White Gel Pens: How to Add Highlights to Your Drawings

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-18

On 2026-10-18

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

A tiny white dot in an eye or a fine white line on a strand of hair can bring a drawing to life. A white gel pen is the easiest way to add those highlights on top of pencil, coloured pencil, marker and paint. This guide explains the Sakura White Gelly Roll tip sizes, where to use a white pen, and how to keep it flowing smoothly.

Why use a white gel pen?

Crisp highlights: erasers lift graphite, but they can’t make pure white lines on top of colour, marker or paint. A white gel pen can.
Opaque ink: the white ink covers what is underneath, so it shows clearly on dark areas.
Dark and toned paper: white gel ink stands out on black, brown kraft and coloured paper, for drawings, lettering and cards.

White Gelly Roll tip sizes

We stock the Sakura White Gelly Roll in three tip sizes. The number on the pen is the tip size: the higher the number, the thicker the line.

White Gelly Roll 05 (Fine Tip): the finest line, for eye highlights, hair strands and small details.
White Gelly Roll 08 (Medium Tip): an all-round size for highlights, patterns and writing.
White Gelly Roll 10 (Bold Tip): our most popular size, for bold lines, lettering and dots on dark paper.

For a metallic shine, the Gelly Roll Metallic Gold and Silver also show on dark and light paper. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all drawing pens.

Which white gel pen should you buy first?

If you mostly draw portraits and realistic pencil work, start with the fine 05. If you want one pen for highlights, lettering and black-paper art, the medium 08 or bold 10 is more versatile. Many artists keep a fine and a bold pen together. For the shading underneath, see our pencil grades guide.

How to use a white gel pen for highlights

Finish your shading first. Highlights go on last, on top of everything else.
Work out where the light comes from, so all your highlights are on the same side.
Use light pressure and short strokes. Pressing hard can damage the tip and make the ink skip.
For eyes, add one small dot or curve where the light reflects. One highlight usually looks more natural than several.
For hair, add a few fine lines following the direction of the hair, not one big patch.
Let the ink dry for a moment before touching it, so it doesn’t smudge.

Drawing on black and toned paper

On toned or dark paper, you draw the light instead of the shadows. Combine a white gel pen with white charcoal for soft highlights, as explained in our charcoal drawing guide. The brown Craft Paper Art Pad is a good surface to try white pens and coloured pencils on.

Tips to keep your pen flowing

Close the cap firmly after use.
Store the pen horizontally, away from heat.
If the ink stops, scribble gently on scrap paper to restart it.
Work on smooth paper for crisp lines; rough paper and heavy pencil layers can clog the tip.
On wax-based coloured pencil, the ink may bead up; press lightly or add the highlight before the final layer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a white gel pen over paint?

Yes, once the paint is completely dry. It works over acrylic, watercolour, gouache and marker.

Does white gel ink work over graphite pencil?

Yes, but heavy, shiny graphite can make the ink skip. Light pressure helps.

Which is the finest White Gelly Roll?

Of the three we stock, the 05 fine tip draws the thinnest line.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose the right highlight pens and papers.

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