Have You tried Sketching with Ink?- Painting and Drawing Tips

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Step 1: Grab your pen and draw along with me

When restating the edges of the post, be sure to cross over your initial line.  Go inside and outside of it making the edges of your post ragged and weathered.  

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.  

Step 3: Add your own little details, flowers, leaves . . .  

After adding your details go back and add the shading.  Note how I have suggested my post is round by just having a soft shadow line. 

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

Step 5: Just for fun, dropped in some colour

Just for fun, I added some colour and a few random strokes in the background to give a little depth.  (This is the beauty of those permanent ink pens, the ink dries quickly and wont run when you add water. ) If you do decide to add some watercolour, let it flow as well.  You do not need to 'paint inside the lines'.  Especially in the grass.  Bits of green outside the grass offers another value and more depth to your work. 

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

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.)

 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.

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy