Bucket Pen and Ink Drawing

This piece is a more simple exercise in classic ink drawing, but still illustrates many important concepts. To start, dip pens require a much different approach from regular modern drawing pens. The images usually have a different rhythm and sense of motion to them based on the way they are drawn; more concise and straight lines create a more rapid and immediate motion. There is also a degree of skill involved, as the process is prone to mishaps and ink blots that can only be remedied by trial and error to correct your motions and ink intake. In addition to the different style associated with the process, I find the dark tones are much more rich when working directly from the inkwell.

The focus of this piece was relatively simple; it’s a closed composition of an antique bucket with the focus directly in the center. The lines are mostly vertical, but the diagonal line of the handle disrupts this and makes for a more interesting composition. The rhythm of the wood grain detail adds a rustic feel through a tangible sense of texture. Although simple, the high contrast style of pen and ink illustrations are well suited to subjects like still lives.