I have just uploaded a new video to YouTube - Rapidograph Slow Ink Flow

New video:  Vintage Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph Four-Pen Set No. 3065-S4

"#998 Sinningia 'Bright Eyes' "

I have been working further on this drawing - photo below

I have also mixed the ink for the blossom color - a combination of lavender and magenta.

If you are like me, you buy used pens when you get the chance.  Recently I purchased some used Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph pens.  They were sizes 3 x 0 and 1, two sizes I use often when working with multiple colors of ink.

Below are some photos that show what to watch out for when purchasing used technical pens. In the first photo below, you see three pens and an extra nib that I purchased.

This photo below shows a "typical" used pen.  There is old ink in the ink reservoir, and the nib is stuck in the nib collar.

 Here is another pen below showing typical use.  The cap has dried ink, and there is old ink in the nib weight.

Below is a photo of the extra nib that came with the pens, and it too needed a cleaning.

 The photos below show a nib in a nib collar, and then the bottom area of the nib collar.  The bottom area has to have that rectangle opening clear (sometimes they are a different shape) or the nib won't be able to draw ink.

 The nib shown below is really stuck.  This pen had been used and then left to have all the ink dry up in it.  When they are this stuck, there is no sense in forcing it.  The nib was put in an ultrasonic cleaner for four cycles before it started to free up.

In the photos above, you can see the different pens as I took them apart to check their condition.  That is the first step.  The next step is to put each one in an ultrasonic cleaner, unassembled, until there is no ink residue left on each part.  You could also soak them in Koh-I-Noor Cleaning Concentrate or even water, but an ultrasonic cleaner is faster.  When taking the nib out of the nib collar, be sure to use the correct nib key.  Vintage Koh-I-Noor pens came with a gold-colored nib key, and although it looks similar to the more modern black key, it is shaped differently.

Below is a photo of the ultrasonic cleaner I use.  For many years I had a Koh-I-Noor Ultrasonic Cleaner, but when they became hard to find, I purchased one made for cleaning jewelry.

Ultrasonic Cleaners will run a little hot if used continually to clean several pens.  I leave mine open every few cycles to allow the fluid in the tank to cool off.

After cleaning each pen, I let the different parts dry on a paper towel unless I am going to use the pen right away.  When fully dry, I re-assemble the pen.  The process of taking a pen completely apart and fully cleaning it should be done whenever a pen isn't in use.

One note on vintage Koh-I-Noor pens.  I had a size 0 vintage pen that needed a new nib.  When I started to insert a new nib, it didn't screw in easily.  I thought it just needed to be screwed in a little hard, until I had a second thought and took it out again.  The original nib's weight collar had been in the nib area of the barrel, and prevented the new nib from being inserted easily.  The resistance wasn't that much, but I probably would have ruined the pen if I had forced it.  Try to look inside the barrel of a vintage pen before inserting a replacement nib.

Below is my current work space.  The pens on the left are in use, each with a different color.  The pens on the right are empty and clean and ready to be used.

Miniature Pen and Ink Drawings - ACEOS

Art Cards, Editions and Originals

ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals" and the concept behind these miniature works of art is that they are always 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. 

I offer only one icon-style ACEO design, Saint Michael, Archangel. I have decided to offer original miniatures of the one particular design due to a couple of reasons. One reason is the time consuming format of pen and ink stippling, and the care I take in producing all of my stipple ink work. As with egg tempera icons, working with one "model" or image consistently, improves the results of all the images completed. A second, perhaps more important reason, is that I feel that Saint Michael can guide each of us, and he represents both guidance and safety to me personally. As such, I hope anyone would benefit from owning an original image of Saint Michael.

An ACEO in stippled ink offers an affordable way to own an original stippled piece. Even with their small size (the size of a baseball or trading card), each one takes between 18 and 24 hours to complete. I use professional inks (Rotring Artist Color or FW Acrylic inks ) and now offer them only on genuine sheep or calf skin. These are permanent and original drawings, having light and water resistance to a high degree. Although I recommend each piece be matted and framed by the consumer, each will come in its own protective poly sleeve. ACEOs created on sheep or calf skin are highly recommended to be framed, due to the natural elements of the skin. Humidity and temperature will affect a skin more than any other art surface. 

Please note - these pieces are "only" two and a half inches x three and a half inches in size.

Traditionally, true icons are always created to look the same, using the same "model" icon for each new icon. I consider my icon-style pen work to be just that, and not a true icon. My icon-style artwork will not be signed on the front, as is the tradition with true icons. With religious subjects, it is always hoped that God has worked through the artist, eliminating the need for the artist's signature. However, my ACEOs that are religious in nature will be signed and dated on the back.

Saint Michael Design Available

You may expect that Saint Michael's wings would be a color other than red. At the time I originally designed the "model" for these drawings, I was also working on Orthodox-style religious icons. In iconography, Saint Michael's wings are depicted as red when he is in battle against evil, most especially when done in the Voevoda style. Voevoda is a slavic term that means "leader of warriors". An example of this type of traditional icon may be seen here. My model and design is meant to depict Saint Michael as the triumphant leader of the angels over evil, but to also depict the Light of God reflected in his face. I believe we are always protected by Saint Michael.

On Genuine Sheep or Calf Skin

ACEO " Saint Michael "

2.5 inches x 3.5 inches 

$48.00 each plus $5.80 shipping - on genuine sheep or calf skin 

To Order: 

Please email me to special order a Saint Michael, Archangel ACEO, The time for me to complete a special order is two weeks. Payment method is Paypal and payment must be received prior to my beginning the work.

Laurie A.E. O'Meara

Cape Cod Artist and Horticulturist
PenStroke Studio

New England Simple Living

South Yarmouth, Massachusetts  02664

Pen and ink artist. Horticulturist.

Graduate, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.

Celebrating 36 years as a fine artist, 10 years as a fiber artist.

all artwork (c) 1976-2015 laeom  (Laurie A.E. O'Meara)