Product Review: Pilot G-Tec C4 Microtip 0.4mm Rollerball Pen

Pilot Pens: G-Tec C4 Microtip 0.4mm Rollerball Pen (brown ink)
- my latest "bulk" purchase @£3 per pen

Product:  Pilot Pens: G-Tec C4 Microtip 0.4mm Rollerball Pen (brown ink)

Pilot Product Catalogue description

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: The Pilot-G-Tec-C4 rollerball pen in brown ink is my pen of choice for sketching.   Summary:  It has an incredibly thin line making very fine hatching incredibly easy to do.  The even flow of the ink and the ease of its release also means that I can hold the pen very lightly which helps with my tenosynovitis.  There is absolutely no need to press hard.  It also is very good at NOT "blobbing" hence sketches are not ruined by a sudden release of a blob of ink.  It works exceptionally well on very smooth paper such as that found in Moleskine Sketchbooks. There are two aspects which will not appeal to some sketchers - the ink is not waterproof hence will run if you apply watercolours over the top.  The very thin point means that there is no scope for varying the line - it is constant and very fine

Technical Details: pure gel ink - which does not spread or "blob" probably the finest rollerball pen you can buy very fine 2mm line comes in 10 shades black, blue and red commonly found in shops brown ink sometimes found in shops generally need to order online for other colours

Who should buy this?  People who sketch Anybody needing a very fine pen line Anybody wanting a pen with brown ink anybody wanting to avoid ink "blobs" anybody who needs to hold a pen lightly (the ink releases well and flows without interruption - no need to press hard)

Who should not buy this?   Anybody wanting waterproof ink - because it's not anybody liking a variable line  people who are heavy handed and press hard when using a pen

Highlights: tiny point glides over the page it loves moleskine sketchbooks and all bristol plate and hot press paper excellent for hatching and shading (see drawing at below) works fine under coloured pencil (see my Travels with a Sketchbook) ink runs well / good at avoiding ink blobs ink seems to last a long time very popular pen

Think Again? not recommended for use with watercolours as ink is not waterproof difficult to find in shops in brown ink - need to buy in batches or order online (see suppliers at end)

Manufacturer / Distributor:  Pilot UK Address: The Pilot Pen Co (UK) Ltd, 4 Dukes Meadow, Millboard Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SL8 5XF Telephone: 01628 537100 Enquiry form Web: http://www.pilotpen.co.uk/

Suppliers:  Recommended distributor is Cult Pens - reliable and helpful suppliers which is cheapest for single purchases and bulk buys High street stores I can sometimes find these in Rymans and Paperchase (if they're in stock) - but not always in the brown/sepia colour - hence the big purchase when I do! Online Retailers Paperchase:  Pilot G-Tec C4 0.4mm Microtip Rollerball Pen £3.00 per pen (same price in the stores and online) pilot g-tec C4 brown Cult Pens  Pilot G-Tec C4 0.4mm Microtip Rollerball Pen £2.64 per pen (inc VAT) Pilot G-Tec C4 0.4mm Microtip Rollerball Pen (Pack of 12) - Brown (£29.78 - delivered free) A Cult Pens best-seller - the ultra-fine Pilot G-Tec-C4 rollerball writes a 0.2mm line of pure gel ink colour without spreading. Available in ten ink colours - BlackBlue Red Green Light Blue Brown Purple Pink Orange and Yellow  Black, blue, red and green refills available here. Rymans Online: Pilot G-Tec C4 Rollerball Pen 0.4mm Black Pilot G-Tec C4 Rollerball Pen 0.4mm Blue  brown ink not available online Amazon Pilot G-Tec C4 0.4mm Microtip Rollerball Pen (Pack of 12) - Brown (£42.48 - delivered free) all colours can be ordered online

Having now taken the photo and written the post I can now put my pens away in the "in stock" box!

Do let me know if you have any comments about these pens.

 Spanish Olive and Tulip Wood Apples #1

6" x 10", pen and sepia ink on Saunders Waterford HP

copyright Katherine Tyrrell

CLICK IMAGE TO SEE A LARGER IMAGE DRAWN USING THIS PEN

Links

• Making A Mark - Artists and illustrators drawing in pen and ink
• Pen and Ink - Resources for Artists