How to draw with your fountain pen: drawing trees in pen and ink

[@jimcoon]

I am nearing 70 years old, and I started sketching a year or so ago to help alleviate the tremors in my hands and anxiety in my brain caused by Parkinson’s Disease. I started drawing digitally, but I have always been a “paper guy”. Journals, day planners - always paper. So…I can’t thank you enough for your content. I know it must take a huge amount of time to put these videos together. I just wanted to write and let you know that what you do has made a difference in my life. Thanks so very much. Jim in Oregon

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome, Jim! I’m so glad that my channel has been helpful to you. These video are indeed laborious to make, but messages like yours make it all worthwhile. Thanks for your kind note!

[@KitKatToeBeans]

Look up a video from EONutrition on Fighting Parkinson’s by taking Vitamin B1. My grandfather had Parkinson’s, I wish I knew about B1 to help him. Best wishes to you.

[@PhwayPhway-iq3ri]

ရရရ😮ာယရ ရာရယရရရရာရရ ရရရငူငူငါရ😮ယသ ရ😮 ရ😮😮ႈူရငူရ😮ူယရည😮ူ😮ငယရာရရ ရယူရ?

[@PhwayPhway-iq3ri]

​@@mkompan ရရာဝရရ႐ုဝငရ ဓူၶႈ

[@PhwayPhway-iq3ri]

ူင😮႐ူ😮 ရယည႐ူရ

[@9000writer]

Thanks for the lesson teacher

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@karenmorgan4250]

I have been drawing for years but never have I had anyone explain this to me so precisely and correctly. Thank you!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! I’m glad you found this useful.

[@JackJenkins]

Marc, this is one of the most helpful drawing videos I have experienced. Somehow, your explanations speak straight through to my inner “artist”, resonating in a common sense “Oh, Yeah,” connection in my brain. Thank you! Extremely helpful.

[@mkompan]

Thanks for the kind words Jack! It's responses like like yours that give me the motivation to keep this up.

[@volodymyrshevchenko2432]

Дякую, Марк! Дуже подобаються твої відео.

[@mkompan]

Я радий, що вам сподобалося моє відео!

[@goldiewatts8820]

Thank you for this excellent tutorial. As an older person who just started on an art journey a few years ago it is so satisfying to find well organized and presented information, complete with historical perpective; a joy!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! I’m so glad you found my video helpful and enjoyable.

[@luneleaart]

So happy to have come across your channel. I find the drawings and etchings of the old masters just as beautiful as the oil paintings but I have never heard anyone speak of their techniques in detail. Thank you for sharing 💚🌲

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the very kind note! I'm so happy that you found my channel and are enjoying it.

[@cindythurston-l4v]

So much helpful instruction, so well presented and demonstrated. I would love to take a longer class on drawing trees, if you decide to offer one. So many "aha!" moments in this video. Trees are one of my favorite subjects to draw, and now I know what I need to pay attention to and do differently. Thank you!

[@mkompan]

Thank you Cindy! I’m considering doing a workshop on landscape drawing, so stay tuned.

[@Old52Guy]

This is the best tutorial on the subject I've seen. The problem I've always had was with line weight- never could get the extremely fine texturing. Your instructions are the key I need to solve this. Thanks!

[@mkompan]

Your kind words are appreciated! I’m glad you found this tutorial helpful.

[@pathwithin8856]

Best explanation on KZbin ❤

[@mkompan]

Glad you think so!

[@MartinLutzWatercolor]

I like the example "what NOT to do", (at 6:36 ) - all in all a very good lesson.

[@mkompan]

Yes, sometimes demonstrating mistakes is a great teaching method. Perhaps I should have done more of it, but I find that American students favor positivity.

[@Ilanshiran]

This lesson is a Masterpiece. Thank you so much!

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the kind compliment!

[@starr-starr]

Wow, what a great summary. I saw a number of things that I have been doing wrong, without knowing exactly what was going on. I would be very interested in your workshops, especially landscape. I will be going down to the square and practicing on my favorite catalpa tree with these tips.

