Is Pen & Ink Dead?

Many consider traditional pen & ink drawing to be obsolete or outdated, especially when compared to disposable technical pens and the increasing popularity, ease, and sophistication of digital drawing. But is pen & ink a dead art form or is it still relevant? Find out more below!
MUSIC:
“Clibopb” by M.D. Campbell
noisetrade.com/...
© 2017 M.D. Campbell (aka Me & Boris the Bull)
All rights reserved
MY BLOG:
www.markdcampbe...
Instagram: mdcampbellart
Facebook: m.d. campbell
GEAR:
• Hand•Book Travelogue journal
• #108 & #512 tradition pen nibs
• Full round & half round pen holders
• Copic Multiliner pen
• Liquitex Carbon Black & Gray ink
• Generic waterbrushes
I hope this video was helpful in some way. Please "subscribe" to the channel, and feel free to leave comments, thoughts or questions below. Thank you and cheers!

[@EveBolt]

It's hard to predict, I think. I can think of a lot of artists who will ink traditionally to break from the job workflow of drawing digitally. The manga industry is also still a big user of nibs and inks... I'm kind of hopeful regarding the future of pen and ink! Great video Mark, thanks for sharing! (also, those canned laughs had me laugh!!)

[@MDCampbell]

You are totally right about the manga artists. I should have mentioned that. Ah to be old and forget what it's like to be a young artist - we used to call it Japanamation when I was a kid. lol! Thank you, Eve, and good to touch base last night at Steve & Marty's live. Always a treat! Cheers! :)

[@MrQuaazga]

Maybe I'm just different, but I didn't approach Inktober in a competitive way. I just drew to have fun. Since 2018 was my first Inktober, I drew basic drawings and cartoons, and I didn't care what people thought of my art, even though I can draw very well, and I do sell some of my work to people. I like watching artists like you, Mr. Campbell. Since I seek to do more Inktobers, I will look for another year's worth of prompt words, and beef up my artwork, because of your fine examples. I really appreciate you and your channel. Thanks.

[@MDCampbell]

Honestly, MrQuaazga, I think not caring about what people think of our art is the best way to go; however, it can be a double-edged sword, in that if we don't care what other's think, we may be missing opportunities to glean important revelations about our artwork that can actually help us improve. When I was young, a teacher told me, "you don't have a good grasp on anatomy," so I studied anatomy and got better at it - a situation where caring about what someone said about my art helped me. In other words, try being open to what others think and we can pick & choose the opinions and feedback that means something. The rest, we can recycle into polite "thank you's." lol! Thank you so much for watching the videos here, but especially for commenting and sharing your thoughts. So happy you chose to do the Inktober Challenge YOUR way! Cheers! :)

[@MeowMeowKapow]

When I saw the title, all I could think was "Disco is NOT DEAD" from Mystery Men.... Which I love. I feel like I must be some kind of outlier, because I started with digital and reverted to traditional. I feel like it's actually a lot easier to do traditional work, and I've become a master at setting up travel kits for just about any type of medium-including ink! Because my only (functioning) digital tools are my desktop computer and brand new Wacom Intuos Pro tablet (since my 12 year-old intuos finally died.), it's actually way easier for me to take a sketchbook, tuck a pen and water brush in my hair, and throw a couple of super mini watercolor palettes in my pocket. And to be fair, I do carry around a purse and have the ability to stuff ungodly amounts of art stuff inside the black hole that is a ladies' handbag. I've already recorded setting up mobile watercolor palettes, maybe I'll have to share how to make a super complete inking travel set..... LOVE your interpretation of this prompt. I'm curious about the character actually in the pit, whether they're climbing up, down, or trying to bridge the gap... Invading the other side, who knows?!?!? Way cool.

[@Chill1332]

I LOVE pen and ink! I used it all the time. Although I do use fineliners and brush pens apposed to nib pens. I do have a set that was given to me a long time ago that I've never really used. You've inspired me to give it a try.

[@lilitincher4973]

What a great little container for your nibs! Pretty weird but funny drawing. Love the poor little guy falling in the great divide. :) But really, who am I to criticize since I haven't even started any drawing for Inktober. XD I have illustrated digitally, and do like it, but it just was not the same as using actual paint, ink, pencil, etc. Real art supplies! I mean, what is more fun than shopping at your favorite art store for watercolors, acrylics, and inks, oh my! I don't believe the medium will die out, KZbin and wonderful people like you, The Mind of Watercolor, and so many others out there are bringing it to a new generation of young people. You inspire and keep it alive. Thanks for posting great videos, and all the hard work that goes into it.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hey Mark! Pretty fun idea and illustration! I'm anxious to get started but I've yet to dip my toe in the Inktober water, hopefully tomorrow. Yeah, I agree with most of your statements with one exception, I believe the growth in the use of digital art tools applies mainly to illustration. As you alluded to, physical pen and ink illustration probably will never die completely. However... I don't think this applies to fine art at all. Digital has never seemed to make very strong in roads into fine art and now there is a resurgence in the "maker" traditions everywhere you look in both art and craft. People like Master Penman Jake Weidman (the youngest master penman ever) are the face of the movement. As someone coming from digital back to traditional mediums, the resurgence is exciting to see.

[@MDCampbell]

Definitely a great point, Steve. Though, with the advent of 3D printing, creating fine art on an iPad can now be printed, complete with the hills and valleys of a real painting. It reminds me of the early reproductions of watercolor and gouache paintings using the glicée inkjet process. I've only read about 3D printed fine art, but the idea that you can forego actual paint and brushes, and still produce an authentic looking oil painting is staggering. And while I completely agree that the fine art process, like pen and ink, will never really go away, this shows how technology is making certain non-traditional options appealing to a younger generation. Here's an interesting link, below, for you. Also, Jake Weidman's work makes me just want to quit. LOL! And I love how you and I both spent a lifetime in the digital realm, only to be having this discussion about working traditionally. Love it! Cheers and thank you! Great live chat with Marty, recently! Really enjoyed it! :) 3dprint.com/154857/verus-art-3d-printed-paintings/

[@mindofwatercolor]

Amazing link! And good point! I think technology facilitates everything in the art world and makes it all more accessible and fascinating for sure. Fine art prints have been revolutionized by digital haven't they? And I do love doing sketches and thumbnails on my iPad. I love apps like Adobe Capture for gleaning a color scheme from photos. And what would we do without our digital cameras? It seems that in terms of original fine art such as you'll find in shows and galleries, digital has not "caught on" with buyers the way it has in illustration. The needs and buying motivation with illustration clients vs fine art buyers is so different. I know the processes and digital fine artists are out there, don't get me wrong, and so is the technology, but acceptance of saleable digital fine art seems to be sort of fringe. Take just the plein air movement alone. The resurgence in that genre is phenomenal! Plein Air magazine is now the best selling art magazine at Barnes and Noble. Publisher Eric Rhodes started up the magazine twice. The first time in the 90's. He closed his doors after just a few short years due to lack of interest. He relaunched a few years ago and now its a hit. National plein air events are exploding. Many art buyers are buying fresh off the easel at these events now as opposed to from galleries and if you tour art shows and galleries in art rich areas like Scottsdale, or Sedona, AZ you'll be hard pressed to find much in the way of digital. Its one of the factors that made me anxious to get back to traditional mediums. Yeah, Jake Weidman makes me want to do the same thing...sigh! Fun discussion Mark. Digital has a way of being indispensable in so many ways while framing (pun intended) our love and appreciation for traditional. Keep the great Inktober stuff coming!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Sorry for the long winded reply. I get carried away.

