Desarae Lee - Beginning Pen & Ink: Tips and Techniques for Learning to Draw in Pen and Ink

Tips and techniques for learning to draw in pen and ink

I am surprised by how often people tell me, I cant draw at allnot even a stick figure! They say this as if drawing is a magical gift bestowed by a melodious and sparkling fairy godmother. But drawing is something that anyone can do; its simply a matter of taking the time to learn, practice, and grow. By picking up this book, you are taking a step toward improving your drawing abilities and exploring a medium that has withstood the test of time: pen and ink.

You dont have to be a professional artist to enjoy drawing with ink. The medium is attractive for many reasons, including its portability and relatively low cost. There is a crispness about a pen-and-ink drawing that many people (myself included!) find irresistible. The air of finality and commitment to mark-making is unrivaled in almost any other media.

Pen and ink may seem daunting to some; the inability to erase a mistake can intimidate even the most experienced artist. But within this unforgiving nature lies the very beauty of the medium. Your final ink drawing does not just show a polished piece of work; it also shows the energy you used to get there, the second-guesses you made along the way, and the unintentional lines that you somehow made work. As you continue to learn and grow in this medium, you may or may not make fewer mistakes, but you will certainly improve at embracing those mistakes and turning them into an advantage.

As you journey through this book and your drawing skills progress, you may begin to see
how planning ahead helps you avoid needless blunders. Not only will you increase your
ability to communicate what you see, but you will also learn to communicate about yourself and your environment. Mastering these skills gives you the building blocks of a language through which you can communicate beyond words and reach people with whom you never would have spoken.

Now, lets get started!

One of the many benefits of drawing with pen and ink is that it requires few supplies. You can start with the most basic toolsa pen and a drawing surfaceand then add to your artistic arsenal as you discover your own interests and preferences.

Lets begin by exploring your drawing tool options.

PENS

NIB PEN A nib or dip pen consists of two parts: a nib and a handle or holder. Nibs are made of metal and, as their name implies, the ink is replenished by dipping the pen into an inkwell.

AN ADVANTAGE TO USING A NIB PEN IS THE WIDE VARIETY OF LINE QUALITY YOU CAN ACHIEVE BY EXCHANGING ONE NIB FOR ANOTHER.

FOUNTAIN PEN A fountain pen is similar to a nib pen except that it holds an internal reservoir of ink, thus eliminating the need to dip the pen into an inkwell. Some fountain pens require you to refill the internal reservoir, while others offer prefilled ink cartridges.

TECHNICAL PEN The technical pen is favored by many pen and ink artists, myself included. It consists of an inner ink reservoir and a tubular nib. Some technical pens offer refillable inks and interchangeable nibs, while others are disposable. Originally used for architectural and technical drawings, these pens offer consistent line width and come in various sizes.

BALLPOINT PEN A ballpoint pen dispenses thicker, oil-based ink via a small sphere at its tip. It contains an internal reservoir, which makes it easy to transport and use. It is one of the most popular writing pens out there.

USE A BALLPOINT PEN TO CREATE DIFFERENT VALUES SIMPLY BY APPLYING MORE OR LESS PRESSURE WHILE DRAWING.

NATURAL MATERIALS Some of the earliest pens were made from materials found in nature. Among those still in use today are the quill pen, made by shaping the molted primary feather of a bird, and the reed or bamboo pen.

ROLLERBALL PEN This pen uses a mechanism similar to the one in a ballpoint pen. However, it contains water-based inks, which create a smoother, even flow and a more consistent line.

FELT-TIP PEN A felt-tip pen has an internal ink reservoir and a nib thats made from a porous material. It comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes.

Brush A pen is not the only way to transfer ink onto paper. A brush can create an endless variety of strokes and allows for techniques that cant be achieved using pens.

INK

There are two basic types of drawing ink: pigment and dye-based. Pigment ink tends to be more durableit lasts longer, resists fading, and is water-resistantwhile dye-based ink is available in a wide range of vibrant colors. There are several things to consider when deciding which ink to use, including:

Flow: How easily does it flow onto the drawing surface?

Water-resistance: Will it change when exposed to water?

Smear-resistance: Is there a danger of smudging?

Permanence: How long will it last?

Dry time: How long does it take to dry?

Finish: What does it look like after it dries?