PILOT – Innovation and sustainability from Japan

The PILOT brand, deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, has stood for innovative writing instruments for over 100 years and is one of the leading manufacturers in the industry. What makes PILOT special is its proximity to every single production step – from the first draft to the finished product, everything is developed in-house.

One of the best-known PILOT brand products is the FriXion family, which with its erasable ink is a must in every pencil case. But the world’s best-selling gel pen G2-7 and the B2P ‘Bottle to Pen’ product family with its eco-design are also among PILOT’s top sellers.

PILOT not only embodies innovative strength, but also a deep sense of responsibility towards our environment. PILOT began using recycled raw materials for production 15 years ago and has been committed to sustainable practices ever since. Several European subsidiaries are climate-certified in co-operation with ClimatePartner. This means that all CO2 emissions that cannot currently be prevented are offset by investing in climate protection projects.

With a PILOT writing instrument, you are not only holding a piece of Japanese innovation culture in your hand, but also supporting a brand that is actively committed to protecting our planet. Together for a more sustainable future – that’s PILOT.

PILOT – tradition, innovation and sustainability, united in every stroke.

More details about PILOT can be found at www.pilotpen.de

1+2. PILOT Parallel Pen 6mm Set with additional refill ink

Discover the artist in you with the PILOT Parallel Pen!

The art of beautiful writing is back in fashion, and with the PILOT Parallel Pen you will become a master of calligraphy, whether you are a beginner or a professional. This wonderful writing instrument gives your words and drawings a special touch and lets your creativity shine in a completely new light.

The magic of the parallel tip

The Parallel Pen is no ordinary fountain pen – its special tip, consisting of two parallel stainless steel plates, ensures breathtaking writing and unrivalled precision. Thanks to the precise laser cut, six different line widths are available, from a fine 1.5 mm to a powerful 6.0 mm. The different line widths can be easily identified by the cap colour.

You can draw both broad and extra-fine lines with just one calligraphy pen, making your artwork even more versatile. Whether for elegant lettering or detailed drawings – the Parallel Pen is your perfect companion.

Creative colour games made easy

The Parallel Pen comes in a practical standard set that contains everything you need to get started with calligraphy: A plastic plate for cleaning, a cleaning converter and two ink cartridges in the colours black and red. You can also choose from a variety of other colourful replacement cartridges.

There are two simple techniques for breathtaking colour effects:

Two Parallel Pens, Two Colours: Hold the tips of two Parallel Pens filled with different colours together. The ink transfers from one tip to the other and creates a fascinating colour gradient when writing.

One Parallel Pen, two colours: Open an additional colour cartridge and drip a little ink onto a non-absorbent surface such as glass or plastic. Hold the tip of your parallel pen in the drops to absorb the colour and create wonderful colour gradations.

Immerse yourself in the world of calligraphy with the PILOT Parallel Pen and discover how much fun writing and designing can be. Try it out and let your creativity run wild – the results will inspire you and others!

Turn your everyday writing into a work of art – with the PILOT Parallel Pen!

Colourful variety for your PILOT Parallel Pen

RRP: 18,35€

Experience creative freedom with the right cartridges for your PILOT Parallel Pen! These cartridges are available in an impressive range of colours that will make your calligraphy projects shine.

From classic tones like black and blue to vibrant colours like red, green, purple and more – the colour selection offers the perfect shade for every taste and every idea. Whether you want to create elegant lettering or colourful works of art, the PILOT Parallel pen cartridges allow you to create a variety of designs.

The cartridges are available in practical sets so that you always have the right colour to hand. You can choose between sets of 6, each containing one colour, or opt for the set of 12, which includes one cartridge per colour. This means you always have the right colour for each of your projects.

With these high-quality cartridges, your PILOT Parallel Pen will become an indispensable tool for impressive calligraphy and colourful designs. Discover the variety and find your favourite colours for breathtaking lettering and works of art!

Add colour to your words – with the PILOT Parallel Pen cartridges!

3. Drawing ink for technical drawing – Orange – 20g 

This hobby ink contains high-quality pigments with a bright colour brilliance for drawing on transparent or drawing paper. The ink creates a waterproof coating after drying. Quick-drying, lightfast and intermixable, the ink hardly loses any of its intensity even when heavily diluted.

