Pen and Ink Drawing

The pen stands as one of humanity’s oldest tools for visual communication. Writing and drawing share a deeply intertwined history, with the Greek word γραφή [graphḗ] being the root of numerous terms cherished by artists. This word has given rise to concepts such as graphic art and design, photography, calligraphy, and even the Greek word for painting – ζωγραφική, a fusion of words signifying life and writing.

Throughout the Middle Ages, activities such as writing, illumination, and painting were largely confined to the clergy. The practices of writing and illumination predominantly transpired on parchment, a material that remained costly to this day. As a result, the craftsmanship and skills related to visual communication remained largely inaccessible to the broader public.

The situation changed during the 15th century, with the affordability and widespread availability of paper in Europe, when the pen emerged as an indispensable tool for all literate individuals. It was employed to swiftly record notes, perform calculations, compile shopping lists, engage in written correspondence, sign documents, and more.

This transformation naturally extended to the artistic realm, where a notable portion of artists, often equipped with rudimentary calligraphy skills from an early age, adeptly exploited the pen’s nimbleness. They utilized it not only to study nature and ancient art with finesse but also to intricately flesh out and evolve their nascent visual ideas and concepts.

How You Should Practice Drawing with a Pen. Chapter XIII
When you have put in a year, more or less, at this exercise, according to what liking or enjoyment you have taken, you may sometimes just draw on paper with a pen. Have it cut fine; and then draw nicely and work up your lights, half lights, and darks gradually, going back to them many times with the pen. And if you want your drawings to come out a little more seductive, put some little washes on them, as I told you before, with a blunt minever (weasel) brush. Do you realize what will happen to you if you practice drawing with a pen? -That it will make you expert, skillful, and capable of much drawing out of our own head.

The craftsman’s handbook by Cennini, Cennino, active 15th century; translated by Thompson, Daniel Varney, 1902- ed

In the subsequent quote, Benvenuto Cellini delineates two prevalent methods of working with ink:

1. Modeling the volumes through hatching: This technique involves creating depth and contrast by applying a series of closely spaced nearly parallel lines or strokes. By varying the density and direction of these lines, artists can simulate three-dimensional forms and achieve tonal effects, where light and shadow interact to evoke a sense of depth.
2. Making pen outlines and shading with delicate transparent washes of liquefied ink: In this approach, artists first establish the outlines of their subjects using a pen. Subsequently, they add shading by applying layers of diluted ink, creating subtle gradations of tone. The transparency of the ink washes allows for nuanced variations in value, contributing to a sense of depth and dimension within the artwork.

Undoubtedly, a myriad of variations stemmed from these two techniques, often combined with other media or techniques. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci employed a distinctive approach, commencing his studies with silverpoint or charcoal. In these initial sketches, he created intricate drawings characterized by an array of intertwining lines. Subsequently, he defined the forms by reinforcing the drawing with pen and ink. This intricate layering process allowed him to achieve both refinement and structural definition within his works.

Modeling the volumes through hatching involves creating depth and contrast by applying a series of closely spaced nearly parallel lines or strokes.

By varying the density and direction of these lines, artists can simulate three-dimensional forms and achieve tonal effects, where light and shadow interact to evoke a sense of depth.

Making pen outlines and shading with delicate transparent washes of liquefied ink: In this approach, artists first establish the outlines of their subjects using a pen. Subsequently, they add shading by applying layers of diluted ink, creating subtle gradations of tone. The transparency of the ink washes allows for nuanced variations in value, contributing to a sense of depth and dimension within the artwork.

Giovanni Battista Armenini (Italian, 1530 – 1609) describes this process with great precision:

Artwork Examples:

There are thousands of pen and ink drawings, from widely celebrated giants of the Renaissance to less known but not less excellent artists. Just a few examples of pen and ink drawings for your inspiration: