A guide to drawing with pen and ink

A line of ink initially seems so simple, yet has such dynamic power and can indicate not only shape and volume but pattern, texture, tone and direction. Yet its apparent simplicity is something of an illusion, because to make good drawings can be something of a challenge. The Italians have a word that sums up the quality that a good ink drawing should possess – it is sprezzatura, which means to do something without showing that it took any effort.

Nibs and holders

The materials needed are minimal: ink, pen holder, nib and paper. There are two types of handle or holder. In the first type the nib is inserted, shank first, into a mechanism that grips the nib in place; these types of holder can take various sizes of nib. The second