I thought it would be interesting to show the various stages of illustration with one of my Pen and Ink drawings. I have chosen this drawing of St. Paul's Cathedral in the heart of London for the study.
Stage 1:
I meticulously pencil out all the keylines of the drawing in soft graphite pencil on heavy watercolour paper.
Stage 2:
I use diluted Indian ink to capture all tonal differences of drawing and start to bring it to life. This sky starts as pure water on the paper to make the clear sky ready to accept tone. I introduce ink and let it bleed and diffuse just like the real sky starting from the top which is darker. The ink needs help to reach the horizon which can be done with a weak brush. I turn the picture 180˚ and tilt slightly so any ink bleeds skywards. Whilst still wet and fresh, the sky can be lifted off by using soft tissue which reveals the white paper again to ease in clouds.
Masking fluid (rather like weak Copydex) helps to keep any white areas away from the wash so you should workout where highlights will be in your illustration and apply fluid.
Stage 3:
I use pen to outline all the key elements of St Paul's Cathedral and pencil for the far distance to give things a sense of depth. Lines in the distance should be finer and lighter to have a sense of regression.
Stage 4:
I flick ink to suggest foliage or pick out the texture of the paper with the side of a soft black pencil. The masking fluid can be rubbed off to real brilliant white. White highlights not already revealed with masking fluid can be added with process white.
Stage 1:
I meticulously pencil out all the keylines of the drawing in soft graphite pencil on heavy watercolour paper.
Stage 2:
I use diluted Indian ink to capture all tonal differences of drawing and start to bring it to life. This sky starts as pure water on the paper to make the clear sky ready to accept tone. I introduce ink and let it bleed and diffuse just like the real sky starting from the top which is darker. The ink needs help to reach the horizon which can be done with a weak brush. I turn the picture 180˚ and tilt slightly so any ink bleeds skywards. Whilst still wet and fresh, the sky can be lifted off by using soft tissue which reveals the white paper again to ease in clouds.
Masking fluid (rather like weak Copydex) helps to keep any white areas away from the wash so you should workout where highlights will be in your illustration and apply fluid.
Stage 3:
I use pen to outline all the key elements of St Paul's Cathedral and pencil for the far distance to give things a sense of depth. Lines in the distance should be finer and lighter to have a sense of regression.
Stage 4:
I flick ink to suggest foliage or pick out the texture of the paper with the side of a soft black pencil. The masking fluid can be rubbed off to real brilliant white. White highlights not already revealed with masking fluid can be added with process white.
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| Stage 1: Sketch out in pencil |
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| Stage 2: Apply indian ink wash / watercolour |
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| Stage 3: Apply pen work |
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St Pauls Cathedral drawing
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