How To Draw In Pen
Few things have the power to shift your perspective, like reaching into a drawer and pulling out a pen. As you begin your masterpiece and feel the ink, you transform into an artist, standing right in the spot where you can express what’s meaningful.
To connect with the joy of drawing in pen, it’s important to know some basics. And there’s no better place to start than with paper. You’ll want to select a paper that’s made for pens and will resist smudging and ghosting, so your masterpiece remains intact.
The next step to maximize the potential of your pen, is to get acquainted with the tips and tricks of all the pen sizes. As you explore the many options of pens, their line widths and shades, you’ll discover different effects that can bring your drawing to life.
But before you decide which pen type to use for your art, it’s worth noting the differences between gel, rollerball, and ballpoint pens. Gel pens use pigmented rather than water-based ink, giving you no-smudge, high-gloss vibrancy. A rollerball’s liquid ink lets it glide easily and provides the darkest lines and most vivid colour. And a ballpoint’s oil-based ink delivers smudge-proof and fade-resistant results.
It’s also good to remember that practice makes perfect. You don’t have to be an old pro to get pen drawing. You just have to do it. Starting out with some basic shapes can be a good way to get a feel for the pen, and to learn the thickness and shading of your lines. Think circles, squares and triangles with strokes of varying thickness and pressure.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can begin to add texture and highlight subtleties, even creating 3D images. Take a blank sheet of paper, divide it into sections, and work your way through the area across the sheet using different pens and lines. Shadows and light, directional strokes and contours, subtle shading and colour will give your drawing depth and character.
Another great way to improve your technique is to draw from real life. Take a look around and start sketching. Even something as simple as your coffee cup can be a perfect place to begin. Focus on measurements, guidelines and hard edges on your sketch first, then keep on building to create something with perspective and composition.
And if you want your drawing to come alive and bring it to the level of a masterpiece, grab some paper and practice poses. If you aim for no-pressure brevity and take a humorous approach to sketching, you’ll find yourself closer to something you never imagined.
Proper drawing with a pen also requires focusing on the details. From leaves in a garden to nautical stars in the sky, drawing in pen can bring your masterpiece to life. A thick line, light streaks and a few shaded curves can be weighed against one another and blend into a magical combination.
Before you know it, your page will be filled with scribbles, dashes and lines. Take your time and shape the right details, paying attention to the overlap between one object and the other, and using only your pen to convey depth and complexity.
Sometimes it’s the ordinary things that make a drawing special. The way petals curl or drops slide down a surface can speak volumes. Capturing transparencies, lights and shadows on your paper can work together to bring out delicate details.
Finally, don’t forget that drawing with a pen is an expression of your inner landscape. Simple images can become powerful emotions, and texture and shape pay homage to lost memories. So grab that pen and get ready to share your story.
