Ink illustration specialization: Techniques for creative expression

Highlight, Volume and Depth

Now I will show you the way you can use a simple line to create different tones and volume from dip-pen and ink.

15m

Observational Pen and Ink

Let's take a walk with our sketchbook. In this lesson, we will go out and collect elements from nature and draw them, studying their form and shadow.

Sketching Your First Ideas

I will begin putting together a composition and sketching the elements for the artwork. Don't be afraid to explore different compositions an dimensions.

With the sketch ready, you can add linework to the illustration just focusing on the outlines of the elements.

Basic Outline in Ink

Cross-Hatching and Fine Line Work

In this lesson I will begin to add tone and texture with cross-hatching. I will build the tone to add depth, shadow and texture to the illustration.

Now it's time to add the finishing touches by adding a border with your ruler and fine liner.

Adding Your Border

Sharing and Selling Your Ink Sketches

I will talk about scanning your work and give you a few platform options where you can sell your prints on.

Module 3

Explore how to illustrate fairy tales using detailed ink techniques that evoke mystery and enchantment. Inspired by Sveta Dorosheva’s magical black-and-white style, you’ll practice drawing exercises that bring childhood stories to life through rich, atmospheric compositions.

15 lessons (2h 29m)

Materials

Here I will show the materials I will use for my drawing. I encourage you to use a drawing nib and ink, but you can also do the final drawing with a regular black roller pen or ballpoint pen.

The Magical World of Fairy Tales

Let's get you in the mood :). The key thing to take away from this lesson is the mindset necessary for illustrating a fairy tale: learn to treat fantasy and reality as one and the same. Here I will discuss why. After that I will tell you my fairy tale of choice and pick a scene to illustrate. Start thinking about which fairy tale you would like to visualize, if you haven't picked one already.

Scene Selection and Draft Composition

In this lesson, I will share my criteria for scene selection and discuss the initial treatment of the scene. I will cover the key decisions you need to make for depicting the scene: what questions arise and how they have been previously resolved in artworks. If you don't have any ideas for an image at this point, that's normal. This is the brainstorming stage: posing questions is more crucial than finding the answers.

The Importance of Research

Next, it's time to find the answers to all those questions you brainstormed. I will take you through the research process that will help you to come up with a meaningful idea, fetching composition, and culturally authentic details. You will gather many references and allow the ideation phase to simmer down, before committing to any ideas for the final sketch.

Final Sketch and Tonal Scheme

In this lesson, I will demonstrate how to draw a detailed sketch to test all the ideas, both in terms of composition and tonality.

In this lesson, I will show you how to use the nib and ink. You will learn how to execute basic techniques; like hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, squiggling, and "small circles" texture.

Working with Ink

Ink Exercise: The Geometry of Flowers

Here I will construct an ornamental flower and ink it, using the basic techniques. You will learn how to use the "snake scales" ornament for leaves, trees, flowers, and animals. I will show you the importance of paying close attention as you do this; maintaining the contrast between black and white, and creating detailed and unencumbered segments in order to avoid the tonal mess.

Next, I will show the technique for drawing hair. We will do long straight hair, wavy hair, and short. The principle is the same for all: dividing the hair into segments with key lines—these may be straight or wavy depending on the hair—and then working out each segment individually. For the lighter areas, keep your lines further apart or use dots to break the lines altogether. For shadow, keep your lines closer together.

Ink Exercise: Hair

Ink Exercise: Magical Creatures

Now let's have some real fun! In this lesson, I will share with you my obsession with crazy creatures from illuminated manuscripts. You will invent some of your own for your fairy tale. Then we will progress to the inking stage, using the techniques learned (scales, ornament, stippling).

To end this unit, I will demonstrate a crafty way to correct your mistakes — whether that's a wrong line or another minor error — by applying opaque white with a small brush. It's undesirable to correct large areas this way, but small mistakes can be fixed with white without a problem. It's important to note that you can't draw on top of applied white with the nib. In case you need to draw a new, correct line on top of the white paint, use a black ballpoint pen (not a roller pen, ballpoint!).

How to Fix a Mistake

Working on a Clean Copy

In this lesson, I will trace the final sketch on thick (300g) paper, using a light table. If you don't own a light table, you can use a window during the daytime, or scan the sketch and use your computer screen. Then, I will refine the drawing that I have transferred. To do this, I will revise the entire image and make each line exact. During transferring phase, the aim is to copy the composition. When refining, you home in on the details and construct each element of your drawing.