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the kind words and for your interest in taking a workshop from me. I'm still gauging interest, and working out logistics, but let's see what happens.

[@larryglatt2548]

Another brilliant educational ink video, thank you.

[@mkompan]

And thank you again! Your supportive comments are much appreciated.

[@larryglatt2548]

@@mkompan You're welcome

[@teresinharoberts6421]

Excellent video. Very helpful! Thank you!

[@mkompan]

@@teresinharoberts6421 you’re most welcome!

[@paweljankiewicz1383]

Followed this tutorial, made notes with examples and drew a tree🎄. The most challenging for me is varying the leaves patterns and keeping the clumps interesting and distinct.

[@mkompan]

Glad my lesson was useful to you. Breaking down the elements into simple steps can be a useful way of practicing, so try just working on the leaf patterns until you get comfortable with them.

[@mishaerementchouk]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and in such a nice presentation. I’m not an artist but such educational videos teach me how to appreciate art better, how to see the artist intent (or maybe imagine one). Plus, now I can sketch a reasonably looking tree! Thanks again!

[@mkompan]

You're welcome Misha! You make an important point: everyone can benefit from some art instruction. Not only does it help with art appreciation, drawing is a way of thinking, allowing one to experience the world in a different way.

[@thekevermelho]

Excellent as usual. I really look forward to see a drawing academy / training based on your pedagogical approach. I miss this density of information everywhere I look at. 🙌🏻

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I'm thinking about how to put an online school together. Stay tuned!

[@DavidHoehn1]

Thank you Marc, this amazing! You’ve really outdone yourself with this! Thank you for all your hard work and bringing the old masters drawing techniques to the forefront. These works really are splendid and now we have a way to not only see them, but also apply their methods. You also fill the void for us fountain pen addicts who are art oriented, as this is another great excuse to lay down some delicious ink! Cheers to you sir!!

[@mkompan]

Thanks David! I'm very glad to have found this community of fountain pen enthusiasts.

[@amexjam55]

Excellent tutorial and demonstration. The part about hatching the tree trunk was very instructive. Thank you, sir.

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome!

[@yip6149]

Thank you very much for such a well structured, articulated and illustrated demonstration session. Really appreciate your generous sharing of all the knowledge and tips.

[@mkompan]

You welcome! It's very nice know my instruction is being well received.

[@lzal9204]

Wonderful tutorial! I like that you included what not to do.

[@mkompan]

Thanks! I like to keep things positive and suggest what to do, but the occasional "stop doing that" can be effective.

[@DavidHoehn1]

Fantastic, looking forward to your online instruction!

[@crashrr2993]

Great video. The best tip I ever learnt was to reduce the thickness of a trunk or parent branch by the thickness of a parting branch.

[@mkompan]

Thanks! And that’s a very interesting tip that I’ve never heard.

[@crashrr2993]

@@mkompan It’s one of those things that, once you’ve seen it, you’ll never stop seeing it!👍

[@chrismakrinos6798]

I found your channel when I was searching for a travel bag. This tutorial was fantastic! I appreciate the in-depth analysis, the masters studies, and all of the examples. Keep up the great work!

[@mkompan]

Thank you Chris. More video like this to come!

[@0lesya26]

Great video as always! Please, make more videos on drawing with a fountain pen in the future. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Alex! Many more fountain pen videos to come.

[@0lesya26]

@@mkompan So excited to see more!

[@antoniogilart]

A very interesting vídeo, very useful for beginners drawers and sketchers. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@mkompan]

My pleasure!

[@GaryScott-pdx]

This was a great tutorial. I learned more from this video than I have watching dozens of other videos. The description of layering was especially useful. I would be interested in a beginner level class on landscape drawing.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Gary! I'm thinking about how to put some workshops together and will let everyone know about them soon.

[@SuzanneLegault]

Amazing! Such a complet tree in ink and pen. Thank you so much.

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! Thanks for the kind words.

[@DanSantanaBows]

What a fantastic and thorough tutorial! Thank you so much for this

[@mkompan]

You're welcome!