[@MDCampbell]

lol! Funny, the Inktober word prompt today is "long," so your last comment made me laugh. But sincerely, no apologies ever, here! I thoroughly take in every word and I'm grateful for such a rich, thoughtful conversation! I don't usually have them with my teenagers! lol! I can't help but agree with the overall point. I'm with you on this and plein air is the perfect example. I didn't know that about the magazine. Impressive, to say the least! As an illustrator, it's harder to sell work now than ever before. In my gallery showings, it seems the big sellers are rock star portraits (John Lennon, Morrison, etc) or the unique graphic images I create (digitally, of course). But, the price points aren't high and the investment for the show (frames, hanging, reprints, etc) is often out-of-pocket and can run expensive. I've cut back on gallery shows until I have a new body of work to justify it all. And that's not a priority right now. Anyhow, not sure where I'm going with this! lol! Just really enjoy the discussion, as well. More to come! Thank you, my friend! :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Haha, wish I could say the inktober prompt tie in was intentional. Thanks for indulging my breezy discourse. Keep up the great videos. As I write this I'm off to watch your beet juice video. I'll probably have a comment for you there. Ta ta for now!

[@m.s.7105]

Please make a video on how to use the aqua brush with ink! I am not sure how/if you're supposed to clean it up every single time, or if it clogs. (Since it probably has a lot of water). Your experiences with it, etc. Also, a mini tutorial on how to practice values with ink + ink wash would be really nice!

[@nsavar5864]

yes please -- you are a great teacher and clearly very experienced; it would be great to learn pen and ink from you. thank you for your well-edited, well spoken videos. I really enjoy them. happiness.

[@melissasue19681]

Always a pleasure to listen to and watch you work Mark! You are a wonderfully talented and wise creative! I work at calligraphy and some pen and ink and was wondering if you could share some suggestions with me for sketchbooks whose paper can handle the pointed pen and ink without tearing or bleeding through. I find I have to use hot press watercolor paper, if I want to be able to keep my work in a pad. I'm hoping to find something affordable with a lot of pages. More than 20, hopefully more like 50 or more. No one at my local art stores is able to give me any guidance as to working with pen and ink and I find I must order online to get good products. Thank you so much! Melissa 🤗

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you so much, Melissa, both for watching and your generous feedback. While I'm not very skilled at calligraphy, I adore it and have such respect for those who pursue it! An art style all of it's own! As for paper, I'm not sure what kind you prefer: smooth, rough, thick, thin... there's so many! I would recommend checking out Legion papers, as they make a terrific product. Below is a link to their samples page, where you can buy sample books that are far less expensive than buying a who pad or sketchbook for a hefty price only to find you don't like it. Not sure if that will help. I also like Stillman & Birn Zeta series books, as the paper is super heavy and very smooth - but, I do know that Copic markers bleed through, so not sure there. Clairefontaine Rhodia also makes a paper that is supposed to be really good, but I have not tried it. Anyhow, I hope that helps! Best wishes and thank you again! :) legionpaper.com/samples/ rhodiapads.com www.stillmanandbirn.com/zeta.html

[@MelanieChadwick]

Great discussion starter Mark I like how you talk about pen and ink and do your Inktober challenge on the side. It's coincidental that I've just included some chat about sketching and drawing in my latest vlog and will be trying to use pen and ink more in my sketching work- although most of my client work is digital I like to include some traditional methods. I too have had many ink-cidents! Great content again. Thanks for sharing.

[@DrawingWithFire]

Great video Mark! 😁 I remember for Xmas when I was 12 my aunt gave me a calligraphy fountain ink set. I was so surprised & excited. The ones with the cartridges & different colors. I used all of that ink up and was so bummed i had ran out. Years & years later I found the same set at Michael's...i grabbed it up. This was about 5 years ago. I still haven't used it, I guess my 12 yr old self is afraid of running out again. 😉 But I think this is the perfect time to open it up and play with it again. 😃 TFS! I hope you are doing well my friend. 🤗

[@MDCampbell]

Funny how something always drags us away from things we did when we were young. Lite Brite, Etch-a-Sketch, Spyrograph - toys designed to help kids be creative, yet we abandon them at some point in favor of other things. I bet if you pulled out that set and spent some quality time with it, you'd have a blast and become so immersed, everything would disappear around you until you finished. I love that feeling and find it everytime I get into a drawing... well, until one of my kids needs a ride or they want trivial things like "food." LOL! Thanks again for moderating last night! Great job! And thank you for checking this one out, too! :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Oooh, Spirograph! Now that was hours and hours of fun when I was a youngster.

