Art Basics: Pens & Markers

When I was in college in the late 1970's we used dip pens or the modern Rapidograph refillable pens for our drawings.  But those were better than what the Old Masters had!

Leonardo da Vinci used a sharpened feather
or stick dipped in pigment for
his drawings.

Now pens and markers come in so many shapes and sizes.

As I've said before, I am an art supply addict.  When a new color marker comes out I buy it.  It was a great day when I found the 24 pack of assorted Sharpies at Sam's Club.  We're going to explore color with markers tomorrow but today we're going to practice creating value using an ultra fine black Sharpie.

Create your value scales using:
hatching - parallel lines 
cross hatching-lines that cross in different directions.
stippling - a series of closely spaced dots

Draw 3 circles practice using those techniques turn your circles into spheres.  Don't forget to establish your light source!

Stippling takes the longest but is very relaxing.

Bring out "Miss Pear"

Each day she becomes more lovely.  Or you can bring out any simple object to draw using one of the techniques.  I recommend starting with cross hatching because it's the easiest method to create a variety of values.  And if you get a little sloppy it gives your subject a character.

Set your object on a sheet of white paper and place a light source next to it.  This will give you some dramatic shadows.  Lightly sketch the shape of the object on your paper.  Don't get to fussy, just the basic shape.  Then start adding your value and keep layering until you're satisfied.  Try it with all 3 techniques. You can even mix techniques.   Like I said before with stippling it'll take a while so you'd better put a movie on while you fill in the dots!

 Tomorrow:  Let's try this with colored markers - Yikes!