come to fruition

[Guest]

Squiffy,

A bow pen was always included in a technical drawing set before the days ot Rotring pens (which were before Autocad!) and usually consisted of a freehand pen and a compass attachment. The gap in between the two points of the pen could be adjusted by a screw half way down the bow, which effecively adjusted the gap and hence the line thickness.

All you did was dip the pen into the ink and the capilliary action drew the ink up between the two points and into the gap. You had to take great care not to make a mess with them but they were actually very versatile and could be used for all sorts of paints and inks. Being very robust they can still be a usefull tool for fine line drawing with paint on very uneven surfaces such as figures.

Technical pens such as Rotring pens are also handy but they are a bit more temperamental and infinately more exensive. You are also limited to the inks you can use so they don't have as much going from them. Bow pens are a classic "Back to Basics" item whereby nothing since has been developed which does the job better.

[wonwinglo]

As an artist we use a variation on these pens which are not quite as mechanical in feel,to make them proceed as follows-

You can use sticks of balsa wood tapered to a point or bamboo ( the sort used on those cheap blinds obtainable from £ shops etc ) once you have the taper simply make a slit with a razor saw at the tip,at the top of the slit drill a small hole,this acts as the reservoir for the paint/ink,balsa wood pens have been used for years by artists and model makers,they absorb just the right amount of liquid,are expendable and user friendly,the bamboo variety are used in Chinese painting and ideal for use with acrylic paints.

You can also make your own spring bow pen by taking two flat narrow strips of bamboo,bind these with cotton at one end,in the middle spread the strips with a small piece of balsa or cork,now take a thin piece of flexible wire and proceed to tighten up the points to the desired width,sharpen the two points with a knife finishing off with sanding smooth,thats it dip into the liquid and you will have the finest little modelling painting tool,and it costs nothing !

[Guest]

As barry says you can make them yourself very easy but i have had mine 20 yrs and it is like a old friend i use it for very fine lines or if i am doing freehand markings and if you want a straight line it beats any brush hands down

[Guest]

WOW....ive never heard of such a thing, maybe its before my time! I dont really remmber pre-autocad....cept for those darn protractors they make you use in school.

Im going to get one of these definatly! I'll let you know how i get on and try and get some photos! Im assuming that they work ok with acyrilics?

[Guest]

Squiff let me have a look i think i have a spare one somewhere if i have your welcome to it !

[Guest]

That would be great if its no bother nigel! :respect1:

[Guest]

I got it send us your address and il post it on to you mate

[Guest]

Brilliant, dude!

I'll PM you.