Pen & Ink

This little book is packed full of inspirational information and ideas for all types of reader - layman, student, amateur and professional artist - all will get plenty from this publication. The author explains, in well written text, how each artist achieves different effects in the six chapters, covering various broad themes which include - mixed media, line, colour, texture & pattern, monochrome and tone. It is beautifully laid out using a full page for each illustration with descriptive/informative text on the opposite page. With over 100 illustrations from 35 different international artists there is a huge diversity of style here and something to suit all tastes in drawing. My own personal favourites are the work of Ch’ng Kiah Kiean, Marina Grechanik and the author himself James Hobbs - all diverse in style from the spontaneously expressive dancing lines of Kiean and Grechanic to the more controlled economic lines of Hobbs each has their own unique vision of the world around them. I would definitely recommend this book.

This is an inspiring reference book which demonstrates many different styles of pen and ink (and pen and wash) drawing. There are nearly 100 drawings by contemporary artists illustrating a diverse range of approaches to the use of line, tone, colour, texture, monochrome and mixed media. I am a beginning amateur artist learning pen and wash. This book is very useful when I am wondering how to approach a subject. It broadens my horizons, suggesting many alternative approaches. At a little over 7 inches by 5, it is a handy reference text to take on a trip into the field or in the studio. Brilliant and well worth the modest price.

This is one of the best books on drawing I have found. The size of the book, and the clear layout makes it so easy to find specific artists. And the quality and sheer brilliance of the featured artists is breathtaking. An informative and inspiring book,to which I would have given 10 stars if I could have done!

A beautiful little book which lots of ideas and filled with artists works with hints and tips of how they were achieved.

Even though this was second hand it was in excellent condition and what a wonderful read for someone who loves to do pen and ink!

Love this book. I've copied several when I go to an art class when I have no idea what to do. However, best to do one's own but till then this book gives you a start. The book shows you that any medium is worthy of a sketch, such as biro, thick or thin pens and even a dash or more of watercolour. Would recommend!

Nothing wrong with the actual book. I was a bit disappointed with some of the content. Too much watercolour art ideas.I wanted lots of drawing ideas.

This little book is full of ideas for pen and inkers. A variety of techniques are illustrated. I’m a printmaker and it’s very useful

I like to have such collection of good artists' work, but the information in every picture I find it insufficient

Great collection

Here's another wonderful book for pen and ink sketchers. Pen & Ink is like one of those handbook sized instructional/gallery artbooks released by publisher Frances Lincoln. There were two other books that I've featured before, namely Just Add Watercolor and Freehand: Sketching Tips and Tricks Drawn from Art . All three are lovely books! Just like the title suggest, this book covers pen and ink art. It is a book of inspiration with tips, techniques and beautiful examples from artists all over the world. You'll get to see Ch'ng Kiah Kiean's textural strokes with twigs, Marina Grechanik's casual line art, Swasky's child-like intrepretation, Patrick Vale's intricate attention to details and a lot of other different styles and techniques. Artist and author James Hobbs also has his own sketches included, and his are quite easy to identify because of the thick strokes. Each spread has an artwork on the right and the left talks about the techniques and the idea behind. The book has 208 pages and there are nearly 100 artworks. The content is grouped according to techniques, so there are chapters on line, tone, colour, texture and pattern, monochrome and mixed media. I enjoy the variety and it's inspiring to see how other artists use the same tools but come up with different effects. This is a book I can see myself going back to again in the future, just like the other two books mentioned earlier. I recommend to sketchers, and those who like pen and ink art. If you like this book, be sure to check out Matt Rota's The Art of Ballpoint . (See more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

Interesting book

I have many, many sketching books. Some are excellent, some are OK and some are bad or just don't deliver what was advertised. This one is excellent, in my opinion. I really enjoy looking at other people's sketches, and this book did not disappoint. And with the mixture of sketches from different artists and comments from the author highlighting techniques, this book is both a reference and inspiration. Well done - I very much enjoyed reading it and it has already earned a spot at the top of the pile!