A Technique for Freehand Ink Drawing - No Pencil

Drawing freehand, directly in ink, has its challenges. Every line and mark put on the paper is still there at the end. How can we manage this as we start and progress a drawing? This demo showcases one way of using marks and process to control the drawing in a way that maximises whatever effect the artist is wanting to create. Why not watch the demo and then give it a go. The reference photo can be found on my channel Community Page.

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[kilb]

This type of video is your most valuable for me. When you begin making marks, I pause the video and proceed to draw on an Artist Trading Card from your reference photo. When nearly finished, I resume viewing to compare what you do with what I did, noting those techniques that I want to improve.. Thank you so much -- from an 82 year old retiree learning a new skill.

[PlotlinesRemix]

Thank you for posting this freehand demo!

Hard to know just how much needs to be dotted-outlined or what angle to focus on first. This got me thinking. 🎉


Edit: also appreciate you sharing the thinking behind mistakes--not just wins. I love that you kept going after you felt something was off. Resilient!

[kerya]

So useful. I did a quick sketch of a building this morning and committed too soon with a broken line to show the roof. I quickly realised that the angle was wrong and I was stuck with this mark. Not a good drawing. I’ll use dots in future to work out angles and form. Thank you.

[lizleiart]

Nice one Stephen 👍🙏, dots and textures brilliant. I started to use dots in the daily drawings but the idea of not putting them at the end of lines, I didn't try. Will be back to daily drawing soon after next week, once the refurb is mainly complete. 😱

[imageimah]

What kind of Paper you recomend for pen & ink drawings? I really love your drawings .

[khsngle]

I recently changed to markers because it’s faster and drawing vegetations is much more confusing

[kenschwartz]

How did you figure out the eye level? Seems low.

[imageimah]

Sorry my late respond; but I really appreciate it