Pen & Ink: Exploring the Solanaceae Family

Class Overview:

Dive into the world of pen and ink, a versatile and accessible medium for producing botanical drawings and scientific illustrations. In this six week course led by botanical instructor, Catherine Tong, you will explore traditional methods and materials using the Nightshade family, Solanaceae, as our subject matter. This plant family includes between 2,500-3,000 species including tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes. Emphasis will be given to mark-making techniques and the understanding of form using dip pens and technical pens. Students will demonstrate an understanding of line, hatching and stipple through a series of exercises and their choice of three unique drawings or a single drawing. Class demonstrations and one-on-one guidance will be offered; handouts will be provided.

In this class you will: 

• Successfully control and care for dip pens and technical pens
• Practice line, hatching, cross-hatching and stipple techniques
• Effectively convey form using varying tonal values in ink
• Appreciate the history and modern uses of pen and ink

Supplies - Student is responsible for bringing their own supplies to include:

• Smooth drawing paper, 9"x12” (Suggested: Strathmore Bristol Smooth Drawing pad, 300, 400 or 500 series). Smooth surfaces are very important for learning pen and ink. Your pen nib will catch rough surfaces, leading to disruption in your lines.
• Sharp 2H drawing pencil (Suggested: Caran d’Ache or Faber-Castell)
• White plastic eraser (Suggested: Staedler Mars plastic eraser)
• Ink: Higgins Black Magic Waterproof India Ink or similar
• Nibs: Hunt #102 and Hunt #104. I suggest buying at least two nibs of each type in case one nib bends. Nibs are around $2 each.
• Nib Holders: One holder for each type of nib. The #102 and the #104 fit into different styles of nib holders.
• Technical pens: Micron 005 and Micron 01, Black
• Optional: Mechanical eraser (Suggested: Tombow Mono Zero)
• Optional: Tracing paper pad, at least 9”x12” (Suggested: Canson Pro Art 9x12” tracing paper pad). Tracing paper will be provided for in-class use.
  

Instructor Bio: 

Catherine Tong is a full-time visual artist with 19 years of teaching experience in Arts Education. She holds a certificate from the Minnesota School of Botanical Art and is an active member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Catherine works from her studio in Northeast Minneapolis where her goal is to help her viewer form deeper connections to the land and water through the arts. Her teaching approach can be described as structured, gentle and empowering for students of all life experiences.