Lisa Eaton—Art Educator: Studio Material Exploration: Pen & Ink

I am exploring and experimenting with a variety of art materials to be used in teaching art in elementary school and higher grades. The first material I chose to work with is Pen & Ink.

I have used this before when I was in high school. I don't remember experimenting with this many nibs, however. I bought a small Speedball set for about $15 at Michaels. It came with two pen holders, one tall and one short. Each pen holder has three nibs. I experimented with all the nibs and was surprised at the quality of line each one had. The short holder nibs tended to be more scratchy and rough and the tall holder nibs were more smooth and elegant. I made a few notes about them in my journal. I drew objects that were in my home and one I was inspired by from a website ad that came across my facebook feed. Below is my pen and ink journey.

This is my Speedball pen set. I also bought Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay India Ink in black.

I couldn't see any numbers on the nibs. I thought some were wider than others, but not true. I just dove in and started trying them out using the long handle holder first. On my first try I ended up with a big blob of ink on the paper. I realized I needed a blotter paper beside me to catch any big drips first before drawing.

I dipped my pen each time into the bottle, then realized I could drop some from the lid dropper onto the pen nib and that seemed to work best.

I chose two surfaces to draw on: Cover Stock paper from Staples that I had at home and Canson Watercolor paper in a sketchbook from Michael's, about $15 each.

I began drawing objects and just playing around with scribbles and even blobs.

I used the long pen holder with the most elegant nib for the vase of flowers.

Scribbles and blobs.

I chose pen and ink for a studio material for another assignment.

I decided to try some hatching.

I changed to another fine nib on the long handle and tried some stippling,

Another home object with a fine long handle nib.

This is my scratchy cat with website source noted. I didn't draw their cat exactly, but was inspired by some cat images they had on decorator pillows. I liked this nib on the short holder the best because of its unpredictability. The line was not perfect and I liked that you couldn't help but make a messy line. You really have to have the right subject matter with this pen. It is not for anything subdued. It is not prim and proper. It is very energetic. And scratchy like a cat!

When drawing the cat with the small holder, cartooning came to mind. I think older elementary age students could have fun with this. Maybe just 6th graders and not any younger.

I chose to draw on some colored scrapbooking card stock I had.

I think drawing on Vellum would be interesting.

History and Inspiration

Quill pens were invented by the Egyptians and have developed and evolved over time.

The Speedballs I used to create my art here were first invented in 1899 in Camden, NJ.

Source: https://www.speedballart.com/about-us/sap-history/#:~:text=1915%E2%80%94Partnering%20with%20Ross%20F,Ross%20F.

Albrecht Durer (1513) and Leonardo DaVinci (1473) drew with pen and ink.

Albrecht Durer Da Vinci

Sources:

http://www.albrechtdurer.org/drawings/

https://www.weinerelementary.org/da-vinci-and-drawing.html

Edward Ardizzone

This pen and ink drawing from the 1920s is by a British children's book illustrator. Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/illustration/pen-and-ink-41411203