Arlene Wright-Correll

How to Create Pen and Ink Art



Posted: Thursday, April 22, 2010

by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com

There is more to pen & ink art than you think and it is one of the easiest methods of creating art.

Creating art with pen & ink is just one more inexpensive way of creating art! One needs very little supplies. Ink, pen and paper and you are in business.

There are many kinds of India ink available.

India ink is composed of water, carbon black particles for rich, dark color and latex or shellac for a binder. India ink comes in all different colors besides black. India inks are labeled permanent, waterproof or non-waterproof. However, even the waterproof ink can smudge. I find the best method for me when I do illustrations is to use the waterproof ink and then put my washes in. When I do a watercolor painting or illustration first I find that I can use the non-water proof ink to put my lines in once my painting is dry. Remember you can fast dry any watercolor or ink work with an old hair dryer.

Here is a work I recently created using just two colors of ink and one crow pen holder and speedball nib and I did it on Bristol Board.



There are many types of pens available.

I mostly work with the standard wooden pen holders that have the pen tips inserted into them. I have many tips, but use just a few are my favorites. I clean my pens by dipping them in water after use and drying them off. I first learned pen and ink artwork about 60 years ago with the following equipment. The standard Speedball Crow Quill Dip Pens and Nibs and I mostly work with them since I am the most comfortable with them. Plus they are very inexpensive.







There are technical pens one can use and they are easy to use such as this Sheaffer Calligraphy Mini Kit.



Think about Creating your workspace and you do need a workspace. You can use a simple lap desk or any flat surface. I prefer my desk which has a large piece of ply wood on it which is propped up in the back with a 2 inch piece of hard foam and it gives me just the angle I want to work with. However, I place my inks on a flat surface besides my slightly slanted workspace in order to avoid spills.

The paper is very inexpensive and I like working on Bristol Board. I particulary like the Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board is an economical 2-ply bristol, available in two surfaces. Smooth is suited for pen or pencil. Vellum is ideal for a broad range of media, including crayon, charcoal and watercolor. It is Acid-free. Each tape-bound pad contains 20 sheets.

Canson Student Bristol Vellum Finish pads are acid-free, economical bristol-weight board with vellum finish suitable for pencil, pen, pastel, and charcoal and they are very inexpensive also so the whole thing is a matter of choice depending on what you intend to do.

Don't be afraid to try this medium and I especially recommend the Claudia Nice books as she, in my personal opinion is one of the best people to learn from and her books are the most concise and simple to understand art books on the subject.

"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime... May your day be filled with...

Peace, Light and Love



Arlene Wright-Correll
Claudia Nice books

About the Author & Artist. Arlene Wright-Correll (1935- ___), popular American award winning Artist, published author, columnist, & is the resident art instructor for Avalon Stained Glass School, at the age of 68, decided to pick up her paint brushes again after 54 years and paint.  She is a cancer and stroke survivor who is able to strive forward each and everyday to welcome the beauty of this small planet.  She also is a China & Porcelain painter, Sandblasting & Etching, Stained Glass & fused glass Artisan. She is one of the six KY Artists who worked 6 months to create the dolls for Journey Jots in 2006 and a Smithsonian Institute art exhibit in 2008. Her published books can be found here . She is also a featured writer for GreenThumbArticles.com and teaches Art Vacation Holidays at Avalon Stained Glass School and Creativity Center.

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