Inking the Illustration

Now it's time to ink the clean copy! Usually, I begin this process by inking the secondary elements. This helps to get the hand steady before tackling any of the more important focal points, like the face of the major character. It also helps to overcome any fear you may feel about drawing the first line. I will also demonstrate a trick I use to fill large areas of black with intricate outlines. You will see all of the techniques we've discussed come into play.

Once the illustration is complete, you may need to adjust the thickness of key contour lines. Here I will exemplify the importance of tracing certain main elements a second time. This is an important final touch that will make the image stand out more.

Finalizing the Lines

Digitizing and Refining Your Work

In this lesson, I will show you how to digitize your finished drawing: by scanning it, cropping, adjusting the contrast of black and white, and correcting mistakes.

The Rhythm of Illustrations in a Book

To wrap up, I will explain the criteria for selecting the rest of the scenes in your illustrated fairy tale, paying special attention to the rhythm of images in a book. You will learn what's required to develop your illustration into the book, as I will provide a brief overview of what's needed aside from the key scene illustrations: the cover, endpapers, title page, and vignettes—by the way, those magical creatures you created in the "Learning to Ink" unit will make awesome vignettes!

Module 4

Let's dive into the world of modern botanical drawing using ink. With inspiration from Fujiko Rose’s mix of detail and bold design, you’ll play with composition and contrast to create fresh, stylish pieces. It’s all about blending precision with creativity to make your work stand out. Are you ready?

14 lessons (3h 34m)

Materials

What are the different tools and materials that you will need to create your artwork? I will walk you through my own toolkit in this lesson, explaining their properties and why I like them. This lesson will provide a general overview of the various tools and materials that can be used for ink art.

Leveraging Your Inking and Basic Pen Techniques 1

As promised, I will now demonstrate the effects that the equipment can create. I will test these tools through mark-making. This way, you can gain a sense of the kit before buying it!

13m

Leveraging Your Inking and Basic Pen Techniques 2

In the second part of this lesson, I will finish sampling my tools. You will learn how to harness their properties to achieve certain effects. Once I've walked you through the remaining two brushes in my kit – the standard brushes – I will restart the experimentation process with all the tools at my disposal. You will see the endless possibilities of shapes and textures that these tools provide!

11m

Sketching Forms

In this lesson, I will guide you in pencil sketching simple still-life forms. The purpose of this exercise is to help you gain a deeper understanding of your subject matter.

Creating Details with Ink

Next, I will demonstrate how to use ink to draw detailed sections of the subject matter, which in this case is a plant. You will learn how to employ different tools and textures to bring the flower to life.

Graphic Elements, Balance, and Composition

To conclude this unit, I will help you to gain confidence in composition and balance. To do this, we will bring abstract elements together to create to a small botanical drawing.

Selecting the Subject and Playing With Composition

The first step of the creative process is defining and familiarising yourself with the subject matter. What do you like? If you enjoy what you're drawing, this will translate into your art. The theme of this course project is botany. In this lesson, I will help you to decide on the right floral arrangement – with the right balance and composition – and interpret this into artwork.

Starting a Formal Pencil Sketch

Once you're happy with the overall composition of your reference material, the next step is to sketch the base of your final piece. In this lesson, I will show you how I map out my initial lines.

Inking the Objects in the Foreground

The objects in the foreground are the things at the front of the image; these items tend to take first priority in my drawing process. The reason I will often differentiate this stage and reserve much of my attention for it is that this area requires more detail and delicacy. I will be using ink to draw my image's foreground.

Ink: Working Your Way Back

With the foreground elements in place, it's time to draw out the background. While these elements aren't intended to stand out, they are no less important. The goal is to achieve a sense of contrast between these two different depths.

Ink: Adding Graphic Elements

To bring the artwork to a strong finish, let's instil a sense of edginess and character. I will show you how to add a bold and contemporary twist with graphic elements.

16m

Different Ways to Add Gold

In this lesson, I will show you how to add an optional touch of gold leaf to your piece. I will cover the different types of gold and then how to apply it.

15m

Tips and Tricks: Framing

Now that you've invested all the hard work and created a fantastic piece, it deserves to be presented well. Here, we will review the visual effects of different framing types and techniques.

Applying the Drawing for Other Uses

Finally, let's take a look at how your art can be applied to other mediums and uses beyond your canvas!

Module 5

It's time to explore drawing as a form of self-expression and relaxation. Inspired by Eva Redamonti’s surreal style, you’ll learn to combine perspectives, shapes, and patterns to bring your imagination to life. Let music guide you as you create dreamlike, expressive illustrations.

9 lessons (1h 15m)

Collecting References and Creating the Digital Collage

Now I will show you how to collect your references by using sites like Pinterest, Designinspiration, Instagram Archives, and other sites. Next, I will teach you how to use Adobe Photoshop to create a photo collage and warp the perspective in photos.

