In this abstract drawing I started with a few colors using the thick nib of my calligraphy markers. The blue and orange came out boldly, but the green and yellow markers were beginning to dry out, so those marks are faint.
I find that the thick nibs dry out more quickly then the small thin nibs, even in the same pen. This makes me feel I shouldn't throw them away, even though it is frustrating when I attempt to make a line and it barely shows.
I know what you're thinking--why don't I try them out first on a piece of scrap paper? I actually keep scrap paper handy for just that--to test a color before I use it. The problem is, I rarely test anything before I use it. It's only in hindsight that I realize I should have done that.
But when something goes wrong, that often sets up a problem to solve. I ended up outlining some of the pale yellow marks, which gave them a different look altogether.
I finished this drawing with a fine point red pen, adding detail and focus.