Noodler´s doodles
I´ve been playing around with the Noodler´s flex pen for a bit. When I first got this pen, I was quite careful with it when I tried it out. (See my first impressions here.) Since then I have started to push the limits a little, trying to figure out how far I can go with this pen in terms of line variation.
It is not an easy flowing, easy flexing pen. It is flexible, but it is not a ‘wet noodle’ – far from it. You have to use a little force to make those maximum wide lines, but when you do, the pen delivers. The ink feed can´t quite keep up with the widest lines if you draw them too fast, there is always a risk of ‘railroading’ (see image if you don´t know what it is), but if you doodle around with it, you get the hang of it after a while. It´s kind of like an old car – once you get to know it, with it´s quirks and limits, it´s really charming.
One thing that is a bit disturbing is that the ink sometimes tend to smear on top of the nib, so you may get inky fingers if you don´t watch out. Plus the ink that I use (Platinum carbon ink) sometimes dries up a bit in the nib, so you have to start up the pen with a few strokes if it has been unused for a couple of days. Otherwise this is a nifty little pen. Plastic, cheap, actually a bit too small for my taste and with a somewhat funny smell, but really cool to draw with.
14 x 14,5 cm, Noodler´s flex pen with Platinum Carbon ink on Schoellershammer drawing paper.
Nina, your drawings are beautiful. I have my sights on the Noodler Flexi but I await a Lany Safari. Happy sigh. Your site helped me decide. I have been thinking of this pen for a few months. Thanks!
excellent!! love the page and the info and really looking forward to seeing the pen in action in Lisbon!!! can’t wait!! (either can BB!)
Yay, can´t believe I´ll actually get to meet you both!
I see persistence pays off – you’ve rally got a handle on that flexible pen! Your artwork is beautifully done – I especially like your watercolors.
Looks like you had a lot of fun. Great drawings.
Well, if I thought this pen could help me draw as well as this, I’d be burning up my PayPal account to have some sent by air. Nice test.
Beautiful drawing, Nina. All the wonderful individual drawings and notes that make up a perfect whole.
That’s a workable review! It’s nice to see and be told what the plusses and the minuses are. Thanks.
Hej Nina,
vilken fantastisk blogg du har, jag hittade dig hos en bloggvän och blev glatt överraskad – har verkligen letat med ljus och lykta efter “nya” inspirerande bloggar.
Gillar dina teckningar över Slussen och stan, och dina akvareller är super. Kul att blanda in mönster och dylikt. Är själv en hängiven akvarellist:)
Tittar in igen och kollar mer!
Må så gott
Hälsn Helena
Vad kul att du kommenterade! Kollade på din blogg också, mycket inspiration att hämta där! Vad roligt att vi är fler här omkring! Jag ska strax lägga till dig i min länklista, så jag enkelt hittar tillbaka till din sida.
Wonderful review and great sample page to show the capabilities of the pen.
I read a recent review where someone mentioned that after using the pen a bit more forcefully for a while, it began to flex a little easier….have you noticed that happening?
Yes, I actually think it does flex a bit easier now that I have tormented it for a bit. Still not a wet noodle in any way, but a bit easier to work with.
amazing details!
I’d love to try one of these pens, but since I’m left-handed, I really have a hard time with fountain pens. The ink doesn’t dry fast enough for me to avoid smearing it. This is a great post – wonderful little drawings and interesting, informative tips. nancy
LOVE love love your penwork! I agree with Dale, I would import some of those in a minute if if would help my drawing, lol! I am looking for the Strathmore Artists Journal and have not found any in Uppsala. Do you have a source in Stockholm? Thanks!
Thanks, Gina! No, I have never seen the Strathmore Journals here either, I think the whole sketchbook market is quite limited in this country. Which is why I bind my own sketchbooks.
SO frustrating that my antique Waterman that flexes SO nicely also leaks so nicely…antique pens are so temperamental!
You master everything about ink ……no doubt, Nina