PEN & INK DRAWING WORKBOOK

Fully illustrated examples and guided exercises.

Just pick up a pen and draw in the workbook

Vol. 1 &2: Drawing Trunks, Trees, Posts, Roots, Foliage and Landscapes
based on them

By Rahul Jain www.pendrawings.me

Why Landscapes?
Any new comer to art often struggles with the question of ‘what to draw?’. While all of us have some intrinsic interest in
some subjects, it is usually helpful to start with subjects that are more ‘forgiving’ in that they can take variety of shape
and form without feeling ‘wrong’. Human and animal forms, especially faces, are least forgiving in that there are specific
relationships between say location and size of nose and eyes that need to be followed and our eyes are very perceptible to
any deviation between the expectation and what is drawn. This causes beginners to get frustrated very quickly in the
beginning when starting with such ‘unforgiving’ subject.

Landscapes on the other hand are very forgiving as there is no ‘right’ size of a tree. Most elements of nature come in limit
less shape and sizes and as long as simple principles are followed (like simple tapering of trunk), any beginner can easily
attempt them without learning extensive set of ratios, proportions, different views in perspective etc. In subsequent
pages, I will show step by step how to draw different elements of nature and once the stroke and manner of usage is
understood, you will be able to create your own limitless variations on it with ease.

Once you learn to draw different elements individually, you can easily put them together to create a drawing from your
imagination. I cover some of composition themes you can use with different elements and once these are practiced, you
will never be short on ‘what to draw’. By combining these elements in limitless ways, you will enjoy putting a landscape
on paper from your imagination.

As you progress, you will also find yourself observing nature more closely. Often we pay very little attention to our
natural surrounding with our mind internally occupied with myriad things. But a great benefit of learning to draw nature is
the appreciation and awareness that comes from learning to draw it and you will soon find yourself looking at the beauty
of nature in a new light.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 2

On Pen and Ink Drawing Style
If you had a chance to look at pen and ink drawings by different artists, I am sure one thing you would have noticed is the
different ‘style’ of such drawings. The ‘style’ of a drawing is a loose term that generally refers to the way pen strokes are used
to lay down tone and overall feeling the drawing evokes. In one aspect, Pen and Ink appears to be a very simple medium as a
simple ‘line’ is used to lay down tone. But with this simplicity comes immense possibilities as there are limitless ways in which
a ‘line’ can be drawn and used. At one end, there is ‘Stippling’ or ‘Pointillism’ where instead of line, multitudes of small dots
are used to lay down tone. At the other end is use of bold brush strokes, usually used for drawing comics. In between, there
are limitless ways in which lines can be drawn and used to create different feel for the drawing.

My ‘style’ and the one I present here is based on the use of simple pen lines to create what I call a ‘pleasing’ drawing. The size
is often around 6 by 4 inches or less and is something that can be easily done in a small sketch book that can be easily carried
around. What I recommend is to carry a pocket sketch book and pen with you and attempt these drawings in between your
small breaks or whenever you feel like it. I don’t aim for ‘realism’ in my drawings or instructions here. Such drawings are often
done at much larger scale in a studio setting in slow deliberate manner. While you may eventually get there, my aim with the
techniques and style presented here is to help you adopt pen and ink drawing as a relaxing and creative hobby that can be
enjoyed anywhere. This means that my style and one presented here is aimed at use of simple pen lines at a small reasonable
drawing size that can be attempted anywhere.

As you attempt the techniques and experiment with drawing with pen, you will develop your own style. Your drawings will
look different than mine and that is completely fine. Indeed, your own ‘style’ might evolve over time as well. The key point is
not to copy my drawings but instead to understand the key aspect of stroke as illustrated and then use it in your own manner.

If you feel frustrated, then take a break and try again. Persistent daily practice is key to improvement. Soon you will develop
your own style and discover the joy of putting pen on paper and bringing to life the imagined or real landscape on a piece of
paper.

Lets start the journey.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 3
Note on Pen and Paper:
So, what is a good pen for drawing?

Quite frankly, in the beginning, any good ‘gel’ pen will do, kind you will find in any local stationary shop. Choose one with
medium (0.7mm) tip or fine tip if you can find one. Even an ordinary ball pen is sufficient to practice activities in this
workbook. As you progress in your journey and you desire better quality pens for drawing, you can check out my website
and videos for more information.

www.pendrawings.me/penpaperchoices

You can use ‘markers’ as well, preferably in ‘fine’ tip. One very popular brand is ‘Pigma Micron’, but to reiterate, any good
fine point gel pen or marker will do in the beginning.

