Introduction to Pen and Ink Drawing

Pen and ink drawing is an age-old art form. It is an affordable form of art as well as very satisfying. The basics of pen and dink drawing are easy to learn. You do have to have patients when completing a work of art in this medium, but with a little instruction and introduction, pen and ink should easily be a new form of art you can at to your repertoire.

There are three main aspects to pen and drawing: hatching, cross hatching, and stippling. Almost every pen and ink drawing you see will use a combination of these drawing techniques to create their image. Hatching, cross hatching, and stippling are the three most important techniques in pen and dink drawing.

Hatching

Hatching is a simple short line of pen on paper. Hatching is usually completed all in one direction. Dense or closely positioned hatching creates shadows. Widely spaced hatching creates highlighted areas.


Cross Hatching

Cross-hatching is simply when two lines cross to form and X or a T. A cross hatch does not have to be a perfectly formed T or X. You are not trying to write a letter; you are creating a piece of artwork.


Stippling

Stippling consist of dots of ink made by the pen. Small dots of ink that come together to create an image or even shading. Dots or stippling that are further apart create lighter highlighted areas. Densely placed dots that are close together create shadows.


Mechanical Pens Versus Traditional Dipping Pens

Mechanical pens are almost always used today in pen and ink drawing. They hold a well of ink inside of the pen, just like a regular writing or ballpoint pens. You can buy ink in a variety of colors to fit these pens. Most are e refillable and reusable.

The key to choosing a mechanical pen for pen and ink drawing is to decide what size tip you want. EF stands for extra fine and will produce the thinnest most precise line. You can work all the way up to wider tips for more dramatic and thicker line.

Mechanical pens provide a more uniform look when creating a pen and ink drawing. Ink flow is consistent and you will rarely have a blob of ink on your artwork.