[@amysamin]

Very interesting to hear your thoughts on dip pens, in particular.

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you, Amy! I hope you're doing well! I appreciate your thoughts, as always! Cheers! :)

[@JoAnneMOwens]

Thank you for a great video! I really like your style and admire your ability to create a mood. I just subbed!

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you, again, Jo Anne! I'm really happy you enjoyed this. Thanks so much for your support! :)

[@GenWivern2]

Thanks for another interesting and entertaining video Mark, and the drawing is really effective. :-) Calligraphy / penmanship (my main area of interest) is going through one of its popular phases at the moment, so that helps to keep the medium going and steel pens in production. It's also pushing the prices of vintage nibs sky high, incidentally, which is one of the reasons why I started cutting quills and reeds. Recommended: it's well within the scope of anyone with a fairly steady hand and a rewarding little activity. My drawing skills are ... pffft - not good, but it's inspiring to see illustrators like Quentin Blake and cartoonists like Gerald Scarfe still working with a goose quill, so maybe one day I'll try my hand.

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you, GenWivern2! I fell for Gerald Scarfe's work years ago and didn't realize he was still working. I look at Blake's work with that dumbfounded look that a little kid has upon seeing a three ring circus - just total mesmerization at how simple and effective his linework is. Great artists to point out! I'm grateful for your comment! Thank you for that! :)

[@GenWivern2]

I don't somehow suppose either of them has given much thought to retirement. Gerald Scarfe finally gave up the weekly cartoon slot at the Sunday Times earlier this year, and is now doing Fridays at the Evening Standard. Quentin Blake had another Roald Dahl book out just recently ... that man has discovered the secret of eternal youth, I'm sure, and it shows in his work. Ralph Steadman is still hurling ink about too, come to think of it, so it seems that this pen and ink business is a job for life.

[@britshell]

It definitely feels like it when I try to post my stuff online.

[@Coratison]

I really enjoy your content , it's very interesting to listen to your point of view on this and also the drawings you create are maybe a little bit strange looking (not in a bad way more unusual) but it fascinates me seeing what you put on paper

[@drawbyyourselve]

@ M.D. Campbell I just wanted to say I REALLY dig your artstyle and especially how you shade with your brushpen. I immediately wanted to try it myself, but I dont know what type of Ink to use. I assume, that you are using the Liquitex Ink, as your description states, but that Ink is not available to me, would you explain to me what type of ink is important? water resistant, water based etc. and or a good replacement? really appreciate an answer yours kindly, Lars

[@AnastasiaR]

“Well” I see what you did there. I agree with you. Digital replaces traditional for many things. I think that traditional media will never be dead because for me and many others the tactile experience of using great tools and paper is a huge part of the “draw” (see what I did?). Also nostalgia and a yearning for the tools of the past is very alive. I don’t know about dip pens, but the fountain pen industry is actually going through a major revival. Actually so are record players and typewriters. That may or may not last but there will be always some people who love these tools that we hold in our hands.

[@MDCampbell]

I couldn't agree more and I think you're on the "write" track with fountain pens. (I did it again! lol!) I bought my daughter a record player a couple of years ago and thought it would be just a fad, but she uses it constantly. I'm glad, too, because I loved my records growing up. Mp3s just don't have the same visceral warmth that playing a record does. My old tube amp for my guitar actually gave off heat, as opposed to the all-electronic one's today. I've tried with fountain pens, but they're too high maintenance for me. I always end up making a mess! lol! Thank you for your excellent points and getting me to th"ink" even further! Cheers! LOL!

[@AnastasiaR]

M.D. Campbell Yes! The visceral experience is missing from so many types of digital media and tools. I study evolutionary anthropology and I can tell you that the good feeling we get when we hold a pen or start a record is in our DNA for very strong adaptive reasons and isn’t going anywhere.

[@sketchingwithscot]

I agree about digital. I have dabbled with a cheap stylus and pad in photoshop. But I would live to get a Cintiq type set up at some point. Fortunately for me I can not be replaced in my daily career as a window painter by anyone or anything including any digital forms. It's a nice feeling.

[@lucasv9182]

I love 💖 fountain pens, their just so cool, and the ink just flows out, so i never have to put pressure on it.

[@MDCampbell]

Me too! Although, I definitely use pressure when needed. Cheers! :)

[@lucasv9182]

Cheersmate 😄

[@lamargot2201]

Are you planning any how-tos for getting started in pen and ink, with dip pens and technical pens?

[@JZmatazz]

Oh gosh, I'm left handed so I have to be super cautious with not smearing ink ALL the time. That's one reason why I draw digitally more than traditionally. However, I love working with traditional media, especially alcohol markers, so I do traditional when I'm burnt out on digital art.

[@StudioHannah]

I think ink is doing okay. I did inks as a kid, got annoyed with it and moved to totally digital, but realized that the charm of my traditional work was lost in a digital medium. I moved back to inks and now I LOVE THEM. I sometimes ink traditionally and them color that digitally but the inking part is so much more fun and zen and beautiful to me when I'm doing it IRL. I know several young artists who are moving back to traditional media after a few years of digital. So I'm not worried :)

[@pawannathART]

Wow really awesome drawing friend... Loved it..

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you pawan nath! That means a lot to me! Hope you're well! Cheers! :)

[@lhawkins40]

Ink is not dead to me at all just purchased traditional art supplies and paper to try out mix media even though I digitally scrapbook, composite photography, and do vector art. I feel that I can never completely replace traditional not even in books or calligraphy or paintings, due to my experimental mind set, I like to see how things work in different mediums which include physical things, and so many tutorials are keeping traditional mediums alive and well too. Great video too!

[@MoonwolfeConsulting]

Pen and ink has always been media of choice. I love the challenge of watching a piece take on a life all its own.

[@helenemeer5902]

Did the challenge as well ... am still carrying on with it, made a november, december and january version albeit not a daily dip but events of thoughts that stood out ... making up my own 'clues'. Don't think traditional will die ever ... maybe be more or less popular that's all ... the hands on is too satisfying ... the digital too square and boxed in ... useful but not as satisfying ...

[@MDCampbell]

It was a challenge, for sure, but so great you kept on with it! I agree about traditional, but I'm seeing so many students now creating digital-only. Kind of weird! lol!

[@sketchingwithscot]

You make the coolest videos...very informative. Great depicton of "divided"

[@MDCampbell]

Thanks so much, Scot! I'd been great getting to know you better through your terrific work, as well! Cheers!

[@ElinT13]

India ink is what I learned drawing with. There is nothing like that, the glossy finish of that absolutely opaque black, the possibilities ... Oh, by the way: I always had a bottle of bleach and an old dish towel with me when I had the ink with me (I took it everywhere, even on vacations). Bleach will get rid of it, at least as long as it isn't all the way dry. :-)

[@MDCampbell]

Awesome tip about the bleach! Never thought of that! I have a bleach pen, which would might be a cool tool, as well. I also agree about that black of the ink! Thank you so much for checking this out! :)

[@Vic101able]

The problem with digital is that not everybody can afford it and what you pay for a 12.9 iPad Pro 2 and a iPencil and good Art app . . . you can buy traditional Art supplies for over a year, depending on the person and what kind of Art they do. Traditional will never die out completely because there will always be somebody who can't afford the modern stuff.

[@LisaNarozhnykh]

I have a drawing tablet and I draw a bit digitally, but more simple pictures. Because I can't manage to draw the same way digitally as traditionally, even if I try to practice a lot and draw stuff I'd usually draw traditionally it's not the same. And even if I managed to make it technically look as good as if I drew traditionally it's not the same, you can't hang it somewhere, you can't touch the colours, you can't take it with you. Sure you can print out a digital picture but it's not the same. I think digital art is very useful for animations and maybe many people are better at digital art, maybe they enjoy it more but I think there will always be people like me who just can't draw digitally as good and like being able to touch the picture, wipe across it etc. It probably sounds pretty weird to some but idk how to explain xD

[@Dan.B.Artist]

I love some of the mess of using actually art media, its more personal than using digital tools and is more fun. I can tolerate the mess of watercolour set up, its quick and easy but acrylic and oils are a pain especially if you only want to paint for 30mins.

[@happyomalley]

Great video I'll always be a traditional artist

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you, cris steve! Keep on with the traditional! :)

[@tejaworkofart6821]

Really Amazing ....

[@tejaworkofart6821]

Subscribed to it! If you ever find yourself in leisure do check my drawings and join my page if you love them!

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you Teja workofart

[@soucky1]

I agree with you Mark, whish someday whe all take pens and ink to Drawing or even right a messages made by Hands, Thank you for sharing your amazing work and whitchyour opinion would might change somethings,someday, who knows cross Fingers! Blessing my Friend xx

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you, Sylvie! I appreciate your thoughtful words and agree with you, completely! Cheers! :)

[@soucky1]

Cheers my Friend :-)

[@VilhjalmrVilhjalmrsson]

There's something more satisfying about "messy."

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

it is like asking if manga is dead .........it is not

[@angelaortiz3406]

Nice

[@MDCampbell]

Thank you, Angela! :D

[@AngelaWeddle]

I hope not. I don’t think so. At least, not from various artists working in ink online. I love drawing in pen and ink. I will say, that when I teach, it is harder to find students that want to learn pen and ink because it requires attention to detail and patience which seems to be lacking, even among many artists now.

[@PalmDreams]

Have you seen Peter Draws on KZbin?! You should!

[@Ed-lz4jv]

I keep thinking I would hit that Ink bottle one day and huge MESS, I will stick with tech pens thank you. also moved on the art graphite pencils, more realistic for blending

[@metalizism]

Can you teach me something? Can you be my art mentor or teacher, please? ^^ Srsly ... I'm getting so EXCITED when listening to you - I love your strain of thoughts, I love what you're saying and how you're saying it - it feels like ... you understand me Oo somehow Oo wtf ... how is this even possible lol and then your art as well you're so good at it! :o (probably had way more years of doing it than me as well lol but still) I really enjoy it :D the whole of your videos :D the only thing that to me (as an autist, so don't know if you want to take it seriously (because we're a striking minority of society ^^)) is kinda disruptive and ... makes my thoughts wander off, in a sense that it's hard to get back into what your saying and doing (be engaged) is the ... (english is not my mother tongue, so not being able to find the right word; as a stand-in:) laughtersounds and such (that you "blend in" - don't know if that's more german than english lol but hopefully you get what I mean :) and if you read this to the end ... thank you! :D Go on with what you're doing - never let anybody stop - you're great! :D (let me say this, even though I feel (know? but you didn't tell me so that word would probably be inappropriate haha) that you are a "finished individual", mostly unaffected to bad, insulting critiques ^^) Mahri

[@StudioHannah]

I love #Inktober!

[@theamateurpoint8755]

I hate digital art. I love the mess and i love to have my hands dirty with ink and charcoal and paint. Nothinh compares to the real deal. 😜

[@zanerobbins7604]

I sure hope it isnt lol.