HONEST Tombow Brush Pens Review - I WISH I Knew Before Buying!

Written by: Dalia Abdalla

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Time to read 8 min

Comprehensive Tombow Brush Pens Review



I've been using Tombow brush pens for a while, and they've made a big difference in my art and writing, which is why I have written this comprehensive Tombow Brush Pens Review. These pens are super versatile and easy to use, which is great for beginners and experienced artists. In my upcoming review, I'll talk about how these pens come in many vibrant colors, how they blend smoothly, and how their tips last a long time.


Review Breakdown:

Blending


As someone who frequently uses Tombow brush pens, I've been consistently impressed by their remarkable blending capabilities. One of the key benefits of these pens is their ability to smoothly blend different colors, allowing for stunning gradients and transitions in my artwork and lettering.


The flexible brush tip gives me precise control over the blending process, making it easy to achieve the desired effect. Moreover, Tombow pens offer a wide range of colors, ensuring a diverse palette for creative projects. However, it's important to note that blending can be a bit challenging for beginners, as it requires some practice to achieve seamless results. Additionally, using high-quality paper can enhance the blending experience, so investing in suitable paper is worth considering.


Benefits:

  1. Vibrant Colors: Tombow brush pens come in a wide range of bright and beautiful colors, allowing you to create eye-catching artwork and lettering.
  2. Smooth Blending: These pens are excellent for blending colors together, helping you achieve smooth transitions and gradients in your creations.
  3. Flexible Brush Tips: The flexible brush tips provide precise control, making it easier to create fine details or bold strokes in your art and writing.
  4. Versatility: Tombow pens are versatile tools suitable for various artistic styles, from calligraphy and hand lettering to illustrations and coloring.
  5. Long-lasting: The pens are known for their durability, and the ink tends to last a long time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Factors to Consider:

  1. Blending Practice: Achieving perfect blending may require some practice, especially for beginners. It's important to be patient and experiment.
  2. Paper Quality: Using high-quality paper can enhance the blending and prevent ink bleed-through. Investing in good paper is a smart choice.
  3. Cost: Tombow brush pens are not the cheapest option, so consider your budget and how often you plan to use them.
  4. Storage: Proper storage, such as keeping the caps on tightly, is crucial to prevent the brush tips from drying out.
  5. Limited Refills: Some Tombow pens have limited ink refills available, so you may need to purchase new pens when they run out of ink.

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Bleeding

These pens use water-based ink, which is great at preventing ink from seeping through or leaving marks on the other side of the paper. This is especially important for people who enjoy bullet journaling. While sketchbooks and special sketch paper do an excellent job of preventing any ink issues, not all bullet journal notebooks have thick paper like that (you can see my favorite notebooks by clicking here).

When it comes to dealing with ink problems like bleeding and ghosting, it's not only about the pen but also about the kind of paper you use. Thicker paper or paper with a special coating can stop the ink from going through. The challenge is that many notebooks come with regular paper, which can't handle this type of ink very well. Tombow, the company that makes these pens, even says on their website that it's better to use them on different paper.

For me, these pens work great in my journal. I'm not a professional artist; I just love using them to express myself and have fun. I'm not trying to be perfect or get the absolute best results (especially if it's expensive). I'm just a girl who wants to relax, stay organized, and enjoy using these pens.

So, do Tombow dual brush pens bleed through paper?

After considering everything, I can confidently say that they usually don't, as long as you don't use them too heavily on regular paper. If you're using a decent-quality notebook, the ink shouldn't go through, although you might see some faint marks on the other side. If you use the tracing paper recommended by Tombow, you won't have any problems with ink bleeding at all!

 


Are they good for Coloring?


As someone who frequently uses Tombow brush pens for coloring, I can attest to their suitability for this creative endeavor. These pens offer several benefits that make them a great choice for coloring enthusiasts.


Firstly, their vibrant and extensive color range provides endless possibilities for creating beautiful and colorful artworks. The flexible brush tips allow for both broad strokes and intricate details, giving me precise control over my coloring projects. 


Additionally, the ink's smooth blending capabilities enable me to achieve stunning gradients and shading effects. However, it's important to be mindful of paper quality when coloring with Tombow brush pens. Thin or low-quality paper may result in ink bleed-through or feathering, so it's a good idea to use thicker or specialized paper for optimal results.


In summary, Tombow brush pens are an excellent choice for coloring, offering a wide range of colors, flexible brush tips, and blending capabilities that can elevate your coloring projects to new heights.
 

  • Tombow brush pens are well-suited for coloring.
  • Benefits of using Tombow brush pens for coloring include:
    • Vibrant and extensive color range.
    • Flexible brush tips for broad strokes and intricate details.
    • Precise control over coloring projects.
    • Smooth blending capabilities for gradients and shading.
  • Paper quality is essential when using Tombow brush pens for coloring.
  • Thin or low-quality paper may result in ink bleed-through or feathering.
  • Using thicker or specialized paper is recommended for optimal results.


 

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Are they good for Calligraphy?


