How do I shade with art pens?

Question

I'm drawing a picture for a big state-wide contest (among the Christian schools in my state, anyway) and I have to do a polychromatic drawing. I want to do them in art pens, but I have very little experience drawing and coloring with them. Actually coloring and drawing with them isn't so difficult, but how am I supposed to shade with art pens? Do I have to buy another set of pens with darker colors, is there a way to shade with the same pens I colored with, or do I have to do something else?

Answer 1

You can use several methods. One as someone else mentioned is cross-hatch a series of lines crossing one another. to make darker more lines, to make lighter less lines. You can also use stippeling(excuse my spelling) which is nothing more then taking your pen and making dots (like you would make a period at the end of a sentance) one quick jab after another with your pen, and again, the closer and more dense they are the darker the area. If any examples are needed I do alot of scratch board which is basically the same techs. I also do pen and ink drawings but not as many. So contact me if you woud like!

Answer 2

When you are working with pen and ink the primary mode of shading is a technique called cross-hatching. You basically build up shadow with repeated and layered line work.


You don't need darker pens - the second link shows pretty clearly how it works.

Answer 3

well you can put more weight on the pen to make it darker or you can put less weight and it shows a lil lighter