Artist: Paul J. McCall

Location: Blackstone, Massachusetts

Title of Artwork: “Late Fall Country Road”

Dimensions of Artwork: 8 ½” x 11”

Medium: Pen and Ink

Support: Paper

Describe this Piece: I did this piece in 1984 strictly from imagination. I began with the barn and let the rest happen. Now that’s freedom.

Drawing Demo – How to Draw the Chetnole Church by Mike Budden

How to draw: Using a photograph.

Click here to visit Mike’s Site

MATERIALS USED IN THIS PROJECT: - HB Pencil - Putty Rubber - Layout paper - Acid free cartridge paper - Viewfinder grid - Ruler - Magnifying glass - Rotring Isograph pens; .1mm, .25mm and .35mm - Black India ink - A piece of lint free cloth – to wipe your pens on - Tissues, for resting your hand upon – fingers leave greasy marks on the paper and the ink won’t take kindly to it. Gillott Mapping pens can also be used (dip pens) for fine detail work.

Where accuracy is required, I use this grid system. This can be used on location as well. Simply hold the see through grid at arms length and locate the key points. Photo’s can often hide details in shadows and bright highlights.

Draw your own grid onto layout paper (thin paper) to enlarge the image – the larger the squares, the bigger the picture.

Now transfer your best lines from the layout paper to your cartridge paper. You do this by using transfer paper, (this is similar to carbon paper except that it transfers a pencil mark instead of ink) and a sharp hard pencil. Make sure the transfer paper is face down onto the cartridge paper. Place your layout drawing on top and then simply trace over your best lines. When this is completed, add the extra details lightly to your drawing on the cartridge paper, using an HB pencil.

Start with the clock first because if this goes wrong it’s easy to start again. The actual size of this clock face is just 21mm high.

1.Layout paper. 2.Transfer lines/marks. 3.Ink over, then erase the transfer lines. 4.Draw the numerals 5.Ink in using tiny dots.

Be sure to get your drawing right before applying ink – it’s easy to erase pencil marks, but not ink. For this particular clock, making white hands and numerals to ink around is best – they are easier to see than a grey pencil mark. The numerals must be at the same angle of perspective as the brickwork the clock is on. The tighter the ink marks are packed together, the darker the tone. The more spaced out they are, the lighter the tone. Remember the clock is higher than your eye level and at an angle.

Click Image Below for Larger View

WORKING INDOORS (with imagination) FROM A PHOTOFeel the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze, Hear the songbirds singing in the trees. Smell the fragrance of some nearby flowers, A peacefull place, we can sit for hours. Working this way is from the soul, And helps us reach our final goal.

The obvious can elude me sometimes, so a fresh look next morning can be a real eye opener. I often find things that have been overlooked.

Click Image Below for Larger View

Be sure to draw each tile in the direction it is laying. When I became bored with bricks, tiles etc, I turned my attentions to the Woodpecker.I have used artistic licence to enhance this picture and add depth. Things like T.V aerials, telephone wires etc, I generally leave out.

Click Image Below For Larger View

Click Image Below For Larger View

Click Image Below For Larger View

Example of how to make things look round.This is just lots of tiny dots.

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Click Image Below For Larger View

“ST. PETER’S CHURCH” Chetnole, Dorset.

If there was anything that’s not clear to you, please e-mail Mike. Equally, if you have any tips to help make Mike’s website or the tutorials better, He would be delighted to hear from you.

Pen and Ink Portrait Drawing Lesson of a Nascar Driver

A big thanks goes out to Vincent Strader for making this video available for viewing!  Vincent Strader is a fine artist with a passion for fine automobiles. He enjoys capturing the beauty of these automobiles with his paintings and drawings.

You can learn more about Vincent by visiting his Website or check out more of his great videos over at his YouTube Channel.

You really don’t need much to get started with pen and ink. You can start with a normal ball point pen and a piece of paper that you have lying around the house. Of course, normal household pens and plain old paper will not be as rewarding as a professional pen & ink set, but at least you can get started right away.

Here are some suggestions for popular pens to check out once you are ready to buy:

Rotring Rapidograph Pen


Rotring Sketching Art Pen

Here are some suggestions for your pen and ink paper:

Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper


Bienfang Raritan Heavyweight Drawing Paper 18 in. x 24 in. pad of 30

Click here for more pen and ink drawing tips from CreativeSpotlite.com