{"id":5834,"date":"2018-09-28T10:19:06","date_gmt":"2018-09-28T14:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/?p=5834"},"modified":"2019-06-27T20:34:42","modified_gmt":"2019-06-28T00:34:42","slug":"how-to-correct-mistakes-in-pen-ink-drawings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/how-to-correct-mistakes-in-pen-ink-drawings","title":{"rendered":"How to Correct Mistakes in Pen and Ink Drawings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"How<\/div>\n
If you have any experience with ink then you already know what it takes to get everything in your drawing just right.<\/p>\n

A wrong motion can leave an unpleasant blob or smear on your paper. It\u2019s also possible to lose focus or make an erroneous decision. Anything of this kind may lead to the question: \u201cHow do I correct this disappointing mistake?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ink has a reputation of being an unforgiving medium. This idea may be holding many artists back from entering the world of ink drawing. It\u2019s true that in some cases we may have to start over, but such cases are not as frequent as you might think.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss various tools and techniques that we can use to correct mistakes made with pen and ink<\/a>. Perhaps you’ll see that you may not have to start over after all.<\/p>\n

Related reading:<\/strong> 7 Must Have Pen and Ink Supplies<\/a><\/p>\n

But before we dive into our solutions, let’s take a look at preventing the mistakes in the first place and the meaning of imperfection.<\/p>\n

What Is a Mistake in a Pen and Ink Drawing?<\/h2>\n

There is a belief that ink as a medium attracts artists that love the sense of control. Some art media, like watercolor, doesn\u2019t give us that kind of feeling and requires a different mindset.<\/p>\n

If you like to be in control, anything that differs from your initial plan may be considered as a mistake. Sometimes we become so attached to our vision that any accidental deviation \u2013 even the lucky ones \u2013 should be rejected and considered a mistake. It\u2019s unfortunate that some approach art in this manner since our “mistakes” may make our art even more interesting or feel more spontaneous.<\/p>\n

So what if those little things that we call “mistakes” aren’t actually mistakes? <\/strong><\/p>\n

What if their purpose is to enhance our work \u2013 only if we allow them to? And what if it\u2019s rather a matter of individual perspective than an objective thing?<\/p>\n

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Of course, real mistakes do happen and they should be addressed and not ignored.<\/p>\n

For example, if we consider a drawing from life that should be realistic but the values are incorrect – chances are that the result will look neither believable nor attractive. Our eyes are naturally trained to notice the imperfections<\/em>. If we notice them, then our viewers will too.<\/p>\n

The best cure for this type of mistake is practice<\/strong>. The more you draw from observation and train your eyes, the better your drawings will become. This type of mistake is skill-based and will only be rectified by improving your skill – which requires practice. <\/p>\n

Even still, I strongly recommend that you keep an accepting and positive attitude to any form of imperfection. If you did something wrong because you lack skill, don\u2019t beat yourself up \u2013 as long as you\u2019re moving forward, there is progress. Everyone, even people that we view as masters, face difficulties along the way.<\/p>\n

The last thing to mention before we continue is time<\/strong>. Always take a break before deciding that a “mistake” needs correcting! Chances are that you\u2019ll come back to your drawing in a couple of days and see its beauty and charm.<\/p>\n

For me and many other artists, a time gap is crucial. Right after I\u2019ve finished a new piece, I see all of the “problems”. At this point, the mind is still too focused on details \u2013 it can\u2019t see the picture as a whole! But after a bit of time, I can see all of the things I’ve done correctly and I can appreciate the finished work – “mistakes” and all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Power of Prevention<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s remember the old truism that prevention is better than a cure. How does prevention look in the context of art made with ink?<\/p>\n

When I was preparing this article, I had to think about my own creative process<\/a>. To be honest, I make things that can be called mistakes quite rarely, therefore there is no frequent need to correct them. Why?<\/p>\n

First, I avoid distractions while drawing and make sure that I\u2019m as focused and observant as possible. This allows me to reach a state of “flow” and, paradoxically, feeling relaxed. The process becomes easier and more fun!<\/p>\n

Second, I do my preliminary work. It may include searching for the necessary reference photos and examining them, studying the objects, creating sketches and so on.<\/p>\n

Having a pencil underdrawing<\/strong> for your finished artwork helps a lot. When you start a new ink artwork, it\u2019s easy to get caught up in the \u201cfear of blank paper\u201d trap. Careful thinking through the work with a pencil in hand eliminates the fear. No more guesswork while inking!<\/p>\n

Before taking to your nib pen or liner, make sure that you have everything you need at hand (for example, the supplies and reference photos). Take a deep breath, clear your mind, and surrender yourself to the process of creation.<\/p>\n

Be Aware of Smearing<\/h2>\n

While drawing with ink, watch carefully if your newly drawn lines are steady and dry enough. If your ink isn’t dry, it can easily smear. This especially applies to slick, glossy types of paper because inks dry slower on them.<\/p>\n

After completing the artwork, let the ink dry completely before erasing any pencil marks that you used as guidelines.<\/p>\n

Smears are perhaps the most common mistake when drawing with ink, but also the easiest to avoid with a little patience.<\/p>\n

A quick tip:<\/strong> working with a waterproof ink ensures that your beautiful lines won\u2019t be washed away with an accidental drop of liquid like water or tea.<\/p>\n

Seven Ways to Correct Mistakes in Ink Drawings<\/h2>\n

1. Make the Mistake a Part of Your Drawing<\/h3>\n

Sometimes it\u2019s possible to incorporate an accidental imperfection into the artwork, so no one will even notice it. No matter what kind of mistake it is \u2013 a blob of ink, a smear or an irregular line, try to approach it creatively.<\/p>\n

A few options to transform your drawing are:<\/p>\n