The Basic Drawing: Seeing Shapes in Everything

In this lesson, we’ll cover some basic drawing techniques and tools that can help you loosen up and draw confidently. Because the level of detail we’re aiming for is really filled with detail, it’s important you learn how to fit multiple objects/figures/environments into small spaces, and find ways to connect one idea to another so that everything flows together. Doing this requires us to see how the shape or line of one thing relates to the shape/line of another.

Materials and Inking Methods 1

In this unit, I’ll be discussing the inking materials I use - and introduce you to various types of inking materials so that you can get a feel for what works for you. After mastering inking your lines with a steady hand, I’ll introduce you to ideas to think about like line weight, shading methods, and creating convincing and interesting textures.

Materials and Inking Methods 2

Now that I have shown you four inking techniques, I will move on to teach you how to work with ink and water. I will start by inking with different types of brush pens. Next, I will show you how to work more traditionally using a regular brush and Indian ink with varying amounts of water.

Warming Up

Warming up is important before beginning to work on a final piece. Sometimes, my warmup naturally leads me into deciding the direction of a final piece. In this lesson, we’ll be talking about the importance of keeping this practice light and free, while also taking your ideas seriously.

Laying Down the First Marks

Now that you’re warmed up, we’ll be diving in head first to our drawing. In this lesson I’ll be talking about how confidence plays a large factor in my work. By solidifying your sketched ideas in ink before moving onto the next area of your page, you’re often left with accidental marks and need to find a way to make them “work” or embrace them.

Finishing Up the Drawing

In this lesson, we’ll be discussing how to know when your drawing is finished, how I make certain elements appear as if they are in the foreground or background through my linework, adding the finishing touches of shading that makes your contrast feel more realistic, how to clean up your linework, and methods you can use to fix mistakes at the end of your process.

Scanning, Merging, and Cleaning Up the Artwork

In this lesson, we’ll be discussing how to scan your work into your computer. If you don’t have a large flatbed scanner (like most of us), you will have to learn to digitally merge multiple scans. I’ll walk you through that process, as well as how to clean up and get your work ready for print.

Building a Strong Portfolio

Where to go from here? In this lesson, we’ll be discussing how to build a strong portfolio for your website, no matter what market you feel it belongs in.

Module 6

You'll learn to draw expressive cityscapes filled with architecture and everyday life. Guided by Luke Adam Hawker, you’ll use observation and imagination to turn familiar objects into fictional urban scenes, strengthening your connection to places through thoughtful, detailed illustration.

16 lessons (3h 45m)

Materials and Mark Making

Let's look at the different materials that we'll be using in this course! I will show you my preferred choice of pen and paper. Through a quick demonstration, you will learn different exercises to practise line drawing, hatching, and building light and shade.

I will now break down the basics of observational drawing. You will develop an understanding of how to build a strong foundation for your freehand artwork without the use of rulers or guides. I will teach you how to find the key shapes within the composition using only your observational skills.

Observational Drawing

16m

Simple 3D and Perspective 1

In this lesson, I will guide you in drawing some simple forms in perspective, focusing on the simplest fundamentals. The skills you learn will enable you to draw your objects and cast your imagination onto them.

Simple 3D and Perspective 2

I will now finish sketching my two-point perspective drawing, before demonstrating the three-point perspective. I will begin by drawing the horizon line, followed by three vanishing points.

To conclude this unit, you will discover how to incorporate light and shade into your drawings. Representing light within a scene is achieved through the drawing of shadows. These shadows help to provide further depth and bring the drawing to life.

Lighting

In this lesson, I will provide insight and tips on how to create a strong composition using objects from around your house. We will search for objects of varying shapes and ideally sentimental value to achieve this. With the right objects, this exercise will lead to a further discussion about how to plan the creation of your artwork. We will also consider the importance of the placement of the various items.

Selecting the Objects

Creating a Sketch of the Basic Forms 1

It's time to explore the basic framework of your drawing! We will look at a ghost wireframe structure as a starting point. The focus of this lesson will be placed on the importance of handling the pen and linework lightly. I will talk you through the creation process, offering tips and tricks on the creation of a strong framework for the drawing. Together, we will create a sketch of the basic forms.

Creating a Sketch of the Basic Forms 2

The sketch is coming together nicely! I will now work on the cylinder, sketchbooks, and candlestick. While doing this, I will teach you the tricks I use to keep the drawing in perspective. Throughout this process, you will need to press very lightly with your pen, as these construction lines will need to be removed later.