[@DanSantanaBows]

@@mkompan I’d definitely be interested in the classes. Thanks again for all the wonderful lessons

[@armandopadilla4175]

I love your techniques and appreciate your sharing of your videos with us...

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome!

[@robertcook2572]

Fascinating, instructive and inspiring. Really enjoyed that, thank you.

[@mkompan]

Thank you, thank you and thank you! I’m glad you found my channel and are finding it useful.

[@russpetcoff]

Really informative. Learned a lot about how to bring a tree to life. The video brought to mind many things to think about when drawing that make sense. Thank you.

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome. I’m glad you found this video helpful.

[@arkanoid77]

Thank you so much for this. The amount and quality of observations and info is staggering! I'll be practicing. I say keep doing some specialized video like this from time to time.

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! Many more such videos to come.

[@arkanoid77]

@@mkompan Fantastic

[@gunsmokeandghouls]

Excellent, this is very useful.

[@mkompan]

Thanks!

[@tanisaguinsin]

Love your tutorial! immediately subscribed. I'm gunna go ahead and just watch your other tutorials. haha

[@mkompan]

Thanks for subscribing and enjoy!

[@delluminous]

Thank you very much for taking the time to lay this out so clearly. There's a great flow to the lesson ... I wasn't even aware of the time passing (which is rare). I also love your showing of examples by the masters. I'd be interested in a workshop. Subscribing.

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the very kind words Dell! Will let everyone know about workshops soon.

[@samuelm1259]

Dear Marc, thank you so much for your videos generally. I am particularly grateful for this one and refer back to it often. By far this is the most informative tree instructions/theory/demo for this medium out there. If you ever feel so inclined, a similar styled video on clouds would be wonderful. From what I can see there is little detailed instruction out there. Of course the principles will be similar to leaf canopies but I find them a particularly difficult subject to be expressed effectively through line alone. Especially if situated within a landscape scene where atmospheric perspective requires them to not overbear the fore- and middle-ground elements. Other than that, simply more videos of yourself tackling master copies are always welcome and appreciated. Thanks again! - Sam

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the kind compliments. I’ll put a cloud tutorial on the list of videos to make. And more master study videos on the way.

[@simonbradley2809]

An excellent tutorial - Simply superb. Thank you ever so much for taking the time to put this together & put it up online.

[@mkompan]

You're welcome Simon! And thank you for the very kind words.

[@Sick1982]

Wow, this is a very good lesson ❤

[@mkompan]

Thanks! 😀

[@Mylifewithtrees]

Thank you this is perfect for me and really well presented 👍

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome!

[@FransescoRupach-lh7ov]

really excited to this spot of educatuon

[@mkompan]

Thanks Fransesco!

[@peterthedoodler8435]

This was very enlightening. Thank you so much for sharing. This is one video that will require some repeated viewing.

[@mkompan]

You're welcome! I'm glad to hear that this video is useful enough to warrant repeated viewing.

[@AllBrawnsNoBrains]

Amazing explanation.. Never observed this..

[@mkompan]

Thank you! Glad this was useful to you.

[@lousruyters6299]

Great tutorial. Thank you so much, I learned a lot. I have certainly interest in more lessons from you.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Lous! I'm looking forward to putting up more instructional content, and doing online workshops. Stay tuned!

[@bobbysands5385]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@da.Realghar]

I am practicing this tomorrow on a field, I thank you for the process

[@mkompan]

You're welcome, Alejandro!

[@Jkw211]

Immediately subbed. Great-brilliant- vid tysm🙏

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the subscription!

[@badi_music]

very very helpful tutorial. thank you very much.

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@Richiedei50]

Brilliant video. Thank you so much. 🥰

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@raycooper3269]

I'm using nibs but not in a fountain pen to start. Old fashioned quill tool approach. The masters you present are so good , thank you. Your video is clear and informative. The fountain pen videos overwhelmed me so I bought a speedball nip set. Perhaps that will get me away from continuous line and into a hatching technique.

[@raycooper3269]

Nib

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! I love using dip pens and still use them often.

[@davidschoffman3808]

Brilliant!!!

[@mkompan]

Thanks David!

