Comparison of white pen, markers and brush pens

The other day I was sketching inside a stadium and I had great difficulty getting my white gel pen to work consistently. So I thought maybe it's time to check out white brush pens instead, and I bought a feel.

In this article, I'll go through the types of art supplies that can be used to draw a white line. I'll mention brands but I have no preference because each tool has its pros and cons.

Also note that all the inks used are waterproof and opaque.

Sakura Gelly Roll

The Sakura Gelly Roll is probably my favourite white rollerball pen. The broadest tip seems to roll much better than the thinner ones.

+ Comes in three tips: 0.5, 0.8, 1.0
+ Holds a lot of ink
+ Ink level can be seen
+ Cap can be posted
- Can only draw
- Rollerball may not roll well sometimes

Uniball Signo Broad UM-153

This is probably my second favourite white rollerball pen. It has a 1.0mm tip. The Sakura seem to roll better than the Uniball. One downside to this pen is it uses ink really fast.

+ Comes in three tips: 0.5, 0.8, 1.0
+ Ink level can be seen
+ Cap can be posted
- Ink uses up fast
- Rollerball may not roll well sometimes

POSCA PC-1MR

This pen uses the same packaging as the POSCA markers. The tip is 0.7mm and the product code is PC-1MR. The tip has to be depressed to get the ink out.

+ Good ink flow
+ Does not have problems of rollerball points
+ Cap can be posted
- Ink level cannot be seen
- Not sure how much ink is inside a brand new pen

Kuretake brush pen

Kuretake brush pens are available in many different colours. The brush pen design is recognisable easily and is functional. You squeeze the body and the ink comes out. The brush uses bristles.

+ Easy to squeeze ink out
+ Cap can be posted
+ Brush tip can draw thin and thick lines
- Ink level cannot be seen

Zig Cartoonist

This brush pen is also made by Kuretake. Turning the knob at the end will push the piston down to push the ink out. Turning the knob will create clicking sounds, and usually one or two clicks will get more ink out. I find the ink uses up quite fast and soon you'll have to squeeze out more ink from the back, and that's inconvenient compared to the earlier brush pen design

+ Brush tip can draw thin and thick lines
+ Ink level can be seen
- Cap cannot be posted
- Ink uses up fast
- Shifting from drawing to turning the knob is inconvenient when done often

Pentel Milky Brush

Pentel Milky Brush is available in different colours. The brush uses bristles. You have to push the button at the back to push ink out.

+ Brush tip can draw thin and thick lines
+ Cap can be posted, and button can still be pushed
- Ink level cannot be seen
- Shifting from drawing to pushing the button is inconvenient when done often

Molotow One4All

This is a 2mm marker. I don't think this company sells pens. And since this is a marker, it works just like POSCA markers. The tip has to be depressed to get ink out.

+ Consistent line width
+ Ink can be refilled
+ Cap can be posted
+ Ink flow can be seen
- No thin line

Ohuhu Nahuku

This brush pen looks just like a technical pen except it has a sponge brush tip.

+ Brush tip can draw thin and thick lines
+ Ink level can be seen
+ Cap can be posted
- Sold only as a set
- No way to squeeze ink out but ink flow is good

Arrtx SimpTap

This works just like the Pentel Milky Brush, except this has a sponge tip and there's ink level.

+ Brush tip can draw thin and thick lines
+ Ink level can be seen
- Cap cannot be posted
- Sold only as a set
- Shifting from drawing to turning the knob is inconvenient when done often

If you want a rollerball, Sakura Gelly Roll may still be the best, and is my favourite.

If you want a brush pen, I would recommend the Kuretake brush pen.