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Which fineliner works best with watercolour? Let us introduce our favourites in this comparative buying guide.
5 popular fineliners for watercolour
- Pentel Pointliner
- Winsor & Newton Fineliner
- Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner
- Faber-Castell PITT artist Fineliner
- Staedtler Pigment Liner
All five fineliners have the essentials covered, both waterproof and lightfast ink. But as always, we can’t resist diving into the details, because each brand and series has its own unique features and characteristics that might suit you perfectly.
1. Pentel Pointliner
Fineliner for textured paper
Pentel delivers as always when it comes to quality and precision. The Pointliner is an excellent choice if you're looking for a permanent, lightfast fineliner that can handle multiple layers without the ink giving out. But what truly makes it a favourite among watercolour artists is the durable fibre tip. It withstands rough, textured watercolour paper where many other fineliners quickly wear down or lose their shape. A reliable pen you can use again and again.
3. Winsor & Newton Fineliner
An affordable fineliner
A fineliner that truly stands out with its matte, minimalist barrel and smooth tip. Winsor & Newton’s affordable fineliners come in a soft grey tone that pairs beautifully with the transparent look of watercolour. A great choice if you paint with watercolour and want outlines that blend in rather than take over.
3. Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner
Fineliner available in many colours and sets
The Pigma Micron has become something of an icon among fineliners. It's used by everyone from professional illustrators to architecture students and bullet journal enthusiasts around the world, and it’s easy to see why. With its precision, permanent pigment-based ink and wide range of colours and sets, there’s a Micron for every style, technique and project.
4. Faber-Castell PITT artist Fineliner
Fineliner with India Ink
With Faber-Castell’s drawing and sketching pens, you get the classic, pigment-rich India ink in a modern and user-friendly format. This ink has been used for centuries thanks to its impressive colour permanence, and it's perfect when you want your lines to stand the test of time.
5. Staedtler Pigment Liner
Flight-safe fineliner with artist-grade quality
Whether you're sketching at home or on the go, the Staedtler Pigment Liner is a reliable companion. It's flight-safe thanks to a smart pressure equalisation system that prevents ink leakage at 10,000 metres altitude, making it perfect for travelling creatives. The ink and tip are of high quality, and the sets come in a durable plastic case that can be set up as a pen stand on your desk. Practical, stylish and always ready.
| Water-based | Permanent | Tip material | Barrel material | Tip width | Colours | Refillable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentel Pointliner | Yes | Yes | Fibre | Plastic | 0.03 – 1 mm | Black, sepia, grey, brown | No |
| Winsor & Newton Fineliner | Yes | Yes | Fibre | Plastic | 0.1 – 1.0 mm | Black, grey | No |
| Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner | Yes | Yes | Plastic | Plastic | 0.15 – 0.7 mm | 15 pcs | No |
| Faber Castell PITT artist Fineliner | Yes | Yes | Felt | Polypropylene | 0.05 – 1.5 mm | Black, grey, sepia | No |
| Staedtler Pigment Liner | Yes | Yes | Fibre | Plastic | 0.05 – 1.2 mm | 13 pcs | No |
Things to consider when buying a fineliner for watercolour
Choose the right tip size
We offer fineliners in a wide range of sizes, from 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm. It’s good to know that the millimetre size refers to the tip of the pen, not the actual line width, which is often slightly thinner. Our best tip for choosing a size is to try a few different widths and see which ones you prefer. It’s common to use multiple sizes in your artwork, which is why many brands offer sets.
Explore different colours
Most people probably think of a fineliner as a black pen, but that’s far from the whole story! Black may be the most common colour, but several brands offer many more options. The colour of your fineliner can have a big impact on the feel of your painting. Framing details in black gives a sharp, graphic look, while grey or brown can let the watercolour shine more. Or why not choose a red or green fineliner? Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore different colours.
Invest in a quality fineliner
The pens we’ve listed above are all high quality. For watercolour painting, it’s important to choose a pen that is well made, as the tiny tip can wear down quickly on textured watercolour paper. A good fineliner will last a long time and deliver the results your creative work deserves.
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