If you are choosing tombow brush pens for lettering practice, the small details matter: tip firmness, how quickly the tip springs back, and whether the set fits your colour style. We pulled together the most popular options so you can match a pen to your hand, not just the packaging.
In this roundup, we compare 10 picks across firm and soft brush tips, dual-ended markers, and a starter lettering kit. We focused on practical differences you will feel while writing, like control on small scripts, blending potential for bigger pieces, and which bundles make sense when you are practising daily.
Use the list below to find a good match quickly, then check the buying guide for how to choose based on your lettering goals.
Tombow Fudenosuke 6-Pack Brush Pens – Hard and soft tips included
- Tip feel Firm tips feel more controlled for small lettering, softer tips feel smoother for big swells but can be harder to tame.
- Set value Multi-packs are the easiest way to practice consistently without running out of your favourite stroke weight.
- Colour goals Muted, galaxy, and greyscale palettes each solve a different project problem, from modern invites to tonal shading.
- Starter kits A bundled lettering set is best when you want guidance and variety more than a specific colour story.
How We Chose Tombow Brush Pens
For these tombow brush pens, we compared tip types, set formats, and the kinds of projects each option supports, from small everyday notes to colourful layouts. We also weighed how beginner-friendly each pick is, since control and learning curve vary a lot between firmer and softer tips.
Our shortlist balances variety and practicality: a few focused practice packs, several colour stories for creative work, and one all-in-one kit for someone who wants a guided start. Each pick is included because it solves a specific use case, not because it is simply popular.
A quick note on names: the dual-ended markers in this roundup are Tombow’s water-based ABT line, usually sold in Canada as the Dual Brush Pen, so every ABT comparison below refers to those. Tombow also makes the ABT Pro, an alcohol-based version aimed at illustration and marker rendering. It is a different tool with different paper demands, and it is mostly a specialty-retail item in Canada, so we mention it here for context rather than including it in the picks.
What to Look for in Tombow Brush Pens
Firm tips give predictable hairlines and cleaner small letters, while softer tips reward light pressure and larger, looser styles.
Your palette affects how often you actually reach for the pens, especially for cards, journals, and seasonal projects.
Dual-ended or mixed-tip bundles let you sketch, outline, and fill without swapping tools constantly during a layout.
If you are doing drills, you will burn through ink faster, so bigger packs can be more practical than specialty colours.
If you are learning pressure control, start with a firmer tip before moving to softer brush tips, it helps you avoid shaky thick downstrokes.
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Hard and soft tips included
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard & Soft 6-Pack combines three hard-tip and three soft-tip brush pens for controlled strokes and expressive lettering. It is a friendly set for sketch notes, precision drawing, and modern calligraphy.
- Hard and soft tips
- Controlled, precise strokes
- Consistently praised quality
- Only two tip options
- Not a large colour set
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard & Soft 6-Pack is a practical brush pen set for small lettering, sketch notes, and tight layouts where control matters. We like that you get both feels in one pack: hard tips for crisper, more controlled lines and soft tips for a slightly bouncier brush response. Based on public user feedback, these pens are a dependable favourite for everyday art and calligraphy practice, and the grip feels comfortable for longer sessions.
02
Three tips for varied strokes
Tombow Fudenosuke Twin Tip Trio bundles three black-toned brush pens with different feels, including soft and hard tips plus a twin tip. It is a handy way to cover small-letter brush work and sketchbook accents.
- Includes three distinct pens
- Soft and hard tips
- Black and grey option
- Limited to black tones
- Not a large tip brush
Tombow Fudenosuke Twin Tip Trio is a compact value set built around control and variety. You get three pens: one soft-tip, one hard-tip, and a twin-tip option, all in black-focused inks, including a black and grey pen for lighter marks. Based on spec comparisons and what letterers mention most often, this set suits small lettering, quick headings, and mixed media sketchbook work where predictable, repeatable strokes matter.
03
Easy thick and thin strokes
Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip 3-Pack is a beginner-friendly brush pen set that makes it easy to get varied line widths with pressure. The water-based ink is clean on many papers, with minimal feathering.
- Soft tip suits larger lettering
- Minimal feathering and bleed
- Compact pens fit cases
- Black ink only
- Less ideal for tiny scripts
Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip 3-Pack is a reliable choice for modern calligraphy, headers, and bold bullet journal titles. The soft, flexible brush tip helps you shift from fine strokes to thicker downstrokes with pressure, making it approachable if you are still building control. Its water-based ink tends to behave well on many papers, with little feathering or bleeding unless you lay down heavy ink. The small barrel also makes it easy to carry in a pencil case.
