Are you afraid of permanent ink?
Does a strong black line scare you?
Once it hits your page, it’s there for life. Can’t be erased. Can’t be hidden.
Scary, Yes.
Scary, Yes.
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| Sketchbook Work: Trees and Moss - a real West Coast Scene, eh?! I really enjoy this mix of ink work with only part of it painted in watercolour. |
I know many of my readers who read my report on sketching in Italy this
spring, (see post Here) were surprised when I suggested as a time saver to
‘just go straight to ink”. When drawing
a street scene, I skipped the pencil layout and jumped in with my pen. It really made for fast work. With my sisters hot on my tail to move on, I
needed lots strategies to finish my drawing and not keep them waiting too
long. Grabbing my pen and running with
it, was a real time saver.
Yes, you are right.
It is easy for me.
But it was not
always that way.
It definitely took lots
of practice. Practice brought on
confidence. And that was the game changer
for me.
Why use pen for your Outdoor
Sketching?
It gives you a quick dark, creating more drama in your
drawings.
It gives you a lively line, that is full of life, doesn’t look contrived.
It is quick, moving you into the fun stuff of drawing.
It looks great on its own but with a bit of colour it makes your work shine.
It gets you drawing with a looseness that will show up in all your work.
It can’t be erased, leaving you free to draw rather than trapped in the erase/correct mode.
It gives you a lively line, that is full of life, doesn’t look contrived.
It is quick, moving you into the fun stuff of drawing.
It looks great on its own but with a bit of colour it makes your work shine.
It gets you drawing with a looseness that will show up in all your work.
It can’t be erased, leaving you free to draw rather than trapped in the erase/correct mode.
Ok, I know, I am prejudice.
I personally love the crisp dark line on white paper. I enjoy the feel of my pen jumping and
gliding across the page. I love the way
the dark lines give my work that extra dimension of depth.
Getting started
Supplies:
a. Use a 03 Pigma or Steadler pen. (a good size for a 5.5. x 8 in sketchbook. Bigger book, use a 05). Permanent Ink, of course. These pens come in other colours and by all means, pick a colour you like. I use other colours as well but Black is my favourite.
a. Use a 03 Pigma or Steadler pen. (a good size for a 5.5. x 8 in sketchbook. Bigger book, use a 05). Permanent Ink, of course. These pens come in other colours and by all means, pick a colour you like. I use other colours as well but Black is my favourite.
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| Pens are inexpensive, come in different sizes and colours. |
b. Sketchbook. I suggest a Mixed Media Book as then you are
free to add watercolour to your line work if you wish. They also seem to have the whitest paper,
which appeals to me.
c. Other supplies: See my post "My really Smallmendous Art Kit" This has everything I need for working in the field with my sketchbook.
Pick User friendly Subjects:
Yes, there is such a thing. Subjects
that let you take your pen and run with it.
A chance to enjoy the drawing rather than worrying about being exact. A fence post is one of my favourite
User friendly subjects.
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| Step 1: Grab your pen and draw along with me |
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| Step 2: As you work, feel the movement of the pen to paper, there is a real sense of freedom |
As you work grain lines into the post and add your grass, notice the power of mixing thin lines with thick lines. With the grass, notice the power of a few dots at the end of a stroke, suggesting seeds or flower husks. And most of all, notice the power of the broken line. These are the secrets of line work that can add new dimensions to your work.
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| Step 3: Add your own little details, flowers, leaves . . . |
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| Step 4: Added shadowing in the grass brings out more depth |
Here is my little fence post finished. Did you feel the looseness of your pen work? Did you notice the life that your line work had, when not dictated to by pencil lines. (Don't get me wrong, in a more complex drawing there is a need for some pencil layout. My goal is to reduce that layout as much as possible and jump to my pen) Oh, btw, did you notice that your original layout lines have 'disappeared'.
A Final Touch: A BIT OF COLOUR
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| Step 5: Just for fun, dropped in some colour |
Is your pen starting to call to you? Looking for more practice. If you live in town, think about joining me this summer for a Morning of Outdoor Sketching. An easy way to immerse yourself into sketching with ink and watercolour. See the info below ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
OR Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me.
My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt
Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.
Join me for a morning of Outdoor Sketching:
Small group Outdoor Sketching Classes on Tuesday morning, July 30, August 6, 13, and 20.
The classes will be small, max 5. We will meet at 10-12:30 in a few of the local parks in North Surrey. ie. Bear Creek Park, Tynehead Park. The cost is: $45 tx incld. per session Book all 4 sessions for $150. Bring your own supplies
Contact Me to register. and for more information.
FYI
Plein Air Event at Kilby Historical Site - August 16 -18, 2019
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, painters will be capturing breathtaking historic vistas, 1920s farm equipment, historic buildings, lush gardens & orchards, delightful farm animals and surrounding mountains. Not hard to find something to catch your eye.
This is a fun, outdoor adventure for everyone. Sunday afternoon, brings live entertainment and awards ceremony. There is a competitive and non-competitive part to the event, so great prizes for everyone. Cost $15 Registration: events@kilby.ca more info: kilby.ca
I have been part of this event since it started 5 years ago and I never get tired of wondering the grounds and finding little vignettes to paint. I know you will enjoy yourself.
If you decide not to join us to paint, come out and see the fun. On Friday and Saturday, Artists are set up all over the grounds working away or come see the 'Showing and Sale' on Sunday.
Join me for a morning of Outdoor Sketching:
Small group Outdoor Sketching Classes on Tuesday morning, July 30, August 6, 13, and 20.
The classes will be small, max 5. We will meet at 10-12:30 in a few of the local parks in North Surrey. ie. Bear Creek Park, Tynehead Park. The cost is: $45 tx incld. per session Book all 4 sessions for $150. Bring your own supplies
Contact Me to register. and for more information.
FYI
Plein Air Event at Kilby Historical Site - August 16 -18, 2019
215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills, BC – approx. 1.5 hr drive from Vancouver
(or stay our there. I like to camp at Kilby Campsite but there are lots of places to stay close by. Makes for a great little adventure.)
(or stay our there. I like to camp at Kilby Campsite but there are lots of places to stay close by. Makes for a great little adventure.)
This is a fun, outdoor adventure for everyone. Sunday afternoon, brings live entertainment and awards ceremony. There is a competitive and non-competitive part to the event, so great prizes for everyone. Cost $15 Registration: events@kilby.ca more info: kilby.ca
I have been part of this event since it started 5 years ago and I never get tired of wondering the grounds and finding little vignettes to paint. I know you will enjoy yourself.
If you decide not to join us to paint, come out and see the fun. On Friday and Saturday, Artists are set up all over the grounds working away or come see the 'Showing and Sale' on Sunday.
Be sure to like and share my posts.
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Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy
