Landscape Scenery Sketching: Dip Pen Ink & Simple Watercolor Techniques, by J.Y.Drawing on YouTube. 14 min 14 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 14 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Set out your paper, dip pen, ink pots, watercolor palette, brushes and a cup of water so everything is within reach.
Dip the nib into the ink just past the tip. Tap off the excess on the rim so it does not blob on the paper.
Sketch the main lines of the scene first: horizon, buildings or trees, and the path. Keep the lines loose and light.
Switch to blue ink for parts of the sketch, such as sky edges or distant shapes, to add variety.
Let the ink dry fully before painting, or the water will make it bleed.
Mix a light wash and lay it over the sky and distant areas first, working from light to dark.
Add stronger color to foreground shapes like buildings, trees and the path, leaving some paper white for highlights.
Use a thin brush for small details and edges, such as windows, branches or fence lines.
Step back and check the balance of ink and color, then add a few final lines or darker accents where needed.
Tips and common mistakes
Load the nib lightly; too much ink causes blobs that ruin a clean sketch.
Test each ink color on scrap paper first, since some inks bleed more than others when wet.
Keep washes thin and build up layers rather than painting one heavy coat.
Rinse the brush between colors so the washes stay clean.
Questions
Do I need special watercolor paper?
Yes, use watercolor paper rather than printer paper. Thin paper buckles and tears when it gets wet.
Can I use a normal pen instead of a dip pen?
A dip pen gives varied line thickness, but a fine liner works too. Check that the ink is waterproof before you paint over it.
How do I stop the ink from smudging?
Let the ink dry completely before adding water. Work on one area at a time and avoid dragging a wet brush over wet lines.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