Controlled colour brush lettering
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard 10-Colour Set pairs a firm, controlled brush tip with pigment-based, water-resistant ink. It is a solid choice for small-format brush lettering, neat stroke contrasts, and adding colour accents without the tip feeling overly soft.
- Firm tip for control
- Water-resistant pigment ink
- Useful 10-colour range
- Not very flexible feel
- Small tip limits bold fills
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard 10-Colour Set is built around a flexible but firm elastomer tip, so you can make crisp hairlines and controlled downstrokes without the “mushy” feel some brush pens have. The pigment-based ink is water-resistant and light-resistant, which helps when you want to combine lettering with watercolours or water-based markers. Based on specs and user feedback, it is especially well suited to beginners and anyone who prefers tighter, more precise brush calligraphy.
Muted colours, easy blending
The Tombow Dual Brush Pen Muted 10-Pack pairs a flexible brush tip with a precise fine tip for lettering, doodles, and journaling. Water-based ink blends smoothly, and the muted palette includes a colourless blender.
- Brush and fine tips
- Water-based, odourless ink
- Muted palette plus blender
- Blender pen can disappoint
- Pens are long to store
The Tombow Dual Brush Pen Muted 10-Pack is a versatile set for modern lettering, sketches, and journal colour palettes that lean soft and earthy. Each marker gives you a nylon brush tip for pressure-based thick and thin strokes, plus a fine tip for crisp lines and details. The water-based ink is blendable and odourless, and it is designed to be non-bleeding and acid-free. You get nine muted colours plus a colourless blender pen.
Blendable galaxy colours in one set
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Galaxy 10-Pack gives you a flexible brush tip plus a firm fine tip in each marker. The water-based ink is odourless, non-bleed, and easy to blend for lettering, journaling, and illustrations.
- Brush and fine tip
- Blendable water-based ink
- Odourless and non-bleed
- Blender pen may disappoint
- Markers are long
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Galaxy 10-Pack is a compact colour assortment built around the brand’s dual-tip format: a resilient nylon brush tip for expressive thick and thin strokes, plus a firm fine tip for consistent lines. We like that the water-based ink is odourless and designed to be blendable, which suits faux calligraphy, gradients, and watercolour-style illustration. The set comes in a plastic case and includes 9 colours plus 1 blender, though some users find the blender less effective than expected.
Neutral tones for tonal lettering
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Grey Scale 10-Pack focuses on usable neutrals for shading and tonal hand lettering. You get a flexible brush tip for thick and thin strokes, plus a fine tip for clean lines and details.
- Flexible brush tip control
- Fine tip for details
- Blendable water-based ink
- Greys only, limited palette
- Brush tip needs light touch
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Grey Scale 10-Pack is a practical set when you want neutrals for toning, shadows, and monochrome layouts. Each marker is dual-ended with a nylon fibre brush tip for pressure-based strokes and a fine tip for crisp lines and small lettering. The water-based ink is blendable, odourless, and designed to be non-bleeding on many papers, making it a solid fit for journaling, doodles, and modern lettering where value shifts matter.
Six matching blacks for linework
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Black 6-Pack gives you six identical black brush pens with a blendable brush tip for illustration and bold, controlled strokes. A convenient way to keep backups for daily sketching and lettering.
- Blendable brush tip
- Consistent black duplicates
- Works for illustration styles
- Single colour only
- Limited variety for lettering
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Black 6-Pack is a simple, practical bundle when you want the same dependable black brush pen on hand for sketching, comics, and modern lettering accents. Based on specs and user feedback, the brush tip lays down expressive thick to thin strokes and stays easy to blend for shading and softer edges. The main appeal is consistency: you get six matching pens, which is handy if black is your most-used ink in your kit.
All-in-one lettering starter kit
The Tombow 56190 Lettering Set bundles a few of Tombow’s most-used lettering tools with a simple starter pamphlet. It’s a friendly way to sample brush lettering and modern calligraphy without buying individual pens first.
- Complete beginner-friendly assortment
- Includes Dual Brush Pens
- Helpful starter pamphlet included
- Only two brush pen colours
- Small kit, not refillable
We like the Tombow 56190 Lettering Set as a low-friction entry into brush lettering because it covers the basics in one pack. You get two Dual Brush Pens for larger strokes, a Fudenosuke Calligraphy Pen for tighter control, plus a MONO Twin Permanent Marker, MONO drawing pencil, and MONO eraser for layout and finishing. Reviews consistently call it a great starter kit, and the included pamphlet helps you begin with simple stroke practice and lettering habits.