[@Kliffot]

Very interesting thank you. Landscape isn't my field at all but i like too see the different choices of rendering

[@mkompan]

You're welcome Guillaume!

[@josephyoder1856]

I am 68 years old and I started 3 years ago I love sketching it's wonderful past time

[@mkompan]

Fantastic! Thanks for watching my video.

[@LittleKikuyu]

It’s people like you who make KZbin a wonderful thing! 🙏 Getting so many people from all over together to learn and create ❤️

[@mkompan]

@@LittleKikuyu that’s kind of you to say! I’m so glad to have found this little community of likeminded people.

[@LordWhatever]

A video to keep on my collection for repeating viewing.

[@mkompan]

Thank you Efrain!

[@dougg1075]

Very informative. Thanks

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@CJBradley]

Very helpfull. Thankyou.!

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@m.aburas]

You are amazing

[@mkompan]

Thank you!

[@phan5541]

Omg I have had so much trouble drawing trees and I never understood why! I’ve felt really demoralized by my attempts. You’ve given such an clear explanation about tree patterns and how they relate to art fundamentals! I have newfound motivation to keep improving. Thank you so much for your wonderful work.

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you found my tutorial helpful.

[@WaniSiyam]

Thank you so much.

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome!

[@JoeJoe-pf3ej]

Love your channel btw

[@mkompan]

Thanks!

[@kingscittlesgaming1708]

I'm going to get my first fountain pen soon so im doing research on how people draw with them (im getting mainly for drawing and sketch tho may write bit too)

[@mkompan]

That’s great! Welcome to the hobby.

[@sabbirahmedsohag9812]

what I've learn from you, I have not learn in so detail about pen sketching from any of the university teacher in my four year graduation in fine arts.

[@mkompan]

You’re very kind, thank you! I’m glad you found my channel and that’s it’s been useful to you.

[@oliverwildman2073]

I have learnt so much from the videos I’ve watched Marc. Trees has been something that has frustrated me for a while now and this has so much good info. I find it even better than Hardings book which has been my main reference, you should make your own book! I probably make the same mistake with copying drapery studies from Durer and Schongauer etchings as I have done with trees, such as going too far with shading and not really controlling the form lighting. I was wondering though if you would ever make a video on how to copy properly Old Master etchings which feature dense drapery, I’m sure it would be extremely useful too. Thanks and I look forward to going through the rest of the videos.

[@mkompan]

I’m glad this video has been helpful to you! Harding’s book is a difficult slog, but worthwhile reading. Renaissance engraving will be a challenging topic, since the lines were often carved with the use of mechanical aids, but I’ll see what I can come up with.

[@marialuisagarabelli9235]

The best instructional video I’ve ever seen! What fountain pen are you using?

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I’m using a Montblanc Monte Rosa, made in the 1950’s.

[@spinningchester6481]

This video is exactly what I needed to learn about drawing with a fountain pen as I draft a tree zine. Thank you! Your teaching again improves my artwork. BTW - are there one or two places where I can find the Old Master's examples you feature here? An online source or (preferably) a print source? Hopefully a book my local library might carry? I want to get a good, long look at these Old Master examples without having the pause symbol in the middle of the screen and the screen going grey.... your Old Masters examples are excellent.

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! I’m glad this video was helpful to you. I wish I could direct you to a single drawing resource, but drawings are scattered across so many museums with different sharing policies that no such site exists (as far as I know). Drawings by Claude Lorraine are very useful examples. Drawing Trees and Nature by J. D. Harding has many of the author’s excellent drawings, and a lot of good information.

[@duffytomei3867]

That was so wonderfully informative! Thank you. I do have a question. I note that the curve of the hatching changes at the horizon on the trunk. Does the direction of the hatching curve change on the branches? If so, where and why? Thanks

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! Good question. The curved hatching on branches that project or recede in space should be more rounded. If a branch projects directly toward you, or recedes directly away from you the hatching should be semi-circular.

[@duffytomei3867]

Fascinating - thank you.@@mkompan

[@saram5005]

Hi, thanks for this video; it was very informative and clear. I hope it’s not too late but I’d love to join a tree drawing workshop!

