Asking - how to ?

[lisaastrup]

Hi.

I'm interested in knowing how to use inks - but don't know anything about it.

Can they be used like watercolors or is it more like drawing / lines ?

Hope you know what I mean.

[Hoplite]

Originally Posted by lisaastrup

Can they be used like watercolors or is it more like drawing / lines ?

Flick it, stab it, long luscious lines, short sharp shocks, air brushed, water-color-like glazes and washes, scratched, wet in wet, wet in dry, and even painted opaquely or transparently. Mix and match.

Acrylic inks, for example, can be used kind of like ultra-staining watercolors (well, the more transparent ones at least). One ink might not accomplish all the different styles possible, but it's a broad category if you don't get too hung up on the "pen" part, and even then...!

[DBSullivan]

I agree with Hoplite... there are a wide variety of methods or techniques used to create art with ink. Most inking is done with a pen which would be more like drawing, but a brush used to apply washes would be similar to watercolor. You will get different answers from different artists, but the one answer you will probably get from all of them will be... "experiment and practice".

Personally, I have played around with many techniques throughout my life, but I've always navigated to the pen. If you're interested in getting started using a pen, have a look at my foliage tutorials (at the top of this forum). Even though they are about "drawing foliage", they are actually simple lessons designed to help beginners become accustom to using a pen and the various pen strokes.

[valchina612]

Lisa, welcome to the P&I Forum. Dave (DBSullivan) has given you some great advice. I would also recommend you try his foliage tutorials, as it will help to give you a great idea of how to use your pen and ink.

Val.

[Hazartist]

I use Sakura Microns and Prismacolor fine line markers for stippling and drawing. They don't bleed. I usually use Bristol vellum for my paper and it takes ink well. Grab a pen and go at it!