Pen Plotter

My artistic journey revolves around generative art for pen plotting. I've built my own large pen plotter. It’s a unique machine capable of plotting all formats up to A0 paper size. The machine is based on an  OpenBuild Acro system frame that I have customized to suit my needs.


Close up view of my pen plotter

The Pens I use

The pen I use are just as important as the machine itself. Working with a pen plotter has turned me into a collector of pens and materials. It’s an addictive habit, but an essential one. Experimenting with different tools and media is the only way to discover what works best and find your creative path.

Parallel Pens

Parallel Pens are a key part of my toolkit, their ability to create variable strokes based on movement direction has been instrumental in adding unique textures and styles to my art. 

Molotow pump marker

Molotow Pump Markers are a reliable choice for adding bold colors to my work. They can use acrylic ink, which is great for achieving high contrast and is also very durable medium that is UV resistent. Their refillable design also keeps things practical, and the variety of colors opens up plenty of possibilities.

Ecoline  Pen Brush

Ecoline Pen Brushes offer smooth, fluid colors that are perfect for creating gradients and soft transitions. I enjoy using overlapping strokes with these pens. What makes them even better is that they can be refilled. I’ve noticed that the ink level has a significant impact on color density, so I use a scale to carefully control the amount of ink before each plot.

Papers and Canvas

I’ve tested many types of Bristol paper, and each comes with its own pros and cons. The best advice I can give is to visit your local art store and see what they have in stock. Ordering paper online has been tricky for me—shipping is expensive, and the paper often arrives damaged.

Recently, I’ve started experimenting with canvas, and it’s been a completely different experience compared to paper. Some inks change color, and the way canvas absorbs ink is unpredictable, which makes it challenging to work with. On top of that, I had to learn how to stretch and frame canvas, which was an adventure of its own.


Inks and colors 

I started out working mostly with black ink. At the time, I wasn’t ready to dive into colors—there was already so much to experiment with. The first colors I tried were Magenta and Cyan, mainly because I had them on hand. I loved how they blended into shades of purple and indigo. Early on, I used Ecoline inks because they were beautiful and easy to work with, but I later discovered they aren’t UV resistant and fade when exposed to sunlight. That led me to explore other brands and eventually learn that only pigment-based inks can withstand UV exposure. I experimented with Dr. Ph. Martin’s Tech Drawing inks, but they were too pale and didn’t blend well. Currently, I’m using Schminke’s Waterdrop inks, and I’ve been happy with the results.

For the acrylic paint I use in my pump markers, I’ve mostly stuck with Molotow inks. They’ve been reliable, with consistent and vibrant colors that I’m really happy with.

If you have any questions, feel free to use the contact button below or send me a DM on Instagram. I do my best to reply quickly.