30 Day Drawing Challenge Day 14- Pen and Wash with Elegant Writer Calligraphy Marker

Cool Tool for Pen and Wash- Elegant Writer Calligraphy Marker

Drawing is not what one sees but what one can make others see.


Edgar Degas

The day has arrived to officially try the Elegant Writer brand marker!  If you haven't already experimented with this little gem, then you're in for a pleasant surprise.  I love sketching with this marker...it lays down values and gradations of value very quickly, and is archival and permanent once it's set with water.

My sketches using black Elegant writer calligraphy pen animated with water and brush.
Additional Black water soluble Stabilo Woody crayon was washed into the background of the wine glass.
To get the highlight on the rim and along the stem, I painted around that area of paper to leave it white.
This is a classic watercolor technique called negative painting...

Materials for today's Challenge:

If you haven't purchased your black Elegant Writer pen yet, then run out and get one.  
Here's a link to Amazon.com:    Elegant writer- Black extra fine point

• Elegant writer calligraphy marker in Black (Extra Fine Nib) or other water soluble writing tool (Staedtler Mars Graphic 3000 marker in black is also good for this exercise)
• Paper that can withstand water application- watercolor paper or multimedia paper
• brush (small/medium with a pointed tip will do)
• paper  towel or kleenex
• water container
• something you'd like to draw from around your house...something from your shelf or an item which you think looks interesting (you can try something you did before using this pen, or draw something new)   

Step 1- Do a contour drawing of your item with elegant writer pen.  If you are very nervous about this, you have permission to use a pencil and then trace the lines with elegant writer. 
You don't need much ink for this challenge, so be sparing with the amount you put on the paper
Step 2- Look for shadows.  If you have light edges around the outside of your subject, then think about making up a shadow outside the edge to make the edge appear lighter.  
Step 3- Gather a brush and container of clean water and a kleenex or paper towel.  Bring the wet brush to the ink and watch it move!  Use your kleenex to control the flow.  Wherever there is water, the ink will be able to spread, so if you don't want it to be darker, keep it dry!
Step 4- Once finished, take a photo and send it to me before the end of this challenge and I will try to include it in a future Drawing Challenge blog.  

It's so fun to get these photos from all of you!  Just so you know you're not alone...Here are a few of your fellow challenger's sketches: 

Day 11

Day 12

Keep up the good work...we are almost half way through our 30 days of Drawing!  I'll be back tomorrow with another challenge. If you're enjoying this challenge, please share it with your friends =)

Rebecca Zdybel

Artist, Instructor, Art-Travel Instructor

Art Lessons in all media

Myrtle Beach, SC

rebecca@artmyrtlebeach.com

Spread Light, Share Love, DO Art!

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Rebecca Zdybel is an artist and instructor in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Follow her and see her work at http://www.artmyrtlebeach.com/

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