Hard tip for crisp strokes
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Single is a hard-tip brush pen with water-based, pigmented black ink. This 20-pack is handy for classes, studios, or keeping consistent spares for daily lettering practice.
- Firm yet flexible hard tip
- Pigmented water-based black ink
- 20-pack for easy backups
- Non-refillable pen design
- Only black ink included
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Single is a reliable hard-tip brush pen for small lettering, clean transitions, and controlled upstrokes. The firm yet flexible tip lets you shift from extra-fine to medium lines with pressure, making it a nice fit for modern calligraphy drills and sketching details. The ink is water-based, pigmented black, and odourless, and the barrel uses recycled polypropylene plastic. As a value set of 20, it suits shared workspaces and repeat practice.
| Rating | Pack size | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Tombow Fudenosuke 6-Pack Brush Pens
Best Overall Pick
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9.5/10 | 6 pens | C $18.00 | BUY NOW |
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Tombow Fudenosuke 3 Pen Set
Top Pick for Variety
|
9.4/10 | 3 pens | – | BUY NOW |
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Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip Pens
Top Pick for Beginners
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9.4/10 | 3 pens | C $8.38 | BUY NOW |
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Tombow 10-Colour Brush Pens
Also Great
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9.4/10 | – | C $17.00 | BUY NOW |
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Tombow Muted Dual Brush Pens
Top Pick for Practice
|
9.3/10 | – | C $35.00 | BUY NOW |
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Tombow Dual Brush Pen Set
Top Pick for Colour Blending
|
9.2/10 | – | C $32.63 | BUY NOW |
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Tombow Grey Scale Brush Pens
Top Pick for Neutrals
|
9.1/10 | – | C $35.99 | BUY NOW |
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Tombow Black Dual Brush Pens
Top Pick for Inking
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9.0/10 | 6 pens | C $20.80 | BUY NOW |
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Tombow Lettering Set Kit
Best Starter Kit
|
8.9/10 | – | C $22.99 | BUY NOW |
|
Tombow Fudenosuke Hard Brush Pen
Bulk Practice Set
|
8.8/10 | 20 | – | BUY NOW |
How to Choose the Right Tombow Brush Pens
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Tip Feel
Tip firmness changes everything from your warm-up drills to how clean your exit strokes look. Hard tip: Best for small lettering, print plus script mixes, and crisp upstrokes without wobble. · Soft tip: Better for larger swells and expressive styles, but it demands lighter pressure control. · Mixed tips: Great when you are still learning, you can switch tips instead of forcing one pen to do everything.
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Single vs Dual End
Think about whether you want one consistent brush feel or a second tip for outlines and details. Brush-only: Simple for drills and muscle memory, you learn faster when the tool stays consistent. · Dual-ended: Helps with sketching, borders, and filling small areas without grabbing another marker. · Layout workflow: If you do finished pieces, a second tip can speed up spacing and refinements.
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Colour Strategy
Colour sets are most useful when they match your real projects, not just what looks fun in the box. Muted palettes: Great for modern stationery, planners, and subtle gradients. · Greyscale sets: Ideal for value studies, shadows, and making one accent colour pop. · Themed sets: Fun for seasonal work, but make sure you will use most colours more than once.
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Paper Match
Brush tips last longer on smooth paper, and your results look cleaner right away. Smooth surface: Reduces fraying and keeps downstrokes glossy and even. · No feathering: Choose paper that keeps edges crisp, especially on small lettering. · Backside bleed: If you journal, check whether ink shows through before committing to a big set.
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Care and Storage
A little care keeps tips springy and ink flow consistent. Cap tight: Always click caps fully closed, a loose cap dries out brush tips quickly. · Light pressure: Let the tip flex, pressing too hard permanently changes the point. · Store horizontal: Helps keep ink distribution even between sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Fudenosuke and Dual brush pens?
Fudenosuke-style pens focus on a smaller brush tip for controlled thick and thin strokes, especially in compact lettering. Dual-style pens are typically larger and include a second tip, which is handy for outlines, details, and colouring. If you write small or want crisp strokes, choose the smaller brush tip. If you design layouts, the dual end is often more flexible.
Should beginners choose a hard tip or soft tip brush pen?
