Ink Contour

Learning Objectives:

  1. Students will demonstrate appropriate techniques for using India ink on watercolor paper through the progressive building of layers.
  2. Students will be able to accurately illustrate value changes and depth through the use of India ink.
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Info:
With your previously completed contour drawing created on watercolor paper, use India ink to create an engaging and contrasting value study painting. Using a cup of water, thin the India Ink until you have a very light grey. You can use this light grey to build up subtle value changes throughout your drawing.

If you make the ink too dark and apply it to the paper, there is no way to lighten it up. Take your time and allow the ink to dry between layers. When your India ink drawing is dry, hang it up on the board. Does the drawing grab your attention and make you want to come in for a closer look? Once you do come in for a closer look, are there enough details to keep you interested or were you able to see everything from afar?

Materials:

  • Sketchbook
  • Contour drawing completed on watercolor paper
  • Small paint brush
  • India Ink
  • Cup
  • Water

Sketchbook Mini-Assignments:
1. Using a houseplant or bush from outside, draw the negative space surrounding the plant using contour drawing. Negative space is typically the space around an object. Positive space is usually the object itself. (see this link for more information). After you have drawn the negative space, fill it in with graphite or marker. Do 3 of these in your sketchbook.

Project:

  1. On a small sheet of watercolor paper, create a contour drawing of your feet. Bring this to class for the Ink Demo.
  2. Using one of the compositions you created for the contours assignment, create a detailed contour drawing in Sharpie on watercolor paper. Focus on using both thick and thin lines. Thin lines will appear further back in space while thicker lines will appear closer. After you have completed the drawing, fill in the values using India ink of different shades, working from light to dark.

Research:
Jim Dine
Cy Twombly