artist pens

[tulagirl]

Could someone share a pen brand that is good for drawing and doesn't bleed through sketch paper?  Or smear easily?

[Sprinkles]

How about Prismacolor or Faber-Castell?

[Sarahlacewing]

I have Faber-castell and I really like them. Part of it is going to depend on the type of paper you get though. I use my watercolor pad for my pure india inks sometimes but I haven't had a problem with the pens bleeding through my sketch pads.

If you want I can dig my stuff out and do a few comparison shots for you.

It does smear easily and take a little while to dry though, especially on non paper surfaces.

[HollowZero]

Sakura Pigma Microns are the besttttt.

Faber-Castell PITT pens are also very good, but mainly for larger works, the brush pens are nice.

Both brands come in a variety of colors. I prefer the microns since I frequently end up doing detail work unexpectedly.

[InkyMilk]

I agree that Microns are very lovely to work with I LOVE mine!

[tulagirl]

Thank you.  I will check these out

[berylliumpone]

I use Prismacolor, but only because I got them on sale. They are quite expensive, and I still haven't figured how to properly use them...
Very nice color, though.
I think bleeding vs not bleeding depends on your paper. I'd try paper made for mixed media or markers. I personally like Canson.

Edit: If you have the money, and you'd like a softer look, I'd check out Copics. I only have a few of them, but I use them for skintones. (I'm no expert, though.) When done right, I've seen drawings done in Copics look like water color.
Andy Price even uses them (the artist for the new MLP comics). An example: http://andypriceart.deviantart.com/art/My-Little-Pony-issue-1-Cover-E-and-F-336746530