THIS IS THE 2024 COURSE PAGE. If you want the new 2025 homepage go here.
Welcome to the Ink Sketching Course page! This is where you will find the recordings, reference image libraries, and other resources. Ink sketches are such a fun creative practice, and I am so happy to share this with you!
While the live version of this class is now over, I hope you enjoy the recordings and continuing on your own self-paced ink sketching adventures!
Class Topics -
- Class 1- Mountains
- Class 2- Trees & Forests
- Class 3- Water and rocks
- Class 4- Simplification Strategies, Foliage, and Clouds
- Class 5- Flowers & Closing Group Chat
To play the recordings click on each image below. You may be asked to login, and once you do the site will bring you right to the recording page.
Here's the link for the umbrella folder with everything in it and all organized in case that is easier to navigate! The photos will take you to the specific folder for each class.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/188FrLvPPEuPl9DvlGOrJ0Nq7zBj-P8Sb?usp=sharing
If you would like to share your work, ask questions, and say hi to others in a supportive community space, I created a space for us using a program called Discord. This app (for both desktop computers and mobile devices) does not require any social media accounts, and is a space only accessible to current students. I named our community Adventure Art Academy because the vast majority of you are students here, too! And, if it is popular, I will keep it around for us to use going forward.
I chose Discord for this course because it is much more interactive and also is better suited for a large group like we have here!
If you would like to check out the community space, click the link below, and it will walk you through the steps of getting the application for phone or PC, creating an account, and joining our space! This is of course completely optional, and I look forward to seeing anyone there who wants to hop in!
Basic Materials List: These are the items that I recommend you might start with. If you already have tools you like, please of course use those!
- Pentel Pocket Brush Pen- I will use this in every lesson. My favorite is linked here (https://amzn.to/40DjfmR) and comes with a few extra cartridges of ink as well.
- Fine Tipped Pen- Something like a Micron pen is great, but I found that I was using them up quickly, so I switched to a refillable fountain pen. I love the Platinum Desk Pen- affordable, feels nice to hold, and designed to work with waterproof ink. (https://amzn.to/3NeN2gs)
- Sketchbook/ Paper- If you want to use printer paper, you can! Or any kind of non-textured paper. I unexpectedly really loved having all my sketches collected in a book. I like this one ( https://amzn.to/3ufZNAy) because it is not too expensive, ink flows beautifully on the pages, and the thinner paper actually helped me let go of perfection and worry less about results!
- Pencil and Eraser- Anything works here! My go-to pencil is always this little pentel mechanical pencil (https://amzn.to/3Tz2p7t), as I like the soft lead and no sharpening required.
- Carbon Black Ink- my favorite refill ink for the Platinum desk pen and the brush pens. Might clog or be slow in other pens with more narrow feeder mechanisms. https://amzn.to/35ryS8I
- Refill Needle- I use blunt tipped needles to refill the ink cartridge that come with the pens- easier and cleaner than the other cartridge options I tried! Here's the link for a 5 pack from Amazon (I bought mine originally from Jet Pens or Goulet Pens when I ordered some ink!) - https://amzn.to/4bBfpzU
Reference Books:
- Northwest Trees illustrated by Ramona Hammerly - a book I got a decade ago that was really helpful as I tried to learn about drawing and painting tree shapes! (https://amzn.to/3taTM3W)
- Timberline Illustrated by Ramona Hammerly - if you liked the first trees book, this one has more illustrations! Smaller but equally lovely. https://amzn.to/3HHVDoL (this links to the new edition, plenty of used here on Amazon and elsewhere!)
Additional Fun Materials: Tools and materials mentioned during the live sessions. These are not required by any means!
- Squishy Eraser- This is the large eraser you see stuck on to my mechanical pencil! I think these perform pretty similar from all brands. Mine is made by Faber Castell, bought from Blick. I tear off hunks to stick on the pencil.
- Shiny Ink- The manufacturer is Organics Studio, and the ink name is Nitrogen. Be forewarned- this stuff likes to get everywhere, and is super staining. Even the little dry flecks from the lid make a mess, so I am putting it in a different jar. I also am not putting this in any of my pens because of how messy it is.
- Glass Dip Pen- Unlike a fountain pen or the brush pen, this pen does not have a cartridge to fill with ink. Instead, it has grooves above the tip that hold ink. It's really cool! And what I use with the messy ink. I wanted a narrow handle one, so I got the Herbin Straight Glass Dip Pen from Goulet Pens (same place I got the fun ink and refill needles).
- Brush Pen with Smaller & Shorter tip- The Kuretake No.13 brush pen. I find that this one is a bit easier to make fine lines. Currently on sale at Amazon for $16.50 (https://amzn.to/3O15Bor) (otherwise Jet pens is the cheapest place to get it).
- Fude Fountain Pens- I've never tried these personally, but I think I might need to now! They have a special fun bent tip that creates a wide variety of line thicknesses.