I would suggest not using pencil. Most pencils don’t give sufficiently dark lines that you need to create texture with lines
alone. Permanence of pen lines also promote good observation and avoid ‘draw-erase-draw’ cycle that frustrates many
beginners.

Most importantly, make sure that you don’t get discouraged from trying activities in this workbook because you don’t have
a ‘good quality’ pen.

As for paper, in addition to this workbook, any paper that doesn’t bleed, like the one you use for normal printing will do.
There is again an incredible variety of paper available for drawing and you can find discussion on relative merits of these for
pen and ink drawing at the above link.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 4
Note on Proper Use of Pen for Drawing:
A key aspect of drawing with pen is to let your pen float on the paper with the nib/tip touching and releasing
ink.

Never dig into the paper by pressing nib/tip in the paper.

Hold your pen lightly and release the tension in your hand. This will help you get the freedom of pen movement
and lightness that contributes to good drawing practice.

A good quality gel pen and marker will provide a nice line with gentle touch on paper. If you find that you need to
dig to get the ink out, then change the pen. ‘Forcing’ ink out of pen is never recommended. It will ruin drawing
paper and create hard lines and ruin the drawing experience for you.

In the following pages, different pen strokes are illustrated that can be used to convey different textures. When
attempting them, keep your hand supple and most importantly, keep it moving. The stroke shouldn't be done in a
slow and deliberate manner, as this makes it rigid and un appealing. At the same time, don’t rush through it. Find
your speed and rhythm at which the pen line has a natural appeal. This takes time and practice and you will soon
find yours.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted

5
Please note that all drawings and content in this workbook is my copy right and solely provided for your own
personal use. It can’t be used, resold or redistributed in any manner without my prior consent for any purpose
other than personal use. As a pen and ink artist, my aim is to promote pen and ink drawing as a creative and
relaxing hobby for all but please make sure that you obtain my consent before using the material in their
workbook in any manner other than personal use.

Dedicated to all who seek to discover and express their creative side

Version 5, Updated February 2020

Do make use of all the space in this workbook and practice doing all the activities. As with mostly everything else,
practice is the key to improving. If you don’t like your initial attempt, then don’t get discouraged and try again.
Enjoy the process of discovering your creative side

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted

6
Content:
Drawing Tree Trunk…………………………………….……… .. Page 11
Drawing Twisted Trunk..……………….………………… ..... Page 21
Drawing Tree Knots..……………………………….…………... Page 34
Concept of Horizon.………………………………….………….. Page 54
Drawing Distant Elements.…………………………..………. Page 58
Drawing Ground Cover…………….……………….……….... Page 62
Drawing Tree Branches..………………………………..…….. Page 70
Drawing Young Trees……………………………..…………….. Page 72
Drawing Bare Winter Trees……………………………….…. Page 76
Drawing Tall Twigs………….…………………………..……….. Page 82
Drawing Bark Close-Up………….…………………………….. Page 90

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 7

Content, Continued:
Drawing Trunk with Bark Details…..…………….……….. Page 98
Drawing Weathered Post..…………….…………………….. Page 109
Drawing Branches Lying on Ground………….………… .. Page 120
Drawing Tree Roots.. .….……………………………..………. Page 124
Drawing Old Tree Stump ………..…………… ….………….. Page 142
Drawing Tree Foliage …………………………………..…….. Page 151
Drawing Wooded Area………………………………………….. Page 179
Drawing Snow…………………………………………………………Page 186

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 8

Templates for Practice:
It goes without saying that practice is key to improvement. I recommend carrying a small pocket sketch book
with you and drawing in it when ever you get any chance. A big benefit of pen and ink drawing is that it can be
done anywhere as all it takes is a pen and paper.

All the practice exercises in this workbook are kept on odd pages so that they can be easily attempted. That
said, unfortunately as the workbook is not spiralbound, you might find it bit cumbersome sometimes. With
that in mind, and also to enable additional practice, I am providing practice activities covered in this workbook
as a downloadable PDF file at the following location.

www.pendrawings.me/practice
You can download and print (with free PDF Reader) the practice exercises in this workbook as you need them
from the above link. It is often very useful to try the same exercises multiple times with slight variations as
suggested here to understand the effect of different choices on the resulting outcome. This will help you
develop your own unique drawing style as well. Remember, the aim is not to slavely copy what I have drawn,
but to understand the core stroke and its manner of usage and then apply it in your own unique ways.
Exercises in this workbook and ones you print and practice will help you in that goal.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 9

Part 1: Trunks, Roots, Wooden Posts etc.