RR: 2,20€

4. Sketch pad Authentic Ingres “SMLT ART”

With a natural white Ingres paper containing cotton inside. The surface of specific laid finish paper suited for all kinds of dry sketches, but best for pencils, charcoal, pastel. With natural colored cardboard cover, hard back, microperforated sheets and spiral on top. Inside paper is woodfree, pH neutral and long life.

RRP: 5,00€

5. two large staples, copper colours

These big staples paper clips are designed for artists and creative professionals to securely hold and organize various types and sizes of paper. Made from high-quality, durable metal, these extra-large clips can manage large formats without bending or warping. Their smooth finish prevents damage to delicate papers, and their stylish, ergonomic design ensures easy handling. Ideal for both organizing and displaying artwork. 

RRP:0,60€

ARTIST OF THE MONTH:

JAN KOKE

instagram

Hi, I‘m Jan Koke, a Hamburg-born and based artist. Influenced by typography, calligraphy, handlettering, music, and design, I‘ve developed a flexible writing system. The idea was to strip away all cultural influences and inherent meanings of letters and words, reducing them to forms built out of straight lines to create a language that speaks to every human. Enjoy!

Tell us something about your creative Journey from the idea to be an artist to the result, being an artist 🙂 

Well, actually, I always wanted to become a musician like my father, who was a percussionist in the Opera. I played some instruments as a kid and sang. Around the age of 15, I started producing music and was out there as a DJ. Eventually, I began an education as a type designer because I was always interested in all forms of letters. After that, I studied communication design, and by the end of my studies, I decided to focus solely on my art and the stuff that I‘m doing to this day.

What was the most exciting part of your work with the box and what was the biggest challenge?

The most exciting part was actually planning out what to include in the box that not only provides insight into my work but offers the highest value to both beginners and experienced artists. The Pilot Parallel Pen is a fantastic tool, and it is always the first thing I recommend to people who are interested in writing. It is great on its own for practice and small artworks, and with just some little tricks – like dipping the tip into another color (try water as well) – you can get nice results out of it pretty easily and quickly.

Where do you find ideas for your art process?

Mostly from patterns of all kinds: patterns from music, psychology, philosophy, mathematics, biology, and so on. I‘m looking for the underlying mechanics that these patterns have in common, a universal truth so to speak. For example, DNA is very simple in its structure, but out of it, all these different very complex parts are built. So I define some basic rules for a piece of work and watch them unfold.

Special question for the box: how would you describe your style?

Simple and Bold.

How often do you make art and what does it mean to you?

I‘m very pragmatic about it; I treat it kind of like a real job, so I‘m in my studio from Mondays to Fridays, around 8 hours a day. I have the great fortune to do what I love for a living, so there is almost no difference between my private life and my work. Everything I do is in some way related to it, be it reading, playing my instrument, or visiting the opera / theater / museum. So for me, art is like the bigger frame that keeps my life together, connects the dots, and provides it with meaning.

What are your plans for the future?

I‘m always working on simplifying my paintings and narrowing down the important aspects of them. Also, I‘m planning to experiment with new materials and techniques, develop my sculptures, and start teaching again.

Tell us, what a day in your life looks like, if you‘re not making art together?

If I‘m not making art, I‘m probably on the road visiting friends, attending some cultural events, or at home reading, YouTubing, and practicing my instrument.

#upcrate58 HOW-TO-DO-VIDEO by JAN KOKE

#upcratebattle

#upcrate56 Amazing entires <3

Topic: Mythical

#upcrate58

TOPIC: lines and graphics

Are those still dashes or are they already letters? Is that calligraphy or already an illustraion? That’s what we’re asking ourselves this month. An overall composition of simple lines, shapes and letters becomes a complex, unique painting. What can you include in your picture consisting of lines? Have you ever seen a calligraphic bird? We say anything is possible and are looking forward to your results.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS:

1. Use the materials in this month‘s upcrate. Let your creativity run free and create a great work of art

2. Post your artwork on Instagram with #upcratebattle #upcrate57 tag us @upcrate

Deadline: 24.07.24

YOUR PRICE:

a big box worth 80€