Pen and Ink: The Medium That Changed My Creative Journey

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One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "Why do you enjoy working in pen and ink?" It's a medium that has become synonymous with my artwork, but it wasn't something I set out too specialise in. Like many young artists, I spent years experimenting with different materials, searching for the one that felt right.

I first discovered pen and ink around the age of 15. By that point in my artistic studies, I'd explored a wide range of mediums without finding one that truly stood out. Through my GCSE textiles projects, I became fascinated by mandalas and decorative pattern work, filling sketchbooks and the margins of school books with intricate biro doodles. Curious to see what I could achieve with finer detail, I bought a set of fine liner pens and started experimenting. From those very first doodles, I was hooked.

In this blog, I'll share how pen and ink became my medium of choice, what continues to draw me back to it and why it perfectly complements the detailed, pattern led style that has come to define my work.

Hand drawing a detailed bird illustration on paper with a pen.

The Joy of Drawing in Ink

What first drew me to pen and ink was the level of precision it offered. I loved being able to achieve intricate details that I struggled to capture using other mediums. It perfectly complemented my love of detailed artwork and pattern making, allowing me to lose myself in the process of creating. What began as doodles soon developed into a genuine passion. Alongside A-levels, a BA Textiles Degree at university and my first graduate job, pen and ink remained a constant and was something I found myself returning to time and time again.

As my relationship with the medium continues to grow today, I realise that it isn't just the detail that appeals to me. I'm equally drawn to its simplicity. It's just me, a pen and a sheet of paper: a direct connection between artist and artwork. There are no complicated processes or equipment involved. Every mark is intentional and entirely in my hands. If I'm honest, that suits my personality. I like being in control of the outcome and pen and ink gives me that sense of precision and certainty.

I also deeply value the mindful nature of working in ink. When I put pen to paper, my focus shifts entirely to the artwork in front of me. The constant chatter of everyday life fades into the background as I become immersed in the rhythm of drawing. I find the repetition of mark making and the creation of patterns incredibly calming, particularly during more anxious periods of life. What began as a creative outlet has become something much more meaningful; I now consider it a form of therapy.

The Challenges of Working in Ink

The mindful nature of pen and ink doesn't mean it's without its challenges. In many ways, the very qualities I love most about the medium are also what make it so demanding.

Ink is wonderfully unforgiving. Unlike pencil, mistakes can't simply be erased. In the early days, I found that incredibly frustrating, but it taught me an important lesson: mistakes are part of the process. Over time, I've learnt to adapt, work around them and incorporate them into the final artwork.

Even with a decade of experience, I still make mistakes from time to time. They're much rarer now than when I first started, but they're impossible to avoid completely. Learning to accept them, rather than striving for unattainable perfection, has become an important part of my growth as both an artist and a person. Pen and ink has taught me patience and the ability to keep moving forward when things don't go exactly to plan.

Perhaps that's why people are often surprised when they ask whether I'd ever switch to working digitally and my answer is an immediate no. While I can appreciate the possibilities that digital art offers, nothing could replace the tactile experience of putting ink onto paper. Feeling the pen glide across the page and watching an artwork slowly emerge, line by line, is one of the greatest joys of the creative process for me. It's this permanence and physical connection to the artwork that continues to draw me back to pen and ink, time and time again.

Where Wildlife Meets Pen and Ink

Pen and ink lends itself perfectly to my wildlife illustration style. Over the last ten years, the qualities of the medium have shaped the self-taught approach that defines these works today. Its precision allows me to capture the intricate structure of animal forms while celebrating their natural textures. From the softness of fur to the delicate layering of feathers and the patterned surfaces of scales, it enables the translation of these details in a way that feels both refined and expressive.

Hand holding two pens with a detailed bird illustration in the background

The Pens Behind The Detail

One of the questions I'm asked most often after "Why pen and ink?" is, "Which pens do you use?" Over the years, I've tried and tested countless fine liners. While many have found their way into my pencil case, a couple have become firm favourites that I return to again and again.

Sakura- These Japanese pens are my favourite choice, particularly when I'm working on smooth paper or card stock. They produce the darkest, richest ink of any fine liner I've tried, and the nib glides beautifully across smoother surfaces. The ink is permanent and fast drying, making it ideal when I need to work over areas I've already completed without worrying about smudging.

One thing I've found is that the nib isn’t as durable on heavily textured surfaces. Although Sakura pens are slightly more expensive than some alternatives, I find their quality more than justifies the higher price tag. They're available in a wide range of nib sizes, from 005 through to 08 and beyond.

Person drawing a detailed animal illustration on a white surface with a pen.

Uni Pin- Uni Pin pens are the first finer liners I ever used. They're the pens I most frequently recommend to beginners who are experimenting with the medium for the first time.

I particularly enjoy using them on slightly textured card stock, as their nibs are incredibly durable and can withstand more pressure (which is great for those just starting). Like Sakura, they're available in a variety of sizes, from 01 to 08 and above, with permanent fast during ink, making them a versatile addition to any artist's toolkit.

While there are countless pens on the market, these are the two I return to most often. Choosing the right materials is a personal process, and part of the joy of working in pen and ink is experimenting to discover what best suits your own style and way of drawing.