Drawing in Pen & Ink (First Steps)

I have learned so much from this book. The techniques are clearly explained and plenty of examples are provided. If you are serious about learning to draw well, this is your book!

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!

I am new to pen and ink with a background in illustration as a pastime. I have purchased other claudia nice books and this is probably her best book for beginners in pen and ink. Unlike Guptill's book on pen and ink, this book offers less written instructions and more examples of pen and ink artwork, with short comments and instructions. For example, I like Claudia's comments on a basic stroke technique, crosshatching, she suggests are are great for "adding roughened texture, deepening shadows", along with an illustration of how crosshatching is used to that effect. That said, for a First Steps, I would have liked it if she had shown additional steps, instead of the 2-4 which goes from: sketch, to detailed sketch, to completed ink and pen work (beautiful as it is). I would have liked more steps between detailed sketch and completed ink and pen, how did she build up tone and highlights, etc.? BTW, you will find the same illustrations and instructions repeat in her other books. I would still recommend this book and would also suggest if you can't afford the entire wonderful set of Rapidograph pen, you can start with the .25 which is the one I use most often (for smaller size artwork). I wish there was a comprehensive pen and ink book out there. Hope this helps.

this is great for beginners, lots of instruction, examples, ideas for sketching, highly recommend will look too get more of this author.

This is one of the best pen & ink books I have ever purchased. It’s my #1 go-to book on my shelf of art books. Claudia Nice has some other great books too, but I like this one best!

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.

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.

I love the basics and the information is awesome.

The book to have if you are at all interested in drawing with pen and ink. Claudia works hard to provide you with the skills and techniques to achieve good results and succeeds very successfully. She spends little time, but enough, discussing materials but quickly gets on with the task of helping to learn. Follow her advice and work the demonstration exercises provided and you shouldn't fail to make progress. it is a lovely book to have anywayjust for the sheer pleasure of looking at the drawings within. Whatever your level of skil ro aspiration you will benefit from owning this book. Buy it, you will have no regrets.

Easy to read and you are drawn into getting the best from it

Beautiful book full of valuable information. I love the information on the brush strokes just what I was looking for. I cant wait to try it out especially on the pet animals and flowers. I bought several other books of the same artist and was not disappointed with one in fact I loved all of them.

This is another great book by claudia nice packed full of useful information and great ink drawings. Its good being able to redraw what you see in this book because it then gives you the confidence that you can draw nice things and its not actually as hard as it always seems.

Another one of Claudia Nice's books on developing your artistic skills.She is very talented but her pen and ink work just isn't up to the same standard as her watercolour work.Its a nice introduction for begiinners