What Can You Draw With a Fountain Pen?

Taking a different approach to the Hypebeast Street Interview series, in this installment, we teamed up with Montblanc to ask two artists to put its Meisterstück fountain pen to the test with a 60-second sketch.

Since its launch in 1924, the Meisterstück has spearheaded Montblanc’s innovation in writing instruments for over a century. Translated to “masterpiece” in German, it’s become a symbol of writing excellence and meticulous craftsmanship with a stand-out black precious resin cap and barrel, and a handcrafted solid gold nib.

What started as a response to consumers asking for a “Sunday-use” pen – one that offers a finer experience not meant for everyday use — has since turned into Montblanc’s most iconic design. With its codes inspiring a range of products from leather goods to new tech devices, the name has today become synonymous with the brand.

For this episode, we tasked painter Isaac Andrews to “draw a moment of human connection,” and artist Yolande Mutale to “draw your mood today.” As the London-based creatives pick up the Meisterstück, Andrews explains that what he looks for in a sketching pen are “two things: one, the weight in my hand, and also the quality of the line work,” and that he’s surprised how much the fountain pen “feels like a paintbrush.” However, while Mutale admits that she’s never used a fountain pen before, she shares the sentiment, adding she “just likes how it glides on paper.” Describing her aesthetic as “observational” and taking “everyday things I see and [making] them fun,” her illustrations are centred around social commentary visualized through bold typography and a vibrant palette.

After the 60 seconds are up, Andrews turns over his piece that shows two people embracing. He titles it Siblings, explaining that it’s “the most pure form of human connection, especially amongst children.” Mutale, on the other hand, showcases her signature line work that expresses how she’s currently feeling. Featuring text that describes her piece as “shakes,” she explains simply that it’s because “I just had a coffee, so I’m feeling a little bit jittery.”

Watch the two artists try out the Meisterstück in the Street Interview video above.

For more information and to explore the full collection, head to the Montblanc website now.