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Thread: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

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    Default iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Does anyone know of any good iOS apps that can simulate a fountain pen?
    I'm thinking that would be a good way to practice writing and testing out how various inks would look like before committing to buying yet another bottle.

    If such a thing does not exist....WHY isn't there one?
    That would be just so cool.

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    Default iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    There isn't one for too many reasons to count. How do you specify nib size when writing with a finger. How do you simulate paper characteristics. How do you specify ink shading, sheen, transparency, color, etc. Plus things like lubrication, flow, permanence, etc. Some iron gall inks change color as they dry. Many many more reasons. Plus iPhone/iPad screens generate light, and paper/ink reflect and absorb it, which adds another wrinkle.

    That being said, the Apple Pencil does let you control line width by how you hold/angle the pen. But I am not sure it'd be a good simulation of writing with a real fountain pen or dip nib, much less flexible vs stub, italic, etc

    Interesting idea, but I am not sure it's feasible, and it would be a whale of a lot of work.....for 99 cents? And a very limited market.

    There are a lot of calligraphy training and practice apps, especially Chinese calligraphy, but they do not compare to a real fountain/dip/flex pen nib.

    Apples & Oranges, you might say...

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    Default iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    I just got an iPadPro and I'm looking for things I can use it to do
    Last edited by Chuasam; July 30th, 2017 at 07:29 PM.

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    Senior Member Pterodactylus's Avatar
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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    If you have an iPad Pro and an Apple Pencil there is basically one app you really need: Procreate

    Other apps to play arround: INKredible, Sketchbook, MediBang Paint, Inspire Pro, Adobe Sketch,....

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    I cannot imagine how it would work, or even why it would be useful. Try a Rhodia pad...for a lot less money for far more accuracy.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Testing an ink does of course not work, but simulating a FP writing output works to some degree.
    What also works is to practice writing skills.

    But you are right to practice also a piece of paper and a pencil is sufficient.
    A pencil is a great tool to practice (e.g. Learn to write with a flexible nib)

    For me the iPad Pro + Apple Pencil is a great platform for digital sketching/drawing/painting.
    Itˋs a cool tool, imho superior to graphic tablets on conventional computers, you really forget that you have not a "real" pen (pencil) in your hand, it feels like real (talking about drawing not writing).
    And you can use it everywhere, e.g. on the couch in the evening (most of my digital drawings were made on my living room couch)
    Last edited by Pterodactylus; July 27th, 2017 at 03:24 PM.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    @Chuasam I'm guessing that you don't yet own a fountain pen. Do yourself a favor and jump right in.

    There are some really good inexpensive ones (pilot varsity, platinum preppy, pilot metropolitan). If you don't want to invest in a notebook, then open some of your junk mail and practice on that (envelopes mostly).

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    I already do own a few fountain pens. My main writer is a Lamy2000 with Iroshizuku Shin-Kai (blue black). I'm tired of my box of mostly barely used inks. Tired of travelling with a pen in a ziplock to protect against leaks.

    I basically want the FP experience with no mess *LOL*
    I want to be able to see how an ink would look before I get yet another bottle.

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    Senior Member Pterodactylus's Avatar
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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuasam View Post
    I already do own a few fountain pens. My main writer is a Lamy2000 with Iroshizuku Shin-Kai (blue black). I'm tired of my box of mostly barely used inks. Tired of travelling with a pen in a ziplock to protect against leaks.

    I basically want the FP experience with no mess *LOL*
    I want to be able to see how an ink would look before I get yet another bottle.

    Which leaks?
    Which mess?
    Are we talking about the same kind of pens?

    Buying an ink is and will be always a it of a surprise, but that's part of the fun, and inks are not expensive so nothing really bad can happen.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Pterodactylus View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chuasam View Post
    I already do own a few fountain pens. My main writer is a Lamy2000 with Iroshizuku Shin-Kai (blue black). I'm tired of my box of mostly barely used inks. Tired of travelling with a pen in a ziplock to protect against leaks.

    I basically want the FP experience with no mess *LOL*
    I want to be able to see how an ink would look before I get yet another bottle.

    Which leaks?
    Which mess?
    Are we talking about the same kind of pens?

    Buying an ink is and will be always a it of a surprise, but that's part of the fun, and inks are not expensive so nothing really bad can happen.
    Oh I meant air travel. I put my pen in a ziplock when I fly. I have six bottles of ink on my desk.

