Pen drawings are among the oldest artistic expressions, with some artifacts dating into the 7th and 8th centuries. Now that pens are ubiquitous, there’s no excuse not to give pen drawing a try. No matter when inspiration strikes, create! It doesn’t matter what type of pen you have on hand, either. As the famous ad proclaims, “Just do it!”
If you invest a little time practicing a handful of techniques, you might turn those spontaneous but inspired pen drawings and sketches into priceless works of art. Practicing these six basic techniques when drawing or sketching with a pen: hatching and cross-hatching, stippling, cross contouring, scribbling, and ink washing guarantees to improve your pieces overall.
Hatching and Cross-Hatching
You are very likely already using some of these basic techniques in your pen and ink drawings. Hatching and cross-hatching, when used well, add intricate and dimensional textures and contours to your sketch.
The most common of all pen and ink techniques are six basic forms of hatching and cross-hatching with which to experiment and practice: parallel hatching, contour hatching, cross-hatching, fine cross-hatching, tick hatching, and woven hatching. Before you start, you’ll need a fine-tipped pen. Most recommend creating a value scale before you start. Remember, practice makes perfect – or close!
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- Parallel hatching
Although it is an essential technique, don’t doubt parallel hatching to create areas of light and dark, shadow, and light. Using only parallel lines, spaced at your discretion, you can create varying degrees of contour in your piece with this technique. Known for producing a clean and tidy look, parallel hatching is accomplished when you choose a direction (vertical, angled, horizontal) and all lines are evenly spaced. It’s that simple. - Contour hatching
This technique uses contoured lines instead of parallel lines to achieve the same essential goal as parallel hatching. The use of contoured lines inherently gives more dimension to your work. To make this exercise a little easier, try to visualize the planes of whatever it is you’re drawing. Then, allow your contoured lines to follow the curve of the plane gently. - Cross-hatching
This quick and easy, very well-known hatching technique is extremely popular for its versatility in density and value. After drawing one set of hatch marks, when using the cross-hatching technique, you go back over the first pass with a second perpendicular to the first. Cross-hatching gives the piece a more dimensional feel. This technique creates darker values faster. - Fine cross-hatching
The same, technically, as cross-hatching, this technique employs much smaller, deliberate lines. Because this technique is done on such a small scale, a super-fine tipped instrument is required for complete success. - Tick hatching
Tick hatching is a series of minimal, short lines, or “ticks.” To create darker areas, sometimes the lines overlap. - Woven hatching
If you’re not familiar with woven hatching, it’s only because you’ve not heard its technical name. You’ve seen it before. A series of parallel lines are drawn in one direction, and then the same number of lines is drawn perpendicular to the first set. This creates a basket-weave pattern or woven look to the piece. When used correctly and well, this is a striking and distinctive style. Indeed, a standout.
- Parallel hatching
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Stippling
The stippling technique uses only a series of dots (or sometimes circles) to create a composition. Although it takes some time to perfect, stippling countless dots closely together creates the image. With crisp and clear precision, a particular size, and spacing, you will be surprised at the detail you can achieve using this technique. Not to be confused with pointillism, which is incredibly similar in both technique and style, stippling uses only one color.
As you practice this technique, it’s most comfortable, to begin with, a created image.
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- Think about the light and its direction. Darker areas will need more stippling.
- Where do the shadows lie? Light areas need less stippling.
- Then, think through the shapes in the drawing. Without using any lines, think about how to create the shapes best.
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Cross Contouring
Cross contouring is a little bit like a topographical map with lines that move across a specific terrain horizontally or vertically. Cross contouring uses parallel lines within the confines of your work’s outermost boundary to create depth without shading. Cross-contour lines help define form and volume for the eye, too. It also allows the object you’re drawing to appear three-dimensional.
Scribbling
Scribbling, as a technique, is easy and effective – and fast! Useful when drawing condensed spaces like hair or fur, leaves or grass, scribbling is simply a series of consistent, loose swirls.
Ink Washing
Ink washing, also called brush painting, is not traditionally a technique discussed when drawing or sketching with a pen. It takes practice to perfect, so it’s not something you would do on the spur of the moment; however, its beauty and originality make it worth the practice.
Using black Indian ink, water, and a paintbrush, this technique began in East Asia and is similar to watercolor both in gradation and overall effect. Naturally, your piece will be only one color, and that monochromic color scheme adds to the enchantment of this technique.
At first, experiment with ink washing by practicing graduation or with line thickness. You can even use a dip pen instead of a brush for the same effect with some practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of pen should I use when sketching?
Most, when sketching with a pen, use what they have readily available. Once you begin to hone your technique, you will likely discover that different pens produce varied outcomes.
Believe it or not, even the common ballpoint pen will create rich and detailed sketches. Some of the most common types of pens for drawing and sketching are the more common and less expensive rollerball, gel, felt-tip pens, and the less common, more expensive fountain, dip, and brush pens.
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- Rollerball
With an incredible array of styles, tip sizes, and ink colors, rollerball pens are incredibly economical and reliable. With smooth writing and water-based ink formulas, rollerballs are a great pen to begin pen sketching. - Gel
Affordable and available, the ink in a gel pen uses pigment suspended in a water-based gel. Because of this gel, the ink shows up well on slick surfaces. Available in an array of colors, gel ink pens produce delicate linework. - Felt-tip
Felt-tip pens produce bold, broad strokes and are available in a variety of colors. They have the same porous tip as markers made from pressed felt fibers, and they are inexpensive. However, when using a felt-tip pen, you must be deliberate in your sketching. Mistakes made by felt-tip pens are almost impossible to correct. - Fountain
Introduced in the late 1800s, the ink in fountain pens was initially held inside a swan quill. We’ve come a long way since then! Although you can purchase pens with a dippable nib, most fountain pens contain removable ink cartridges. The nib’s intentional choice created artists like the fountain pen for their expressive lines and flourishes. With nibs of every variety, artists can be as picky as they choose about which to try for a particular effect. Take care when selecting your ink, as some inks clog the nib passages more than others. - Dip
Used before the fountain pen, dip pens are mainly used now in illustrating or calligraphy. With no ink reservoir inside, most dip pens must be dipped into an inkwell. The range of nibs available allows for endless creativity in sketches and drawings. More sensitive to pressure and speed, dip pens can produce a more refined line than a fountain pen. - Brush
Brush pens have bristle tips; therefore, they illustrate like brushes while they may look like a typical pen. Favored by calligraphers and illustrators, brush pens apply ink in broad, bold strokes. Often producing a watercolor-like effect, brush pens can be used with or without water with a little practice and experience.
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Check out our article on ballpoint pens HERE!
Should I use a particular paper for drawing and sketching with a pen?
If you are interested in practicing the ink-washing technique, a good watercolor paper is recommended. For more general techniques, you can certainly use a drawing sketchbook. For final sketches, heavier drawing paper is recommended, as a Bristol Board.
How do I correct a mistake made in ink?
As is true with other media, sometimes the “mistake” isn’t a mistake at all. Before you panic, think objectively about blending the imperfection into your piece. If it is possible, try to create a workaround. If impossible, try white ink or white gouache. In a worst-case scenario, it may be that you must redraw.
Should I use a final fixative when finished with my pen drawing?
It’s always a good idea to use a final fixative on the finished artwork. Final fixative protects your work from dirt, dust, or smudging and preserves your art, too. We recommend you invest in a quality fixative for its archival properties.
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