In the first part of the workbook, we will focus on drawing trunks with different feel (old, twisted, young), roots,
old stumps etc. Essentially parts of tree without foliage, which is cover in part 2. Foliage and leaves are often
associated with trees but in part 1 we will see how very pleasing drawings can be done with trunks and roots
alone.

Drawing Tree Trunks:

To believably draw a tree trunk, two things need to be accomplished:

1. Show the bark texture.

2. Show the roundness of the trunk.

Bark texture is indicated by using pen marks that imitate bark shape and texture. Roundness is indicated by
darkening one side of the trunk more than the other.

First, we learn how to draw simple pleasing trunks using a simple ‘bark stroke’. Next, we learn how to draw bark
details for more interesting trunks. Drawing roots is covered next. Weathered wooden posts are drawn using the
same techniques and covered next. Finally, we learn how to draw simple landscapes with trunks as the main
element.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 10

How to Draw a Tree Trunk: Activity : Practice drawing bark stroke below
Stroke Used: Wandering lines in
the direction of trunk edge
Don’t use straight simple
lines

Bigger lines
towards the
middle Middle 1/3
Smaller facing viewer
lines along Darken one in middle tone
the edges side more to
indicate
roundness
1/3 should be
lightest, can be
left almost
white

Step 1: Draw Step 2: Add

Step 3: Add more bark
tapered outline bark lines
lines to one side

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 11

Concept of Tonal Variation:
Light doesn’t fall uniformly on any curved surface. Surface that is facing the light source is lit
the brightest while the surface away from the light source is darkest. Brightest area should have
least stroke giving it bright appearance while more stroke should be used for darker areas.
Direction of
light

Darkest Brightest Area

Area (away Uniform tone doesn’t give By using appropriate density of stroke, right tone
(Facing light)
from light) perception of volume is given to different areas, bringing out perception
of volume

Same principle applies to trunks.

It is assumed Sun is shining from
right in following pages and so
that side is left lightest.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 12

 Activity : Practice drawing bark stroke per earlier instructions in trunks outline below. Add more stroke to left
side to make it bit darker. This brings out the roundness.

Direction of
Keep lines lines close to
shorter on the edges Bigger lines
the edges should follow in the
the trunk center
outline

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 13

Drawing Trunk Outline: Concept of ‘organic line’:
When drawing your own trunk outline, always use an ‘organic’ line as shown below. An ‘organic’ line has a
‘mellow’ appearance and doesn’t feel forced. It is obtained by holding your pen lightly and letting your pen
‘wander’ a bit. Very small movement in the line gives it a pleasant feel.

Too much Right taper

taper

Vs

Always taper the trunk,

but not too much.
Make sure it looks
Hard Don’t use hard line for ‘natural’.
Organic Use organic line instead
Line trunk's edge
Line

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 14

Activity : Draw your own trunks and texture them below. Grounding trunk is covered in detail later.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 15

Finishing a Trunk: Activity : Practice drawing tapered
crevices and edge irregularities
Add tapered crevices and edge irregularities
below

Add tapered darks

Crevices should to edges to
always be tapered indicate edge
roughness

NEVER use a
flat/rectangular shape

Extend base
Add grass to define
to ground ground
trunk form
Activity : Practice adding tapered
crevices and edge irregularities in step 3
drawing

Activity : Practice adding tapered crevices

Step 3: Step 4: Add crevices and Step 5: Finish and edge irregularities in previous page
edge irregularities
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 16
 Give more feel of roundness to trunk by Activity : Add more bark strokes on
left side below to make it darker and
darkening one side more by using more stroke: bring out the roundness.
Middle
tone
More stroke
lines used to
Darkest lightest increase
level of
darkness

Activity : Practice making left

side of first drawing on left
more darker.

Activity : Practice making left side

Relative change in darkness from one end to other brings out the of trunks drawn earlier more
roundness. Absolute levels don’t matter but adding more strokes darker to give it more rounded feel.
makes the bark more rough and gives trunk an old feel.