[@mkompan]

My pleasure. Workshops are still in the works. Stay tuned!

[@colinmccormick606]

I have referred back to this video like 15 times in helping my tree sketches. Thanks! As an aside, could you recommend a book that has some of those nice baroque landscape drawings?

[@mkompan]

My pleasure! I don’t know of any compendiums of baroque landscape drawings, but I would look for books on the drawings of Claude Lorraine. Many of the lessons in this video are inspired by his drawings.

[@colinmccormick606]

@@mkompan Thanks so much! And again for these videos....I pick up something new each time I watch.

[@theMuritz]

Thank you so much. Unfortunately lengthy detailed and informed videos are not trending … you deserve more followers. What nib size did you use? Which color? And what brand of fountain pen?

[@mkompan]

You’re very welcome! I’m not concerned with what’s trending, and plan to make many more of these lengthy and detailed videos.

[@zainjafry2658]

this is so incredibly useful. thank you ! i thought i would also let you know that i dont think the affiliate link in the description is working properly - i would check it out! when i click on it it only takes me to the homepage... i dont think if i buy anything using the link as it is that it will result in part of my purchase supporting your channel.

[@mkompan]

Thank you again! And thanks for letting me know about the broken link. I’ll look into it.

[@trixie1127]

I would love to take an online workshop/course/what-have-you in hatching.

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I’m planning a series of workshops this fall. Stay tuned!

[@lynnettejones971]

Fabulous tutorial! What fountain pens do you recommend?

[@mkompan]

Thanks! I have tons of pen recommendations on my channel. Here’s just one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKS2gn2aap5nmaM

[@tarotaddicts4695]

Adding things didn't take away from it. It added another dimension. It really depends if u like ir

[@mkompan]

Sorry, I'm not understanding what your meaning here.

[@dfinchermd]

Hi Marc, a very informative video, but where I get into trouble is with bare tree limb structures in winter scenes with groupings of trees. I can really make a rats nest with too much detail. How do you suggest those structures? Thanks.

[@mkompan]

Good question! Looks like an addendum to this video is in order.

[@13eugubino459]

The first drawing has also been attributed to Titian

[@mkompan]

Not surprising considering that, according to some sources they were both pupils of Bellini. What a loss that he died in his thirties!

[@romelmadrayart]

Can a wash be used for the shading itself or would that flatten out too much?and what about a wash mixed in with pen and watercolor. Would you say that doing this method would require more transitions? Instead of the three value. light, middle dark method. And also how would you transition a drawing to a painting in color ?

[@mkompan]

@@romelmadrayart this video answers these questions: How To Draw Trees With Pen And Ink and Ink Wash or Watercolor kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYC9h6KhjcamY7M

[@romelmadrayart]

@@mkompan Thanks for the information and taking the time to respond.

[@mkompan]

@@romelmadrayart You're welcome!

[@sanjayharsh3532]

Sir very well rendered as an architect let me tell you are highly talented continue the good work by the way what sepia ink you used &what nib size thanks god bless

[@mkompan]

Thank you for the kind words! I’m using a fine nib here and Artisan Classique Hazelnut Ink.

[@JoeJoe-pf3ej]

Thank you for your lesson. I bought the ink you recommended called Monteverde joy sepia. Is that the same color that you are using?

[@mkompan]

You’re welcome! This is a similar color, made by L’artisan Classique called Noisette (Hazelnut).

[@elainevechorik2171]

Excellent. I learned so much! Did you begin paid classes? Will those classes be pen and ink?

[@mkompan]

Thank you! I’m planning on starting classes sometime this spring. I’ll let everyone know soon!

[@rochellewieting211]

what paper holds up best to this kind of art?

[@mkompan]

This is more dependent on the ink and pen being but most multi-media papers will work, as will hot press watercolor paper and Bristol paper.

[@yasdnilknarf1885]

Have you done a critique of Marion Richardson?

[@mkompan]

The educator? I’m not seeing the connection.

