It's easy to get started!

Wash the pen in warm soapy water, rinse and dry on kitchen towel. This removes the oil film that protects the pen nib, it will now accept ink readily.

Each pen nib has a serrated side and a smopth side, write with the smooth side against the paper. Use either the full width or for fine lines use its chisel edge.

What to write with?

The Automatic Lettering Pens work the best with the following: water-soluble inks and dyes (fountain pen and drawing); Gouache ink or Gouache paint thinned with water; thinned watercolour paint; poster paint; oil paint thinner with Zest-it. Note: the pens can be used with waterproof inks and Acrylic paints but due to the fast drying qualities of these media, they can dry in the nib and clog it.

Fine pigmented Artists quality oil paint, thinned with Zest-it Brush Cleaner and Dilutant, also works well - after use make sure you wash the nib well in Zest-it, before washing in warm soapy water and drying.

How to fill your Automatic pen.

Using a soft haired painting brush, load the brush with ink and by stroking the brush along the open side of the nib, feeding ink into the reservoir.

Or, if you are using ink from a bottle that has a 'dropper' top, use the dropper to feed ink into the reservoir.

Or, just dip the pen nib into the ink to a depth of 1/4", loading/dipping deeper than this can cause the pen to drip ink, because the reservoir will be over full.

Which type to choose?

Single lines are produced by pen numbers 1 (1/16"); 2 (1/8"); 3 (3/16"); 3A (1/4"); 4 (5/16"); 5 (1/2"); 6 (3/4") and 6A (1"). For writing, drawing, decorative and poster work.

Double lines are produced by pens: 7 (1/8"); 8 (3/16"); 9 (1/4") and 10 (1/2").

Five line pen (1/2") for ruling music lines, decorative writing and borders.

To purchase these pens visit J and T's Art & Calligraphy shop

A single letter using two colours in a double line pen

copyright Jacqui Blackman 2005