Buck-inthian ink
Tools-day: Pentel Standard Brush Pen, Super Fine
I was perusing JetPens lately, looking for Kuretake brush-pen refills when I came across a new Pentel brush. At $8, I figured that it was worth a try. I love the Pentel Pocket Brush, but I’ve had bad luck getting one that can keep a fine point after extended use.
The standard brush is a little different than the Pocket Brush. It has a squeezable reservoir, rather than a hard body with a cartridge. I assume that you could load new ink via syringe. There is a little ring between the cap and the reservoir that needs to be removed before you can begin to draw. Pump the reservoir gently a few times to get the ink flowing to the filaments and you’re in business.
The point seems different that the Pocket Brush as well, longer and more tapered. Maybe that’s the “super fine” part, though it’s not a particularly firm brush, a little less than the Pocket. Small detail lettering is a challenge, or anything else that requires small quick curves.
The verdict:
I like it better than my last Pocket Brush, so I’ll give it a try a bit longer. It’s decent for the price and I may experiment with filling the brush with different inks later.
I’ll put up the finished illustration tomorrow.
I had a late start getting out to Wahclella Falls and found the small trailhead completely packed. Lucky for me, the Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery was right across (or under, as it were) highway 84. If you ever find yourself in the area, I’d recommend it. The controversial dam is spectacular and the vistor center is quite nice. You can watch salmon swim up the fish ladders and see little fish growing into bigger fish at the hatchery. There appeared to be several small islands that you can park on and fish, or get buffeted by the wind that rolls down the Columbia. I’ll have to go back some time and check it out.
The hatchery is a little gem of a place, with a park-like setting and plenty of things for kids to see and touch. Everything is free and the folks who run things were very friendly.
On my way out, I checked the falls trailhead and found a spot. The hike is a brief mile or and fairly easy. About a third of the way in the trail splits into a high trail and low trail that meet at the falls. You can do the hike as a loop, but I recommend taking the low trail both ways, it’s more scenic and easier. The falls are spectacular, as usual. There is a little upper fall and then a much larger lower one that empties into a large pool.
If you can, see the dam and do the hike together. They are great for any age group and I think kids would especially like it.
