The Teaching Studios of Art®

Video 1- This video provides an introduction to Luis Colan's artistic influences, the essential materials needed for successful pen and ink drawing, including the differences in pens—ball point pens, gel pens, etc.— the lightfastness of inks, paper, pen and ink materials. Colan also provides technical demonstrations of how the pens work, showing how the ink flows differently from the various mechanisms of each particular type of pen.

Video 2- This video features more demonstrations by the instructor, of pen and ink techniques. A discussion of how to get a sense of volume and depth using line and tone to create contrast: hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling to create texture. Colan discusses landscape drawing (and painting) in the context of an etching by Corot (provided as a download), which he copies on camera, using the pen and ink techniques. Artists may draw along with Colan, pausing the video as necessary, or wait till later to put the techniques to use.

Video 3- In this video, Colan demonstrates more complex use of pen and ink, using techniques that are suited to its many advantages n specific situations. Colan also offers some advice on how to get accustomed to the ball point pen, as compared to other mediums and other specifics: wow to hold the pen to achieve different strokes, how to use pressure to obtain many variations of line, as well as the use of ink washes and watercolor to achieve a greater tonal range.

Video 4 - In this final video, Colan demonstrates how to use pen strokes to create texture and detail by blocking in masses of foliage, then drawing the specific details of branches and leaves as needed, using lines of various types to mimic nature. Colan teaches artists how to evaluate and refine a drawing, focusing on balance, contrast, a play between light and shadow. He also shows how to create focal points in the drawing, in some ways similar to working in monotype.