Tutorial: Pen and Ink. Drawing a Natural Science Subject from Direct Observation

Supplies: Artist paper, pencil, eraser, pen and ink.
 
1. Choose comfortable location. Light an overpriced candle. Place a ‘nature’ CD in repeat mode so there will be no need to get up and change music for the next few hours.
 
2. Adjust lighting so that it falls on your paper and another light source to highlight specimen.
 
3. Study the specimen to become familiar with it. Turn it slowly, look for its best angle. Now examine it closer under a hand lens. {Gasp, followed by low whistle}.
 
4. Begin a line drawing in pencil. A sketch. Short, whispery strokes, blocking in the entire drawing. Constantly check accuracy of the negative spaces (the area around the specimen). When at all possible, draw to scale, to actual size.
 
5. Plan carefully so that you do not run off of the paper. Do not “fudge” on the drawing and change the accuracy of the drawing to fit a piece of paper.
 
6. Work the entire page, slowly adding detail. But still concentrating on no, one, area of the specimen. The subject should emerge on the paper slowly and accurately. All at the same time. This line drawing should be beautiful and simple. For it will stand on it own after inked in.
 
7. Draw over the pale pencil lines with your chosen pen and ink medium. Pause for the ink to draw before any attempt to erase the underdrawing. This might be a fine time to take off pajamas and change into some sweats while watching Judge Mathis dole out swift justice. When you return, erase all hint of the pencil lines so that the viewer (auction bidder?) will be duly impressed with your virtuosity with what can be a difficult to master, unforgiving medium. Pen and ink.
 
8. Work on a fancy signature that those “Antiques Road Show” experts will learn to recognize in due time. All in due time. Sign your work.

-Cynthia Padilla