Drawing Technique - Pen and Ink

When you look at Leonardo da Vinci's "Madonna and Child with Cat", you see the stunning effect that ink drawing can have.  Here are a few drawing techniques to help you get started with your ink drawing:

- remember to use your viewfinder to frame your composition and adjust as necessary.
- lightly draw the main features, decisive lines, divisions made by roads, etc. using a pencil
- save fine details for later; do not over-emphasize details at this stage.
- keep the weights (tones and textures) balanced.
- record what you see accurately.
- if something is drawn wrong, draw over it: restate it so there is no doubt as to your meaning.  Have a look at the da Vinci drawing again...you will see the areas he has redrawn and emphasized.
- by using pencil in the early stages, it becomes a tool for mapping out your composition.
- as you work toward your ink application stage, be careful not to just mindlessly ink over your work.  Maintain accuracy and tonal balance in that stage.
- Consider the importance of the wash stage and where it best suits your finished product.