I can confidently say they are a versatile choice for this artistic endeavor. These pens offer several benefits that make them well-suited for calligraphy enthusiasts. Firstly, their flexible brush tips allow for elegant and expressive lettering. They provide precise control over strokes, making it easy to create both thick and thin lines, a hallmark of calligraphy. 


Additionally, Tombow pens come in a variety of ink colors, adding a creative dimension to your calligraphy projects. However, it's important to note that these brush pens can be challenging for beginners due to the need for consistent pressure control. Also, on some types of paper, there may be minor issues with ink bleed-through or feathering. To mitigate this, opting for higher-quality or specialized calligraphy paper is advisable. 


Tomboy brush pens are a great choice for calligraphy, offering flexible brush tips, a range of ink colors, and the potential for stunning lettering, though they may require some practice and suitable paper selection.


  • Tombow brush pens are versatile for calligraphy.
  • Benefits of using Tombow brush pens for calligraphy include:
    • Flexible brush tips for elegant and expressive lettering.
    • Precise control over stroke thickness, suitable for calligraphy.
    • A variety of ink colors to enhance creative projects.
  • Challenges for beginners: Consistent pressure control can be difficult.
  • Considerations: Some paper types may result in minor issues like ink bleed-through or feathering.
  • Mitigation: Opt for higher-quality or specialized calligraphy paper for better results.



So, are they worth it?


In my experience, Tombow brush pens are definitely worth considering, but it depends on what you're looking for. These pens offer a wide range of vibrant colors and smooth blending capabilities that make them perfect for creative projects like drawing, coloring, and lettering.

 

If you enjoy artistic endeavors and are willing to invest in quality tools, Tombow brush pens can be a great choice. However, they might not be the most budget-friendly option, and there is a bit of a learning curve, especially for beginners.

 

You'll also want to use thicker or specialized paper to avoid ink bleed-through. So, if you're passionate about art and willing to practice, Tombow brush pens can be a valuable addition to your toolkit, but it's essential to consider your budget and dedication to your creative pursuits when deciding if they're worth it for you.


Pros:

  1. Vibrant Colors: Tombow brush pens offer a wide range of vibrant and beautiful colors, making them suitable for various artistic projects.
  2. Flexible Brush Tips: The flexible brush tips allow for precise control, making them excellent for tasks like calligraphy and detailed illustrations.
  3. Blending Capabilities: These pens are known for their smooth blending capabilities, allowing you to create gradients and shading effects.
  4. Versatile: They are versatile tools that can be used for calligraphy, lettering, coloring, and more.
  5. Durable: Tombow pens are generally durable and long-lasting.


 

Cons:

  1. Cost: Tombow brush pens are not the most budget-friendly option, so the price may be a consideration.
  2. Learning Curve: Some users, especially beginners, may find it challenging to control the brush tip for precise results, which can require practice.
  3. Paper Quality: The pens perform better on higher-quality paper, so you may need to invest in suitable paper for the best results.
  4. Ink Bleed-Through: On thin or low-quality paper, there can be issues with ink bleed-through and feathering.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tombow worth it?

Whether Tombow is worth it depends on your needs and preferences. They are well-regarded for their vibrant colors and blending capabilities, making them a great choice for artists and enthusiasts. However, their cost and learning curve might be considerations.

Do tombow brush pens bleed through paper?

Tombow brush pens can bleed through thin or low-quality paper. Using thicker or specialized paper is recommended to prevent bleed-through.


Are tombow brush pens good for beginners?

Tombow brush pens can be suitable for beginners, but they may have a learning curve, especially when it comes to brush control. With practice, beginners can achieve satisfying results.

What is the best brush pen in the world?

 The "best" brush pen can vary depending on individual preferences and needs. Tombow is highly regarded, but there are many other excellent brush pen brands like Pentel, Faber-Castell, and Kuretake, which are also considered among the best.


Do Tombow brush pens dry out?

 Like most brush pens, Tombow brush pens can dry out over time, especially if they are not capped tightly. Proper storage and care can help extend their lifespan.


Can you use water with Tombow brush pens?

Tombow brush pens are water-based, so you can use water to blend and create watercolor-like effects with them.


What is the best brush pens for beginners?

 The best brush pens for beginners can vary based on personal preferences. Tombow, Pentel, and Faber-Castell are often recommended for their quality and versatility. It's a good idea to try a few different brands to see which one suits your style best.


What is the smoothest pen in the world?

 The title of the "smoothest pen in the world" is subjective and can vary based on personal preferences. Some pens, like the Uni-ball Jetstream or Pilot G2, are known for their smooth writing experience, but what's considered the smoothest can differ from person to person.


 

Modern Pink Paper Author - Dalia Abdalla

Dalia Abdalla

Owner & Head Designer, Modern Pink Paper

Dalia is the creative force behind Modern Pink Paper. With a keen eye for detail and a love for all things stationery, she embarked on this journey to provide personalized stationery solutions. When she's not crafting beautiful paper creations, Dalia is sharing her insights and inspirations on this blog, ensuring that her readers always have a touch of beauty and creativity in their lives.