Start simple
A pen line cannot be erased the way pencil can, which makes some people hesitant to start. The easy fix is to choose subjects that are simple, close at hand and forgiving of wobbly lines. Pen drawings often look better than expected because small imperfections read as character. This guide gives you subject ideas, the techniques that make them look finished, and a short practice plan.
If you have not chosen a pen yet, our guide to the best pen for ink drawing can help. Almost any pen will do for the ideas below, though waterproof pigment fineliners are a convenient default.
10 ideas to start with
- A mug or glass on your desk. Simple shapes and a chance to practice shading.
- A single leaf. Draw the outline, then add veins.
- Your shoes. Good for proportion and texture.
- A piece of fruit or a small still-life group. Add shadow with hatching.
- A potted plant. Combine curves and repeating shapes.
- A tree. Practice varied line and texture in bark and foliage.
- A window or doorway. Straight lines and basic perspective.
- A pet or a bird on a branch. Start from a photo if the animal will not hold still.
- A skyline or a row of houses. Flat or simple perspective styles both work.
- Your own hand. A classic study subject that is always available.
Ideas by subject
Everyday objects and still life
Cups, bottles, keys, glasses with ice, books and shoes teach you to see shapes and shadows. Arrange two or three objects with a lamp to one side so shadows are clear.
Plants and flowers
Leaves, roses, succulents and botanical-style studies suit fine lines and detail. Start with one leaf before attempting a bouquet.
Nature and landscapes
Mountain ranges, palm trees, dirt roads, forest scenes and winter cabins can be built from simple shapes. Use line weight to suggest distance: lighter, finer lines for far away and bolder lines for close objects.
Buildings and cityscapes
Lighthouses, windmills, cafes, windows and skylines are common pen subjects. You can draw them flat and graphic or add perspective once you are comfortable.
Animals
Cats, dogs, fish, whales, birds and turtles all appear in popular pen drawing roundups. Texture such as fur, feathers or shells gives you a reason to practice hatching and stippling.
Portraits
Portraits are more demanding, but pen and ballpoint portraits are a well-established genre. Begin with a single feature such as an eye before attempting a full face.
Techniques that make simple subjects look finished
- Hatching: parallel lines, close together for darker areas and farther apart for lighter ones.
- Cross-hatching: layers of lines at different angles to build darker values and texture.
- Stippling: tiny dots that build up gradients, useful for skin, shells and soft shadows.
- Scribbling: loose, looping marks that give energy to foliage, hair or fur.
- Contour lines: lines that follow the form of an object to suggest volume.
- Line and wash: pen drawing with a light watercolor wash added after the ink is fully dry. Use waterproof ink and a suitable paper for watercolor and ink.
Try each of these on a small practice square before using them in a drawing.
The basic drawing skills pen work relies on
There are different ways to list “the basic drawing skills.” One commonly used set is: seeing edges (contour), seeing spaces and shapes, seeing relationships such as proportion and perspective, seeing light and shadow, and seeing the whole (composition). You do not need to master these before starting, but they explain why practice with simple subjects helps. Pen drawing puts extra emphasis on light and shadow, since tone has to be built from lines and dots instead of smooth shading.
Which pen suits which idea
- Fineliners: detailed objects, buildings and plants.
- Brush pens: expressive animals, lettering-style captions and quick sketches.
- Dip pens: varied line weight in landscapes and portraits, with more setup.
- Ballpoints: soft tonal portraits and quick sketches.
- Gel pens: white highlights on dark or toned paper.
Do you need a pencil first?
Not necessarily, but many people light-sketch first. A hard, light pencil such as an HB or H leaves faint marks that are easier to erase, though the exact choice is personal. If you ink over pencil, let the ink dry fully before erasing, since an eraser can smear wet ink. Drawing directly in pen can be good practice for confidence.
A simple 7-day practice plan
- Day 1: Fill a page with hatching and cross-hatching squares.
- Day 2: Draw a mug and add shadow.
- Day 3: Draw a leaf with veins.
- Day 4: Stipple a piece of fruit.
- Day 5: Draw a window or door.
- Day 6: Sketch a pet or bird from a photo.
- Day 7: Redraw your favorite earlier subject and compare.
Fifteen to twenty minutes a day is enough to start seeing improvement.
When you are stuck for prompts
- Draw something you can see right now, within arm’s reach.
- Draw the same object in three different styles.
- Fill a page with doodle patterns.
- Follow a daily prompt list, such as those used for Inktober in October.
- Add color to an old drawing with watercolor.
- Try plants or leaves, then experiment with homemade plant ink for a different look.
FAQ
How do I do pen and ink drawings? Start with a simple subject, a waterproof pen and smooth paper. Outline first, then add shadow with hatching, cross-hatching or stippling. Let the ink dry before adding wash or erasing pencil marks.
What pencil do you draw with? For light underdrawing, many artists use an HB or harder pencil, pressing gently. This is a matter of preference.
What are the 5 basic drawing skills? Different teachers list them differently; a common version covers edges, spaces, relationships, light and shadow, and the whole.
What to draw: 10 ideas? See the list near the top of this page for ten easy starting subjects.