penandink

Pen and ink refers to drawing with a pen loaded with ink, producing lines of varying thickness and darkness depending on nib and pressure. The medium is used for line drawings, technical illustrations, cartoons, comics, and fine art. In traditional practice, India ink or pigmented black inks are applied with dip pens, fountain pens, or brushes for washes.

Pen-and-ink drawing has ancient roots in East Asian brush and ink. In Europe, metal nibs and dip pens emerged in the 15th century and became widely used for studies, drafts, and illustration. The technique flourished in the 18th–19th centuries for engraving-like line work and narrative illustration, later becoming essential in newspaper cartoons and comic art.

Techniques commonly used include hatching and cross-hatching to build tone, contour lines for form, and stippling for texture. Washes of diluted ink create tonal values. Artists vary line weight by nib choice and pressure.

Materials include dip pens with various nibs, fountain pens, and modern markers. Inks include India ink and pigmented drawing inks; some carry archival properties. Paper choices range from smooth bristol to textured watercolor paper; translucency affects layering.

Usage and legacy: Still used in fine art, illustration, and comics, as well as architectural and technical drawing. Digital tools can emulate pen-and-ink textures, while traditional ink can offer permanence and a distinct line quality.

Notable practitioners include Albrecht Dürer, Gustave Doré, and Edward Gorey.