Level of darkness on the left side is a matter of personal preference. Experiment to see what you prefer.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 17

Adding Bigger Tapered Darks:
To add visual interest, bigger tapered darks can be added. As their size increases, they indicate a cut in bark
and adds age to the tree. They also act as focal points for the viewer and by using them in an irregularly
pleasing manner, more visual interest to a trunk can be added.

This is the trunk we have drawn so far Here I have increased the size of crevices.
with smaller tapered crevices used. They now start to become focal points and
add visual interest.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 18
Adding Bigger Tapered Darks, Continued:
By using tapered crevices in different sizes in an irregular manner, appropriate feel for trunk can be conveyed.
Use the bigger crevices towards the bottom of the tree where trunk is thickest. Tonal distribution of dark to
light across trunk still need to be maintained. Add more crevices towards one side to maintain that.

Compared to last page, crevices are Using bigger crevices at the bottom gives trunk
further made bigger. This starts to give hollowed aged feel. This technique is used with
trunk an old aged feel. even bigger crevices to create old stumps later.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 19
Activity : Draw bigger crevices in following trunks to give them a different feel.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 20

Drawing Twisted Trunks:
So far we have drawn straight trunks. Same techniques can be used to draw twisted trunks as well. In a
landscape, combination of such trunks with different shapes (and sizes) is usually more visually pleasing.

Bigger
crevices in
center with
smaller
Bark stroke
towards the
and taper
edges. Also
are added in
notice their
the direction
irregular
of trunk.
layout.

A twisted trunk with crevices marked Next crevices are filled and bark stroke
out is initially drawn. as discussed earlier is added.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 21

Drawing Twisted Trunks, Continued:
Bigger tapered darks as we saw before can be used very effectively with twisted trunks to bring out the feel of
age and add visual interest.

Make sure
the edges
are not
Such
smooth but
tapered
have
darks at
roughness
edges adds
and sharp
to visual
turns.
interest.

One side is made darker as before by Deeper crevices are added and trunk
using more strokes. grounded to give it a finished feel.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 22
Drawing Twisted Trunks, Additional Examples:
My using different shapes and sizes for trunks, many interesting variations on this theme can be easily drawn
from imagination. Following are some additional examples.

Bifurcated twisted trunk adds more character

and drama to the trunk. Addition of a broken
off branch also adds visual interest.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 23
Drawing Intertwined Twisted Trunks:
Twisted trunks can be inter twined as well to create even more dramatic effect. Following is a simple example.
Again, there is no limit to such interesting drawings you can do from your imagination.

Start by drawing inter twined twisted trunks Finish per earlier instructions.
outline in this manner.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 24
Activity: Draw twisted trunks below per earlier instructions:

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 25

Drawing Dividing Trunk:
Instead of single main trunk, many times the main trunk divides very close to ground in many main trunks.
These multiple main trunks are also very visually appealing. They can be textured using the same techniques
we have leaned so far.

Always start by drawing the trunks in front first. There is a balance in nature between the sides to take
the weights of the trunks. Strike of this balance in your outline.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 26
Drawing Dividing Trunk, Continued:
Add secondary trunks again in a balanced manner. The distribution of trunks should feel ‘plausible’. Observe
the trunks when outside and notice the many ways in which they divide but maintain a balance.

Secondary branches are added to Initial texturing is done using the

give more visual appeal. bark stroke.
For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 27
Drawing Dividing Trunk, Continued:
Darken one side more to bring out the roundness as before. Different levels of darker tone gives different feel
as the second drawing below shows.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 28

Drawing Dividing Trunk, Additional Example:
Here is another example. There is no limit to such trunks that can be drawn from your imagination. Observe
the nature when outside to get your inspiration. You can also try internet search to get ideas.

Notice the use of this

line to clearly establish
the order of trunks.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 29

Drawing Dividing Trunk, Additional Example:
Such trunks with wooden posts and a background of mountains and sky are quick pleasing landscapes that can
be done from imagination anytime. This is the power of bark stroke. Once you learn to use it effectively, it can
be used to draw different types of interesting trunks and landscapes incorporating them.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 30

Continue your Journey with the Workbook:
This is the end of this free preview but I invite you to get the workbook and continue your pen and ink drawing
adventure. There is lot more in the workbook and following are some of the other elements you will learn to
drawn and how to put them together in a landscape. Pl. visit www.pendrawings.me/workbooks to get
started.

For more information visit www.pendrawings.me/getstarted 31