PENS AS CREATIVE TOOLS

From humble beginnings in ancient times when reeds and quills were used, to the technologically evolved instruments that we have today, pens and the inks have changed almost beyond recognition. No longer is a pen the stalwart of the lonely scribe; they have morphed into an instrument capable of producing images of astounding accuracy, beauty and realism in the hands of a skilled artist.

There is an extensive assortment of pens, nibs, and implements available for drawing with ink. From quill and reed pens; metal crow-quill pens; calligraphy and drawing dipping nibs; refillable, disposable, permanent, to interchangeablepoint fountain pens; technical pens; and ballpoint pens. You can even make your

own pens by following Van Gogh’s example of gathering hollow marsh reeds, bamboo shoots, or twigs, and then diagonally cutting their tips.

First, we look at ballpoint pens which range from the low-priced pens you can buy in bulk at any stationer or supermarket to archival roller-ball pens intended for artists. Artist’s rollerballs give the artist freedom of movement, making it conceivable to continue drawing in any direction, and their line flows fast and evenly.

Using the ink and pen technique, you can stipple, drybrush, silhouette, outline and follow almost any pattern. The versatility to use any medium as a surface allows for experimentation. Ink colours can also be blended and the variations and detail that can be achieved is astounding.

The original method of drawing with ink involved using a dip or reservoir pen with ink on a medium such as paper. If you want to create clean consistent lines use a pen with a reservoir, but if you prefer less consistency and a more edgy appeal, then the dip method may be better for you.

Obviously drawing with ink is one of the oldest methods used to make illustrations. Whilst purists will still use a nib dipped in ink or a reservoir pen, there are so many drawing pens available to choose from. Many artists prefer to use a fine liner or a technical pen. The advantage being that there are different sizes of nibs available and depending on the manufacturer, the inks and colours available can be really amazing.

Fine liners are pens that are very popular for drawing, with consistent lines and the inks are excellent and extremely varied. The nib sizes vary from a tiny 0.1mm upwards, so fine detail and cross hatching can produce a very detailed and fine texture to the image. Similarly for technical pens, the fineness of the point is such that extreme detail is possible in a tiny space, but there are many pens that can be used for drawing, and not just on paper but also other mediums like ceramic and glass or metal and wood.

For drawing on ceramic, a very specific pen would need to be used because a specialised ink would be required. Fortunately, such pens are now available, and some spectacular art is being done on this medium. This is a particularly creative form of decoration, especially as you can personalise plain white porcelain ware and create a personalised gift. Tiles can also be individually decorated for a splashback or a pop of colour and individuality in the bathroom.

Below is a brief step-by-step guide to drawing with pen. There are hundreds of examples on the internet, so look for inspiration in the world around you and start creating art.

This tutorial explains how to draw an eye in a step-by-step guide using pen and ink. Eyes drawn with pen and ink feel different from other mediums as the tone gradations are not as subtle. Use of lines and contrast in eyes drawn with pen gives it an intensity. You can use parallel lines and stippling.

Step 1: Draw the Outline

Start by drawing the initial outline as shown below. The shape of your outline determines the final appearance and hence has a big impact on the feel of eye it creates. Later you can experiment with different shapes but in the beginning learn by drawing a generic outline like shown below.

Step 2: Draw Initial Contour Lines

Contour lines in pen drawing are curved parallel lines that bring out the underlying form through their curvature. Most important thing to understand when drawing eyes with pen are different curvatures that surfaces around the eye follow. The drawing below shows those forms and contour lines to use to bring out those forms when drawing an eye with pen.

It is important to understand the curvature of areas around eye that is brought out using contour lines as shown above.

Step 3: Adding Tonal Change

In addition to the curvature of the contour lines, their intensity also has to be adjusted based on light source. Parts of eye receiving more light will be light with fewer contour lines. Areas in shadow will use more contour lines. to add more tone or darkness to them. In the following drawing we assume that light in directly in front slight above. More lines are used to darken areas with less light. This starts to give form to areas around the eye.

Step 4: Adjust Tone and Finish

As the form of eye begins to emerge, adjust the tone of darker areas as appropriate to bring out the desired feel.

Here is another quick example. Remember that the angle and source of the light will dictate light and shadow areas and shading will have to adjust based on that.

Dots (stippling) can be used as means of texturing eyes with pen if drawing contour lines is not in your comfort zone. The process is the same in terms of areas to darken to bring out the relevant forms of the areas around the eyes.

Step 1: Outline of Eye

The shape of eye has a big impact on the feeling it evokes. An almond shaped eye is most commonly used to represent a female eye.

Step 2: Texturing with Dots (Stippling) Use dots to add tone as shown below and discussed before. Step 3: Further Texturing

Different levels of contrast will bring out different looks for the eye. This is also a matter of personal preference.

Step 4: Finish

Adjust the final tone as desired. A bit more stippling was added near the ends to give the eye more depth.

Some examples of eyes drawn with pen. They follow the same steps but with more details. With more experience, you can attempt such details as well. �