Why draw with a pen?
Pen drawing needs very little equipment, which makes it a good everyday habit. Because ink is hard to erase, it also encourages you to commit to lines, observe more carefully and accept imperfection. That is useful training, and it ties in with the general advice in our guide to improving at drawing.
Pens you might use
You do not need anything special to begin, though our guide to the best pens for ink drawing goes deeper on types and brands. Common choices include:
- Ballpoint pens: Everyday and surprisingly flexible. Pressing harder or lighter changes the tone.
- Fineliners: Consistent lines in various widths, popular for detailed work.
- Felt-tip or brush pens: Good for lines that vary in thickness.
- Dip pens and fountain pens: Offer more expressive lines but need more practice.
If you plan to add watercolor or other wet media over ink, check that the pen is waterproof, because some inks spread when wet. A quick test on scrap paper will tell you.
Basic pen techniques to try
- Hatching: Parallel lines. Closer lines read as darker.
- Cross-hatching: Layers of lines at different angles to build darker tones.
- Stippling: Small dots, denser where you want shadow. It is slow but gives soft gradients.
- Contour lines: Lines that follow the form of an object.
- Scribbling: Loose, energetic marks for texture such as foliage or fur.
Practice each on a small test patch before using it in a drawing.
Pen drawing ideas by subject
Everyday objects and still life
- A coffee mug, a glass of water or a kettle
- A pair of shoes
- Keys, scissors or other small tools
- A bowl of fruit
- A stack of books
- A bike helmet or a favorite hat
Objects are patient subjects and ideal for practicing shading.
Plants and flowers
- A single leaf, drawn with its veins
- A potted plant on a windowsill
- A rose or any simple flower
- A branch with a few leaves
- Succulents, which have simple, repeated shapes
Nature and landscapes
- A tree, starting with the trunk and main branches
- A row of hills or mountain ridges
- A path or dirt road leading into the distance
- Rocks and pebbles
- A winter cabin or a forest edge
Buildings and urban scenes
- A window or a door, in simple perspective
- A corner of your street
- A lighthouse, windmill or barn
- A cafe front
- A city skyline drawn as a rooftop silhouette
Animals
- A cat curled up, in loose lines
- A bird on a branch
- A fish with simple scales
- Your own pet, in quick sketches
- A whale, drawn with long, simple curves
Portraits and figures
- A self-portrait with a mirror
- Hands, which are hard but excellent practice
- Quick figure sketches in a cafe or from a photograph
- Features such as eyes, noses or ears
Imaginative and decorative
- Patterns, mandalas or doodle borders
- Imaginary creatures
- Lettering and words
- Fantasy architecture
Combining pen with color
Many artists add washes of watercolor or touches of marker to a pen drawing, often called line and wash. Draw with waterproof ink first, let it dry fully, then add color lightly. If you are new to this, start with just one or two colors. Our watercolor basics guide covers the washes themselves.
Tips for pen beginners
- Sketch lightly in pencil first if you want, then ink over it.
- Build tone slowly. It is easier to add lines than to remove them.
- Vary your line weight to suggest depth: heavier lines for foreground and shadows.
- Turn the paper to keep your hand comfortable.
- Do not try to hide mistakes. Incorporate them or move on.
- Use a small sketchbook so a page is quick to finish.
Questions readers ask
What are the basic drawing skills?
Teachers often list skills such as line, shape, form, value, space and composition, though the exact list varies by source. Pen drawing exercises all of them, especially line and value.
What pencil do you draw with?
For pen work, a pencil is optional, usually used for light underdrawing. Many people use an HB or similar for this because it is easy to erase, but any pencil you are comfortable with is fine. The grade-by-grade pencil guide explains the options.
How do I do pen and ink drawings?
Start with simple subjects, sketch lightly, then ink the main shapes. Add shading with hatching or stippling. Let the ink dry before erasing any pencil lines.
When you cannot decide
Pick any object within arm’s reach and give yourself ten minutes. For more ideas, try our drawing practice prompts.