On My Desk
Feathery milkweed pods sit on my desk this week next to a stack of field guides, a large tome on the beginnings of modern natural history, and flyers for holiday strolls. Rounding out the desktop: pens, ink cartridges, notes with art class ideas, receipts, and the usual assortment of brushes, pens, and paints. Outside my window: gray, cold December. Tis the season for messy desks, indoor confinement, and more project ideas than time.
Amidst the clutter, I’ve been putting a new fountain pen with an extra fine nib through the paces to see how it performs for drawing, light washes, and handwriting. Ellington Pens asked if I would like to try their Alpine Rose fountain pen and I’m glad I agreed. The EF nib was not scratchy, and the ink flowed smoothly and dried quickly, which meant I didn’t smudge it. It also rewet beautifully when I added water to create a light wash. The pen has a nice weight to it and feels good in hand. I especially liked it for writing, which you don’t see here, but it will also be handy and versatile whenever I can carry only a pen and water brush.
If you or someone you know enjoys fountain pens, or if you want to down the rabbit hole of inks, journals, pen care videos, and company history, you can find it all here: https://www.ellingtonpens.com/.
Artwork (done in my journal from Italy with cream paper):
1. Milkweed
2. Rosa sinensis foliosa copied from an engraving done by Cornelus Bloemaert in 1633, from the book The Eye of the Lynx: Galileo, his friends, and the beginnings of modern natural history by David Freedberg (2002). I could write an entire blog post just about doing this piece. It was fascinating to try to replicate the line work and figure out how the engraver did it.
3. Quick pen test sketches
4. Amanita mushroom- It’s always good to practice sketching light subjects in ink.
Drawn In 
Jean, I have just cleaned out my Lamy Al-Star fountain pen, sat down to read emails, and what a surprise to find your milkweed ink drawing and information about fountain pens. It’s been awhile since I’ve used this pen., so you have inspired me to find a milkweed pod and give it a go!
I am always intrigued how you draw in such detail, especially nests. Studying your drawings helps me improve my skills. Thank you.
I do look forward to your Sunday emails.
Nancy Schmidt Granville Ohio
Hi Nancy- Thanks so much for your note. I had a Lamy fountain pen but wrecked it with pigmented ink and too little cleaning several years ago. I just bought some brown ink yesterday, so I’m looking forward to trying that in my new pen. Try a milkweed pod– but watch out for the silky seeds. They’ll be flying around your desk before you know it. Have a joyful and creative holiday season! — Jean
Jean! I’m with Nancy …. I really look forward to your Sunday posts and found this one fascinating and timely. Been browsing fountain pens lately and will definitely take a look at the EF nib. Love your detailed sketches on cream paper. The rose is breathtaking and a full post on how you created it would be very welcome! Would love to see a photo or sketch of your busy desk too. Thanks so much for sharing. Have an incredible week. Hope your weather improves lots!
Thanks Barb! I keep looking at the forecast and hoping to see temperatures that might allow for some outside sketching– but more 20s and 30s are tough. The pen test on some subjects I could do indoors was welcome. I hope you find a good pen. I also have a Pilot Metropolitan, which I like a lot. Have a great week!
Thanks muchly for the Metropolitan pen suggestion. I saw that name and illustration on your sketch and made note of it, along with “stub nib.” Do you prefer ink cartridges or something refillable from ink bottles? How long do you expect a fountain pen to last? The Ellington Alpine Rose is gorgeous; a bit too expensive for my budget right now.
one more question about that natural history tome …… is it readable? Sounds fascinating!
Barb- I find the cartridges easier to use, but bottled inks brings in a whole range of choices. I expect a fountain pen to last forever if it is properly cared for. So it’s worth testing them out when you get a chance to see what feels right in your hand and what nib gives you the line quality you want. The cyber sale at Ellington makes many of their pens the same price as a less expensive pen. But I really like the Metropolitan, too. Skip the cheaper plastic pens if you can…they just always feel…plastic. All this said, I’m not giving up my Microns– I love the fine 005 line, the convenience, and the ability to use watercolor with them.
Jean! In reply to your last comment …… such sage advice. I’ll check out Ellington’s cyber sale and compare with the Pilot Metro. There are so many choices; quite frankly, I’m stymied. But virtual shopping is fun! A million thanks for your time and comments. Never, never give up your microns. I also love my 005 and 01. Just wished they were refillable somehow. Wishing you balmy weather soon!
Good morning Jean,Thanks so much for your Sunday morning inspiration. I don’t recall seeing many just ink sketches from you. These are so fine, and I appreciate your comment ‘fascinating to try to replicate’ exactly my feelings taking your Winslow November Nature session. And ‘more projects than time’ is something I can really relate to…it would be an awesome achievement for me to accomplish one like project each week. Thanks also for your educati
Thank you for your thoughtful note, Linda. I appreciate it. Time has long been my limiting factor, as I know it is for many of us. I like your idea of accomplishing one project a week. I find that manageable and you don’t have to start and finish all in one go. Keep putting pen to paper!
Jean, these are fabulous drawings. Would you ever consider a offering a pen and ink drawing class?
I’d love to…I wonder what the interest would be. Thanks for suggesting it!
Wonderful drawings Jean. They have an old world feel. Lovely. Thanks for the pen info. Cheers, Alison
Thanks Alison. I’m trying out brown ink next and I’m looking for more of that old world feeling.
It seems Ellington is enlisting a few of us. I have read a number of review recently. Good pens, not sure it is replacing my TWSBI for sketching. Love the sketches today.
Thanks Terry– When you have a pen you like, stay with it….unless you are tempted to experiment. I enjoy testing different supplies, but that has also led to some costly and unused pens. I’m glad to say that this one won’t likely join those ranks. — Jean
I am constantly trying pens, it’s an addiction. I was glad to get a free pen, and did a review not unlike yours. I was not familiar with Ellington, and am glad they gave me the chance. And yes it will not be one relegated to the never used, I like the feel and flow. Thanks.
I suspect the pen addiction is one that is widely shared.
For sure.
Terry … if I may ask, what does TWSBI stand for? Thank you!
Nothing it is the brand, quite popular amount ink and watercolor folks.
https://www.twsbi.com/products/twsbi-diamond-580-clear-fountain-pen
Terry! Thank you very much for the reply and clarifying what TWSBI means. I’ll check out the link you included!
My pleasure, the small, micro I think, is what I have. I like the screw on cap, saves pockets. They fill from bottle, no cartridges.
Thanks so much again, Terry. The cap that screws on sounds like a winner!
I love these Sunday posts! It’s been to cold and snowy of late to work outside, so lots of little bits picked up and brought home for sketching. Your work inspires me! And yes, I need to try a sepia-toned ink now!
I think our desks will be cluttered with bits and pieces of nature for the next few months!
I am a pushover for the classical engravings – but the sketch that really got me was your mushroom. I’m just so impressed at how you capture the warmth and translucence of light using only black ink. Really lovely.
During my high school years, when I was most active in creating art, pen and ink was my favorite artistic medium. I enjoyed shading using short cross-hatch strokes. The detail in your work made me smile and remember those fond memories.
I’m so glad to hear Darr. It’s amazing what a lifelong influence a good high school art class has. I was fortunate to have many good days in the art room.