Portfolio: beginning pen & ink: Tips and techniques for learning to draw in pen and ink PDF
Preview Portfolio: beginning pen & ink: Tips and techniques for learning to draw in pen and ink
Beginning PEN & INK Tips and techniques for learning to draw in pen and ink Table of Contents INTRODUCTION GETTING STARTED TOOLS & MATERIALS SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS BASIC TECHNIQUES LINE WORK EXERCISE: CONTOUR DRAWING HOW TO SEE LIKE AN ARTIST EXERCISE: GESTURE DRAWING EXERCISE: LINEAR PERSPECTIVE PROPORTION OVERLAPPING & ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE VALUE TONE & MOOD EXERCISE: VALUE SCALE LIGHT & SHADOW TEXTURE EXERCISE: GRADIENT COMPOSITION MASTERING WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED DRAWING FROM A PHOTO ADDING COLOR CAPTURING MOVEMENT LIGHTS & DARKS WHAT'S NEXT? ABOUT THE ARTIST Introduction I am surprised by how often people tell me, “I can’t draw at all…not even a stick figure!” They say this as if drawing is a magical gift bestowed by a melodious and sparkling fairy godmother. But drawing is something that anyone can do; it’s simply a matter of taking the time to learn, practice, and grow. By picking up this book, you are taking a step toward improving your drawing abilities and exploring a medium that has withstood the test of time: pen and ink. You don’t have to be a professional artist to enjoy drawing with ink. The medium is attractive for many reasons, including its portability and relatively low cost. There is a crispness about a pen-and-ink drawing that many people (myself included!) find irresistible. The air of finality and commitment to mark- making is unrivaled in almost any other media. Pen and ink may seem daunting to some; the inability to erase a mistake can intimidate even the most experienced artist. But within this unforgiving nature lies the very beauty of the medium. Your final ink drawing does not just show a polished piece of work; it also shows the energy you used to get there, the second-guesses you made along the way, and the unintentional lines that you somehow made work. As you continue to learn and grow in this medium, you may or may not make fewer mistakes, but you will certainly improve at embracing those mistakes and turning them into an advantage. As you journey through this book and your drawing skills progress, you may begin to see how planning ahead helps you avoid needless blunders. Not only will you increase your ability to communicate what you see, but you will also learn to communicate about yourself and your environment. Mastering these skills gives you the building blocks of a language through which you can communicate beyond words and reach people with whom you never would have spoken. Now, let’s get started! GETTING Started Tools & Materials One of the many benefits of drawing with pen and ink is that it requires few supplies. You can start with the most basic tools—a pen and a drawing surface— and then add to your artistic arsenal as you discover your own interests and preferences. Let’s begin by exploring your drawing tool options. PENS NIB PEN A nib or dip pen consists of two parts: a nib and a handle or holder. Nibs are made of metal and, as their name implies, the ink is replenished by dipping the pen into an inkwell. AN ADVANTAGE TO USING A NIB PEN IS THE WIDE VARIETY OF LINE QUALITY YOU CAN ACHIEVE BY EXCHANGING ONE NIB FOR ANOTHER. FOUNTAIN PEN A fountain pen is similar to a nib pen except that it holds an internal reservoir of ink, thus eliminating the need to dip the pen into an inkwell. Some fountain pens require you to refill the internal reservoir, while others offer prefilled ink cartridges. TECHNICAL PEN The technical pen is favored by many pen and ink artists, myself included. It consists of an inner ink reservoir and a tubular nib. Some technical pens offer refillable inks and interchangeable nibs, while others are disposable. Originally used for architectural and technical drawings, these pens offer consistent line width and come in various sizes. BALLPOINT PEN A ballpoint pen dispenses thicker, oil-based ink via a small sphere at its tip. It contains an internal reservoir, which makes it easy to transport and use. It is one of the most popular writing pens out there. USE A BALLPOINT PEN TO CREATE DIFFERENT VALUES SIMPLY BY APPLYING MORE OR LESS PRESSURE WHILE DRAWING.
The list of books you might like