[@yasdnilknarf1885]

Yes in the UK she had a massive influence on Art education for kids@@mkompan

[@SonnyBurnett2012]

Which pen model is that? And which size? F, EF, M? Thx for the video

[@mkompan]

It’s a vintage Montblanc Monterosa 042g, with an EF semi flex nib.

[@daniellolbo]

Welcome my son, welcome to the machine

[@mkompan]

If only it payed better.

[@JennyEverywhere]

What ink are you using in this drawing? Is it the Noodlers Brown you use for washes?

[@mkompan]

I’m using an ink called “hazelnut,” made by L’artisan Classique.

[@JennyEverywhere]

@@mkompan thanks! I've been getting so much from your videos!

[@mkompan]

@@JennyEverywhere you’re welcome!

[@DiscClub6]

Owie!! That writers bump looks like it hurts!!!

[@mkompan]

It’s actually quite comfortable. I highly recommend everyone get one. :)

[@bulkan.evcimen]

Is there any books you recommend to learn from the old masters ?

[@mkompan]

Here’s one of my favorites: Drawing Lessons From the Great Masters by Robert Beverly Hale.

[@bulkan.evcimen]

@@mkompan Thank you for the recommendation ! Much appreciated.

[@okb1580]

Menggunakan pulpen tipe berapa untuk teknik tekstur dasar garis? 0.05, 0.1. Atau, 0.3?

[@pleasecomment4470]

What is the name of the fountain pen you used any suggestions for flex nibs pen for drawing and does it need to be expensive pen ?

[@mkompan]

The name of the pen is in the description section. The pen does not have to be expensive. Look for a video titled “Flexible Fountain Pens” in my channel for inexpensive recommendations.

[@pleasecomment4470]

@@mkompan thanks new to your channel . Love 🥰 it a big thanks 🙏

[@mkompan]

@@pleasecomment4470 You're welcome. Welcome to my channel!

[@fenixway1]

Great video Marc! Beautiful pen and is that a Kaweco pencil I see?

[@mkompan]

Thanks! Yes, the 2mm. I also hoard/collect clutch pencils and will have to do a video on them.

[@fenixway1]

@@mkompan I have the black version, the brass version is prettier but for me it felt a little heavier

[@jonmahashintina]

16:26 was that supposed to be edited out? lol

[@mkompan]

Haha, probably should have been…

[@mangeshbhise98]

Easily bohot mehnga haii

[@mkompan]

bahut mahanga kya hai? lekhanee? aapako kuchh sasta upayog karane kee meree anumati hai. 😬

[@mangeshbhise98]

@@mkompan 😂😂

[@vonkarbel]

​@@mkompanGoogle translation or you know hindi? Anyone would guess your mother tounge was drawing!

[@mkompan]

@@vonkarbel I wish I knew Hindi, but no just Google translate. And thank you for that unusual compliment! :)

[@oysterpt2018]

Wolverine has 3 claws not 4

[@penelopefp]

"Since lines do not exist in nature...." you need to spend more time in nature.

[@mkompan]

You also clearly need to get out more, if you felt it worth your time to point out what was meant as a generalization.

[@penelopefp]

The theories of art and drawing are presented very well and, per the comments, many viewers benefited from the video. Viewers that have not spent time in nature may be apt to believe, "there are no lines in nature." Having spent a lot of time in nature, and seeing lots of lines in everything from tree bark to flower petals, I would be amiss to not encourage others to explore nature for themselves. Time well spent if it opens other eyes to nature's beauty, and even more well spent if that beauty is incorporated into their art.

[@mkompan]

@@penelopefp I see your point, and perhaps I could have elaborated that statement. What we perceive as line is, in the majority of cases, the overlap of two forms, the meeting of planes, a shift in value or texture. The beginner will resort to placing lines where none exist, outlining everything to the detriment of the drawing. Saying “lines do not exist in nature” prompts the student to think about what they’re truly seeing and to examine their subject more closely. When teaching, we sometimes have to resort to simplified statements, which while not entirely true, are easy to remember and apply.

[@penelopefp]

@@mkompan to which I mostly agree. I was challenged today to make sure what I was seeing was truly lines. 🙂 First thing I noticed made me laugh.... a spider's web between weeds.