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    Senior Member Robert's Avatar
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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Fountain pens, ink and paper are basically analog in nature - the touch, the feel and . . . yes, (sometimes) the mess. And that's why I like them.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    My mother in law has a phone called an LG stylus, the little pen that pops out can then be used to take notes, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it writes with some line variation like a stub.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert View Post
    Fountain pens, ink and paper are basically analog in nature - the touch, the feel and . . . yes, (sometimes) the mess. And that's why I like them.
    Yes I agree you hit it on the nose. I like getting a little ink on my hands every once in a while also.

    Roger


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    Have a great day!!

    Roger

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuasam View Post
    I want to be able to see how an ink would look before I get yet another bottle.
    Have you tried mixing your own colours? I'm a neophyte at mixing, but I was very pleased with the results I got from my first few attempts. I didn't like the Sailor reddish brown, so I bought some Sailor red and mixed up a batch of burgundy just the way I imagine a real Burgundy should look! I also created a forest green that I find very subtle and a pleasure to use. I even had the foresight to record quantities so I now have a recipe for the next attempt. And it was rather fun along the way - complete with ink all over my fingers. (Next time I think I might wear latex gloves).

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by PecosPeet View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chuasam View Post
    I want to be able to see how an ink would look before I get yet another bottle.
    Have you tried mixing your own colours? I'm a neophyte at mixing, but I was very pleased with the results I got from my first few attempts. I didn't like the Sailor reddish brown, so I bought some Sailor red and mixed up a batch of burgundy just the way I imagine a real Burgundy should look! I also created a forest green that I find very subtle and a pleasure to use. I even had the foresight to record quantities so I now have a recipe for the next attempt. And it was rather fun along the way - complete with ink all over my fingers. (Next time I think I might wear latex gloves).
    It would actually make more sense to get a dip pen and a box of watercolours. Often the chemical components of mixing two inks can lead to precipitate clumping in your pen. Either that or I actually believed the ink makers trying to sell me more ink.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuasam View Post
    It would actually make more sense to get a dip pen and a box of watercolours. Often the chemical components of mixing two inks can lead to precipitate clumping in your pen. Either that or I actually believed the ink makers trying to sell me more ink.
    I was told to not mix inks rom different manufacturers. I assumed that meant mixing within one manufacturer is OK . So my Burgundy is a Sailor mix and my forest green a Montblanc mix. I'd like to try some other colours, but I haven't come up with anything I want to create. I am very happy with the royal blue and black that I use. I'd love to get a nice gold and a silver, but I have no idea where to start to achieve that. So I stick to some felt markers I buy at the craft store.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    [QUOTE=Chuasam;214866]
    Quote Originally Posted by PecosPeet View Post
    It would actually make more sense to get a dip pen and a box of watercolours. Often the chemical components of mixing two inks can lead to precipitate clumping in your pen. Either that or I actually believed the ink makers trying to sell me more ink.
    A dip pen is a great (and cheap) way to go to try lots of inks. Also there are many online stores that sell small sample vials for you to try, individually and in bundles. You don't say where you live, so I can only make suggestions from what I know, but try checking out Anderson pens, Vanness pens and Goulet.

    As for mixing inks, there are brands that sell inks specifically to be mixed. Platinum sell the “Mix-free” and Sailor sell the “Storia” range of inks. They are specifically designed to be mixed. I’m sure you could pick up a sample vial of a range of colours quite cheaply and mix and play until you learn what you like. Then, when you are happy, you can go and buy the full size bottles
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    Unless it's specifically stated not to, you can try mixing any ink (Rohrer & Klingner, for instance, say it's fine except for their Sepia) - but don't put it in a pen straight away. Make a small amount and leave it in a vial for a couple of days to do anything dodgy, and if it does just don't put it in your pen. The Other Place has a forum board for ink mixes that work, and ones that don't. I've done quite a bit of ink mixing and have found that any problems have been the exception rather than the rule, and experimenting to get the colour you want is a lot of fun. Be not afeared!

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    I had a mid-level XP-PEN graphic drawing tablet before I bought an iPad Pro. I absolutely love the iPad Pro with Procreate. Procreate is designed especially for the iPad Pro+Apple Pencil. But I also end up using XP-PEN with Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop a lot as well.

    Now, to tell you my feeling after 2 months with this combo...it is just amazing. The pencil has awesome design functionality, no lag, sensitivity of the tip can be customized, the app is indeed very intuitive and customizable for drawing/painting digitally. I would say less for photography, but they are still improving by adding a lot of features with each update.

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    Default Re: iOS App to simulate a fountain pen

    I've never heard of such an app, but I would be happy to try it. By the way, I am here to ask for recommendations on a scanning ap for my design job. Could someone recommend something free?

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