Shading and Mark Making
Using Pen and Ink

Instructor: Cate Francis
Mondays 5:30-8:30pm
5 weeks: May 4 to June 1 (class IS running on May 18, Victoria Day)
Location: In-person Williams Building room 118
$250 (supplies not included)
Prerequisite: None

In this course, students will explore the expressive and dynamic medium of pen and ink through the study of mark making techniques and the use of line and texture to create tone, value, and form. Students will experiment with a range of tools, including pens, dip nibs, brush, and ink, and use them to investigate their artistic process through ideation, planning and realization.  Through structured exercises and observational drawing, students will learn approaches to line, gesture, contour, value, and texture to gain experience with a range of pen and ink mark making approaches.

Syllabus

In this course you will become familiar with:

  • A variety of pen and ink techniques and tools
  • Different techniques for observing and working from life/ references.
  • Different mark-making and shading techniques using ink.
  • Use washes and texture to achieve greyscale, value and shading
  • Use the elements of art and design to plan and create engaging compositions using ink

Supplies

There is a wide range of supplies for pen and ink.  If you have a pen, ink, or paper not listed below you would like to use, you are welcome to bring it to class. 

Paper:

  • 1 sketchbook or pad of either smooth bristol or bleedproof paper for pens - 9”x12” or larger
  • 3 sheets coverstock (Mayfair, Lynx, Cougar) 18x24”
  • Optional papers (These will be dependent on how you like to work and will be discussed first class):  Hot press watercolor paper, Yupo,  Japanese papers

Pencils and Erasers:

  • Set of Drawing Pencils that include: 6H, 4H, 2H, H, HB, B.
  • 1 white ‘mars plastic’ eraser
  • 1 white retractable stick eraser

Pen/Ink: 

  • 2 oz or more permanent black ink: Speedball super india ink or Higgins eternal or Higgins black are recommended
  • 2 Speedball nib holders
  • 2 or more sizes of small A or B series dip pen nibs (compatible with Speedball nib holder) 
  • 2 Bamboo brushes 1 small (#1-#3), one larger (#6-#9)
  • 3 or more sizes of black drawing pens from 0.3-0.8 Suggested brands: Micron, Copic Multiliner, Tombow Mono  
  • Optional:  2oz or more of permanent ink in other colors (optional for those that want to experiment with color)
  • Optional: 2 small sealable containers for keeping mixed ink

Misc supplies:

  • 1 roll green low tack masking tape (Painter's tape)
  • 2 large bulldog/ binder clips
  • 12 inch or larger ruler/straight edge
  • Portfolio to transport work (DO NOT roll your work! This portfolio can be as simple as 2 pieces of 22x30 cardboard clipped together)

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