TIL my desk doodles got way worse after I switched from ballpoint to gel pen

Been sketching little dragons on my to-do lists for years, but 3 months ago I swapped to a gel pen and now my lines look all wobbly and the ink smears every time I close my notebook. Anyone else notice certain pens just kill your doodle vibe?

3 comments

3 Comments

oscar74316h ago

Oh man, I used to be all about gel pens too, thought they were smoother and better. But honestly you're right, switching changed my whole doodle game for the worse. Gel pens just make everything look sloppy and messy compared to a normal ballpoint.

the_lucas9h ago

Ballpoint pens have a certain grit that gel pens just don't have. That friction is what gives you control and precision in your lines. With gel pens the ink flows too easily and everything ends up looking like a wet mess. I tried going back to gel pens for a week but my handwriting looked like a child's scribbles. Ballpoints are just more honest and reliable in my book.

hayden1441h ago

Try drying your gel pens out for a day before using them, it cuts down on the smear a lot.