Expressive Tools for Creative Minds: Why Artists Love Zig & Kuretake Pens
If you're serious about illustration, lettering, or manga, you’ll know that the tools you use can transform your creative process. At BradburyART, we've handpicked a selection of pens and sets from Zig and Kuretake that offer something for everyone — from fine-liner precision to expressive brush control.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned illustrator, these Japanese pens are versatile, reliable, and made for creativity without compromise.
Why Artists Love These Tools
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Clean Color Real Brush Pens + Mangaka Set (Warm Gray Collection)
This compact 6-piece set (IKTB-24/6V) brings together soft greys for delicate shading and a fine liner for detail. Ideal for Inktober, portrait work, and botanical sketching. The water-based dye ink blends beautifully, and the grey palette offers subtlety where black ink can feel too harsh. -
Zig Illustration Set No.2 – 5-Piece Brush & Liner Pen Collection
A versatile all-rounder. With a mix of Fudegokochi, Real Brush, and Mangaka liners, this set is perfect for line work, filling, and shading. Great for illustrators who like to combine styles in a single piece. -
Zig Cartoonist Brush Pen – White (Ultra Fine)
For highlights, accents, or corrections, this pen is a favourite among manga artists. The opaque white ink shows up brilliantly on dark surfaces and layered watercolour. -
Kuretake Bimoji Fude Pens (Assorted & Singles)
Designed to mimic the experience of traditional brush calligraphy, the Bimoji range includes sizes from Extra Fine to Large, and a 5-pen assorted set. The water-based pigment ink offers excellent flow and control, while the ergonomic grip makes them comfortable for longer sessions. They’re perfect for modern calligraphy, journaling, or just sketching on the go. -
ZIG White Pen Set
This set includes two white brush pens and a fine liner, giving you layering options when working on black paper or over existing ink. They're especially useful for creating highlights or working in reverse (dark-to-light).
What Can You Use Them For?
- ✍️ Lettering & Calligraphy – From expressive scripts to controlled hand lettering
- 🖋 Illustration – Clean linework, rich fills, and dynamic shading
- 📓 Sketchbooks & Journaling – Portable, mess-free, and expressive
- 🎨 Watercolour Effects – Blendable real brush pens that mimic paintbrush strokes
- 🎭 Manga & Comic Art – Designed with comic artists in mind, especially the Mangaka and Real Brush lines
Browse the Collection
These tools are about flexibility and fun — the joy of line variation, ink flow, and discovering new marks on the page. Whether you’re sketching ideas or inking final artwork, these tools help you focus on your creativity, not your materials.
