Subjects with Pen and Ink: Landscape

Course Curriculum

Lesson Description

This lesson series is part of the expansive "Subjects with Pen and Ink" course, which teaches artists how to depict a wide range of subjects using classic pen and ink techniques. In this landscape-focused series, students explore how to draw natural and architectural landscapes — including a tree, a rocky stream, a house, a lighthouse, and a cabin in the woods — with expressive line work, varied value, and confident mark-making. This series builds foundational skills in observation, composition, and ink application that apply to landscapes and beyond.

Drawing a Tree

The first lesson focuses on capturing the organic structure of a tree. Students learn how to observe branching patterns, leaf and bark texture, and light direction, and then translate those observations into confident line work. Techniques like varied line weight and hatching help suggest volume, while strategic use of white space enhances contrast and readability within the composition.

Rocky Stream and House

The rocky stream lesson introduces students to drawing natural terrain and water reflections with pen and ink. The instructor demonstrates how to use value and line direction to convey texture and flow. In the house lesson, students apply pen and ink techniques to architectural form, focusing on perspective, structural details, and surface contrasts that make buildings feel solid and grounded within the landscape.

Lighthouse and Cabin in the Woods

Next, the lighthouse lesson challenges students to balance vertical structure with surrounding landscape features, using bold line work and careful value placement. The final lesson, a cabin in the woods, combines organic and architectural forms to show how landscapes can integrate built and natural elements. Students learn to handle trees, foliage, shadows, and textured surfaces cohesively.

Advancing Pen & Ink Skills

By completing the "Landscape" series, students gain confidence in depicting both natural and constructed environments using pen and ink. The techniques learned — from expressive line work to ink wash value development — prepare artists to create detailed, engaging landscapes with clarity and depth.

Specific Lessons

Lesson 22 - Tree

In lesson twenty-two, we use technical drawing pens and hatching to create a drawing of a tree on smooth Bristol paper.

Lesson 23 - Rocky Stream

In lesson twenty-three, we use nib pens and cross hatching to create a drawing of a rocky stream.

Lesson 24 - House Portrait

In lesson twenty-four, we use technical drawing pens and hatching to create a drawing of a house portrait.

Lesson 25 - Lighthouse

In lesson twenty-five, we use nib pens and cross hatching to create a drawing of a lighthouse.

Lesson 26 - Cabin

In lesson twenty-six, we use nib pens and cross hatching to create a drawing of a cabin.

Lesson Materials

• Technical Drawing Pens
• Dip or Nib Pens
• Bottled Ink (Carbon Black)
• Smooth Bristol Paper
• Hot Press Watercolor Paper
• Nylon Brushes
• 2H, H, or HB Graphite Pencil
• Kneaded Eraser

Lesson Resources

References

Download eBook

Reference Images

Finished Drawing