The Complete Book of Drawing Techniques

PEN, INK AND WASH DRAWINGS

A pen, ink and wash drawing can be
appropriate for any subject - still life,
figures, interiors - but I believe it is best
suited to landscape work, because of the
atmospheric effect one can create with the
washes and the textural marks one can
make with the pen. For this landscape
drawing, you need to stretch a piece of
watercolour paper to absorb the washes
that are going to be put on the paper. You
will also need Indian ink, water, a dish to
mix the washes in, a dip pen, a pencil and a
flat-headed brush to apply the washes. As

with all these drawings choose your

composition using a window mount to help

you in this decision making. When you are

ready, draw your picture outline lightly

using your pencil, drawing the contours of

the land, the outline of the buildings and

the trees, and any other objects in the

scene. Then begin to draw and imply the

textures such as the brick work on the

buildings, the leaves on the trees, the grass

and plants, the stone walls and so on.

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Pen, ink and wash drawing