PEN & INK
DRAWING BASICS

PEN & INK DRAWING

If you've ever...

Felt unsure how to use ink without “ruining” your drawing

Struggled to create depth, value, or texture

Loved the look of pen & ink but didn’t know where to begin

Or wanted your drawings to feel more refined and intentional

This course will show you exactly how to get there.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Inside this course, you’ll learn how to:

Build value using crosshatching, stippling, scumbling, and line work

Control line weight for depth and emphasis

Translate observation into confident ink drawings

Develop texture—from delicate botanical forms to animal surfaces

Move from simple studies → finished, portfolio-worthy pieces

WHO THIS IS FOR:

PEN & INK DRAWING BASICS is perfect for :

✔ Beginners who want a clear, structured starting point
✔ Artists returning to drawing after time away
✔ Intermediate artists looking to refine technique

✔ Students building foundational skills for portfolios

You do not need advanced drawing skills.

WHAT THIS IS NOT

Not about making perfect drawings

Not about copying finished examples

Not a fast “hack” or shortcut

This is about learning how to see, think, and build drawings with intention.

Build a creative habit you love.

What Makes This PEN & INK Course Different?

This is not a collection of random techniques.

This is a structured drawing system that moves you through:

Understanding materials

Mastering core techniques

Training your eye through guided exercises

Applying those skills to real subjects

Creating finished artwork with confidence

Learn the essential tools and how to use them with control and intention.

Foundations: Materials & Techniques

Core Ink Techniques

Master value through:

Crosshatching

Stippling

Scumbling

Feathering

Learning to See

Develop your drawing skills through:

Contour drawing

Gesture drawing

Line exploration

Projects:

Botanical Ink Studies

Create elegant, nature-inspired drawings with refined line and structure.

Still Life in Ink

Build strong compositions from simple objects to complete arrangements.

Animal Textures

Learn how to render fur, feathers, and surface detail using ink.

Ink Landscapes

Translate space, depth, and atmosphere into line-based compositions.

A Foundation for Your Drawing Practice

  • This course is ideal if you want:

    • A technical foundation in drawing with ink

    • More control and clarity in your work

    • A structured way to improve your skills

    If you’re looking for a more open-ended, sketchbook-based creative practice, you can continue into our SKETCHBOOK BOOTCAMP

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the PEN & INK DRAWING BASICS course for?

The course is designed for artists and art enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to more advanced artists looking to learn about pen & ink

What materials do I need?

For PEN & INK DRAWING BASICS you don’t need fancy or expensive supplies—just a few basics to get started. The course is designed to be flexible and open-ended, so you can use whatever you already have or want to explore.


Recommended Materials

Sketchbook → any size you feel comfortable with (spiral-bound, hardbound, or mixed media paper).

Drawing Tools → pencils, pens, sharpie markers, felt tipped pens

Color Media → watercolor, colored pencils, pastels etc. for adding color to your ink drawings

What is the CREATIVE COMMUNITY?

The Creative Community is the supportive online space connected to your Sketchbook Bootcamp (and other Online Studio Arts courses). It’s where students can:

Connect With Other Artists

You won’t be working in isolation. Inside the Creative Community, you’ll meet other students exploring our courses. It’s a chance to see how differently each person interprets the same theme, which is inspiring and often eye-opening.

Share Your Work

Students are encouraged to upload photos of their sketchbook pages. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing your progress, sparking new ideas, and celebrating creativity in all its forms.

Encourage & Get Feedback

The Creative Community is designed as a safe, positive space where you can receive encouragement, constructive comments, and share your own observations to help others grow.

Stay Motivated

Seeing others post their progress helps keep your momentum going. One student’s bold color palette might inspire your next page, while your line drawing might spark someone else’s experiment.

You can think of it as your Creative Sanctuary online—a place where your art is seen, celebrated, and connected to a bigger circle of creatives.

MEET THE FOUNDER & CEO & TEACHER

Eileen Baumeister McIntyre is the founder of Online Studio Arts and a New York State Certified Art Teacher of 36 years with a Master’s Degree in Art Education.

She is a practicing professional fine artist, jewelry designer and art studio & gallery owner.

Eileen's award winning artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the country.

 

“Pen and ink is often seen as unforgiving—but when you understand how to use line, value, and texture, it becomes one of the most expressive and rewarding mediums to work in. This course was designed to give you that foundation.”
— Eileen Baumeister McIntyre, Founder, Online Studio Arts

Sketchbook Bootcamp-inspiration, creative thought provoking prompts, and the freedom to make it yours.

Art Portfolio Prep – develop finished portfolio pieces
Private Art Coaching – individualized creative art mentorship

Kind Words...

Krystal S.

Eileen Baumeister McIntyre is one of the most memorable teachers I have ever had. Her patience, kindness, and incredible sense of humor made learning from her a wonderful experience.


Her classes are fun and you genuinely leave feeling like you’ve learned something new that will take your art to the next level.

Brian S.

Eileen is one of the nicest people I have ever had the chance to work with. She has helped me gain a lot of confidence in my art skills and abilities.

She constantly motivated me to push myself and to work on projects I never thought I could complete.
Her feedback is always insightful too, which helps a lot. Besides her being a great teacher, she is super funny and very patient with her students.

Eileen is a fantastic artist, therefore there’s no one better to get help from! I definitely recommend her teaching to anyone of any skill level.

Nicole P.

Eileen was my art teacher growing up and continues to teach and mentor me with my artwork today.

She is a talented professional artist who is knowledgeable in all art mediums!

I highly recommend anyone at any level to take classes.

Join PEN & INK DRAWING BASICS Today

Designed to Strengthen Your Artistic Foundation

through easy to follow demonstrations