Pen and Ink Drawings

Pen and Ink Drawings:

The power of black and white!

We have seen it in fashion and we have seen how it is used

When we think of black and white in art, we think of pen and ink drawings. Strong black lines of pen and ink, though, the difficulty of fixing mistakes, can make it seem daunting for a beginner.

But I have found pen and inks drawings great to do, and as you get more proficient with the lines. You will get the feel of what you are trying to achieve in your own art drawings.

I started pen and ink drawings when I saw an entry form for a contest for drawing in pen and ink. It was really for advertising their pens. That means that in order to enter, you had to use their pens. So I went out and got one.

Picked what subject that I was going to do for the competition, and just went for it. Needless to say, the pen was free moving (rotating pen) and so easy to use. The lines just seemed to glide on the surface. Although I did not get anywhere with my first attempt in the pen and ink drawing competition. It introduced me to a new medium in art, that I enjoy.

Ink Drawing Paper

Now there are many papers which are suitable for pen-and-ink drawing,  regular sketchbooks are fine as well. However,with pen and ink drawings, fibrous paper tends to catch and clog in nibs, which can be a bit messy. Though if you can get your hands on a harder paper and use... say a fiber tip pen, you will find gliding over the rough surface lightly, will give you an interesting effect.

Though for best results, choose a smoother, finer surface, if you want to get a crisp picture. And also makes it easer for the pen to move freely over the surface. So, for even more detailed work in pen and ink drawings, you'll want a smooth surface, such as Illustrator board or Bristol Board.

Drawing Pens

A black ballpoint will do the job, though it will fade over time. Though, for practicing, its a good idea to start with this, as you will not use your better pens ink up on just practice alone. A fiber-tip pen gives a nice line and you can purchase one with artist's quality, lightfast ink. They do come in different sizes, its a good idea if you get a few different sizes, but you don't have to go to town on this one. Just a few pens ok.........

You can get the black rotating type drawing pen, This is what I used and love them.

      Rotating pen set

However, you cant beat the old-fashioned dip-pen for pen and ink drawings, you know the ones that your grandparents probably used when they were at school.

Actually... I remember we used them at school for almost a year. Used them for writing, and I was glad we did. Thought these were the type of pens where you could buy carriages for, you can buy these carriages in packs of 10 and they last a fairly long time.

I know that pen and ink do smudge and leek. But that how they are, so have blotting paper on hand, "just use tissues". Yet, the texture and shapes you can get with these pens just by applying more pressure to them on a surface, I don't think anything else can surpass them.

Drawing Ink:

 Try to get a smooth-flowing ink that doesn't tend to clog, and try to choose the best you can afford. And saying that - student brands do very well too. Remember; pens come different makes too, so get the right kind of ink for your pen.  Archival inks are now available for fountain pens and drafting pens.

Winsor and Newton

Black Liquid Indian Ink, cant go past them...... Winsor and Newton are a good brand.

Pigmented Colored Inks

I have stared at the highly detailed square little boxes that these colored inks come in, with great interest. Though.... cant say that I ever bought any, nearly did though........... Brands include Dr Ph Martin's Bombay India Inks, and Art Spectrum's pigmented inks, Daler-Rowney Acrylic Artist's Ink and Winsor and Newton Liquid Acrylic Color. Like a candy shop really.... have a look for yourself.

Time to have a look at how it all works... did you think that there were only straight lines and cross hatching. Well... there is  more to it than that. Yes.. you have a variety of different ways you can achieve what you want with pen and ink drawings. To create "shadow and light", "texture and character". I have done some examples for you.

The lines need be too straighter on the hatching, though I did this with my trusty drawing pallet on the computer for this lesson, and it doesn't seem to get the lines straight when drawing them downwards. So you'll have to excuse that....

Hatching
The most basic method for pen and ink drawings is your linear hatching. Fine parallel lines fill an area, so that from just a slight distance, we have created a illusion. The closer the lines are, the less white paper shows, and the darker the appearance. From heavier lines to light weight lines, the more firmly you press or by using a bigger nib. The darker the given appearance.

Crosshatching
Crosshatching uses layers of hatching over each other. You can have straight lines, or vertical, like I have done on the diagram.

Contour Hatching
Now hatching placed at slight angles, gives you an effect that you can create the appearance of mounds or indentations. The diamond-shaped fragments of white paper enlivening the denser areas of value. And gives you more of a three-dimensional effect.

Scumbling and Random Hatching

Also known as the 'brillo pad' technique, uses layers of small calligraphic, scribbled marks to build up value and texture. By varying the direction and shape, you add more interest than a simple circular scribble. Random hatching uses layers of short, straight marks. You can get various textures depending on whether these short hatches are drawn vertically, or right angles, following a contour, or at random angles.

Stippling

Stippling... one of my favorites..... uses tiny dots to create value. The closer together the dots, the darker the tone. Larger dots create a denser tonal value more quickly, but can look coarse. You can also use larger dots for a different texture. Like I say.... experiment and practice..

"Amazon Shadows"Artist- Andrea Balch

This was the subject that I did for the competition I was telling you about. As you can see... I have used different variations in my drawing. As there are different subjects in my picture. Plant matter and human. You can see why I enjoyed doing this picture cant you............. Girls!

Well... its good to pick a subject that get you all fired up........

Right... getting back to the lesson. The break in the cross hatching and lines, have created the effect of light, and tone. You need to use these rules of light and dark with your lines and stippling to create your overall surfaces. I have also filled in certain areas where I felt I needed complete darkness. So that's ok too.

You are only working with two colors, so I want you to exploit them to the maximum!. Don't be afraid to try something different to achieve your desired effect. And If you are not sure on the effect you want to achieve; have a another piece of paper near but, to try out your ideas first to see if you like them. Because with pen and ink drawings, you don't get a second chance, if you get it wrong, the ink doesn't rub out.

Try to mix and match the different techniques of hatching and the like, to get different effects. And remember, certain hatching or line drawing techniques are going to be more suitable for the different groups, of plant life, sky environment and animals.

Lets return from Pen and Ink Drawings to Drawing Techniques