Hello!
I'm not a total stranger to liners with a brush tip, but Vista Artista is a brand I'd never tried before. The name 'brush pen' caught my eye, so I decided to give it a shot.
brush penWhat's in the box:
Brush pen
Price: 209 rubles
You can snag this set at Leonardo's online stores, their official website, or marketplaces. I picked it up in a physical Leonardo store in my city.
Country of origin: China
I'll be honest, I've never used a brush liner before, and I'm not exactly thrilled about drawing lines and contours in my work, even in traditional formats. So, this is my first impression of a brush tip.
bodyFirst impressions
The brush pen feels nice in my hand and is super easy to use. There's a dedicated spot for the cap on the bottom of the body, which is super convenient and well thought out. I can see this pen being suitable for lettering or decorative fonts, not just artistic purposes. Overall, I'm impressed with how it feels in my hand and its design. No complaints there.
tipFirst look
I started testing the pen with some small sketches and a New Year's pattern, which I planned to transfer to wrapping paper later. To be honest, my opinion is mixed.
When I'm sketching out ideas with this liner, it's a breeze to use and pretty comfortable. No issues there. But when it comes to controlling the brush, it's a bit tricky to get a super fine, precise line with the tip. However, the transitions from thick to thin lines look really natural and effortless, like it's being done with a real brush.
Quick sketches by hand to test the line thicknessThat being said, when I tried using this liner to fill in larger areas while creating a design for a gift package, I encountered a weird issue. The liner just doesn't seem to be very saturated. Or at least, not as saturated as I'd like a black color to be. It's not a huge problem if you're layering it over a darker color, like in the illustration, but on white paper, it looks pretty pale even after multiple layers. The liner doesn't damage the paper, except maybe if it's really thin – it's better to use thicker paper for large fills.
The design where I added accents with the linerIllustration
This portrait was done with markers, watercolors, and some added details with gouache. Unfortunately, the markers I used didn't work out too well, so I had to touch up the darker areas with the liner. And as you can see, the black really pops against the darker colors. I'm not sure why it doesn't work as well on the lighter areas, though.
One thing to note is that the liner does smudge when it gets wet. Keep that in mind. It might also be smudged by the markers.
My Verdict
I'm happy with my purchase, although I have to say that 209 rubles for a liner feels a bit steep. The Sakura liners with all their variations and extra features are only a bit more expensive. That being said, this liner does its job, and the brush doesn't fall apart or get too mushy. It's got a nice balance of softness and springiness, so I'll definitely be using it again.
The Good Stuff:
Nice tip
It's super comfortable to hold in your hand and easy to maneuver
The best part is that it can create lines of different thicknesses, from super fine to thick and bold
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
When it dries out, the color does get a bit washed out, and it's not as saturated as I'd like
It's also prone to water damage, so be careful not to get it wet
I highly recommend giving it a try, readers!
This brush pen is a great addition to any artist's toolkit. While it may have some drawbacks, its unique features and comfortable design make it a worthwhile investment. If you're looking for a pen that can help you create beautiful, expressive lines, I'd definitely recommend giving the Vista Artista brush pen a try.
One thing to keep in mind is that this pen may not be suitable for everyone. If you're looking for a pen that can create super fine, precise lines, you may want to consider a different option. However, if you're looking for a pen that can help you create a range of line widths and styles, this pen is definitely worth checking out.
Value-wise, I think this pen is a bit overpriced, but considering its unique features and comfortable design, I think it's worth the investment. If you're an artist who values quality and versatility in their tools, I'd definitely recommend giving this pen a try.
I'm happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend this brush pen to anyone looking for a unique and expressive writing experience.