The Pen & Ink Experience: Drawing Textures

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This course features:
2 Hours of Instruction
8 Videos
7 eBooks
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Lesson Description

A look at creating the illusion of simulated textures using a variety of mark making techniques with pen and ink.

Lesson Materials

Micron pen - "03", Bristol paper (vellum surface)

Lesson Resources

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Cube Worksheet

Course Curriculum

Lesson 1: Introduction and Materials (12:02)Lesson 2: Line and Value (16:11)Lesson 3: Drawing Textures (16:25)Lesson 4: Landscape Drawing (25:28)Lesson 5: Portrait Drawing (23:47)Lesson 6: Ink Wash (22:07)Lesson 7: Mixing Methods (23:37)Lesson 8: Conclusion (2:46)

Lesson Discussion

  1. Thanks for the videos. The cube worksheet didn’t print correctly. It was huge and the only cubes that printed were the light and shadow one and rocky cube. I made my own, but figured I should report it in case other people have the same problem.

    Thanks again for the great videos.

  2. Hi Matt,
    This module is very interesting and useful to me. I have always had a problem with the texture aspect of drawing things. I can draw them but they were always flat because I never could get a grasp on how to do the texture part of drawing. Thanks again for the awesome module.

  4. Thanks for the video, Matt. The video is awesome. As I’ve said not so long ago – you are pretty good tutor and I like your courses.

    But I have a couple of questions. Why didn’t you use the reflection at the bottom of the cubes’ core shadow to make the cube naturally reflect the light on it’s surface and to make more neat separation between the object and it’s cast shadow? And why didn’t you demonstrate that cast shadow has to have less value on it’s furthest edges? Or theese things are not valid for an ink art?

    Thank you very much and good luck.
    Eugene.

    • Hi Eugene,
      Thanks for your great questions! The surface texture greatly affects rather or not you’ll see a reflected highlight. With many flat surfaces, like a cube you may not see one at all. With heavily textured surfaces, you almost will never see one. It is true that often the outer edges of the cast shadow, as it extends out from the object, become a bit lighter. But this also depends on the strength of the light source. With very strong light sources, you may not notice a change at all. We also need to consider the application technique. Subtle changes in value are better recorded with ink wash or even stippling. For small drawings, like these, where cross hatching is used, a subtle change in value is more difficult to communicate and trying to include it may detract from the image. I hope this helps.

  5. Hi, Matt!
    Regarding the cube worksheet, when I opened it, it would only allow me to enlarge it. I couldn’t find a way to print it out.

  7. Hey Matt Just wanted to say that this lesson on textures was really helpful and I agree with Eugene that you are a pretty good teacher you take the time to talk through each step with patience control so that it makes it easy to follow along. I had to pause it a couple of times to keep up with you but that is the great thing about videos you can pause them when you need to.

  9. Hi Matt,
    I enrolled your course about two months ago and I am amazed at what I am learning. I love the way you teach. I just finish these cubes and I am so surprise at how easy it is when we know the technique. I am eager to learn more. I’m saying hello from Montreal, Canada. Thank you.

  10. Hi love the videos, thanks for doing them, however, I had some problems with this video. Towards the end, it said sorry there’s an issue with playback. I couldn’t get it to do anything after that.

  11. I’m very pleased with what I’ve learnt so far and the drawings I’ve produced! Not too dissimilar to the demonstration!?
    The course is very good value for money after the discount.
    Shall try the watercolour course after this. I’ve struggled with watercolour so need all the help I can get!!!

  12. Matt – I’m just starting with pen and ink and your videos have been extremely helpful. You organize your video layout nicely. Your vids are all easy to follow. I follow along in my blank sketchbook and jot down your helpful points. I think your program is outstanding, and an outstanding value for the program fee. Thanks and keep up the great work!!!!
    Kat, age 62, Washington state

  13. Thank you, I am learning so much….the cubes did not download correctly on my iPad, It would only download 2 cubes. Just thought you should know. I really enjoy your videos and ebooks you have such an easy manner explaining the subject.

  14. When I opened the cube file, I could not see the lines of the cubes. I decided to draw the cubes by hand using 1 point perspective in my sketch book. Just finished Light & Shadow cube. 😀

  16. Brilliant explanation Matt. In all the years I have been studying and enjoying art, it is the first time I have seen a comprehensive explanation of texture and value at the same time. It has been a revelation. I can’t wait to give it a try and also to see how the course progresses.

  17. Hi Matt,
    ink. After watching your course video, I was confused about the wooden and fibrous cubes. I thought the texture of coarse, rocky, and hairy worked harmoniously with values because the concentration of the marks themselves satisfied the value relationships. But for the fibrous and wooden cubes, there seems to be no good solution for marks concentration. Can you explain further why? Is that because using marks concentration would change the texture itself other than producing a value effect?

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