The Pen & Ink Experience: Mixing Methods

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Lesson Description

A look at mixing application techniques (ink wash and pen) to create a looser, more expressive image. In this lesson, we create a mixed media portrait of a dog.

Lesson Materials

Bottled ink (carbon black, pigment-based), nylon brushes, 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, masking tape, "2H" graphite pencil, soft graphite pencil, Micron pen ("05"), white gel pen, kneaded eraser, water, paper towel.

Lesson Resources

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Lesson Discussion

  1. thanks matt, i have another quick problem….my new micron 05 is okay but i find it very thin,taking more strokes/time.
    it doesn’t seem to be doing the strokes you are demonstrating…..maybe it is me and the lack of experience with it…..
    however, i switched to a .03 and .07 and i feel better …i like the way my strokes feel and look….is this okay that i don’t follow with the 05???

  2. I got this course to help me get out of an art block. After having watched all the videos I decided to try a dog as demonstrated. I was drawn to this exercise because of the combination of wash and pen work. I use brush and washes a lot but wanted to add more markmaking and details to my work because I feel like it’s lacking something. I ended up doing the whole thing in pen with just a light wash in places to soften it out some. I’m really super happy with it. Great easy to follow instructions. I love your drawing/ inking style. Going to try the bee next. šŸ™‚

  3. Hi Matt,

    I think my issue starts in the beginning. Can you please show how to “see” a photo, like this one, where you assess the lights and darks and in-between values? I look at the photo, and I can see the obvious WHITE and DARK parts, but the values in between…. I’m not quite getting that part. Or maybe you have another lesson I can look at for this? Just how to look at a photo before you attempt to draw/paint it…

    Thanks,
    Libby

  4. Hi Matt
    The background jazz music is very disturbing. It makes it difficult to hear and concentrate on your instructions. It would be a great improvement, if you removed it. Besides from this, your courses are excellent.

    Best regards,
    Anna Maria

    • Hi Cheryl,

      I typically use a graphite transfer. This process does not use any transfer paper. To transfer the image, cover the back of the reference (printed on regular paper) with soft graphite. Flip it over and place it in place over your surface. Tape it down and trace over the subject with a sharp tool like a graphite pencil. Then remove the reference and you’re left with a contour transfer in place.

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