Beginners usually progress faster with a hard tip because it resists over-pressing and helps you keep your downstrokes consistent. A soft tip can feel smoother, but it shows pressure mistakes more clearly and can get wobbly if you push too hard. If you are unsure, a mixed pack with both tip feels is the easiest way to learn what suits your hand.
Are brush pens good for small lettering and bullet journals?
Yes, but tip size matters. For small headers, margins, and day-to-day notes, a smaller, firmer brush tip is easier to control and less likely to overwhelm your page. Larger brush tips shine for titles, quotes, and bigger flourishes. If you plan to write on both sides of a page, also pay attention to whether your notebook paper feathers or shows through.
How do I blend colours with brush pens without making mud?
Blend from light to dark using minimal overlap, and give the first layer a moment to settle before you rework it. For smoother fades, use a very light hand on the brush tip and focus on small, repeated strokes rather than heavy scrubbing. If colours turn dull quickly, you are likely over-layering or blending on paper that soaks up ink too fast.
Do brush pen tips fray, and how can I prevent it?
Brush tips can fray over time, especially if you use rough paper or press hard when practising downstrokes. To prevent it, use smooth paper, lighten your pressure, and avoid twisting the pen as you lift off the page. Always cap the pen tightly after use. If a tip starts to split, switching to gentler paper can slow further damage.
Is a lettering starter kit better than buying pens separately?
A starter kit is better if you want a guided, ready-to-use mix of tools for practising and making simple projects. It removes the guesswork about what to buy first and helps you try a few formats without committing to large sets. Buying separately is better if you already know the exact tip feel you like or you are building a very specific colour palette.
Where can Canadians buy brush pens locally?
In Canada, you can often find brush pens through local stationery shops and art stores, plus big-box options depending on your city. People commonly check Wonder Pens, Blesket, Opus Art Supplies, Michaels Canada, Curry’s Art Supplies, DeSerres, Above Ground Art Supplies, Indigo, Staples Canada, and Walmart Canada. Stock varies, so if you want a specific set, call ahead or check availability online.
Do I need special paper for brush pens?
You do not need special paper, but you will get better results on smooth, bleed-resistant sheets. Smooth paper keeps edges crisp and helps your brush tip last longer. Rough or fibrous paper can cause feathering and tip wear, which makes strokes look fuzzy and control harder. If you are practising a lot, upgrading paper can improve both your lettering and your tools.
- New to brush lettering and want control first: start with Tombow Fudenosuke Hard & Soft 6-Pack.
- You already know you prefer a softer feel: pick Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip 3-Pack for consistent practice.
- You want one set for colourful projects and simple blends: choose Tombow Dual Brush Pen Muted 10-Pack.
- You do tonal shading and shadow work: go with Tombow Dual Brush Pen Grey Scale 10-Pack.
- You want an all-in-one jumpstart with variety: grab the Tombow 56190 Lettering Set.
If you want the most useful starting point, we would begin with the Tombow Fudenosuke Hard & Soft 6-Pack. You get two distinct tip feels, which makes it easier to learn control and also figure out what style you enjoy most. If you are buying mainly for colour projects and blending practice, the Tombow Dual Brush Pen Muted 10-Pack is a more inspiring pick. Choose the set that matches what you will actually write this week, not an ideal future project.
Recommended Reading
If you want to go beyond product picks, these books are worth shelf space. Each link goes to the current Amazon.ca listing.
- The Calligrapher’s Bible, 100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them by David Harris. A reference of complete alphabets that pairs well with daily brush-pen practice.
- Just My Type by Simon Garfield. An entertaining tour of typefaces and why letterforms look the way they do.
Not gonna lie, these sets feel kinda pricey for “practice pens.” If someone’s going cheapest, is the Fudenosuke Hard single basically the same experience as the packs, or does it wear out faster / have less consistent ink?
Anyone using the Dual Brush Pen Galaxy 10-Pack alongside Copic liners? I already have a bunch of Multiliners for outlines and I’m wondering if the Tombows will play nice without smearing, especially on smoother paper.
For the 56190 lettering set, do the small tips work for kid hands too, or is it more “adult grip” sized? My niece is 10 and loves brush lettering but anything chunky makes her hand cramp fast.
The pens in the 56190 set are regular marker size (not oversized), so most kids around that age can hold them comfortably – especially the Fudenosuke, since the barrel is fairly slim. If she cramps with chunky pens, the Fudenosuke Hard single (or the hard/soft pack) is usually the easiest grip. One tip: encourage a lighter hold and shorter practice sessions at first; death-gripping is what tires the hand out.