3 Tips to Create Textures with Pen and Ink | Beginner Level

[@inktrooper.]

Yes! This is a really valuable content. We artists are awfully often are disorganized in the practice of our craft because we have a romanticized idea of art and think that 'you have to let the creative energy flow'. Many times we sit and draw without a goal beyond 'drawing a piece' or without any structure about the process and we end up with completely finished pieces that do not satisfy us in the long run because although we did our best to our capabilities we know they could have been better. Meaning, we know that we need to improve in certain areas, be more coherent with the mark makings, etc. but we really don't know how to achieve that improvement. And of course the books are there to learn, but it's a thousand times easier to find motivation and learn good practices in content well researched, well presented and well explained like this. Thank you.

[@longstrideillustration]

Thank you, I'm glad to know this is helpful and relatable. There are many mediums that lend themselves better to "direct exploration", such as graphite or pencils - where we can find the lines as we go, with more "flow" as you mentioned. However, as you well know, ink is less forgiving. With pen and ink projects, a calculated approach produces more reliable results.

[@iDanitho]

Thanks for all the tips and tricks you're providing, I'm learning a lot. Recently picked up inking. It's difficult but very very fun

[@PorcelainPsycho]

Oh my gosh, this video is wonderful! Doing something as simple as adding texture to anything always looked overwhelmingly complicated. The way you break things down, it makes things so easy to understand. Thank you for these videos! 🙂 Ps; your cat is adorable

[@longstrideillustration]

I'm so glad it was helpful, thanks for watching! 😺

[@ChantelleArts]

Brilliant tutorial, I love it ☺☺☺

[@longstrideillustration]

Thanks so much 😊 Makes me happy that you enjoyed it!

[@rodrod5000]

I was just thinking about texture while looking at my past drawings while preparing for a new drawing - a drawing of a picture of swans from a recent trip. I think planning my inking is going to be a challenge for me with birds that are mostly white. But, I'm going to try and the preparation process is very satisfying. A teacher will appear when we are ready. Thank you for your video and materials in your blog.

[@longstrideillustration]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your situation with the white swans. Hopefully planning the values arrangement can help with that. All the best with your pen and ink projects!

[@anahata2009]

Maybe use toned paper and white ink. Could be a fun experiment.

[@josephgiunta4430]

Valuable tips here. You're an excellent artist and teacher.

[@longstrideillustration]

I appreciate that!

[@eb6319]

Oh wow. I think youtube wanted to give me a birthday gift and brought me this video today😊. I have been looking for a video like this with no luck until today. Thank you very much. This information is great❤

[@longstrideillustration]

You are so welcome! Really glad you enjoyed the video and that the timing was serendipitous. Happy fearless inking!

[@anahata2009]

Really great content. You're a very organized and clear teacher.

[@longstrideillustration]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@k.gebhard6686]

Huiiii - just went in! What great advices! Thank you so much!

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@glenda7921]

The quality of your videos is admirable. I wish I had your patience with this medium.

[@longstrideillustration]

Thank you very much!

[@nicolettenonya6757]

I’m so glad I found your website and channel! I’m a total noob doing an ink challenge and a little in over my head. Your inking grasses tutorial was super helpful too! I’m still struggling with inking a concrete texture; it is in a section with iron fencing and grasses as well. I’ve tried a few mark making thumbnails as well as stippling, but still not super satisfied with the results. The concrete varies in tone due to lighting and also a bit in texture due to some crustose lichens (I think). Haha I’m probably overthinking it! But anyway, curious if anyone has suggestions on inking foreground concrete? Thanks!

[@longstrideillustration]

Thanks for watching and your kind words. Concrete is for sure challenging, I think playing with line weights might help. Look up how Philip Harris renders rocks in his landscapes, he's really good with lichens.

[@jbkhan1135]

Great advice! I'll try this, thank you!

[@OrigamiCalm]

So helpful, thank you!

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rachelturgeon114]

I LOVE your channel and your tips and exercises. Thank you.

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad you like them!

[@LindaDalton-k1b]

Wow it's so hard for me to stay focused, you are a good-strong spokesperson, that totally held my attention, and your subject matter very interesting....thank you LSDalton

[@longstrideillustration]

Thanks so much for the kind words, it's really great to hear you're enjoying the videos!

