Today I needed to ink something in a scratchier style than usual. I looked over into my pen cup and there was my grandfather's crowquill.
My grandfather was an amateur cartoonist - he was a PR man in the "Mad Men" era and so a lot of his work went into client newsletters. Before he died he passed on some of his old tools. I've never really liked crowquill much before, although I love the way the lines look when other artists use it.
But I gave it a whirl today, and I really enjoyed it. I made every possible mistake (flicking the nib, dragging my hand over wet ink lines) and look a complete mess, but also got some neat effects. I have a story script I think would look good with crowquill lines, so it was a very pleasant discovery.
And it was a sweet, melancholy thing to use one of his old tools.
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greyaenigma 12 months ago | reply
I don't know from pens, but I love the name "crowquill".
Adrian J Wallace 12 months ago | reply
You're very lucky to find some older pen nibs. I'm told there has been a decline in quality with ones made in modern times. They have a tendency to be made from sleazy metal alloys that bend and break too easily.
quirkybird 12 months ago | reply
I'm reluctant to use this nib except for special occasions, though, since it'd be a shame to bust it.
alexis_barattin 12 months ago | reply
Ha this is great!!!