Projecting Imagination onto the Shapes 1

With the basic shapes drawn, it's time to harness your imagination a little! I will show you how to project your own ideas onto the shapes by turning them into a cityscape. We will explore how the shapes can be turned into bridges, buildings, doorways, windows, and even courtyards.

16m

Projecting Imagination onto the Shapes 2

How are your structures coming along? If you're struggling to disconnect yourself from reality and project a new meaning onto your drawings, follow along with me in this lesson! I will now create a courtyard and a residential block.

Projecting Imagination onto the Shapes 3

Let's keep developing our imaginary cityscapes! I will work on the last elements to transform the original composition of basic shapes into structures made up of a similar form. By the end of this lesson, we will have our finished line drawings.

13m

Adding Light and Shade 1

Let's bring some realism to the piece! I will demonstrate how to incorporate shadows into the cityscape. This will give an indication of the main light source and add unity to the various shapes.

Through the use of the cross-hatching technique, you will continue to learn how to build varying levels of tone, adding depth and three-dimensionality to your cityscape.

Adding Light and Shade 2

In this lesson, I will help you to develop your drawing to a point where it can be fully accepted as a cityscape. Populating the drawing will give a real sense of scale and breathe life into your piece. We will add figures to the image to create a clear indication of the height of the buildings. I will offer guidance on how to conform to realistic proportions.

Populating the Image

Sharing Your Work

Here, I will talk about some helpful tips when it comes to sharing your work. How can you get over that initial feeling of self-consciousness? You will learn how to stay true to yourself and not depend too much on external validation, but rather on your own!

Getting the Right Mindset

Why do you want to draw? Drawing for the right reasons can bring a lot of joy and purpose to your life. But if you lose sight of why you started drawing in the first place, it can become stressful. This is normally when people stop. In this lesson, I'll explain what I've learnt about mindset during my drawing journey in the hope that you can keep motivated and develop your own unique way of drawing.

Module 7

To finish this course, in this module, you’ll learn to draw like an architect using pen, paper, and a keen eye for detail. Guided by Dan Hogman, you’ll combine freehand sketching with architectural principles to depict urban scenes from photo references, focusing on perspective, scale, and composition.

13 lessons (2h 29m)

Materials and Supplies

In this lesson, I will cover the supplies list for the class, starting with the recommended paper type and continuing with pens of different weights, pencils, brushes, and various accessories.

Perspective and Vanishing Points

I will now discuss key concepts such as the one-point and two-point perspective, using a street photo from a location in NYC as an example. You will learn how to identify the vanishing points and the horizon line as critical tools for accurate perspective construction.

Another fundamental concept you will need to familiarize yourself with is scale. I will guide you in analyzing proportions by decomposing some street scenes in New York.

The Concept of Scale

Composition and Entourage

In this lesson, I will discuss some helpful techniques in developing a dynamic composition and explain how entourage helps to frame the subject.

To begin the creative process, I will discuss some tips and techniques to help you select a subject: What to look for, what makes the subject interesting, and how light and shadows come into play. We will look at several photo references and explore which one is the best subject to illustrate and why.

Selecting the Subject

Analyzing the Photo Reference

What key elements are present in the reference photo? In this lesson, you will decide what you want to represent on paper. What is the scale of the subject, where is the main focal point, and how do you want to frame the scene?

The First Draft

It's time to create a plan on how to proceed with the sketch. I will help you to identify the framing, the main elements, as well as the light and weather conditions, all in a simple diagram format.

With all the preparation complete, as a first step, I will show you how to draw the main lines of the scene in pencil. This is the time to outline and correct the perspective and composition before proceeding with black ink.

The Pencil Outline

The second step focuses on the main lines of the scene: the street, buildings, and entourage, all in large gestures. You will learn how to cover all parts of the scene equally, from left to right, using the previously laid out pencil guidelines. It's not necessary to go into too much detail at this stage.

The Main Lines

Detailing

Next, I will guide you in adding details to the building elements: window frames, doors, balconies, or building decorations, using a variety of black pens of different thicknesses. I will also show you how to shade some areas to emphasize contrast as you see fit.

Shading

Now it's time to highlight the key shaded areas with fountain pens and black ink. These tools will be used to emphasize depth and perspective via tonality and intensity.

The final element to add to the scene is the entourage. This may include people, trees, and everyday street objects. Some entourage elements are needed for framing the architecture, while others are essential in explaining the scale and mass of architecture in relationship to the human scale.

The Entourage

11m

Reviewing the Work

To finish, give yourself a moment to take one last critical look at the work. Decide which areas read well and which need improving. At this stage, you might want to revisit the shading, detailing, and entourage construction steps. Or, simply focus on correcting some smaller details that need attention. I will show you how to evaluate your work with a critical eye.