Pen Marks

What is a Pen Mark?

A pen mark is the impression left by a brush pen when you briefly press the pen to the paper without making a stroke. It’s almost like the pen’s “fingerprint,” revealing several unique qualities of the brush. A pen mark indicates how broad a stroke the pen can make, whether the top part of the stroke will be more straight or rounded, the wetness and flow of the ink, and other important characteristics. This simple technique provides valuable insight into how the brush will behave during actual lettering.

Pen Mark Demonstration

Here’s an example of a pen mark made with a large brush pen:

How to make a Pen Mark

To create a pen mark, hold the brush pen just as you normally would, applying the same amount of pressure as if you were creating a downstroke. But instead of moving the pen, simply press it down and lift it straight off the paper. It’s almost like stamping the paper, allowing the pen to leave a clear impression.

What Are Pen Marks Used For?

Pen marks are especially useful for beginners learning brush lettering, as they help familiarize them with the brush pen’s pressure dynamics and unique qualities. Additionally, pen marks are a great way to compare different brush pens. The marks can reveal important characteristics, such as how the pen responds to pressure and how your strokes will likely appear when lettering.

Beyond lettering practice, pen marks can also be used for color swatching or even for illustration purposes. I love creating hearts by making two pen marks with their tips touching, or drawing leaves and wreaths along a line using simple brush marks. This versatile technique adds creative possibilities to your projects and helps you experiment with the full range of what your brush pen can do.

By experimenting with pen marks, you’ll gain insight into how different pens work and how your lettering will shape up. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned letterer, pen marks are a simple yet valuable technique to understand your tools better.