For an artist, illustrator, or calligraphy enthusiast, choosing the right inking tool is not just a detail—it makes all the difference. The quality of the ink, the precision of the tip, and the permanence of the colours can transform a simple sketch into a finished work of art. But with a multitude of options available, finding your way can be difficult. That's why we've put the Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen set range under the microscope to help you find the perfect set for your ambitions.
Their reputation is well-established: these pens feature pigmented India ink, offering exceptional resistance to light and water once dry. Whether you're a mangaka searching for the ultimate manga drawing pen, a calligrapher looking for a versatile calligraphy kit, or an illustrator who swears by a foolproof permanent black marker, this guide is designed to help you make the right choice.
Before diving into our selection, let's review the key criteria to guide your choice.
The main advantage of Pitt Artist Pens is their formulation based on pigmented India ink. Unlike dye-based inks, pigmented inks consist of solid particles that sit on the surface of the paper. This gives them two crucial properties for professional illustration:
Each set is designed around a specific assortment of tips. The right choice will therefore depend entirely on your style and projects.
Faber-Castell has the excellent idea of offering themed sets. A set designed for manga will not have the same composition as a calligraphy kit, and that's a good thing! Identify your main practice to choose wisely and have the most relevant tools at your disposal from the start.
We have selected three flagship options, each catering to specific artistic needs.
Why We Love It
This set is the ideal starting point or the essential addition to any artist's toolkit. It brings together four different tips in a deep black (colour 199), offering formidable versatility to go from fine lines to the boldest strokes. A true Swiss Army knife for inking and illustration.
Advantages
Who Is It For?
For illustrators, designers, and hobbyists looking for a reliable, all-purpose black inking kit for a wide variety of projects.
Why We Love It
Tailor-made for mangakas and comic book artists, this six-pen set offers a selection of tips and grey tones ideal for the Sh?nen style. It allows you to create dynamic lines, subtle shading, and the expressive details that are the essence of this genre.
Advantages
Who Is It For?
For manga and comic artists, and illustrators looking for a specialised set to bring their characters and scenes to life with a professional finish.
Why We Love It
This set is a true love letter to the art of lettering and calligraphy. With its selection of eight pens featuring various tips (brush, chisel, fine), it offers the full toolkit needed to explore different styles, from classic script to the most modern hand lettering.
Advantages
Who Is It For?
For calligraphers, hand lettering enthusiasts, graphic designers, and anyone who wants to create elegant typography and handwritten decorations.
While Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen sets are a reliable choice, your creativity knows no bounds. Want to explore other formats, new colours, or alternative brands? Take a look at our complete collection.
Absolutely! This is one of the major advantages of pigmented India ink: its water resistance once dry. You can safely draw your outlines with the ink, let it dry for a few minutes, and then apply watercolour or other wet media on top. Zero risk of smudging!
No, the pens in the Pitt Artist Pen range are single-use. They are designed to provide consistent ink flow and optimal performance throughout their lifespan but cannot be refilled once empty.
It's all about the composition. Dye-based ink is a solution where the colour is dissolved in a liquid. It soaks into the paper fibres but often remains sensitive to water and light. In contrast, pigmented India ink (or pigment-based) contains fine solid particles in suspension. These pigments settle on the paper's surface, creating an opaque, water-resistant, and highly UV-stable layer. This is what gives it its renowned archival quality.