Learning To Draw With Pen & Ink

[daniellem]

I have a question: how does one know when his drawing is finished?

 

I used to be heavily into B&W photography. In that medium, for most general subjects, the image should contain at least one place, however small, that is completely white (or at least as white as the backing paper). There should also be a place, however small, that is completely black (as black as a given emulsion can make it). When you get that right, the image will just pop.

 

When I look at Lohan's demonstrations, it seems that, by the above criteria, there is too much white space and too much black space. That means the contrast is too high and some things are blocked up and others are burned out. How does one judge a pen and ink drawing in this respect?

 

 

Paddler, I definitely don't feel qualified to answer this question, especially as I always struggle with the same question myself. I think pen and ink -- especially standalone with no color applied -- adds to the complexity because creating subtle differences between value and tone is very challenging in this medium and it's really easy to overwork areas of the picture. And because it's so time-consuming it can be tempting to underwork the picture as well!

 

I think (and hope) that it becomes very much a matter of instinct over time with practice and experience. I'm hoping others will weigh in on this as it's such a great question!

[teenytina]

http://i.imgur.com/GIcrGNE.jpg

 

I had to go out and buy Mr. Lohan's book on the strength of Daniellem's recommendations and I'm glad I did. Here's mine. Did it up with my Pilot Namiki Resin Soft Fine, using the small amount of flex/springiness in the nib for the line width variation primarily in the door's shadow. I couldn't be happier with it. I can think of nothing else here at work than about how much fun it's going to be to do the second exercise.

[daniellem]

Here's mine. Did it up with my Pilot Namiki Resin Soft Fine, using the small amount of flex/springiness in the nib for the line width variation primarily in the door's shadow. I couldn't be happier with it. I can think of nothing else here at work than about how much fun it's going to be to do the second exercise.

 

Wow teenytina this looks great! So glad to have you joining in on the fun!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks! Isn't it weird that I was going to place an order with Blick's this week? I'll add in one of those books. And thanks everyone. I WILL finish that teeny sketchbook 'cause I'm stubborn like that. About ten pages to go.

Let me know how you like it. I use the 5.5 X 8.5 size and find it to be very convenient. At the price it's certainly worth a try.

 

 

Haven't placed the order yet, but is the Bee pad by any chance a renaming of the old Aquabee brand?

 

Tina! That is awesome for a first shot at the Lohan book.

[Rita_K]

I use the 5.5 x 8.5 Handbook brand sketchbook for smaller pencil and/or ink sketches. For larger perspectives and drawings I use 11 x 14 Stillman and Birn Beta Sketchbooks. I like having a mixture of sizes to work with.

Thanks for the information MiamiArchStudent. The HandBook sketchbooks look nice. I'll have to put one on my wish list.

 

Rita, I just had a look at your website. Oh my -- your pencil drawings are exquisite! HOW do you do that???? Amazing....

Thanks for taking a look at them daniellem . There's no magic, it just requires patience. I usually do a graphite transfer of the basic shapes and then slowly build up the layers of graphite while looking at a photo reference. I find it very meditative ... it's great therapy .

 

I have a question: how does one know when his drawing is finished?

Paddler, I'm not sure that there is a simple answer to that question. I think it's personal as to the effect you want to achieve. I tend to over-work my drawings and that's why I am trying my hand at sketching to achieve a looser style. I agree with daniellem that after a while it (hopefully) becomes instinctive and you know when it's done.

 

I couldn't be happier with it. I can think of nothing else here at work than about how much fun it's going to be to do the second exercise.

Tina, this is really great. I can't wait to see the second exercise. The last thing I need is another art book but I am really tempted looking at daniellem's and your work.

 

Haven't placed the order yet, but is the Bee pad by any chance a renaming of the old Aquabee brand?

Sailor Kenshin, Bee Paper Company does also make the Aquabee Watercolor paper but the Pen Sketcher's pad is like Bristol Smooth but not as heavyweight. So, same company but different paper.

[fuschiahedgehog]

I've been using Canson XL Mix Media wirebound - I believe the paper is 98lb, and holds up very well to fountain pens, brush pens, light washes. They're also available at Blick. I use the 7x10 size. Not so big it's an intimidating blank space, but not so small I run out of room. I like it better than the Bee pen sketcher's pads. Definitely try a few different papers to see what fits you best!

 

http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-xl-mix-media-pads-and-sheets/

Edited April 15, 2013 by fuschiahedgehog

[teenytina]

Second exercise:

http://i.imgur.com/5VhHyav.jpg

 

I free-eyeballed the pic instead of tracing it and didn't quite do the ratios and relationships quite right. Probably won't do that on the third exercise. :embarrassed_smile:

[daniellem]

 

I free-eyeballed the pic instead of tracing it and didn't quite do the ratios and relationships quite right. Probably won't do that on the third exercise. :embarrassed_smile:

 

Wow -- nice! I really enjoyed this exercise -- there was something magic about seeing the plain rock outlines turn into something that really did look like textured three dimensional rocks. I've been freehanding all the exercises rather than tracing, too -- only because I'm trying to work on my drawing skills at the same time as learning the pen and ink techniques. I haven't had the time to delve into exercise three though -- that one is going to take some time to get the base drawing down. I think I might skip around some to one of the smaller picture demos and then attempt that one when I have enough time to do it right. Looking forward to seeing how yours turns out!

