Substitute Ruling Pen

  This entry was originally posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012

So you just ordered a ruling pen and you are dying to use it but it won't come for another week or two.

And you really want to paint!

What to do?

Instead, try making your own substitute ruling pen out of a straw.

All you have to do is cut the end at an angle.

It is best to cut it so that it is at a rounded angle instead of a point.

 

 

If it is too pointy and sharp, it will scratch your paper and the mask as you put on the masking fluid.

Now the straw will act like a quill.

Dip it in enough fluid that it will come out easily and not too much so it comes out in a big glob.

You may want to practice before you go and put it onto your painting.

And the best part about a straw.

You can throw it away or cut off the end ready for the next time when you are done.

Ruling Pen

 This entry was originally posted on Monday, February 20, 2012

 

My favorite way for applying masking fluid is with a ruling pen.

A ruling pen is an old drafting tool used for drawing lines with ink.

Instead I use it to draw lines of masking fluid.

The width of the line can be adjusted with the screw on top. 

A thin or a thicker line of masking fluid can be created.

Instead of holding it straight up and down to apply, hold it along the edge and have it glide across your paper like this:

The best part is that when the fluid dries, it can just be pulled off the tip of the ruling pen.

So much easier to use and clean up.

Update: I still love using a ruling pen. You can find these on Amazon by going to my store at 

https://www.amazon.com/shop/redheadart

Ruling Pen

Ruling Pen Illustration

(combination of painting and photo)

A ruling pen is an item that can be used to apply masking fluid. It can also be used to draw in ink.

Painting of Ruling Pen

Photograph of Ruling Pen