[@kavithaekambaram7885]

Great work! Thanks.

[@LearnedFingers]

loved it.

[@longstrideillustration]

Yay! Thank you 😊

[@czechingouttasmania]

What’s the book you’re looking through in this video? Lovely big full page illustrations

[@longstrideillustration]

Please scroll down to the description where you'll see the materials listed, including the book "Dynamic black and white illustrations by Leslie Cabarga"

[@nelsinki5177]

Thanks a lot for your tips about textures, also for the recomendations for excercises. ^^

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad you like them!

[@artscience9981]

Great video. I’ve benefited a lot from Alphonso Dunn’s book and workbook. Could you or have you already done an explanation of how to avoid blobs of ink when using dip pens? Very exasperating when it happens. Thanks!

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad that you enjoyed the video and are also a fan of Alphonso's teachings. I don't have "blob" issues, and this is thanks to the combination of materials that I use, also has to do with "how far to dip" along with nib maintenance. You might resolve this easily by adjusting something, have a look at this guide: longstrideillustration.com/a-beginners-guide-to-dip-pens-for-drawing/

[@herobear]

Thank you!

[@Onu-e5z]

Hi, what about your opinion about canson xl bristol? Because strathmore and w&n bristols are little pricey in my country also bienfang is unavailable. I very beginner on dip pen btw..

[@longstrideillustration]

Hi, that's a great question ... the reason I don't mention Canson is because I don't recommend it for dip pens. Canson inking paper is best suited for fine liner pens, and it can take a small amount of brush pens if not too wet. Canson paper flakes and falls apart from the action of a nib, also does not perform well with wet mediums. Strathmore costs more and I reserve it for my final pieces, also I keep my artwork small (under 9x12 inches) to manage expenses.

[@KevinBryden1]

I love your videos. I've bought the Speedball sketching set and I don't get the flow that you do with any of the nibs and I've cleaned them as you recommend. I'm using Moonpalace ink. Is there a way to increase flow? Thanks.

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad you're enjoying the videos. For ink, the consistency of Sumi is not ideal with dip pens for drawing - it's best suited for brushwork. Try India ink or acrylic ink if you like colour. JetPens has a great article on inks here: www.jetpens.com/blog/The-Best-Drawing-Inks/pt/784

[@KevinBryden1]

@@longstrideillustration thanks so much for the speedy reply. I was wondering, should we be shaking the India ink container before each use? Thanks again.

[@longstrideillustration]

@@KevinBryden1 You can give it a shake for sure. I purchase my India ink in 16 or 20oz and fill a smaller 2oz jar for everyday use. I leave the lid off the 2oz for hours at the time, which thickens the ink and works well. Just watch for clumping if it turns to sludge.

[@KevinBryden1]

@@longstrideillustration Thanks so much again for your reply. I've just found an old jar of Winsor and Newton Indian ink and that is so different to draw with. The flow is amazing and I can get nice wet lines with little pressure, depending on the nib. I originally bought the MP for copperplate and was very happy with it.

[@mariechevalier73]

Hi Chloe, it is a little bit out of context from this video, I’m an art teacher and I would like to do an initiation to ink drawing. But I am struggling about the material: should I buy a little bottle of ink for each student? Or do you have better advise for practical containers (if I have a big bottle of ink and I want to split it)…I can’t work my brain around it 😂thank you so much!

[@longstrideillustration]

Hi - I think I just answered your question in a DM? but I'll paste it here as well in case anyone else is curious on the same topic: You could buy a 16 or 32-ounce large bottle of India ink and just fill 2oz bottles for them. That's actually the system that I use for myself at home. Speedball sells empty 2oz bottles with a cap that are the right size even for the oblique dip pen holders. You might be able to get a box of these on Amazon, or look for similar containers in an art store or a place where they sell containers. Here's my FAQ page if you ever have questions on materials: longstrideillustration.com/faq/

[@amelinademonchy1310]

Bonjour, Tous mes vœux 2024. Karine.

[@longstrideillustration]

Merci Karine! Same to you!