Drawing in Pen & Ink (First Steps)

for overall pen and ink learning from beginning to mastery. I've been drawing a lot lately, using various instruction books, and this is the best general pen and ink art book I've found. It is a substantial, well-written book and worth the price. I like pen-and-ink because of the look of the definite lines, and interesting textures that can be achieved, and the wonderful way it combines with color washes (this topic is covered in other books). I also like drawing with ink because it avoids the draw, erase-redo, repeat habits that I was getting, and forces one to think and look carefully before starting to draw. Claudia Nice demonstrates seven basic pen strokes and then expands on them, and gives some projects utilizing these strokes, and, eventually, demonstrates several very detailed finished compositions, using a variety of subjects. She does a great job teaching how to make textures using the seven stroking techniques--crosshatch, stippling, wavy lines, etc. By way of introduction to this medium she discusses materials needed, including the "technical pen". I am currently drawing with Pitt artist pens in three widths, but am looking forward to getting a some of technical pens--most likely a set of seven Rapidograph ones, which you can get here on Amazon--for even better results. With this book in hand, as well as pens and paper, one can learn a lot and have success. Also, I would like to suggest a couple of other books to round out the experience, if you wish. For a more thorough background and understanding, "Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner" is best. The author, Clair Watson Garcia, is a great teacher for someone starting out, or going back--she spends a lot of time teaching you how to "see as an artist" and do line drawings in ink of things around you, rather than copying everything from a book, and before going into values, techniques, etc. Lastly, I have ordered "Keys to Drawing with Imagination..." by Bert Dodson, after looking through it in a bookstore. He does a lot with pen-and-ink, too, and I'm looking at this book as a way to expand my originality after learning techniques and practicing examples in books. Happy Drawing!

My art teacher at the Museum of Fine Arts said she uses this book and so I ordered it and am so pleased I did. I spend about an hour a day working through lessons - and drawing with pen and ink - and it is giving me a good idea of the many techniques we can use, good pen and ink usage etc. Now I need to become a better draughtsperson, sigh...

For those like me who are new to pen and ink, this book is a very good place to start. It provides basic information about pens and ink, how to select the right pen, ink, and paper, and how to maintain the pens. The remainder of the book describes and illustrates techniques and methods using many, many examples. Although the book gives a few examples about how to draw (faces and perspective, for example), it is not really a how to draw book. It's a great reference for the beginning artist to have in his or her library.

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in improving their pen and ink skills. It's thorough with good instruction and excellent illustrations.

Claudia Nice has illustrated a nice tutorial in her book, Drawing in Pen and Ink. She has included illustrations in techniques for rendering various woods, stone, brick and anything with textures in pen and Ink for the beginner. . She includes a nice section on how to render animals, and also perspective in properly drawing buildings. This is an excellent reference to use if you are teaching this art form. If one is interested in learning pen and ink rendering, this would be the book for you.

The seller was "spot on" with description and delivery. The book itself is a terrific resource for the artist wishing to learn these techniques.

The basics are explained well. There are a lot of step by step instructions to learn from. The projects are varied and challenging , and interesting to do, teaching when and how to use which type of line or technique. This is particularly good for beginners .I did a quick read, and already wanted to do all of the exercises immediately. I am sure I will go back to this book time and time again.

Great reference. Also excellent for those with some skill in other mediums who want to get started in ink. Probably a little advanced for true beginners but even then it will make a great reference for different techniques and ideas for rendering numerous architectural, landscape, and every day items in pen and ink. A lot of examples. Excellent on Kindle for iPads or other tablets because of the ability to zoom in.

Thanks for the book. It has tought me a lot. And the drawings by the author are very nice and good.

Recently I completed a four week course in the techniques of drawing with Pen & Ink. I am a complete novice - at any form of artwork that relates to paper - and totally ignorant of any drawing basics. Claudia Nice is a master in her field. The one thing that, in my opinion, Claudia has not forgotten is that everyone is a beginner. Her books are clear, concise and easy for a novice to follow. My Christmas gift this year, to my brother, was a Pen & Ink drawing of the house we both grew up in. A house that our parents built themselves, in days when everything was done without power tools. If I was unsure of what technique would be best used, to enhance the simple structure that was home, I consulted this book and her 'Creating Textures in Pen & Ink with Watercolors'. The end result was, according to my brother, 'incredible...perfectly captured...' I recommend this book to all beginners in the art of Pen & Ink drawing.

Good book - easy to understand. Recommended.

Recommended for people starting to draw nature. Combines basic pencil sketching with pen and ink techniques in an easy style

Caludia Nice is an outstanding teacher, and the book design and concept is a little jewel. Very clear and easy to follow. Love it! The quality of print is not exceptional, but it's overall good.