Comments on: The Pen and Ink Experience – Mixing Methods

By: Ed Tam

Ed Tam — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:37:08 +0000

One thing I didn’t realize Matt I thought when I added water to the ink it was going to break down the color. Like when I use a brush on Diamine inks with Sepia breaking into brownish & yellow, Now I understand that is not going to happen I will be more aggressive in diluting thanks the help me understand a new concept that I had not tried!

By: Ed Tam

Ed Tam — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:57:50 +0000

Hi Matt, So how much water to ink? Carbon Black would not hardly go past a medium grey. I think I was about 4 parts water to ink. I tried my Noodler Catfish black same thing never could get past the grey. I really like whatever you used seemed to have a brownish hue to it and I was wanting to do an Airedale. Ok was I right on hue and tint. I may need to get that tatooed on my forearm lol.

Thanks Ed from Iowa USA

By: matt

matt — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 19:23:24 +0000

In reply to Cheryl Young. Hi Cheryl, I typically use a graphite transfer. This process does not use any transfer paper. To transfer the image, cover the back of the reference (printed on regular paper) with soft graphite. Flip it over and place it in place over your surface. Tape it down and trace over the subject with a sharp tool like a graphite pencil. Then remove the reference and you're left with a contour transfer in place.

By: Cheryl Young

Cheryl Young — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 17:07:02 +0000

Hi Matt,
Do you use a particular type of transfer paper? It is not listed in the materials section

By: Anna Maria Lassen

Anna Maria Lassen — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 13:09:37 +0000

Hi Matt
The background jazz music is very disturbing. It makes it difficult to hear and concentrate on your instructions. It would be a great improvement, if you removed it. Besides from this, your courses are excellent.

Best regards,
Anna Maria

By: matt

matt — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:55:38 +0000

In reply to Libby Unwin.

Hi Libby,

There are a lot of lessons around here on value, but perhaps this one will be the most helpful…
https://thevirtualinstructor.com/members/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-nine-shadow-and-light/

If you are having trouble discerning different values, you may look into purchasing or making a value scale or value finder. You can then print out your reference in black and white and use the value finder or scale to match values in your reference. Over time, it will become easier to discern different values without the need for a tool. You could try this one out in the meantime…https://www.amazon.com/Color-Wheel-245557-Scale-Finder/dp/B007SQ2MIM

By: Libby Unwin

Libby Unwin — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:18:19 +0000

Hi Matt,

I think my issue starts in the beginning. Can you please show how to “see” a photo, like this one, where you assess the lights and darks and in-between values? I look at the photo, and I can see the obvious WHITE and DARK parts, but the values in between…. I’m not quite getting that part. Or maybe you have another lesson I can look at for this? Just how to look at a photo before you attempt to draw/paint it…

Thanks,
Libby

By: matt

matt — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 20:06:05 +0000

In reply to Donna Mallery. Hi Donna, Yes, the same ink is used.

By: Donna Mallery

Donna Mallery — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 18:21:41 +0000

Are you using the Liquitex ink from the previous lesion? I’m clueless on types of ink!

By: Denise van Hulst

Denise van Hulst — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 19:25:14 +0000

I got this course to help me get out of an art block. After having watched all the videos I decided to try a dog as demonstrated. I was drawn to this exercise because of the combination of wash and pen work. I use brush and washes a lot but wanted to add more markmaking and details to my work because I feel like it’s lacking something. I ended up doing the whole thing in pen with just a light wash in places to soften it out some. I’m really super happy with it. Great easy to follow instructions. I love your drawing/ inking style. Going to try the bee next. 🙂