Comments on: The Pen and Ink Experience – Portrait Drawing

By: Rita Conway

Rita Conway — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:21:17 +0000

I am a true beginner when it comes to art of any kind! I’m finding out that I do seem to be able to draw. I finished this portrait, but used the Micron 03 pen because I was having trouble controlling the dip pen. I’m excited to try your various courses to see which medium I enjoy working with the most. Thanks for putting these wonderful courses together for beginners!

By: Marianne Post

Marianne Post — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 21:22:30 +0000

What a challenge! I thought working with the dip pen would be a huge stumbling block for me. But as it turned out that was the least of my problems. What really was challenging was determining the contour lines. The slightest change in planes was difficult to render at first. Once I got going and reviewed the schematics that you annotated in the pdf resources very helpful and invaluable. Thanks for another great lesson!

By: Gaelle Vallee-Tourangeau

Gaelle Vallee-Tourangeau — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 13:26:02 +0000

I liked doing this

By: Gaelle Vallee-Tourangeau

Gaelle Vallee-Tourangeau — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 08:02:58 +0000

In reply to Brandy Woldstad. I like using technical drawing pens to get more control over my drawings but nib pens might be better for portraits to get a more fluid line

By: Chakkapong Tangverachayanan

Chakkapong Tangverachayanan — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 04:17:41 +0000

Could you explain more on why you choose to develop value before the cross contour lines?

By: Jesús Alejandro Del Campo Martínez

Jesús Alejandro Del Campo Martínez — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 21:00:21 +0000

In reply to Paul Levy. X2

By: Amy Astin-elliott

Amy Astin-elliott — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 02:04:06 +0000

This is amazing i cant wait to get started Is a lamy safari pen the same as a dip pen ?

By: Pauline Eccleston

Pauline Eccleston — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 00:26:20 +0000

You are incredibly talented. I found this tutorial so helpful. Thank you!

By: JD Jackson

JD Jackson — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 13:05:18 +0000

I am so excited to have found these lessons! I can’t seem to complete one course before I jump to another because they all are so amazing. I’ve never done pen and ink before, so let’s go there, I thought to myself. It took me weeks of looking at the landscape drawing before even attempting it, but I was happy with the result. This portrait lesson is very challenging in that I have NEVER done portrait OR dip pens. The first attempt (in my opinion) was a disaster. Let me qualify that by saying it was my skill/experience that was lacking, not the instructions. Not a quitter, I will practice more with my dip pen and various size nibs, and give it another go. Thanks Matt for the wonderful lessons and calmly laid out details.

By: Margaret Orchard

Margaret Orchard — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 15:45:38 +0000

I am in awe of your talent. Normally one would expect an artist to excel at say botanical illustration or landscape drawing but you manage to excel in every medium and in every subject. This tutorial is inspirational. I love portraiture but have never thought to use pen and ink. I know it is not easy because I tried a picture of a motorcycle for a friend and it was a disaster but now I can see where I went wrong. I am definitely going to give this a whirl. Congratulations Matte on your incredible talent and also on your ability to make everything look so simple.