 

One of the things I like about Frank Lohan's teaching style is how he'll explain things like why certain textures look the way they do. For example, with Exercise 1, how he explained that the texture he applied to the door beams looked like that because of the way that they used to cut beams from the logs by hand (complete with illustrated log-cutting picture). I love those little tangents he takes you down.

[teenytina]

 

One of the things I like about Frank Lohan's teaching style is how he'll explain things like why certain textures look the way they do. For example, with Exercise 1, how he explained that the texture he applied to the door beams looked like that because of the way that they used to cut beams from the logs by hand (complete with illustrated log-cutting picture). I love those little tangents he takes you down.

 

Oh yes, me too! I think he's right on in teaching us why they are drawn a certain way -- and I'm also noticing that the direction of a shading makes a big difference in portraying the volume and reality of a thing. For example, shading at the bottom of a round rock means that the crosshatching is slightly curved; and the placement of the chunks missing in the rocks also follow a certain pattern that's logical for erosion. I try to pay very close attention to the patterns of where he chooses to place his final details -- it's making a big difference in how much I like the final product.

[Sailor Kenshin]

My Blick order is on its way. I got both brands of pad, Canson and Bee.

[daniellem]

Skipping around a bit, as Exercise #3 will be a big time commitment. So I went for a less complex one -- this time, Exercise 14 "Raccoon":

 

 

I'd won an auction for Pelikan 120 on eBay and it finally came this week so I used it for this sketch. Took awhile to get it working (had to take the nib out of the section and scrub the feed out a bit). It's working pretty well now, although it will occasionally stop writing from time to time. A little on the scratchy side, but the nib isn't in the best shape so I'll have to keep an eye out for a spare 120 nib if any are left out there.

 

I think animals are very hard to draw so it was nice to have a bit of guidance on how to get the fur and textures in there. I enjoyed drawing the tree quite a bit and plan to try a lot more studies involving trees moving forward.

[subramaniyam]

Beautiful drawing!!!! (Need to get Frank's Book now.) :-)

 

Regards,

Subramaniyam

[notbob]

Excellent drawings, daniellem. The shading of the racoon's tree is most impressive. If this is what Mr Lohan is teaching, sign me up!

[Sailor Kenshin]

That is amazing!

 

Uhhh...quick tech question, daniellem....what do you use to take your pics?

 

And congrats on the Pel 120 find!

[daniellem]

Thanks, notbob!

 

 

That is amazing!

 

Uhhh...quick tech question, daniellem....what do you use to take your pics?

 

And congrats on the Pel 120 find!

 

Sailor Kenshin, I'm just using the iPhone -- probably not the best way to do this, but it's the quickest. I combine the before and after pictures into one image using Photoshop.

 

I was so excited to win the Pel 120 and SO bummed when it wasn't working once it arrived and went through the usual cleaning process. That was the first time I'd (semi) taken apart a Pelikan pen so I was very happy that I didn't break anything in the process and it actually fixed the problem! (I think folks on this forum would have been horrified if they saw what I did to get the nib out of the collar... Let's just say it involved a clothespin and a pyrex bowl... ) It's an EF nib but it writes a very wet line now so it's more like a medium-fine.

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2013 by daniellem

[daniellem]

I'm feeling compelled to start Exercise #3. Stayed up way too late last night getting the pencil sketch down. I probably should have traced it; perspective is not my strong point. But I'll run with it. If you don't see anything from me in here for awhile, this is why...

 

[teenytina]

I'm feeling compelled to start Exercise #3. Stayed up way too late last night getting the pencil sketch down. I probably should have traced it; perspective is not my strong point. But I'll run with it. If you don't see anything from me in here for awhile, this is why...

 

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Oh my. Yes that one is next on my radar, and I'm dreading it, too. Going from exercise 2 (the rocks) to this, is like going from kindergarten to college sophomore. Yikes!

[bitterwonder]

I'm feeling compelled to start Exercise #3. Stayed up way too late last night getting the pencil sketch down. I probably should have traced it; perspective is not my strong point. But I'll run with it. If you don't see anything from me in here for awhile, this is why...

 

You aint going to learn by tracing; you might try a few sketches without pencil. Or with the most minimal pencil guidance. Evry stroke you draw, every time you use your eye, hand brain coordination, you are making steps.

[Rita_K]

I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more art books but after seeing these exercises from teenytina and daniellem I might have to rethink things. Do either of you have any of Claudia Nice's books ? If you do, how do they compare to the Frank Lohan book that you are doing these exercises from ?

 

You're both doing great with the exercises. I can't wait to see the WIP's on the castle.

[daniellem]

I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more art books but after seeing these exercises from teenytina and daniellem I might have to rethink things. Do either of you have any of Claudia Nice's books ? If you do, how do they compare to the Frank Lohan book that you are doing these exercises from ?

 

Rita -- I really like Claudia Nice's books -- and her style; her artwork is amazing. She does provide some step-by-step instruction in her "Drawing in Pen & Ink" book which is very good. However I find that Frank Lohan goes into much finer detail with the step by step instruction than she does. He provides a lot of commentary on why he chooses the techniques or treatments that he uses, which is both interesting and helps with planning in how to get from point A to point B. Final pen and ink artwork always looks so complex to me, and I'm finding the step by step instruction in getting from initial pencil sketch to final artwork very helpful.

 

That being said, everyone learns differently and might respond to Claudia Nice's instruction better. It would be great if folks would be willing post their studies or exercises from other books and authors/teachers here too! There is always so much to learn, and so many different ways to learn.