Techniques for Drawing with Pen

From “Pen Techniques¨ in Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner

You can sketch with pen using a technique similar to the one employed with pencil.

The similarity in technique mentioned above refers to all that we know about observational contour drawing, namely the principle of observation, depth negligence, the intuiting of artistic symmetries or artistic asymmetries of shapes, the act of artistic sighting, and the use of underdrawing.

However, tonal values can be conveyed using techniques especially optimal for pens. The techniques are as follows (Garcia 2003, 80):

  • Hatching, the act of creating closely set parallel lines
  • Cross-hatching, the act of creating sets of closely set parallel lines that vary in direction or rotation, such that intersections are created
  • Stippling, the grouping of small dots with varied density or closeness so as to create a “dappled¨ effect

For cross-hatching, it is important to (Garcia 2003, 82):

From “Pen Techniques¨ in Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner

Make cross-hatching quickly. Don’t pull marks with your whole arm; let your hand and fingers do the work.

observational_drawing contour_drawing visual_art art underdrawing sighting intuition symmetry asymmetry shape sketches sketching tonal_value tonal_values value line set group dot hatching stippling


bibliography

  • Capp, Robbie, ed. “Pen Techniques.” In Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner, 80–84. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2003.