Working in sepia

I'm fond of working in sepia, that wonderful, rich brown color that seems to go so well with the white Zentangle(R) tiles. Some months ago I bought all the versions of sepia pens and pencils that I could find and then did some experiments combining a selection of pens with various types of pencils. I was looking for a color match and at the same time a pencil that could be dissolved with water to add dark shades. The combination I came up with and the one that I use is a Sakura Pigma Micron 01 sepia pen* with a Stabilo Aquarelle #8045 pencil. 

Here's the catch, though: the end of the Sakura pen that shows the color is such a dark brown that you could mistake it for a black pen. You probably don't want to mix sepia and black. So here's what I do: I get a permanent black marker pen, NOT the Sakura, but a Bic Mark It or similar and write "SEPIA" somewhere on the barrel of my sepia pens (Sakura also has a Micron 05 pen and a Graphic 1 large felt tip pen as well as a brush). I keep all my sepia supplies in a separate pen holder and away from the black ones which are usually out and about on my studio table.

The other thing you'll want is a #0 (zero) watercolor brush, the highest grade you can afford. The brush tip is VERY small which is perfect, when dampened slightly, for dissolving the pencil--if you choose--into watercolor. 

Here's a monotangle tangleation (see my Zentangle terminology page) of Quandary in sepia:

* The number above the scan code on the Micron 01 sepia pen is XSDK01#117. Be sure to check this out if you purchase from an art store because customers sometimes put pens back in the incorrect display slots.